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)) 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 quite possibly be incorrect and in any case nas not found widespread support.