Sporophila castaneiventris
The Chestnut-bellied Seedeater (*Sporophila castaneiventris*) is a diminutive yet striking Neotropical songbird, typically measuring 10-10.5 cm (4-4.1 in) in length and weighing between 7.5-10.5 grams. Males are instantly recognizable by their glossy black head, upperparts, and upper breast, sharply contrasting with a vibrant, rich chestnut lower breast, belly, and undertail coverts, further accented by a prominent white speculum on the wing. Females and juveniles, in contrast, are much plain...
Primarily found in open grassy areas, savannas, clearings, and along riverbanks, often near water bodies or marsh edges, especially in lowland regions up to 1000 meters elevation.
Their diet consists almost exclusively of small grass seeds, which they glean directly from standing plants; however, nestlings are fed a higher proportion of insects.
Chestnut-bellied Seedeaters are diurnal birds, typically seen actively foraging or singing during daylight hours. They exhibit specialized foraging strategies, clinging acrobatically to grass stems to glean ripe seeds directly from the inflorescences. During the breeding season, males establish t...
The Chestnut-bellied Seedeater is widespread across the Amazon basin in South America. Its breeding and year-round range extends from eastern Colombia, southern Venezuela, and the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana) through eastern Ecuador and eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, and extensively...
Least Concern
- The Chestnut-bellied Seedeater is one of over 40 species in the diverse *Sporophila* genus, often called 'seedeaters' or 'capuchinos'. - Males are considered among the most striking of the seedeaters due to their sharp contrast of glossy black and rich chestnut plumage. - Despite their small si...