The Story
This female Chestnut-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila castaneiventris) was at La Macarena, Meta, Colombia when I photographed it. It feeds mainly on grass seeds, usually while clinging to the stems. It also eats fruits and the food bodies of Cecropia trees. It is suspected to be a partial migrant. It has been reported as common in the bird trade. La Macarena is part of the Sierra de la Macarena and of the Macarena Special Management Area, which brings together several protected areas. The Sierra de la Macarena is home to about 420 bird species, along with eight species of primates.
I made this frame with a Pentax K-1 and the HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6, at 1/640 sec, f/5.6, ISO 1600. IUCN lists the Chestnut-bellied Seedeater as Least Concern, with a stable population.
©2020 Adam Rainoff Photographer
The bird
The Chestnut-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila castaneiventris) belongs to the family Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies) in the eBird/Clements taxonomy.
Source: eBird.org (opens in a new tab)
Conservation
Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessment published 2024), with the population trend listed as stable. Source: IUCN Red List