Phrygilus[1] is a genus of mainly Andean seed-eating tanagers commonly known as sierra-finches. Phrygilos means finch in ancient Greek[2]. Sometimes classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown them to belong in the Thraupidae[3]. The genus appears to be polyphyletic[4] consisting of at least three distinct lineages which in future may need to be split into separate genera.
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| Genus: | Phrygilus Cabanis, 1844
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11, see text | |
Species list
Group 1 - The "Hooded" group. Related to Yellow-finches Sicalis
- Black-hooded Sierra-finch, Phrygilus atriceps
- Peruvian Sierra-finch, Phrygilus punensis
- Grey-hooded Sierra-finch, Phrygilus gayi
- Patagonian Sierra-finch, Phrygilus patagonicus
Group 2 - Upperparts mostly grey, underparts white. Sexes similar. Related to a clade containing both the "hooded" group and Sicalis olivascens
- Red-backed Sierra-finch, Phrygilus dorsalis
- White-throated Sierra-finch, Phrygilus erythronotus
Group 3 - male plumage grey or dull brown, females streaky. Related to Haplospiza
- Plumbeous Sierra-finch, Phrygilus unicolor
- Ash-breasted Sierra-finch, Phrygilus plebejus
Group 4 - Yellow bill with grey/black underparts.
- Band-tailed Sierra-finch, Phrygilus alaudinus - Related to Yellow-billed Blue Finch, Porphyrospiza caerulescens
- Carbonated Sierra-finch, Phrygilus carbonarius
- Mourning Sierra-finch, Phrygilus fruticeti
Footnotes
References
- Burns, K. J., S. J. Hackett, and N. K. Klein. 2003. Phylogenetic relationships of Neotropical honeycreepers and the evolution of feeding morphology. J. Avian Biology 34: 360-370.
- Klicka, J., K. Burns, & G. M. Spellman. 2007. Defining a monophyletic Cardinalini: A molecular perspective. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 45: 1014-1032
- Ridgely, R. S., & G. Tudor. 1989. The Birds of South America, vol. 1. Univ. Texas Press, Austin.
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