| Zonotrichia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| White-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Passerellidae |
| Genus: | Zonotrichia Swainson, 1832 |
| Type species | |
| Zonotrichia albicollis Latham, 1790 | |
| Species | |
Z. leucophrys | |
Zonotrichia is agenus of five extantAmerican sparrows of the familyPasserellidae.[1] Four of the species areNorth American, but therufous-collared sparrow breeds in highlands from the extreme southeast ofMexico toTierra del Fuego, and onHispaniola.
The genus nameZonotrichia is fromAncient Greekζώνη (zone,transl. band) andθρίξ (thrix,transl. hair).[2]
The species in the genusZonotrichia are:
| Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Zonotrichia leucophrys | White-crowned sparrow | North America |
 | Zonotrichia albicollis | White-throated sparrow | Canada and New England |
 | Zonotrichia atricapilla | Golden-crowned sparrow | north-central Alaska (including the Aleutian Islands as far west as Unimak Island) and central Yukon south to the northwestern corner of the US state of Washington, and wintering from southern coastal Alaska to northern Baja California |
 | Zonotrichia capensis | Rufous-collared sparrow | south-east of Mexico to Tierra del Fuego, and on the island of Hispaniola |
_(cropped).jpg) | Zonotrichia querula | Harris's sparrow | north part of central Canada (primarily the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, ranging slightly into northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan) |
| †Zonotrichia robusta | Miramar Formation,Argentina (Pleistocene)[3] |
These birds have brown backs streaked with black, and distinctive head markings. Theircup nests, built by the female, are of plant material lined with fine grasses and constructed on the ground, low in a tree or bush, or in a niche in a wall.
The female lays brown-blotched greenish-blue or greenish white eggs, which she incubates for 12–14 days. The male helps in feeding the chicks.
Zonotrichia sparrows feed on the ground onseeds, fallen grain,insects andspiders.