Rusty-collared Seedeater (Sporophila) [XC49714]
by Rafael Antunes Dias from Colonia Pellegrini, Corrientes, Argentina (call)
Rusty-collared Seedeater (Sporophila collaris) [XC10005]
by Fernando Jacobs from Ruta 19,Rocha, Uruguay (call)
Subspecies
Molecular evidence suggests that genus is closely related to Oryzoborus, which should perhaps be subsumed within it. Further, that both genera should be placed in the tanager family (Thraupidae). Molecular-genetic data indicate that present species belongs in a clade with Black-and-white Seedeater (Sporophila luctuosa), Yellow-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila nigricollis) and Double-collared Seedeater (Sporophila caerulescens). Geographical variation possibly partly clinal; in east of range nominate subspecies may form a cline with melanocephala, plumage becoming more colourful from north to south. Further study is needed.
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
ochrascens Hellmayr, 1904 - Bolivia (lowland La Paz, Beni and Santa Cruz) and south-central Brazil (northern Mato Grosso south to western Sío Paulo).
melanocephala (Vieillot, 1817) - South-western Mato Grosso south through Paraguay to Argentina (south to La Rioja, Santiago del Estero, Córdoba and central Buenos Aires), also south-eastern Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul) and Uruguay.
collaris (Boddaert, 1783) - Eastern Brazil from southern Goiás, Minas Gerais and extreme south-eastern Bahia south to Rio de Janeiro.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet