Nine-primaried oscine

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The nine-primaried oscines is the name given to a grouping of oscine passerine birds which is comprised of the families Fringilldae (finches), Drepanididae (Hawaiian honeycreepers), Emberizidae (buntings, American sparrows etc.), Parulidae (New World warblers), Peucedramidae (Olive Warbler), Thraupidae (tanagers), Cardinalidae (cardinals) and Icteridae (icterids).

The name of this group arises from the fact that all species within it have only nine primary feathers on each wing.

These families (with the possible exception of the Fringillidae)[citation needed]) form a holophyletic grouping. In most bird classifications this group is placed at the end of the taxonomic sequence.

In the Sibley-Ahlquist classification, the nine-primaried oscines are treated as a single family (Fringillidae sensu Sibley & Ahlquist). As noted above, this is not correct as they defined it, and in any case has not found widespread support.