Emberizidae

Emberizidae is a family of small to medium passerine birds known commonly as buntings and American sparrows. In traditional classifications the group included a broad array of seed-eating, ground-dwelling sparrow-like birds across the Americas, Africa, and Eurasia. Advances in molecular studies have led to taxonomic restructuring; many species once placed in Emberizidae have been reassigned to other families, notably Passerellidae (New World sparrows) and Calcariidae (longspurs and snow buntings). In modern classifications, Emberizidae principally comprises the Old World buntings of the genus Emberiza and a few closely related forms in some treatments.

Description: Emberizids are typically small to medium birds with short, stout, cone-shaped bills adapted for seed eating. They tend to have sturdy bodies, rounded wings, and plumage that is frequently brown or gray, though males of some species show brighter markings during the breeding season. Size and plumage vary among species, but they are generally inconspicuous when not in display.

Distribution and habitat: Old World buntings occur across Europe, Asia, and Africa in open habitats such as grasslands, farmland, and scrub. They are typically resident or mildly migratory, with flight patterns and wintering grounds differing by species.

Behavior and diet: Emberizids mainly eat seeds, supplementing their diet with insects during the breeding season. They forage on the ground, hopping through grasses and leaf litter. Outside the breeding season, they are often gregarious and form small to medium-sized flocks.

Breeding and conservation: Nests are placed low in shrubs, grasses, or on the ground, depending on the species. Clutches usually contain 3–5 eggs, with biparental care common. Conservation status varies by species; habitat loss and degradation threaten several buntings in parts of their range.