Spizella
Genus of birds
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The genus Spizella is a group of American sparrows in the family Passerellidae.[2]
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| Spizella | |
|---|---|
| |
| Field sparrow Spizella pusilla | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Passerellidae |
| Genus: | Spizella Bonaparte, 1832 |
| Type species | |
| Fringilla pusilla[1] A. Wilson, 1810 | |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
These birds are fairly small and slim, with short bills, round heads and long wings. They are usually found in semi-open areas, and outside of the nesting season they often forage in small mixed flocks.[2]
Systematics
This genus was formerly placed with the Old World buntings in the family Emberizidae.[2] However, genetic studies revealed that New World sparrows formed a distinct clade and thus it was placed in the resurrected family Passerellidae.[3][4]
Species
- Chipping sparrow, Spizella passerina
- Clay-colored sparrow, Spizella pallida
- Brewer's sparrow, Spizella breweri
- Timberline sparrow, Spizella breweri taverneri
- Field sparrow, Spizella pusilla
- Worthen's sparrow, Spizella wortheni
- Black-chinned sparrow, Spizella atrogularis
The American tree sparrow, Spizelloides arborea, was formerly a member of this group, but is now placed in its own monotypic genus Spizelloides.[2]