Habitat: The Variable seedeater is fairly abundant in semiopen and agricultural country and other open areas such as gardens and shrubby clearings, forest borders and woodland. Distribution: This species has been reported from southeastern Mexico to northwestern Peru, Amazonian Brazil and the Guianas. Natural History Notes: The Variable seedeater is the more abundant and widespread seedeater species found in Panama. Conservation status according to IUCN 2008 Red list: Least Concern (LC). It is a resident species. Characteristics: This species has a total length of 4.5 inches (measured from tip of bill to end of tail). The male has a variable plumage. However, it usually tends to be black and white. The race present in Panama (hicksii) is mainly black on the above but has a white wing speculum and a white rump. The throat is usually also white and extend as a collar shape around the neck. On the breast, we can distinguish a black band. The underparts are usually white with black spots. On the other hand, the female has an olive-brown coloration on the above with a paler beige coloration on the part below. The belly is beige-yellow.