Thebuntings are a group ofOld Worldpasserine birds forming thegenusEmberiza, the only genus in thefamilyEmberizidae. The family contains 44 species. They areseed-eating birds with stubby, conical bills.
The family Emberizidae was formerly much larger and included the species now placed in thePasserellidae (New World sparrows) andCalcariidae (longspurs and snow buntings). Molecular phylogenetic studies found that the large family consisted of distinct clades that were better treated as separate families.[1][2]
ThegenusEmberiza is now the only genus placed in the family Emberizidae.[3] The genus was introduced by the Swedish naturalistCarl Linnaeus in 1758 in thetenth edition of hisSystema Naturae.[4] Thetype species was subsequently designated as theyellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella).[5] The genus nameEmberiza is fromOld GermanEmbritz, a bunting.[6] The origin of the English "bunting" is unknown.[7]
A 2008 genetic study found that three emberizid species that were placed in their ownmonotypic genera clustered within theEmberiza. These were thecrested bunting (Melophus lathami), theslaty bunting (Latouchiornis siemsseni), and thecorn bunting (Miliaria calandra).[8] All three species are now included in the genusEmberiza.[3]
A large DNA-based study of the passerines published in 2019 found that the buntings are most closely related to the longspurs and snow buntings in the familyCalcariidae.[9]
The abovecladogram is based on a study published in 2021. The phylogenetic relationships of two African species, thebrown-rumped bunting (Emberiza affinis) andVincent's bunting (Emberiza vincenti), were not determined.[14]
^Alström, P.; Olsson, U.; Lei, F.; Wang, H.; Gao, W.; Sundberg, P. (2008). "Phylogeny and classification of the Old World Emberizini (Aves, Passeriformes)".Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.47 (3):960–973.Bibcode:2008MolPE..47..960A.doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2007.12.007.PMID18411062.
^abCai, T.; Wu, G.; Sun, L.; Zhang, Y.; Peng, Z.; Guo, Y.; Liu, X.; Pan, T.; Chang, J.; Sun, Z.; Zhang, B. (2021). "Biogeography and diversification of Old World buntings (Aves: Emberizidae): radiation in open habitats".Journal of Avian Biology.52 (6).doi:10.1111/jav.02672.S2CID236608560.
Buntings and Sparrows – A Guide to the Buntings and North American Sparrows by Urban Olsson and Jon Curson, illustrated by Clive Byers (1995)ISBN1-873403-19-4