Passerellidae – New World Sparrows
New World sparrows are a group of mainly New World passerine birds, forming the family Passerellidae. They are seed-eating birds with conical bills, brown or grey in colour, and many species have distinctive head patterns
Although they share the name sparrow, New World sparrows are more closely related to Old World buntings than they are to the Old-World sparrows (family Passeridae). New World sparrows are also similar in both appearance and habit to finches, with which they sometimes used to be classified.
|
|
|
|
Seaside Sparrow Ammospiza s maritima |
Bridled Sparrow Peucaea mystacalis |
|
|
|
|
Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis |
Black-throated Sparrow Amphispiza bilineata |
|
All Photos on this page courtesy of ©Dubi Shapiro |
|
Passerellids, unlike the quite distantly related open-country inhabitants of the Old World also known as sparrows, are quite catholic in their choice of landscapes. Denizens of Arctic barrens, desert scrub, and tropical rainforest, among other habitats, passerellids are also more variable in size, becoming larger the further south into Central and South America they are.
Yellow-striped Brushfinch Atlapetes citrinellus
Fulvous-headed Brushfinch Atlapetes fulviceps
Plumages also tend to follow a latitudinal gradient: starting with the brown, streaked, head-patterned sparrows of the north, these passerines of the undergrowth generally become less streaky and pick up large patches of contrasting olives, greys, black, and reddish-browns moving southward. Despite these aspects of diversity, the family’s mating habits are quite uniform, with monogamy being surprisingly common.
|
|
|
Red Fox Sparrow (Slate-coloured) Passerella iliaca |
Green-tailed Towhee Pipilo chlorurus |
The genera now assigned to the family Passerellidae were previously included with the buntings in the family Emberizidae. A phylogenetic analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences (2015) found that the Passerellidae formed a monophyletic group that had an uncertain relationship to the Emberizidae. Emberizidae was therefore split and the family Passerellidae resurrected. It had originally been introduced, as the subfamily Passerellinae, by the German ornithologist Jean Cabanis (1851).
Collared Towhee Pipilo ocai
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus
Being a member of Emberizoidea, New World sparrows have only nine easily visible primary feathers on each wing (they also have a 10th primary, but it is greatly reduced and largely concealed). Despite their name, not all of the New World sparrows resemble the typical image of a sparrow. Species in the neotropics tend to be much larger with bold patterns of greens, reds, yellows, and greys. Those in the Nearctic realm are smaller, with brown bodies streaked and with some head patterns. Some even have sexual dimorphism such as the Lark Bunting and Eastern Towhee.
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
The New World sparrows are found throughout the Americas, from their breeding ranges in the Arctic tundra of North America to their year-round ranges in the Southern Cone of South America. Given this huge expansive range, many species occupy different habitats such as grasslands, rainforests, temperate forests, and deserts and xeric shrublands.
Stripe-headed Sparrow Peucaea ruficauda
Moss-backed Sparrow Arremon dorbignii
Those that breed in the northern parts of North America, such as the White-throated Sparrow and Lincoln’s Sparrow, migrate further southward into the continent during the winter, while others like the Dark-eyed Junco have been able to adapt to staying all year-round in some areas of North America. Most North American passerellid species usually migrate short distances. Some of the Southern Cone species move northward during autumn. In the breeding season, sparrows of different species form small-to-medium flocks, as they do when foraging in the non-breeding season.
-
Number of bird species: 136
(As at October 2025)
According to the recently (2025) amalgamateed AviList, there are one hundred and thirty-six species, in thirty genera of the Passerellidae family. They are:
Five-striped Sparrow Amphispizopsis quinquestriata
Black-throated Sparrow Amphispiza bilineata
Lark Bunting Calamospiza melanocorys
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
Clay-colored Sparrow Spizella pallida
Black-chinned Sparrow Spizella atrogularis
Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla
Brewer’s Sparrow Spizella breweri
Worthen’s Sparrow Spizella wortheni
Tanager Finch Oreothraupis arremonops
Yellow-throated Bush Tanager Chlorospingus flavigularis
Yellow-whiskered Bush Tanager Chlorospingus parvirostris
Ashy-throated Bush Tanager Chlorospingus canigularis
Sooty-capped Bush Tanager Chlorospingus pileatus
Common Bush Tanager Chlorospingus flavopectus
Tacarcuna Bush Tanager Chlorospingus tacarcunae
Pirre Bush Tanager Chlorospingus inornatus
Dusky Bush Tanager Chlorospingus semifuscus
Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum
Grassland Sparrow Ammodramus humeralis
Yellow-browed Sparrow Ammodramus aurifrons
Tumbes Sparrow Rhynchospiza stolzmanni
Yungas Sparrow Rhynchospiza dabbeni</e
Stripe-capped Sparrow Rhynchospiza strigiceps
Olive Sparrow Arremonops rufivirgatus
GreenSparrow Arremonops chloronotus
Black-striped Sparrow Arremonops conirostris
Tocuyo Sparrow Arremonops tocuyensis
Rufous-winged Sparrow Peucaea carpalis
Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow Peucaea sumichrasti
Stripe-headed Sparrow Peucaea ruficauda
Black-chested Sparrow Peucaea humeralis
Bridled Sparrow Peucaea mystacalis
Botteri’s Sparrow Peucaea botterii
Cassin’s Sparrow Peucaea cassinii
Bachman’s Sparrow Peucaea aestivalis
Costa Rican Brushfinch Arremon costaricensis
Sierra Nevada Brushfinch Arremon basilicus
Perija Brushfinch Arremon perijanus
Black-headed Brushfinch Arremon atricapillus
Caracas Brushfinch Arremon phaeopleurus
Paria Brushfinch Arremon phygas
Grey-browed Brushfinch Arremon assimilis
White-browed Brushfinch Arremon torquatus
Orange-billed Sparrow Arremon aurantiirostris
Black-capped Sparrow Arremon abeillei
Maranon Sparrow Arremon nigriceps
Golden-winged Sparrow Arremon schlegeli
Pectoral Sparrow Arremon taciturnus
Yellow-mandibled Sparrow Arremon axillaris
Sao Francisco Sparrow Arremon franciscanus
Half-collared Sparrow Arremon semitorquatus
Moss-backed Sparrow Arremon dorbignii
Saffron-billed Sparrow Arremon flavirostris
Green-striped Brushfinch Arremon virenticeps
Chestnut-capped Brushfinch Arremon brunneinucha
Sooty-faced Finch Arremon crassirostris
Olive Finch Arremon castaneiceps
American Tree Sparrow Spizelloides arborea
Red Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca
Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis
Guadalupe Junco Junco insularis
Yellow-eyed Junco Junco phaeonotus
Baird’s Junco Junco bairdi
Volcano Junco Junco vulcani
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis
Harris’s Sparrow Zonotrichia querula
Golden-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys
Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus
Sagebrush Sparrow Artemisiospiza nevadensis
Bell’s Sparrow Artemisiospiza belli
Striped Sparrow Oriturus superciliosus
Le Conte’s Sparrow Ammospiza leconteii
Seaside Sparrow Ammospiza s maritima
Nelson’s Sparrow Ammospiza nelsoni
Saltmarsh Sparrow Ammospiza caudacuta
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis
Baird’s Sparrow Centronyx bairdii
Henslow’s Sparrow Centronyx henslowii
Sierra Madre Sparrow Xenospiza baileyi
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia
Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana
Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii
Rusty Sparrow Aimophila rufescens
Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps
Oaxaca Sparrow Aimophila notosticta
Rusty-crowned Ground Sparrow Melozone kieneri
Canyon Towhee Melozone fusca
White-throated Towhee Melozone albicollis
Abert’s Towhee Melozone aberti
California Towhee Melozone crissalis
White-eared Ground Sparrow Melozone leucotis
Grey-crowned Ground Sparrow Melozone occipitalis
Prevost’s Ground Sparrow Melozone biarcuata
Cabanis’s Ground Sparrow Melozone cabanisi
Large-footed Finch Pezopetes capitalis
Zapata Sparrow Torreornis inexpectata
Green-tailed Towhee Pipilo chlorurus
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus
Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Bermuda Towhee Pipilo naufragus
Collared Towhee Pipilo ocai
Rufous-capped Brushfinch Atlapetes pileatus
White-naped Brushfinch Atlapetes albinucha
Yellow-thighed Brushfinch Atlapetes tibialis
Yellow-green Brushfinch Atlapetes luteoviridis
Moustached Brushfinch Atlapetes albofrenatus
Tepui Brushfinch Atlapetes personatus
Santa Marta Brushfinch Atlapetes melanocephalus
Ochre-breasted Brushfinch Atlapetes semirufus
Yellow-headed Brushfinch Atlapetes flaviceps
Dusky-headed Brushfinch Atlapetes fuscoolivaceus
White-rimmed Brushfinch Atlapetes leucopis
White-headed Brushfinch Atlapetes albiceps
Rufous-eared Brushfinch Atlapetes rufigenis
Choco Brushfinch Atlapetes crassus
Tricolored Brushfinch Atlapetes tricolor
Slaty Brushfinch Atlapetes schistaceus
Taczanowski’s Brushfinch Atlapetes taczanowskii
Pale-naped Brushfinch Atlapetes pallidinucha
Antioquia Brushfinch Atlapetes blancae
Yellow-breasted Brushfinch Atlapetes latinuchus
Black-fronted Brushfinch Atlapetes nigrifrons
White-winged Brushfinch Atlapetes leucopterus
Pale-headed Brushfinch Atlapetes pallidiceps
Bay-crowned Brushfinch Atlapetes seebohmi
Rusty-bellied Brushfinch Atlapetes nationi
Apurimac Brushfinch Atlapetes forbesi
Black-spectacled Brushfinch Atlapetes melanopsis
Vilcabamba Brushfinch Atlapetes terborghi
Cuzco Brushfinch Atlapetes canigenis
Grey-eared Brushfinch Atlapetes melanolaemus
Bolivian Brushfinch Atlapetes rufinucha
Fulvous-headed Brushfinch Atlapetes fulviceps
Yellow-striped Brushfinch Atlapetes citrinellus
-
Peterson Reference Guide to Sparrows of North America
| By Rick Wright | Houghton Mifflin Harcourt | 2019 | Hardback | 434 pages, colour photos | ISBN: 9780547973166 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Sparrows and Finches of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America
| By Chris G Earley | Firefly Books | 2003 | Paperback | 128 pages, Over 220 Colour Photos, Maps | ISBN: 9781552977071 Buy this book from NHBS.com
-
Passerellidae
Family AccountPasserellids, unlike the quite distantly related open-country inhabitants of the Old World also known as sparrows, are quite catholic in their choice of landscapes. -
Passerellidae
Family AccountNew World sparrows are a group of mainly New World passerine birds, forming the family Passerellidae.
Given the number of species in this family, Fatbirder does not provide quick links to all of them. However, the entries below do include links to representatives of every genera, all those illustrated and some of the most often encountered, iconic or sought-after species.
-
American Tree Sparrow Spizelloides arborea
Species AccountHardy northern sparrow with plump body, small bill and long, thin tail. Note rusty cap and rusty (not black) eyeline, gray head and unstreaked grayish... -
American Tree Sparrow Spizelloides arborea
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Baird’s Sparrow Centronyx bairdii
Species AccountOne of North America's most sought-after sparrows due to its small breeding range and secretive habits. Breeds in extensive tall grasslands. -
Baird’s Sparrow Centronyx bairdii
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Bell's Sparrow Artemisiospiza belli
Species AccountBrownish sparrow with gray head and white breast with dark central spot. Very similar to Sagebrush Sparrow and once considered the same species -
Bell's Sparrow Artemisiospiza belli
Species AccountBell's sparrow (Artemisiospiza belli) is a medium-sized sparrow of the western United States and northwestern Mexico. -
Bell's Sparrow Artemisiospiza belli
Species AccountThe Bell’s Sparrow is a neat, gray-headed sparrow emblematic of California’s coastal sage and chaparral. -
Bell's Sparrow Artemisiospiza belli
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Black-throated Sparrow Amphispiza bilineata
Species AccountThe black-throated sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) is a small New World sparrow primarily found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. -
Black-throated Sparrow Amphispiza bilineata
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Bridled Sparrow Peucaea mystacalis
Species AccountThe bridled sparrow (Peucaea mystacalis) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae. It is endemic to Mexico. -
Bridled Sparrow Peucaea mystacalis
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Canyon Towhee Melozone fusca
Species AccountLarge, stocky, long-tailed sparrow. Uniform matte brown body, with buffy throat and orange undertail coverts. -
Canyon Towhee Melozone fusca
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
Species AccountSmall, slender, and incredibly cute sparrow. Plain grayish breast, rusty cap, and black eyeline in breeding season. -
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Collared Towhee Pipilo ocai
Species AccountLarge, brightly patterned sparrow endemic to highlands in south-central Mexico. -
Collared Towhee Pipilo ocai
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Common Bush Tanager Chlorospingus flavopectus
Species AccountThe common chlorospingus (Chlorospingus flavopectus), also referred to as common bush tanager, is a small passerine bird. -
Common Bush Tanager Chlorospingus flavopectus
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Costa Rican Brushfinch Arremon costaricensis
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Costa Rican Brushfinch Arremon costaricensis
Species AccountThe Costa Rican brushfinch or grey-striped brushfinch (Arremon costaricensis) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae. -
Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis
Species AccountThe dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis) is a species of junco, a group of small, grayish New World sparrows. -
Five-striped Sparrow Amphispizopsis quinquestriata
Species AccountThe five-striped sparrow (Amphispizopsis quinquestriata) is a medium-sized sparrow. It is the only member of the genus Amphispizopsis. -
Five-striped Sparrow Amphispizopsis quinquestriata
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Fulvous-headed Brushfinch Atlapetes fulviceps-headed Brushfinch Atlapetes fulviceps
Species AccountThe fulvous-headed brushfinch (Atlapetes fulviceps) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae. It is found in Bolivia and northwestern Argentina. -
Fulvous-headed Brushfinch Atlapetes fulviceps-headed Brushfinch Atlapetes fulviceps
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum
Species AccountThe grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) is a small New World sparrow. I -
Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Green-tailed Towhee Pipilo chlorurus
Species AccountThe green-tailed towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) is the smallest towhee, but is still one of the larger members of the American sparrow family Passerellidae. -
Green-tailed Towhee Pipilo chlorurus
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Henslow's Sparrow Ammodramus henslowii
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Henslow's Sparrow Ammodramus henslowii
Species AccountA large-headed and thick-billed sparrow, found exclusively in weedy grasslands with sparse shrubs. -
Henslow's Sparrow Ammodramus henslowii
Species AccountAdults have streaked brown upperparts with a light brown breast with streaks, a white belly and a white throat. They have a pale stripe on the crown with a dark stripe on each side, an olive face and neck, rust-coloured wings and a short dark forked tail. -
Large-footed Finch Pezopetes capitalis
Species AccountLarge sparrowlike bird; entirely olive with contrasting gray head and black face. -
Large-footed Finch Pezopetes capitalis
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Lark Bunting Calamospiza melanocorys
Species AccountChunky, thick-billed sparrow that prefers wide open habitats. Breeding males are unmistakable: mostly jet black with a bold white wing patch. -
Lark Bunting Calamospiza melanocorys
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus
Species AccountThe lark sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) is a fairly large New World sparrow. It is the only member of the genus Chondestes. -
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Moss-backed Sparrow Arremon dorbignii
Species AccountThe moss-backed sparrow (Arremon dorbignii), also known as the stripe-crowned sparrow, is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae, the New World sparrows. -
Moss-backed Sparrow Arremon dorbignii
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Moustached Brushfinch Atlapetes albofrenatus
Species AccountThe moustached brushfinch (Atlapetes albofrenatus) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae. It is found in northern Colombia. -
Moustached Brushfinch Atlapetes albofrenatus
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Olive Sparrow Arremonops rufivirgatus
Species AccountThe olive sparrow (Arremonops rufivirgatus) is a species of American sparrow in the family Passerellidae. -
Olive Sparrow Arremonops rufivirgatus
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Red Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca
Species AccountRed fox sparrow is the collective name for the most brightly colored taxa in the American sparrow genus Passerella, the Passerella iliaca iliaca group. -
Red Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Rufous-capped Brushfinch Atlapetes pileatus
Species AccountAttractive small sparrow endemic to highlands in central Mexico. Favors dense brushy areas and flower banks in pine-oak forest. -
Rufous-capped Brushfinch Atlapetes pileatus
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Species AccountThe rufous-collared sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) is an American sparrow found in a wide range of habitats, often near humans, from the extreme south-east of Mexico to Tierra del Fuego, and on the island of Hispaniola. -
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Species Accountonotrichia capensis is listed as Least Concern. -
Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps
Species AccountThe rufous-crowned sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) is a small American sparrow. -
Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis
Species AccountA medium-sized, short-tailed sparrow. Extensive plumage variation across range, but always streaky. Usually shows distinctive yellow patch in front of eye... -
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Seaside Sparrow Ammospiza maritima
Species AccountThe darkest sparrow found exclusively in wet saltmarshes with tall grass. Shares habitat with Saltmarsh and Nelson's Sparrows but Seaside is plainer... -
Seaside Sparrow Ammospiza maritima
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Sierra Madre Sparrow Xenospiza baileyi
Species AccountThe Sierra Madre sparrow (Xenospiza baileyi), also known as Bailey's sparrow, is an endangered, range-restricted, enigmatic American sparrow. -
Sierra Madre Sparrow Xenospiza baileyi
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia
Species AccountThe song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) is a medium-sized American sparrow. Among the native sparrows in North America, it is easily one of the most abundant, variable and adaptable species. -
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus
Species AccountThe spotted towhee (Pipilo maculatus) is a large New World sparrow. The taxonomy of the towhees has been debated in recent decades. -
Stripe-headed Sparrow Peucaea ruficauda
Species AccountFairly common and conspicuous sparrow of dry, scrubby woodlands and brushy fields in tropical lowlands and foothills. -
Stripe-headed Sparrow Peucaea ruficauda
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Striped Sparrow Oriturus superciliosus
Species AccountThe striped sparrow (Oriturus superciliosus) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae. It is monotypic within the genus Oriturus. -
Striped Sparrow Oriturus superciliosus
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Tanager Finch Oreothraupis arremonops
Species AccountThe tanager finch (Oreothraupis arremonops) is a songbird species. In spite of its common name, it is neither a tanager nor a finch, but a New World sparrow. -
Tanager Finch Oreothraupis arremonops
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes graineus
Species AccountLarge, drab, streaky sparrow of grasslands, second growth, and bare ground. Most distinctive in flight, when it flashes white outer tail feathers. -
Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes graineus
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis
Species AccountThe white-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) is a passerine bird of the American sparrow family Emberizidae. -
Worthen's Sparrow Spizella wortheni
Species AccountWorthen's sparrow (Spizella wortheni) is a species of American sparrow that is endemic to northeastern Mexico. It was first described by Robert Ridgway in 1884 and named for the American naturalist Charles K. Worthen.[2] This small bird has been listed as endangered by the IUCN since 1994. -
Worthen's Sparrow Spizella wortheni
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Yellow-mandibled Sparrow Arremon axillaris
Species AccountThe yellow-mandibled sparrow (Arremon axillaris) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae. -
Yellow-mandibled Sparrow Arremon axillaris
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Yellow-striped Brushfinch Atlapetes citrinellus
Species AccountChunky greenish brushfinch of the understory of semi-humid montane forest in NW Argentina. Distinctive in range. -
Yellow-striped Brushfinch Atlapetes citrinellus
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Yungas Sparrow Rhynchospiza dabbeni
Species AccountAttractive sparrow found along the western edge of the Andes in northwestern Argentina, barely reaching over the border into Bolivia. -
Yungas Sparrow Rhynchospiza dabbeni
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps. -
Zapata Sparrow Torreornis inexpectata
Species AccountA handsome species with subtle coloration. Its yellow belly shades to olive sides, and a largely gray face is topped by a rusty crown... -
Zapata Sparrow Torreornis inexpectata
Species AccountSound archive and distribution maps.