Dark-throated Seedeater (Sporophila ruficollis)

Identification & Behavior: ~11 cm (4.3 in). The male Dark-throated Seedeater has gray upperparts. The throat, sides of the head, and upper breast are black. The rump and rest of the underparts are rufous. It has a white wing speculum. The female is olive-brown above and brown with shades of buff below. It forages in open areas with scattered shrubs as well in grassland, fallow agricultural fields, and hedges. It is similar to the Tawny-bellied Seedeater but males have a black throat. Females of these species may be difficult to identify even in hand. Overall, female Sporophila seedeaters are readily identified by the males that accompany them.

Status: The Dark-throated Seedeater is rare and perhaps an occasional Austral migrant to Pampas del Heath in extreme southeast Peru. It also occurs in Br and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Espiguero de Garganta Oscura.

Sub-species: Dark-throated Seedeater (Sporophila ruficollis), Cabanis, 1851.

Meaning of Name: Sporophila: Gr. sporos= seed and philos= lover. ruficollis: L. rufus= red, ruddy, rufous and collis, collum= necked, throated.

See more of the Family Thraupidae