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Melospiza

Melospiza
Song sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
Swamp sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Melospiza
Baird, 1858
Type species
Fringilla melodia[1]
A. Wilson, 1810
Species

See text

Melospiza is a genus of passerine birds formerly placed in the family Emberizidae, but now placed in Passerellidae. The genus, commonly referred to as "song sparrows," currently contains three species, all of which are native to North America.

Members of Melospiza are medium-sized sparrows with long tails, which are pumped in flight and held moderately high on perching. They are not seen in flocks, but as a few individuals or solitary. They prefer brushy habitats, often near water.

Species of Melospiza

Genus Melospiza Baird, 1858 – three species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Lincoln's sparrow

Melospiza lincolnii
(Audubon, 1834)

Three subspecies
  • M. l. lincolnii
  • M. l. gracilis
  • M. l. alticola
Canada, Alaska, and the northeastern and western United States
Map of range
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 LC 


Song sparrow

Melospiza melodia
(Wilson, 1810)
Canada and the United States.
Map of range
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 LC 


Swamp sparrow

Melospiza georgiana
(Latham, 1790)
eastern North America and central Canada
Map of range
Size:

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Diet:
 LC 


See also

References

  1. ^ "Passerellidae". aviansystematics.org. The Trust for Avian Systematics. Retrieved 2023-07-16.