Spizella Explained

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]

Notes and References

1. Slager . David L. . Klicka . John . A new genus for the American Tree Sparrow (Aves: Passeriformes: Passerellidae) . Zootaxa . 2014 . 3821 . 3 . 398–400 . 10.11646/zootaxa.3821.3.9 . 24989754 . 34796887 . free .
2. 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 . 10.1093/sysbio/sys094 . 23229025 . free.
3. 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 . 10.1642/AUK-14-110.1 . free .