ID Keys: Very stout, thick bill, white collar, black head, white
underneath, black upperparts
The
Morelet's Seedeater is a very small bird of Mexico and Central America,
with a range that just reaches the United States in extreme southern Texas
near the Rio Grande river. In Texas, it was once more common than it is
today. In the early 20th century, they were relatively common in far
southern Texas, but by 1970 they were nearly absent. Small numbers are
now again occasionally found in Texas, where they are confirmed as breeders
again. The species has also been seen on very rare occasions in
extreme southern Arizona and California.
Habitat
Found in a variety of open habitats
including grasslands, roadsides, pastures, marshland, savannas, and forest
clearings and edges. They are often found near sources of water, such as in
riparian areas.
Diet
Feeds heavily on seeds, particularly grass
seeds. They will also take insects and spiders. They may also
sometimes take berries and small fruits.
Behavior
Gregarious outside of the breeding
season, they are often found foraging in small flocks. Foraging is
done low in vegetation or on the ground, where they may move through grassy
areas, plucking seeds from grass and weed stems.
Nesting
The nest is a cup placed low to the
ground, constructed of twigs, spider webs, grasses, weed stems, plant down,
and other vegetative material. The female lays between 2 and 4 eggs, and she
alone incubates them. The young hatch after almost 2 weeks, and both parents
help to feed and raise the young. They often nest multiple times,
raising up to 3 broods in a single season.
Song
The song is a musical series of two pitches,
weet-weet-weet-cheer-cheer-cheer.
Migration
Considered a permanent resident
throughout its range. Small foraging flocks may move short distances
outside of the breeding season in search of optimal foraging areas.
Feeders
Will readily attend feeders for
millet and standard feeder seed mixtures.
