Phrygilus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Thraupidae |
Genus: | Phrygilus Cabanis, 1844 |
Species | |
11, see text |
Phrygilus[1] is a genus of mainly Andean seed-eating tanagers commonly known as sierra-finches. Phrygilos means finch in Ancient Greek.[2] Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown them to belong in the Thraupidae.[3] The genus appears to be polyphyletic[4] consisting of at least three distinct lineages which in future may need to be split into separate genera.
Group 1 - The "Hooded" group. Related to yellow-finches Sicalis
Group 2 - Upperparts mostly grey, underparts white. Sexes similar. Related to a clade containing both the "hooded" group and Sicalis olivascens
Group 3 - male plumage grey or dull brown, females streaky. Related to Haplospiza
Group 4 - Yellow bill with grey/black underparts.