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A Sporophila bouvronides grips a twig with one foot while facing forward, displaying black and white plumage and a slightly hooked bill
Sporophila bouvronides (Lesson's Seedeater)

Sporophila bouvronides is a small finch species native to parts of Central and South America, typically found in open and semi-open habitats such as savannas, grasslands, marsh edges, and shrubby pastures. Its distribution extends from eastern Panama and northern Colombia through Venezuela, the Guianas, Amazonian Brazil, and down into Bolivia. It is a migratory species in some parts of its range, with certain populations in southern Brazil and Bolivia moving north during the non-breeding season.

This species measures approximately 4.3 inches in length. Adult males in breeding plumage display a contrasting pattern of a black head, white throat, and gray to olive-brown upperparts with white underparts. Females and non-breeding males have a more uniform buff or brown coloration. One of the most recognizable behaviors of Sporophila bouvronides is its vocal activity—males sing complex and varied songs from exposed perches to defend territory and attract mates, and these vocalizations vary geographically, leading to localized song types. During the breeding season, pairs nest low in grasses or shrubs, often concealed, and clutch size generally ranges from two to three eggs. The species feeds mainly on grass seeds, which it extracts using its conical bill, and supplements its diet with insects during the breeding period.

Sporophila bouvronides is currently assessed as a species of least concern, with a widespread and stable population across its range. The species has been documented in regional cagebird markets. Photographed in northern Colombia.

A Sporophila bouvronides looks downward with feathers puffed, revealing black plumage with bold white wing patches and tail accents

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