Description

Ruddy-Breasted Seedeater

The Ruddy-breasted Seedeater (Sporophila minuta) is a small, finch-like bird found in grassy, weedy, and marshy areas of tropical lowlands, where it often forms flocks, sometimes mingling with the slightly larger White-collared Seedeater (Sporophila torqueola). The breeding male, during spring and summer, stands out with a slaty bluish-gray upper body, rusty underparts, and a matching rusty rump. In contrast, non-breeding males, females, and juveniles have a more subdued appearance, showing buffy-brown plumage that’s lighter on the underside, along with noticeable pale wing edges, unlike the plain-winged appearance of White-collared Seedeaters in west Mexico. Another identifying feature is the orange tint on their bill, distinguishing them from the darker-billed White-collared Seedeaters.