Diagnosis. BOTH SEXES. Setae c 2 present. Ventral scales of idiosoma absent; idiosomal venter completely striated. Solenidia ω 1 I and ω 1 II spine-like, slightly curved, attenuated apically (Fig. 1 D–E). All leg setae smooth. Genua I and II with 3–4 setae. Femora I and II with 2 setae. Preapical segment of legs III with 1 seta. Legs IV with 1 articulated segment.
FEMALE. Palpalae l”G rod-like. Palpal setae vF smooth. Setae h 1 absent. Lobes near setal bases setae 3 a absent. Vulvar sclerites weakly developed. Membrane covering vulva absent.
MALE. Setae vi serrate. Setal bases ps 2 situated close to setal bases g 1. Posterior margin of dorsal shield distinctly attenuate.
Species included. H. alaudinus Bochkov, 2000, H. brevis (Ewing, 1911) comb. nov., H. heatherae Bochkov and Galloway, 2013, H. rubeculinus (Cherny and Sixl, 1971), H. setophaga sp. nov., H. spizella sp. nov., H. vulgaris Bochkov and Galloway, 2004, H. xanthocephalus sp. nov., and H. zumpti (Fain, 1972).
Host families. These mites are known from birds of 10 passerine families belonging to the suborder Passeri: Alaudidae (Sylvioidea), Cardinalidae, Emberizidae, Fringillidae, Icteridae, Parulidae, Passeridae, Thraupidae (Passeroidea); Muscicapidae, Turdidae (Muscicapoidea).
Distribution. Eurasia, Africa, North and South America.
H. xanthocephalus sp. nov. Xanthocephalus Icteridae North America Present paper xanthocephalus *
“ Calamospiza melanocorys Emberizidae North America Present paper
“ Sialia currucoides Turdidae North America Present paper
“ Catharus ustulatus Turdidae North America Present paper