Which family designation does modern taxonomy frequently assign to North American sparrows like Z. leucophrys?
Answer
Passerellidae
Modern taxonomic understanding, largely driven by genetic research, frequently places North American sparrows, including the White-crowned Sparrow, into the distinct family Passerellidae. This family is specifically comprised of New World sparrows and related species, confirming their close evolutionary divergence from Old World groups. Historically, these birds were often grouped under Emberizidae, which also included Old World buntings; however, Passerellidae serves to isolate these North American species, differentiating them from groups like true Old World sparrows belonging to Passeridae.
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