Section 9F – Passeroidea: Finches, Sparrows, Tanagers and Allies
Order Passeriformes (Perching Birds)
Finch-like songbirds: finches, sparrows, pipits, New World warblers & tanagers
The final subsection of the passerines covers a large and widespread group of songbirds found across Africa, Eurasia, Australasia, and the Americas. It starts with several mainly tropical nectar-feeding lineages — sugarbirds, flowerpeckers, sunbirds, leafbirds, and fairy-bluebirds — then moves into the broader finch, sparrow, tanager and blackbird groups.
This is one of the most diverse parts of the passerines, ranging from tiny waxbills to Himalayan accentors, from wagtails and pipits to weavers, and from New World sparrows to the colourful tanagers and blackbirds of the Americas.
Species I’ve Seen in This Section
Below are the species I have recorded from these families:
3 Family: Dicaeidae (Flowerpeckers) – 2
- Pale‑billed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum erythrorhynchos) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Fire‑breasted Flowerpecker (Dicaeum ignipectus) — Bhutan and India 2020
4 Family: Nectariniidae (Spiderhunters and Sunbirds) – 7
- Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird (Aethopyga gouldiae) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Green‑tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga nipalensis) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Black‑throated Sunbird (Aethopyga saturata) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Streaked Spiderhunter (Arachnothera magna) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiatica) — Bhutan and India 2020
5 Family: Chloropseidae (Leafbirds) – 2
- Golden‑fronted Leafbird (Chloropsis aurifrons) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Orange‑bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii) — Bhutan and India 2020
6 Family: Irenidae (Fairy‑bluebirds) – 1
- Asian Fairy‑bluebird (Irena puella) — Bhutan and India 2020
11 Family: Estrildidae (Munias, Parrotfinches, Waxbills, and Allies) – 4
- Red Avadavat (Amandava amandava) — Spain 2018
- Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild) — Spain 2018
- Chestnut Munia (Lonchura atricapilla) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Scaly‑breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata) — Bhutan and India 2020
12 Family: Prunellidae (Accentors) – 4
- Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Altai Accentor (Prunella himalayana) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Dunnock (Prunella modularis) — Various – common UK bird
- Rufous‑breasted Accentor (Prunella strophiata) — Bhutan and India 2020
13 Family: Passeridae (Snowfinches and Old World Sparrows) – 5
- Russet Sparrow (Passer cinnamomeus) — Bhutan and India 2020
- House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) — Various – common UK bird
- Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis) — Spain 2018
- Italian Sparrow (Passer italiae) — Slovenia 2024
- Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) — Various – UK bird;
14 Family: Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits) – 19
- South Georgia Pipit (Anthus antarcticus) — Antarctica 2020
- Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris) — Spain 2018
- Red‑throated Pipit (Anthus cervinus) — Norway & Finland 2018
- Correndera Pipit (Anthus correndera) — Antarctica 2020
- Olive‑backed Pipit (Anthus hodgsoni) — Bhutan and India 2020
- New Zealand Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae) — New Zealand 2023
- Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus) — Various – UK bird
- Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) — Various – common UK bird
- Rosy Pipit (Anthus roseatus) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis) — Various – common UK bird
- White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) — Spain 2018; Norway & Finland 2018; Slovenia 2024
- Himalayan Wagtail (Motacilla alba ssp alboides) — Bhutan and India 2020
- East Siberian Wagtail (Motacilla alba ssp ocularis) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba ssp yarrellii) — Various — common UK bird
- Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) — Various — common UK bird
- Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) — Slovenia 2024
- Spanish Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava ssp iberiae) — Spain 2018
- Grey‑headed Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava ssp thunbergi) — Norway & Finland 2018
15 Family: Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies) – 38
- Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) — Various – common UK bird
- Arctic Redpoll (Acanthis hornemanni) — Norway & Finland 2018
- European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) — Various – common UK bird
- Dark‑rumped Rosefinch (Carpodacus edwardsii) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Common Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) — Norway & Finland 2018; Bhutan and India 2020
- Beautiful Rosefinch (Carpodacus pulcherrimus) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Scarlet Finch (Carpodacus sipahi) — Bhutan and India 2020
- White‑browed Rosefinch (Carpodacus thura) — Bhutan and India 2020
- European Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) — Various – common UK bird;
- Yellow‑breasted Greenfinch (Chloris spinoides) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) — Spain 2018; Slovenia 2024
- Purple‑throated Euphonia (Euphonia chlorotica) — Amazon 2023
- Olive‑backed Euphonia (Euphonia gouldi) — Costa Rica 2014
- Yellow‑crowned Euphonia (Euphonia luteicapilla) — Costa Rica 2014
- Trinidad Euphonia (Euphonia trinitatis) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019
- Violaceous Euphonia (Euphonia violacea) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019
- Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) — Various – common UK bird
- Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) — Norway & Finland 2018
- Cassin’s Finch (Haemorhous cassinii) — Yellowstone 2017
- House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) — Yellowstone 2017; Texas 2024
- Plain Mountain Finch (Leucosticte nemoricola) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Common Linnet (Linaria cannabina) — Various – common UK bird
- Red Crossbill / Common Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) — Various – UK bird
- Collared Grosbeak (Mycerobas affinis) — Bhutan and India 2020
- White‑winged Grosbeak (Mycerobas carnipes) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Spot‑winged Grosbeak (Mycerobas melanozanthos) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) — Yellowstone 2017; Norway & Finland 2018
- Golden‑naped Finch (Pyrrhoplectes epauletta) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Red‑headed Bullfinch (Pyrrhula erythrocephala) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Brown Bullfinch (Pyrrhula nipalensis) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) — Various – common UK bird
- European Serin (Serinus serinus) — Spain 2018; Slovenia 2024
- Black‑chinned Siskin (Spinus barbatus) — Antarctica 2020
- Hooded Siskin (Spinus magellanicus) — Argentina 2023
- Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) — Yellowstone 2017
- Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) — Texas 2024
- Siskin (Spinus spinus) — Various – common UK bird
- Tibetan Serin (Spinus thibetanus) — Bhutan and India 2020
17 Family: Calcariidae (Longspurs and Snow Buntings) – 2
- Lapland Bunting (Calcarius lapponicus) — Norway & Finland 2018
- Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) — Various – UK bird
18 Family: Emberizidae (Old World Buntings) – 9
- Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra) — Spain 2018; Slovenia 2024
- Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia) — Spain 2018; Slovenia 2024
- Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus) — Spain 2018; Slovenia 2024
- Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) — Various – UK bird;
- Godlewski’s Bunting (Emberiza godlewskii) — Bhutan and India 2020
- Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) — Norway & Finland 2018
- Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla) — Norway & Finland 2018; Bhutan and India 2020
- Rustic Bunting (Emberiza rustica) — Norway & Finland 2018
- Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) — Various – UK bird
19 Family: Passerellidae (New World Sparrows) – 27
- Rufous‑crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) — Texas 2024
- Yellow‑browed Sparrow (Ammodramus aurifrons) — Amazon 2023
- Seaside Sparrow (Ammospiza maritima) — Texas 2024
- Black‑throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) — Texas 2024
- Orange‑billed Sparrow (Arremon aurantiirostris) — Costa Rica 2014
- Chestnut‑capped Brush Finch (Arremon monachus) — Costa Rica 2014
- Black‑striped Sparrow (Arremonops conirostris) — Costa Rica 2014
- Olive Sparrow (Arremonops rufivirgatus) — Texas 2024
- Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) — Yellowstone 2017; Texas 2024
- Dark‑eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) — Yellowstone 2017
- Volcano Junco (Junco vulcani) — Costa Rica 2014
- Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) — Texas 2024
- Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) — Yellowstone 2017
- Canyon Towhee (Melozone fusca) — Texas 2024
- Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) — Yellowstone 2017; Texas 2024
- Stripe‑headed Sparrow (Peucaea ruficauda) — Costa Rica 2014
- Large‑footed Finch (Pezopetes capitalis) — Costa Rica 2014
- Green‑tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) — Yellowstone 2017
- Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) — Texas 2024
- Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) — Yellowstone 2017; Texas 2024
- Yellow‑thighed Finch (Pselliophorus tibialis) — Costa Rica 2014
- Brewer’s Sparrow (Spizella breweri) — Yellowstone 2017
- Clay‑colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) — Texas 2024
- Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) — Yellowstone 2017; Texas 2024
- White‑throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) — Texas 2024
- Rufous‑collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) — Costa Rica 2014; Antarctica 2020; Argentina 2023
- White‑crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) — Yellowstone 2017; Texas 2024
26 Family: Icteridae (New World Blackbirds, Troupials, and Allies) – 42
- Grayish Baywing (Agelaioides badius) — Argentina 2023
- Red‑winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) — Costa Rica 2014; Yellowstone 2017; Texas 2024
- Yellow‑rumped Cacique (Cacicus cela) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Amazon 2023
- Red‑rumped Cacique (Cacicus haemorrhous) — Amazon 2023
- Scarlet‑rumped Cacique (Cacicus uropygialis) — Costa Rica 2014
- Yellow‑hooded Blackbird (Chrysomus icterocephalus) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019
- Chestnut‑capped Blackbird (Chrysomus ruficapillus) — Argentina 2023
- Austral Blackbird (Curaeus curaeus) — Antarctica 2020
- Melodious Blackbird (Dives warcewiczi) — Costa Rica 2014
- Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) — Yellowstone 2017
- Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) — Yellowstone 2017; Texas 2024
- Oriole Blackbird (Gymnomystax mexicanus) — Amazon 2023
- Bullock’s Oriole (Icterus bullockii) — Texas 2024
- Epaulet Oriole (Icterus cayanensis) — Amazon 2023
- Orange‑backed Troupial (Icterus croconotus) — Amazon 2023
- Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus) — Texas 2024
- Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) — Costa Rica 2014
- Altamira Oriole (Icterus gularis) — Texas 2024
- Yellow Oriole (Icterus nigrogularis) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019
- Scott’s Oriole (Icterus parisorum) — Texas 2024
- Spot‑breasted Oriole (Icterus pectoralis) — Costa Rica 2014
- Black‑cowled Oriole (Icterus prosthemelas) — Costa Rica 2014
- Streak‑backed Oriole (Icterus pustulatus) — Costa Rica 2014
- Variable Oriole (Icterus pyrrhopterus) — Argentina 2023
- Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) — Costa Rica 2014; Texas 2024
- Velvet‑fronted Grackle (Lampropsar tanagrinus) — Amazon 2023
- Red‑breasted Blackbird (Leistes militaris) — Costa Rica 2014; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Amazon 2023
- Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus) — Costa Rica 2014; Texas 2024
- Brown‑headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) — Yellowstone 2017; Texas 2024
- Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) — Costa Rica 2014; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Argentina 2023; Amazon 2023
- Giant Cowbird (Molothrus oryzivorus) — Costa Rica 2014; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Amazon 2023
- Solitary Black Cacique (Procnias solitarius) — Argentina 2023
- Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Amazon 2023
- Montezuma Oropendola (Psarocolius montezuma) — Costa Rica 2014
- Olive Oropendola (Psarocolius yuracares) — Amazon 2023
- Carib Grackle (Quiscalus lugubris) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019
- Boat‑tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major) — Texas 2024
- Great‑tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) — Costa Rica 2014; Texas 2024
- Long‑tailed Meadowlark (Sturnella loyca) — Antarctica 2020
- Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) — Costa Rica 2014; Texas 2024
- Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) — Yellowstone 2017
- Yellow‑headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) — Yellowstone 2017; Texas 2024
27 Family: Parulidae (New World Warblers) – 29
- Golden‑crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) — Costa Rica 2014
- Rufous‑capped Warbler (Basileuterus rufifrons) — Costa Rica 2014
- Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) — Costa Rica 2014; Yellowstone 2017; Texas 2024
- Masked Yellowthroat (Geothlypis aequinoctialis) — Argentina 2023
- Kentucky Warbler (Geothlypis formosa) — Texas 2024
- Grey‑crowned Yellowthroat (Geothlypis poliocephala) — Costa Rica 2014
- Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) — Yellowstone 2017; Texas 2024
- Orange‑crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) — Texas 2024
- Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina) — Costa Rica 2014; Texas 2024
- Nashville Warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla) — Texas 2024
- Black‑and‑white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) — Texas 2024
- Collared Whitestart (Myioborus torquatus) — Costa Rica 2014
- Buff‑rumped Warbler (Myiothlypis fulvicauda) — Costa Rica 2014
- Flame‑throated Warbler (Oreothlypis gutturalis) — Costa Rica 2014
- Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) — Costa Rica 2014; Texas 2024
- Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) — Costa Rica 2014; Texas 2024
- Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) — Costa Rica 2014; Texas 2024
- Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) — Costa Rica 2014
- Northern Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva) — Costa Rica 2014; Yellowstone 2017
- Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) — Texas 2024
- Golden‑cheeked Warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) — Texas 2024
- Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina) — Texas 2024
- Yellow‑rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) — Yellowstone 2017; Texas 2024
- Yellow‑throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica) — Texas 2024
- Chestnut‑sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) — Costa Rica 2014
- Mangrove Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) — Costa Rica 2014; Texas 2024
- Tropical Parula (Setophaga pitiayumi) — Argentina 2023; Texas 2024
- American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) — Texas 2024
- Black‑throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) — Texas 2024
28 Family: Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies) – 4
- Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) — Texas 2024
- Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) — Texas 2024
- Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) — Texas 2024
- Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) — Texas 2024
30 Family: Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies) – 66
- Yellow‑green Grosbeak (Caryothraustes canadensis) — Amazon 2023
- Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza) — Costa Rica 2014; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Amazon 2023
- Common Bush Tanager (Chlorospingus flavopectus) — Costa Rica 2014
- Sooty‑capped Bush Tanager (Chlorospingus pileatus) — Costa Rica 2014
- Olive Tanager (Chlorothraupis carmioli) — Costa Rica 2014
- Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) — Costa Rica 2014; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Amazon 2023
- Bicoloured Conebill (Conirostrum bicolor) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019
- Pearly‑breasted Conebill (Conirostrum margaritae) — Amazon 2023
- Purple Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes caeruleus) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019
- Red‑legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus) — Costa Rica 2014; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Amazon 2023
- Shining Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes lucidus) — Costa Rica 2014
- Short‑billed Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes nitidus) — Amazon 2023
- Blue‑black Grosbeak (Cyanoloxia cyanoides) — Costa Rica 2014
- Blue Dacnis (Dacnis cayana) — Costa Rica 2014; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Amazon 2023
- Yellow‑bellied Dacnis (Dacnis flaviventer) — Amazon 2023
- Scarlet‑thighed Dacnis (Dacnis venusta) — Costa Rica 2014
- Slaty Flowerpiercer (Diglossa plumbea) — Costa Rica 2014
- Grey‑headed Tanager (Eucometis penicillata) — Costa Rica 2014
- White‑lored Euphonia (Euphonia chrysopasta) — Amazon 2023
- Golden‑sided Euphonia (Euphonia finschi) — Amazon 2023
- Red‑throated Ant‑Tanager (Habia fuscicauda) — Costa Rica 2014
- Yellow‑backed Tanager (Hemithraupis flavicollis) — Amazon 2023
- Speckled Tanager (Ixothraupis guttata) — Costa Rica 2014
- Hooded Tanager (Nemosia pileata) — Amazon 2023
- Red‑crested Cardinal (Paroaria coronata) — Argentina 2023
- Red‑capped Cardinal (Paroaria gularis) — Amazon 2023
- Masked Cardinal (Paroaria nigrogenis) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019
- Rose‑breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) — Costa Rica 2014
- Patagonian Sierra Finch (Phrygilus patagonicus) — Antarctica 2020
- Blue‑and‑yellow Tanager (Pipra aureocincta) — Argentina 2023
- Flame‑colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata) — Costa Rica 2014
- Hepatic Tanager (Piranga hepatica) — Costa Rica 2014
- Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) — Yellowstone 2017
- Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) — Texas 2024
- Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) — Costa Rica 2014; Texas 2024
- Black‑and‑rufous Warbling Finch (Poospiza nigrorufa) — Argentina 2023
- Silver‑beaked Tanager (Ramphocelus carbo) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Amazon 2023
- Cherrie’s Tanager (Ramphocelus costaricensis) — Costa Rica 2014
- Passerini’s Tanager (Ramphocelus passerinii) — Costa Rica 2014
- Crimson‑collared Tanager (Ramphocelus sanguinolentus) — Costa Rica 2014
- Golden‑billed Saltator (Saltator aurantiirostris) — Argentina 2023
- Greyish Saltator (Saltator coerulescens) — Costa Rica 2014; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Argentina 2023; Amazon 2023
- Buff‑throated Saltator (Saltator maximus) — Costa Rica 2014; Amazon 2023
- Streaked Saltator (Saltator striatipectus) — Costa Rica 2014
- Orange‑fronted Yellow Finch (Sicalis columbiana) — Amazon 2023
- Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Argentina 2023
- Wing‑barred Seedeater (Sporophila americana) — Amazon 2023
- Chestnut‑bellied Seedeater (Sporophila angolensis) — Amazon 2023
- Double‑collared Seedeater (Sporophila caerulescens) — Argentina 2023
- Variable Seedeater (Sporophila corvina) — Costa Rica 2014
- Thick‑billed Seed Finch (Sporophila funerea) — Costa Rica 2014
- Lined Seedeater (Sporophila lineola) — Amazon 2023
- Ruddy‑breasted Seedeater (Sporophila minuta) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019
- Yellow‑bellied Seedeater (Sporophila nigricollis) — Amazon 2023
- Silver‑throated Tanager (Stilpnia icterocephala) — Costa Rica 2014
- Golden‑hooded Tanager (Stilpnia larvata) — Costa Rica 2014
- White‑shouldered Tanager (Tachyphonus luctuosus) — Costa Rica 2014
- White‑lined Tanager (Tachyphonus rufus) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019
- Bay‑headed Tanager (Tangara gyrola) — Costa Rica 2014; Trinidad & Tobago 2019
- Turquoise Tanager (Tangara mexicana) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Amazon 2023
- Swallow Tanager (Tersina viridis) — Amazon 2023
- Blue‑grey Tanager (Thraupis episcopus) — Costa Rica 2014; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Amazon 2023
- Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum) — Costa Rica 2014; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Amazon 2023
- Black‑faced Grassquit (Tiaris bicolor) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019
- Yellow‑faced Grassquit (Tiaris olivaceus) — Costa Rica 2014
- Blue‑black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Amazon 2023
End of List