Seedeaters & Buntings in Belize | Belize Budget Suites

Seedeater & Buntings - in Belize

Thick-Billed Seed Finch

Thick Billed Seed Finch

Thick Billed Seed Finch - Small seed-eating bird of humid tropical lowlands; uncommon. Found in damp grassy areas, overgrown weedy fields, and forest edges, often in areas with scattered bushes and small trees. Usually seen singly or in pairs, not usually in flocks with other seed-eating birds. Male plumage same as male Variable Seedeater in Mexico—black with a small white wing patch, but note very thick bill (not small and stubby). Female rich brown overall, with thicker bill than similar female Blue Bunting.
BELIZE HABITAT - Most common in open pine forest and savannas; also broadleaf forest edge, second growth scrub, roadside brush.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Fairly common to common resident on mainland north locally to north Orange Walk and perhaps south Corozal.

Variable Seedeater

Variable Seedeater - Small seed-eating bird of humid tropical lowlands; fairly common. Found in grassy and weedy areas and forest edges, often in same places as slightly larger Thick-billed Seed-Finch. In pairs or small flocks, mixing readily with White-collared Seedeaters and other seed-eating birds. Note stubby bill (unlike Thick-billed Seed-Finch) and plain brownish olive plumage of female (not rich brown like seed-finch). Males in Mexico and most of Central America are black. In southern Central America and South America males have variable amounts of white on the underparts and rump, hence the name.
BELIZE HABITAT - Fallow fields and low second growth scrub, roadside brush, orchards, broadleaf and pine forest edge.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Common to very common resident on mainland north to central Belize and south Orange Walk, locally to north east Orange Walk.

Slate-Colored Seedeater

Slate Colored Seedeater

Slate Colored Seedeater - This seedeater has a widespread but disjunct range throughout much of Central and South America. Males are mostly slaty gray with a paler belly and whitish patches on side of the neck and base of primaries. Note stout yellow bill with curved upper mandible. Females are brownish, similar to other seedeaters, but note stout dark bill and whitish belly. Generally rare and irregular. Usually occurs in small flocks at forest edge, occasionally venturing into more open habitats. Sometimes associated with seeding bamboo.
BELIZE HABITAT - Canopy and sub-canopy; broadleaf forest edge.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Discovered in south Toledo in January of 1989 and south west Orange Walk in March of 1991. Seen with increasing frequency in these two areas since. Multiple observations of paired, territorial birds suggest that it nests in Belize, at least occasionally.

White-Collard Seedeater

White Collared Seedeater

White Collared Seedeater
BELIZE HABITAT - Fallow fields and low second growth scrub, roadside brush, orchards, broadleaf and pine forest edge.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Very common resident on mainland and Ambergris Caye; uncommon on Caye Caulker.

Blue-Black Grassquit

Blue Black Grassquit

Blue Black Grassquit - Fairly common little bird of weedy and brushy fields, farmland, and other open grassy areas in tropical lowlands and foothills. Note the very small size, brown plumage, and streaky breast, plus the pointed conical bill. Male’s blue-black breeding plumage is worn only in the summer wet season; molting birds and immatures are patchy blue-black and brown. In song display, male leaps into the air from grass stalk or fence, uttering a short buzzy phrase, repeated over and over.
BELIZE HABITAT - Rice fields, fallow fields, roadside brush, and low second growth.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Common to very common resident on mainland, becoming less common in north third.

Blue Seedeater

Blue Seedeater - Scarce and very local. A rather plain, easily overlooked, small seed-eating bird. Usually found as singles or pairs in association with seeding bamboo in forested areas from lowlands to highlands, but mainly in foothills. From Chiapas to South America, male is dull dark bluish overall and female is rich brown overall. In southwest Mexico, male is paler and more denim-blue overall; female is grayish brown. Note the mostly gray bill, which is smaller than bill of Blue Bunting, and subtly different in shape from bill of Varied Bunting.
BELIZE HABITAT - Riverside bamboo thickets.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Small breeding populations at Monkey Bay (Sibun River) Belize and vicinity of Bermudian Landing (Belize River) Belize. Recently found also at Hill Bank Orange Walk. First found in Belize in February 1991.

Blue Bunting

Blue Bunting - Unobtrusive small bird of brushy woodland and forest understory in tropical lowlands, mainly in drier habitats. Usually seen as singles or pairs, low in weedy growth. Male blue-black overall; with good views, note the blue forehead, ‘jowls,’ and rump. Female in West Mexico gray-brown overall, in East Mexico rich brown overall. Similar female Varied Bunting has a smaller bill and different call note: a wet plik; Blue Bunting call is a high tsik in West Mexico, a metallic chink in East Mexico.
BELIZE HABITAT - Understory to mid-levels; deciduous and semi-deciduous forest edge.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Fairly common resident on mainland south to central Belize and west of Maya Mountains to south Cayo.

Painted Bunting

Painted Bunting - Adult males are unique with brilliant blue head, red underparts, and green back. Females and immature males are greener than other buntings and lack streaks. Found at forest edges, shrubby areas, and overgrown fields with only scattered trees. Occasionally visits feeders.
BELIZE HABITAT - Fallow fields, roadside brush, second growth scrub.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Uncommon to locally fairly common transient and occasional winter visitor, early October to late April.

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting - Breeding males are entirely blue; can look dark from a distance. Females are plain buffy brown with whitish throat, bluish tail, and faint streaks on the underparts. Inhabits the edges of forests and fields. Listen for loud song, paired or tripled notes, delivered from the top of the tallest tree in the area. Occasionally visits feeders. Winters in Central America.
BELIZE HABITAT - Rice fields, fallow fields, roadside brush, second growth scrub, forest edge.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Very common transient and fairly common to common winter visitor, mid-September to mid-May. Peak numbers are present in October and first half of April.

Blue-Black Grosbeak

Blue Black Grosbeak

Blue Black Grosbeak - Chunky, stout-billed bird of humid evergreen forest and edge in tropical lowlands. Usually found in pairs, often skulking at low to middle levels in lush vegetation. In typical views, looks simply dark. Note the large size relative to buntings, very stout bill, and broad tail, which can be twitched side to side. Male is deep blue-black overall. Female is rich dark brown overall. Sharp squeaky call often doubled and rather distinctive.
BELIZE HABITAT - Understory; broadleaf forest interior and edge; second growth scrub.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Fairly common to common resident on mainland north to south Corozal.

Blue Grosbeak

Blue Grosbeak - Larger version of similar Indigo Bunting, with thicker bill. Adult males are dark blue with rufous wingbars. Females are rich plain brown. Found in overgrown fields with hedgerows and bushy areas. Occasionally visits feeders.
BELIZE HABITAT - Fallow fields, roadside brush, rice fields.
Where can you find this bird in Belize?
Common transient and uncommon winter visitor, early September to late April, with peak numbers in October to early April.