Zonotrichia is a genus of five extant American sparrows of the family Passerellidae. Four of the species are North American, but the rufous-collared sparrow breeds in highlands from the extreme southeast of Mexico to Tierra del Fuego, and on Hispaniola.
The genus name Zonotrichia is from Ancient Greek Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ζώνη and Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: θρίξ .[1]
The species in the genus Zonotrichia are:
| Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Distribution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zonotrichia leucophrys | North America | |||
| Zonotrichia albicollis | Canada and New England | |||
| Zonotrichia atricapilla | north-central Alaska (including the Aleutian Islands as far west as Unimak Island) and central Yukon south to the northwestern corner of the US state of Washington, and wintering from southern coastal Alaska to northern Baja California | |||
| Zonotrichia capensis | south-east of Mexico to Tierra del Fuego, and on the island of Hispaniola | |||
| Zonotrichia querula | north part of central Canada (primarily the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, ranging slightly into northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan) | |||
| †Zonotrichia robusta | Miramar Formation, Argentina (Pleistocene)[2] |
The female lays brown-blotched greenish-blue or greenish white eggs, which she incubates for 12–14 days. The male helps in feeding the chicks.
Zonotrichia sparrows feed on the ground on seeds, fallen grain, insects and spiders.