Drab Seedeater Sporophila simplex Scientific name definitions

One of two species of Sporophila that is endemic to southwest Ecuador and western Peru—the other being the Parrot-billed Seedeater (Sporophila peruviana)—the Drab Seedeater is perfectly named, although females of the vast majority of the entire genus could be ‘tarred with the same brush’. The Drab Seedeater is principally pale grayish brown over the upperparts, and drab grayish white below, and is unusual in that the sexes are basically alike. Fortunately, both have two white or buffy wingbars, which should separate them from any other species in range, especially given that the Parrot-billed Seedeater has an obviously much larger bill. Drab Seedeaters frequently form large flocks, often with seedeaters and grassquits, especially in the non-breeding season, and is principally found at elevations below 1500 m.

11–11·5 cm. A medium-sized seedeater with rounded bill . Male breeding is greyish-brown above, darker on upperwing and tail; median and greater upper­wing-coverts tipped white (forming two narrow whitish wingbars), white bases of primaries (creating white patch on folded wing, wingstripe in flight); whitish below with greyish to buff wash; iris dark brown; bill dull yellow-orange; legs black. Male non-breeding is much like female, but slightly greyer above; this plumage may represent a colour morph, or individual variation, rather than a seasonal change; further investigation required. Female is brownish-buff above, paler below, nearly white on throat and belly; whitish upper wingbar and buffy lower wingbar, and a distinct buffy-white primary patch; bill dusky above, orange-horn on lower mandible; distinguished from rather similar female S. peruviana by slightly warmer colour tone of plumage, smaller bill. Juvenile undescribed.

S Ecuador (S Azuay and Loja) and W Peru (upper Marañón Valley and lower Andean slopes from La Libertad S to Ica).

Song  a variable rich jumble of warbles and buzzes, similar to that of S. peruviana but more notes per phrase. Call  a rising “zwee?”.

Alvaro began birding as an 11 year old in Canada, and eventually trained in Evolutionary Ecology studying, creatures as varied as leaf-cutter ants and Argentine cowbirds. But his career has been focused on birding tourism, both as a guide and owner of his tour company, as well as a avitourism consultant to various organizations. He is the author of Birds of Chile, New World Blackbirds: The Icterids, as well as the ABA Field Guide to the birds of California. He lives in Half Moon Bay, California where he is known for his pelagic birding trips. Email: alvaro@alvarosadventures.com.