Dubois's Seedeater Sporophila ardesiaca Scientific name definitions

It has been suggested that this southeast Brazilian endemic is either a hybrid swarm between Yellow-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila nigricollis) and Double-collared Seedeater (Sporophila caerulescens), or alternatively a localized color morph or variant of the first-named species. Certainly, its plumage somewhat resembles one or both, or is intermediate between them. Males have the mantle grayish with a black hood contrasting with the white rear underparts. Females are presumably indistinguishable from those of Yellow-bellied Seedeater at least. Males conforming to this description have been found to at least 800 m in the states of Bahia, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro, usually in areas of scrub and grassy vegetation, much like those occupied by other, similar seedeaters.

SE Brazil in extreme SE Bahia, Espírito Santo, extreme E Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro, also Goiás (1 van Perlo, B. (2009). A Field Guide to the Birds of Brazil. Oxford University Press, New York. Close ).

Alvaro began birding as an 11 year old in Canada, and eventually trained in Evolutionary Ecology studying, creatures as varied as leaf-cutter ants and Argentine cowbirds. But his career has been focused on birding tourism, both as a guide and owner of his tour company, as well as a avitourism consultant to various organizations. He is the author of Birds of Chile, New World Blackbirds: The Icterids, as well as the ABA Field Guide to the birds of California. He lives in Half Moon Bay, California where he is known for his pelagic birding trips. Email: alvaro@alvarosadventures.com.