Buntings and New World Sparrows (Emberizidae)

Bridled Sparrow (Peucaea mystacalis) - HBW 16, p. 567

French: Bruant à moustaches German: Zügelammer Spanish: Chingolo Embridado

Taxonomy: Zonotrichia mystacalis Hartlaub, 1852, Río Frío, between Puebla and Mexico City, Mexico.
Formerly placed in Aimophila, but molecular-genetic studies indicate that such treatment would make that genus polyphyletic. Various studies suggest that this species is part of a group that includes also P. ruficauda, P. humeralis, P. sumichrasti and P. carpalis, this group being sister to a clade containing P. cassinii, P. aestivalis and P. botterii. Monotypic.

Distribution: S edge of C plateau of Mexico in E México, S Puebla, CW Veracruz and N & C Oaxaca.