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Emberizidae

American Tree Sparrow, Spizella arborea

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Emberizidae Vigors, 1831

The Emberizidae are a large family of passerine birds.

They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as buntings.

The Emberizidae family probably originated in South America and spread first into North America before crossing into eastern Asia and continuing to move west. This explains the paucity of emberizid species in Europe and Africa when compared to the Americas.

In North America, most of the species in this family are known as Sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. The family also includes the North American birds known as juncos and towhees.

Their habits are similar to those of finches, with which they sometimes used to be grouped. Older sources may place some emberizids in the Fringillidae, and the common names of some emberizids still refer to them as finches. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.

1 Species in taxonomic order
2 External links

Species in taxonomic order

The buntings

Crested Bunting, Melophus lathami
Slaty Bunting, Latoucheornis siemsseni
Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella
Pine Bunting, Emberiza leucocephalos
Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus
Tibetan Bunting, Emberiza koslowi
Rock Bunting, Emberiza cia
Godlewski's Bunting, Emberiza godlewskii
Meadow Bunting, Emberiza cioides
Rufous-backed Bunting, Emberiza jankowskii
Grey-hooded Bunting, Emberiza buchanani
Cinereous Bunting, Emberiza cineracea
Ortolan Bunting, Emberiza hortulana
Chestnut-breasted Bunting, Emberiza stewarti
Cretzschmar's Bunting, Emberiza caesia
House Bunting, Emberiza striolata
Lark-like Bunting, Emberiza impetuani
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, Emberiza tahapisi
Socotra Bunting, Emberiza socotrana
Cape Bunting, Emberiza capensis
Ochre-rumped Bunting, Emberiza yessoensis
Tristram's Bunting, Emberiza tristrami
Chestnut-eared Bunting, Emberiza fucata
Little Bunting, Emberiza pusilla
Yellow-browed Bunting, Emberiza chrysophrys
Rustic Bunting, Emberiza rustica
Yellow-throated Bunting, Emberiza elegans
Yellow-breasted Bunting, Emberiza aureola
Golden-breasted Bunting, Emberiza flaviventris
Somali Bunting, Emberiza poliopleura
Brown-rumped Bunting, Emberiza affinis
Cabanis' Bunting, Emberiza cabanisi
Chestnut Bunting, Emberiza rutila
Black-headed Bunting, Emberiza melanocephala
Red-headed Bunting, Emberiza bruniceps
Yellow Bunting, Emberiza sulphurata
Black-faced Bunting, Emberiza spodocephala
Grey Bunting, Emberiza variabilis
Pallas' Reed Bunting, Emberiza pallasi
Reed Bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus
Corn Bunting, Emberiza calandra
Snow Bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis
McKay's Bunting, Plectrophenax hyperboreus
Przevalski's Rosefinch, Urocynchramus pylzowi
Coal-crested Finch, Charitospiza eucosma
Black-masked Finch, Coryphaspiza melanotis
Many-colored Chaco Finch, Saltatricula multicolor
Pileated Finch, Coryphospingus pileatus
Red-crested Finch, Coryphospingus cucullatus
Crimson-breasted Finch, Rhodospingus cruentus

The sierra finches

Black-hooded Sierra Finch, Phrygilus atriceps
Peruvian Sierra Finch, Phrygilus punensis
Gray-hooded Sierra Finch, Phrygilus gayi
Patagonian Sierra Finch, Phrygilus patagonicus
Mourning Sierra Finch, Phrygilus fruticeti
Plumbeous Sierra Finch, Phrygilus unicolor
Red-backed Sierra Finch, Phrygilus dorsalis
White-throated Sierra Finch, Phrygilus erythronotus
Carbonated Sierra Finch, Phrygilus carbonarius
Band-tailed Sierra Finch, Phrygilus alaudinus
Ash-breasted Sierra Finch, Phrygilus plebejus
Canary-winged Finch, Melanodera melanodera
Yellow-bridled Finch, Melanodera xanthogramma
Black-crested Finch, Lophospingus pusillus
Gray-crested Finch, Lophospingus griseocristatus
Long-tailed Reed Finch, Donacospiza albifrons
Gough Island Finch, Rowettia goughensis
Nightingale Finch, Nesospiza acunhae
Wilkins' Finch, Nesospiza wilkinsi
White-winged Diuca Finch, Diuca speculifera
Common Diuca Finch, Diuca diuca
Short-tailed Finch, Idiopsar brachyurus
Cinereous Finch, Piezorhina cinerea
Slender-billed Finch, Xenospingus concolor

The Inca finches

Great Inca Finch, Incaspiza pulchra
Rufous-backed Inca Finch, Incaspiza personata
Gray-winged Inca Finch, Incaspiza ortizi
Buff-bridled Inca Finch, Incaspiza laeta
Little Inca Finch, Incaspiza watkinsi

The warbling finches

Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Poospiza thoracica
Bolivian Warbling Finch, Poospiza boliviana
Plain-tailed Warbling Finch, Poospiza alticola
Rufous-sided Warbling Finch, Poospiza hypochondria
Cinnamon Warbling Finch, Poospiza ornata
Rusty-browed Warbling Finch, Poospiza erythrophrys
Black-and-rufous Warbling Finch, Poospiza nigrorufa
Black-and-chestnut Warbling Finch, Poospiza whitii
Red-rumped Warbling Finch, Poospiza lateralis
Rufous-breasted Warbling Finch, Poospiza rubecula
Cochabamba Mountain Finch, Poospiza garleppi
Tucuman Mountain Finch, Poospiza baeri
Chestnut-breasted Mountain Finch, Poospiza caesar
Collared Warbling Finch, Poospiza hispaniolensis
Ringed Warbling Finch, Poospiza torquata
Black-capped Warbling Finch, Poospiza melanoleuca
Cinereous Warbling Finch, Poospiza cinerea
Blue-black Grassquit, Volatinia jacarina

The seedeaters

Buffy-fronted Seedeater, Sporophila frontalis
Temminck's Seedeater, Sporophila falcirostris
Slate-colored Seedeater, Sporophila schistacea
Plumbeous Seedeater, Sporophila plumbea
Caqueta Seedeater, Sporophila murallae
Gray Seedeater, Sporophila intermedia
Wing-barred Seedeater, Sporophila americana
Variable Seedeater, Sporophila corvina
White-collared Seedeater, Sporophila torqueola
Rusty-collared Seedeater, Sporophila collaris
Lesson's Seedeater, Sporophila bouvronides
Lined Seedeater, Sporophila lineola
Black-and-white Seedeater, Sporophila luctuosa
Yellow-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila nigricollis
Dubois' Seedeater, Sporophila ardesiaca
Hooded Seedeater, Sporophila melanops
Double-collared Seedeater, Sporophila caerulescens
White-throated Seedeater, Sporophila albogularis
Drab Seedeater, Sporophila simplex
White-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila leucoptera
Parrot-billed Seedeater, Sporophila peruviana
Black-and-tawny Seedeater, Sporophila nigrorufa
Capped Seedeater, Sporophila bouvreuil
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater, Sporophila minuta
Tawny-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila hypoxantha
Dark-throated Seedeater, Sporophila ruficollis
Marsh Seedeater, Sporophila palustris
Chestnut-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila castaneiventris
Gray-and-chestnut Seedeater, Sporophila hypochroma
Chestnut Seedeater, Sporophila cinnamomea
Narosky's Seedeater, Sporophila zelichi
Black-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila melanogaster
Chestnut-throated Seedeater, Sporophila telasco
Tumaco Seedeater, Sporophila insulata
Band-tailed Seedeater, Catamenia analis
Plain-colored Seedeater, Catamenia inornata
Paramo Seedeater, Catamenia homochroa
Blackish-blue Seedeater, Amaurospiza moesta
Blue Seedeater, Amaurospiza concolor
Slate-blue Seedeater, Amaurospiza relicta
Carrizal Seedeater, Amaurospiza carrizalensis
Nicaraguan Seed Finch, Oryzoborus nuttingi
Large-billed Seed Finch, Oryzoborus crassirostris
Black-billed Seed Finch, Oryzoborus atrirostris
Great-billed Seed Finch, Oryzoborus maximiliani
Chestnut-bellied Seed Finch, Oryzoborus angolensis
Thick-billed Seed Finch, Oryzoborus funereus
White-naped Seedeater, Dolospingus fringilloides
Cuban Bullfinch, Melopyrrha nigra
Dull-colored Grassquit, Tiaris obscura
Cuban Grassquit, Tiaris canora
Yellow-faced Grassquit, Tiaris olivacea
Black-faced Grassquit, Tiaris bicolor
Sooty Grassquit, Tiaris fuliginosa
Yellow-shouldered Grassquit, Loxipasser anoxanthus
Orangequit, Euneornis campestris
St. Lucia Black Finch, Melanospiza richardsoni
Puerto Rican Bullfinch, Loxigilla portoricensis
Greater Antillean Bullfinch, Loxigilla violacea
Lesser Antillean Bullfinch, Loxigilla noctis
Cocos Island Finch, Pinaroloxias inornata
Slaty Finch, Haplospiza rustica
Uniform Finch, Haplospiza unicolor
Peg-billed Finch, Acanthidops bairdii

The Flowerpiercers

Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer, Diglossa baritula
Slaty Flowerpiercer, Diglossa plumbea
Rusty Flowerpiercer, Diglossa sittoides
Venezuelan Flowerpiercer, Diglossa venezuelensis
Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer, Diglossa gloriosissima
White-sided Flowerpiercer, Diglossa albilatera
Glossy Flowerpiercer, Diglossa lafresnayii
Moustached Flowerpiercer, Diglossa mystacalis
Merida Flowerpiercer, Diglossa gloriosa
Black Flowerpiercer, Diglossa humeralis
Black-throated Flowerpiercer, Diglossa brunneiventris
Gray-bellied Flowerpiercer, Diglossa carbonaria
Scaled Flowerpiercer, Diglossa duidae
Greater Flowerpiercer, Diglossa major
Indigo Flowerpiercer, Diglossopis indigotica
Deep-blue Flowerpiercer, Diglossopis glauca
Bluish Flowerpiercer, Diglossopis caerulescens
Masked Flowerpiercer, Diglossopis cyanea

The yellow finches

Puna Yellow Finch, Sicalis lutea
Saffron Finch, Sicalis flaveola
Grassland Yellow Finch, Sicalis luteola
Stripe-tailed Yellow Finch, Sicalis citrina
Bright-rumped Yellow Finch, Sicalis uropygialis
Citron-headed Yellow Finch, Sicalis luteocephala
Greater Yellow Finch, Sicalis auriventris
Greenish Yellow Finch, Sicalis olivascens
Patagonian Yellow Finch, Sicalis lebruni
Orange-fronted Yellow Finch, Sicalis columbiana
Raimondi's Yellow Finch, Sicalis raimondii
Sulphur-throated Finch, Sicalis taczanowskii
Wedge-tailed Grass Finch, Emberizoides herbicola
Duida Grass Finch, Emberizoides duidae
Lesser Grass Finch, Emberizoides ypiranganus
Pale-throated Serra Finch, Embernagra longicauda
Great Pampa Finch, Embernagra platensis
Yellow Cardinal, Gubernatrix cristata
Red-crested Cardinal, Paroaria coronata
Red-cowled Cardinal, Paroaria dominicana
Red-capped Cardinal, Paroaria gularis
Crimson-fronted Cardinal, Paroaria baeri
Yellow-billed Cardinal, Paroaria capitata
Sooty-faced Finch, Lysurus crassirostris
Olive Finch, Lysurus castaneiceps
Yellow-thighed Finch, Pselliophorus tibialis
Yellow-green Finch, Pselliophorus luteoviridis
Large-footed Finch, Pezopetes capitalis

The brush finches

White-naped Brush Finch, Atlapetes albinucha
Pale-naped Brush Finch, Atlapetes pallidinucha
Rufous-naped Brush Finch, Atlapetes rufinucha
Yellow-breasted Brush Finch, Atlapetes latinuchus
Yariguies Brush Finch, Atlapetes latinuchus yariguierum
White-rimmed Brush Finch, Atlapetes leucopis
Rufous-capped Brush Finch, Atlapetes pileatus
Santa Marta Brush Finch, Atlapetes melanocephalus
Olive-headed Brush Finch, Atlapetes flaviceps
Dusky-headed Brush Finch, Atlapetes fuscoolivaceus
Tricolored Brush Finch, Atlapetes tricolor
Moustached Brush Finch, Atlapetes albofrenatus
Slaty Brush Finch, Atlapetes schistaceus
Bay-crowned Brush Finch, Atlapetes seebohmi
Rusty-bellied Brush Finch, Atlapetes nationi
White-winged Brush Finch, Atlapetes leucopterus
White-headed Brush Finch, Atlapetes albiceps
Pale-headed Brush Finch, Atlapetes pallidiceps
Rufous-eared Brush Finch, Atlapetes rufigenis
Black-spectacled Brush Finch, Atlapetes melanops
Ochre-breasted Brush Finch, Atlapetes semirufus
Fulvous-headed Brush Finch, Atlapetes fulviceps
Tepui Brush Finch, Atlapetes personatus
Yellow-striped Brush Finch, Atlapetes citrinellus
Chestnut-capped Brush Finch, Buarremon brunneinucha
Green-striped Brush Finch, Buarremon virenticeps
Stripe-headed Brush Finch, Buarremon torquatus

The American sparrows, including juncos and towhees

Orange-billed Sparrow, Arremon aurantiirostris
Pectoral Sparrow, Arremon taciturnus
Half-collared Sparrow, Arremon semitorquatus
Golden-winged Sparrow, Arremon schlegeli
Black-capped Sparrow, Arremon abeillei
Saffron-billed Sparrow, Arremon flavirostris
Olive Sparrow, Arremonops rufivirgatus
Tocuyo Sparrow, Arremonops tocuyensis
Green-backed Sparrow, Arremonops chloronotus
Black-striped Sparrow, Arremonops conirostris
Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow, Melozone kieneri
Prevost's Ground-Sparrow, Melozone biarcuatum
White-eared Ground-Sparrow, Melozone leucotis
Green-tailed Towhee, Pipilo chlorurus
Collared Towhee, Pipilo ocai
Socorro Towhee, Pipilo socorroensis
Eastern Towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Spotted Towhee, Pipilo maculatus
California Towhee, Pipilo crissalis
Canyon Towhee, Pipilo fuscus
Abert's Towhee, Pipilo aberti
White-throated Towhee, Pipilo albicollis
Bridled Sparrow, Aimophila mystacalis
Black-chested Sparrow, Aimophila humeralis
Stripe-headed Sparrow, Aimophila ruficauda
Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow, Aimophila sumichrasti
Stripe-capped Sparrow, Aimophila strigiceps
Tumbes Sparrow, Aimophila stolzmanni
Bachman's Sparrow, Aimophila aestivalis
Botteri's Sparrow, Aimophila botterii
Cassin's Sparrow, Aimophila cassinii
Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Aimophila ruficeps
Rufous-winged Sparrow, Aimophila carpalis
Five-striped Sparrow, Aimophila quinquestriata
Oaxaca Sparrow, Aimophila notosticta
Rusty Sparrow, Aimophila rufescens
Striped Sparrow, Oriturus superciliosus
Zapata Sparrow, Torreornis inexpectata
American Tree Sparrow, Spizella arborea
Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina
Clay-colored Sparrow, Spizella pallida
Brewer's Sparrow, Spizella breweri
Field Sparrow, Spizella pusilla
Worthen's Sparrow, Spizella wortheni
Black-chinned Sparrow, Spizella atrogularis
Vesper Sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus
Lark Sparrow, Chondestes grammacus
Black-throated Sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata
Sage Sparrow, Amphispiza belli
Lark Bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys
Savannah Sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis
Seaside Sparrow, Ammodramus maritimus
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Ammodramus nelsoni
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Ammodramus caudacutus
Le Conte's Sparrow, Ammodramus leconteii
Henslow's Sparrow, Ammodramus henslowii
Baird's Sparrow, Ammodramus bairdii
Grasshopper Sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum
Grassland Sparrow, Ammodramus humeralis
Yellow-browed Sparrow, Ammodramus aurifrons
Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca
Sierra Madre Sparrow, Xenospiza baileyi
Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia
Lincoln's Sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii
Swamp Sparrow, Melospiza georgiana
White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys
White-throated Sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis
Golden-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla
Rufous-collared Sparrow, Zonotrichia capensis
Harris's Sparrow, Zonotrichia querula
Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis
Yellow-eyed Junco, Junco phaeonotus
Guadalupe Junco, Junco insularis
Volcano Junco, Junco vulcani

Lapland Bunting

Longspurs

McCown's Longspur, Calcarius mccownii
Lapland Longspur, or Lapland Bunting, Calcarius lapponicus
Smith's Longspur, Calcarius pictus
Chestnut-collared Longspur, Calcarius ornatus

The ground finches

Large Ground Finch, Geospiza magnirostris
Medium Ground Finch, Geospiza fortis
Small Ground Finch, Geospiza fuliginosa
Sharp-beaked Ground Finch, Geospiza difficilis
Common Cactus Finch, Geospiza scandens
Large Cactus Finch, Geospiza conirostris

The tree finches

Vegetarian Finch, Camarhynchus crassirostris
Mangrove Finch, Camarhynchus heliobates
Large Tree Finch, Camarhynchus psittacula
Small Tree Finch, Camarhynchus parvulus
Medium Tree Finch, Camarhynchus pauper
Woodpecker Finch, Camarhynchus pallidus
Warbler Finch, Certhidea olivacea

External links

Emberizidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Birds Guide

Emberizidae

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