Blackish-blue Seedeater

About the Blackish-blue Seedeater

The blackish-blue seedeater (Amaurospiza moesta) is a species of bird in the family Cardinalidae, the cardinals or cardinal grosbeaks. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. The blackish-blue seedeater is monotypic.

It and the other members of genus Amaurospiza were traditionally placed in family Emberizidae. (At that time, the family included the New World sparrows, which are now in their own family Passerellidae.) Since approximately 2008 they have been placed in their current family.

The blackish-blue seedeater is 12 to 12.5 cm (4.7 to 4.9 in) long and weighs 12.5 to 14 g (0.44 to 0.49 oz). The male is entirely dark slaty blue that is darker on the face and underparts. The female is tawny brown, with the underparts paler than the upperparts.

The blackish-blue seedeater is primarily found in southeastern Brazil and adjoining eastern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina. However, there are also scattered records further north in Brazil. It inhabits the undergrowth and edges of woodland and is especially partial to Chusquea and Guadua bamboo. In elevation it ranges from sea level to 1,600 m (5,200... Wikipedia →