Order
Passeriformes
Family
Thraupidae
Genus
Sporophila
 
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 - Nicaraguan Seed-Finch
 - Nicaraguan Seed-Finch
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Nicaraguan Seed-Finch Sporophila nuttingi

Thomas S. Schulenberg
Version: 1.0 — Published December 18, 2015

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Introduction

Nicaraguan Seed-Finch is uncommon and local in its range on the Caribbean slope of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and western Panama. They occur in moist grassy areas, particularly near water and marshes. This is one species that is suspected of benefiting from deforestation, as its geographic distribution seems to have expanded in recent decades, following increased deforestation in Costa Rica. Given that it no longer is confined to Nicaragua, this species sometimes is given the name "Pink-billed Seed-Finch". In the breeding season, they are generally encountered as pairs, but seed-finches join mixed finch flocks during the nonbreeding season. As is typical of seed-finches, this has species has a distinctively massive bill, which is pale pink in the males and dark gray in the females. Also note the large overall size, the males’ solidly black plumage, and and the dark chestnut brown tones of females. The nest is a loose cup made low in sedge, grasses, or shrubbery. The song of Nicaraguan Seed-Finch is a rapid, squeaky series of whistles and chirps.

Distribution of the Nicaraguan Seed-Finch - Range Map
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  • Year-round
  • Migration
  • Breeding
  • Non-Breeding
Distribution of the Nicaraguan Seed-Finch

Recommended Citation

Schulenberg, T. S. (2015). Nicaraguan Seed-Finch (Sporophila nuttingi), version 1.0. In Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/nb.nisfin1.01