Copper Seedeater (Sporophila bouvreuil) [XC803302]
by Dante Buzzetti from Rio Araguaia, Parque Estadual do Cant\u00e3o, Pium, Tocantins, Brazil (call)
Copper Seedeater (Sporophila bouvreuil) [XC775129]
by Kenny U\u00e9slei from Reserva do Setor S\u00edtio de Recreio Cara\u00edbas-Goi\u00e2nia, Goi\u00e1s, Brazil (song)
Subspecies
Sporophila bouvreuil has been split into Sporophila bouvreuil and Sporophila pileata by SACC (2012): this treatment is currently under review by the BirdLife Taxonomic Working Group.
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). A molecular-genetic study of 17 species in genus, including ten in "capped" group ("capuchinos"), indicated that latter form two clades, a northern clade largely north of R Amazon containing Chestnut-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila castaneiventris) and Ruddy-breasted Seedeater (Sporophila minuta), and a southern clade consisting of present species and Tawny-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila hypoxantha), Rufous-rumped Seedeater (Sporophila hypochroma), Dark-throated Seedeater (Sporophila ruficollis), Marsh Seedeater (Sporophila palustris), Chestnut Seedeater (Sporophila cinnamomea) and Black-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila melanogaster). Relationships within southern clade not possible to determine, as genetic differentiation very low and species apparently part of a very recent and rapid radiation, only present species appearing genetically more distinct within clade. It has recently been suggested that pale subspecies pileata may merit treatment as a separate species. Also, that saturata and crypta be synonymized with nominate. Further research is needed.
The following 4 subspecies are recognised:
bouvreuil (Müller, 1776) - Southern Suriname; eastern Brazil at mouth of R Amazon and from Maranhío east to Rio Grande do Norte, south to Goiás, north-eastern Sío Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
pileata (P. L. Sclater, 1865) - Central and southern Brazil (locally in eastern Pará, and from southern Mato Grosso and southern Minas Gerais) south through eastern Paraguay to north-eastern Argentina (Corrientes and Misiones), locally to northern Uruguay. Also locally in north-eastern Bolivia (Beni). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Pearly-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila pileata).
saturata Hellmayr, 1904 - Environs of city of Sío Paulo, in south-eastern Brazil.
crypta Sick, 1968 - Environs of city of Rio de Janeiro, in south-eastern Brazil.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet