Double-collared Seedeater
Sporophila caerulescens
Very small finchlike bird of forest edges, shrubby areas, and agricultural areas. Males have a white mustache and collar along with a black chin and chest band giving the impression of a double collar. Note the male’s yellow bill. Gray above and white below. Females are plain brown with a bicolored bill.
Identification
It is a dimorphic species, with the male having a gray head and back, a black-collared throat, paired with a black band just below, across the upper whitish breast. It has gray legs, a medium length tail, and the stout bill for seed-eating. The female is less colorful.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Sporophila caerulescens
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1823)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Sporophila
Range and habitat
The species ranges from central Argentina east of the Andes cordillera northwards through Bolivia and Paraguay, and northeastwards into south-central Brazil, and southeast coastal Brazil; the species retreats into Amazonia during the austral winter. The double-collared seedeater is only found in the southern Amazon Basin, limited by the Amazon River as its northern limit.<p>In the west Amazon Basin it is found in eastern regions of Peru, the Ucayali River areas, and mostly the eastern bank of the north-flowing river. In the southeast Basin, it ranges from the Cerrado into the upstream two-thirds of the north-flowing Araguaia-Tocantins River drainage system.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Slate-colored Coot
Fulica ardesiaca
Widespread, rather large but “average” coot of lakes, marshes, and river mouths; mainly in Andes and adjacent Pacific coastal lowlands. Despite the name, its plumage is no more slate-colored than other coots. Adult comes in three types: most Andean birds have a dark red forehead shield and yellowish bill; elsewhere, rounded forehead shield can be white or pale yellow with a whitish bill. Legs greenish, appreciably shorter than legs of Giant Coot, which occurs alongside Slate-colored at some lakes. Juvenile has a variably grizzled whitish face and throat.
Cock-tailed Tyrant
Alectrurus tricolor
A remarkable flycatcher; males are black above and white below with a broad tail that has longer central feathers and is usually held perpendicular to the others and spread like a fan. Females are mottled brown above and whitish below without the cocked tail. Occurs in open, humid, and tall grass savanna areas that have been well preserved. Mostly silent.
Raso Skylark
Alauda razae
Found only on Raso Island of the Cape Verdes. Overall grayish-brown and moderately streaked including the breast. Note the large and heavy bill. Sometimes erects small crest. Belongs to the same genus as Eurasian Skylark, but is smaller with shorter wings and tail than Eurasian Skylark. Found along dry riverbeds on flat plains. Song is similar to that of Crested Lark. Call a short rattle, "Chureep."
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