Date: 8/27/26 5:44 pm From: Jacob C. Cooper via groups.io <cooperj2...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] neotropical songbirds question
Hi Gordon,
Song Sparrows breed as far south as the transvolcanic belt of central Mexico (i.e., around Mexico City and in the other high marshes in that region; see here<https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/649709811>), so they do occur in the tropics technically, but from a biogeographic perspective they are definitely a Nearctic species.
The definition of a “neotropical songbird” could be debated, but if it is all Passerines that occur in the neotropics, then all those qualify. Things like Yellow Warbler are definitely neotropical migrants, but I wouldn’t call them purely neotropical birds per se.
From: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...> on behalf of Gordon Warrick via groups.io <prubinus...>
Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 19:39
To: <NEBirds...> <NEBirds...>
Subject: [NEBirds] neotropical songbirds question
Caution: Non-NU Email
Are they anywhere defined or listed? I took a quick look on the internet but was not satisfied. I am volunteering at Arapaho NWR and they have yellow warbler, song sparrow and Lincoln's sparrow as neotropical songbirds. The neotropics are said to include tropical portions of Mexico and further south. I don't believe song sparrow ranges that far south.
