Breeds in south-eastern Brazil (eastern Santa Catarina and north-eastern Rio Grande do Sul); migrates northern as far as central Goiás and western Minas Gerais.
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 and degradation through extensive cattle-ranching, agriculture, invasive grasses, wetland drainage and excessive pesticide, are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Black-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila melanogaster) [XC13513]
by Adrian Eisen Rupp from Painel, Santa Catarina, Brazil (call, song)
Black-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila) [XC481410]
by GABRIEL LEITE from Cap\u00e3o Alto, Santa Catarina, Brazil (call, 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), Dark-throated Seedeater (Sporophila ruficollis), Marsh Seedeater (Sporophila palustris) and Chestnut Seedeater (Sporophila cinnamomea). 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.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet