Buntings and New World Sparrows (Emberizidae)

Grey Seedeater (Sporophila intermedia) - HBW 16, p. 650

French: Sporophile intermédiaire German: Einfarbpfäffchen Spanish: Semillero Intermedio

Taxonomy: Sporophila intermedia Cabanis, 1851, Puerto Cabello, Venezuela.
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). Forms a superspecies with S. corvina, S. americana and S. murallae; was not thought to belong in this group until seen to hybridize with S. corvina in two different regions of Colombia. Race insularis appears to be broadly sympatric with nominate and exhibits constant differences in plumage and biometrics; has recently been proposed as representing a cryptic species; further research required. Proposed race anchicayae (described from R Anchicayá, in Valle, in Colombia) is a hybrid between race bogotensis of present species and race hicksii of S. corvina. Proposed race agustini (San Agustín, Huila, Colombia) not reliably separable from bogotensis, and better merged therein. Three subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

intermedia Cabanis, 1851 - N & E Colombia (Caribbean coast, lower Magdalena Valley, and llanos in E), N Venezuela and Guyana, and N Brazil (Roraima).
bogotensis (Gilliard, 1946) - W Colombia on W slope of W Andes (E to Cauca Valley).
insularis (Gilliard, 1946) - Venezuela N of R Orinoco; Trinidad.