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Fringillidae

(Family)

Overview

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Finches are birds, often seed-eating, found chiefly in the northern hemisphere and Africa. One subfamily is endemic to the Neotropics. The family scientific name Fringillidae comes from the Latin word "fringilla", meaning chaffinch, a member of this family that is common in Europe. The taxonomic structure of the true finch family, Fringillidae, is somewhat disputed, with some including the Hawaiian honeycreepers as another subfamily (Drepanidinae) and/or uniting the cardueline and fringilline finches as tribes (Carduelini and Fringillini) in one subfamily; the euphonious finches were thought to be tanagers due to general similarity in appearance and mode of life until their real affinities were realized; the buntings and American sparrows were formerly considered another subfamily (Emberizinae). Przewalski's "Rosefinch" (Urocynchramus pylzowi) is now classified as a distinct, monotypic family withno particularly close relatives (Groth 2000).

"Classic" or true finches are small to moderately large and have strong, stubby beaks, which in some species can be quite large. All have 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. They have a bouncing flight, alternating bouts of flapping with gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. Their nests are basket-shaped and built in trees. The true finches range in size from the Andean Siskin (Carduelis spinescens), at 9.5 cm (3.8 inches) and 8.4 g., to the Collared Grosbeak (Mycerobas affinis), at nearly 23 cm (9 inches) and 79 g. (2.8 oz).

There are many birds in other families which are often called finches. These include many species in the very similar-looking Estrildids or waxbill family, which occur in the Old World tropics and Australia. Several groups of the Emberizidae family (buntings and American sparrows) are also named as finches, as are Darwin's finches of the Galapagos islands, which provided evidenceo f natural selection.

Systematics

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The systematics of the cardueline finches are contentious. The layout presented here follows the molecular studies of Marten & Johnson (1986) and Arnaiz-Villena et al. (1998, 2001, 2007, 2008), and takes into account the traditional splitting of the genus Carduelis. The exact position of several genera in the cardueline sequence is tentative.

Family Fringillidae

Photos

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Taxonomy

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The Family Fringillidae is a member of the Superfamily Passeroidea. Here is the complete "parentage" of Fringillidae:

The Family Fringillidae is further organized into finer groupings including:

Genera

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Acanthidops

The Peg-billed Finch, Acanthidops bairdii, is a bird which is endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and extreme western Panama. Despite its name, it is not a true finch, but now recognized as a member of the tanager family (Thraupidae), after being long placed in the Emberizidae. It is the only member of the genus Acanthidops. [more]

Acanthis

Acanthis (not to be confused with ) may be: [more]

Agelaius

American blackbirds are belonging to the genus Agelaius in the New World family Icteridae. [more]

Aidemedia

[more]

Aimophila

Aimophila is a genus of . The derivation of the genus name is from aimos/a?µ?? 'thicket' and phila/f??a 'loving'. [more]

Akialoa

Hemignathus is a genus in the family Fringillidae. These birds are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. [more]

Amaurospiza

Amaurospiza is a of birds. These "seedeaters" were formerly associated with the American sparrows and placed in the Emberizidae or (in the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy) the Fringillidae. The generic name is derived from the Ancient Greek amauros ("dusky") + spiza ("finch"). [more]

Amblycercus

The Yellow-billed Cacique (Amblycercus holosericeus) is a species of in the Icteridae family. It is monotypic within the genus Amblycercus. [more]

Amblyramphus

The Scarlet-headed Blackbird, Amblyramphus holosericeus, is an bird of southern South American wetlands. [more]

Ammodramus

The genus Ammodramus is a group of in the family Emberizidae. [more]

Ammospiza

[more]

Amphispiza

Amphispiza is a genus of in the bunting and American sparrow family. It contains two species: [more]

Anisognathus

Anisognathus is a of tanagers found in highland forests and woodlands in South America. [more]

Arremon

Arremon is a genus of in the Emberizidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Arremonops

Arremonops is a genus of in the Emberizidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Astragalinus

[more]

Atlapetes

Atlapetes is a genus of in the Emberizidae family. Along with the genus Buarremon they comprise the brush-finches. [more]

Bangsia

Bangsia is a of tanagers. [more]

Basileuterus

Basileuterus is a genus of , best represented in Central and South America. This is one of only two warbler genera that are well represented in the latter continent. It is likely that the ancestors of this genus colonised South America from the family’s heartland in northern Central America even before the two continents were linked, and subsequent speciation provided most of the resident warbler species of that region. [more]

Buarremon

Buarremon is a of perching birds in the family Emberizidae. It contains the following species: [more]

Bucanetes

[more]

Buthraupis

Buthraupis is a of tanagers. [more]

Cacicus

The caciques are birds in the New World blackbird family. Members of the family are resident breeders in tropical South America and north to Mexico. All of the group are in the genus Cacicus, except the aberrant Yellow-billed Cacique (Amblycercus holosericeus), which constitutes a monotypic genus. Judging from mtDNA cytochrome b and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 sequence (Price & Lanyon 2002), the aberrant oropendolas Band-tailed Oropendola (Ocyalus latirostris) and Casqued Oropendola, Psarocolius oseryi (Ocyalus oseryi?) seem to be closer to the caciques. [more]

Calamospiza

The Lark Bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys, is a medium-sized . It is monotypic, the only member of the genus Calamospiza (Bonaparte, 1838). [more]

Calcarius

The Longspurs, Calcarius, are a group of birds in the family Emberizidae. The name refers to the long claw on the hind toe of each foot. [more]

Callacanthis

The Spectacled Finch (Callacanthis burtoni) is a species of in the Fringillidae family. It is found in Afghanistan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Its natural habitat is temperate forests. [more]

Calochaetes

The Vermilion Tanager (Calochaetes coccineus) is a species of in the Thraupidae family. It is the only member of its genus Calochaetes. [more]

Calyptophilus

Calyptophilus is a genus of in the Thraupidae family. [more]

Camarhynchus

Camarhynchus is a genus of in the Thraupidae family. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown it to belong in the tanager family. It contains the following species: [more]

Cardellina

The Red-faced Warbler (Cardellina rubrifrons) is a species of . [more]

Cardinalis

Cardinalis is a genus of in the family Cardinalidae. There are three species ranging across North America and into northern South America. [more]

Carduelis

The Carduelis is a large group of birds in the finch family Fringillidae. It includes the greenfinches, redpolls, goldfinches, linnets, the twite, and the non-African siskins. No species of this group ranges far into Africa (where they are replaced by the related genus Serinus), and the centers of evolution were probably Eurasia and North America, with a secondary radiation in the Neotropics. [more]

Carpodacus

The rosefinches are in the finch family Fringillidae. Most Carpodacus species are so named, but three common North American ones are not. As the names imply, various shades of red are the characteristic plumage colors of this group. [more]

Caryothraustes

Caryothraustes is a genus of in the Cardinalidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Catamblyrhynchus

The Plushcap (Catamblyrhynchus diadema) is a species of in the Thraupidae family. It is the only member of its genus Catamblyrhynchus. [more]

Catamenia

Catamenia is a band from Finland, founded in 1995 by original members Riku Hopeakoski and Mika Tönning in Oulu. They have been signed to Massacre Records ever since their first full-length, Halls of Frozen North in 1998. As of 2008, they have released seven albums, 1 EP, and one DVD. They have a studio album in the works, which contains the roman numerals, VIII, signaling their eighth studio album. They can also be noted for the frequent use of wolves in their album art. [more]

Catharopeza

The Whistling Warbler (Catharopeza bishopi) is a species of in the Parulidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Catharopeza. It is endemic to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. [more]

Certhidea

The Warbler Finch (Certhidea olivacea) is a species of in the Thraupidae family. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown it to belong in the tanager family. It is the only member of the genus Certhidea. [more]

Charitospiza

The Coal-crested Finch (Charitospiza eucosma) is a species of in the Thraupidae family. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies suggest it is closer to the tanagers. It is the only member of the genus Charitospiza. [more]

Chaunoproctus

The Bonin Grosbeak or Bonin Islands Grosbeak (Chaunoproctus ferreorostris) is an finch, the only species of the genus Chaunoproctus. It is one of the diverse bird taxa that are vernacularly called "grosbeaks", but it is not closely related to the grosbeaks sensu stricto. It was a retiring, although not shy bird, and was usually found singly or in pairs. It fed on fruits and buds which were primarily picked up from the ground or low shrubs; it rarely was observed to perch in trees, being apparently rather phlegmatic and somewhat reluctant to fly. Only one kind of vocalization has been described: a soft, pure and high note, sometimes short, sometimes drawn out; sometimes given singly, sometimes in a short series. [more]

Chloridops

Chloridops is an extinct genus of birds. It was comprised of three species: two on the big island of Hawaii and one on Oahu. No one is certain if there was a species on Maui or on other islands between Hawaii and Oahu. [more]

Chlorochrysa

Chlorochrysa is a of small colorful tanagers. [more]

Chlorophanes

The Green Honeycreeper, Chlorophanes spiza, is a small in the tanager family. It is found in the tropical New World from southern Mexico south to Brazil, and on Trinidad. It is monotypic, the only member of the genus Chlorophanes (Reichenbach, 1853). [more]

Chlorophonia

Chlorophonia is the name of a genus of endemic to the Neotropics. The English group name for the five species that constitute the genus is also chlorophonia. The collective (plural) term for the genus is chlorophonias. Chlorophonias share the subfamily Euphoniinae with the euphonias. [more]

Chlorornis

The Grass-green Tanager (Chlorornis riefferii) is a small passerine bird, one of the family. It is the only member of the genus Chloronis. [more]

Chlorospingus

Chlorospingus, the bush-tanagers, are a of perching birds traditionally placed in the tanager family (Thraupidae). This seems in error according to more recent studies, which suggest that they are closely related to the genus Arremonops in the Emberizidae (buntings and American sparrows). Considering this, bush-"tanagers" is arguably better replaced with "chlorospinguses". [more]

Chlorothraupis

Chlorothraupis is a genus of in the family Cardinalidae. It was long considered to be tanagers as their common names suggest, but this is false. They are close relatives of the habias or ant-"tanagers" [more]

Chlorura

[more]

Chlorurus

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

Chondestes

The Lark Sparrow, Chondestes grammacus, is a fairly large . It is the only member of the genus Chondestes. [more]

Chrysothlypis

Chrysothlypis is a small of tanagers found in forests of South America. [more]

Ciridops

Ciridops is an extinct genus of Hawaiian species that occurred in prehistoric and historic times on the Hawaiian islands of Hawai'i, Molokai, Kauai and Oahu. This genus was created in 1892 by Alfred Newton in the journal Nature on the basis of the ?Ula-?ai-Hawane which was named Fringilla anna by Sanford B. Dole in 1879. [more]

Cissopis

The Magpie Tanager (Cissopis leveriana) is a species of tanager. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Cissopis. As suggested by its common name, this blue-black and white species is superficially reminiscent of a European Magpie. With a total length of 25-30 cm (10-12 in), a large percentage of which is tail, it is the longest species of tanager. It weighs 69-76 g. [more]

Citrinella

[more]

Cnemoscopus

The Grey-hooded Bush-tanager (Cnemoscopus rubrirostris) is a species of in the Thraupidae family. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes. It is the only member of the genus Cnemoscopus. [more]

Coccothraustes

Coccothraustes is a genus of large containing three species: [more]

Coccothraustres

[more]

Coereba

The Bananaquit, Coereba flaveola, is a bird first described by Linnaeus in his Systema naturae in 1758 as Certhia flaveola. [more]

Compsothraupis

The Scarlet-throated Tanager, Compsothraupis loricata, is a small passerine bird. It is placed in the family, although highly aberrant, with some even having suggested that it could be a corvid or icterid. It is the only member of the genus Compsothraupis. [more]

Conirostrum

Typical conebills are the genus Conirostrum. They are small tanagers (9 - 14cm) found in the forests of South America. They feed in pairs or small flocks by gleaning insects from foliage. The genus consists of two rather distinct subgenera: The first "Ateleodacnis" possibly deserving full generic status, is confined to lowland areas. They are mostly grey in color and inhabit deciduous woodlands, mangroves or riverbank habitats. The second group the nominate "Conirostrum" subgenus inhabits the forests of the Andes. They are somewhat more colorful combining grey or blue backs with rufous underparts. Their thin bills led to them being formerly classified as wood-warblers or honeycreepers but genetic data places them firmly in the tanager family and they are now generally considered to belong in the Thraupidae. [more]

Conothraupis

Conothraupis is a of tanagers. [more]

Corpodacus

[more]

Coryphaspiza

The Black-masked Finch (Coryphaspiza melanotis) is a species of in the Emberizidae family. It is the only member of the genus Coryphaspiza. [more]

Coryphospingus

A small of finch-like tanagers found in South America, Coryphospingus was formerly classified in the family Emberizidae along with the buntings and American sparrows. [more]

Creurgops

Creurgops is a of tanagers. [more]

Crithagra

[more]

Crucirostra

[more]

Curaeus

Curaeus is a genus of in the Icteridae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Cyanerpes

The typical honeycreepers are small in the tanager family. They are found in the tropical New World from Mexico south to Brazil. [more]

Cyanicterus

The Blue-backed Tanager (Cyanicterus cyanicterus) is a species of in the Thraupidae family. It is the only member of the genus Cyanicterus. [more]

Cyanocompsa

Cyanocompsa is a genus of in the Cardinalidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Cyanoloxia

The Indigo Grosbeak (Cyanoloxia glaucocaerulea), also known as the Glaucous-blue Grosbeak, is a species of bird in the family. It is the only member of the genus Cyanoloxia. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. [more]

Cypsnagra

The White-rumped Tanager (Cypsnagra hirundinacea) is a . It is the only member of the genus Cypsnagra. Length 16 cm. Weight 25-34 g. Live mostly in Brazil, also in Paraguay, Bolivia and Suriname. Elevation 700-1000 m. Inhabit grasslands with short trees. In Brazil exist in territorial groups of three to six individuals. Eat insects on the ground in the grass or catch them in flight (also called sallying). Mostly beetles, crickets and grasshoppers, occasionally eat fruit. Cup nests only 1-2 meters off the ground and made of woven grasses. Clutch size 3-4 blue eggs speckled around the large end with brown or black spots. Helpers born last season help mating pair tend the nest and nestlings. [more]

Dacnis

Dacnis is a of tanagers. [more]

Delothraupis

The Chestnut-bellied Mountain-tanager (Delothraupis castaneoventris) is a species of in the Thraupidae family. It is the only member of the genus Delothraupis. [more]

Dendroica

Dendroica is a genus of of the New World Warbler family Parulidae. It contains 29 species. The males in breeding plumage are often highly colorful. The Dendroica warblers are an example of adaptive radiation with the various species using different feeding techniques and often feeding in different parts of the same tree. [more]

Diglossa

Diglossa can refer to [more]

Diglossopis

Diglossopis is a of blue flowerpiercers in the family Thraupidae. They are closely related to the genus Diglossa, and some retain all flowerpiercers in that genus. They were formerly classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown it to belong in the Thraupidae. [more]

Diuca

Diuca is a of andean seed-eating tanagers. [more]

Dives

[more]

Dolichonyx

The Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus, is a small and the only member of genus Dolichonyx. [more]

Dolospingus

The White-naped Seedeater (Dolospingus fringilloides) is a species of in the Thraupidae family. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown it to belong in the Thraupidae. It is the only member of the genus Dolospingus. [more]

Donacospiza

The Long-tailed Reed-finch (Donacospiza albifrons) is a species of traditionally placed in the Emberizidae family. It has been suggested though that it's nearest relations may be the finch-like tanagers of the genus Poospiza in the family Thraupidae. It is the only member of its genus, Donacospiza. [more]

Drepanis

Mamo may refer to: [more]

Dubusia

The Buff-breasted Mountain-tanager (Dubusia taeniata) is a species of in the Thraupidae family. It is the only member of the genus Dubusia. [more]

Dysmorodrepanis

The Lana'i Hookbill (Dysmorodrepanis munroi) was a species of in the Drepanididae family. It was endemic to the island of Lana'i, Hawaii. It was last seen in the Kaiholeua Valley and Waiakeakua area of the island. It became extinct due to habitat loss. G.C. Munro collected a single specimen of this species on the island of Lanai in 1913. No specimens have been seen and or collected since. The specimen is housed in the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. [more]

Emberiza

Emberiza is a genus of birds of the bunting family Emberizidae. [more]

Emberizoides

Emberizoides is a of finch-like tanagers. [more]

Embernagra

Embernagra is a of finch-like tanagers. [more]

Eophona

Eophona is a genus of containing two species: [more]

Ergaticus

Ergaticus is a genus of endemic to Mexico and Guatemala. [more]

Eucometis

The Grey-headed Tanager (Eucometis penicillata) is a species of in the Thraupidae family, the only one in the genus Eucometis. [more]

Euneornis

The Orangequit (Euneornis campestris) is a species of in the Thraupidae family. It is the only member of the genus Euneornis. [more]

Euphagus

Euphagus is a small genus of . It contains two North American species, the Brewer's Blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus, and the Rusty Blackbird E. carolinus. Both species are migratory, wintering in the southern United States and Mexico, although some Brewer's Blackbirds are present all year in the western USA. [more]

Euphonia

Euphonias are members of the genus Euphonia, a group of Neotropical birds in the family. They share the subfamily Euphoniinae with the chlorophonias. Euphonia contains close to 27 species. [more]

Euthlypis

The Fan-tailed Warbler, Euthlypis lachrymosa , is an in the monotypic genus Euthlypis that lives along the Pacific slope from northern Mexico to Nicaragua. There are a few unconfirmed reports of it occurring within the USA: one was reported in Big Bend National Park, Texas in August 2007. It is yellow on its throat and underparts with a tawny wash on its chest. The head is gray with a black-framed yellow crown and white around the eyes. The undertail coverlets are white. They are 5.8-6.3 in (14.5-16 cm) long and have pleasant, upslurred song. Fan-tailed Warblers live in and at the edge of evergreen and semideciduous forest, especially near ravines. They eat ants, especially army ants, and are seen hopping around on either the forest floor or close to it. They are found alone or in pairs. [more]

Fringilla

The genus Fringilla is a small group of , which are the only species in the subfamily Fringillinae The three species, which feed their young on insects rather than seeds, are: [more]

Fringillaria

[more]

Geospiza

Geospiza is a genus of in the Thraupidae family. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown it to belong in the tanager family. It contains the following species: [more]

Geothlypis

The yellowthroats are in the genus Geothlypis. Most members of the group have localised ranges in Mexico and Central America, but the Masked Yellowthroat has an extensive South American distribution, and Common Yellowthroat, the only migratory species in the group, breeds over much of North America. [more]

Gnorimopsar

The Chopi Blackbird (Gnorimopsar chopi) is a species of in the Icteridae family. It is monotypic within the genus Gnorimopsar. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. Its natural habitats are dry savanna, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, pastureland, and heavily degraded former forest. [more]

Granatellus

Granatellus is a genus of traditionally placed in the family Parulidae, although biochemical evidence suggests it belongs in Cardinalidae. [more]

Gubernatrix

The Yellow Cardinal (Gubernatrix cristata) is a species of in the Thraupidae family. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown it to belong with the tanagers. It is the only member of its genus, Gubernatrix. [more]

Guiraca

[more]

Gymnomystax

The Oriole Blackbird (Gymnomystax mexicanus) is a species of in the Icteridae family. Its genus, Gymnomystax, is monotypic. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, and swamps. [more]

Gymnostinops

The oropendolas comprise two or three genera of and Central American passerine birds in the New World blackbird family. [more]

Habia

[more]

Haematospiza

The Scarlet Finch (Haematospiza sipahi) is a species of in the Fringillidae family. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is temperate forests. [more]

Haplospiza

Haplospiza is a small genus of in the Thraupidae family. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown it to belong in the Thraupidae. Its two members breed in subtropical or tropical moist forest in Central and South America. They are often associated with bamboo. They are [more]

Helmitheros

The Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorus) is a small . It is the only species classified in the genus Helmitheros. [more]

Hemignathus

[more]

Hemispingus

Hemispingus is a of warbler-like tanagers. [more]

Hemithraupis

A small of tanagers found in forests of South America. [more]

Hesperiphona

Coccothraustes is a genus of large containing three species: [more]

Heterospingus

Heterospingus is a small of medium-sized tanagers found in forests of South America. [more]

Himatione

[more]

Hypopyrrhus

The Red-bellied Grackle (Hypopyrrhus pyrohypogaster) is a species of in the Icteridae family. Its genus, Hypopyrrhus, is monotypic. It is endemic to Colombia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Icteria

The Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) is a large , formerly considered the most atypical member of the New World warbler family, though the long-standing suspicion that it does not actually belong there has recently been confirmed. Its placement is not definitely resolved however. It is the only member of the genus Icteria. Found throughout North America, from southern-plains Canada to central Mexico during the summer, these birds mainly migrate to Mexico and Central America, although some of their number may overwinter in coastal areas. [more]

Icterus

Icterus can mean: [more]

Idiopsar

The Short-tailed Finch (Idiopsar brachyurus) is a species of traditionally placed in the Emberizidae family, but it appears to be related to the sierra-finches Phrygilus of the tanager family Thraupidae and it may eventually join them there. It is the only member of its genus, Idiopsar. [more]

Incaspiza

Incaspiza is a of finch-like tanagers. [more]

Iridophanes

The Golden-collared Honeycreeper (Iridophanes pulcherrimus) is a species of in the Thraupidae family. It is the only member of the genus Iridophanes. [more]

Iridosornis

Iridosornis is a of tanagers. [more]

Junco

The Juncos, Junco, are small American sparrows. Their systematics are still very confusing after decades of research, with various authors accepting between three and twelve species. Despite their name appearing to derive from the Spanish term for the plant genus Juncus (rushes), these birds are seldom found among rush plants as these prefer wet ground while juncos rather like dry soil. [more]

Lampropsar

The Velvet-fronted Grackle (Lampropsar tanagrinus) is a species of in the Icteridae family. It is monotypic within the genus Lampropsar. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical swamps and heavily degraded former forest. [more]

Lamprospiza

The Red-billed Pied Tanager (Lamprospiza melanoleuca) is a small passerine bird, a member of the family. It is the only member of the genus Lamprospiza. [more]

Lanio

Lanio is the of shrike-tanagers. [more]

Latoucheornis

The Slaty Bunting (Latoucheornis siemsseni) is a species of in the Emberizidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Latoucheornis. It is endemic to China. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist shrubland. [more]

Leistes

[more]

Leucopeza

The Semper's Warbler (Leucopeza semperi) is an extremely rare or possibly extinct which is endemic to Saint Lucia. [more]

Leucosticte

The mountain finches are in the genus Leucosticte from the true finch family, Fringillidae. This genus also includes the rosy finches, named from their pinkish plumage. They are apparently closely related to the bullfinches (Marten & Johnson, 1986) and to the Pine Grosbeak (Arnaiz-Villena et al., 2001), diverging from them not quite a dozen million years ago, at the end of the Middle Miocene. [more]

Limnothlypis

Swainson's Warbler, Limnothlypis swainsonii, is a small of New World warbler. It is monotypic, the only member of the genus Limnothlypis. [more]

Linurgus

The Oriole Finch (Linurgus olivaceus) is a from the Fringillidae family. Found in Africa, native to Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. It has a black head and yellow body. Natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. [more]

Lophospingus

Lophospingus is a genus of in the Thraupidae family. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown it to belong in the tanager family. It contains the following species: [more]

Loxia

The crossbills are birds in the family Fringillidae. The three to five (or possibly many more) species are all classified in the genus Loxia. These birds are characterised by the mandibles crossing at their tips, which gives the group its English name. [more]

Loxigilla

Loxigilla is a genus of in the Thraupidae family. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown it to belong in the tanager family. [more]

Loxioides

Loxioides contains the following species: [more]

Loxipasser

The Yellow-shouldered Grassquit (Loxipasser anoxanthus) is a species of in the Thraupidae family. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown it to belong in the tanager family. It is monotypic within the genus Loxipasser. It is found in Cayman Islands and Jamaica. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, and heavily degraded former forest. [more]

Loxops

Loxops is a genus in the family Fringillidae. [more]

Macroagelaius

Macroagelaius is a genus of in the Icteridae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Melamprosops

The Poouli or Black-faced Honeycreeper(Melamprosops phaeosoma) is a bird that is endemic to Hawai?i. It is considered to be a member of the Drepanidinae (Hawaiian honeycreeper) subfamily, and is the only member of its genus Melamprosops. The vernacular name (often erroneously spelled "po?o-uli", "poouli", "po?o?uli", "pouli" or "poo-uli") dates from the bird's discovery in 1973 and means 'dark head', referring to the bird's characteristic feature, a black 'bandit' mask. This is no original Hawaiian name. [more]

Melanodera

Melanodera is a of Patagonian seed-eating tanagers. [more]

Melanospiza

The St Lucia Black Finch (Melanospiza richardsoni) is a species of in the Thraupidae family. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown it to belong in the tanager family. It is monotypic within the genus Melanospiza. It is endemic to Saint Lucia. [more]

Melophus

The Crested Bunting (Melophus lathami) is a species of in the Emberizidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Melophus. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Burma, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam. [more]

Melopyrrha

The Cuban Bullfinch (Melopyrrha nigra) is a species of in the Thraupidae family. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown it to belong in the tanager family. It is monotypic within the genus Melopyrrha. It is found in Cayman Islands and Cuba. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, and heavily degraded former forest. [more]

Melospiza

Melospiza is a of passerine birds in family Emberizidae. The genus, commonly referred to as "song sparrows," contains currently three species, all of which are native to North America. [more]

Melozone

Melozone is a genus of in the Emberizidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Microligea

The Green-tailed Warbler (Microligea palustris), also known as the Green-tailed Ground Warbler, is a species of . Generally placed in the New World "warbler" family Parulidae, it constitutes a monotypic genus Microligea. Recently it has turned out to be too distant from the Parulidae proper to be included there with good justification. [more]

Miliaria

Miliaria (miliaria rubra, sweat rash, heat rash or prickly heat) is a marked by small and itchy rashes. Miliaria is a common ailment in hot and humid conditions, such as in the tropics and during the summer season. Although it affects people of all ages, it is especially common in children and infants due to their underdeveloped sweat glands. [more]

Mitrospingus

Mitrospingus is a genus of in the Thraupidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Mniotilta

The Black-and-white Warbler, Mniotilta varia, is a small . It breeds in northern and eastern North America from southern Canada to Florida. [more]

Molothrus

Cowbirds are belonging to the genus Molothrus in the family Icteridae. They are brood parasitic New World birds which are unrelated to the Old World cuckoos, one of which, the Common Cuckoo is the best-known brood parasitic bird. [more]

Mycerobas

Mycerobas is a genus of in the Fringillidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Myioborus

The whitestarts are in the genus Myioborus. The English name refers to the white outer tail feathers which are a prominent feature of the members of this genus (“start” is an archaic word for “tail”). Confusingly, most species are usually named as “redstarts”, and these less accurate, but more familiar names (to birders in Central and North America, while Whitestart has gained wider use in South America), are retained in the species list below. [more]

Myospiza

[more]

Nemosia

Nemosia is a of tanagers. [more]

Neospiza

The São Tomé Grosbeak, Neospiza concolor, is a large, chunky with a massive bill. It is endemic to the island of São Tomé. [more]

Neothraupis

The White-banded Tanager (Neothraupis fasciata) is a bird native to the interior of south-central at elevations of 550-1100 m (1650-3600 ft). It is the only member of the genus Neothraupis. Its plumage is remarkably similar to that of several species of shrikes in the genus Lanius. Males and females are alike. [more]

Nephelornis

The Pardusco (Nephelornis oneilli) is a species of that is endemic to woodland near the timberline in the Andes of central Peru. It is monotypic within the genus Nephelornis. This small olive-brown bird is typically seen in groups, which sometimes join mixed species flocks. It has a small range, but is locally fairly common, and consequently considered to be of least concern by BirdLife International and IUCN. [more]

Nesopsar

The Jamaican Blackbird (Nesopsar nigerrimus) is a species of in the New World blackbird and oriole family Icteridae. It is the only species (monotypic) in the genus Nesopsar. The species has sometimes been included in the genus Agelaius, but molecular systematics have shown it not be closely related to any living blackbird or grackle. The species is endemic to Jamaica, where it is restricted to Cockpit Country, some central areas and the Blue and John Crow Mountains. [more]

Nesospingus

The Puerto Rican Tanager (Nesospingus speculiferus) is a small bird endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico. It is the only member of the Nesospingus genus of the tanager family. [more]

Nesospiza

Nesospiza is a of seed-eating tanagers found on the Tristan da Cunha archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean. [more]

Ocyalus

The Band-tailed Oropendola (Ocyalus latirostris) is a species of in the Icteridae family. It is in the genus Ocyalus, usually considered monotypic, though the Casqued Oropendola might also be included herein. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical swamps. [more]

Oporornis

Oporornis is a small genus of which breed in North America. They are migratory, wintering south of their breeding ranges in Central or South America. [more]

Orchesticus

The Brown Tanager Orchesticus abeillei is a small passerine bird and a member of the family. It is the only member of the genus Orchesticus. [more]

Oreomanes

The Giant Conebill Oreomanes fraseri is a small passerine bird, one of the family. The only member of the genus Oreomanes it is closely related to the regular conebills Conirostrum though it differs in its larger size and nuthatch-like foraging habits. [more]

Oreomystis

Oreomystis is a genus of in the Fringillidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Oreopsar

The Bolivian Blackbird (Oreopsar bolivianus) is a species of in the Icteridae family. It is monotypic within the genus Oreopsar. It is endemic to Bolivia. [more]

Oreothraupis

The Tanager-finch (Oreothraupis arremonops) is a species of in the Emberizidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Oreothraupis. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Oriturus

The Striped Sparrow (Oriturus superciliosus) is a species of in the Emberizidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Oriturus. It is endemic to Mexico. [more]

Orthiospiza

The Highland Finch (Orthiospiza howarthi) is an member of the Fringillidae. It has traditionally been considered a member of the sub-family Drepanidinae, but this has been questioned recently with some preferring Incertae sedis instead. It is the only member of the genus Orthiospiza. It was endemic to the Hawaiian island of Maui. It has been speculated that they were pushed to extinction because of habitat loss. It is only known from fossil remains and likely became extinct before the first Europeans arrived in 1778. [more]

Orthogonys

The Olive-green Tanager (Orthogonys chloricterus) is a species of in the Thraupidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Orthogonys. It is endemic to Brazil. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and heavily degraded former forest. [more]

Oryzoborus

Oryzoborus is a genus of in the Thraupidae family. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown it to belong in the Thraupidae. It contains the following species: [more]

Palmeria

[more]

Parkerthraustes

The Yellow-Shouldered Grosbeak (Parkerthraustes humeralis) is a species of in the Cardinalidae family, or possibly a tanager (Thraupidae). It is the only member of its genus Parkerthraustes. [more]

Paroaria

Paroaria, the red-headed cardinals or cardinal-tanagers (as they are not close to the ), are a genus of tanagers. They were until recently placed in the family Emberizidae. [more]

Paroreomyza

Paroreomyza is a genus of in the Fringillidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Parula

Parula is a small genus of which breed in North and South America. [more]

Passerculus

The Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) is a small . It is the only widely accepted member of the genus Passerculus. Recent comparison of mtDNA NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 and 3 sequences indicates that the Ipswich Sparrow, formerly usually considered a good species (as Passerculus princeps), is a well-marked subspecies of the Savannah Sparrow, whereas the southwestern subspecies should be recognized as distinct species Large-billed Sparrow (Passerculus rostratus). [more]

Passerella

The Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) is a large . It is the only member of the genus Passerella, although some authors split the genus into four species (see below). [more]

Passerina

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

Periporphyrus

Periporphyrus is a genus of in the Cardinalidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Peucedramus

The Olive Warbler, Peucedramus taeniatus , is a small bird, the only member of the family Peucedramidae. [more]

Pezopetes

The Large-footed Finch, Pezopetes capitalis, is a bird which is endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama. Despite its name, it is not a true finch, but rather a member of the large Emberizidae family, which also includes buntings, American sparrows, juncos and towhees. It is the only member of the genus Pezopetes. [more]

Phaenicophilus

Phaenicophilus is a genus of in the Thraupidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Pheucticus

Pheucticus is a genus of . [more]

Phrygilus

Phrygilus is a of mainly Andean seed-eating tanagers commonly known as sierra-finches. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown them to belong in the Thraupidae. The genus appears to be polyphyletic consisting of at least three distinct lineages which in future may need to be split into separate genera. [more]

Piezorhina

Piezorhina is a of finch-like tanager. It contains a single species found in arid coastal northern Peru, the Cinereous Finch (Piezorhina cinerea). [more]

Pinaroloxias

The Cocos Island Finch or Cocos Finch, Pinaroloxias inornata, is the only one of not native to the Galápagos Islands, and the only member of the genus Pinaroloxias. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown it to belong in the tanager family. It is endemic to Cocos Island, which is approximately 360 miles south of Costa Rica, where it is the most common landbird. [more]

Pinicola

The Pine Grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator, is a large . It is the only member of its genus, Pinicola. It is found in coniferous woods across Canada, Alaska and the western mountains of the United States, and in northern Fennoscandia. Its diet consists mainly of seeds, buds, berries and insects. [more]

Pipilo

A Towhee is any one of a number of species of birds in the Pipilo within the family Emberizidae (which also includes the buntings, American sparrows, and juncos). [more]

Pipraeidea

Pipraeidea is a of tanager. It contains a single species, the Fawn-breasted Tanager (Pipraeidea melanonota). [more]

Piranga

Piranga is a genus of long placed in the tanager family, but actually related to the Cardinalis cardinals. [more]

Pitylus

[more]

Plectrophenax

Plectrophenax is a small genus of birds of the bunting family Emberizidae. [more]

Pooecetes

The Vesper Sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus, is a medium-sized . It is the only member of the genus Pooecetes (Baird 1858). [more]

Poospiza

Poospiza is a of finch-like tanagers found in both the South American lowlands and the Andes mountains. Generally they are arboreal feeders in light woodland and scrub. They are characterised by bold often rufous and grey coloration. Despite many similarities in plumage the genus appears to consist of four groups each of which are paraphyletic with representatives of six other tanager genera all forming a well-supported clade. Lougheed studied twelve of the seventeen species and consistently recovered the following four groups: [more]

Porphyrospiza

The Yellow-billed Blue Finch (Porphyrospiza caerulescens) is a species of in the Thraupidae family. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, a recent study has shown it to belong in the Thraupidae. It in the monotypic genus Porphyrospiza. [more]

Protonotaria

The Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) is a small of the New World warbler family. It is the only member of the genus Protonotaria. [more]

Psarocolius

The oropendolas comprise two or three genera of and Central American passerine birds in the New World blackbird family. [more]

Pselliophorus

Pselliophorus is a genus of in the Emberizidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Pseudodacnis

Pseudodacnis is a of tanager. It contains a single species, the Turquoise Dacnis-tanager (Pseudodacnis hartlaubi). [more]

Pseudoleistes

The marshbirds, Pseudoleistes, is a small of icterids (family Icteridae). It includes the following species: [more]

Pseudonestor

Pseudonestor is a genus of in the Fringillidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Psittirostra

The ?O?u (the name is pronounced like "oh-ooh") (Psittirostra psittacea), is a bird that is endemic to the Hawaiian islands. There are no recent records, and it may be extinct. [more]

Pyrrhocoma

Pyrrhocoma is a of tanager. It contains a single species, the Chestnut-headed Tanager (Pyrrhocoma ruficeps). [more]

Pyrrhoplectes

Pyrrhoplectes is a genus of in the Fringillidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Pyrrhula

Pyrrhula is a small genus of birds, commonly called Bullfinches, belonging to the finch family (Fringillidae). [more]

Pyrrhuloxia

The Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) is a medium-sized North American in the same genus as the Northern Cardinal and the Vermilion Cardinal, which is a South American species. [more]

Quiscalus

The genus Quiscalus contains six of the ten species of grackle, gregarious passerine birds in the Icterid family. They are native to North and South America. The six species are: [more]

Ramphocelus

Ramphocelus is a genus of of the tanager family. Most species have enlarged shiny whitish lower mandibles, which are pointed upwards in display. [more]

Rhodacanthis

Rhodacanthis is an extinct genus of in the Fringillidae family, they are found only on the islands of Hawaii. They all have thick beaks that are used to crush seeds on open flowers. They all probably had a diet of O'hia a lea blossoms. They were all found on the Big Island of Hawaii. The last of the genus to die was a Greater Koa which died in 1896. They were birds that were from six inches to ten inches long and had colors of green, orange, brown, black, and white. They lived in loose groups or were solitary. Two speciceswere gone before scientists came tostudy the islands, the other two died out five years apart. The Lesser Koa went first and disappeared in 1891. Its larger cousin the Greater Koa Finch died out only five yearslater in 1896. Each speices was special in its own way. The Primitive Koa Finch was the ansecter It contains the following species: [more]

Rhodinocichla

The Rosy Thrush-tanager (Rhodinocichla rosea) is a species of in the Thraupidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Rhodinocichla. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and heavily degraded former forest. [more]

Rhodopechys

Rhodopechys is a genus of containing three species: [more]

Rhodospingus

Rhodospingus is a of finch-like tanager. It contains a single species, the Crimson-breasted Finch (Rhodospingus cruentus). [more]

Rhodospiza

[more]

Rhodothraupis

The Crimson-collared Grosbeak, Rhodothraupis celaeno, is a medium-size - and leaf-eating bird in the same family as the Northern Cardinal, Cardinalidae. [more]

Rhynchostruthus

The Rhynchostruthus is a small group of finches in the family Fringillinae. Commonly known as golden-winged grosbeaks, they are attractive, chunky, medium-sized, robust-billed songbirds restricted to the southern Arabian and northern Somalian regions. [more]

Rowettia

The Gough Bunting or Gough Finch (Rowettia goughensis) is a species. Traditionally considered a bunting and placed in the family Emberizidae, it is actually neither a bunting nor a true finch, but belongs to a group of finch-like birds or tanager-finches in the family Thraupidae. In particular it shares some plumage characteristics with the south american genus Melanodera which may be its nearest mainland relative. [more]

Saltator

Saltator is an genus of songbird. They are traditionally placed in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae) but actually seem to be closer to tanagers (Thraupidae). The name saltators is the English name for the group for lack of a better term, and the English names of all except two species end in "Saltator". [more]

Saltatricula

the Many-colored Chaco-finch (Saltatricula multicolor) is a found in or near dry woodland in south-central South America in Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay and Paraguay. It was formerly considered a member of Emberizidae, but genetic evidence suggests it is a finch-like tanager. It is monotypic within the genus Saltatricula. [more]

Scaphidura

[more]

Schistochlamys

Schistochlamys is a of tanagers. [more]

Seiurus

The genus Seiurus consists of three species of in the New World warbler family Parulidae. [more]

Sericossypha

The White-capped Tanager. Sericossypha albocristata. Length 24 cm. Weight 114 g. Occurs in , Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru at elevations of 1600–3200 m. It lives in humid forest in groups of up to 20 individuals. Flocks stay in tight formation, often foraging from tree to tree together. Eats fruits, seeds, hymenoptera, and coleoptera. [more]

Serinus

The genus Serinus is a large genus of in the finch family Fringillidae found mostly in the Afrotropical region with some outlying species in Europe and Asia. The genus contains several species groups including canaries, citrils, seedeaters and the African siskins. The majority of species are small to medium sized birds with green and yellow, often streaky plumage though there are a few notable exceptions. [more]

Setophaga

The American Redstart, Setophaga ruticilla, is a . They breed in North America, across southern Canada and the eastern USA. [more]

Sicalis

Sicalis is a genus of in the Thraupidae family. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown it to belong in the Thraupidae. It contains the following species: [more]

Spindalis

Spindalis is a comprised of 4 non-migratory bird species. The genus is considered endemic to the Greater Antilles; a population on Cozumel Island, off the Yucatan Peninsula's east coast, is part of that island's West Indian fauna. Traditionally considered aberrant tanagers (Thraupidae), their true affiliation remains unresolved. They are not part of the Thraupidae however. [more]

Spiza

The Dickcissel, Spiza americana, is a small seed-eating bird in the family Cardinalidae. It is the only member of the genus Spiza, though some sources list another supposedly extinct species (see below). In older works, it is often placed with the American sparrows in the Emberizidae; females especially resemble American Sparrows in plumage. [more]

Spizella

The genus Spizella (, 1832) is a group of American sparrows in the family Emberizidae. [more]

Sporophila

Sporophila is a genus of in the Thraupidae family. The Seed Finches are sometimes included in this genus. [more]

Stephanophorus

Stephanophorus is a monotypic of tanager, containing only the Diademed Tanager, Stephanophorus diadematus. [more]

Sturnella

Meadowlarks are belonging to the genus Sturnella in the New World family Icteridae. [more]

Tachyphonus

Tachyphonus is a of tanagers. [more]

Tangara

The Tangara (an Australian Aboriginal word meaning to go) is a class of operated by CityRail in and around Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The Tangara comes in two subclasses - suburban sets known as "T sets", and outer-suburban sets known as "G sets". Tangaras commenced service between 1988 and 1995, and are known as "third generation" trains. [more]

Telespiza

Telespiza is a genus of in the family Drepanididae. It contains Hawaiian finches. [more]

Teretistris

Teretistris is a genus of in the Parulidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Tersina

Tersina is a of tanager. It contains a sin