Spizella

The genus Spizella is a group of American sparrows in the family Passerellidae.^[2]

Spizella
Field sparrow Spizella pusilla
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Passerellidae
Genus:	Spizella Bonaparte, 1832
Type species
Fringilla pusilla[1] A. Wilson, 1810
Species
See text

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.^[2]

Systematics

This genus was formerly placed with the Old World buntings in the family Emberizidae.^[2] However, genetic studies revealed that New World sparrows formed a distinct clade and thus it was placed in the resurrected family Passerellidae.^[3][4]

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.^[2]