Sparrows: Emberizidae

The family Emberizidae encompasses a variety of species commonly seen around the home and garden.

Along with the more widely known sparrow species, Emerizidae includes juncos, towhees, longspurs and Emberizid buntings.

Members of the American Ornithologists' Union classification committee continue to organize and reorganize their thinking about Emberizidae based on the results of ongoing genetic studies. Therefore, any formal presentation of Emberizid species remains subject to change.

The American Birding Association's Version 7.3 checklist lists fifty-five Emberizid species, organized into nineteen genera. Multiple subspecies also receive formal recognition.

Emberizid diversity reaches its peak in two genera, the seven Spizella species (sparrows) and the nine Emberiza species (buntings).

Collectively they share physical features such as size and conical bills for cracking seeds, their food of choice. Spring singing males draw attention wherever they perch.

Adding to the complexity of the topic, house sparrows (Passer domesticus), common year round residents of many residential areas, belong to a separate family, Passeridae.

The Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) pictured at the top of the page exemplifies Spizella sparrows.

Fairly common sparrow throughout North America, the rusty crown, white patch above the eye and a black facial stripe represent one of many variations of the general Emberizid look.

The Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), the lone member of the Passerculus genus, and the Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) represent the other end of sparrow diversity, each being the single North American representative of their genus.

Fond of many North American habitats from open fields to coastal beaches, Savannah Sparrows winter as far south as Central America.

Along with the streaked breast, the yellow patch above the eye represent good field identification marks.

The Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca), a larger than average species, breeds in the west, as far north as Canada. Large populations winter along the southern border areas.

The remaining species presented below provide additional views of Emberizid diversity.

Species from two genera, Pipilo and Melozone, go by the common name Towhee. The Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) pictured at the top of the page, inhabits the under brush in Western fields, parks and residential settings.

With the exception of red eyes, their feather color and pattern looks similar to the feather color and pattern on the American Robin.

Song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) one of three Melospiza species, display slight physical variations across their North American range. Most subspecies shows streaking around the breast area along with a dull shaded bill.

Year round residents across the temperate areas, a small population also winters along the souther border area. The video shows a few different males singing.

White stripes across the face compliment the black throat of the Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata), a colorful sparrow of the desert Southwest.

Like many other sparrow species, they tend to scratch around on the ground in search of seeds and insects.

Two Junco species, differentiated by eye color visit backyard bird across North America.at feeders across the United States during winter. In summer they tend to move to higher elevations to breed.

Feather coloring for the pictured Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) changed from region to region.

Four Zonotrichia sparrows, including the Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) and the White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), receive ABA listings.

Little streaking on the breast and yellow head feathers make the Golden-crowned sparrow relatively easy to identify. Primarily a Western species, they breed as far north as Alaska and winter in parks and residential settings throughout California and Oregon.

Five White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) subspecies inhabit North American fields and forests, with their appearance varying slightly depending on their location.

Hardy fliers, they breed in northern latitudes, including Alaska and Canada.

Sparrows: Emberizidae