Editing Song sparrow (section)

===Northwestern group===
Large, dark, diffuse dark streaks. A study of [[mtDNA]] [[allozyme]] variation of most forms in this group concluded that they are of comparatively recent origin and that island populations are apparently derived independently from each other.<ref name="Hare" />
[[File:Melospiza melodia 4522.JPG|thumb|Taken near [[Anacortes, Washington]] in March, this individual is most likely ''M. m. morphna'']]
[[File:Melospiza melodia 01450t.JPG|thumb|upright|Taken at [[Springfield, Oregon]] in early April, this photo probably shows ''M. m. cleonensis'' or a "''phaea''" hybrid]]
* ''Melospiza melodia maxima'' <small>Gabrielson & Lincoln, 1951</small>, '''giant song sparrow'''. W [[Aleutian Islands]] ([[Attu Island|Attu]] to [[Atka Island]]), resident. The largest subspecies, about the size of the [[California towhee]]. Very gray overall, long, diffuse streaks. Bill long and slender.
* ''Melospiza melodia sanaka'' <small>McGregor, 1901</small>, '''Aleutian song sparrow'''. Aleutians from [[Seguam Island]] east to [[Stepovak Bay]], [[Alaska]], and islands to the south of [[Alaskan Peninsula]]; resident. Similar to ''maxima''; grayer still and bill even more slender. Includes the '''Semidi song sparrow''', ''M. m. semidiensis'' <small>Brooks, 1919</small>, which may be a distinct subspecies however.<ref name="Gabrielson"/> Also includes the population from [[Amak Island]]<ref name="Pruett"/> named ''M. m. amaka'' <small>Gabrielson & Lincoln, 1951</small> ('''Amak song sparrow''') which was extirpated due to habitat destruction, apparently disappearing in the weeks around New Year's Eve, 1980/1981 (there were unconfirmed sightings in 1987 and 1988).
* ''Melospiza melodia insignis'' <small>Baird, 1869</small>, '''Bischoff song sparrow'''. [[Kodiak Island|Kodiak]], [[Afognak]], [[Sitkalidak]], and [[Raspberry Island, Alaska|Raspberry Island]]s, and [[Mount Kukak|Kukak]] and [[Katmai National Park and Preserve|Katmai]] on Alaska Peninsula; many migrate south in winter. A darkish gray, medium-sized form.
* ''Melospiza melodia kenaiensis'' <small>[[Robert Ridgway|Ridgway]], 1900</small>, '''Kenai song sparrow'''. Resident; Pacific coast of [[Kenai Peninsula]] and [[Prince William Sound]] islands; some resident, some migrant. Smaller and browner than ''insignis''.
* ''Melospiza melodia caurina'' <small>Ridgway, 1899</small>, '''Yakutat song sparrow'''. Northern [[Gulf of Alaska]] coast, many migrate to [[Pacific Northwest]] in winter. A smaller version of ''kenaiensis''.
* ''Melospiza melodia rufina'' <small>(Bonaparte, 1850)</small>, '''sooty song sparrow'''. Outer islands of [[Alexander Archipelago]] and [[Haida Gwaii]] (Queen Charlotte Islands); most are resident. A very dark, rufous, and small form. Includes ''M. m. kwaisa'' <small>Cumming, 1933</small>.
* ''Melospiza melodia morphna'' <small>Oberholser, 1899</small>. Coastal region of central [[British Columbia]] south to NW [[Oregon]]; resident. Lighter, more rufous than ''rufina''. Previously ''M. m. cinerea'' <small>(''non'' Gmelin) (Audubon, 1839)</small>; ''M. m. phaea'' <small>Fisher, 1902</small> are Central Oregon hybrids between this subspecies and ''M. m. cleonensis''.
* ''Melospiza melodia merrilli'' <small>Brewster, 1896</small>. Occurs between the ranges of ''morphna'' and ''montana'' south to N [[Nevada]]; some migrate south in winter. Includes ''M. m. ingersolli'' <small>McGregor, 1899</small> and ''M. m. inexspectata'' <small>Riley, 1911</small> ('''Riley song sparrow'''; ''inexpectata'' is a common ''[[lapsus]]''). Doubtfully distinct; intermediate between ''morphna'' and ''montana'' in appearance also and may be hybrid birds.
* ''Melospiza melodia cleonensis'' <small>McGregor, 1899</small>. SW Oregon west of [[Cascade Mountains]] south to NW [[California]]. Brownish-buffish, notably on the flanks; no gray on back; underside with somewhat diffuse chestnut streaks.