The rusty-collared seedeater is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae, formerly placed in the related Emberizidae.
Region
South-central South America
Typical Environment
Occurs primarily in the Pantanal and adjacent lowlands of Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay, with extensions into northern Argentina. It favors seasonally flooded grasslands, marsh edges, and open savannas with abundant seeding grasses. The species also uses shrubby pastures and agricultural margins such as rice fields. It is most numerous where flood cycles produce flushes of grass seeds and sparse low cover.
Altitude Range
0–800 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The rusty-collared seedeater is a small South American tanager (family Thraupidae), formerly placed with buntings and sparrows (Emberizidae). Males are readily identified by the warm rusty collar that circles the neck, a key feature among similar seedeaters. It often benefits from seasonally seeding grasses in floodplains and is sometimes affected by trapping pressure for the cage-bird trade.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with bounding undulations
Social Behavior
Often in small groups outside the breeding season, sometimes mixing with other seedeaters. In breeding season, males sing from exposed perches and defend small territories. Nest is a small open cup placed low in grasses or shrubs, with clutches typically of 2–3 eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Male song is a clear, sweet series of thin whistles and tinkling notes, delivered from a prominent perch. Calls include sharp metallic chips used for contact within small flocks.
Plumage
Male shows a distinctive rusty or cinnamon collar encircling the neck, contrasting with a darker head and throat, warm brown upperparts, and pale underparts with faint wingbars. Female is plain warm brown above with paler buff underparts and a subtle, diffuse face pattern; overall unmarked compared with the male.
Diet
Primarily consumes seeds of native and cultivated grasses, often husking them with its stout bill. It gleans seeds directly from seedheads and also picks fallen seeds from the ground. During the breeding season it may supplement its diet with small arthropods to meet protein demands, especially for nestlings.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in seasonally flooded meadows, marsh margins, and grazed pastures where grasses set abundant seed. It also forages along ditches, rice fields, and other open agricultural edges with scattered low shrubs.
