Buntings and New World Sparrows (Emberizidae)

Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella breweri) - HBW 16, p. 560

French: Bruant de Brewer German: Nevadaammer Spanish: Chingolo de Brewer
Other common names: Timberline Sparrow (taverneri)

Taxonomy: Spizella breweri Cassin, 1856, western North America, California, and New Mexico = Black Hills, South Dakota, USA.
Apparently closely related to S. passerina and S. pallida. It has been suggested that race taverneri represents a distinct species, differing in habitat preferences; further study required. Two subspecies currently recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

taverneri Swarth & A. C. Brooks, 1925 - breeds in SE Alaska and W Canada (SW Yukon and NW & SE British Columbia and W Alberta) and N USA (W Montana); non-breeding range SW USA (Arizona E to W Texas) and probably N Mexico.
breweri Cassin, 1856 - breeds in S Canada (extreme S British Columbia, S Alberta and SW Saskatchewan) and W USA from E Montana, SW North Dakota and NE Colorado S to E & S California, S Nevada, C Arizona and NW New Mexico; non-breeding from S edge of breeding range S to NW & W Mexico (Baja California E to Coahuila, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato and Jalisco).