Subspecies:

Poospiza nigrorufa nigrorufa: (Orbigny & Lafresnave, 1837), Nominal subspecies, Found in Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Northeast Argentina.
Poospiza nigrorufa wagneri: (Stolzmann, 1926). Found only in western Bolivia.

In the past, there was another subspecies P. n. whitii (Sclater, 1883) but it is currently considered a full species (Poospiza whitii) by some authors.

Description: 13 cm. Beautiful design. Dark back, rufous ventral with white on the abdomen, striking black mask surrounded by a malar line and a white supercilium that ends in the same tone as the ventral side, the tail feathers are black (with some white when fanning the tail). Juveniles have a much simpler design, lacking rufous coloration and are gray/blackish with a black-streaked ventral side.

Sexual Dimorphism: None, only juveniles can be easily distinguished from adults.

Habitat: Grasslands, Shrublands, and degraded forests. It approaches human-modified environments.

Distribution: Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay (with few records), Bolivia, and Northeast Argentina.

Behavior: Low and quite hidden flight, it moves through shrubs from where it is heard vocalizing frequently. It usually moves in pairs and is commonly seen on the ground searching for food.

Nesting: The nest is made with intertwined fibers in the shape of a cup, hidden between low branches. It deposits between 2 and 4 eggs there.

Feeding: Seeds and shoots.

Author of this description: Diego Oscar

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