The white-naped seedeater (Sporophila fringilloides) is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae, the tanagers and allies. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, and Venezuela.Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, D. F. Lane, L, N. Naka, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 25 July 2026. Species Lists of Birds for South American Countries and Territories. South American Classification Committee associated with the International Ornithologists' Union. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCCountryLists.htm retrieved 25 July 2026

Taxonomy and systematics

The white-naped seedeater has a complicated taxonomic history. It was formally described in 1870 with the binomial Oryzoburys ? fringilloides as a member of the family Fringillidae [The ? is in the original]. The species description is in the 1870 section of the book. It later was reassigned as the only species in the genus Dolospingus and still in Fringillidae. By 1970 Dolospingus had been reassigned to the family Emberizidae. Beginning in 2014 Dolospingus was merged into the species' present genus Sporophila. The proposal was adopted in February 2014. Based on studies published between 1988 and 2011, beginning in 2012 Sporophila had been moved to its present position in the tanager family Thraupidae. The proposal was accepted in February 2012.

The white-naped seedeater is monotypic.

Description

The white-naped seedeater is long; three males weighed an average of and 10 females . It is slim, with a longish tail, and has a large, sharp, triangular bill. The species is sexually dimorphic. Adult males have a black head with a white collar below the nape. Their upperparts are mostly black with a white rump. Their wings are mostly black with white median coverts, white tips on the greater coverts, and white bases on the primaries. The white median coverts show as a bold wing bar and the greater covert tips as a smaller one; the white of the primaries is seldom visisble. Their tail is black. Their throat is black and the rest of their underparts mostly white with a small black wedge on the side of the breast, pale grayish sides, and pale grayish flanks with faint blackish blotches. Adult females have a dull brown head, upperparts, wings, and tail. Their throat, breast, and flanks are brownish, their belly whitish, and their undertail coverts buffy. Juveniles resemble adult females. Both sexes have a brown or dark brown iris. Males have an ivory to light blue bill and gray or dark gray legs; females have a gray bill and grayish black or gray-brown legs.Jaramillo, A. and G. M. Kirwan (2023). White-naped Seedeater (Sporophila fringilloides), version 2.0. In Birds of the World (B. K. Keeney, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.whnsee1.02 retrieved September 21, 2026

Distribution and habitat

The white-naped seedeater's primary range extends from Guaviare, Vaupes, and Guainia departments in southeastern Colombia east into south-central Amazonas state in southern Venezuela and very slightly into northwestern Brazil's Amazonas state. There are also scattered records further east in Brazil. A record in southern Guyana was announced in 2005.Robbins, M. B., M. J. Braun, C. J. Huddleston, D. W. Finch, and C. M. Milensky (2005). "First Guyana records, natural history and systematics of the White-naped Seedeater Dolospingus fringilloides". Ibis 147(2):334–341.

The white-naped seedeater is primarily bird of forest on nutrient-poor white sand though it also is found along the edges of forest on richer soils and in grassy savanna. It favors landscapes with much large-leafed herbaceous plants and terrestrial arums. In elevation it reaches in Colombia and Brazil and in Venezuela.

Behavior Movement

As far as is known the white-naped seedeater is a year-round resident, though there is speculation that it moves between patches of suitable habitat.

Feeding

The white-naped seedeater apparently feeds primarily on seeds, though insects and mistletoe (Loranthaceae) berries are also part of its diet. It typically forages singly or in pairs and rarely with other species. It has been observed foraging up to about above the ground.

Breeding

The white-naped seedeater's breeding season in Guyana appears to span from August to April. Nothing else is known about the species' breeding biology.

Vocalization

The male white-naped seedeater's song is "oud, fast, and musical, with the notes arranged in sets of paired notes or triplets, ne-ne-ne, te-te-te, ge-ge-ge, jii-jii-jii, tuE tuE tuE... and abrupt changes between each pair or triplet". It sings several variants of the song. The species' call is "a sharp tzink!".

Status

The IUCN has assessed the white-naped seedeater as being of Least Concern. Its population size is not known but is believed to be stable. No immediate threats have been identified. It is considered "local" in Colombia, "patchily distributed" in Venezuela, and "uncommon to rare" in Brazil. It occurs in a few protected areas. "Given this species’ habitat choice of white-sand forest, it should be monitored in case habitat fragmentation does begin to have adverse effects on its numbers."

References