Lesson's Seedeater
Sporophila bouvronides
Small, sparrow-like bird. Male has mostly black head with large white whisker mark; female is olive-brown on back and pale yellowish below with a dull yellow bill. Found in open marshlands and disturbed habitats with long grass, especially near water; often seen in flocks, feeding on grass seeds. Song is a staccato series of about 10 notes on one pitch. Most similar to Lined Seedeater, but male Lesson’s lacks a white stripe on crown; females of the two species are identical and not safely identified unless accompanied by males. Females are best told from other seedeaters (except Lined) by strong yellowish wash on underparts and relatively small, dull yellow bill.
Identification
The Lesson's seedeater is a small, sparrow-like bird around 10.5–11 cm. Males have a mostly black head with large white whisker mark; females have an olive-brown back and pale yellowish belly with a dull yellow bill.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Sporophila bouvronides
- Authority
- (Lesson, RP, 1831)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Sporophila
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- SA : n Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, Tobago and the Guianas
- Non-breeding range
- n Amazonia
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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