The family Emberizidae is a group of small to medium-sized songbirds, commonly referred to as buntings and American sparrows. Members of this family are generally seed-eating, with strong, conical bills adapted for cracking seeds, though many also consume insects, especially during the breeding season. Emberizids are often well-camouflaged with streaked or patterned plumage, which helps them blend into grasslands, scrublands, and forest edges. They are widely distributed across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa, inhabiting a variety of terrestrial habitats. Many species are migratory, traveling long distances between breeding and wintering grounds. Their melodious songs and distinct calls make them familiar to birdwatchers, and they play important ecological roles in seed dispersal and insect population control.