The black-and-white seedeater is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, and heavily degraded former forest.
Region
Tropical Andes and adjacent northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from Venezuela and Colombia south through Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia, with extensions into western Brazil. Prefers subtropical and tropical moist shrublands, scrubby edges, and degraded or second-growth habitats. It also uses high-altitude shrublands and agricultural margins, especially where grasses are seeding. The species readily occupies disturbed sites and fallow fields near forests and riparian corridors.
Altitude Range
0–2500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Males are strikingly black-and-white while females are warm brown, making the species strongly sexually dimorphic. Like many seedeaters, it often follows seeding grasses and can move locally with changing food availability. It frequents shrubby edges, weedy fields, and disturbed habitats, and can appear in small flocks outside the breeding season.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often forms small flocks outside the breeding season, feeding in weedy fields and along edges. During breeding, males defend small territories from exposed perches with frequent song. Nests are small, cup-shaped structures placed low in shrubs or tall grasses, with both parents involved in care.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
The male’s song is a bright, buzzy series of trills and thin whistles delivered from prominent perches. Calls include sharp chips and soft twitters used to maintain contact within flocks.
