Sporophila cinnamomea
The Chestnut Seedeater (*Sporophila cinnamomea*) is a captivating, small passerine bird, renowned for the striking sexual dimorphism exhibited within the species. Males are unmistakable, adorned in a rich, uniform rufous-chestnut plumage, dramatically contrasted by a distinct, blackish-brown cap that extends to just below the eye, giving them a 'helmeted' appearance. Their dark bill, black flight feathers, and tail further accentuate this striking pattern, often revealing a small white specul...
This species primarily inhabits tall, wet grasslands, often found in seasonally flooded areas or marshy fringes, at low elevations generally below 600 meters in South America.
Exclusively granivorous, feeding on small grass seeds, particularly species of *Paspalum* and *Eragrostis*, gleaned directly from plant stems.
Daily activity for the Chestnut Seedeater typically involves foraging during daylight hours, with roosting likely occurring within dense grass tussocks or low shrubs. These birds are primarily granivorous, employing a meticulous foraging strategy where they perch on tall grass stems to carefully ...
The Chestnut Seedeater's range is restricted to the humid grasslands of southern South America. Its breeding grounds extend across eastern Bolivia (Santa Cruz), central and southeastern Brazil (Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul), Paraguay, northern and northeaster...
Vulnerable
- The male Chestnut Seedeater's dark 'helmet' and rich rufous body make it one of the most distinctly patterned seedeaters in South America. - Females are so cryptically colored that they are nearly impossible to identify in the field without the presence of a male or unique behavioral cues. - Th...