Cabanis's Seedeater

The blue seedeater, known scientifically as Amaurospiza concolor, is a small bird with a rather unassuming yet charming appearance. Males of the species are adorned in a slate blue plumage, while females are dressed in a more subdued cinnamon with tawny underparts. This bird is a member of the cardinal family, Cardinalidae, and measures between 11.5 to 14 cm in length, tipping the scales at a delicate 12 to 15 grams.

Identification Tips

To identify the blue seedeater, look for the male's distinctive slate blue coloring. The female can be recognized by her cinnamon upperparts and tawny underparts. The subspecies A. c. relicta, found in southwest Mexico, presents males that are more slaty with less blue and black lores, while females are a paler cinnamon compared to the nominate subspecies.

Habitat

The blue seedeater favors the openings and edges of humid montane and secondary forests, often found in areas abundant with bamboo. It thrives at elevations ranging from 600 to 2,500 meters in northern Central America, and between 1,700 to 2,200 meters in Costa Rica.

Distribution

This species is distributed from Chiapas in southern Mexico through Central America to western and central Panama. The subspecies A. c. relicta is endemic to six southwestern states of Mexico.

Behaviour

The blue seedeater is known for its elusive nature, often staying hidden within its preferred bamboo-rich habitats. It is not a bird that draws attention to itself, preferring the quiet life away from prying eyes.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the blue seedeater are varied and have been described in several ways. Songs and calls differ slightly by region, with transcriptions from Chiapas, Mexico, and Panama providing a glimpse into their acoustic repertoire.

Breeding

Breeding behavior of the blue seedeater is not well-documented, but a nest discovered in Mexico revealed a simple cup of coarse grass lined with finer grass, situated in the fork of a slender branch. Interestingly, it contained not only seedeater eggs but also an egg of the brood parasite bronzed cowbird.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the blue seedeater is composed of insects, seeds, and bamboo shoots, reflecting its adaptability and the rich resources of its habitat.

Conservation status

As of the time of writing, the IUCN has not yet assessed the conservation status of the blue seedeater, leaving its population trends and potential threats to be determined by future studies.