Narosky’s seedeater  (Sporophila zelichi)

With such a low population, and only isolated pairs sighted, very little is known about the biology of this seedeater. It feeds on the seeds of grass species and uses Acacia trees as song posts to declare its territory. It breeds in summer and is thought to lay its eggs amongst riparian thickets (2) (4).

Narosky’s seedeater is similar in form and biology to other Sporophila species, such as the marsh seedeater S. palustris and the chestnut seedeater S. cinnamomea, and it has been suggested that these are not in fact different species, but differing male colour phases. However, current opinion has Sporophila zelichi as a species in its own right (5).