Buntings and New World Sparrows (Emberizidae)

Capped Seedeater (Sporophila bouvreuil) - HBW 16, p. 657

French: Sporophile bouvreuil German: Orangepfäffchen Spanish: Semillero Capinegro
Other common names: Sao Paulo Seedeater (saturata)

Taxonomy: Loxia bouvreuil Statius Müller, 1776, Bahia, Brazil.
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 N clade largely N of R Amazon containing S. castaneiventris and S. minuta, and a S clade consisting of present species and S. hypoxantha, S. hypochroma, S. ruficollis, S. palustris, S. cinnamomea and S. melanogaster; relationships within S 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 race pileata may merit treatment as a separate species; also, that saturata and crypta be synonymized with nominate; further research needed. Four subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

bouvreuil (Statius Müller, 1776) - S Suriname; E Brazil at mouth of R Amazon and from Maranhão E to Rio Grande do Norte, S to Goiás, NE São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
pileata (P. L. Sclater, 1865) - C & S Brazil (locally in E Pará, and from S Mato Grosso and S Minas Gerais) S through E Paraguay to NE Argentina (Corrientes and Misiones), locally to N Uruguay; also locally in NE Bolivia (Beni).
saturata Hellmayr, 1904 - environs of city of São Paulo, in SE Brazil.
crypta Sick, 1968 - environs of city of Rio de Janeiro, in SE Brazil.