EMBERIZIDAE of South America
The Emberizidae family includes buntings, juncos, New World sparrows, and towhees. The majority of these birds live in the New World where the family probably originated. They are small seed-eaters with a finch-like bill. In addition to seeds they also eat insects, especially when feeding their young. They build cup-shaped nests.
New World Sparrows
Order Passeriformes Family Emberizidae
The sparrows on this page belong to the Emberizidae family. These sparrows are found in the New World. There are also birds called sparrows in the Passeridae family. In particular, the house sparrow has been introduced throughout much of the world.
Genus Ammodramus
Sparrow, Grassland Ammodramus humeralis Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Lip Kee Yap - Argentina 2) Dario Sanches - Brazil
Sparrow, Yellow-browed Ammodramus aurifrons Found: South America
Photographed by Charlie Westerinen - Iquitos, Peru
Genus Amphispiza
Sparrow, Black-throated Amphispiza bilineata Found: North America, northern South America
Similar to: Five-striped Sparrow, Sage Sparrow. Black-throated Sparrow distinguished by its black throat.
2) Elaine R Wilson Visitor's Center, Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California
3) Dick Daniels - Arizona 4) Dick - Arizona 5) Charlie Westerinen - "Hole in the Wall ", Utah 6) Kevin Cole
Genus Arremon
Sparrow, Saffron-billed Arremon flavirostris Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2) Dario Sanches - Brazil
Genus Arremonops
Sparrow, Black-striped Arremonops conirostris Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2) Nathan Rupert - San Diego
Sparrow, Olive Arremonops rufivirgatus Found: The Americas
Photographed by: 1) Alan D. Wilson - Ramirez Ranch, Near Roma, Texas 2) Bill Bouton - Texas 3) Jerry Oldenettel - Texas
Sparrow, Orange-billed Arremon aurantiirostris Found: Central and South America
Photographed by: Dominic Sherony
Genus Passerculus - 1 species
Sparrow, Savannah Passerculus sandwichensis Found: North America and South America
The Savannah Sparrow has many variations. They all have a narrow whitish crown stripe and a white throat. Most have a yellow stripe above and in front of the eye.
5) Donna Dewhurst,USFWS - Alaska 6) Mike Baird - California 7) Dick Daniels - Assateague, Virginia 8) Matt Tillett - Delaware
9, 10) John B. - Rhode Island (Ipswich) 11) USFWS - California (Belding's)
9, 10) Ipswich Savannah Sparrow 11) Belding's Savannah Sparrow
Genus Spizella
Sparrow, Black-chinned Spizella atrogularis Found: The Americas
Photographed by: 1, 2) Maggie Smith 3) J. N. Stuart - New Mexico
Genus Zonotrichia
Sparrow, Rufous-collared Zonotrichia capensis Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) dFaulder at Costanera Sur Nature Reserve, Buenos Aires, Argentina 2, 3) Dario Sanches - Brazil
The following species may be moved the the tanager family Thraupidae
Genus Donacospiza - 1 species
Finch, Long-tailed Reed Donacospiza albifrons Found: South America
Photographed by: Dario Niz - Ururguay
Genus Embernagra
Finch, Great Pampa Embernagra Platensis Found: South America
Photographed by: André Roviralta Dias Baptista - Brazil
All photos on this site are available for general use. Please credit the photographer. Some images have additional constraints such as no commercial use or no modifications. Click the photo credit link for details. Dick Daniels, webmaster.