Argentina (B), Bolivia (B), Brazil (B), Paraguay (B), Uruguay (B).
Northern and eastern Bolivia (eastern La Paz, Beni, eastern Santa Cruz and eastern Tarija), southern Brazil (southern Mato Grosso, southern Goiás, western Minas Gerais, western Sío Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul), western and central Paraguay, northern Argentina (Salta east to Corrientes, south to Tucuman, northern Cordoba and northern Buenos Aires) and northern and western Uruguay.
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010) and decreasing.
Status NT
Habitat destruction through conversion of grasslands for agriculture and Eucalyptus and Pinus spp. plantations, trapping for the cage-bird trade, ae the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Dark-throated Seedeater (Sporophila) [XC41304]
by Bernabe Lopez-Lanus from Aerodromo de Chajari, Chajari, Dpto. Federacion, Entre Rios, Argentina (song)
Dark-throated Seedeater (Sporophila) [XC51910]
by Bernabe Lopez-Lanus from Puente Barral, 25 de Mayo, Buenos Aires, Argentina (song)
Subspecies
No 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). 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 Ruddy-breasted Seedeater (Sporophila minuta) and Chestnut-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila castaneiventris), and a southern clade consisting of present species and Copper Seedeater (Sporophila bouvreuil), Tawny-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila hypoxantha), Rufous-rumped Seedeater (Sporophila hypochroma), Marsh Seedeater (Sporophila palustris), Chestnut Seedeater (Sporophila cinnamomea) and Black-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila melanogaster). Determination of relationships within the southern clade not possible, as genetic differentiation very low and species are apparently part of a very recent and rapid radiation. Has been suggested to be a colour morph of Tawny-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila hypoxantha).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet