The marsh seedeater is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is sexually dichromic, with the males sporting a bright white throat, grey crown and chestnut belly, and the females resembling other brown female seedeaters.
Region
Southeastern South America
Typical Environment
Breeds in seasonally flooded grasslands, sedge marshes, and wet meadows across parts of northeastern Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil, and Paraguay. Prefers tall stands of grasses and sedges with scattered perches and avoids deep open water and dense forest. During the non-breeding season it disperses to similar wet lowland habitats and can use rice fields and pasture edges. Habitat quality is closely tied to water levels and the availability of seeding grasses.
Altitude Range
0–800 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A small South American seedeater of wet marshes and sedge meadows, it shows strong sexual dichromatism. Males have a bright white throat, gray crown, and rich chestnut underparts, while females are plain brown and resemble other female seedeaters. It is threatened by wetland drainage and trapping for the cage-bird trade. Careful identification is needed because it can be confused with similar Sporophila species in the same habitats.
Marsh seedeater by W. M. Hart
Temperament
secretive in dense grasses but conspicuous when singing
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Breeds in pairs, with males singing from exposed stems to advertise territories. Outside the breeding season it may form small, loose flocks, sometimes mixed with other seedeaters. Nests are small cups placed low in grasses or sedges, and clutches are typically two to three eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Male song is a sweet, high-pitched series of tinkling notes and short trills delivered from a tall grass stem. Calls are thin, sibilant chips used to maintain contact in dense cover.
