Double-collared Seedeater

The Double-collared Seedeater is the most common of the Sporophila species that we see at Reserva Don Luis.  As it’s name suggests it lives on seed and has a beak adapted for this job.  Therefore it is surprising to me that I have seen these birds inside the wooded areas on more than one occasion.

This is an attractively marked small bird of some 10cm.  It has a plumbeous back and a white breast and belly.  It has a black chin and below, a black breastband giving the impression of a white collar.  The bill is yellow.

The female is similar to all the other Sporophila females – plain with little colour or pattern.