IOC World Bird List
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ORDER |
FAMILY | FAMILY |
NOTES ON CLASSIFICATION |
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The subfamilies Hydrobatinae and Oceanitinae may not be sister taxa and therefore would be separate families (Nunn and Stanley 1998; Hackett et al. 2008; Christidis and Boles 2008) |
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Grebes and flamingos are sister lineages (Mayr 2008, Hackett et al 2008) |
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The tropicbirds (Phaethontidae) do not belong in the Pelecaniformes and merit treatment as the Order Phaethontiformes (Hackett et al. 2008, Christidis and Boles 2008) |
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The Ciconiiformes now includes only one family; the storks (Ciconiidae). Ibises and spoonbills (Threskiornithidae) and herons (Ardeidae) are moved the Pelecaniformes (Hackett et al 2008). |
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Ibises and spoonbills (Threskiornithidae) and herons (Ardeidae) are sister taxa (Hackett et al. 2008); Some classifications separate as Ardeiformes. Ibises are polyphyletic with Old World species (plus spoonbills) and New World species on separate lineages (Chesser et al 2010, Ramirez et al 2010 Brasil IOC poster); |
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| Suliformes | Continuing the breakup of the classical Pelecaniformes, we segregate these families into new order Suliformes to align with phylogeny (NACC 2010) | |||
SACC elevates the New World Vultures (Cathartidae) to a separate order, the Cathartiformes |
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Secretarybird is best treated as a monotypic family Sagittariidae in accord with the Tree of Life phylogeny (Hackett et al. 2008) |
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Ospreys are returned to the family Pandionidae in accord with the Tree of Life phylogeny (Hackett et al. 2008) |
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| Many changes based on the molecular phylogenies are underway such as subdivision of hawk-eagles and true eagles, breakup of Aquila eagles etc. Will revise when results stabilize. | ||||
The falcons (Falconidae) are not members of the Accipitriformes, but are a separate lineage and Order more closely related to parrots and in turn the Passeriformes (Hackett et al. 2008). Resequence in the future if this arrangement stands |
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Move bustards (Otididae) from the Gruiformes to their own Order, the Otidiformes (Hackett et al. 2008); rearrange taxa split from classical Gruiformes because they are not close relatives. |
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Move mesites (Mesitornithidae) from the Gruiformes to their own Order, the Mesitornithiformes (Hackett et al. 2008). Uncertain relationships to grebes/flamingos (Ericson et. al., 2006), or pigeons (Hackett et al 2008) |
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Move seriemas (Cariamidae) from the Gruiformes to their own Order, the Cariamiformes (Hackett et al. 2008) |
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The Kagu (Rhynochetidae) and Sunbittern (Eurypygidae) are sister families removed from the Gruiformes to a new Order, tentatively named the "Eurypygiformes" (Hackett et al. 2008). |
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Long recognized to be an artificial assemblage of taxa, the Gruiformes now is restricted to flufftails, finfoots, rails, trumpeters, cranes, and Limpkin (Hackett et al. 2008). |
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The finfoots (Heliornithidae) and flufftails (Sarothruridae) may be sister taxa (Hackett et al. 2008) |
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The buttonquails (Turnicidae) belong in the Charadriiformes, not the Gruiformes (Hackett et al. 2008); Inclusion of Quail-plover (Ortyxelos) in this family is tentative (REFS) |
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The Magellanic Plover (Pluvianellus) is most closely related to the sheathbills (Chionidae) but treated as a monotypic family by the SACC. |
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| Latest molecular data place Crab-plover as the outgroup relative of coursers and pratincoles (Glareolidae)(Pereira and Baker 2010); Change position in sequence | ||||
Latest studies (Baker et al MS) support inclusion of Pluvialis plovers in the Charadriidae (Baker et al 2007, TOL) |
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The Egyptian Plover (Pluvianus) does not belong to the Glareolidae. It is a separate lineage that is the outgroup to plovers, ibisbill, stilts and their allies (Hackett et al. 2008). Therefore separated here to its own family tentatively named "Pluvianidae" |
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| Painted Snipes and Jacanas are sister families | ||||
The skimmers and (noddy) terns are embedded among the gulls in a monophyletic clade; separation of the families Rynchopidae and Sternidae would render the gull family Laridae paraphyletic relative to these other two groups (Baker et al. 2008).DNA analysis confirm that Gygis is a noddy (Baker et al 2007, Odeen et al 2010) and support the English name "White Noddy". |
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The sandgrouse are treated as a separate Order Pteroclidiformes; they are not shorebirds (Charadriiformes), but relationships to pigeons (Columbidae) need confirmation |
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Parrots (Psittaciformes) are the sister group to the Passeriformes (Hackett et al. 2008); resequence in future. The New Zealand parrots are a basal lineage that is sister to all other parrots; elevate to family status (Christidis & Boles (2008) |
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Cockatoos are treated as a family separate from other parrots (Psittacidae) following Christidis & Boles (2008) |
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| Relationships of the Hoatzin still unknown | ||||
Defer recognition of the Asian frogmouths (Batrachosomus) vs Australasian frogmouths (Podargus) as separate families (Christidis and Boles 2008) until (basal?) relationships of Rigidipenna inexpectata are resolved (see Tree of Life) |
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The eared nightjars (Eurostopodus) are the sister taxon to rest of the Caprimulgidae (Barrowclough et al 2006, Larsen et al. 2007), but they are not equivalent in rank to other families in the Caprimulgiformes. |
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The owlet-nightjars (Aegothelidae) are the sister taxon to treeswifts and in turn to the swifts and hummingbirds; hence are included in the Apodiformes (Hackett et al. 2008, Christidis and Boles 2008) |
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| Revise the hummingbird classification to follow the molecular phylogeny (McGuire et al. 2007, 2009) with Topaza and Florisuga basal. | ||||
The Cuckoo Roller is the only member of an ancient lineage (not Coraciiformes) with no known relatives among modern birds and thus put into a separate Order, Leptosomiformes (Hackett et al. 2008) |
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The kingfishers (Alcedinidae) comprise three monophyletic clades (Alcedininae, Cerylinae, and Daceloninae) (Moyle 2007); some taxonomists elevate them to family status (Sibley and Monroe 1990, Christidis and Boles 2008) |
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Separation of the hoopoes and hornbills as the Order Bucerotiformes maintains monophyly of the Coraciiformes without submerging the Piciformes and Trogoniformes into the Coraciiformes (Hackett et al. 2008). |
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The hoopoes (Upupidae) and wood hoopoes (Phoeniculidae) are sister taxa, related in turn to the hornbills (Hackett et al. 2008) |
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The hornbills (Bucerotidae) and ground hornbills (Bucorvidae) are sister taxa, related in turn to the hoopoes and wood hoopoes (Hackett et al. 2008) |
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The jacamars (Galbulidae) and puffbirds (Bucconidae) are well-established sister taxa (SACC, Hackett et al. 2008), with evidence favoring inclusion in the Piciformes, rather than a separate Order Galbuliformes (TOL, Ericson et al. 2006; cf SACC, Fain & Houde 2004) |
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| New World Barbets | Capitonidae | Follow AOU in elevating to Family status as a member of trichotomy with Toucan Barbet and toucans | ||
| Toucan Barbet | Semnornithidae | Follow AOU in elevating to Family status as a member of trichotomy with New World barbets and toucans | ||
Toucans, New World barbets, and Toucan Barbets are a well defined clade (Moyle 2004, SACC). |
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Asian barbets (Megalaimidae) are the basal outgroup to the African barbets and in turn the New World barbets and toucans (Moyle 2004) |
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Honeyguides (Indicatoridae) and woodpeckers (Picidae) are sister families (Hackett et al. 2008) |
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The broadbills (family Eurylaimidae) include here both the asities (Philepittidae) of Madagascar and Sapayoa of the New World, and together are the sister group to the pittas (Pittidae) (Irestedt et al. 2006; Moyle 2006a). An alternative classification would be to recognize asities and Sapayoa in their own respective families and two families of broadbills, the Eurylaimidae and Calyptomenidae (TOL) |
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The pittas (Pittidae) are sister to broadbills (Eurylaimidae) (Moyle et al 2006) |
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The Furnariidae includes the phylogenetically embedded woodcreepers, formerly separated as the family Dendrocolaptidae (SACC) |
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The antpittas (Grallariidae) are not closely related to the antthrushes (Formicariidae) and thus are treated as a separate family (Chesser 2004, Rice 2005, SACC) |
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The crescentchests are not related to tapaculos and thus are separated to their own family Melanopareiidae pending resolution of their correct relationships (Chesser 2004, SACC) |
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move to Tityridae below |
Genetic data place Sharpbill in the Tityridae (Ohlson et al. 2008,Tello et al 2009,Harshman 2009) |
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The genera placed in the family Tityridae are more closely related to the manakins (Pipridae) than to the cotingas (Cotingidae) (Chesser 2004, Barber and Rice 2007, SACC) |
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Incertae Sedis |
Includes Philabura and Calyptura; Piprites moved to Tyrannidae (Tello et al 2009); Calyptura belongs there also, provisionally in a clade with Neopipo and Platirynchus (Ohlson et al MS). |
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Oscines |
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| Includes Turnagra (Christidis & Boles 2008; Fjeldsa comm), but challenged (Gibb unpubl thesis 2010) | ||||
| Includes Pachycare (Norman et al 2009). Excludes Mohoua and Finschia which form a deep branch in the Corvoidea (Mohouidae?). (Norman et al 2009) and were moved to Incertae sedis (2.3) | ||||
Separate the painted berrypeckers (Oreocharis and Paramythia) from the Melanocharitidae to the Paramythiidae (Barker et al 2004; HBW) |
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Stitchbird is related to the wattled crows of New Zealand, not to honyeaters (Meliphagidae) (Driskell et al 2007) |
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Psophodidae includes Androphobus, Psophodes, Ptilorrhoa and Cinclosoma formerly in Eupetidae (now Eupetes only) (Christidis and Boles 2008; see also Cibois et al. 2003, Alstrom et al 2006); resequence to follow Oriolidae |
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Tephrodornithidae |
Move Tephrodornis and Philentoma from Incertae Sedis, and Hemipus from Campephagidae to a new shrike family the Tephrodornithidae (Fuchs et al. 2006, 2007) |
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Prionopidae |
Separate helmetshrikes (Prionopidae) sister to Vangidae from bushshrikes (Malaconotidae) (TOL; Beresford et al. 2005; Moyle et al 2006b); if we continue to recognize Vangidae |
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Machaerirhynchidae |
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Bristlehead Pityriasis is related to ioras (Aegithinidae) and perhaps the helmetshrikes (Prionopidae), not to the butcherbirds (Cracticidae) as previously thought (Moyle et al 2006) |
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Pachycephalidae includes Colluricincla, Pitohui and Oreoica previously separated as Colluricinclidae (Christidis and Boles 2008); remove Hylocitrea, a bombycillid (Spellman et al. 2008) |
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Vireonidae provisionally includes Erpornis and Pteruthius, new found relatives that may merit family status (Reddy and Cracraft 2007, Reddy 2008) |
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| Includes Silktail (Lamprolia) moved from Monarchidae in v2.3 (Irestedt et al. 2008) | ||||
Restrict Eupetidae to Rail-babbler Eupetes; which is sister to Chaetops and in turn to Picathartes (Jønsson et al. 2007) |
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Follow AOU 1998 in recognizing silky flycatchers as a separate family Ptilogonatidae |
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Separate Hypocolius as monotypic family Hypocoliidae to be consistent with treatment of other enigmatic waxwing relatives; Hylocitrea separated to its own family pending resolution of relationships |
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Species of Moho are related to waxwings (Bombycillidae), not to honeyeaters (Meliphagidae) (Fleischer et al. 2008) |
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Hylocitreidae |
Hylocitrea, previously Yellow-flanked Whistler, is related to the waxwings, not whistlers (Spellman et al 2008) |
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Stenostiridae includes Stenostira and Elminia from Incertae Sedis and Culcicapa from Muscicapidae (Barker et al. 2002, 2004; Beresford et al. 2005; Fuchs et al. 2006) |
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| Penduline tits and tits/chickadees are sister taxa, treated by some as subfamilies of the Paridae | ||||
Bearded Reedling is not related to parrotbills (Paradoxornis), but is sister to the larks (Alaudidae) and in turn to the rest of the Sylvioidea (Ericson and Johansson 2003; Alström et al. 2006; Fuchs et al. 2006) |
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Move Nicator species from Incertae Sedis to Nicatoridae, which forms a basal trichotomy with Alaudidae and Panuridae that is sister to the rest of the rest of the sylvioids (Beresford et al 2005, Johansson et al 2008) |
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| Wren-babblers | Pnoepygidae | Pnoepyga wren-babblers are not babblers and elevated to their own family (Gelang et al. 2009) | ||
New family for clade that includes Sylvietta, Macrosphenus, Melocichla, Sphenoeacus, Achaetops & Cryptillas |
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See Alström et al. (2006) and Johansson et al (2008) for revisions of Old World warbler clades |
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See Alström et al. (2006) and Johansson et al (2008) for revisions of Old World warbler clades |
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See Alström et al. (2006) and Johansson et al (2008) for revisions of Old World warbler clades |
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See Alström et al. (2006) and Johansson et al (2008) for revisions of Old World warbler clades |
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Donacobius is related to the Old World warblers, not wrens (Troglodytidae); treated as a monotypic family Donacobiidae (Aleixo and Pacheco 2006; SACC) pending resolution of relationships to Locustellidae vs Bernieridae (Johansson et al 2008) |
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DNA analyses define this endemic radiation of Malagasy genera previously treated as sylviid warblers and babblers (Cibois et al. 2001; Johansson et al 2008) |
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Working revisions of the babbler complex recognize three families (Timaliidae, Pellorneidae, Leiothrichidae) in addition to Sylviidae and Zosteropidae (Cibois et al 2003, Pasquet et al. 2006, Collar and Robson HBW12, Luo et al 2009; Gelang et al 2009. |
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| Fulvettas, Ground Babblers | Pellorneidae | |||
| Laughingthrushes | Leiothrichidae | We await the results of additional studies underway to address a series of proposed generic revisions. | ||
We separate Sylvia and allied genera of babblers to the Sylviidae, which includes Paradoxornis (all parrotbills), Chamaea, (some) Alcippe , and others (Cibois 2003). |
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White-eyes are retained in a separate family Zosteropidae which includes the following genera previously lumped with Stachyris babblers -- Yuhina, Zosterornis, Dasycrotapha, Sterrhoptilus (Cibois et al. 2003, Moyle et al 2009). Further restructuring and revisions of genera in this family will be required. |
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Expand to include Kakamega (not a babbler), Modulatrix, Arcanator, as well as Promerops (Barker et al 2004, Johanssen et al 2008) |
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Move hyliotas from the Sylviidae to their own family Hyliotidae, a basal lineage of the Passerida without known modern relatives (Fuchs et al 2006; TOL) |
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| Includes Rhabdornis creepers of the Philippines placed in the Sturnidae (2.3); see Lovette and Rubenstein 2007 | ||||
Peucedramus is sister to Prunellidae (Ericson and Johansson 2003, Jonsson amd Fjeldsa 2006) |
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Fringillidae includes Hawaiian honeycreeprs as subfamily Drepaninae, following AOU |
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Coerebidae |
SACC dissolved Coerebidae and placed Coereba along with other genera into Incertae Sedis |
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Boundaries of the Thraupidae versus Emberizidae and Cardinalidae under major revision (NACC, SACC) |
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Move longspurs (Calcarius) and snow buntings (Plectrophenax) from Emberizidae to their own family Calcariidae (Alström et al 2008) |
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