New World Sparrows

New World sparrows are a family of seed-eating passerine birds with conical bills known as Passerellidae, displaying a range of colors from brown to gray with many species featuring distinctive head patterns. Despite their common name "sparrow," they bear a closer resemblance to Old World buntings and finches rather than Old World sparrows. Their taxonomy underwent revision after DNA analyses showed that they form a unique, monophyletic group, leading to their reclassification away from the Emberizidae family. The International Ornithological Congress recognizes 138 species across 30 genera in this family. These birds exhibit considerable diversity in size and color, with neotropical species showing more vibrant hues and contrasts. They can be found throughout the Americas in a wide variety of habitats like grasslands, forests, and deserts, and their range spreads from the Arctic tundra to South America. Many species migrate depending on the season, forming flocks both when breeding and foraging outside of the breeding season. Some, like the dark-eyed junco, are year-round residents in parts of North America, while others move shorter distances or adjust their ranges seasonally.