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Passerellidae - New World Sparrows

The Passerellidae family is a group of small to medium-sized birds known as New World sparrows. There are around 150 birds in this family. Most birds in this family are found in North America and Central America.

They were once part of the Emberizidae family, but were put into their own family in 2017.

They are known for their short, thick beaks that are perfect for eating seeds. They also eat insects.

Members of this family often have brown, gray, and white feathers, sometimes with bold patterns or colorful markings on their heads.

They live in forests, grasslands, and even backyards.

Passerellidae birds are known for their beautiful songs, which they use to mark territory and attract mates.

They are important to the environment because they help control insect populations and spread plant seeds.

  • The Oaxaca sparrow is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Oaxaca Sparrow
    (Aimophila notosticta)
    The Oaxaca sparrow is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The rusty sparrow is found in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Rusty Sparrow
    (Aimophila rufescens)
    The rusty sparrow is found in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The rufous-crowned sparrow is found in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Rufous-Crowned Sparrow
    (Aimophila ruficeps)
    The rufous-crowned sparrow is found in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The yellow-browed sparrow is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-Browed Sparrow
    (Ammodramus aurifrons)
    The yellow-browed sparrow is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The saltmarsh sharp-tailed sparrow is found along the Atlantic Coast from Maine to Florida. it breeds in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Saltmarsh Sharp-Tailed Sparrow
    (Ammospiza caudacuta)
    The saltmarsh sharp-tailed sparrow is found along the Atlantic Coast from Maine to Florida. it breeds in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The grassland sparrow is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Grassland Sparrow
    (Ammodramus humeralis)
    The grassland sparrow is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The seaside sparrow is is found in salt marshes along the Atlantic Coast of the U.S. from New Hampshire to Florida and along the Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas. The seaside sparrow breeds in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Seaside Sparrow
    (Ammospiza maritima)
    The seaside sparrow is is found in salt marshes along the Atlantic Coast of the U.S. from New Hampshire to Florida and along the Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas. The seaside sparrow breeds in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Le Conte's sparrow breeds from Canada's Northwest Territories east to Quebec south to northern South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. It winters in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Le Conte's Sparrow
    (Ammospiza leconteii)
    Le Conte's sparrow breeds from Canada's Northwest Territories east to Quebec south to northern South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. It winters in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Nelson's sharp-tailed sparrow along the Atlantic Coast of Maine and Canada; along the Hudson Bay; and in central Canada, North and South Dakota, and Minnesota. It winters along the Atlantic Coast of the U.S. from Maryland to Florida and along the Gulf Coast. It is found in New Hampshire, but it does not breed there. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Nelson's Sharp-Tailed Sparrow
    (Ammospiza nelsoni)
    Nelson's sharp-tailed sparrow along the Atlantic Coast of Maine and Canada; along the Hudson Bay; and in central Canada, North and South Dakota, and Minnesota. It winters along the Atlantic Coast of the U.S. from Maryland to Florida and along the Gulf Coast. It is found in New Hampshire, but it does not breed there. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The grasshopper sparrow is found across much of the U.S. east of the Rockies, as well as in southern Canada. It is also found in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The grasshopper sparrow breeds in New Hampshire, where it is a threatened species. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Grasshopper Sparrow
    (Ammodramus savannarum)
    The grasshopper sparrow is found across much of the U.S. east of the Rockies, as well as in southern Canada. It is also found in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The grasshopper sparrow breeds in New Hampshire, where it is a threatened species. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Bell's sparrow is found in the western U.S. and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Bell's Sparrow
    (Artemisiospiza belli)
    Bell's sparrow is found in the western U.S. and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black-throated sparrow is found in the western U.S. and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-Throated Sparrow
    (Amphispiza bilineata)
    The black-throated sparrow is found in the western U.S. and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The five-striped sparrow is found in southeastern Arizona and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Five-Striped Sparrow
    (Amphispiza quinquestriata)
    The five-striped sparrow is found in southeastern Arizona and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The orange-billed sparrow is found in Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Orange-Billed Sparrow
    (Arremon aurantiirostris)
    The orange-billed sparrow is found in Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The chestnut-capped brush-finch is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Chestnut-Capped Brush-Finch
    (Arremon brunneinucha)
    The chestnut-capped brush-finch is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The saffron-billed sparrow is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Saffron-Billed Sparrow
    (Arremon flavirostris)
    The saffron-billed sparrow is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The half-collared sparrow is found in Brazil. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Half-Collared Sparrow
    (Arremon semitorquatus)
    The half-collared sparrow is found in Brazil. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The green-striped brush-finch is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Green-Striped Brush-Finch
    (Arremon virenticeps)
    The green-striped brush-finch is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The green-backed sparrow is found in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Green-Backed Sparrow
    (Arremonops chloronotus)
    The green-backed sparrow is found in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black-striped sparrow is found in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-Striped Sparrow
    (Arremonops conirostris)
    The black-striped sparrow is found in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The olive sparrow is found in southern Texas, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Olive Sparrow
    (Arremonops rufivirgatus)
    The olive sparrow is found in southern Texas, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The moustached brush-finch is found in Colombia and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Moustached Brush-Finch
    (Atlapetes albofrenatus)
    The moustached brush-finch is found in Colombia and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The gray brush-finch is found in Peru. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Gray Brush-Finch
    (Atlapetes canigenis)
    The gray brush-finch is found in Peru. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The yellow-striped brush-finch is found in Argentina. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-Striped Brush-Finch
    (Atlapetes citrinellus)
    The yellow-striped brush-finch is found in Argentina. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The rufous-capped brush-finch is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Rufous-Capped Brush-Finch
    (Atlapetes pileatus)
    The rufous-capped brush-finch is found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The lark bunting breeds from southern Alberta and Manitoba, Canada south through the Great Plains to New Mexico, northern Texas, and Oklahoma. It winters in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas south into central Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Lark Bunting
    (Calamospiza melanocorys)
    The lark bunting breeds from southern Alberta and Manitoba, Canada south through the Great Plains to New Mexico, northern Texas, and Oklahoma. It winters in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas south into central Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The sooty-capped bush-tanager is found in Costa Rica and Panama. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Sooty-Capped Bush-Tanager
    (Chlorospingus pileatus)
    The sooty-capped bush-tanager is found in Costa Rica and Panama. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The lark sparrow breeds from southern Alberta and Manitoba, Canada south to California, Arizona, Texas, Alabama, and Ohio. It winters in the southern part of its range and in Mexico. It can a vagrant in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Lark Sparrow
    (Chondestes grammacus)
    The lark sparrow breeds from southern Alberta and Manitoba, Canada south to California, Arizona, Texas, Alabama, and Ohio. It winters in the southern part of its range and in Mexico. It can a vagrant in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Baird's sparrow breeds on the prairies of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada and North and South Dakota, Montana and Minnesota. It winters in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Baird's Sparrow
    (Passerculus bairdii)
    Baird's sparrow breeds on the prairies of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada and North and South Dakota, Montana and Minnesota. It winters in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Henslow's sparrow breeds from New York west to Michigan and south to Kansas, Kentucky, and Maryland. It winters in the southern U.S. from North Carolina to Texas. It also breeds in southern Ontario, Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Henslow's Sparrow
    (Passerculus henslowii)
    Henslow's sparrow breeds from New York west to Michigan and south to Kansas, Kentucky, and Maryland. It winters in the southern U.S. from North Carolina to Texas. It also breeds in southern Ontario, Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Did You Know?

Saltmarsh Sharp-Tailed Sparrow
The slat-marsh sharp-tailed sparrow is a member of this family.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

American Tree Sparrow - Spizelloides arboreaLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerinaLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Clay-Colored Sparrow - Spizella pallidaLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Dark-Eyed Junco - Junco hyemalisLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Eastern Towhee - Pipilo erythrophthalmusLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
White-Crowned Sparrow - Zonotrichia leucophrysLeast ConcernNorth/Central America

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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