Lesson's Seedeater

Overview

Lesson's seedeater (Sporophila bouvronides) is a small, migratory bird in the family Thraupidae. It is found across parts of South America and the Caribbean, with a very large range that includes countries from Colombia to Bolivia.

Identification

• Length of 10 to 11 cm with a short, thick bill and a rounded culmen.
• Sexually dimorphic: adult males have a matte black head with a large triangular white patch on the cheek and black upperparts with a white rump band; females are olive-brown above with creamy buff underparts.
• Song varies by region, described as a long rolling trill followed by chattering, or a short rubbery trill ending in an abrupt 'tu-weet'.

Habitat

Primarily inhabits grasslands, pastures, and shrubby areas, usually near water, and uses forest edges and clearings during the breeding season. Its breeding range extends from northeastern Colombia across northern Venezuela and the Guianas to Trinidad, while its non-breeding range stretches from southeastern Colombia through eastern Ecuador, Peru, and northern Bolivia into Brazil.

Diet

Feeds primarily on grass seeds, often gripping the grass stalk to access them or foraging on the ground. Forms flocks during the non-breeding season.

Did you know?

It is an entirely migratory species that apparently completely vacates its breeding range during the non-breeding season, moving to areas far to the south and east.