Abstract
SummaryThe Marsh SeedeaterSporophila palustrisis one of the most endangered and least known of thecapuchinoseedeaters. Breeding populations are patchy, occurring in north-east Argentina, southern Brazil, and Uruguay. We present data on the breeding biology of the species, and describe nests and eggs, behaviour (including courtship, nesting, incubation and parental care), breeding sites and food items. Marsh Seedeaters breed in well-preserved grasslands with wet soils and tall vegetation. In general, these habitats are used for extensive livestock ranching. Main threats are overgrazing, widespread use of fire, conversion of grasslands to pastures of exotic grasses and rice fields, afforestation, and illegal trapping. Most breeding sites are located in Important Bird Areas, but only one in Brazil and one in Argentina are protected. We propose a series of actions to promote the conservation of Marsh Seedeaters and other endangered birds that coexist in grassland habitats.
Highlights
The genus Sporophila comprises about 30 species of small Neotropical birds highly specialised in the consumption of seeds (Meyer de Schaunensee 1952, Sick 1985, Ouellet 1992)
In this paper we describe the breeding biology and nesting habitats of the Marsh Seedeater, focusing on nest, eggs, clutch size, breeding period, parental care, nest building, courtship and food items consumed by adults
This study indicates that effective conservation of Marsh Seedeaters depends critically on maintaining the integrity of temperate wet grasslands where this species reproduces
Summary
The genus Sporophila comprises about 30 species of small Neotropical birds highly specialised in the consumption of seeds (Meyer de Schaunensee 1952, Sick 1985, Ouellet 1992). They inhabit both forest and open habitats and many species are markedly migratory (Silva 1999). The ‘capuchinos’ (in Spanish) or ‘caboclinhos’ (in Portuguese) comprise a tightly-knit monophyletic group of species, several of which occur sympatrically, albeit in different habitats (Areta 2008, Areta and Repenning 2011, Areta et al 2011), and they are among the most characteristic birds of the grasslands of south-eastern and central South America (Lijtmaer et al 2004, Areta 2008, Campagna et al 2010, Azpiroz et al 2012). The few studies include the Chestnut Seedeater Sporophila cinnamomea (Narosky 1973), Dark-throated Seedeater S. ruficollis (de la Peña 1981, 2005, 2009), Tawny-bellied Seedeater S. hypoxantha (de la Peña 2005, 2009, Di Giacomo 2005a, Facchinetti et al 2008), Rufous-Rumped Seedeater S. hypochroma (Roda and López-Lanús 2008), Ruddy-breasted Seedeater S. minuta (ffrench 1980, Stiles and Skutch 1989) and Black-Bellied Seedeater S. melanogaster (Rovedder and Fontana 2012)
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