Blackish-blue Seedeater vs Amazonian Grosbeak

In short

The Blackish-blue Seedeater and Amazonian Grosbeak are both small, dark seedeaters found in South America, but they differ in plumage and habitat preferences. The Blackish-blue Seedeater is slaty blue with a blackish face and breast, while the Amazonian Grosbeak is more uniformly blue-black. Habitat and behavior can also help distinguish them.

Identification tips

• Check plumage: Look for the slaty blue with blackish face of the Blackish-blue Seedeater versus the more uniform blue-black of the Amazonian Grosbeak.
• Observe habitat: Blackish-blue Seedeaters are often associated with bamboo seeding events in specific South American regions.
• Consider behavior: Blackish-blue Seedeaters are usually seen in pairs low to the ground during specific seeding events.

Size

Both species are similar in size, typical of small seedeaters.

Plumage

Male Blackish-blue Seedeaters are slaty blue with a blackish face and breast, whereas male Amazonian Grosbeaks are more uniformly blue-black. Female Blackish-blue Seedeaters are tawny-brown with paler underparts, while female Amazonian Grosbeaks are not as distinctly described but generally follow the darker blue-black theme.

Behaviour

Blackish-blue Seedeaters are often seen in pairs during bamboo seeding events, staying low to the ground. Amazonian Grosbeaks do not have such specific behavioral notes.

Habitat

Blackish-blue Seedeaters are generally found in southeast Brazil, northeast Argentina, and eastern Paraguay, often during bamboo seeding events. Amazonian Grosbeaks are more widely distributed in the Amazon basin.