Genus Sporophila contains small to tiny seedeaters in the tanager (Thraupidae) family. They have thick bills used mostly to eat grass seeds. The female is often plain and brown, but may show hints of the male's characteristics. |
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Once considered the same species at the all black Thick-billed Seed Finch. HBW writes there is some hybridization in the Madgalena Valley of Colombia. |
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Compare to Lined Seedeater, but note black crown. Found in marshes and grassland. |
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All black in the north part of range (Central America), while birds further south have a white breast with a crescent-shaped band across the chest. Male from back with tail spread. |
Very rare and unreliable. |
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Moves seasonally to northwest Amazon perhaps to eat grass seeds during the low water season. Compare to Lesson's Seedeater but note white crown; females identical. |
Found in the Andes at mid altitude levels in semi-open areas. Locally common at best. |
As seen from the latin name minutus, a tiny seedeater that favors grass seeds. Eating grass seeds |
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Note white eye-ring compared to very similar Grey Seedeater. Generally a lowland species. Not reliable (wanders), but often found in flocks at bamboo when seeds are present (HBW). Note smaller bill with more curved culmen than Grey Seedeater (hard to be sure about). Female eating bamboo seed. |
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Found in arid scrub, and sometimes common in the Peruvian desert. Additional photo. |