Morelet's Seedeater

The Morelet's seedeater, Sporophila morelleti, is a small passerine bird, a member of the family Thraupidae. It is a typical representative of the seedeater genus Sporophila, known for their seed-based diets.

Identification Tips

This species exhibits sexual dimorphism. Males are generally black with a white collar, while females and juveniles are brownish in color. The Morelet's seedeater can be distinguished from similar species by its size, coloration, and the distinctive white collar in males.

Habitat

The Morelet's seedeater is found in tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands. It also adapts to human-altered landscapes such as pastures, arable land, and areas where forests have been heavily degraded.

Distribution

The bird's range extends from a small area along the Rio Grande near San Ignacio, Texas, through eastern Mexico and Central America, down to Panama.

Behaviour

In the wild, Morelet's seedeaters forage predominantly on herbaceous plants and less frequently on the ground. While in captivity they are observed to drink and bathe often, interestingly, no drinking behavior has been recorded in the wild despite extensive field observations.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Morelet's seedeater consists mainly of seeds and insects, with the occasional inclusion of berries. Their foraging habits are adapted to their diet, with a preference for feeding on herbaceous plants.

Conservation status

The Morelet's seedeater is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This indicates that, at present, the species does not face an immediate threat of extinction in the wild.