Emberizidae
- Related Topics:
- towhee
- ortolan
- bananaquit
- Emberiza
- Plectrophenax
Emberizidae, songbird family made up of nearly 200 species of seedeaters with conical bills. In inclusive classifications, the family is often made up of New World sparrows, Old World buntings, towhees, and several species of brush finches spread across 30 genera. In the most exclusive classification, Emberizidae is made up of the 44 species of the tropical genus Emberiza. Emberizids occur in a wide variety of habitats, from tundra and mountainous regions to tropical rainforests and marshes.
These small to medium-sized birds range from about 10 to 20 cm (3.9 to 9.4 inches) in length and weigh about 13–30 grams (0.46–1 ounce). Most emberizids are mottled gray-brown or gray, but many species display high-contrast streaks and patches. The heads of white-throated sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) and American tree sparrows (Spizella arborea) display alternating streaks of dark and white, and the heads of dark-eyed juncoes (Junco hyemalis) are often hooded with black feathers that contrast with their light gray undersides. Some species, such as the yellow-breasted brush finch (Atlapetes latinuchus), are brightly coloured.