Birds - 'data file'
Introduction
My personal record of birds seen and photographed in the wild currently totals around 890 species. Not only do I want to ensure that all of those species are correctly identified and named, but I also need a robust cataloguing system for organising the thousands of photos within my Lightroom (Lr) library module. All my photos are stored by year and location, so to quickly access images of a given species I must rely on a well organised keyword system and, for me, the most sensible and logical way of achieving this is to put related keywords into defined categories. That's all well and good all the time the system is of a manageable size, but as the list of species grows and more categories, which are effectively groups of similar species, are needed, better organisation is required. I was at that stage a few years ago and knew that I had to completely restructure my keyword lists before the whole system became a mess. Birds were my priority because, although I was going to have to carry out a similar exercise with my animal keywords, the list of bird species together with associated references was already very large. A good hierarchical filing system was needed where related species could be grouped together with similar groups, or families, all under as few primary categories as possible. The system needed to be structured to roughly follow the normal systematic order for listing bird species, so I knew that I would have to broaden my knowledge.
It was all a bit of a mystery at the outset, but the more I delved into the world of avian taxonomy the more it started to make sense, to the point that I now feel I have a reasonable understanding of the subject. The biggest problem I found wasn't to do with the naming of species, but with the classification system itself as I couldn't find two bird lists that agreed with each other. I found that quite frustrating as the systematics and classification was just as important as the nomenclature. In the end I had so many notes that I decided to write a couple of articles - the first was 'understanding bird orders and families', which was followed up with an accompanying piece entitled 'understanding taxonomy listings'. They were on my original website, but as both documents are still relevant to some degree I've made them available at the bottom of this page.
The exercise helped me develop a very workable Lr keyword system. A system that's been slowly developed and adapted over the last few years as I've encountered new species. It currently has 26 primary bird groups, many of which are broken down into various subgroups. Whilst there are far too many of these associated subgroups and nested keywords to list on a web page like this, I have confirmed all the primary groups for reference purposes.
However, whilst my Lightroom keyword system works for finding photos of a given species, my personal 'World Bird List', that I regularly update, requires a different approach. The system that works for me is an 'excel workbook' that is split into eight spreadsheets (categories) for 'waterfowl', 'waterbirds', 'shorebirds', 'seabirds', 'raptors & owls', 'miscellaneous', 'exotic birds' and 'passerines'. Each species is listed under its family group by taxonomic order and family and, if appropriate, subfamily and tribe. The species is identified by both its common and scientific name, and its trinomal subspecies name if defined. If the species is categorised as 'threatened' on the IUCN Red List I have marked it accordingly. The list also shows the country where each species or subspecies has been photographed.
Whilst the buttons on the right will take you directly down the page to that particular section, it makes sense to start with the systematic ordering of species, which is classification.
Important :
Please note that this 'data file' page is best viewed on a desktop monitor or laptop screen. Whilst the following lists have been optimised as much as possible for mobile use, the columns cannot be compressed within the width of a mobile screen. Consequently, the 'taxonomic order' column has been omitted to enable the 'family' and 'species' information to be viewed side by side. Additionally, some of the 'species' names run off the page, which can't be avoided.
Classification
Based on the latest data from the IOC (International Ornithological Congress), there are now over 10,700 listed bird species, split into 250 families and 40 orders. Given that my 890 or so photographed species represents well under 10% of that total it's not surprising that some bird orders and families don't concern me as I'm never likely to reference them. Of the 250 bird families 109 relate to non-passerine species in 39 of the 40 orders, with the remaining 141 families in PASSERIFORMES. The following list shows every order together with all 109 non-passerine families, and a selected list of all the passerine families that feature on my personal 'World Bird List'.
It's a simple, but very useful list.
Section 1 - Non-passerines (a complete listing of all 109 families as IOC v9.2 - June 19)
TAXONOMIC ORDER
STRUTHIONIFORMES
RHEIFORMES
APTERYGIFORMES
CASUARIIFORMES
TINAMIFORMES
ANSERIFORMES
GALLIFORMES
GAVIIFORMES
SPHENISCIFORMES
PROCELLARIIFORMES
PODICIPEDIFORMES
PHOENICOPTERIFORMES
PHAETHONTIFORMES
CICONIIFORMES
PELECANIFORMES
SULIFORMES
ACCIPITRIFORMES
OTIDIFORMES
MESITORNITHIFORMES
CARIAMIFORMES
EURYPYGIFORMES
GRUIFORMES
CHARADRIIFORMES
PTEROCLIDIFORMES
COLUMBIFORMES
OPISTHOCOMIFORMES
MUSOPHAGIFORMES
CUCULIFORMES
STRIGIFORMES
CAPRIMULGIFORMES
APODIFORMES
COLIIFORMES
TROGONIFORMES
LEPTOSMIFORMES
CORACIIFORMES
BUCEROTIFORMES
PICIFORMES
FALCONIFORMES
PSITTACIFORMES
Family
Struthionidae
Rheidae
Apterygidae
Casuarlidae
Dromalidae
Tinamidae
Anhimidae
Anseranatidae
Anatidae
Megapodiidae
Cracidae
Numididae
Odontophoridae
Phasianidae
Gaviidae
Spheniscidae
Oceanitidae
Diomedeidae
Hydrobatidae
Procellariidae
Podicipedidae
Phoenicopteridae
Phaethontidae
Ciconiidae
Threskiorithidae
Ardeidae
Scopidae
Balaenicipitidae
Pelecanidae
Fregatidae
Sulidae
Phalacrocoracidae
Anhingidae
Cathartidae
Sagittariidae
Pandionidae
Accipitridae
Otididae
Mesitornithidae
Cariamidae
Rhynochetidae
Eurypygidae
Sarothruridae
Heliornithidae
Rallidae
Psophilidae
Gruidae
Aramidae
Turnicidae
Burhinidae
Chionidae
Pluvianellidae
Haematopodidae
Dromadidae
Ibidorhynchidae
Recurvirostridae
Charadriidae
Pluvianidae
Rostratulidae
Jacanidae
Pedionomidae
Thinocoridae
Scolopacidae
Glareolidae
Laridae
Stercorariidae
Alcidae
Pteroclidae
Columbidae
Opisthocomidae
Musophagidae
Cuculidae
Tytonidae
Strigidae
Podargidae
Steatornithidae
Nyctibiidae
Caprimulgidae
Aegothelidae
Hemiprocnidae
Apodidae
Trochilidae
Coliidae
Trogonidae
Leptosmidae
Coraciidae
Bracchypteraciidae
Alcedinidae
Todidae
Momotidae
Meropidae
Upupidae
Phoeniculidae
Burcorvidae
Bucerotidae
Galbulidae
Bucconidae
Capitonidae
Semnornithidae
Ramphastidae
Megalaimidae
Lybiidae
Indicatoridae
Picidae
Falconidae
Strigopidae
Cacatuidae
Psittacidae
Psittaculidae
Species
Ostriches
Rheas
Kiwis
Cassowaries
Emu
Tinamous
Screamers
Magpie Goose
Ducks, Geese, Swans
Megapodes
Chachalacas, Guans, Currassows
Guineafowl
New World Quail
Pheasants and allies
Loons (Divers)
Penguins
Austral Storm Petrels
Albatrosses
Northern Storm Petrels
Petrels & Shearwaters
Grebes
Flamingoes
Tropicbirds
Storks
Ibises, Spoonbills
Herons, Egrets, Bitterns
Hamerkop
Shoebill
Pelicans
Frigatebirds
Gannets, Boobies
Cormorants, Shags
Anhingas & Darters
New World Vultures
Secretarybird
Osprey
Eagles, Hawks, Kites, Vultures
Bustards
Mesites
Seriemas
Kagu
Sunbittern
Flufftails
Finfoots
Rails, Crakes, Coots
Trumpeters
Cranes
Limpkin
Buttonquail
Thick-Knees & Stone-curlews
Sheathbills
Magellanic Plover
Oystercatchers
Crab Plover
Ibisbill
Stilts & Avocets
Plovers & Lapwings
Eqyptian Plover
Painted-snipes
Jacanas
Plains-wanderer
Seedsnipes
Sandpipers, Snipes
Coursers & Pratincoles
Gulls, Terns, Skimmers
Skuas
Auks
Sandgrouse
Pigeons & Doves
Hoatzin
Turacos
Cuckoos
Barn Owls
Typical Owls
Frogmouths
Oilbird
Potoos
Nightjars
Owlet-nightjars
Treeswifts
Swifts
Hummingbirds
Mousebirds
Trogons
Cuckoo-Roller
Rollers
Ground Rollers
Kingfishers
Todies
Motmots
Bee-eaters
Hoopoes
Wood Hoopoes
Ground-Hornbills
Hornbills
Jacamars
Puffbirds
New World Barbets
Toucan Barbets
Toucans
Asian Barbets
African Barbets
Honeyguides
Woodpeckers
Caracaras, Falcons
New Zealand Parrots
Cockatoos
African & New World Parrots
Old World Parrots
Section 2 - Passerines (an abridged and personal selected list of 54 of the 141 families)
TAXONOMIC ORDER
PASSERIFORMES
Neotropical Suboscines :
Oscines (songbirds) :
Family
Furnariidae
Thamnophilidae
Tyrannidae
Cotingidae
Pipridae
Tityridae
Platysteiridae
Malaconotidae
Vangidae
Laniidae
Oriolidae
Dicruridae
Monarchidae
Corvidae
Paridae
Remizidae
Panuridae
Alaudidae
Pycnonotidae
Hirundinidae
Cettiidae
Aegithalidae
Phylloscopidae
Acrocephalidae
Donacobiidae
Cisticolidae
Timaliidae
Sylviidae
Regulidae
Troglodytidae
Polioptilidae
Sittidae
Certhiidae
Mimidae
Sturnidae
Buphagidae
Turdidae
Muscicapidae
Cinclidae
Nectariniidae
Passeridae
Ploceidae
Estrildidae
Viduidae
Prunellidae
Motacillidae
Fringillidae
Calariidae
Emberizidae
Passerellidae
Icteridae
Parulidae
Cardinalidae
Thraupidae
Species
Ovenbirds & Woodcreepers
Antbirds
Tyrant Flycatchers
Cotingas
Manakins
Tityras
Wattle-eyes
Bushshrikes
Helmetshrikes
Shrikes
Old World Orioles
Drongos
Monarchs
Crows, Jays
Tits
Penduline Tits
Bearded Tit (Reedling)
Larks
Bulbuls
Swallows & Martins
Cettia Bush Warblers
Bushtits
Leaf Warblers
Reed Warblers
Black-capped Donocobius
Cisticolas
Babblers
Sylvia Warblers
Goldcrests
Wrens
Gnatcatchers
Nuthatches
Treecreepers
Mockingbirds
Starlings & Mynas
Oxpeckers
Thrushes
Old World Flycatchers,
including Chats & Wheatears
Dippers
Sunbirds
Old World Sparrows
Weavers & Widowbirds
Waxbills & Estrilid Finches
Indigobirds & Whydahs
Accentors
Wagtails, Pipits & Longclaws
Finches
Snow Buntings
Buntings
New World Sparrows
New World Blackbirds
New World Warblers
Cardinals
Tanagers
World Bird List
I previously referenced the fact that my personal 'World Bird List' is on an excel spreadsheet that's broken down into eight convenient sections. These sections group related species together or, particularly in respect of the 'miscellaneous' and 'exotic birds' categories, place species where I can find them, regardless of their taxonomic sequence. Perhaps the most obvious example is Caracaras and Falcons, which are raptors and as such should logically be listed alongside all the other raptors, such as Eagles, Hawks, Kites and Vultures irrespective of where there taxonomic orders are placed within the formal classification listing.
Whilst my original 'World Bird List' was based on John Boyd's 'Taxonomy in Flux' checklist as it was the most current and readily accessible on-line system at the time, I switched to the IOC (International Ornithological Congress) list as soon as the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) announced that it would become the formally accepted UK list from January 2018. The IOC list is reviewed and updated every six months. I try to keep my records in line, but at the same time I am conscious that the IOC are, by their own admission, somewhat conservative in respect of changes and, therefore, are sometimes lagging behind some of the other authorities, particularly 'Taxonomy in Flux'. The situation can create anomalies, so although I will always reference the IOC list I will, on occasions, supplement or deviate from it if appropriate. Fortunately these anomalies are rarely associated with the species name (common or scientific) or indeed the species family, as they're more to do with the taxonomic order. There are, however, a couple of specific situations where the IOC's treatment of this higher level taxon can cause confusion and where that occurs I have made a comment both in the following tables, but also on the associated pages of my 'World Bird List'.
Waterfowl (IOC sequence)
TAXONOMIC ORDER
ANSERIFORMES
PODICIPEDIFORMES
GRUIFORMES
Family
Anhimidae
Anatidae
Podicipedidae
Heliornithidae
Rallidae
Species
Screamers
Ducks, Geese, Swans
Grebes
Finfoots
Rails, Crakes, Coots, Gallinules
On my local lakes and ponds I often see Grebes, Coots and Moorhens with the Ducks, Geese and Swans and, consequently, it makes sense to me to keep all these species together on my bird list. I also don't want to split family groups from their respective taxonomic orders more than is necessary, so that's why Screamers, Finfoots, Rails, Crakes and Gallinules are also in this category. Ideally I would have liked to have separated the 'seaducks' from Anatidae and moved them to Seabirds as noted below, but decided to leave them with the freshwater ducks to avoid confusion.
Large Waterbirds (IOC sequence)
TAXONOMIC ORDER
CICONIIFORMES
PELECANIFORMES
GRUIFORMES
PHOENICOPTERIFORMES
EURYPYGIFORMES
Family
Ciconiidae
Threskiorithidae
Ardeidae
Scopidae
Balaenicipitidae
Pelecanidae
Gruidae
Aramidae
Phoenicopteridae
Eurypygidae
Species
Storks
Ibises, Spoonbills
Herons, Egrets, Bitterns
Hamerkop
Shoebill
Pelicans
Cranes
Limpkin
Flamingoes
Sunbittern
Bearing in mind that I want as few categories as possible, I think that this collection of waterbirds is reasonably well defined even though there would be arguments to separate certain species. I have more concerns about PELECANIFORMES as it was the inconsistent use of this particular taxonomic order that made me realise that avian taxonomy isn't an exact science! How can it be when the IOC continue to place the Ibises & Spoonbills and Heron, Egrets & Bitterns with Pelicans and the Hamerkop, when other authorities have separated them into their own orders PLATALEIFORMES and ARDEIFORMES respectively? My 'World Bird List' is now based on the IOC structure, but makes reference to the alternative orders. At present I only use the classification system for organisational purposes, not for keywording. When, or should I say if, there is ever a universal agreement I will add the taxonomic order as a keyword, but for now I'm happy to group species under their family and forget about the higher level taxon.
Shorebirds & Waders (an adjusted IOC based list)
TAXONOMIC ORDER
CHARADRIIFORMES
Family
Dromadidae
Pluvialidae [§]
Charadriidae
Haematopidae
Scolopacidae [§]
Rostratulidae
Recurvirostridae
Burhinidae
Jacanidae
Glareolidae
Species
Crab Plover
Golden Plovers
Plovers & Lapwings
Oystercatchers
Typical Waders
Painted-snipes
Stilts & Avocets
Thick-knees & Stone-curlews
Jacanas
Pratincoles & Coursers
This is a large and diverse taxonomic order with more families than any other non-passerine group. Reference to the full IOC classification listing above shows that there are seven families that I haven't needed to reference, simply because I have not seen or photographed any of those related species. It will also be seen that I've put the families I am interested in into a different and, for me, more logical sequence. I have also added the family Pluvialidae [§], which IOC do not currently use, as that family was on my original list based on the 'Taxonomy in Flux' system. The other point is that I've referenced Scolopacidae [§] as 'Typical Waders' rather than 'Sandpipers, Snipes' as IOC. The reason is that Scolopacidae is a large family that's split down into a number of subfamilies. My 'World Bird List' separates the species into the following family groups - Turnstones, Calidrids, Phalaropes, Sandpipers, Shanks, Other Waders, Curlews, Godwits and Snipes, which is why I feel that 'Typical Waders' seems more appropriate. I've always found it a bit strange that Pratincoles & Coursers are related and grouped with the more typical shorebird species, because in my ignorance I would probably have put Coursers with Bustards!
Seabirds (generally as IOC, but resequenced into a more logical order)
TAXONOMIC ORDER
CHARADRIIFORMES
PROCELLARIIFORMES
PHAETHONTIFORMES
SULIFORMES
GAVIIFORMES
SPHENISCIFORMES
Family
Laridae
Stercorariidae
Alcidae
Oceanitidae
Procellariidae
Diomedeidae
Phaethontidae
Fregatidae
Sulidae
Phalacrocoracidea
Anhingidae
Gaviidae
Spheniscidae
Species
Gulls, Terns, Skimmers
Skuas
Auks
Austral or Southern Storm Petrels
Fulmarine Petrels & Shearwaters
Albatrosses
Tropicbirds
Frigatebirds
Gannets & Boobies
Cormorants & Shags
Anhingas & Darters
Divers (Loons)
Penguins
Apart from the fact that the taxonomic orders are virtually in reverse sequence to the IOC list, I would like to have included 'seaducks' with Divers rather than leaving them in their Anatinae subfamily tribe Mergini. My Lr keyword system links the two groups and I was tempted to follow that logic here, but it would have confused the Ducks listing. I also considered placing the seven species of 'seaduck' that I've photographed under both Waterfowl and Seabirds, but that would have caused even more confusion, so for the purpose of my 'World Bird List' I've followed normal convention.
Raptors & Owls (including Potoos and Nightjars for convenience)
TAXONOMIC ORDER
ACCIPITRIFORMES
FALCONIFORMES
STRIGIFORMES
CAPRIMULGIFORMES
Family
Sagittariidae
Pandionidae
Accipitridae
Cathartidae [§]
Falconidae
Tytonidae
Strigidae
Nyctibiidae
Caprimulgidae
Species
Secretarybird
Osprey
Eagles, Hawks, Kites, Vultures [§]
New World Vultures
Falcons & Caracaras
Barn Owls
Typical Owls
Potoos
Nightjars & Nighthawks
Without referring to the importance of subfamilies, there are three specific aspects of this category that need to be confirmed. The first, as the earlier example, is that all the ACCIPITRIFORMES and FALCONIFORMES species are diurnal 'birds of prey', or raptors to use the broader term, so for the purpose of a bird list should be grouped together. The second is that family Accipitridae includes over 250 species, 16 of which are classed as African or Old World Vultures. However, the 7 species of New World Vulture are placed in their own family Cathartidae [§]. IOC separate these species, whereas I keep them together. Furthermore, IOC do not currently recognise the relatively new order CATHARTIFORMES, which I have used on my 'World Bird List'. The final note is that Potoos and Nightjars & Nighthawks have been tucked under Owls purely for convenience. I fully appreciate that they're completely different species, but they are all primarily nocturnal birds.
Miscellaneous Birds (the first of two mixed collections)
TAXONOMIC ORDER
STRUTHIONIFORMES
RHEIFORMES
TINAMIFORMES
GALLIFORMES
PTEROCLIDIFORMES
OTIDIFORMES
CARIAMIFORMES
COLUMBIFORMES
OPISTHOCOMIFORMES
MUSOPHAGIFORMES
CUCULIFORMES
Family
Struthoidae
Rheidae
Tinamidae
Cracidae
Numididae
Odonotophoridae
Phasianidae
Pteroclidae
Otididae
Cariamidae
Columbidae
Opisthocomdae
Musophagidae
Cuculidae
Species
Ostrich
Rheas
Tinamous
Chachalacas, Guans, Currasows
Guineafowl
New World Quail
Pheasants and allies
Sandgrouse
Bustards
Seriemas
Pigeons & Doves
Hoatzin
Turacos
Cuckoos
Whilst this is a mixed bag of species, the taxonomic sequence, apart from Sandgrouse which I've placed below Phasianidae (Pheasants and allies - including Grouse), is generally as the IOC list.
Exotic Birds (the second mixed collection)
TAXONOMIC ORDER
APODIFORMES
COLIIFORMES
TROGONIFORMES
CORACIIFORMES
BUCEROTIFORMES
PICIFORMES
PSITTACIFORMES
Family
Trochilidae
Coliidae
Trogonidae
Coraciidae
Alcenidae
Momotidae
Meropidae
Upupidae
Phoeniculidae
Burcorvidae
Bucerotidae
Ramphastidae
Galbulidae
Capitonidae
Lybiidae
Indicatoridae
Picidae
Psittacidae
Psittaculidae
Species
Hummingbirds
Mousebirds
Trogons
Rollers
Kingfishers
Motmots
Bee-eaters
Hoopoes
Wood Hoopoes
Ground-Hornbills
Hornbills
Toucans
Jacamars
New World Barbets
African Barbets
Honeyguides
Woodpeckers
African & American Parrots
Old World Parrots
One person's interpretation of what constitutes an 'exotic bird' will often be different from another person's view, but personally I think most of these family groups meet the criteria to some degree.
Passerines (a selected and adapted IOC based list)
TAXONOMIC ORDER
PASSERIFORMES
> TYRANNI
(Neotropical Suboscines)
> PASSERI
(Oscines - songbirds)
Family
Furnariidae
Thamnophilidae
Tyrannidae
Cotingidae
Pipridae
Tityridae
Platysteiridae
Malaconotidae
Vangidae
Laniidae
Oriolidae
Dicruridae
Monarchidae
Corvidae
Alaudidae
Hirundinidae
Paridae
Remizidae
Panuridae
Aegithalidae
Pycnonotidae
Cisticolidae
Cettiidae
Phylloscopidae
Acrocephalidae
Sylviidae
Parulidae
Donacobiidae
Timaliidae
Polioptilidae
Sittidae
Certhiidae
Regulidae
Troglodytidae
Mimidae
Sturnidae
Buphagidae
Turdidae
Muscicapidae
Cinclidae
Nectariniidae
Passeridae
Prunellidae
Ploceidae
Estrildidae
Viduidae
Motacillidae
Fringillidae
Calariidae
Emberizidae
Passerellidae
Icteridae
Cardinalidae
Thraupidae
Species
Ovenbirds & Woodcreepers
Antbirds
Tyrant Flycatchers
Cotingas
Manakins
Tityras
Wattle-eyes
Bushshrikes
Helmetshrikes
Shrikes
Old World Orioles
Drongos
Monarchs
Crows, Jays & Magpies
Larks
Swallows & Martins
Tits
Penduline Tits
Bearded Tit (Reedling)
Bushtits
Bulbuls
Cisticolas
Cettia Bush Warblers
Leaf Warblers
Reed Warblers
Sylvia Warblers
New World Warblers
Black-capped Donocobius
Babblers
Gnatcatchers
Nuthatches
Treecreepers
Goldcrests
Wrens
Mockingbirds
Starlings & Mynas
Oxpeckers
Thrushes
Old World Flycatchers,
including Chats & Wheatears
Dippers
Sunbirds
Old World Sparrows
Accentors
Weavers & Widowbirds
Waxbills & Estrilid Finches
Indigobirds & Whydahs
Wagtails, Pipits & Longclaws
Finches
Snow Buntings
Buntings
New World Sparrows
New World Blackbirds
Cardinals
Tanagers
I found this particular list for recording Passerine species that I've photographed the most difficult to compile simply because, whilst I wanted to keep it as close as possible to the formal taxonomic sequence, I also wanted to ensure that, what I call, related species (Shrikes, Tits, Warblers etc), were listed together irrespective of their classification order. This is my biggest list with around 300 species in 54 of 141 families and, as a non-birder, I had to make sure that it was structured in such a way that I could find the species I struggle with. For example, remembering the Eurasian Blackcap is a Sylvia Warbler, Wheatears come under Old World Flycatchers, Redpolls and Siskins are Finches, whilst New World Finches are classed as Tanagers.
Adobe Lightroom Keywords
The following list confirms the 26 primary keyword headings that I use in Lightroom. Some categories, such as Flamingos and Penguins for example, are very simple as they only contain a couple of species. However, other categories, notably waterfowl, waterbirds, shorebirds, seabirds, birds of prey, and passerines are more involved and, as such, contain various nested keyword groups :-
-
Ratities (Ostrich, Rheas etc) and Tinamous
-
Landfowl (Pheasants, Grouse, Spurfowl, Francolins etc) and Sandgrouse
-
Waterfowl (Ducks, Geese and Swans) together with Grebes, Moorhen, Coot etc
-
Waterbirds (Herons, Egrets, Ibises, Spoonbills, Storks etc)
-
Bustards, Cranes and Rails
-
Flamingos
-
Penguins
-
Pelicans and Hamerkop
-
Cormorants (including Anhinga and Darter)
-
Shorebirds and waders
-
Seabirds (Gulls, Terns, Auks, Seaducks, Divers etc)
-
Frigatebirds, Boobies and Gannets
-
Birds of Prey (Eagles, Harriers, Hawks, Kites, Falcons, Vultures etc)
-
Owls (including Potoos and Nightjars)
-
Pigeons and Doves
-
Parrots and Macaws
-
Cuckoos and Turacos
-
Hornbills and Toucans (including Hoopoes)
-
Rollers and Motmots
-
Kingfishers
-
Woodpeckers (including Jacamars and Barbets)
-
Bee-eaters
-
Hummingbirds
-
Trogons and Mousebirds
-
Passerines (Neotropical Suboscines)
-
Passerines (Oscines or Songbirds)
Understanding Avian Taxonomy
In my introduction at the top of the page I mentioned that some while ago I wrote a couple of articles to record some of the information I'd gleaned whilst trying to understand avian taxonomy and, although some details are a bit dated now, I would make the documents available - both as a read only word docx download file, and a pdf view file.
The first article entitled 'understanding bird orders and families' looked at the anomalies between the three primary taxonomy listings - IOC, HBW/BirdLife and eBird/Clements - as they were at the time. I compared the taxonomic orders and families of these formally recognised 'world bird lists' with the latest avian classification information on Wikipedia and the "Taxonomy in Flux" on-line checklist maintained by Professor John Boyd, as well as seeing how they compared with the outdated BTO list. Whilst the original comparisons were carried out in November 2015, I updated and reissued the document in July 2017. For me it's still an interesting read.
The second, follow up document, which I called 'understanding taxonomy listings' refers to various related subject matters, including binomial nomenclature, the construction of scientific bird names, cladistics, species, subspecies and alternative ways of ranking taxons. If you're new avian taxonomy you should find it useful.