Buntings, Sparrows, Seedeaters and Allies Emberizidae
There are 74 genera within the family, of which 25 are thus far described below.
Of the 318 species within the family, 6 are critically endangered, 11 are endangered,
18 are vulnerable, and another 29 are near-threatened. This is a very large family that is found on all
continents except Australia and Antarctica. The majority of the species are found in South America. Most members of the family have large conical bills
which they use for seed eating. They are also known to eat insects.
Miliaria
This is the only member of the genus.
Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra near Martin Mere, Lancashire, England, June 2009.
Emberiza
There are 39 members of this genus.
Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus at Snetttisham, Norfolk, England, June 2009.
Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella near Newstead Abbey, Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire, England, July 2009.
Calcarius
There are four members of this genus. The Chestnut-collared Longspur Calcarius ornatus is considered near-threatened.
Lapland Longspurs Calcarius lapponicus are known in the Old World as "Lapland Buntings". They are the commonest and most widespread member
of the genus. They nest in tundra and along the far northern coast of Alaska, Canada, and northern Eurasia. During winter, they migrate south of their breeding
range. This breeding male was photographed at Grim Reaper, Amila Island, Aleutians, Alaska, May 2002.
Calamospiza
This is the only member of the genus.
Lark Buntings Calamospiza melanocorys breed on the Great Plains from south-central Canada, south to northern Texas. They migrate south
for the winter to the southwestern USA, and south to central Mexico. During the summer, the male has a striking jet black plumage with distinct white wing
patches. This bird was photographed during winter at Arizona City, Arizona, November 2005.
Passerella
This is the only member of the genus.
The Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca is split by some authors into four distinct species. They include the Red Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca,
Sooty Fox Sparrow Passerella unalaschcensis, Slate-colored Fox Sparrow Passerella schistacea, and the Thick-billed Fox Sparrow Passerella
megarhyncha. The Fox Sparrow breeds from Alaska, east across Canada, and south through the west coast of the USA. During winter, they migrate south to
as far as northern Baja California, and east to the southeastern USA.
This "Red" Fox Sparrow was photographed at Cave Creek Ranch, Portal, Arizona, November 2007.
Melospiza
There are 3 members of the genus.
The Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana is common in swampy habitats. They breed from central and eastern Canada, and the northeastern
USA. During winter, they migrate south of their breeding range to the southern USA, reaching as far south as central Mexico. Photographed in winter at
the Patagonia Lake State Park, Arizona, January 2002.
Zonotrichia
There are 5 members of the genus.
The Harris's Sparrow Zonotrichia querula nests in stunted boreal forests of north-central Canada. During the winter, they migrate south to
the central USA. This bird was one of two that wintered at the Water Ranch, Gilbert, Arizona, December 2006.
Junco
There are 4 members of this genera. The Guadalupe Junco Junco insularis is considered critically endangered.
Volcano Junco Junco vulcani on Cerro de la Muerte, San Jose, Costa Rica, March 2009.
Yellow-eyed Junco Junco phaeonotus at the northernmost edge of their range, the Pinal Mountains, near
Globe, Arizona, August 2005.
Passerculus
This is the only member of the genus.
The Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis has many different races, some of which may eventually be split into seperate species. They
breed across North America, south to central Mexico. During winter, they can be found in the Caribbean, and in Central America, south to Honduras.
This photograph of a "Large-billed Sparrow" was taken at Cholla Bay, near Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico, March 2002.
Ammodramus
There are 9 members of the genus. The Saltmarsh Sparrow Ammodramus caudacutus is vulnerable,
and the Henslow's Sparrow Ammodramus henslowii is near-threatened.
Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum at the Empire Ranch, near Sonoita, Arizona, January 2004.
Nelson's Sparrow Ammodramus nelsoni at Hagen's Cove, near Keaton Beach, Florida, November 2009.
Spizella
There are 7 members of the genus. The Worthen's Sparrow Spizella wortheni is endangered, and the Brewer's Sparrow
Spizella breweri is near-threatened.
Black-chinned Sparrow Spizella atrogularis at the Patagonia Lake State
Park, Arizona, January 2006.
Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla at Goose Lake Prairie-Heidecke, Illinois, June 2008.
Pooecetes
This is the only member of the genus.
The Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus is widespread across southern Canada and the United States. They winter south into southern Mexico.
When flushed, their white outer tail feathers are conspicuous in flight. This Vesper Sparrow was photographed at Willcox, Arizona, January 2005.
Chondestes
This is the only member of the genus.
The Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus is found in open areas with scattered trees and shrubs, pastures, and agricultural areas. They breed
in far southern Canada, and the western and central USA. They migrate south of their breeding range for the winter, to as far south as Honduras and
El Salvador. Photographed at a urban park in Tucson, Arizona, February 2003.
Amphispiza
There are 2 members of the genus.
Two distinct populations of Sage Sparrows Amphispiza belli exist. The resident Pacific race inhabits dense coastal chaparral covered slopes
in California and northern Baja California. The paler migratory interior race is found in barren sagebrush deserts of the western USA. The interior race
migrates to the southwestern USA, and northwestern Mexico after breeding. This bird of the interior race was photographed during winter near Buckeye,
Arizona, January 2005.
Aimophila
There are 14 members of the genus. The Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow Aimophila sumichrasti, Bachman's Sparrow Aimophila aestivalis,
and the Oaxaca Sparrow Aimophila notosticta are all considered near-threatened.
Stripe-headed Sparrows Aimophila ruficauda are found in arid and semiarid brushy scrub and semiopen areas along the Pacific slope of Mexico,
south to northwestern Costa Rica. This adult was photographed near the Rincon de la Vieja National Pak, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, June 2007.
Volatinia
This is the only member of the genus.
Blue-black Grassquits Volatinia jacarina are common and widespread in weedy fields and scrubby areas from Mexico, south to northern Chile
and northern Argentina. This male was photographed just below the Heliconia Lodge, near Bijagua, Alajuela, Costa Rica, June 2007.
Sporophila
There are 32 members of this genus.
White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola near the Volcan Arenal, Alajuela, Costa Rica, June 2007.
Variable Seedeater Sporophila torqueola near San Isidro del General, Costa Rica, April 2009.
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater Sporophila minuta near Punta Jimenez, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, April 2009.
Tiaris
There are 5 members of the genus.
The Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivaceus is a small finch of scrubby and open grassy habitats. Deforestation has no doubt helped the spread
of this species. Found from eastern Mexico, south to northwestern Ecuador, and northwestern Venezuela. Also found in the Greater Antilles. Accidental in
southern Texas and Florida. This male was photographed just west off Puerto Escondido, near Duverge, Dominican Republic, January 2007.
Pipilo
There are 8 members of the genus.
Eastern Towhee Pipilo chlorurus at Bass River State Park, New Jersey, June 2008.
Green-tailed Towhee Pipilo chlorurus at the San Pedro House, near Sierra Vista, Arizona, October 2005.
Arremonops
There are 4 members of the genus.
The Black-striped Sparrow Arremonops conirostris is found in forest edge, shrubby clearings, and gardens from eastern Honduras,
south to westeern Ecuador, and extreme northern Brazil. This adult was photographed at Puerto Viejo, Limon, Costa Rica, June 2007.
Melozone
There are 3 members of the genus.
White-eared Ground-sparrow Melozone leucotis at Monteverde, Costa Rica, April 2009.
Arremon
There are 7 members of the genus.
Orange-billed Sparrow Arremon aurantiirostris at the Wilson botanical garden, near San Vito, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, April 2009.
Pselliophorus
There are 2 members of the genus.
Yellow-thighed Finch Pselliophorus tibialis at the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Preserve, Costa Rica, April 2009.
Paroaria
There are 5 members of the genus.
The Red-capped Cardinal Paroaria gularis is a lowland inhabitant of northern South American and Trinidad. The distinctive adults are
unmistakable within their range. Photographed at a feeding station at the Amazonia Lodge, Madre de Dios, Peru, November 2003.
Passerina
There are 7 members of the genus. The Painted Bunting Passerina ciris and the Rose-bellied Bunting Passerina rositae are both
considered near-threatened.
The Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea is a common summer breeder across the southern USA. They are also found from Mexico south to
Costa Rica. The plumage of the male and female are quite different. The female is brown, but still retains the
tan wing bars. This male Blue Grosbeak was photographed at the Arivaca Cienega, Arivaca, Arizona, June 2006.
PASSERINES