Emberizidae

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Emberizidae (buntings, finches, long-spurs, sparrows; class Aves, order Passeriformes) A family of small, mainly brown, streaked birds with medium-length feet, longish tails, and short conical bills. They inhabit open areas, grassland, and woodland, feeding mainly on seeds and building either an open or dome-shaped nest in trees, bushes, or on the ground. Emberiza striolata (house bunting) prefers to occupy buildings. The colourful plumage of the six species of Passerina makes them popular cage birds. There are about 70 genera in the family, with about 280 species, found in N., Central, and S. America, Africa, Europe, and Asia.