Amphispiza
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 Adult Black-throated Sparrow (A. bilineata)
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Amphispiza is a genus of birds in the bunting and American sparrow family. It contains two species:
- Black-throated Sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata
- Sage Sparrow, Amphispiza belli
The Five-striped Sparrow was formerly placed in this genus.
Both inhabit dry areas of the western United States and northern Mexico, but in different habitats. They frequently run on the ground with their tails cocked and sing from low bushes. Adults are whitish on the belly and gray above and on the head, with black and white head markings. Juveniles are rather similar to each other, grayish brown above and whitish below, with short streaks on the breast (Howell and Webb 1995).
Amphispiza is from Ancient Greek amphi- (αμφι-), "on both sides" or "around", and spiza (σπιζα), "finch", originally applied to the Sage Sparrow; it was then considered a finch and resembles some other finch-like birds "around" it, that is, in its range (Holloway 2003).
[edit] References
- Holloway, Joel Ellis (2003). Dictionary of Birds of the United States: Scientific and Common Names. Timber Press, 25. ISBN 0-88192-600-0.
- Howell, Steve N. G.; Webb, Sophie (1995). A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America. Oxford University Press, 714–715. ISBN 0-19-854012-4.
- Peterson, Alan P. (Editor). 1999. Zoological Nomenclature Resource (Zoonomen). Accessed 2007-07-29.
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