Buntings and New World Sparrows (Emberizidae)

Band-tailed Sierra-finch (Phrygilus alaudinus) - HBW 16, p. 605

French: Phrygile à queue barrée German: Schwanzfleckenämmerling Spanish: Yal Platero

Taxonomy: Fringilla alaudina Kittlitz, 1833, Valparaíso, Chile.
Molecular data suggest that this species’ closest relative may be Porphyrospiza caerulescens and that both belong with the tanagers (Thraupidae); these two species are united by structure, bill shape, some aspects of coloration, and song, and both should probably be shifted to a new genus, for which the name Corydospiza is available (and has priority over Porphyrospiza). Races form two groups, a N group of smaller and darker races (humboldti, bipartitus, bracki and excelsus) and S group of two larger and paler ones (nominate and venturii.. View all taxonomy...