Thick-billed Seed-Finch
Sporophila funerea
Small seed-eating bird of humid tropical lowlands; uncommon. Found in damp grassy areas, overgrown weedy fields, and forest edges, often in areas with scattered bushes and small trees. Usually seen singly or in pairs, not usually in flocks with other seed-eating birds. Male plumage same as male Variable Seedeater in Mexico—black with a small white wing patch, but note very thick bill (not small and stubby). Female rich brown overall, with thicker bill than similar female Blue Bunting.
Identification
The thick-billed seed finch (Sporophila funerea) is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae, but was until recently placed in Emberizidae. It is found widely in shrubby and grassy areas from southern Mexico, through Central America, to the Chocó in Colombia and Ecuador. It is replaced by the closely related chestnut-bellied seed finch in South America east of the Andes, as well as the valleys of Cauca and Magdalena in Colombia. The two have often been considered conspecific as the lesser seed-finch (Sporophila angolensis). The male is almost entirely black, with a small white wing patch. The female is a rich brown all over. They are both very similar to the all-black Caribbean slope form of the variable seedeater. It is distinguished, however, by a larger bill with a straight culmen. They measure 11.5 cm (4.5 in) long and weigh 13.5 g (0.48 oz).
Taxonomy
Genus: Sporophila; Family: Thraupidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Sporophila funerea
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL, 1860)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Sporophila
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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