| Spizella | |
|---|---|
) | |
| Field sparrow Spizella pusilla | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Passerellidae |
| Genus: | Spizella Bonaparte, 1832 |
| Species | |
| See text | |
The genus Spizella is a group of American sparrows in the family Passerellidae.[1]
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.[1]
Systematics
This genus was formerly placed with the Old World buntings in the family Emberizidae.[1] However, genetic studies revealed that New World sparrows formed a distinct clade and thus it was placed in the resurrected family Passerellidae.[2][3]
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.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Slager, David L.; Klicka, John (2014). "A new genus for the American Tree Sparrow (Aves: Passeriformes: Passerellidae)" (PDF). Zootaxa. 3821 (3): 398–400. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3821.3.9. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ Barker, F.K.; Burns, K.J.; Klicka, J.; Lanyon, S.M.; Lovette, I.J. (2013). "Going to extremes: contrasting rates of diversification in a recent radiation of New World passerine birds". Systematic Biology. 62 (2): 298–320. doi:10.1093/sysbio/sys094. PMID 23229025.
- ^ Barker, F.K.; Burns, K.J.; Klicka, J.; Lanyon, S.M.; Lovette, I.J. (2015). "New insights into New World biogeography: An integrated view from the phylogeny of blackbirds, cardinals, sparrows, tanagers, warblers, and allies". Auk. 132 (2): 333–346. doi:10.1642/AUK-14-110.1.