Systematics and Taxonomy
The Dickcissel is part of a group of Cardinalidae that apparently also includes Amaurospiza, Cyanocompsa, Cyanoloxia and Passerina. Spiza is the only one among these that lacks blue structural colors in its plumage. The scientific name means simply "American finch"; spiza is the Ancient Greek catch-all term for finch-like birds. Many bird genera contain the term spiza, but none of these were generally held to be a really close relative of Spiza itself. Amusingly, Amaurospiza seems to have turned out to be one of the closest living relatives of the Dickcissel after all.
Though the color pattern and habits of the Dickcissel make it stand apart from other Cardinalidae, its robust cone-shaped bill - stouter than in American sparrows or true finches which it somewhat resembles at first glance - gives away its relationships.
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