Temminck’s seedeater  (Sporophila falcirostris)

Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1).

A diminutive, seed-eating bird, Temminck’s seedeater is a member of the Sporophila genus, a group of birds which are generally small in size and have thick, short beaks. While male Sporophila are usually extremely colourful and brightly patterned and the females are rather drab (3), the difference between males and females is less marked in Temminck’s seedeater, with both sexes being predominantly grey (3). Males have blue-grey plumage, which becomes white towards the abdomen, and a yellow beak. Females have a darker beak and similar, although less bright, plumage (2). Immature individuals are very similar in appearance to adult females, so much so that it can be extremely difficult to differentiate between them (4).    

The scientific name of this species refers to its highly specialised diet, with Sporomeaning ‘seed’ and philos meaning ‘loving’ in Greek (5). Temminck’s seedeater is well adapted to this diet, with the structure of its bill thought to be specifically adapted to feeding on the seeds of certain bamboo plants (6).

Temminck's seedeater is found in the coastal forests of south-east Brazil, east Paraguay and north-east Argentina (2) (7). Recent sightings of this species are concentrated around Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo (2).

A nomadic species, Temminck's seedeater tends to be found in secondary forest, disturbed forest and forest borders. It is usually found in the canopy layer (2).

Temminck’s seedeater has a very specific diet, feeding almost solely on the seeds of bamboo (especially Guadua species) (7). It is not usually observed unless local bamboo populations are seeding, or ‘masting’; this is when the entire bamboo population releases a large number of seeds at the same time (8). It is thought that Temminck’s seedeater moves around its range, following these masting events (7). However, it is also able to cope with the inevitable occasional lack of bamboo seeds, when it has been reported feeding on alternative seeds, as well as pursuing and capturing insects (6).

Little is known about this bird’s breeding habits (7), although mating is believed to occur in spring (September to November) and is linked to bamboo masting (6). Although only one nest of Temminck’s seedeater has ever been found, at the edge of the forest (2), its nests are likely to be similar to other Sporophila species, which are typically flimsy, cup-shaped structures, generally built in a shrub near the ground. Sporophila species typically lay clutches of two or three eggs (9).

The main threat to the survival of Temminck’s seedeater is the loss of its habitat, with forests in the region being lost to the development of residential areas, agriculture, and logging (1). Capture for the caged bird trade is also a threat; although it is relatively scarce in the trade, this is probably due to the bird’s rarity rather than a lack of demand (2) (7). Unfortunately, the very specialised diet of Temminck’s seedeater makes it less able to adapt to changes and its nomadic nature means that existing protected areas are not always effective, making its small and rapidly declining population even more vulnerable to extinction (2).

Temminck's seedeater is protected under Brazilian law and it also receives protection through its occurrence in several Brazilian wildlife reserves. In Paraguay it is not protected by law, but does occur in three wildlife reserves / national parks (2). Proposed conservation measures include gathering more long-term data about the bamboo specialist birds of South America’s east coast, an investigation into which bamboo species are preferred, the protection of secondary forests outside nature reserves (to allow nomadic movement), more effective policing of existing reserves, and a ban on capturing wild birds (2). 

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

To learn more about wildlife conservation in Paraguay see:

• Guyra Paraguay:
  http://www.guyra.org.py

 To find out more about bird conservation in South America and elsewhere see:

• American Bird Conservancy:
  http://www.abcbirds.org
• BirdLife International:
  http://www.birdlife.org