Buntings and New World Sparrows (Emberizidae)
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater (Sporophila minuta) - HBW 16, p. 658
French: Sporophile petit-louis
German: Zwergpfäffchen
Spanish: Semillero Pechirrufo
Other common names: Minute/Pygmy Seedeater
Taxonomy: Loxia minuta Linnaeus, 1758, Suriname.
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). This species was at one time considered conspecific with S. hypoxantha, but molecular data and vocal details suggest that the two are not very closely related. 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 present species and S. castaneiventris<.. View all taxonomy...
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). This species was at one time considered conspecific with S. hypoxantha, but molecular data and vocal details suggest that the two are not very closely related. 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 present species and S. castaneiventris, and a S clade consisting of S. bouvreuil, S. hypoxantha, S. hypochroma, S. ruficollis, S. palustris, S. cinnamomea and S. melanogaster. Three subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- parva (Lawrence, 1883) - arid Pacific lowlands from W Mexico (Nayarit) S to Nicaragua.
- centralis Bangs & T. E. Penard, 1918 - SW Costa Rica and Pacific slope of Panama.
- minuta (Linnaeus, 1758) - N Colombia S to NW Ecuador, E to Venezuela, Trinidad, Tobago, the Guianas, and N Brazil (NW Amazonas, N Roraima, and Amapá S to N Pará).
- Least Concern Enlarge map
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A female plumaged individual on a branch calling and rubbing its bill Locality Hacienda Balandú, Jardín, Antioquía Department, Colombia (ssp minuta)
Josep del Hoyo 16 February 2007 5 years ago 27 sec 4.3 -
Two female plumaged individuals perched in the wind, one scaring the other twice Locality Hacienda Balandú, Jardín, Antioquía Department, Colombia (ssp minuta)
Josep del Hoyo 16 February 2007 5 years ago 35 sec 3.9 -
A male singing from low perch (Visit www.ttnaturelink.com for more) Locality Trinidad and Tobago (ssp minuta)
Kris Sookdeo 5 April 2008 2 years ago 24 sec 3.9 -
Males and females in a tree; the last one is a juvenile bird. Locality Barra de Cahoatán, Tapachula, Chiapas State, Mexico (Southern) (ssp parva)
Josep del Hoyo 5 April 2009 3 years ago 37 sec 3.8 -
A male in non-breeding plumage on a branch, then flying away. Locality Barra de Cahoatán, Tapachula, Chiapas State, Mexico (Southern) (ssp parva)
Josep del Hoyo 5 April 2009 3 years ago 32 sec 3.3 -
A group of males and females feeding on seeds. Locality Barra de Cahoatán, Tapachula, Chiapas State, Mexico (Southern) (ssp parva)
Josep del Hoyo 5 April 2009 3 years ago 46 sec 3.3 -
A male in transitional plumage in a tree. Locality Barra de Cahoatán, Tapachula, Chiapas State, Mexico (Southern) (ssp parva)
Josep del Hoyo 5 April 2009 3 years ago 36 sec 3.3 -
A male perched in a bare tree. Locality Coesewijne Savanne, Para District, Suriname (ssp minuta)
Pieter de Groot Boersma 1 July 2011 1 year ago 39 sec 3 -
Three birds in a leafless tree and flying away Locality El Paujil Natural Reserve, Colombia (ssp minuta)
Josep del Hoyo 2 February 2007 5 years ago 26 sec 2.8
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