American Sparrows

Sparrows found in the Americas are members of the Emberizidae Family of sparrows.

American sparrows are similar in both appearance and habit to finches.

They are not always the same species as the Old World Sparrows. For further information on sparrow species click the link.

Description

American Sparrows are seed-eating birds with conical bills, The plumage is mostly in shades of brown or grey and many species have distinctive head patterns.

Species in taxonomic order

Genus Arremon

  • Orange-billed Sparrow, Arremon aurantiirostris
  • Pectoral Sparrow, Arremon taciturnus
  • Half-collared Sparrow, Arremon semitorquatus
  • Golden-winged Sparrow, Arremon schlegeli
  • Black-capped Sparrow, Arremon abeillei
  • Saffron-billed Sparrow, Arremon flavirostris
  • Chestnut-capped Brush Finch, Arremon brunneinucha

Genus Arremonops

House Sparrow in flight

Genus Pipilo

Genus Aimophila

  • Bridled Sparrow, Aimophila mystacalis
  • Black-chested Sparrow, Aimophila humeralis
  • Stripe-headed Sparrow, Aimophila ruficauda
  • Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow, Aimophila sumichrasti
  • Stripe-capped Sparrow, Aimophila strigiceps
  • Tumbes Sparrow, Aimophila stolzmanni
  • Bachman’s Sparrow, Aimophila aestivalis
  • Botteri’s Sparrow, Aimophila botterii : A medium-sized sparrow found primarily in Mexico, with a breeding range that extends to the southeastern tip of Arizona. Small populations can be found in the southern-most tip of Texas
  • Cassin’s Sparrow, Aimophila cassinii
  • Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Aimophila ruficeps
  • Rufous-winged Sparrow, Aimophila carpalis
  • Five-striped Sparrow, Aimophila quinquestriata : A medium-sized sparrow. This passerine bird is primarily found along the Pacific coast region of mainland Mexico, with a breeding range that extends into the southern tip of the U.S. state of Arizona. This species is a regular victim of cowbird nest parasites.
  • Oaxaca Sparrow, Aimophila notosticta
  • Rusty Sparrow, Aimophila rufescens
  • Striped Sparrow, Oriturus superciliosus
  • Zapata Sparrow, Torreornis inexpectata
Olive Sparrow

Genus Spizella

Genus Amphispiza

Genus Ammodramus

Genus Melospiza

Olive Sparrow

Genus Zonotrichia

Genus Junco

Photo of author

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