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Birds
Birds are bipedal, warm-blooded, oviparous vertebrate Fossil range: Late Jurassic - Recent
animals characterized primarily by feathers, forelimbs
modified as wings, and (in most) hollow bones.
Birds range in size from the tiny hummingbirds to the huge

Ostrich and Emu. Depending on the taxonomic viewpoint,
there are about 8,800–10,200 living bird species (and about
120–130 that have become extinct in the span of human
history) in the world, making them the most diverse class
of terrestrial vertebrates.
Birds feed on nectar, plants, seeds, insects, fish, mammals, Superb Fairy-wren, Malurus cyaneus, juvenile
carrion, or other birds. Scientific classification
Most birds are diurnal, or active during the day, but some Kingdom: Animalia
birds, such as the owls and nightjars, are nocturnal or Phylum: Chordata
crepuscular (active during twilight hours), and many Subphylum: Vertebrata
coastal waders feed when the tides are appropriate, by day
(unranked) Archosauria
or night.
Class: Aves
Linnaeus, 1758
Many birds migrate long distances to utilise optimum
habitats (e.g., Arctic Tern) while others spend almost all their time at sea (e.g. the Wandering Albatross).
Some, such as Common Swifts, stay aloft for days at a time, even sleeping on the wing.
Common characteristics of birds include a bony beak with no teeth, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, high
metabolic rate, a 4-chambered heart, and a light but strong skeleton. Most birds are characterised by
flight, though the ratites are flightless, and several other species, particularly on islands, have also lost
this ability. Flightless birds include the penguins, ostrich, kiwi, and the extinct Dodo. Flightless species
are vulnerable to extinction when humans or the mammals they introduce arrive in their habitat. The
Great Auk, flightless rails, and the moa of New Zealand, for example, all became extinct due to human
influence.
Birds are among the most extensively studied of all animal groups. Hundreds of academic journals and
thousands of scientists are devoted to bird research, while amateur enthusiasts (called birdwatchers or,
more commonly, birders) probably number in the millions.
by MultiMedia and Nicolae Sfetcu
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.
Birds
Alektorophobia | Avian incubation | Bird abatement | Bird anatomy | Bird bath | Bird feeding | Bird flight
| Bird intelligence | Nidification
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Birds
Contents
● 1 High-level taxonomy
● 2 Bird orders
❍ 2.1 Extinct bird orders
● 3 Evolution
● 4 Bird anatomy
● 5 Nesting
❍ 5.1 Eggs
❍ 5.2 Social systems and parental care
● 6 Birds and humans

● 7 Threats to birds
● 8 Trivia
● 9 References
● 10 External links
High-level taxonomy
Birds are categorised as a biological class, Aves. The earliest known species of this class is
Archaeopteryx lithographica, from the Late Jurassic period. According to the most recent consensus,
Aves and a sister group, the order Crocodilia, together form a group of unnamed rank, the Archosauria.
Phylogenetically, Aves is usually defined as all descendants of the most recent common ancestor of
modern birds (or of a specific modern bird species like Passer domesticus), and Archaeopteryx. Modern
phylogenies place birds in the dinosaur clade Theropoda.
Modern birds are divided into two superorders, the Paleognathae (mostly flightless birds like ostriches),
and the wildly diverse Neognathae, containing all other birds.
Bird orders
Relationships between bird orders according the

Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy. "Galloanseri" is now
considered a superorder Galloanserae.
This is a list of the taxonomic orders in the class Aves. The list of birds gives a more detailed summary,
including families.
Paleognathae:
● Struthioniformes, Ostrich, emus, kiwis, and allies
Tinamiformes, tinamous
Neognathae:
● Anseriformes, waterfowl
Galliformes, fowl
Gaviiformes, loons
Podicipediformes, grebes
Procellariiformes, albatrosses, petrels, and allies
Sphenisciformes, penguins
Pelecaniformes, pelicans and allies
Ciconiiformes, storks and allies
Phoenicopteriformes, flamingos
Accipitriformes, eagles, hawks and allies
Falconiformes, falcons
Turniciformes, button-quail
Gruiformes, cranes and allies
Charadriiformes, gulls, plovers and allies
Pteroclidiformes, sandgrouse
Columbiformes, doves and pigeons
Psittaciformes, parrots and allies
Cuculiformes, cuckoos, turacos, hoatzin
Strigiformes, owls
Caprimulgiformes, nightjars and allies
Apodiformes, swifts
Trochiliformes, hummingbirds
Coraciiformes, kingfishers
Piciformes, woodpeckers and allies
Trogoniformes, trogons
Coliiformes, mousebirds
Passeriformes, passerines
Note: This is the traditional classification (the so-called Clements order). A more recent, radically
different classification based on molecular data has been developed (the so-called Sibley-Monroe
classification or Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy). This has influenced taxonomical thinking considerably,
with the Galloanserae proving well-supported by recent molecular, fossil and anatomical evidence
[citation needed]. With increasingly good evidence, it has become possible by 2006 to test the major
proposals of the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy. The results are often nothing short of astounding, see e.g.
Charadriiformes or Caprimulgiformes.
Extinct bird orders

A wide variety of bird groups became extinct during the Mesozoic era and left no modern descendants.
These include the Order Archaeopterygiformes, Order Confuciusornithiformes, toothed seabirds like the
Hesperornithiformes and Ichthyornithes, and the diverse Subclass Enantiornithes ("opposite birds").
For a complete listing of prehistoric bird groups, see Fossil birds.
Shoebill, Balaeniceps rex
Evolution
There is significant evidence that birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs, specifically, that birds are
members of Maniraptora, a group of theropods which includes dromaeosaurs and oviraptorids, among
others.[1] As more non-avian theropods that are closely related to birds are discovered, the formerly
clear distinction between non-birds and birds becomes less so. Recent discoveries in northeast China
(Liaoning Province) demonstrating that many small theropod dinosaurs had feathers contribute to this
ambiguity.
The basal bird Archaeopteryx, from the Jurassic, is well-known as one of the first "missing links" to be
found in support of evolution in the late 19th century, though it is not considered a direct ancestor of
modern birds. Confuciusornis is another early bird; it lived in the Early Cretaceous. Both may be
predated by Protoavis texensis, though the fragmentary nature of this fossil leaves it open to
considerable doubt if this was a bird ancestor. Other Mesozoic birds include the Enantiornithes,
Yanornis, Ichthyornis, Gansus and the Hesperornithiformes, a group of flightless divers resembling
grebes and loons.
The recently discovered dromaeosaur Cryptovolans was capable of powered flight, possessed a sternal
keel and had ribs with uncinate processes. In fact, Cryptovolans makes a better "bird" than
Archaeopteryx which is missing some of these modern bird features. Because of this, some
paleontologists have suggested that dromaeosaurs are actually basal birds whose larger members are
secondarily flightless, i.e. that dromaeosaurs evolved from birds and not the other way around. Evidence
for this theory is currently inconclusive, but digs continue to unearth fossils (especially in China) of the
strange feathered dromaeosaurs. At any rate, it is fairly certain that avian flight existed in the mid-
Jurassic and was "tried out" in several lineages and variants by the mid-Cretaceous.
Snowy Owl, Bubo scandiacus
Although ornithischian (bird-hipped) dinosaurs share the same hip structure as birds, birds actually
originated from the saurischian (lizard-hipped) dinosaurs (if the dinosaurian origin theory is correct),
and thus arrived at their hip structure condition independently. In fact, the bird-like hip structure also
developed a third time among a peculiar group of theropods, the Therizinosauridae.
An alternate theory to the dinosaurian origin of birds, espoused by a few scientists (most notably Lary
Martin and Alan Feduccia), states that birds (including maniraptoran "dinosaurs") evolved from early
archosaurs like Longisquama, a theory which is contested by most other scientists in paleontology, and
by experts in feather development and evolution such as R.O. Prum. See the Longisquama article for
more on this alternative.
Modern birds are classified in Neornithes, which are now known to have evolved into some basic
lineages by the end of the Cretaceous. The Neornithes are split into the Paleognathae and Neognathae.
The paleognaths include the tinamous (found only in Central and South America) and the ratites. The
ratites are large flightless birds, and include ostriches, cassowaries, kiwis and emus (though some
scientists suspect that the ratites represent an artificial grouping of birds which have independently lost
the ability to fly in a number of unrelated lineages). The basal divergence from the remaining
Neognathes was that of the Galloanseri, the superorder containing the Anseriformes (ducks, geese and
swans), and the Galliformes (the pheasants, grouse, and their allies). See the chart for more information.
The classification of birds is a contentious issue. Sibley & Ahlquist's Phylogeny and Classification of
Birds (1990) is a landmark work on the classification of birds (although frequently debated and
constantly revised). A preponderance of evidence seems to suggest that the modern bird orders
constitute accurate taxa. However, scientists are not in agreement as to the relationships between the
orders; evidence from modern bird anatomy, fossils and DNA have all been brought to bear on the
problem but no strong consensus has emerged. More recently, new fossil and molecular evidence is
providing an increasingly clear picture of the evolution of modern bird orders.
Anatomy of a typical bird
Bird anatomy
Main article: bird anatomy
Birds have a body plan that shows so many unusual adaptations (mostly aiding flight) that birds have
earned their own unique class in the vertebrate phylum.
Nesting
Eggs
All birds lay amniotic eggs[2] with hard shells made mostly of calcium carbonate. Non-passerines
typically have white eggs, except in some ground-nesting groups such as the Charadriiformes,
sandgrouse and nightjars, where camouflage is necessary, and some parasitic cuckoos which have to
match the passerine host's egg. Most passerines, in contrast, lay coloured eggs, even if, like the tits they
are hole-nesters.
The brown or red protoporphyrin markings on passerine eggs reduce brittleness and are a substitute for
calcium when that element is in short supply. The colour of individual eggs is genetically influenced,
and appears to be inherited through the mother only, suggesting that the gene responsible for
pigmentation is on the sex determining W chromosome (female birds are WZ, males ZZ).
The eggs are laid in a nest, which may be anything from a bare cliff ledge or ground scrape to elaboratey
decorated structures such as those of the oropendolas.
Social systems and parental care
The three mating systems that predominate among birds are polyandry, polygyny, and monogamy.
Monogamy is seen in approximately 91% of all bird species. Polygyny constitutes 2% of all birds and
polyandry is seen in less than 1%. Monogamous species of males and females pair for the breeding
season. In some cases, the individuals may pair for life.
One reason for the high rate of monogamy among birds is the fact that male birds are just as adept at
parental care as females. In most groups of animals, male parental care is rare, but in birds it is quite
common; in fact, it is more extensive in birds than in any other vertebrate class. In birds, male care can
be seen as important or essential to female fitness. "In one form of monogamy such as with obligate
[3]
monogamy a female cannot rear a litter without the aid of a male" .
These Redwing hatchlings are completely dependent on
parental care.
The parental behavior most closely associated with monogamy is male incubation. Interestingly, male
incubation is the most confining male parental behavior. It takes time and also may require physiological
changes that interfere with continued mating. This extreme loss of mating opportunities leads to a
reduction in reproductive success among incubating males. "This information then suggests that sexual
selection may be less intense in taxa where males incubate, hypothetically because males allocate more
[4]
effort to parental care and less to mating" . In other words, in bird species in which male incubation is
common, females tend to select mates on the basis of parental behaviors rather than physical appearance.
Birds and humans
Chinstrap Penguin, Pygoscelis

antarctica
A birdbox is an artificial
platform for birds to make
a nest
Birds are an important food source for humans. The most commonly eaten species is the domestic
chicken and its eggs, although geese, pheasants, turkeys, and ducks are also widely eaten. Other birds
that have been utilized for food include emus, ostriches, pigeons, grouse, quails, doves, woodcocks,
songbirds, and others, including small passerines such as finches. Birds grown for human consumption
are referred to as poultry.
At one time swans and flamingos were delicacies of the rich and powerful, although these are generally
protected now.
Besides meat and eggs, birds provide other items useful to humans, including feathers for bedding and
decoration, guano-derived phosphorus and nitrogen used in fertilizer and gunpowder, and the central
ingredient of bird's nest soup.
Many species have become extinct through over-hunting, such as the Passenger Pigeon, and many others
have become endangered or extinct through habitat destruction, deforestation and intensive agriculture
being common causes for declines.
Numerous species have come to depend on human activities for food and are widespread to the point of
being pests. For example, the common pigeon or Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) thrives in urban areas
around the world. In North America, introduced House Sparrows, European Starlings, and House
Finches are similarly widespread.
Other birds have long been used by humans to perform tasks. For example, homing pigeons were used to
carry messages before the advent of modern instant communications methods (many are still kept for
sport). Falcons are still used for hunting, while cormorants are employed by fishermen. Chickens and
pigeons are popular as experimental subjects, and are often used in biology and comparative psychology
research. As birds are very sensitive to toxins, the Canary was used in coal mines to indicate the
presence of poisonous gases, allowing miners sufficient time to escape without injury.
Colorful, particularly tropical, birds (e.g. parrots, and mynas) are often kept as pets although this
practice has led to the illegal trafficking of some endangered species; CITES, an international agreement
adopted in 1963, has considerably reduced trafficking in the bird species it protects.
Bird diseases that can be contracted by humans include psittacosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis,
Newcastle's disease, mycobacteriosis (avian tuberculosis), avian influenza, giardiasis, and
cryptosporidiosis.
Threats to birds
According to Worldwatch Institute, bird populations are declining worldwide, with 1,200 species facing
[5] [6]
extinction in the next century. Among the biggest cited reasons are habitat loss, predation by
[7]
nonnative species, oil spills and pesticide use, hunting and fishing, and climate change.
Trivia
● To preen or groom their feathers, birds use their bills to brush away foreign particles.
● The birds of a region are called the avifauna.
● Few birds use chemical defences against predators. Tubenoses can eject an unpleasant oil against
an aggressor, and some species of pitohui, found in New Guinea, secrete a powerful neurotoxin
in their skin and feathers.
● The Latin word for bird is avis.
Fledgling
A juvenile Laughing Gull
● Bird feeder
● Bird flight
● Bird intelligence
● Bird migration
● Bird skeleton
● Birdfeeding
● Birdwatching
● Carinatae
● Extinct birds
● Language of the birds
● List of birds
● Oology
● Ornithology
● Prehistoric birds
Bird families and taxonomic discussion are given in list of birds and Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy.
References
1. ^ Early Adaptive Radiation of Birds: Evidence from Fossils from Northeastern China -- Hou et
al. 274 (5290): 1164 -- Science. Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
2. ^ Education - Senior 1. Manitoba Fisheries Sustainable Development. Retrieved on 2006-10-09.
3. ^ Gowaty, Patricia Adair (1983). Male Parental Care and Apparent Monogamy among Eastern
Bluebirds (Sialia sialis). The American Naturalist 121 (2): 149-160.
4. ^ Ketterson, Ellen D., and Nolan, Val (1994). Male Parental Behavior in Birds. Annual Review of
Ecology and Systematics 25: 601-28.
5. ^ Worldwatch Paper #165: Winged Messengers: The Decline of Birds. Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
6. ^ Help Migratory Birds Reach Their Destinations. Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
7. ^ Protect Backyard Birds and Wildlife: Keep Pet Cats Indoors. Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
External links
● Avibase - The World Bird Database
● Bird Hybrids Database - Search by bird name, use Sibley classification
● International Ornithological Committee
● Birdlife International - Dedicated to bird conservation worldwide; has a database with about
250,000 records on endangered bird species
● Birdingonthe.net
● Worldtwitch - Rare bird news around the world
● The Internet Bird Collection - A free library of videos of the world's birds
Home | Birds | Aviculture | Bird migration flyways | Bird topography | Birds by classification
Aviculture
Domesticated birds | African Grey Parrot | Bird-safe | British finches | Caique | Carrier pigeon
| Citron-crested Cockatoo | Companion parrot | Conure | Cyanoramphus | Hawaiian Goose | Hill Myna
| Kākāriki | Lilian's Lovebird | Long-billed Vulture | Moluccan Cockatoo | Parrotlet | Pigeon racing
| Pink Pigeon | Red-and-green Macaw | Rose-ringed Parakeet | Rosy-faced Lovebird | Senegal Parrot
| Softbill | Spix's Macaw | Sun Parakeet | Umbrella Cockatoo
Back | Home | Next
Aviculture is the practice of keeping and often breeding pet birds, generally companion parrots, and the
culture that forms around it. Aviculture is generally focused not just on the raising and breeding of birds,
but also on preserving avian habitat, and public awareness campaigns.
Contents
● 1 Types of aviculture
● 2 Avicultural societies
● 3 Avicultural publications
Types of aviculture
There are various reasons that people get involved in aviculture. Some people breed birds to preserve a
species, some breed parrots as companion birds, and some breed birds to make a profit.
The truest meaning of aviculture is that described by Dr. Jean Delacour, the most influential individual
aviculture has ever seen-
"Aviculture- The worldwide hobby of keeping and breeding numerous species of wild birds in captivity
to maintain their numerical status in nature with a view of forestalling their extinction by supplying
aviary raised stock"
Avicultural societies
There are avicultural societies throughout the world, but generally in Europe and the United States,
where people tend to be more prosperous and have more leisure time to invest in such an expensive and
time-consuming hobby.
Avicultural publications
Like many hobbies, there are many publications catering to aviculture, books on species as pets, books
on breeding, and introductory books for parrots and softbills. There are also numerous periodicals, both
generalized and specific to types of birds, although they are rarely more specific than "parrot." These
periodicals contain articles on breeding, care, companionship, choosing a bird, health effects, and
usually several on an individual species or genus.
External links
● American Society of Aviculture
● American Federation of Aviculture
● Softbills in Aviculture
● Model Aviculture Program
● Society for Conservation in Aviculture
● Galliformes - Conservation & Aviculture
● Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) website - Threats to wild bird populations
Bird migration flyways
Flyway | Atlantic Flyway | Central Flyway | East Asian - Australasian Flyway | Mississippi Flyway
| Pacific Flyway
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Flock of Barnacle Geese during autumn migration
Many species of birds undertake seasonal journeys of various lengths, a phenomenon known as Bird
migration. The different strategies followed by bird groups are detailed below.
Contents
● 1 Long-distance land bird migration
● 2 Broad-winged long distance migrants
● 3 Short-distance land bird migration
● 4 Wildfowl and waders
● 5 Seabirds
● 6 The tropics
● 7 Australasia
● 8 Study techniques
● 9 Migration conditioning
● 10 References
Long-distance land bird migration

Many species of land migratory birds migrate very long distances, the most common pattern being for
birds to breed in the temperate or arctic northern hemisphere and winter in warmer regions, often in the
tropics or the temperate zones of the southern hemisphere.
There is a strong genetic component to migration in terms of timing and route, but this may be modified
by environmental influences. An interesting example where a change of migration route has occurred
because of such a geographical barrier is the trend for some Blackcaps in central Europe to migrate west
and winter in Britain rather than cross the Alps. Theoretical analyses, summarised by Alerstam (2001),
show that detours that increase flight distance by up to 20% will often be adaptive on aerodynamic
grounds - a bird that loads itself with food in order to cross a long barrier flies less efficiently. However
some species show circuitous migratory routes that reflect historical range expansions and are far from
optimal in ecological terms. An example is the migration of continental populations of Swainson's
Thrush, which fly far east across North America before turning south via Florida to reach northern South
America; this route is believed to be the consequence of a range expansion that occurred about 10,000
years ago. Detours may also be caused by differential wind conditions, predation risk, or other factors.
The advantage of the migration strategy is that, in the long days of the northern summer, breeding birds
have more hours to feed their young on often abundant food supplies, particularly insects. As the days
shorten in autumn and food supplies become scarce, the birds can return to warmer regions where the
length of the day varies less and there is an all year round food supply. Most of the passerine migrants
fly by night in small flocks. During dusk prior to migration, they show a restlessness which is termed
zugunruhe. They may also sing at night during this period of pre-migration restlessness.
The downside of migration is the hazards of the journey, especially when difficult habitats such as
deserts and oceans must be crossed, and weather conditions may be adverse.
The risks of predation are also high. The Eleonora's Falcon which breeds on Mediterranean islands has a
very late breeding season, timed so that autumn passerine migrants can be hunted to feed its young.
Whether a particular species migrates depends on a number of factors. The climate of the breeding area
is important, and few species can cope with the harsh winters of inland Canada or northern Eurasia.
Thus the Blackbird Turdus merula is migratory in Scandinavia, but not in the milder climate of southern
Europe.
The nature of the staple food is also important. Most specialist insect eaters are long-distance migrants,
and have little choice but to head south in winter.
Sometimes the factors are finely balanced. The Whinchat Saxicola rubetra of Europe and the Siberian
Stonechat Saxicola maura of Asia are a long-distance migrants wintering in the tropics, whereas their
close relative, the European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola is a resident bird in most of its range, and
moves only short distances from the colder north and east.
Certain areas, because of their location, have become famous as watchpoints for migrating birds.
Examples are the Point Pelee National Park in Canada, and Spurn in England. Drift migration of birds
blown off course by the wind can result in "falls" of large numbers of migrants at coastal sites.
Another cause of birds occurring outside their normal ranges is the "spring overshoot" in which birds
returning to their breeding areas overshoot and end up further north than intended.
A mechanism which can lead to great rarities turning up as vagrants thousands of kilometres out of
range is reverse migration, where the genetic programming of young birds fails to work properly.
Recent research suggests that long-distance passerine migrants are of South American and African,
rather than northern hemisphere, evolutionary origins. They are effectively southern species coming
north to breed rather than northern species going south to winter.
Broad-winged long distance migrants

Some large broad-winged birds rely on thermal columns of rising hot air to enable them to soar. These
include many birds of prey such as vultures, eagles and buzzards, but also storks.
Migratory species in these groups have great difficulty crossing large bodies of water, since thermals can
only form over land, and these birds cannot maintain active flight for long distances.
The Mediterranean and other seas therefore present a major obstacle to soaring birds, which are forced
to cross at the narrowest points. This means that massive numbers of large raptors and storks pass
through areas such as Gibraltar, Falsterbo and the Bosphorus at migration times. Commoner species,
such as the Honey Buzzard, can be counted in hundreds of thousands in autumn.
Other barriers, such as mountain ranges, can also cause funnelling, particularly of large diurnal migrants.
Short-distance land bird migration

The long-distance migrants in the previous section are effectively genetically programmed to respond to
changing lengths of days. However many species move shorter distances, but may do so only in
response to harsh weather conditions.
Thus mountain and moorland breeders, such as Wallcreeper and White-throated Dipper, may move only
altitudinally to escape the cold higher ground. Other species such as Merlin and Skylark will move
further to the coast or to a more southerly region.
Species like the Chaffinch are not migratory in Britain, but will move south or to Ireland in very cold
weather. Interestingly, in Scandinavia, the female of this species migrates, but not the male, giving rise
to the specific name coelebs, a bachelor.
Short-distance passerine migrants have two evolutionary origins. Those which have long-distance
migrants in the same family, such as the Chiffchaff, are species of southern hemisphere origins which
have progressively shortened their return migration so that they stay in the northern hemisphere.
Those species which have no long-distance migratory relatives, such as the waxwings, are effectively
moving in response to winter weather, rather than enhanced breeding opportunities.
Wildfowl and waders

The typical image of migration is of northern landbirds such as swallows and birds of prey making long
flights to the tropics. Many northern-breeding ducks, geese and swans are also long-distance migrants,
but need only to move from their arctic breeding grounds far enough south to escape frozen waters.
This means that most wildfowl remain in the Northern hemisphere, but in milder countries. For example,
the Pink-footed Goose migrates from Iceland to Britain and neighbouring countries. Usually wintering
grounds are traditional and learned by the young when they migrate with their parents.
Some ducks, such as the Garganey, do move completely or partially into the tropics.
A similar situation occurs with waders (called "shorebirds" in North America). Many species, such as
Dunlin and Western Sandpiper, undertake long movements from their arctic breeding grounds to warmer
locations in the same hemisphere, but others such as Semipalmated Sandpiper travel huge distances to
the tropics.
Most of the wildfowl are large and powerful, and even the waders are strong fliers. This means that birds
wintering in temperate regions have the capacity to make further shorter movements in the event of
particularly inclement weather.
The same considerations about barriers and detours that apply to long-distance land-bird migration apply
to water birds, but in reverse: a large area of land without bodies of water that offer feeding sites is a
barrier to a water bird. Open sea may also be a barrier to a bird that feeds in coastal waters. Detours
avoiding such barriers are observed: for example, Brent Geese migrating from the Taymyr Peninsula to
the Wadden Sea travel via the White Sea coast and the Baltic Sea rather than directly across the Arctic
Ocean and northern Scandinavia.
For some species of waders, migration success depends on the availability of certain key food resources
at stopover points along the migration route. This gives the migrants an opportunity to "refuel" for the
next leg of the voyage. Some examples of important stopover locations are the Bay of Fundy and
Delaware Bay.
Some Alaskan Bar-tailed Godwits have the longest non-stop flight of any migrant, flying 11,000 km to
their New Zealand wintering grounds (BTO News 258: 3, 2005). Prior to migration, 55% of their
bodyweight is stored fat to fuel this uninterrupted journey.
Seabirds
Arctic Terns
Much of what has been said in the previous section applies to many seabirds. Some, such as the Black
Guillemot and some gulls, are quite sedentary; others, such as most of the terns and auks breeding in the
temperate northern hemisphere, move south varying distances in winter. The Arctic Tern has the longest-
distance migration of any bird, and sees more daylight than any other, moving from its arctic breeding
grounds to the antarctic wintering areas. One Arctic Tern, ringed (banded) as a chick on the Farne
Islands off the British east coast, reached Melbourne, Australia in just three months from fledging, a sea
journey of over 22,000 km (14,000 miles). Seabirds, of course, have the advantage that they can feed on
migration.
The most pelagic species, mainly in the 'tubenose' order Procellariiformes, are great wanderers, and the
albatrosses of the southern oceans may circle the globe as they ride the "roaring forties" outside the
breeding season. The tubenoses in general spread thinly over large areas of open ocean, but congregate
when food becomes available. Many of them are also among the longest-distance migrants; Sooty
Shearwaters nesting on the Falkland Islands migrate 14,000 km (9,000 miles) between the breeding
colony and the North Atlantic Ocean off Norway, and some Manx Shearwaters do the same journey in
reverse. As they are long-lived birds, they may cover enormous distances during their lives; one record-
breaking Manx Shearwater is calculated to have flown 8 million km (5 million miles) during its over-50
year lifespan.
Pelagic birding trips attract petrels and other procellarids by tipping "chum", a mixture of fish oil and
offal, into the sea. Within minutes, a previously apparently empty ocean is full of petrels, fulmars and
shearwaters attracted by the food.
A few seabirds, such as Wilson's Petrel and Great Shearwater, breed in the southern hemisphere and
migrate north in the southern winter.
The tropics
In the tropics there is little variation in the length of day throughout the year, and it is always warm
enough for an adequate food supply. Apart from the seasonal movements of northern hemisphere
wintering species, most species are in the broadest sense resident. However many species undergo
movements of varying distances depending on the rainfall.
Many tropical regions have wet and dry seasons, the monsoons of India being perhaps the best known
example. An example of a bird whose distribution is rain associated is the Woodland Kingfisher of west
Africa.
There are a few species, notably cuckoos, which are genuine long-distance migrants within the tropics.
An example is the Lesser Cuckoo, which breeds in India and winters in Africa.
In the high mountains, such as the Himalayas and the Andes, there are also seasonal altitudinal
movements in many species.
Australasia
Bird migration is primarily, but not entirely, a Northern-Hemisphere phenomenon. In the Southern
Hemisphere, seasonal migration tends to be much less marked. There are several reasons for this.
First, the largely uninterrupted expanses of land mass or ocean tend not to funnel migrations into narrow
and obvious pathways, making them less obvious to the human observer. Second, at least for terrestrial
birds, climatic regions tend to fade into one another over a long distance rather than be entirely separate:
this means that rather than make long trips over unsuitable habitat to reach particular destinations,
migrant species can usually travel at a relaxed pace, feeding as they go. Short of banding studies it is
often not obvious that the birds seen in any particular locality as the seasons change are in fact different
members of the same species passing through, gradually working their way north or south.
Relatively few Australasian birds migrate in the way that so many European and North American
species do. This is largely a matter of geography: the Australasian climate has seasonal extremes no less
compelling than those of Europe; however, they are far less predictable and tend to take place over
periods both shorter and longer. A couple of weeks of heavy rain in one part or another of the usually
dry centre of Australia, for example, produces dramatic plant and invertebrate growth, attracting birds
from all directions. This can happen at any time of year, summer or winter and, in any given area, may
not happen again for a decade or more.
Broader climatic extremes are highly unpredictable also: expected seasonal heat or rain arrives or does
not arrive, depending on the vagaries of El Niño. It is commonplace to have stretches of five or ten years
at a time when winter rains do not eventuate during the El Niño cycle, and equally common to have La
Niña periods which turn arid zones into areas of lush grass and shallow lakes. Long distance migration
requires a heavy investment in time and body mass—and, given the random nature of El Niño, an
investment with an uncertain return.
In broad terms, Australasian birds tend to be sedentary or nomadic, moving on whenever conditions
become unfavourable to whichever area happens to be more suitable at the time.
There are many exceptions, however. Some species make the long haul to breed in far distant northern
climes every year, notably swifts, and a great many wading birds that breed in the Arctic Circle during
the southern winter.
Many others arrive for the southern spring and summer to breed, then fly to tropical northern Australia,
New Guinea, or the islands of South East Asia for the Southern winter. Examples include cuckoos, the
Satin Flycatcher, the Dollarbird, and the Rainbow Bee-eater.
Others again are altitudinal migrants, moving to higher country during summer, returning to warmer
areas in winter such as several robins, or travel north and south with the seasons but within a relatively
restricted range. The tiny 10 cm Silvereye is an example: most of the southernmost Tasmanian race
crosses the 200 miles of Bass Strait after breeding to disperse into Victoria, South Australia, New South
Wales and even southern Queensland, replacing the normal residents who fly still further north,
following the band of fertile country along the coast, feeding through the day and travelling mostly at
night. The northernmost populations, however, are nomadic rather than migratory, as are the Silvereyes
of southern Western Australia, which is bounded by thousands of miles of desert to the north and east,
and sea to the south and west.
Study techniques
Bird migration has been studied by a variety of techniques of which ringing is the oldest. Color marking,
use of radar, satellite tracking and stable hydrogen isotopes are some of the other techniques being used
to study the migration of birds.
Migration conditioning
It has been possible to teach a new migration route to a flock of birds, for example in re-introduction
schmes. After a trial with Canada Geese, microlites were used in the US to teach safe migration routes to
reintroduced Whooping Cranes [1].
References
● Alerstam, T. (2001). Detours in bird migration. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 209, 319-331.
● Berthold, Peter (2001) Bird Migration: A General Survey. Second Edition. Oxford University
Press. ISBN 0-19-850787-9
● Weidensaul, Scott. Living On the Wind: Across the Hemisphere With Migratory Birds. Douglas
& McIntyre, 1999.
● Dingle, Hugh. Migration: The Biology of Life on The Move. Oxford Univ. Press, 1996.
External links
● Migration counts and ringing records The Netherlands, Belgium, Great Britain and France
● Canadian Migration Monitoring Network (Co-ordinates bird migration monitoring stations across
Canada)
● Bird Research by Science Daily- includes several articles on bird migration
● The Nature Conservancy's Migratory Bird Program
● The Compasses of Birds - a review from the Science Creative Quarterly
● BBC Supergoose - satellite tagging of light-bellied brent geese
Bird topography
Beak | Supercilium
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Beak
Supercilium
Birds by classification
Extinct birds | Suborders of birds | Parvorders of birds | Superfamilies of birds | Bird families
| Subfamilies of birds | Tribes of birds | Passeriformes | Carinatae
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This page lists living orders and families of birds, class Aves (for extinct birds, please see Extinct birds
and Prehistoric birds). The links below should then lead to family accounts and hence to individual
species.
Taxonomy is very fluid in the age of DNA analysis, so comments are made where appropriate, and all
numbers are approximate. In particular see Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy for a very different classification.
This article and the descendant family articles follow the taxonomy of the Handbook of Australian, New
Zealand and Antarctic Birds (HANZAB) for families largely endemic to that region, and otherwise the
Handbook of Birds of the World (HBW).
Paleognathae
The flightless and mostly giant Struthioniformes lack a keeled sternum and are collectively known as
ratites. Together with the Tinamiformes, they form the Paleognathae (or 'old jaws'), one of the two
evolutionary "super orders".
● Struthioniformes: mainly southern hemisphere; 12 species, 2 extinct

❍ Struthionidae: Ostrich
Casuariidae: emus and cassowaries

Apterygidae: kiwis
Rheidae: rheas
● Tinamiformes: South America; 45 species
❍ Tinamidae: tinamous
Neognathae
Nearly all living birds belong to the super order of Neognathae— or 'new jaws'. With their keels, unlike
the ratites, they are known as carinates. The passerines alone account for well over 5000 species.
● Anseriformes: worldwide; 150 species

❍ Anhimidae: screamers
Anseranatidae: Magpie-goose
Anatidae: swans, geese and ducks
● Galliformes: worldwide except northern Eurasia; 256 species.
❍ Megapodidae: mound-builders
Cracidae: chachalacas, guans and curassows

Tetraonidae: grouse
Phasianidae: partridges, pheasants, quail and allies
Odontophoridae: New World quails
Numididae: guineafowl
Meleagrididae: turkeys
Mesitornithidae: mesites
● Sphenisciformes: Antarctic and southern waters; 16 species
❍ Spheniscidae: penguins
● Gaviiformes: North America, Eurasia; 5 species

❍ Gaviidae loons or divers
● Podicipediformes: worldwide; 20 species

❍ Podicipedidae: grebes
● Procellariiformes: pan-oceanic; 93 species

❍ Diomedeidae: albatrosses
Procellariidae: fulmars, prions, shearwaters, gadfly and other petrels

Pelecanoididae: diving petrels
Hydrobatidae: storm petrels
● Pelecaniformes: worldwide; 57 species
❍ Pelecanidae: pelicans
Sulidae: gannets and boobies

Phalacrocoracidae: cormorants
Fregatidae: frigatebirds
Anhingidae: Anhinga and darters
Phaethontidae: tropicbirds
● Ciconiiformes: all continents; 115 species.
❍ Ardeidae: herons and bitterns
Cochlearidae: Boatbill
Balaenicipitidae: Shoebill
Scopidae: Hammerkop
Ciconiidae: storks
Threskiornithidae: ibises and spoonbills
Phoenicopteridae flamingos
● Accipitriformes: worldwide; about 226 species. Some classifications also include the
Falconidae.
❍ Cathartidae: New World vultures and Condors
Pandionidae: Osprey
Accipitridae: hawks, eagles, buzzards and Old World vultures, harriers, kites, and allies
Sagittaridae: Secretary Bird
● Falconiformes: worldwide; 60 species. Sometimes included in the Accipitriformes.
❍ Falconidae: falcons
● Turniciformes: Old World, 15 species

❍ Turnicidae: buttonquail
● Gruiformes: worldwide; 196 species

❍ Gruidae: cranes
Aramidae: Limpkin
Psophiidae: trumpeters
Rallidae: rails, crakes, coots and allies
Heliornithidae: finfoots and Sungrebe
Rhynochetidae: Kagu
Eurypigidae: Sunbittern
Cariamidae: seriemas
Otidae: bustards
● Charadriiformes: worldwide; 305 species
❍ Jacanidae: jacanas
Rostratulidae: painted snipe

Haematopodidae: oystercatchers
Charadriidae: plovers
Pluvianellidae: Magellanic Plover
Ibidorhynchidae: Ibisbill
Recurvirostridae: avocets and stilts
Scolopacidae: typical waders or shorebirds
Dromadidae: Crab Plover
Burhinidae: thick-knees
Glareolidae: coursers and pratincoles
Thinocoridae: seedsnipe
Pedionomidae: Plains Wanderer
Chionididae: sheathbill
Stercorariidae: skuas
Laridae: gulls
Sternidae: terns
Rhynchopidae: skimmers
Alcidae: auks
● Pterocliformes: Africa, Europe, Asia; 16 species
❍ Pteroclidae: sandgrouse
● Columbiformes: worldwide; 300 species

❍ Raphidae: dodos
Columbidae: pigeons and doves

● Psittaciformes: pan-tropical, southern temperate zones; 330 species
❍ Cacatuidae: cockatoos
Psittacidae: parrots
● Cuculiformes: worldwide; 151 species
❍ Musophagidae: turacos and allies
Cuculidae: cuckoos
Opisthocomidae: Hoatzin
● Strigiformes: worldwide; 134 species
❍ Tytonidae: barn owls
Strigidae: typical owls

● Caprimulgiformes: worldwide; 96 species
❍ Steatornithidae: Oilbird
Podargidae: frogmouths
Nyctibiidae: potoos
Aegothelidae: owlet-nightjars
Caprimulgidae: nightjars
● Apodiformes: worldwide; 403 species
❍ Apodidae: swifts
Hemiprocnidae: tree swifts

● Trochiliformes
❍ Trochilidae: hummingbirds
● Coliiformes: Sub-Saharan Africa; 6 species

❍ Coliidae: mousebirds
● Trogoniformes: Sub-Saharan Africa, Americas, Asia; 35 species

❍ Trogonidae: trogons and quetzals
● Coraciiformes: worldwide; 192 species

❍ Alcedinidae: river kingfishers
Halcyonidae: tree kingfishers

Cerylidae: water or belted kingfishers
Todidae: todies
Momotidae: motmots
Meropidae: bee-eaters
Leptosomatidae: Cuckoo Roller
Brachypteraciidae: ground rollers
Coraciidae: rollers
Upupidae: Hoopoe
Phoeniculidae: woodhoopoes
Bucerotidae: hornbills
● Piciformes: worldwide except Australasia; 376 species
❍ Galbulidae: jacamars
Bucconidae: puffbirds
Capitonidae: barbets
Indicatoridae: honeyguides
Ramphastidae: toucans
Picidae: woodpeckers
● Passeriformes: worldwide; about 5200 species
❍ Suborder Tyranni ("suboscines")
❍ Tyrannidae: tyrant flycatchers
Acanthisittidae: New Zealand wrens
Pittidae: pittas
Eurylaimidae: broadbills
Dendrocolaptidae: woodcreepers
Furnariidae: ovenbirds
Thamnophilidae: antbirds
Formicariidae: antpittas and antthrushes
Conopophagidae: gnateaters
Rhinocryptidae: tapaculos
Cotingidae: cotingas
Pipridae: manakins
Philepittidae: asities
❍ Suborder Passeri ("oscines")
❍ Atrichornithidae: scrub-birds
Menuridae: lyrebirds
Turnagridae: Piopio
Alaudidae: larks
Hirundinidae: swallows
Motacillidae: wagtails and pipits
Campephagidae: cuckoo-shrikes
Pycnonotidae: bulbuls
Regulidae: kinglets
Chloropseidae: leafbirds
Aegithinidae: ioras
Ptilogonatidae: silky-flycatchers
Bombycillidae: waxwings
Hypocoliidae: hypocolius
Dulidae: Palmchat
Cinclidae: dippers
Troglodytidae: wrens
Mimidae: mockingbirds, thrashers and Gray Catbird
Prunellidae: accentors
Turdidae: thrushes and allies
Cisticolidae: cisticolas and allies
Sylviidae: Old World warblers
Polioptilidae: gnatcatchers
Muscicapidae: Old World flycatchers
Platysteiridae: wattle-eyes
Petroicidae: Australasian robins
Pachycephalidae: whistlers and allies
Picathartidae: rockfowl
Timaliidae: babblers
Pomatostomidae: pseudo-babblers
Paradoxornithidae: parrotbills
Orthonychidae: logrunner and chowchilla
Cinclosomatidae: whipbirds and quail-thrushes
Aegithalidae: long-tailed tits
Maluridae: fairy-wrens, emu-wrens and grasswrens
Neosittidae: sitellas
Climacteridae: Australasian treecreepers
Paridae: chickadees and tits
Sittidae: nuthatches
Tichodromidae: Wallcreeper
Certhiidae: treecreepers
Rhabdornithidae: Philippine creepers
Remizidae: penduline tits
Nectariniidae: sunbirds and spiderhunters
Melanocharitidae: berrypeckers and longbills
Paramythiidae: tit berrypecker and crested berrypeckers
Dicaeidae: flowerpeckers
Pardalotidae: pardalotes, thornbills and alies
Zosteropidae: white-eyes
Promeropidae: sugarbirds
Meliphagidae: honeyeaters and chats
Oriolidae: Old World orioles
Irenidae: fairy-bluebirds
Laniidae: shrikes
Malaconotidae: bushshrikes and allies
Prionopidae: helmetshrikes
Vangidae: vangas
Dicruridae: drongos
Callaeidae: wattlebirds
Corcoracidae: White-winged Chough and Apostlebird
Artamidae: currawongs, woodswallows, butcherbirds & allies
Pityriaseidae: bristlehead
Paradisaeidae: birds-of-paradise
Ptilonorhynchidae: bowerbirds
Corvidae: crows, jays and magpies
Sturnidae: starlings
Passeridae: Old World sparrows
Ploceidae: weavers and allies
Estrildidae: waxbills and allies
Viduidae: indigobirds
Vireonidae: vireos and allies
Fringillidae: finches, crossbills and allies
Drepanididae: Hawaiian honeycreepers
Peucedramidae: Olive Warbler
Parulidae: New World warblers
Coerebidae: Bananaquit
Thraupidae: tanagers and allies
Emberizidae: buntings, seedeaters and allies
Cardinalidae: saltators, cardinals and allies
Icteridae: troupials and allies
See also
● List of African birds

● List of Asian birds
● List of Australian birds
● List of European birds
● Extinct birds
Birds by geography
Endemism in birds | Birds of Africa | Birds of Asia | Birds of Australia | Birds of Europe
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Endemism in birds
Birds of Africa
Birds of Asia
Birds of Australia
Birds of Europe
Birds of prey
Eagles | Falconry | Falcon | Harrier | Kites | Old World vulture | Owls | True hawks
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Birds of prey
A bird of prey or raptor is a bird that hunts for food primarily
using its talons. They display a characteristic curved tip to their
beak and have superb vision.
Diurnal birds of prey belong to the orders Accipitriformes and
Falconiformes in several groups including:
● Accipitriformes
❍ Pandionidae: Osprey
❍ Accipitridae: hawks, eagles, buzzards, kites and Old
World vultures
❍ Sagittariidae: Secretary Bird
Harris Hawk
● Falconiformes
Scientific classification
❍ Falconidae: falcons
Kingdom: Animalia
For an alternative taxonomy, see also Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy.
Phylum: Chordata
Nocturnal birds of prey—the owls—are separate from the diurnal
families, and are in the order Strigiformes. The term "raptor" Class: Aves
includes owls.
Although other bird groups may fill similar ecological roles and Orders
sometimes appear closely related at first sight, this is largely ● Accipitriformes
because of convergent evolution. ❍ Pandionidae
❍ Accipitridae
❍ Sagittariidae
Raptor names
● Falconiformes
❍ Falconidae
● Eagles are large birds with long, broad wings and massive
legs. Booted eagles have feathered legs and build large
stick nests.
● Kites have long wings and weak legs. They spend much of their time soaring. They will take live
prey but mostly feed on carrion.
Bald Eagle at Combe Martin

Wildlife and Dinosaur Park,
North Devon, England
● Falcons are small to medium sized birds of prey with long pointed wings. Unlike most other
raptors, they belong to the Falconidae rather than the Accipitridae. Many are particularly swift
flyers. Instead of building their own nests, falcons appropriate old nests of other birds but
sometimes they lay their eggs on cliff ledges or in tree hollows.
● Owls are variable-sized nocturnal hunting birds. They fly soundlessly and have very acute senses
of hearing and sight.
● Harriers are large, slender hawk-like birds with long tails and long thin legs. Most hunt by
gliding and circling low over grasslands and marshes on their long broad wings.
● Hawks are medium-sized birds of prey that belong to the genus Accipiter. They are mainly
woodland birds that hunt by sudden dashes from a concealed perch. They usually have long tails.
● Buzzards are raptors with a robust body and broad wings, or, alternatively, any bird of the genus
Buteo (also commonly known as Hawks in North America).
External links
● Birds of prey videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Helydon Show Dogs and Birds of Prey
● Bird of Prey Pictures
Birdwatching
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Birdwatching or birding is the observation and study of birds. The term birding is of American origin;
birdwatching is the more commonly used word in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Most birders or
birdwatchers pursue this activity for recreational or social reasons, unlike ornithologists, who are
engaged in the formal scientific study of birds. Ornithologists can, however, study birds using the same
methods as birders.
Birders at J "Ding" Darling reserve, Sanibel, Florida.

Contents
● 1 Overview
● 2 Rarity watching
❍ 2.1 Birding competitions
❍ 2.2 Equipment
■ 2.2.1 Photography
● 3 Birding organizations
● 4 Socio-psychology of birdwatching
● 5 Birding vs. birdwatching
● 6 Famous birders/ornithologists
❍ 6.1 Famous for birding/ornithology
❍ 6.2 Otherwise famous
❍ 6.3 Birders in fiction
● 7 See also
● 9 References
Overview
The most active times of the year for birding in the temperate zones are during spring and fall migration
when the greatest variety of birds may be seen. These birds are travelling north or south to wintering or
nesting locations.
Early morning is typically the best time of the day for birding since many birds are active searching for
food, and thus are easier to find and observe. Success in locating the more interesting species typically
requires detailed knowledge of their appearance, sounds, behavior, and most likely habitat, in addition to
stealth and patience.
Birding can be one of the quieter and more relaxing outdoor activities. However, birders who are keen
rarity-seekers will travel long distances to see a new species to add to the list of birds they have
personally observed (life list, national list, state list, county list, year list, etc.).
Seawatching is a type of birdwatching where observers based at a coastal watchpoint (such as a

headland) watch birds flying over the sea.
Many birders take part in censuses of bird populations and their migratory patterns which are sometimes
specific to individual species, and sometimes count all the birds in a given area (as in a Christmas Bird
Count). This citizen science can assist in identifying environmental threats to the well-being of birds or,
conversely, in assessing the outcomes of environmental management initiatives intended to ensure the
survival of at-risk species or encourage the breeding of species for aesthetic or ecological reasons. This
more scientific side of the hobby is an aspect of ornithology, co-ordinated in the UK by the British Trust
for Ornithology.
Increasing (seasonal) bird populations can be a good indicator of biodiversity or the quality of different
habitats. Some species may be persecuted as vermin, often illegally (e.g. the Hen Harrier in Britain),
under the (usually false) perception that predatory species increase in number at the expense of other
species of birds, insects, or smaller mammals. In most cases, the reverse applies: the population of
predatory species is controlled by the abundance of the prey species. Bird counts in defined geographic
areas can therefore be useful from a scientific perspective.
Rarity watching
"Twitching" is a British term used to mean "the pursuit of a previously-located rare bird." In North
America it is more often called "chasing", though the British usage is starting to catch on in North
America, especially among younger birders. The British term is said to come from the frenzy that
descends on some when they receive news of a rare bird. The term may derive from one of its first
proponents, who used to arrive on his motorbike in freezing weather in the early 1960s, still "twitching"
from the cold. The end goal of twitching is often to accumulate species on one's lists. Some birders
engage in competition with one another to accumulate the biggest species lists. The act of the pursuit
itself is referred to as a "twitch" or a "chase". A rare bird that stays put long enough for people to see it is
called "twitchable" or "chaseable".
Twitching is probably most highly developed in the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and Ireland
because their small sizes make it possible to travel within their borders quickly with relative ease. The
most popular twitches in the UK have drawn crowds of up to 5,000 people at any one time (Golden-
Winged Warbler in Kent). Twitching is also highly popular in Finland and Sweden. In the United
Kingdom there exists a particular twitchers' vocabulary which is surprisingly well-developed and
potentially confusing for the uninitiated. In the UK for example, "dipping" is the act of missing the rare
bird you tried to see, "gripped off" is how you feel if other twitchers see the bird but you didn't,
"supression" is the act of concealing news of a rare bird from twitchers, and a "dude" is someone who
doesn't know much about rare birds. Similar vocabularies have developed in all countries where
twitching is popular. Twitchers often have mobile phones and (especially in Europe) pagers to keep
constantly informed of rare bird sightings and weather. The latter is important, since the right winds can
lead to drift migration from the east or "Yankees" caught up in the tail end of hurricanes from the west.
Birding competitions
A North American one-day birding competition is called a "Big Day"; in Britain it is called a "Bird
Race". Teams trying to win such competitions usually have twenty-four hours in a designated
geographical area to do so. They commonly drive hundreds of kilometers. Some record-chasers have
employed private jets and helicopters in the enterprise.
The most popular birding competitions in the United States are the one-day World Series of Birding
which is held in New Jersey in May and the five-day Great Texas Birding Classic held in April.
Equipment
Equipment commonly used for birding includes binoculars and a telescope or spotting scope with tripod,
a notepad, and one or more field guides.
Photography
Photography has always been a part of birding, but in the past the cost of good cameras and long lenses
made this a minority, often semi-professional, interest. The advent of affordable digital cameras, which
can be used in conjunction with binoculars or a telescope (a technique known as digiscoping), have
made this a much more widespread aspect of the hobby.
Birding organizations
Prominent national organizations concerned with birding include the B.T.O. and RSPB in the United
Kingdom (over 1 million members), and the National Audubon Society and American Birding
Association in the United States. Many statewide or local Audubon organizations are also quite active in
the U.S. BirdLife International is an important global alliance of bird conservation organisations.
Socio-psychology of birdwatching
It has been suggested that birdwatching is a form of expression of the innate need for human connection
to the environment. Ethologist Nikolaas Tinbergen considered birdwatching an expression of the male
hunting instinct. Indeed, most birders (especially those below middle-age) are male; however, one of the
top world listers was a woman, Phoebe Snetsinger. The idea of birding as a completely male-oriented
activity is not accurate, though twitching in the UK is heavily male dominated.
Another intriguing connection has been that of the interest in birds by spies. There have been several
cases of spies who were serious ornithologists such as Sidney Dillon Ripley, St. John Philby and
Richard Meinertzhagen.
Birding vs. birdwatching

In the U.S., birders differentiate themselves from birdwatchers. At the most basic level, the (possibly
elitist) distinction is one of dedication or intensity. Generally, self-described birders are more versed in
minutiae such as molt, distribution, migration timing, and habitat usage. Whereas dedicated birders may
[1]
travel widely, bird watchers have a more limited scope, perhaps to their own yards.
Famous birders/ornithologists
Famous for birding/ornithology
● Kenn Kaufman
Ted Parker
Roger Tory Peterson
Pete Dunne
Jon Dunn
Clay Sutton
Phoebe Snetsinger
David Allen Sibley
John James Audubon
Salim Ali
Induchoodan
Susanth
Otherwise famous
● Members of the band British Sea Power

Alan Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke
Sir Anthony Galsworthy, former UK Ambassador to China
Kenneth Clarke MP
Ian Fleming, who named his most famous character after the ornithologist James Bond
Billy Fury
Trevor Harrison
Princess Takamado of Japan
Eric Morecambe
Bill Oddie
Harold Wilson, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Jimmy Carter
Charley Harper
Iolo Williams
Sir Kenneth Dover, famous British classicist
Birders in fiction
● Stephen Maturin in the Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey–Maturin series
See also
● Birdfeeding
External links
● eBird - A database for birding in North America & Central America
● Cusco Peru - The National Reserve Allpahuayo - Mishana: A Paradise in Peril
● GeoBirds - Online bird identification and tracking
● Birdwatching-Bliss.com - Birding info for happy birders.
● American Birding Association - The primary association for North American birders
● National Audubon Society
● Birding in India and South Asia
● Birdingonthe.net
● BirdLife International - Alliance of conservation organizations
● Fatbirder
● Birding Optics Blog
● Travellingbirder.com
● Worldtwitch - Rare bird news around the world
● The Nature Conservancy - Protecting habitat for birds and birders around the world
● The Cornell's University Lab of Ornithology
● Peru: The Best Route for Birdwatchers
● Bird Banding Laboratory - The North American Bird Banding Program
References
1. ^ Dunne, Pete (2003). Pete Dunne on Bird Watching. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-395-
90686-5.
Bird diseases
Angel Wing | Avian adenovirus | Avian flu | Bumblefoot | Gallid herpesvirus 1 | Scaly leg
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Angel Wing
Avian adenovirus
Avian flu
Bumblefoot
Gallid herpesvirus 1
Scaly leg
Extinct birds
(Probably) Extinct birds | Late Quaternary prehistoric birds
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Since 1500, over 100 species of birds have become extinct, and this rate of extinction seems to be
increasing. The situation is exemplified by Hawai‘i, where 30% of all known recently extinct species
originally lived. Other areas, such as Guam, have also been hard hit; Guam has lost over 60% of its
native species in the last 30 years, many of them to the introduced Brown Tree Snake.
There are today about 10,000 species of birds, with roughly 1200 considered to be under threat of
extinction. Except for a dozen or so species the threat is man-made.
Island species in general, and flightless island species in particular are most at risk. The disproportionate
number of rails in the list reflects the tendency of that family to lose the ability to fly when
geographically isolated. Even more rails became extinct before they could be described by scientists;
these taxa are listed in Later Quaternary Prehistoric Birds.
The extinction dates given below are usually approximations of the actual date of extinction. In some
cases, more exact dates are given as it is sometimes possible to pinpoint the date of extinction to a
specific year or even day (the San Benedicto Rock Wren is possibly the most extreme example - its
extinction could be timed with an accuracy of maybe half an hour). Extinction dates in the literature are
usually the dates of the last verified record (credible observation or specimen taken); in many Pacific
birds which became extinct shortly after European contact, however, this leaves an uncertainty period of
over a century because the islands on which they used to occur were only rarely visited by scientists.
Dodo
Contents
● 1 Extinct bird species
❍ 1.1 Struthioniformes
❍ 1.2 Tinamiformes
❍ 1.3 Anseriformes
❍ 1.4 Galliformes
❍ 1.5 Charadriiformes
❍ 1.6 Gruiformes
❍ 1.7 Podicipediformes
❍ 1.8 Ciconiiformes
❍ 1.9 Pelecaniformes
❍ 1.10 Procellariiformes
❍ 1.11 Sphenisciformes
❍ 1.12 Columbiformes
❍ 1.13 Psittaciformes
❍ 1.14 Cuculiformes
❍ 1.15 Falconiformes
❍ 1.16 Strigiformes
❍ 1.17 Caprimulgiformes
❍ 1.18 Apodiformes
❍ 1.19 Coraciiformes
❍ 1.20 Piciformes
❍ 1.21 Passeriformes
● 2 (Probably) Extinct subspecies of birds
❍ 2.4 Galliformes
❍ 2.6 Gruiformes
❍ 2.9 Pteroclidiformes
❍ 2.18 Piciformes
● 3 See also
● 4 External links and references
Extinct bird species
Struthioniformes
The Ostrich and related ratites.
● Elephant bird, Aepyornis maximus (Madagascar, 16th century?)
The taxonomy of the elephant birds is not fully resolved; it is almost certain that at least one
taxon survived until Recent times, but it is not clear which species the reports refer to, if there
were indeed more than one.
● Lesser Megalapteryx, Megalapteryx didinus (South Island, New Zealand, late 15th century?)
Generally believed to have been extinct by 1500, this is the only moa species that according to
current knowledge might have survived until later times, possibly as late as the 1830s.
● King Island Emu, Dromaius ater (King Island, Australia, 1822)
Extinct in the wild c.1805, the last captive specimen died in 1822 in the Jardin des Plantes.
● Kangaroo Island Emu, Dromaius baudinianus (Kangaroo Island, Australia, 1827)

● West Coast Spotted Kiwi, Apteryx occidentalis (South Island, New Zealand, c.1900)
A doubtful form known from a single bird; may be a Little Spotted Kiwi subspecies or a hybrid
between that species and the rowi.
Tinamiformes
Tinamous
● Magdalena Tinamou, Crypturellus saltuarius (Colombia, late 20th century?)
Sometimes considered a Red-legged Tinamou subspecies, this bird is only known from the 1943
type specimen. Recent research suggest it is still extant.
Anseriformes
Ducks, geese and swans.
● Korean Crested Shelduck, Tadorna cristata (Northeast Asia, late 20th century?)
A relict species from Northeast Asia. Officially critically endangered due to recent unconfirmed
reports.
● Réunion Shelduck, Alopochen kervazoi (Réunion, Mascarenes, c.1690s)

Mauritian Shelduck, Alopochen mauritianus (Mauritius, Mascarenes, late 1690s)
Amsterdam Island Duck, Anas marecula (Amsterdam Island, South Indian Ocean, 1800)
Mauritian Duck, Anas theodori (Mauritius and Réunion, Mascarenes, late 1690s)
Mariana Mallard, Anas oustaleti (Marianas, West Pacific, 1981)
Finsch's Duck, Chenonetta finschi from New Zealand possibly survived to 1870
Pink-headed Duck, Netta caryophyllacea (East India, Bangladesh, North Myanmar, 1945?)
Officially critically endangered; recent surveys have failed to rediscover it.

● Madagascar Pochard, Aythya innotata (Madagascar, 1992?)
Officially critically endangered, possibly extinct.
● Réunion Pochard, Aythya cf. innotata (Réunion, Mascarenes, c.1690s)
A bone of a pochard found on Réunion seems to resolve the reports of canards other than the
Mauritian Duck having occurred on the island. The taxonomic status of this form cannot be
resolved until more material is found, however.
● Labrador Duck, Camptorhynchus labradorius (Northeast North America, c.1880)

Auckland Islands Merganser, Mergus australis (Auckland Islands, Southwest Pacific, c.1902)
Galliformes
Quails and relatives.
● The Giant Scrubfowl, Megapodius molistructor, may have survived on New Caledonia to the late
18th century as evidenced by decriptions of the bird named "Tetrao australis" and later
"Megapodius andersoni".
● The Viti Levu Scrubfowl, Megapodius amissus of Viti Levu and possibly Kadavu, Fiji, may have
survived to the early 19th or even the 20th century as suggested by circumstantial evidence.
● Raoul Island Scrubfowl, Megapodius sp. (Raoul, Kermadec Islands, 1876)
A megapode is said to have inhabited Raoul Island until the population was wiped out in a
volcanic eruption. It is not clear whether the birds represent a distinct taxon or derive from a
prehistoric introduction by Polynesian seafarers.
● New Zealand Quail, Coturnix novaezelandiae (New Zealand, 1875)

Himalayan Quail, Ophrysia superciliosa (North India, late 19th century?)
Officially critically endangered. Not recorded with certainty since 1876, but thorough surveys are
still required, and there is a recent set of possible (though unlikely) sightings around Naini Tal in
2003. A little-known native name from Western Nepal probably refers to this bird, but for
various reasons, no survey for Ophrysia has ever been conducted in that country, nor is it
generally assumed to occur there (due to the native name being overlooked).
Charadriiformes
Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis),
Natural History Museum, London,
England
Shorebirds, gulls and auks.
● Javanese Lapwing, Vanellus macropterus (Java, Indonesia, mid-20th century)
Officially classified as critically endangered, but as this conspicuous bird has not been recorded
since 1940, it is almost certainly extinct.
● Tahitian Sandpiper, Prosobonia leucoptera (Tahiti, Society Islands, 19th century)

White-winged Sandpiper, Prosobonia ellisi (Moorea, Society Islands, 19th century)
Doubtfully distinct from P. leucoptera.
● Eskimo Curlew, Numenius borealis (Northern North America, late 20th century?)
May still exist; officially classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct.
● Slender-billed Curlew, Numenius tenuirostris (Western Siberia, early 2000s?)

May still exist; officially classified as critically endangered. Last seen in 1999 following several
decades of increasing rarity.
● Great Auk, Pinguinus impennis (North Atlantic, c.1844)

Canarian Black Oystercatcher, Haematopus meadewaldoi (Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, Canary
Islands, early 20th century)
Gruiformes
Rails and allies.
● Antillean Cave-Rail, Nesotrochis debooyi from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands possibly
survived into the Modern Era.
Hawkins' Rail, Diaphorapteryx hawkinsi (Chatham Islands, SW Pacific, 19th century)
Red Rail, Aphanapteryx bonasia (Mauritius, Mascarenes, c.1700)
Rodrigues Rail, Aphanapteryx leguati (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, mid-18th century)
Bar-winged Rail, Nesoclopeus poecilopterus (Fiji, Polynesia, c.1980)
New Caledonian Rail, Gallirallus lafresnayanus (New Caledonia, Melanesia, c.1990?)
Officially classified as critically endangered, the last records were in 1984 and it seems that all
available habitat is overrun by feral pigs and dogs which prey on this bird.
● Wake Island Rail, Gallirallus wakensis (Wake Island, Micronesia, 1945)

Tahitian Red-billed Rail, Gallirallus pacificus (Tahiti, Society Islands, late 18th - 19th century)
Dieffenbach's Rail, Gallirallus dieffenbachii (Chatham Islands, SW Pacific, mid-19th century)
Sharpe's Rail, Gallirallus sharpei (Indonesia?, 20th century?)
A bird known from a single skin of unknown origin. A reseach project has been proposed to shed
light on its relationships and possible place of origin.
● Vava'u Rail, Gallirallus cf. vekamatolu (Vava'u, Tonga, early 19th century?)
This bird is known only from a drawing by the 1793 Malaspina expedition, apparently depicting
a species of Gallirallus. The 'Eua Rail, Gallirallus vekamatolu, is known from prehistoric bones
found on 'Eua, but this species cannot have been the bird depicted, as it was flightless. However,
it probably was a close relative.
● The Norfolk Island Rail, Gallirallus sp. may be the bird shown on a bad watercolor illustration
made around 1800
Chatham Rail, Cabalus modestus (Chatham Islands, SW Pacific, c.1900)
Réunion Rail, Dryolimnas augusti (Réunion, Mascarenes, late 17th century)
Red-throated Wood-rail, Aramides gutturalis (Peru, 20th century?)
Usually considered a badly prepared specimen of the Grey-necked Wood Rail, the single known
individual of this bird may prove a distinct species though.
● Ascension Island Rail, Mundia elpenor (Ascension, Island, Atlantic, late 17th century) - formerly
Atlantisia
Saint Helena Crake, Porzana astrictocarpus (Saint Helena, Atlantic, early 16th century)
Laysan Rail, Porzana palmeri (Laysan Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1944)
Hawaiian Rail, Porzana sandwichensis (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, c.1890)
The Laysan Rail was a diminutive omnivore
● Kosrae Island Crake, Porzana monasa (Kosrae, Carolines, c. mid-late 19th century)
Miller's Crake, Porzana nigra (Tahiti, Society Islands, c.1800)
Known only from paintings and descriptions; taxonomic status uncertain as the material is often
believed to refer to the extant Spotless Crake.
● Saint Helena Swamphen, Aphanocrex podarces (Saint Helena, Atlantic, 16th century) - formerly
Atlantisia
Réunion Swamphen or Oiseau bleu, Porphyrio coerulescens (Réunion, Mascarenes, 18th century)
Known only from descriptions. Former existence of a Porphyrio on Réunion is fairly certain, but
not proven to date.
● New Caledonian Swamphen, Porphyrio kukwiedei from New Caledonia, Melanesia, may have
survived into historic times. The native name n'dino is thought to refer to this bird.
Lord Howe Swamphen, Porphyrio albus (Lord Howe Island, SW Pacific, early 19th century)
Marquesan Swamphen, Porphyrio paepae (Hiva Oa and Tahuata, Marquesas)
May have survived into the 19th century. In the lower right corner of Paul Gauguin's 1902
painting Le Sorcier d'Hiva Oa ou le Marquisien à la cape rouge there is a bird which reminds of
native descriptions of P. paepae.
● The North Island Takahē, Porphyrio mantelli known from subfossil bones found on North Island,
New Zealand, may have survived to 1894 or later.
Samoan Wood Rail, Gallinula pacifica (Savai'i, Samoa, 1907?)
Probably better placed in the genus Pareudiastes, unconfirmed reports from the late 20th century
suggest it still survives in small numbers, and therefore it is officially classified as critically
endangered.
● Makira Wood Rail, Gallinula silvestris (Makira, Solomon Islands, mid-20th century?)
Only known from a single specimen, this rail is probably better placed in its own genus,
Edithornis. There are some unconfirmed recent records that suggest it still survives, thus, it is
officially classified as critically endangered.
● Tristan Moorhen, Gallinula nesiotis (Tristan da Cunha, Atlantic, late 19th century)
Mascarene Coot, Fulica newtoni (Mauritius and Réunion, Mascarenes, c.1700)
Rallidae gen. et sp. indet.
Unknown rail from Amsterdam Island, one specimen found but not recovered. Extinct by 1800 or
may have been straggler of extant species.
● Fernando de Noronha Rail, Rallidae gen. et sp. indet. (Fernando de Noronha, W Atlantic, 16th
century)
A distinct species of rail inhabited Fernando de Noronha island, but it has not been formally
described yet. Probably was extant at Western contact.
● Tahitian "Goose", ?Rallidae gen. et sp. indet. (Tahiti, late 18th century?)
Early travellers to Tahiti reported a "goose" that was found in the mountains. Altogether, a
species of the rail genus Porphyrio seems the most likely choice.
● "Leguat's Giant" or géant, a hypothetical giant rail from the Mascarenes, is based on his
descriptions of flamingos, as Leguat was not familiar with their French name flamand or thought
that it referred to other birds (it was in his time sometimes used for spoonbills, for example).
Podicipediformes
Grebes.
● Colombian Grebe, Podiceps andinus (Bogotá area, Colombia, 1977)
Alaotra Grebe, Tachybaptus rufolavatus (Lake Alaotra, Madagascar, late 1980s?)
Officially critically endangered, possibly extinct, this species almost certainly became extinct
through habitat destruction and hybridization with the Little Grebe.
● Atitlán Grebe, Podilymbus gigas (Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, 1989)
Ciconiiformes
Herons and related birds.
● Bermuda Night Neron, Nycticorax carcinocatactes (Bermuda, West Atlantic, 16th century)
Sometimes assigned to the genus Nyctanassa
● Réunion Night Heron, Nycticorax duboisi (Réunion, Mascarenes, late 17th century)
Mauritius Night Heron, Nycticorax mauritianus (Mauritius, Mascarenes, c.1700)
Rodrigues Night Heron, Nycticorax megacephalus (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, mid-18th century)
Ascension Night Heron, Nycticorax olsoni (Ascension Island, Atlantic, late 16th century?)
Known only from subfossil bones, but the description of a flightless Ascension bird by F. André
Thevet cannot be identified with anything other than this species.
● New Zealand Little Bittern, Ixobrychus novaezelandiae (New Zealand, late 19th century)
Long considered to be vagrant individuals of the Australian Little Bittern, bones recovered from
Holocene deposits indicate that this was indeed a distinct taxon, but it might not be a separate
species.
● Réunion Sacred Ibis, Threskiornis solitarius (Réunion, Mascarenes, early 18th century)
This species was the base for the supposed "Réunion Solitaire", a supposed relative of the Dodo
and the Rodrigues Solitaire. Given the fact that ibis, but no dodo-like bones were found on
Réunion and that old descriptions match a flightless Sacred Ibis quite well, the "Réunion
Solitaire" hypothesis has been refuted.
● The "Painted Vulture" (Sarcorhamphus sacra), a Floridan bird supposedly similar to the King
Vulture, is based on a misidentification of the Crested Caracara.
Pelecaniformes
Cormorants and related birds.
● Spectacled Cormorant, Phalacrocorax perspicillatus (Komandorski Islands, North Pacific,

c.1850)
Procellariiformes
Petrels and storm-petrels.
● Guadalupe Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma macrodacyla (Guadalupe, East Pacific, 1910s)
Officially critically endangered, possibly extinct, but a thorough survey in 2000 concluded the
species was certainly extinct.
● St Helena Bulwer's Petrel, Bulweria bifax (Saint Helena, Atlantic, early 16th century)
Jamaica Petrel, Pterodroma caribbaea (Jamaica, West Indies)
Possibly a subspecies of the Black-capped Petrel; unconfirmed reports suggest it might survive.
Officially classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct.
● Pterodroma cf. leucoptera (Mangareva, Gambier Islands, 20th century?)
A wing of a carcass similar to Gould's Petrel was recovered on Mangareva in 1922, where it
possibly bred. No such birds are known to exist there today.
● St Helena Petrel, Pseudobulweria rupinarum (Saint Helena, Atlantic, early 16th century)
Sphenisciformes
Penguins
● The Chatham Islands Penguin, Eudyptes sp. (Chatham Islands, SW Pacific), is only known from
subfossil bones, but a bird kept captive at some time between 1867 and 1872 might refer to this
taxon.
Columbiformes
Pigeons, doves and dodos.

● St Helena Flightless Pigeon, Dysmoropelia dekarchiskos, possibly survived into the Modern Era.
Passenger Pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (Eastern North America, 1914)
The passenger pigeon was once probably the most common bird in the world, a single swarm
numbering up to several billion birds. It was hunted close to extinction for food and sport in the
late 19th century. The last individual died in the Cincinnati Zoo in 1914.
● The Silvery Pigeon, Columba argentina, has not been reliably observed since 1931 and may be
extinct. It is difficult to distinguish from the common Pied Imperial Pigeon, however.
Bonin Wood-pigeon, Columba versicolor (Nakodo-jima and Chichi-jima, Ogasawara Islands,
c.1890)
Ryukyu Wood-pigeon, Columba jouyi (Okinawa and Daito Islands, Northwest Pacific, late
1930s)
Réunion Pink Pigeon, Streptopelia duboisi (Réunion, Mascarenes, c.1700)
Its generic allocation is not fully resolved. There seems to have been at least another species of
pigeon on Réunion (probably an Alectroenas), but bones have not yet been found. It disappeared
at the same time.
● Rodrigues Turtle Dove, Streptopelia rodericana (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, before 1690?)
Its generic allocation is not fully resolved. A possible subspecies of the Madagascar Turtle Dove,
this seems not to be the bird observed by Leguat. Introduced rats might have killed it off in the
late 17th century.
● Liverpool Pigeon, "Caloenas" maculata
Also known as the Spotted Green Pigeon, the only specimen has been in Liverpool Museum
since 1851, and was probably collected on a Pacific island for Edward Stanley, 13th Earl of
Derby. It has been suggested that this bird came from Tahiti based on native lore about a
somewhat similar extinct bird called titi, but this has not been verified.
● Sulu Bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba menagei (Tawitawi, Philippines, late 1990s?)
Officially listed as critically endangered. Only known from 2 specimens taken in 1891, there
have been a number of unconfirmed reports from all over the Sulu Archipelago in 1995.
However, these reports stated that the bird had suddenly undergone a massive decline, and by
now, habitat destruction is almost complete. If not extinct, this species is very rare, but the
ongoing civil war prevents comprehensive surveys.
● Norfolk Island Ground Dove, Gallicolumba norfolciensis (Norfolk Island, Southwest Pacific,
c.1800)
Tanna Ground Dove, Gallicolumba ferruginea (Tanna, Vanuatu, late 18th-19th century)
Only known from descriptions of 2 now-lost specimens.
● Thick-billed Ground Dove, Gallicolumba salamonis (Makira and Ramos, Solomon Islands, mid-
20th century?)
Last recorded in 1927, only 2 specimens exist. Declared extinct in 2005.
● Choiseul Crested Pigeon, Microgoura meeki (Choiseul, Solomon Islands, early 20th century)
Marquesas Fruit Pigeon, Ptilinopus mercierii (Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa, Marquesas, mid-20th
century)
Two subspecies, the little-known P. m. mercierii of Nuku Hiva (extinct mid-late 19th century)
and P. m. tristrami of Hiva Oa.
● Negros Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus arcanus (Negros, Philippines, late 20th century?)
Known only from one specimen taken at the only documented sighting in 1953, the validity of
this species has been questioned, but no good alternative to distinct species status has been
proposed. Officially critically endangered, it might occur on Panay, but no survey has located it.
One possible record in 2002 seems not to have been followed up.
● Mauritius Blue Pigeon, Alectroenas nitidissima (Mauritius, Mascarenes, c.1830s)

● Farquhar Blue Pigeon, Alectroenas sp. (Farquhar Group, Seychelles, 19th century)
Only known from early reports; possibly a subspecies of the Comoro or Seychelles Blue Pigeon.
● Rodrigues Grey Pigeon, "Alectroenas" rodericana (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, mid-18th century)
A mysterious bird of unknown affinities, known from a few bones and, as it seems, two historical
reports.
● Dodo, Raphus cucullatus (Mauritius, Mascarenes, late 17th century)
Called Didus ineptus by Linnaeus. A meter-high flightless bird found on Mauritius. Its forest
habitat was lost when Dutch settlers moved to the island and the dodo's nests were destroyed by
the monkeys, pigs, and cats the Dutch brought with them. The last specimen was killed in 1681,
only 80 years after the arrival of the new predators.
● Rodrigues Solitaire, Pezophaps solitaria (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, c.1730)
● For the "Réunion Solitaire"
Psittaciformes
Parrots.
Mounted specimen of Conuropsis

carolinensis, Museum Wiesbaden, Germany
● New Caledonian Lorikeet, Charmosyna diadema (New Caledonia, Melanesia, mid-20th

century?)
Officially critically endangered, there have been no reliable reports of this bird since the early
20th century. It is, however, small and inconspicuous.
● Norfolk Island Kākā, Nestor productus (Norfolk and Philip Islands, SW Pacific, 1851?)
Society Parakeet, Cyanoramphus ulietanus (Raiatea, Society Islands, late 18th century)
Black-fronted Parakeet, Cyanoramphus zealandicus (Tahiti, Society Islands, c.1850)
Paradise Parrot, Psephotus pulcherrimus (Rockhampton area, Australia, late 1920s)
The Night Parrot, (Pezoporus occidentalis), officially critically endangered, is a mysterious
species which might be extinct. It was only reliably recoded twice in the late 20th century, the
last time in 1991. More probably, it still persists in small numbers.
The Pacific Eclectus Parrot, Eclectus infectus, known from subfossil bones found on Tonga,
Vanuatu, and possibly Fiji, may have survived until the 18th century: a bird which seems to be a
male Eclectus parrot was drawn in a report on the Tongan island of Vava'u by the Malaspina
expedition.
Seychelles Parakeet, Psittacula wardi (Seychelles, W Indian Ocean, 1883)
Newton's Parakeet, Psittacula exsul (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, c.1875)
Mascarene Parrot, Mascarinus mascarinus (Réunion and possibly Mauritius, Mascarenes, 1834?)
Last known individual was a captive bird which was alive before 1834.
● Broad-billed Parrot, Lophopsittacus mauritianus (Mauritius, Mascarenes, 1680?)
May have survived to the late 18th century. A smaller related form described as Mauritius Grey
Parrot (Lophopsittacus bensoni) may be the female of L. mauritianus.
● Rodrigues Parrot, Necropsittacus rodericanus (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, late 18th century)
The species N. francicus is fictional, N. borbonicus most likely so.
● Glaucous Macaw, Anodorhynchus glaucus (N Argentina, early 20th century)
Officially critically endangered due to persistent rumours of wild birds, but probably extinct.
● Cuban Red Macaw, Ara tricolor (Cuba, West Indies, late 19th century)
A number of related species have been described from the West Indies, but are not based on good
evidence. Several prehistoric forms are now known to have existed in the region, however.
● Carolina Parakeet, Conuropsis carolinensis (SE North America, c.1930?)
Although the date of the last captive bird's death in the Cincinnati Zoo, 1918, is generally given
as extinction date, there are convincing reports of some wild populations persisting until later. 2
subspecies, C. c. carolinensis (east and south of the Appalachian range - extinct 1918 or c.1930)
and C. c. ludovicianus (Louisiana Parakeet, west of the Appalachian range - extinct early 1910s).
● Guadeloupe Parakeet, Aratinga labati (Guadeloupe, West Indies, late 18th century)
Only known from descriptions, the former existence of this bird is likely for biogeographic
reasons and because details as described cannot be referred to known species.
● Sinú Parakeet, Pyrrhura subandina (Colombia, mid-20th century?)
Recently recognized as a distinct species, this bird has a very restricted distribution and was last
reliably recorded in 1940. It was not found in 2004 and seems to be extinct.
● Martinique Amazon, Amazona martinica (Martinique, West Indies, mid-18th century)

Guadeloupe Amazon, Amazona violacea (Guadeloupe, West Indies, mid-18th century)
The extinct amazon parrots were originally described after travelers' descriptions. Both are
nowadays considered valid extinct species closely related to the Imperial Parrot.
Cuculiformes
Cuckoos.
● Delalande's Coua, Coua delalandei (Madagascar, late 19th century?)

St Helena Cuckoo, Nannococcyx psix (Saint Helena, Atlantic, 16th century)
Falconiformes
Birds of prey.
● Guadalupe Caracara, Polyborus lutosus (Guadelupe, E Pacific, 1900 or 1903)

Réunion Kestrel, Falco duboisi (Réunion, Mascarenes, c.1700)
Strigiformes
Owls.
● Réunion Owl, Mascarenotus grucheti (Réunion, Mascarenes, late 17th century?)

Mauritius Owl, Mascarenotus sauzieri (Mauritus, Mascarenes, c.1850)
Rodrigues Owl, Mascarenotus murivorus (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, mid-18th century)
New Caledonian Boobook, Ninox cf. novaeseelandiae (New Caledonia, Melanesia)
Known only from prehistoric bones, but might still survive.
● Laughing Owl, Sceloglaux albifacies (New Zealand, 1914?)
Two subspecies, S. a. albifacies (South Island and Stewart Island, extinct 1914?) and S. a.
rufifacies (North Island, extinct c.1870s?) - circumstantial evidence suggests small remnants
survived until the early/mid-20th century.
● The Puerto Rican Barn Owl, Tyto cavatica, known from prehistoric remains found in caves of
Puerto Rico, West Indies, may still have existed in 1912 given reports of the presence of cave-
roosting owls.
Caprimulgiformes
Nightjars and allies.

● Jamaican Parauque, Siphonorhis americana (Jamaica, West Indies, late 19th century
Reports of unidentifiable nightjars in habitat appropriate for S. americanus suggest that this
cryptic species may still exist. Research into this possibility is currently underway; pending
further information, it is classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct.
● Cuban Parauque, Siphonorhis daiquiri (Cuba, West Indies)
Described from subfossil bones in 1985. There are persistent rumors that this bird, which was
never seen alive by scientists, may still survive. Compare Puerto Rican Nightjar.
● Vaurie's Nightjar, Caprimulgus centralasicus
Only known from a single 1929 specimen from Xinjiang, China. It has never been found again,
and it is quite possibly invalid as it has not yet been compared to the similar subspecies of the
European Nightjar, C. europaeus plumipes, which occurs at the locality where C. centralasicus
was found.
Apodiformes
Swifts and hummingbirds.
● Coppery Thorntail, Discosura letitiae (Bolivia?)
Known only from 3 trade specimens of unknown origin. Might still exist.
● Brace's Emerald, Chlorostilbon bracei (New Providence, Bahamas, late 19th century)
Gould's Emerald, Chlorostilbon elegans (Jamaica or northern Bahamas, West Indies, late 19th
century)
Alfaro's Hummingbird, Saucerottia alfaroana (Costa Rica, c.1900)
Bogota Sunangel, Heliangelus zusii (Colombia?)
A mysterious bird known only from a single specimen of unknown origin. Might be a hybrid
(although the specimen is very distinct) or might still exist.
● Turquoise-throated Puffleg, Eriocnemis godini (Ecuador, 20th century?)
Officially classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct. Known only from 6 pre-1900
specimens, the habitat at the only known site where it occurred has been destroyed. However, the
bird's distribution remains unresolved.
Coraciiformes
Kingfishers and related birds.
● Ryukyu Kingfisher, Todiramphus miyakoensis (Miyako-jima, Ryukyu Islands, late 19th century)
This was probably a sub-species of the Micronesian Kingfisher Todiramphus cinnamomina. Only
seen once by scientists, in 1887; the specimen taken is somewhat damaged, making identification
by other than molecular analysis difficult.
● Giant Hoopoe, Upupa antaois (Saint Helena, Atlantic, early 16th century)
Piciformes
Woodpeckers and related birds.
● Caatinga Woodpecker, Celeus obrieni (Western Piauí, Brazil, mid-20th century)
This bird is known from a single specimen taken in 1926 and was long believed to be a
subspecies of the Rufous-headed Woodpecker. As it was confined to caatinga habitat, which has
been largely destroyed where the bird was once found, it is most likely extinct.
● Imperial Woodpecker, Campephilus imperialis (Mexico, late 20th century)
This 60-centimeter-long woodpecker is officially listed as critically endangered, possibly extinct.

Occasional unconfirmed reports come up, the most recent in late 2005.
● There is currently a major debate on whether the North American Ivory-billed Woodpecker
(Campephilus principalis principalis) was indeed rediscovered in the White River National
Wildlife Refuge of Arkansas in 2004. The Cuban Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus
principalis bairdii) was last seen in 1987 and is generally considered extinct, but there are a few
patches of habitat not yet surveyed.
Passeriformes
Perching birds.
Formicariidae - Antpittas and antthrushes
● Táchira Antpitta, Grallaria chthonia (Venezuela, late 20th century?)

Officially critically endangered, this species has not been recorded since 1956 and although some
habitat still exists, it was not found in dedicated searches in the 1990s.
The famous Stephens Island Wren, victim

of feral cats
Acanthisittidae - New Zealand "wrens"
● Stephens Island Wren, Xenicus lyalli (New Zealand, 1895?)
The species famously (but erroneously) claimed to have been made extinct by a single cat named
"Tibbles".
● Bush Wren, Xenicus longipes (New Zealand, 1972)
3 subspecies: X. l. stokesi - North Island, extinct 1955; X. l. longipes - South Island, extinct 1968;
X. l. variabilis - Stewart Island, extinct 1972.
Meliphagidae - Honeyeaters and Australian chats
● Kioea, Chaetoptila angustipluma (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1860s)

Hawai‘i ‘O‘o, Moho nobilis (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1930s)
O‘ahu ‘O‘o, Moho apicalis (O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands, mid-19th century)
Moloka‘i ‘O‘o, Moho bishopi (Moloka‘i and probably Maui, Hawaiian Islands, c.1910 or 1980s)
Kaua‘i ‘O‘o, Moho braccatus (Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands, 1987)
Chatham Island Bellbird, Anthornis melanocephala (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific, c.1910)
Unconfirmed records exist from the early-mid 1950s
Pardalotidae - Pardalotes, scrubwrens, thornbills, and gerygones
● Lord Howe Gerygone, Gerygone insularis (Lord Howe Island, Southwest Pacific, c.1930)
Pachycephalidae - Whistlers, shrike-thrushes, pitohuis and allies
● Mangarevan Whistler, ?Pachycephala gambierana (Mangareva, Gambier Islands, late 19th

century?)
A mysterious bird of which no specimen exists today. It was initially described as a shrike, then
classified as an Eopsalteria "robin", and may actually be an Acrocephalus flycatcher.
Dicruridae - Monarch flycatchers and allies
● Maupiti Monarch, Pomarea pomarea (Maupiti, Society Islands, mid-19th century)

Eiao Monarch, Pomarea fluxa (Eiao, Marquesas, late 1970s)
Previously considered a subspecies of the Iphis Monarch, this is an early offspring of the
Marquesan stock.
● Nuku Hiva Monarch, Pomarea nukuhivae (Nuku Hiva, Marquesas, mid-late 20th century)
Previously considered a subspecies of the Marquesas Monarch, this is another early offspring of
the Marquesan stock.
● Ua Pou Monarch, Pomarea mira (Ua Pou, Marquesas, c.1986)
Previously considered another subspecies of the Marquesas Monarch, this was a distinct species
most closely related to that bird and the Fatuhiva Monarch.
● Guam Flycatcher, Myiagra freycineti (Guam, Marianas, 1983)
Corvidae - Crows, ravens, magpies and jays

● Banggai Crow, Corvus unicolor (Banggai or Peleng Island, Indonesia, 20th century?)
Officially critically endangered, it is known only from two specimens taken on an unspecified
island at some date in the late 19th century, probably in 1884 or 1885. Possible sightings in 1981
and 1991, but no unequivocal recent records and amount of habitat destruction suggest this
species is extinct.
Malaconotidae - Bushshrikes
● Bulo Burti Boubou, Laniarius liberatus (Somalia, early 1990s?)
Only found once, in 1988, this bird is officially critically endangered, as it may still exist.
However, it was never found again despite being looked for, and there seems to be much habitat
degradation. Owing to the political situation in Somalia, further research has not been possible.
Vangidae - Vangas
● Short-toed Nuthatch Vanga, Hypositta perdita (Madagascar, mid-20th century?)
An enigmatic bird known only from 2 recently fledged juveniles collected in 1931, it was not
found during a thorough search in 1996.
†Turnagridae - Piopio
● North Island Piopio, Turnagra tanagra (North Island, New Zealand, c.1970?)
Not reliably recoded anymore since about 1900.
● South Island Piopio, Turnagra capensis (South Island, New Zealand, 1960s?)
Two subspecies, T. c. minor from Stephens Island (extinct c.1897) and the nominate T. c.
capensis from the South Island mainland (last specimen taken in 1902, last unconfirmed record in
1963)
Male (front) and female (back) Huia
Callaeidae - New Zealand wattlebirds
● Huia, Heteralocha acutirostris (North Island, New Zealand, early 20th century)
Estrildidae - Estrildid finches (waxbills, munias, etc)
● Black-lored Waxbill, Estrilda nigriloris (D.R. Congo, Africa, late 20th century?)
An enigmatic waxbill not seen since 1950; since part of its habitat is in Upemba National Park it
may survive.
Parulidae - New World warblers
● Bachman's Warbler, Vermivora bachmanii (Southern USA, c.1990?)
Officially critically endangered, possibly extinct
● Semper's Warbler, Leucopeza semperi (Saint Lucia, Caribbean, 1970s)
Icteridae - Grackles
● Slender-billed Grackle, Quiscalus palustris (Mexico, 1910)

Fringillidae - True finches
● Tawny-headed Mountain Finch, Leucosticte sillemi (Xinjiang, mid-/late 20th century?)
An enigmatic bird known from just 2 specimens collected in 1929. As no threats are known,
probably still extant, but the lack of recent records is puzzling.
● Bonin Grosbeak, Chaunoproctus ferreorostris (Chichi-jima, Bonin Islands, 1830s)
Drepanididae - Hawaiian honeycreepers
● ‘O‘u, Psittirostra psittacea (Hawaiian Islands, c.2000?)
Officially classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct, this was once the most widespread
species of Hawaiian honeycreeper. It has not been reliably recorded since 1987 or 1989.
● Lana‘i Hookbill, Dysmorodrepanis munroi (Lana‘i, Hawaiian Islands, 1918)

The Kaua‘i Palila, Loxioides kikuichi (Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands), possibly survived to the early
18th century.
Lesser Koa Finch, Rhodacanthus flaviceps (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1891)
Greater Koa Finch, Rhodacanthus palmeri (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1896)
Kona Grosbeak Finch, Psittirostra kona (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1894)
Greater ‘Amakihi, Hemignathus sagittirostris (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1901)
Hawai‘i ‘Akialoa, Akialoa obscura (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1940)
Maui Nui ‘Akialoa, Akialoa lanaiensis (Lana‘i and prehistorically probably Maui and Moloka‘i,
Hawaiian Islands 1892)
O‘ahu ‘Akialoa, Akialoa ellisiana (O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands, 1940)
Kaua‘i ‘Akialoa, Akialoa stejnegeri (Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands, 1969)
Nukupu‘u, Hemignathus lucidus (Hawaiian Islands, c.2000?)
The subspecies from O‘ahu (H. l. lucidus) is extinct since the late 19th century, that of Kaua‘i (H.
l. hanapepe) most probably since the late 1990s and that of Maui (H. l. affinis) has not been
reliably seen since 1995. It is currently classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct.
● Kakawahie, Paroreomyza flammea (Moloka‘i, Hawaiian Islands, 1963)

O‘ahu ‘Alauahio, Paroreomyza maculata (O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands, early 1990s?)
Officially classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct. Last reliable record was in 1985,
with an unconfirmed sighting in 1990.
● ‘Ula-‘ai-hawane, Ciridops anna (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1892 or 1937)

Black Mamo, Drepanis funerea (Moloka‘i, Hawaiian Islands, 1907)
Hawai‘i Mamo, Drepanis pacifica (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1898)
Po‘o-uli, Melamprosops phaeosoma (Maui, Hawaiian Islands, 2004?)
The most recent extinction on this list. What was most likely the last known bird has died in
captivity on 28 November 2004.
Emberizidae - Buntings and American sparrow
● Hooded Seedeater, Sporophila melanops (Brazil, 20th century?)
Officially classified as critically endangered, possibly extinct. It is known only from a single
male collected in 1823, and has variously been considered an aberrant Yellow-bellied Seedeater
or a hybrid.
Hirundinidae - Swallows and martins
● White-eyed River Martin, Pseudochelidon sirintarae (Thailand, late 1980s?)
Officially critically endangered, this enigmatic species is only known from migrating birds and it
was last seen in 1986 at its former roost site. Recent unconfirmed repors suggest it may occur in
Cambodia.
● Red Sea Swallow, Petrochelidon perdita (Red Sea area, late 20th century?)
Known from a single specimen, this enigmatic swallow probably still exists, but the lack of
recent records is puzzling.
Sylviidae - Old World warblers
● Aldabra Brush Warbler, Nesillas aldabranus (Aldabra, Indian Ocean, c.1984)

Large-billed Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus orinus (India, 20th century?)
A mysterious bird known only from a 1867 specimen that was long considered invalid, but has
recently been determined to be a very distinct species. It may still exist and simply have been
overlooked due to the former fact.
● Chatham Islands Fernbird, Bowdleria rufescens (Chatham Islands, New Zealand, c.1900)
Often placed in genus Megalurus, but this is based on an incomplete review of the evidence.
Cisticolidae - Cisticolas and allies
● Tana River Cisticola, Cisticola restrictus (Kenya, 1970s?)
A mysterious bird, found in the Tana River basin in small numbers at various dates, but not
anymore since 1972. Probably invalid, based on aberrant or hybrid specimens.
Zosteropidae - White-eyes
● Seychelles White-eye, Zosterops semiflava (Marianne, Seychelles, early 20th century)
Sometimes considered a subspecies of the Mayotte White-eye. Possibly occurred on other islands
in the Seychelles as well.
● Lord Howe White-eye, Zosterops strenua (Lord Howe Island, Southwest Pacific, c.1918)
Timaliidae - Old World babblers
● Black-browed Babbler, Malacocincla perspicillata (Borneo?, Indonesia, 20th century?)
Known from a single mid-19th century specimen, this bird may be extinct or could still exist. If
the specimen label, usually considered erroneous in claiming "Java" as the bird's origin, is
correct, it may have gone extinct earlier.
Muscicapidae - Old World Flycatchers and chats
● Rueck's Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis ruckii (Malaysia or Indochina, 20th century?)
An enigmatic bird known from 2 or 4 possibly migrant specimens, last recorded in 1918. Might
exist in NE Indochina and might be a subspeices of the Hainan Blue Flycatcher.
Turdidae - Thrushes and allies
● Grand Cayman Thrush, Turdus ravidus (Grand Cayman, West Indies, late 1940s)
Bonin Thrush, Zoothera terrestris (Chichi-jima, Bonin Islands, c.1830s)
‘Āmaui, Myadestes woahensis (O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands, mid-19th century)
Kāma‘o, Myadestes myadestinus (Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands, 1990s)
Oloma‘o, Myadestes lanaiensis (Hawaiian Islands, 1980s?)
Officially critically endangered, possibly extinct because a possible location on Moloka‘i remains
unsurveyed. Two subspecies are known from Lana‘i (M. l. lanaiensis, extinct early 1930s),
Moloka‘i (M. l. rutha, extinct 1980s?) and a possible third subspecies from Maui (extinct before
late 19th century).
Sturnidae - Starlings
● Kosrae Island Starling, Aplonis corvina (Kosrae, Carolines, mid-19th century)

Mysterious Starling, Aplonis mavornata (Mauke, Cook Islands, mid-19th century)
Tasman Starling, Aplonis fusca (Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island, Southwest Pacific,
c.1923)
Two subspecies, A. f. fusca - Norfolk Island Starling (extinct c.1923); A. fuscus hulliana - Lord
Howe Starling (extinct c.1919).
● Pohnpei Starling, Aplonis pelzelni (Pohnpei, Micronesia, c.2000)
Only once reliable record since 1956, in 1995, leaves the species' survival seriously in doubt.
● Bay Starling, Aplonis ulietensis (Raiatea, Society Islands, between 1774 and 1850)
Usually called "Bay Thrush"; a completely mysterious bird from Raiatea, now only known from
a painting and some descriptions of a (now lost) specimen. Its taxonomic position is thus
unresolvable at present, although for biogeographic reasons and because of the surviving
description, it has been suggested to have been a honeyeater. However, with the discovery of
fossils of the prehistorically extinct starling Aplonis diluvialis on neighboring Huahine, it seems
likely that this bird also belonged into this genus.
● Bourbon Crested Starling, Fregilupus varius (Réunion, Mascarenes, 1850s)

Rodrigues Starling, Necropsar rodericanus (Rodrigues, Mascarenes, late 18th century?)
The bird variously described as Testudophaga bicolor, Necropsar leguati or Orphanopsar leguati
which was considered to be identical with N. rodericanus (which is only known from fossils) was
finally resolved to be based on a misidentified partially albinistic specimen of the Martinique
Trembler (Cinclocerthia gutturalis) (Olson et al., Bull. B.O.C. 125:31).
See also
● Bird
● Late Quaternary prehistoric birds
● Fossil birds
● Flightless birds
External links and references
● The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
● Extinct Birds Stock Photography
● Extinct Birds from John James Audubon's Birds of America
● Utrotade faaglar (in Swedish)
● New Zealand Extinct Birds List
● Extinct bird forum
● The Extinction Website
List adapted, expanded and updated from that in Extinct Birds, Fuller, ISBN 0-19-850837-9 (Extinct
Birds is an absorbing study of the world's recently extinct bird species, the first complete survey since
Walter Rothschild's classic work of 1907)
Home | Up | Extinct birds | Suborders of birds | Parvorders of birds | Superfamilies of birds | Bird families
Famous birds
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This is a list of historical birds.
Famous birds
● The African grey parrot Alex, who, in studies by Dr. Irene Pepperberg, has demonstrated an
ability to count; differentiate categories involving objects, colors, shapes, and materials; and
understand the concept of same and different
● The Capitoline geese, who warned of an imminent attack on Rome's hill of the Capitol by the
Gauls in 390 B.C.
● Cher Ami, British-bred homing pigeon (autumn of 1918) – delivers twelve messages for the U.S.
Army during World War I, among other things helping to save the Lost Battalion.
● Incas, the last Carolina parakeet, who died in 1918 at the Cincinnati Zoo, reportedly of grief after
his mate Lady Jane died a few months before him, in 1917
● Martha, the last of the American passenger pigeons, who died at the Cincinnati Zoo in 1914.
Species Requiem Day, September 1, marks Martha's passing.
● Mike, the Wyandotte rooster of Fruita, Colorado who lived for 18 months after his head was cut
off. The botched decapitation in 1945 missed his brain stem and jugular vein. His owners fed him
thereafter with an eyedropper, and took him on tours of the West Coast. He died in 1947.
● The ducks of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee, who, in a tradition dating back to the
1930s, are escorted from their penthouse palace down the elevator every day of the year at 11:00
a.m., cross a red carpet to a Sousa march, and spend the day in the lobby fountain, returning
home with equal ceremony at 5:00 p.m.
● The ravens of the Tower of London, whose continuing presence there is said to maintain the
general safety of the kingdom. qand
Birds owned by famous people

● Mrs. Ballard's parrots, whose owner, Alba Ballard, dressed them up in costumes and had them
photographed in miniature scenes she made. Sherlock Holmes, General Patton, and Sonny and
Cher were just a few of the people portrayed. They appeared on several American late-night
television shows in the 1970s and 1980s.
● The parrot who sailed with Thor Heyerdahl on the raft Kon-Tiki
● Ulysses, Gerald Durrell's pet owl when he was growing up in Corfu. Ulysses appeared frequently
in Durrell's books about living on the Greek island.
Famous extinct birds
● Carolina parakeet
● Dodo
● Great Auk
● Moa
● Passenger pigeon
● See also Extinct birds
Feathers
Plumage
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Two feathers
Feathers are one of the epidermal growths that form the distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on
birds. They are the outstanding characteristic that distinguishes the Class Aves from all other living
groups. Other Theropoda also had feathers.
Contents
● 1 Characteristics
● 2 Evolution
❍ 2.1 Feathered dinosaurs
● 3 Human uses
● 4 References
Characteristics
Extreme closeup of the feathers of
a baby Yellow-headed Parrot.
A white feather
Feathers are among the most complex structural organs found in vertebrates: integumentary appendages,
formed by controlled proliferation of cells in the epidermis, or outer skin layer, that produce keratin
proteins. The β-keratins in feathers, beaks and claws — and the claws, scales and shells of reptiles — are
composed of protein strands hydrogen-bonded into β-pleated sheats, which are then further twisted and
crosslinked by disulfide bridges into structures even tougher than the α-keratins of mammalian hair,
horns and hoof.
Feathers insulate birds from water and cold temperatures. Individual feathers in the wings and tail play
important roles in controlling flight. These have their own identity and are not just randomly distributed.
Some species have a crest of feathers on their heads. Although feathers are light, a bird's plumage
weighs two or three times more than its skeleton, since many bones are hollow and contain air sacs.
Color patterns serve as camouflage against predators for birds in their habitats, and by predators looking
for a meal. As with fish, the top and bottom colors may be different to provide camouflage during flight.
Striking differences in feather patterns and colours are part of the sexual dimorphism of many bird
species and are particularly important in selection of mating pairs. The remarkable colors and feather
sizes of some species have never been fully explained.
There are two basic types of feather: vaned feathers which cover the exterior of the body, and down
feathers which are underneath the vaned feathers. The pennaceous feathers are vaned feathers. Also
called contour feathers, pennaceous feathers are distributed over the whole body. Some of them are
modified into remiges, the flight feathers of the wing, and rectrices, the flight feathers of the tail. A
typical vaned feather features a main shaft, called the rachis. Fused to the rachis are a series of branches,
or barbs; the barbs themselves are also branched and form the barbules. These barbules have minute
hooks called barbicels for cross-attachment. Down feathers are fluffy because they lack barbicels, so the
barbules float free of each other, allowing the down to trap much air and provide excellent thermal
insulation. At the base of the feather, the rachis expands to form the hollow tubular calamus, or quill,
which inserts into a follicle in the skin.
The Dyck texture is what causes the colours blue and green in most parrots. This is due to a texture
effect in microscopic portions of the feather itself, rather than pigment, or the Tyndall effect as was
previously believed.
The spectacular red feathers of certain parrots owe their vibrancy to a rare set of pigments found
nowhere else in nature.
parts of a contour feather
A bird's feathers are replaced periodically during its life through molting, new feathers are formed
through the same follicle from which the old ones were fledged.
Some birds have a supply of powder-down feathers which grow continuously, with small particles
regularly breaking off from the ends of the barbules. These particles produce a powder that sifts through
the feathers on the bird's body and acts as a waterproofing agent and a feather conditioner. Most
waterbirds produce a large amount of powder down. Waterproofing can be lost by exposure to
emulsifying agents due to human pollution. Feathers can become waterlogged and birds may sink. It is
also very difficult to clean and rescue birds whose feathers have been fouled by oil spills.
Bristles are stiff, tapering feathers with a large rachis but few barbs. Rictal bristles are bristles found
around the eyes and bill. They serve a similar purpose to eyelashes and vibrissae in mammals.
Evolution
Feathers most likely originated as a filamentous insulation structure, or possibly as markers for mating,
with flight emerging only as a secondary purpose. It has been thought that feathers evolved from the
scales of reptiles, but recent research suggests that while there is a definite relationship between these
structures, it remains uncertain the exact process. (see Quarterly Review of Biology 77:3 (September
2002): 261-95). Experiments show that the same protein (when missing before birth) that causes bird
feet to stay webbed, causes bird scutes and scales to become feathers. [1]
Feathered dinosaurs
Although birds use feathers primarily for flight, several dinosaurs have been discovered with feathers on
their limbs that would not have functioned for flight. One theory is that feathers originally developed on
dinosaurs as a means of insulation; those small dinosaurs that then grew longer feathers may have found
them helpful in gliding, which would have begun the evolutionary process that resulted in some proto-
birds like Archaeopteryx and Microraptor zhaoianus. Other dinosaurs discovered with feathers include
Pedopenna daohugouensis, Sinosauropteryx, and Dilong paradoxus. Currently the question is whether
birds are deinonychosaurians or dromaeosaurids, not whether birds are dinosaurs. It has been suggested
that Pedopenna is older than Archaeopteryx, however, their age remains doubted by some experts.
Dilong is a tyrannosauroid which predates Tyrannosaurus rex by 60 to 70 million years.
Human uses
Feathers have a number of utilitarian and cultural and religious uses.
Utilitarian Functions
Feathers are both soft and excellent at trapping heat; thus, they are sometimes used in high-class
bedding, especially pillows, blankets, and mattresses. They are also used as filling for winter clothing,
such as quilted coats and sleeping bags; goose down especially has great loft, the ability to expand from
a compressed, stored state to trap large amounts of compartmentalized, insulating air. Bird feathers have
long been used for fletching arrows and in the past were used for ink pens. They have also been put to
use as sexual aids; see feather-dancing. Another human use is tickling for their soft feeling. Colorful
feathers such as those belonging to pheasants have been used in the past to decorate hats and fishing
lures. During the late 19th and early 20th Centuries a booming international trade in plumes, to satisfy
market demand in North America and Europe for extravagant head-dresses as adornment for fashionable
women, caused so much destruction (for example, to egret breeding colonies) that a major campaign
against it by conservationists caused the fashion to change and the market to collapse.
Cultural and Religious Uses
Eagle feathers have great cultural and spiritual value to American Indians as religious objects. The
religious use of eagle and hawk feathers are governed by the eagle feather law (50 CFR 22), a federal
law limiting the possession of eagle feathers to certified and enrolled members of federally-recognized
Native American tribes.
Various birds and their plumages serve as cultural icons throughout the world, from the hawk in ancient
Egypt to the bald eagle and the turkey in the United States. In Greek mythology, Icarus tried to escape
his prison by attaching feathered wings to his shoulders with wax, which melted near the Sun.
References
McGraw, K. J. 2005. Polly want a pigment? Cracking the chemical code to red coloration in parrots.
Australian Birdkeeper Magazine 18:608-611.
DeMeo, Antonia M. Access to Eagles and Eagle Parts: Environmental Protection v. Native American
Free Exercise of Religion (1995) [2]
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR), Title 50: Wildlife and Fisheries PART 22—EAGLE
PERMITS [3]
Stokes, DaShanne. (In Press) Legalized Segregation and the Denial of Religious Freedom
U.S. v. Thirty Eight Golden Eagles (1986) [4]
External links
● Religious Freedom with Raptors
Fictional birds
Fictional ducks
Back | Home | Next
Sirin and Alkonost - Birds of Joy and Sorrow, by

Viktor Vasnetsov.
Contents
● 1 Birds in legends, mythology, and religion
● 2 Birds in literature
● 3 Birds in heraldry
● 4 Birds in Television
● 5 Birds on the radio
● 6 Birds in animation, comics, puppetry, and theme parks
● 7 Birds in film
● 8 Birds in music
● 9 Birds in sports
● 10 Birds in video games
● 11 Birds in commerce
● 12 See also
Birds in legends, mythology, and religion

● Alkonost in Russian legends
Ba in Egyptian mythology
Bagucks in Chippewa mythology
Bar Juchne in Talmud
Camulatz in Mayan mythology
Chamrosh in Persian mythology
The Cu Bird (el Pájaro Cu) in Mexican folklore
Noah's Dove in the Bible
Feng-huang (Chinese Phoenix) in Chinese mythology
Firebird in Native American mythologies
Ember bird in Russian fairy tales
Gamayun in Russian folklore
Garuda in Buddhism and Hinduism
Griffin in European mythology
Hábrók, a hawk from Norse mythology
Harpies in Greek mythology
Hokhokw in Kwakiutl mythology
Ho-o in Japanese, imported from Chinese; Fenghuang
Huginn and Muninn (Thought and Memory), Odin's two companion birds in Norse mythology
Jatayu in Hindu mythology
Kin-u in Japanese, imported from Chinese
Kwakwakalanooksiwae in Kwakiutl mythology
Lightning Bird, a real or imaginary bird in southern African folklore
Phoenix in Egyptian mythology
Pisia in Native American mythology
Quetzalcoatl in Aztec mythology
Raven in Native American mythologies
Noah's Raven in the Bible
Roc in Persian mythology
Samjoko in Korean mythology
Shang-Yang (a rainbird) in Chinese mythology
Simurgh in Persian mythology
Sirin in Russian folklore
Suzaku in Japanese mythology, imported from the Chinese Shu-jaku
Tecumbalam in Maya mythology
Thunderbird in Native American mythologies
Xecotcovach in Maya mythology
Yatagarasu in Japanese mythology
Ziz in Talmud
Birds in literature
● The albatross in Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Archimedes (an owl) and various hawks, falcons, and white-fronted geese in The Once and
Future King by T. H. White
Billina (a chicken) in numerous Land of Oz books by L. Frank Baum
numerous bond-birds in the Velgarth books by Mercedes Lackey, mostly raptors, usually
selectively-bred for size and intelligence
The black hen in the "Hickety, pickety" nursery rhyme
Mr. Brown, the owl in Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin
Chanticleer (a rooster) and Pertelote (his favorite hen) in "The Nun's Priest's Tale" by Geoffrey
Chaucer
Chil the Kite in The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
Crow, by Ted Hughes
Johnny Crow, the crow star of a series of children's books illustrated by L. Leslie Brookes
The Crow and the Oriole, one of James Thurber's fables; also, The Owl Who was God, and The
Shrike and the Chipmunks
A dove carrying a sprig flies to Noah, indicating the end of the Flood in Book of Genesis
The E-Telekeli (a humanoid eagle) leader of the Underpeople in the works of Cordwainer Smith
Fawkes (a phoenix) in the Harry Potter novels by J. K. Rowling
Captain Flint (a parrot) in Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
The four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie in the nursery rhyme
Miss Goldfinch the elder and Miss Clara Goldfinch, who have a tea and coffee tavern in Beatrix
Potter's The Tale of Little Pig Robinson
Thorondor, king of the eagles in the works of J. R. R. Tolkien
Gwaihir and Landroval, also eagles, in The Lord of the Rings, also by Tolkien
Roäc and Cärc, two ravens from The Hobbit, also by Tolkien
Hedwig (a snowy owl) in the Harry Potter novels by J. K. Rowling; also many other owls, used
to carry messages
Jack and Jill, the blackbirds on a hill told to fly away in the nursery rhyme
Kaisa, the dæmon of the witch Serafina Pekkala in the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip
Pullman. His final form is a snow goose.
Kehaar the seagull in Watership Down
Sally Henny-penny, the chicken who re-opens the shop in Beatrix Potter's Ginger and Pickles
Oreb (a "night chough", a fictitious crow-like species) in The Book of the Long Sun and The
Book of the Short Sun by Gene Wolfe; also various hawks and "the white-headed one", some
kind of vulture
Owl (an owl) in the Winnie the Pooh books by A. A. Milne
A sarcastic parrot belonging to the title character in Terry Pratchett's Faust Eric
The phoenix, in E. Nesbit's The Phoenix and the Carpet
Pickwick, a dodo from the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde
"Pigeons on the grass, alas," from a poem by Gertrude Stein
Pigeons, owls, hens, and an eagle in James Thurber's taking issue with Stein's pigeon passage –
the story There's an Owl in My Room
Pip, Beth March's unfortunate canary in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women
Polynesia, a parrot in Hugh Lofting's Dr. Dolittle stories.
Quoth (a raven) in the works of Terry Pratchett (a pun on The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe)
The raven in Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven
The robin of the "Little Robin Redbreast" nursery rhyme
Jonathan Livingston Seagull (a gull), eponymous character in a short story by Richard Bach. The
story has other gull characters as well.
A stork (presumably a white stork) and a kingfisher (presumably a belted kingfisher) in Little,
Big by John Crowley
Tobias, a human who becomes stuck in the body of a red-tailed hawk in the Animorphs series by
K. A Applegate
The Ugly Duckling (actually a cygnet) in the story of that name by Hans Christian Andersen
Yittleby and Yattleby (alien flightless birds called krylobos) in Wizard's Eleven and the Jinian
books by Sheri S. Tepper.
Zoltan the raven in The Gunslinger by Stephen King.
Many species in Aesop's Fables
Many species in The Conference of the Birds, a Persian book of poems by Farid ud-Din Attar.
Many species in La Fontaine's fables.
Many species in Brian Jacques's Redwall novels.
Many species in Thornton Burgess's children's stories.
Many species including the Ratbird in Paul Stewart's Edge Chronicles series.
The twin white condors in The Legend of the Condor Heroes and The Return of the Condor
Heroes
The divine condor in The Return of the Condor Heroes
Birds in heraldry
Birds in Television
● Carly, the Cardinal spokes/songbird for National Arbor Day in the U.S.
Dahl (parrot), household pet of the Kennedy family in the Australian soap-opera Neighbours
Fred the cockatoo in Baretta
Owl, from Winnie the Pooh
Rosita, Dolores and Marguerita, parrots who advertise Tropicana brand orange juice on UK
television
Tony Soprano's swimming pool ducks in The Sopranos
Birds on the radio

● The Wise Old Bird on the planet Brontitall in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Birds in animation, comics, puppetry, and theme parks

● The Aracuan Bird, in various Walt Disney cartoons
Archimedes, an owl in Disney's The Sword in the Stone
Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Lugia and Ho-oh from Pokémon
Beaky Buzzard, a buzzard in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons
Big Bird, a very big canary and Little Bird on Sesame Street
Big Mama, an owl in the Disney film The Fox and the Hound
Birdee, Kira Yamato's robotic pet created by Athrun Zala as a parting gift; Gundam Seed.
Blackbird, a pirate (based on Blackbeard) in The Legend Of Anne Bunny
Booker, a baby chick in Garfield and Friends
Buzby, yellow bird of unspecified species in advertisements for British Telecom in the late 1970s/
early 1980s
Gallina Caponata, a big (theorical) chicken similar to Big Bird in Spanish version of Sesame
Street
Cathryn Aura and her son Nigel, vultures in Kevin and Kell
Charlie the Owl in the New Zoo Revue
Chicken Pig of Avatar: The Last Airbender
Chilly Willy, a penguin in the Walter Lantz cartoons
Cozy Heart Penguin, a Care Bears cousin
The crows in Dumbo
Daffy Duck, a duck in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons
Darkwing Duck, of the Disney television cartoon of the same name.
Diablo, Maleficent's raven, in Disney's animated version of Sleeping Beauty
The last of the Dodos in Looney Tunes
Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Huey, Dewey and Louie, Ludwig Von Drake, and Scrooge McDuck
in the Walt Disney cartoons
Duckman, a duck in the cartoon of the same name
Flit, a hummingbird in Disney's animated version of Pocahontas
Friend Owl, in Disney's Bambi
Frobisher (aka Avan Tarklu), an alien shapeshifter from the Dr. Who comic strip who preferred
the form of a penguin.
Foghorn Leghorn, a rooster in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons
Gogo Dodo in Tiny Toon Adventures
The Goodfeathers (pigeons) in Animaniacs
Graculus in Noggin the Nog
Giant hawks flown by the Glider Elves in Elfquest comics
The Great Bird Conspiracy in Kevin and Kell
H. Ross Parrot on Sesame Street
Henery Hawk, a chickenhawk in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons
Howard the Duck in the comic book of the same name
Howland Owl, and Sarcophagus MacAbre, a vulture in Walt Kelly's Pogo
Iago, a parrot in Disney's animated version of Aladdin
Jose Carioca, a parrot in various Walt Disney cartoons
Jose, Michael, Pierre, and Fritz, parrot sin Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room attraction at
Disney theme parks
Kehaar the seagull in Watership Down
Kestrel, Owl, Mr. Pheasant and several others in Animals of Farthing Wood
Kotreeka birds in Gene Catlow
Matthew, Dream's raven in the DC Comics Sandman series.
Opus, a penguin in Berkeley Breathed's Bloom County
Owls in Futurama, considered vermin in the 31st Century
* Owl in Disney's animated versions of the Winnie the Pooh stories.
Pen2, a penguin from Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Panchito, a rooster in The Three Caballeros
The penguin waiters in Mary Poppins
Penguins in Avatar: The Last Airbender of Avatar: The Last Airbender
The pigeons from Pigeon Street.
Pingu, a penguin in the animated children's series of the same name (Swiss)
Plucky Duck in Tiny Toon Adventures
Pokey the Penguin, a penguin living in the Arctic Circle, in the webcomic of the same name
Professor Yaffle, a Green Woodpecker in Bagpuss (UK)
The purple falcon sidekick of Birdman
Reptile Parrot of Avatar: The Last Airbender
The Road Runner (a roadrunner) in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons
Screaming Bird of Avatar: The Last Airbender
Scuttle, a seagull in Disney's The Little Mermaid
Sheldon, an unhatched chick egg, in Garfield and Friends
Shoe, a grumpy, cigar-smoking newspaper publisher in his own comic strip
Shirley McLoon in Tiny Toon Adventures
Sonny (a cuckoo), a cartoon spokesbird for Cocoa Puffs cereal (USA)
Toucan Sam, a toucan, the cartoon spokesbird for Froot Loops cereal (USA)
Turtle Ducks of Avatar: The Last Airbender
Tweety, a canary in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons
The vultures in Disney's animated version of The Jungle Book
The Why Bird, in BBC educational programme Playdays.
Woodstock in the Charles Schultz's Peanuts comic strip
Woody Woodpecker, a woodpecker in the Walter Lantz cartoons
Yankee Doodle Pigeon in Hanna-Barbera's Dastardly and Muttley in their Flying Machines
Yoyo, an owl in The Books of Magic comic book by Neil Gaiman and others
Zazu, a hornbill in The Lion King.
Birds in film
● Babs and Ginger (hens) and Fowler and Rocky (roosters) in Chicken Run
The Crow (also made into a television series) is about a superhero named The Crow, but he
associated with an actual crow
Falcon (a falcon) and Margalo (a canary) in Stuart Little 2
Paulie (a parrot) in the film of the same name
The killer birds in the Hitchcock film The Birds (and the Daphne du Maurier story on which the
film is based)
Mordechai: Pet falcon of Richie Tenenbaum in The Royal Tenenbaums
Waddlesworth (a parrot) in 102 Dalmatians
Howard - "Howard The Duck" aka "Howard: A New Breed of Hero" (1986)
Zazu, from The Lion King
Iago (a parrot) from Aladdin
Hedwig, Pigwidgeon ( owls ) from Harry Potter
Birds in music
● Blackbird in the Beatles' Blackbird
The Birds – British band
The Byrds – American band
The doves in Prince's When Doves Cry
Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
The old grey goose who drowned in the millpond in Go Tell Aunt Rhody
The Kookaburra of the Australian song of the same name
The Lark Ascending; composition by Vaughan Williams
Mockingbird by Carly Simon and James Taylor
The Mutton Birds – band
The Mynah Birds – band
The Nightingale; composition by Igor Stravinsky
Oiseax exotiques and Catalogue d'oiseaux; organ compositions by Olivier Messiaen.
The turkey in Turkey in the Straw
And Your Bird Can Sing by The Beatles
"City Bird" from the album Satanic Panic in the Attic by Of Montreal.
Bird song in transcribed form is found in Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Richard Wagner's
Siegfried, Richard Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier, Camille Saint-Saëns's Le Carnaval des Animaux
and Olivier Messiaen's Chronochromie and Coleurs de la cité céleste.
"Bird on a Wire" by Leonard Cohen
Birds in sports
● The Anaheim Ducks
The Arizona Cardinals
The Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Thrashers
The Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Ravens
The BellevueBlackhawks
The Boston Doves (now Atlanta Braves)
The Chicago Owls (defunct)
The Oklahoma Thunderbirds (defunct)
The Pittsburgh Condors (defunct)
The Pittsburgh Penguins
The St Louis Eagles (defunct)
The Seattle Seahawks
The Toronto Blue Jays
Birds in video games

● The Chozo in the Metroid series
Beat the Bird in Mega Man
Chill Penguin and Storm Eagle in Mega Man X
Overdrive Ostrich in Mega Man X2
Cyber Peacock and Storm Owl in Mega Man X4
Falco Lombardi in the Star Fox series
Sgt. James Byrd in the Spyro the Dragon series, beginning with Spyro 3: Year of the Dragon
Miscellaneous Pokémon characters, including Pidgey, Delibird, Spearow, Zapdos, and Ho-oh,
among many others
Helmaroc King and Kargorocs in the Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Chocobo in the Final Fantasy series
Kaepora Gaebora in the The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Kazooie, the sidekick in the Banjo-Kazooie series
Blathers, the owner of the museum in Animal Crossing
Celeste, in Animal Crossing: Wild World. The sister of Blathers
The Babylon Rogues of Sonic Riders
Tiki the Kiwi from New Zealand Story
Birds in commerce
● Granny Goose
See also
● Bird
● List of fictional ducks
Flightless birds
Struthioniformes | Ratites
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Flightless birds evolved from flying ancestors; there are about forty species in existence today. The best-
known flightless birds are the ostrich, emu, cassowary, rhea and penguins. Most flightless birds evolved
in the absence of predators, on islands, and lost the power of flight because they had few enemies. A
notable exception, the ostrich, which lives in the African savannas, has claws on its feet to use as a
weapon against predators.
Two key differences between flying and flightless birds are the smaller wing bones of flightless birds
and the absent (or greatly reduced) keel on their breastbone. The keel anchors muscles needed for wing
movement[1]. Flightless birds also have more feathers than flying birds.
New Zealand has more species of flightless birds (including the kiwis, several species of penguins, and
the takahe) than any other country. One reason is that until the arrival of humans roughly 1000 years
ago, there were no land mammals in New Zealand other than three species of bat; the main predators of
flightless birds were larger birds[2].
Some flightless variety of island birds are closely related to flying varities, impling flight is a signifcant
biological cost.
With the introduction of mammals (among them humans) to the habitats of flightless birds, many have
become extinct, including the Great Auk, the Dodo, and the Moas.
The smallest flightless bird is the Inaccessible Island Rail (length 12.5 cm, weight 34.7 g). The largest
(both heaviest and tallest) flightless bird, which is also the largest living bird, is the Ostrich (2.7 m, 156
kg)[3].
Flightless birds are the easiest to take care of in captivity because they do not have to be caged.
Ostriches were once farmed for their decorative feathers. Today they are raised for meat and for their
skins, which are used to make leather.
Contents
● 1 List of recent flightless birds
❍ 1.1 Ratites
❍ 1.2 Grebes
❍ 1.3 Pelican-like birds
❍ 1.4 Petrel-like birds
❍ 1.5 Duck-like birds
❍ 1.6 Rails and relatives
❍ 1.7 Gulls and relatives
❍ 1.8 Parrots
❍ 1.9 Doves and relatives
❍ 1.10 Songbirds
● 2 See also
● 3 Reference
List of recent flightless birds
Ratites
● Ostrich
● Emu
● Kangaroo Island Emu (extinct)
King Island Emu (extinct)
● Cassowaries
● Moas (extinct)
● Elephant birds (extinct)
● Kiwis
● Rheas
Grebes
● Junin Flightless Grebe

Titicaca Flightless Grebe
Pelican-like birds
● Flightless Cormorant
Spectacled Cormorant (extinct)
Petrel-like birds
● Penguins
Duck-like birds
● Moa-nalo (extinct)
Magellanic Flightless Steamer Duck
Falkland Flightless Steamer Duck
White-headed Flightless Steamer Duck
Auckland Island Teal
Rails and relatives
● Red Rail (extinct)

Rodrigues Rail (extinct)
Woodford's Rail (probably flightless)
Bar-winged Rail (extinct, probably flightless)
Weka
New Caledonian Rail
Lord Howe Woodhen
Calayan Rail
New Britain Rail
Guam Rail
Roviana Rail ("flightless, or nearly so" [Taylor (1998])
Tahiti Rail (extinct)
Dieffenbach's Rail (extinct)
Chatham Rail (extinct)
Wake Island Rail (extinct)
Snoring Rail
Inaccessible Island Rail
Laysan Rail (extinct)
Hawaiian Rail (extinct)
Kosrae Island Crake (extinct)
Henderson Island Crake
Invisible Rail
New Guinea Flightless Rail
Lord Howe Swamphen (extinct, probably flightless)
North Island Takahe (extinct)
Takahe
Samoan Wood Rail
Makira Wood Rail
Tristan Moorhen (extinct)
Gough Island Moorhen
Adzebills (extinct)
Kagu
Gulls and relatives
● Great Auk (extinct)
Parrots
● Kakapo
Doves and relatives
● Dodo (extinct)
Rodrigues Solitaire (extinct)
Songbirds
● Stephens Island Wren (extinct)
See also
● Extinct birds
● Ratite
Reference
Taylor, Barry (1998). Rails: A Guide to the Rails, Crakes, Gallinules and Coots of the World. Yale
University Press. ISBN 0-300-07758-0.
Heraldic birds
Albatross | American Robin | Andean Condor | Blue Jay | Bluebird | Caladrius | Canada Goose | Canary
| Cardinal | Cassowary | Cockatoo | Condor | Cormorant | Crow | Domesticated turkey
| Double-headed eagle | Dove | Duck | Eagle | Emu | Falcon | Goose | Gull | Hawk | Heron | Hornbill
| Hummingbird | Ibis | Kingfisher | Kiwi | Kookaburra | Macaw | Martlet | Osprey | Ostrich | Owl
| Partridge | Peafowl | Pelican | Pheasant | Puffin | Quail | Raven | Rooster | Secretary Bird | Snipe
| Spotted Eagle Owl | Stork | Swallow | Swan | Toucan | Vulture | True parrots | Woodcreeper
Back | Home | Next
Albatross
American Robin
Andean Condor
Blue Jay
Bluebird
Caladrius
Canada Goose
Canary
Cardinal
Cassowary
Cockatoo
Condor
Cormorant
Crow
Domesticated turkey
Double-headed eagle
Dove
Duck
Eagle
Emu
Falcon
Goose
Gull
Hawk
Heron
Hornbill
Hummingbird
Ibis
Kingfisher
Kiwi
Kookaburra
Macaw
Martlet
Osprey
Ostrich
Owl
Partridge
Peafowl
Pelican
Pheasant
Puffin
Quail
Raven
Rooster
Secretary Bird
Snipe
Spotted Eagle Owl
Stork
Swallow
Swan
Toucan
Vulture
True parrots
Woodcreeper
Oology
Egg | Ornithology
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Oology, or oölogy is the branch of zoology that deals with the study of eggs, especially birds' eggs. It
can also be applied to the hobby of collecting wild birds' eggs (which is now illegal in many
jurisdictions). Oology includes the study of the breeding habits of birds, and the study of their nests.
(The study of birds' nests is sometimes called caliology).
Birds' eggs are conveniently classified as marked or unmarked, according to the ground color. Birds
which lay their eggs in holes in trees or in the ground almost always have white, unspotted eggs. Birds
which build in trees generally have blue or greenish eggs, either spotted or unspotted, while birds that
build in bushes, near the ground, are likely to lay speckled eggs.
Publications
● Thomas Mayo Brewer, (1814-80), an American ornithologist, wrote most of the biographical
sketches in the History of North American Birds, by Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway (1874-84). He
has been called "the father of American oölogy". He wrote North American Oölogy which was
partially-published in 1857.
● T. G. Gentry, Nests and Eggs of the Birds of the United States, (Philadelphia, 1885).
● Oliver Davie, Nests and Eggs of North American Birds, (fifth edition, Columbus, 1898).
● William Chapman Hewitson, Illustrations of Eggs of British Birds, (third edition, London, 1856).
● Alfred Newton, Dictionary of Birds, (New York, 1893-96).
See also
● ornithology
● Egg (biology)
Poultry
Chicken | Domesticated birds
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Ducks amongst other poultry
The Poultry-dealer, after

Cesare Vecellio.
Poultry is the class of domesticated fowl (birds) used for food or for their eggs. These most typically are
members of the orders Galliformes (such as chickens and turkeys), and Anseriformes (waterfowl such as
ducks and geese).
The word poultry is often used to refer to the meat of these birds. In a more general sense, it may refer to
the meat of other birds, such as pigeons or doves, or game birds like pheasants.
Types of poultry
Bird Wild ancestor Domestication Uses

chicken red junglefowl China, c. 3000 BC meat, eggs
duck various various meat, feathers, eggs
meat, feathers, eggs
goose various various
ostrich wild ostrich Africa meat, feathers, labour

turkey Wild Turkey Mexico meat
Cuts of poultry
The meatiest parts of a bird are the flight muscles on its chest, called breast meat, and the walking
muscles on the first and second segments of its legs, called the thigh and drumstick respectively.
In chickens and turkeys, the flight muscles, not adapted for sustained use, have less oxygen-carrying
myoglobin than the walking muscles, and are thus lighter in color. This is the distinction between "white
meat" and "dark meat". Waterfowl are adapted for sustained flight, and their breast meat is dark.
Late Quaternary prehistoric birds
Paleornithology | Fossil birds
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Prehistoric birds are various taxa of birds that became extinct before recorded history, or more
precisely, before they could be studied alive by bird scientists. They are known from subfossil remains
and sometimes folk memory, as in the case of New Zealand's Haast Eagle.
Artist's rendition of a giant Haast's eagle

attacking New Zealand moa.
Birds (Aves) are generally believed to have evolved from feathered dinosaurs, and there is no real
dividing line between birds and dinosaurs except of course that the former survived the Cretaceous-
Tertiary extinction event and the latter did not. For the purposes of this article, a "bird" is considered to
be any member of the clade Neornithes, that is the bird lineage as exists today. The other lineages of the
Aves also became extinct at the end of the Cretaceous.
Taxon extinctions taking place before the Late Quaternary happened in the absence of significant human
interference. Rather, reasons for extinction are stochastic abiotic events such as bolide impacts, climate
changes, mass volcanic eruptions etc. Alternatively, species may have gone extinct due to evolutionary
displacement by successor or competitor taxa - it is notable for example that in the early Neogene,
seabird biodiversity was much higher than today; this is probably due to competition by the radiation of
marine mammals after that time. The relationships of these ancient birdsre often hard to determine, as
many are known only from very fragmentary remains and due to the complete fossilization precludes
analysis of information from DNA, RNA or protein sequencing.
For further discussion, see main article Fossil birds

Contents
● 1 Late Quaternary avian extinctions
● 2 Taxonomic list of Late Quaternary prehistoric birds
❍ 2.3 Galliformes
❍ 2.5 Gruiformes
❍ 2.8 Procellariiformes
❍ 2.9 Sphenisciformes
❍ 2.18 References
❍ 2.19 External links
❍ 2.20 See also
Late Quaternary avian extinctions

This page lists bird taxa that have been become extinct before they could be researched by science, but
nonetheless survived into (geologically) recent times. Their remains are not or not completely fossilized
and therefore may yield organic material for molecular analyses to provide additional clues for resolving
their taxonomic affiliations. As these species' extinction coincided with the expansion of Homo sapiens
across the globe, in most (but not necessary all) cases, anthropogenic factors have played a crucial part
in their extinction, be it through hunting, introduced predators or habitat alteration. It is notable that a
large proportion of the species are from oceanic islands, especially in Polynesia. Bird taxa that evolved
on oceanic islands are usually very vulnerable to hunting or predation by rats, cats, dogs or pigs -
animals commonly introduced by humans -, as there evolved in the absence of mammalian predators and
therefore only have rudimentary predator avoidance behavior. Many, especially rails, have additionally
become flightless for the same reason and thus presented even easier prey.
The taxa in this list became extinct during the Late Quaternary - the Holocene or Late Pleistocene -, but
before the period of global scientific exploration that started in the late 15th century. More precisely,
their extinction was coincident with the expansion of Homo sapiens beyond Africa and Eurasia, i.e. this
list basically deals with extinctions between 40000 BC and 1500 AD. They should be classified with the
Wikipedia conservation status category "Prehistoric" in their individual accounts.
Taxonomic list of Late Quaternary prehistoric birds

All of these are Neornithes.
Struthioniformes
● †Aepyornithidae - Elephant Birds

❍ Aepyornis
■ Aepyornis hildebrandti (Madagascar)
■ Aepyornis maximus (Madagascar)
■ Aepyornis medius (Madagascar)
■ Aepyornis gracilis (Madagascar)
■ Aepyornis titan - may be a synonym of A. maximus (Madagascar)
Up to 4 more undescribed species are known, but taxonomy is not fully resolved. At least one species
survived until historic times.
● †Dinornithidae - Moa
❍ Anomalopteryx
■ Bush Moa, Anomalopteryx didiformis (South Island, New Zealand)
❍ Euryapteryx
■ North Island Broad-billed Moa, Euryapteryx curtus (North Island, New Zealand)
■ South Island Broad-billed Moa, Euryapteryx geranoides (South Island, New
Zealand)
❍ Pachyornis
■ Crested Moa, Pachyornis australis (South Island, New Zealand)
■ Heavy-footed Moa, Pachyornis elephantopus (South Island, New Zealand)
■ Pachyornis cf. elephantopus (South Island, New Zealand)
■ Mappin's Moa, Pachyornis mappini (North Island, New Zealand)
■ Pachyornis cf. mappini (North Island, New Zealand)
❍ Dinornis
■ North Island Giant Moa, Dinornis novaezealandiae (North Island, New Zealand)
■ Dinornis robustus (South Island, New Zealand)
■ Dinornis cf. robustus (South Island, New Zealand)
■ Dinornis cf. robustus (South Island, New Zealand)
❍ Emeus
■ Eastern Moa, Emeus crassus (South Island, New Zealand)
❍ Megalapteryx
■ Benham's Megalapteryx, Megalapteryx benhami (South Island, New Zealand)
■ Lesser Megalapteryx, Megalapteryx didinus (South Island, New Zealand) - may
have survived until historic times

● Struthionidae - Ostriches
❍ Extinct species of extant genera
■ Asian Ostrich, Struthio asiaticus (Central Asia to China)
● Apterygidae - Kiwi
■ Eastern Tokoeka, Apteryx sp. (South Island, New Zealand) - possibly the same as
the Okarito, Haast or South Island tokoeka.
Anseriformes
Artist's rendition of a moa-nalo,

flightless ducks which had evolved to
become larger than a swan and
possessed massive beaks shaped much
like a turtle's bill. Moa-nalo were the
dominant herbivores on the larger
Hawaiian Islands and were hunted to
extinction during the second half of the
1st millennium AD.
The group that includes modern ducks and geese.
● †Dromornithidae - The Australian mihirungs or "demon ducks"

❍ †Genyornis
■ Genyornis newtoni (Australia)
● Anatidae - Ducks, geese and swans

❍ †Geochen
■ Wetmore's Goose, Geochen rhuax (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands)
❍ †Cnemiornis
■ South Island Goose, Cnemiornis calcitrans (South Island, New Zealand)
■ North Island Goose, Cnemiornis gracilis (North Island, New Zealand)
❍ †Pachyanas
■ Chatham Island Duck, Pachyanas chathamica (Chatham Islands, SW Pacific)
❍ †Centrornis
■ Malagasy Sheldgoose, Centrornis majori (Madagascar)
❍ †Chelychelynechen
■ Turtle-jawed Moa-nalo, Chelychelynechen quassus (Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands)
❍ †Ptaiochen
■ Small-billed Moa-nalo, Ptaiochen pau (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
❍ †Thambetochen
■ Maui Nui Large-billed Moa-nalo, Thambetochen chauliodous (Maui and Moloka‘i,
Hawaiian Islands)
■ O‘ahu Large-billed Moa-nalo, Thambetochen xanion (O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
❍ †Chendytes
■ Law's Diving-goose, Chendytes lawi (California and Southern Oregon Coasts and
Channel Islands, E Pacific)

■ Nēnē-nui, Branta hylobadistes (Maui, possibly Kaua‘i and O‘ahu, Hawaiian
Islands)
■ Chatham Islands Shelduck, Tadorna cf. variegata (Chatham Islands, SW Pacific)
■ Malagasy Shelduck, Alopochen sirabensis (Madagascar; may be subspecies of the
Mauritian Shelduck)
■ Scarlett's Duck, Malacorhynchus scarletti (New Zealand)
■ Finsch's Duck, Chenonetta finschi (New Zealand; possibly survived to 1870)
■ Macquarie Islands Teal, Anas cf. chlorotis (Macquarie Islands, SW Pacific)
■ Chatham Islands Merganser, Mergus cf. australis (Chatham Islands, SW Pacific)
■ New Zealand Stiff-tailed Duck, Oxyura vantetsi (North Island, New Zealand)
■ De Lautour's Duck, Biziura delautouri (New Zealand)

■ Extinct subspecies of extant species
■ New Zealand Swan, Cygnus atratus sumnerensis (New Zealand, possibly
Chatham Islands)
■ Chatham Islands Teal, Anas chlorotis ssp. nov. (Chatham Islands, SW
Pacific)
❍ Placement unresolved
■ Giant Hawaii Goose, ?Branta sp. (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Giant O‘ahu Goose, Anatidae sp. et gen. indet. (O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Long-legged "Shelduck", Anatidae sp. et gen. indet. (Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Rota Flightless Duck, Anatidae sp. et gen. indet. (Rota, Marianas)
■ Small-eyed Duck, Anatidae sp. et gen. indet. (Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands)
Galliformes
The group that includes modern chickens and quails.
● †Sylviornithidae - The Sylviornis or New Caledonian Giant Megapode

❍ Sylviornis
■ Sylviornis, Sylviornis neocaledoniae (New Caledonia, Melanesia)
● Megapodidae - Megapodes
❍ †Megavitiornis
■ Noble Megapode, Megavitiornis altirostris (Viti Levu, Fiji)
■ Consumed Scrubfowl, Megapodius alimentum (Tonga and Fiji)
■ Viti Levu Scrubfowl, Megapodius amissus (Viti Levu and possibly Kadavu, Fiji) -
may have survived to the early 19th or the 20th century.

■ Giant Scrubfowl, Megapodius molistructor (New Caledonia and Tonga) - may
have survived to the late 18th century

■ ‘Eua Scrubfowl, Megapodius sp. (‘Eua, Tonga)
■ Lifuka Scrobfowl, Megapodius sp. (Lifuka, Tonga)
■ New Ireland Scrubfowl, Megapodius sp. (New Ireland, Melanesia)
● Phasianidae - Pheasants and allies

■ Canary Islands Quail, Coturnix gomerae (Canary Islands, East Atlantic)
Charadriiformes
Gulls, auks, shorebirds
● Laridae - Gulls
■ Huahine Gull, Larus utunui (Huahine, Society Islands)
■ Kaua‘i Gull, Larus sp. (Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Larus sp. (Saint Helena, Atlantic) - may be extant form
● Charadriidae - Lapwings and plovers

■ Malagasy Lapwing, Vanellus madagascariensis (Madagascar)
● Alcidae - Auks
■ Dow's Puffin, Fratercula dowi (Channel Islands, E Pacific)
● Scolopacidae - Waders and snipes

■ Henderson Island Sandpiper, Prosobonia sp. (Henderson Island, S Pacific)
■ Mangaian Sandpiper, Prosobonia sp. (Mangaia, Cook Islands)
■ Ua Huka Sandpiper, Prosobonia sp. (Ua Huka, Marquesas)
■ Giant Chatham Island Snipe, Coenocorypha chathamensis (Chatham Islands,
Southwest Pacific)
■ Viti Levu Snipe, Coenocorypha miratropica (Viti Levu, Fiji)
■ New Caledonia Snipe, Coenocorypha sp. (New Caledonia, Melanesia)
■ Norfolk Island Snipe, Coenocorypha sp. (Norfolk Island, Southwest Pacific)
■ Gallinago sp. (Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands) - may be the same as
■ Gallinago sp. (Cuba, West Indies) - may be the same as
■ Gallinago sp. (Bahamas, West Indies)
■ Puerto Rican Woodcock, Scolopax anthonyi
Gruiformes
The group that includes modern rails and cranes.
● Rallidae - Rails
❍ †Capellirallus
■ Snipe-rail, Capellirallus karamu (North Island, New Zealand)
❍ †Vitirallus
■ Viti Levu Rail, Vitirallus watlingi (Viti Levu, Fiji)
❍ †Hovacrex
■ Hova Gallinule, Hovacrex roberti (Madagascar)
❍ †Nesotrochis
■ Antillean Cave-Rail, Nesotrochis debooyi (Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, West
Indies) - may have survived until historic times

■ Haitian Cave-Rail, Nesotrochis steganinos (Haiti, West Indies)
■ Cuban Cave-Rail, Nesotrochis picapicensis (Cuba, West Indies)
■ New Caledonian Swamphen, Porphyrio kukwiedei (New Caledonia, Melanesia) -

may have survived into historic times
■ North Island Takahē, Porphyrio mantelli (North Island, New Zealand)
■ Huahine Swamphen, Porphyrio mcnabi (Huahine, Society Islands)
■ Marquesan Swamphen, Porphyrio paepae (Hiva Oa and Tahuata, Marquesas) -
may have survived to the late 19th century
■ Buka Swamphen, Porphyrio sp. (Buka, Solomon Islands)
■ Giant Swamphen, Porphyrio sp. (New Ireland, Melanesia)
■ Mangaia Swamphen, ?Porphyrio sp. (Mangaia, Cook Islands)
■ New Ireland Swamphen, Porphyrio sp. (New Ireland, Melanesia)
■ Norfolk Island Swamphen, Porphyrio sp. (Norfolk Island, Southwest Pacific)
■ Rota Swamphen, Porphyrio sp. (Rota, Marianas)
■ Ibiza Rail, Rallus eivissensis (Ibiza, Mediterranean)
■ Lifuka Rail, Nesoclopeus sp. (Lifuka, Tonga)
■ Niue Rail, Gallirallus huiatua (Niue, Cook Islands)
■ Mangaian Rail, Gallirallus ripleyi (Mangaia, Cook Islands)
■ Huahine Rail, Gallirallus storrsolsoni (Huahine, Society Islands)
■ ‘Eua Rail, Gallirallus vekamatolu (‘Eua, Tonga)
■ Marianas Rail, Gallirallus cf. owstoni (Marianas, West Pacific)
■ Marquesan Rail, Gallirallus sp. (Marquesas)
■ New Ireland Rail, Gallirallus sp. (New Ireland, Melanesia)
■ Norfolk Island Rail, Gallirallus sp. (Norfolk Island, Southwest Pacific) - may have
survived to the 19th century
■ Great O‘ahu Crake, Porzana ralphorum (O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Great Maui Grake, Porzana severnsi (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Mangaian Crake, Porzana rua (Mangaia, Cook Islands)
■ Liliput Crake, Porzana menehune (Moloka‘i, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Small O‘ahu Crake, Porzana ziegleri (O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Small Maui Crake, Porzana keplerorum (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Easter Island Crake, Porzana sp. (Easter Island, Southeast Pacific)
■ Great Big Island Crake, Porzana sp. (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Great Kaua‘i Crake, Porzana sp. (Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Huahine Crake, Porzana sp. (Huahine, Society Islands)
■ Mangaian Crake #2, Porzana sp. (Mangaia, Cook Islands)
■ Marquesan Crake, Porzana sp. (Ua Huka, Marquesas)
■ Marianas Crake, Porzana sp. (Marianas, West Pacific) - possibly 2 species
■ Medium Kaua‘i Crake, Porzana sp. (Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Medium Maui Crake, Porzana sp. (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Small Big Island Crake, Porzana sp. (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Hodgen's Waterhen, Gallinula hodgenorum (New Zealand)
■ ‘Eua Gallinule, Gallinula sp. (‘Eua, Tonga) - if genus Pareudiastes is accepted this
species belongs there
■ Viti Levu Gallinule, ?Gallinula sp. (Viti Levu, Fiji) - would also be separated in
Pareudiastes if that genus is considered valid, or may be new genus.
■Chatham Island Coot, Fulica chathamensis (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific)
■ New Zealand Coot, Fulica prisca (New Zealand)
■ Barbados Rail, Rallidae gen. et sp. indet. (Barbados, West Indies) - formerly
Fulica podagrica (partim)

■ Easter Island Rail, Rallidae gen. et sp. indet. (Easter Island)
■ Fernando de Noronha Rail, Rallidae gen. et sp. indet. (Fernando de Noronha,
Atlantic) - may have survived until historic times

● †Aptornithidae - Adzebills
❍ Aptornis
■ North Island Adzebill, Aptornis otidiformis (North Island, New Zealand)
■ South Island Adzebill, Aptornis defossor (South Island, New Zealand)
● Rhynochetidae - Kagus
■ Lowland Kagu, Rhynochetos orarius (New Caledonia, Melanesia)
Ciconiiformes
The diverse group that includes storks, herons and New World vultures.
● Ardeidae - Herons
■ Bennu Heron, Ardea bennuides (United Arab Emirates)
■ ‘Eua Night Heron, Nycticorax sp. (‘Eua, Tonga)
■ Lifuka Night Heron, Nycticorax sp. (Lifuka, Tonga) - may be same as ‘Eua species
■ Niue Night Heron, Nycticorax kalavikai (Niue, Cook Islands)
■ Ardeidae gen. et sp. indet. (Easter Island, E Pacific)
● Threskiornithidae - Ibises
❍ †Apteribis
■ Maui Upland Apteribis, Apteribis brevis (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Moloka‘i Apteribis, Apteribis glenos (Moloka‘i, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Maui Lowland Apteribis, Apteribis sp. (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
❍ †Xenicibis
■ Club-winged Ibis, Xenicibis xympithecus (Jamaica, West Indies)
● †Teratornithidae - Teratorns
❍ Teratornis
■ Merriam's Teratorn, Teratornis merriami (SW and S USA)
● Cathartidae - New World Vultures

■ Pleistocene Black Vulture, Coragyps occidentalis (SW and W USA)
■ ?Cathartes sp. (Cuba, West Indies)
Pelecaniformes
The group that includes modern pelicans and cormorants.
● Sulidae - Gannets and boobies

■ Ua Huka Booby, Papasula abbotti costelloi (Ua Huka, Marquesas)
Procellariiformes
The group that includes modern albatrosses, petrels and storm-petrels.
● Procellariidae - Petrels
■ Hole's Shearwater, Puffinus holeae (Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, and Atlantic
coast of Iberian peninsula)

■ Olson's Shearwater, Puffinus olsoni (Canary Islands, E Atlantic)
■ Scarlett's Shearwater, Puffinus spelaeus (South Island, New Zealand)
■ O‘ahu Petrel, Pterodroma jugabilis (O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Canary Islands Petrel, Pterodroma sp. (El Hierro, Canary Islands) - possibly
extirpated population of extant species

■ Chatham Extinct Petrel, Pterodroma sp. (Chatham Islands, SW Pacific)
■ Henderson Island Petrel, Pterodroma sp. (Henderson Island, S Pacific)
■ Procellariidae sp. (Easter Island, East Pacific)
Sphenisciformes
● Spheniscidae - Penguins
■ Chatham Islands Penguin, Eudyptes sp. (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific) -
possibly still extant in 1867
Columbiformes
● Columbidae - Doves and pigeons
❍ †Dysmoropelia
■ Saint Helena Flightless Pigeon, Dysmoropelia dekarchiskos (Saint Helena,

Atlantic) - may have survived to the 16th century
❍ †Natunaornis
■ Viti Levu Giant Pigeon, Natunaornis gigoura (Viti Levu, Fiji)

■ Society Islands Cuckoo-Dove, Macropygia arevarevauupa (Huahine, Society
Islands)
■ Marquesan Cuckoo-Dove, Macropygia heana (Marquesas, Pacific)
■ Puerto Rican Quail-dove, Geotrygon larva (Puerto Rico, West Indies)
■ Tongan Tooth-billed Pigeon, Didunculus placopedetes (Tonga, Pacific)
■ Greater Maned Pigeon, Caloenas canacorum (New Caledonia, Tonga)
■ Henderson Island Imperial Pigeon, Ducula harrisoni (Henderson Island, S Pacific)
■ Lakeba Imperial Pigeon, Ducula lakeba (Lakeba, Fiji)
■ Steadman's Imperial Pigeon, Ducula david (‘Eua, Tonga, and Wallis Island)
■ Tongan Imperial Pigeon, Ducula sp. (‘Eua, Foa and Lifuka, Tonga) - may be D.
david, D. lakeba or new species

■ Ducula cf. galeata (Cook Islands) - possibly new species
■ Ducula cf. galeata (Society Islands) - possibly new species
■ Ducula sp. (Viti Levu, Fiji) - may be D. lakeba
■ Great Ground Dove, Gallicolumba nui (Marquesas and Cook Islands)
■ Henderson Island Ground Dove, Gallicolumba leonpascoi (Henderson Island, S
Pacific)
■ New Caledonian Ground Dove, Gallicolumba longitarsus (New Caledonia)
■ Huahine Ground Dove, Gallicolumba sp. (Huahine, Society Islands) - G. nui?
■ Mangaia Ground Dove, Gallicolumba sp. (Mangaia, Cook Islands) - G. nui?
■ Rota Ground Dove, Gallicolumba sp. (Rota, Marianas)
■ Henderson Island Archaic Pigeon, Columbidae gen. et sp. indet. (Henderson
Island, S Pacific)
Psittaciformes
● Cacatuidae - Cockatoos
■ New Caledonian cockatoo, Cacatua sp. (New Caledonia)
■ New Ireland cockatoo, Cacatua sp. (New Ireland)
● Psittacidae - Parrots, parakeets and lorikeets

■ Sinoto's Lorikeet, Vini sinotoi (Marquesas, Pacific)
■ Conquered Lorikeet, Vini vidivici (Mangaia, Cook Islands, and Marqesas)
■ Chatham Islands Kaka, Nestor sp. (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific)
■ Pacific Eclectus Parrot, Eclectus infectus (Tonga, Vanuatu, possibly Fiji) - may
have survived to the 18th century.

[1]
■ Saint Croix Macaw, Ara autocthones (Saint Croix, West Indies)
■ Psittacidae gen. et sp. indet. 1 (Easter Island)
■ Psittacidae gen. et sp. indet. 2 (Easter Island)
■ Psittacidae gen. et sp. indet. (Rota, Marianas)
Cuculiformes
● Cuculidae - Cuckoos
■ Henderson Island Koel, Eudynamis cf. taitensis
■ Ancient Coua, Coua primaeva (Madagascar)
■ Bertha's Coua, Coua berthae (Madagascar)
■ Conkling's Roadrunner, Geococcyx californianus conklingi (Inland SW
North America)
Falconiformes
Birds of prey
● Accipitridae - Hawks and eagles

❍ †Gigantohierax
■ Cuban Giant-Hawk, Gigantohierax suarezi (Cuba, West Indies)
❍ †Titanohierax
■ Bahaman Titan-Hawk, Titanohierax gloveralleni (Bahamas, West Indies)
■ Hispaniolan Titan-Hawk, Titanohierax sp. (Hispaniola, West Indies)
❍ †Harpagornis
■ Haast's Eagle, Harpagornis moorei (South Island, New Zealand)
■ Powerful Goshawk, Accipiter efficax (New Caledonia, Melanesia)
■ Gracile Goshawk, Accipiter quartus (New Caledonia, Melanesia)
■ Accipiter sp. 1 (New Ireland, Melanesia)
■ Accipiter sp. 2 (New Ireland, Melanesia) - one of the two New Ireland species may
be Meyer's Goshawk
■ Malagasy Crowned Hawk-eagle, Stephanoaetus mahery (Madagascar)
■ Malagasy Eagle, Aquila sp. (Madagascar)
■ Mime Harrier, Circus dossenus (Moloka‘i, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Eyles' Harrier, Circus eylesi (New Zealand)
■ Accipitridae gen. et sp. indet. (Cuba, West Indies) - formerly Aquila/Titanohierax

borrasi
● Falconidae - Falcons
■ Cuban Kestrel, Falco kurochkini (Cuba, West Indies)
■ Bahaman Caracara, Polyborus creightoni (Bahamas and Cuba, West Indies) - may
be same as P. latebrosus
■ Puerto Rican Caracara, Polyborus latebrosus (Puerto Rico, West Indies)
Caprimulgiformes
Nightjars, potoos and allies.
● Aegothelidae - Owlet-nightjars
■ New Zealand Owlet-Nightjar, Aegotheles novaezealandiae (New Zealand)
● Caprimulgidae - Nightjars
■ Cuban Parauque, Siphonorhis daiquiri (Cuba, West Indies) - possibly extant
Apodiformes
● Apodidae - Swifts
■ Mangaia Swiftlet, Aerodramus manuoi (Mangaia, Cook Islands) - formerly
Collocalia
Strigiformes
Owls and barn owls.
● Strigidae - Owls
❍ †Grallistrix
■ Kaua‘i Stilt Owl, Grallistrix auceps (Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Maui Stilt Owl, Grallistrix erdmani (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Moloka‘i Stilt Owl, Grallistrix geleches (Moloka‘i, Hawaiian Islands)
■ O‘ahu Stilt Owl, Grallistrix orion (O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
❍ †Ornimegalonyx
■ Cuban Giant Owl, Ornimegalonxy oteroi (Cuba, West Indies)

■ Ornimegalonyx sp.
■ Cretan Little Owl, Athene cretensis (Crete, Mediterranean)
■ New Caledonian Boobook, Ninox cf. novaeseelandiae (New Caledonia, Melanesia)
- possibly extant
● Tytonidae - Barn Owls
■ Puerto Rican Barn Owl, Tyto cavatica (Puerto Rico, West Indies) - may still have
existed in 1912
■ New Caledonian Barn Owl, ?Tyto letocarti (New Caledonia, Melanesia)
■ Malta Barn Owl, Tyto melitensis (Malta, Mediterranean)
■ Noel's Barn Owl, Tyto noeli (Cuba, West Indies)
■ Hispaniolan Barn Owl, Tyto ostologa (Hispaniola, West Indies)
■ Bahaman Barn Owl, Tyto pollens (Andros, Bahamas)
■ Rivero's Barn Owl, Tyto riveroi (Cuba, West Indies)
■ Mussau Barn Owl, Tyto cf. novaehollandiae (Mussau, Melanesia)
■ New Ireland Greater Barn Owl, Tyto cf. novaehollandiae (New Ireland, Melanesia)
■ New Ireland Lesser Barn Owl, Tyto sp. (New Ireland, Melanesia)
■ Cuban Barn Owl, Tyto sp. (Cuba, West Indies)
■ Easter Island Barn Owl, Tytonidae sp. (Easter Island, Southeast Pacific)
Passeriformes
● Placement unresolved
❍ Slender-billed Kaua‘i passerine, Passeriformes gen. et sp. indet. (Kaua‘i, Hawaiian
Islands)
❍ Tiny Kaua‘i passerine, Passeriformes gen. et sp. indet. (Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands)
● Acanthisittidae - New Zealand "Wrens"

❍ †Pachyplichas
■ Yaldwyn's Wren, Pachyplichas yaldwyni (North Island, New Zealand)
■ Grant-Mackie's Wren, Pachyplichas jagmi (South Island, New Zealand) - may be
subspecies of P. yaldwyni
❍ †Dendroscansor
■ Long-billed Wren, Dendroscansor decurvirostris (South Island, New Zealand)
■ North Island Piwauwau, Xenicus gilviventris ssp. nov. (North Island, New
Zealand)
● Meliphagidae - Honeyeaters
❍ Prehistorically extinct species of Recently extinct genera
■ O‘ahu Kioea, Chaetoptila cf. angustipluma (O‘ahu and Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Narrow-billed Kioea, ?Chaetoptila sp. (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
● Dicruridae - Drongos, fantails and monarch flycatchers

■ Ua Huka Flycatcher, cf. Myiagra sp. (Ua Huka, Marquesas)
● Corvidae - Crows, Ravens, Jays and Magpies

■ Chatham Islands Raven, Corvus moriorum (Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific)
■ High-billed Crow, Corvus impluviatus (O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
■ New Zealand Raven, Corvus antipodum (New Zealand)
■ North Island Raven, Corvus antipodum antipodum (North Island, New
Zealand)
■ South Island Raven, Corvus antipodum pycrafti (South Island, New
Zealand)
■ Robust Crow, Corvus viriosus (O‘ahu and Moloka‘i, Hawaiian Islands)
■ New Ireland Crow, Corvus sp. (New Ireland, Melanesia)
■ Puerto Rican Crow, Corvus pumilis (Puerto Rico and St Croix, West Indies) -
probably a subspecies of C. nasicus or C. palmarum
● Sturnidae - Starlings
■ Huahine Starling, Aplonis diluvialis (Huahine, Society Islands)
● Sylviidae - Old World warblers

■ ‘Eua Bush Warbler, Cettia sp. (‘Eua, Tonga)
● Zosteropidae - White-eyes
■ Tongan White-Eye, Zosteropidae gen. et sp. indet. (‘Eua, Tonga)
● Turdidae - Thrushes
■ Maui Oloma‘o, Myadestes cf. lanaiensis (Maui, Hawaiian Islands) - may have
survived until the 19th century
● Fringillidae - Finches
■ Trías Greenfinch, Carduelis triasi (La Palma, Canary Islands)

● Drepanididae - Hawaiian Honeycreepers
❍ †Orthiospiza
■ Highland Finch, Orthiospiza howarthi (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
❍ †Xestospiza
■ Cone-billed Finch, Xestospiza conica (Kaua‘i and O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Ridge-billed Finch, Xestospiza fastigialis (O‘ahu, Maui and Moloka‘i, Hawaiian
Islands)
❍ †Vangulifer
■ Strange-billed Finch, Vangulifer mirandus (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Thin-billed Finch, Vangulifer neophasis (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
❍ †Aidemedia
■ O‘ahu Icterid-like Gaper, Aidemedia chascax (O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Sickle-billed Gaper, Aidemedia zanclops (O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Maui Nui Icterid-like Gaper, Aidemedia lutetiae (Maui and Moloka‘i, Hawaiian
Islands)
❍ Prehistorically extinct species of extant and Recently extinct genera
■ Kaua‘i Finch, Telespiza persecutrix (Kaua‘i and O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Maui Nui Finch, Telespiza ypsilon (Maui and Moloka‘i, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Maui Finch, Telespiza cf. ypsilon (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Kaua‘i Palila, Loxioides kikuichi (Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands) - possibly survived
until early 18th century

■ Scissor-billed Koa-Finch, Rhodacanthis forfex (Kaua‘i and Maui, Hawaiian
Islands)
■ Primitive Koa-Finch, Rhodacanthis litotes (O‘ahu and Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
■ O‘ahu Grosbeak Finch, Chloridops wahi (O‘ahu and Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Giant ("King Kong") Grosbeak Finch, Chloridops regiskongi (O‘ahu, Hawaiian
Islands)
■ Kaua‘i Grosbeak Finch, Chloridops sp. (Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands) - may be same
as Chloridops wahi
■ Maui Grosbeak Finch, Chloridops sp. (Maui, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Giant Amakihi, Hemignathus vorpalis (Big Island, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Hoopoe-billed ‘Akialoa, Hemignathus upupirostris - sometimes in genus Akialoa
(Kaua‘i and O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands)

■ Stout-legged Finch, Ciridops tenax (Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Moloka‘i Ula-ai-Hawane, Ciridops cf. anna (Moloka‘i, Hawaiian Islands)
■ O‘ahu Ula-ai-Hawane, Ciridops sp. (O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
■ Drepanididae gen. et sp. indet. (Maui, Hawaiian Islands) - at least 3 species
■ Drepanididae gen. et sp. indet. (O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands)
● Emberizidae - Buntings
❍ †Pedinornis
■ Puerto Rican Obscure Bunting, Pedinornis stirpsarcana (Puerto Rico, West Indies)
■ Long-legged Bunting, Emberiza alcoveri (Tenerife, Canary Islands)
● Hirundinidae - Swallows and martins

■ Henderson Island Pacific Swallow, Hirundo tahitensis ssp. nov. (Henderson
Island, S Pacific)
● Estrildidae - Waxbills
■ Rota Parrotfinch, Erythrura sp. (Rota, Marianas)
References
1. ^ Wetmore, A. (1918). "Bones of birds collected by Theodoor de Booy from kitchen midden
deposits in the islands of St Thomas and St Croix". Proceedings of the United States National
Museum 54: 513-522.
External links
● The GREAT New Zealand Eagle: The World's Biggest Eagle By Neville Guthrie
See also
● Bird
● Extinct birds
● Fossil birds
Home | Up | (Probably) Extinct birds | Late Quaternary prehistoric birds
Seabird
Albatrosses | Gannets | Gulls | Haematopodidae | Hydrobatidae | Penguins | Pterodroma | Shearwaters
| Skuas | Storm-petrels | Terns
Back | Home | Next
The Sooty Tern is highly aerial and marine

and will spend years flying at sea without
returning to land. (Olsen and Larsson, Terns
of Europe and North America ISBN 0-7136-
4056-1)
Seabirds are birds that have adapted to life in the marine environment. Whilst seabirds vary greatly in
lifestyle, behaviour and physiology, they often exhibit striking convergent evolution, as the same
environmental problems and feeding niches have resulted in similar adaptations. The first seabirds
evolved in the Cretaceous, and modern seabird families emerged in the Paleogene.
Seabirds live longer, breed later and have fewer young than other birds do, but they invest a great deal of
time in those young that they do have. Most species nest in colonies, which can vary in size from a few
dozen birds to many millions. They are famous for undertaking long annual migrations, crossing the
equator or circumnavigating the Earth in some cases. They feed both at the ocean's surface and below it,
and even feed on each other. Seabirds can be highly pelagic, coastal, or in some cases spend a part of the
year away from the sea entirely.
Seabirds and humans have a long history together: they have provided food to hunters, guided fishermen
to fishing stocks and led sailors to land. Many species are currently threatened by human activities, and
conservation efforts are underway.
Contents
● 1 Classification of species as seabirds
● 2 Evolution and fossil record
❍ 3.1 Adaptations to life at sea
❍ 3.2 Diet and feeding
■ 3.2.1 Surface feeding
■ 3.2.2 Pursuit diving
■ 3.2.3 Plunge diving
■ 3.2.4 Kleptoparasitism, scavenging and predation
❍ 3.3 Life history
❍ 3.4 Breeding and colonies
❍ 3.5 Migration
❍ 3.6 Away from the sea
● 4 Relationship with humans

❍ 4.1 Seabirds and fisheries
❍ 4.2 Exploitation
❍ 4.3 Other threats
❍ 4.4 Conservation
❍ 4.5 Role in culture
● 5 Seabird families
● 6 References
Classification of species as seabirds

There exists no one definition of which groups, families and species are seabirds, and most definitions
are in some way arbitrary. In the words of two seabird scientists, "The one common characteristic that
all seabirds share is that they feed in saltwater; but, as seems to be true with any statement in biology,
[1]
some do not." However, by convention all of the penguins and procellariiformes, all of the
Pelecaniformes except the darters, and some of the Charadriiformes (the skuas, gulls, terns, auks and
skimmers) are classified as seabirds. The phalaropes are usually included as well, since although they
are waders ("shorebirds" in North America), two of the three species are oceanic for nine months of the
year, crossing the equator to feed pelagically.
Loons and grebes, which nest on lakes but winter at sea, are usually categorised as water birds, not
seabirds. Although there are a number of sea ducks in the family Anatidae which are truly marine in the
winter, by convention they are usually excluded from the seabird grouping. Many waders (or shorebirds)
and herons are also highly marine, living on the sea's edge, but are also not treated as seabirds.
Evolution and fossil record

Seabirds, by virtue of living in a geologically depositional environment (that is, in the sea where
sediments are readily laid down), are well represented in the fossil record.[1] They are first known to
occur in the Cretaceous era, the earliest being the Hesperornithiformes, like Hesperornis regalis, a
flightless loon-like seabird that dove in a similar fashion to grebes and loons (using its feet to move
[2] [3]
underwater) but had a beak filled with sharp teeth.
The Cretaceous seabird Hesperornis
While Hesperornis is not thought to have left descendants, the earliest extant seabirds also occurred in
the Cretaceous, with a species called Tytthostonyx glauconiticus, which has been placed in the
Procellariiformes. In the Paleogene the seas were dominated by early Procellariidae, giant penguins and
two extinct families, the Pelagornithidae and the Plotopteridae (a group of large seabirds that looked like
the penguins).[4] Modern genera began their wide radiation in the Miocene, although the genus Puffinus
(which includes today's Manx Shearwater and Sooty Shearwater) dates back to the Oligocene.[1] The
highest diversity of seabirds apparently existed during the Late Miocene and the Pliocene. At the end of
the latter, the oceanic food web had undergone a period of upheaval due to extinction of considerable
[5]
numbers of marine species; subsequently, the spread of marine mammals seems to have prevented
[6]
seabirds from reaching their erstwhile diversity.
Characteristics
Adaptations to life at sea
Seabirds have made numerous adaptations to living on and feeding in the sea. Wing morphology has
been shaped by the niche an individual species or family has evolved, so that looking at a wing's shape
and loading can tell a scientist about its life feeding behaviour. Longer wings and low wing loading are
typical of more pelagic species, whilst diving species have shorter wings.[7] Species such as the
Wandering Albatross, which forage over huge areas of sea, have a reduced capacity for powered flight
and are dependent on a type of gliding called dynamic soaring (where the wind deflected by waves
provides lift) as well as slope soaring.[8] Seabirds also almost always have webbed feet, to aid
movement on the surface as well as assisting diving in some species. The Procellariiformes are unusual
amongst birds in having a strong sense of smell (olfaction), which is used to find widely distributed food
[9]
in a vast ocean, and possibly to locate their colonies.
Salt glands are used by seabirds to deal with the salt they ingest by drinking and feeding (particularly on
crustaceans), and to help them osmoregulate.[10] The excretions from these glands (which are
positioned in the head of the birds, emerging from the nasal cavity) are almost pure NaCl.
Cormorants, like this Double-

crested Cormorant, have plumage
which is partly wettable, allowing
them to dive without fighting
buoyancy.
With the exception of the cormorants and some terns, and in common with most other birds, all seabirds
have waterproof plumage. However, compared to land birds, they have far more feathers protecting their
bodies. This dense plumage is better able to protect the bird from getting wet, and cold is kept out by a
dense layer of down feathers. The cormorants possess a layer of unique feathers that retain a smaller
layer of air (compared to other diving birds) but otherwise soak up water.[11] This allows them to swim
without fighting the buoyancy that retaining air in the feathers causes, yet retain enough air to prevent
the bird losing excessive heat through contact with water.
The plumage of most seabirds is less colourful than that of land birds, restricted in the main to variations
[7]
of black, white or grey. A few species sport colourful plumes (such as the tropicbirds or some
penguins), but most of the colour in seabirds appears in the bills and legs. The plumage of seabirds is
thought in many cases to be for camouflage, both defensive (the colour of US Navy battleships is the
[7]
same as that of Antarctic Prions, and in both cases it reduces visibility at sea) and aggressive (the
white underside possessed by many seabirds helps hide them from prey below).
Diet and feeding
Seabirds evolved to exploit different food resources in the world's seas and oceans, and to a great extent,
their physiology and behaviour have been shaped by their diet. These evolutionary forces have often
caused species in different families and even orders to evolve similar strategies and adaptations to the
same problems, leading to remarkable convergent evolution, such as that between auks and penguins.
There are four basic feeding strategies, or ecological guilds, for feeding at sea: surface feeding, pursuit
diving, plunge diving, and predation of higher vertebrates; within these guilds there are multiple
variations on the theme.
Surface feeding
Many seabirds feed on the ocean's surface, as the action of marine currents often concentrates food such
as krill, fish, squid or other prey items within reach of a dipped head.
Wilson's Storm Petrels pattering on the water's surface.

Surface feeding itself can be broken up into two different approaches, surface feeding while flying (for
example as practiced by gadfly petrels, frigate-birds and storm-petrels), and surface feeding whilst
swimming (examples of which are practiced by fulmars, gulls, many of the shearwaters and gadfly
petrels). Surface feeders in flight include some of the most acrobatic of seabirds, which either snatch
morsels from the water (as do frigate-birds and some terns), or "walk", pattering and hovering on the
water's surface, as some of the storm-petrels do.[12] Many of these do not ever land in the water, and
some, such as the frigatebirds, have difficulty getting airborne again should they do so.[13] Another
seabird family that does not land while feeding is the skimmer, which has a unique fishing method:
flying along the surface with the lower mandible in the water—this shuts automatically when the bill
touches something in the water. The skimmer's bill reflects its unusual lifestyle, with the lower mandible
uniquely being longer than the upper one.
Surface feeders that swim often have unique bills as well, adapted for their specific prey. Prions have
[14]
special bills with filters called lamellae to filter out plankton from mouthfuls of water, and many
albatrosses and petrels have hooked bills to snatch fast-moving prey. Gulls have more generalised bills
that reflect their more opportunistic lifestyle.
Pursuit diving
The Chinstrap Penguin is a highly

streamlined pursuit diver.
Pursuit diving exerts greater pressures (both evolutionary and physiological) on seabirds, but the reward
is a greater area in which to feed than is available to surface feeders. Propulsion underwater can be
provided by wings (as used by penguins, auks, diving petrels, and some other species of petrel) or feet
(as used by cormorants, grebes, divers and several types of fish-eating ducks). Wing-propelled divers are
generally faster than foot-propelled divers.[1] In both cases the use of wings or feet for diving has
limited their utility in other situations: divers and grebes walk with extreme difficulty (if at all), penguins
cannot fly, and auks have sacrificed flight efficiency in favour of underwater diving. For example, the
razorbill (an Atlantic auk) requires 64% more energy to fly than a petrel of equivalent size.[15] Many
shearwaters are intermediate between the two, having longer wings than typical wing-propelled divers
but heavier wing loadings than the other surface-feeding procellariids, leaving them capable of diving to
considerable depths while still being efficient long-distance travellers. The most impressive diving
exhibited by shearwaters is found in the Short-tailed Shearwater, which has been recorded diving below
70 m.[16] Some albatross species are also capable of some limited diving, with Light-mantled Sooty
[17]
Albatrosses holding the record at 12 m. Of all the wing-propelled pursuit divers, the most efficient in
the air are the albatrosses, and it is no coincidence that they are the poorest divers. This is the dominant
guild in polar and subpolar environments, as it is energetically inefficient in warmer waters. With their
poor flying ability, many wing-propelled pursuit divers are more limited in their foraging range than
other guilds, especially during the breeding season when hungry chicks need regular feeding.
Plunge diving
Gannets, boobies, tropicbirds, some terns and Brown Pelicans all engage in plunge diving, taking fast
moving prey by diving into the water from flight. Plunge diving allows birds to use the energy from the
[18]
momentum of the dive to combat natural buoyancy (caused by air trapped in plumage), and thus uses
less energy than the dedicated pursuit divers, allowing them utilise more widely distributed food
resources, for example, in impoverished tropical seas. In general, this is the most specialised method of
hunting employed by seabirds; other non-specialists (such as gulls and skuas) may employ it but do so
with less skill and from lower heights. In Brown Pelicans the skills of plunge diving take several years to
fully develop—once mature, they can dive from 20 m (70 ft) above the water's surface, shifting the body
before impact to avoid injury.[19] It has been suggested that plunge divers are restricted in their hunting
grounds to clear waters that afford a view of their prey from the air,[20] and while they are the dominant
guild in the tropics, the link between plunge diving and water clarity is inconclusive.[21] Some plunge
divers (as well as some surface feeders) are dependent on dolphins and tuna to push shoaling fish up
[22]
towards the surface.
Kleptoparasitism, scavenging and predation
Some seabirds, like this South Polar Skua, will take

the eggs of other birds. This skua is attempting to
push an Adelie Penguin off its nest.
This catch-all category refers to other seabird strategies that involve the next trophic level up.
Kleptoparasites are seabirds that make a part of their living stealing food of other seabirds. Most
famously, frigate-birds and skuas engage in this behaviour, although gulls, terns and other species will
steal food opportunistically.[23] The nocturnal nesting behaviour of some seabirds has been interpreted
as arising due to pressure from this aerial piracy.[24] Kleptoparasitsim is not thought to play a
significant part of the diet of any species, and is instead a supplement to food obtained by hunting.[1] A
study of Great Frigatebirds stealing from Masked Boobies estimated that the frigatebirds could at most
obtain 40% of the food they needed, and on average obtained only 5%.[25] Many species of gull will
feed on seabird and sea mammal carrion when the opportunity arises, as will giant petrels. Some species
of albatross also engage in scavenging: an analysis of regurgitated squid beaks has shown that many of
the squid eaten are too large to have been caught alive, and include mid-water species likely to be
[26]
beyond the reach of albatrosses. Some species will also feed on other seabirds; for example, gulls,
[27]
skuas and giant petrels will often take eggs, chicks and even small seabirds from nesting colonies.
Life history
Seabirds' life histories are dramatically different from those of land birds. In general, they are K-
selected, live much longer (anywhere between 20 and 60 years), they delay breeding for longer (for up
to 10 years), and invest more effort into fewer young.[1][28] Most species will only have one clutch a
year, unless they lose the first (with a few exceptions, like the Cassin's Auklet),[29] and many species
[14]
(like the tubenoses and sulids), only one egg a year.
Northern Gannet pair "billing" during courtship.

Like all seabirds except the phalaropes they maintain
a pair bond throughout the breeding season.
Care of young is protracted, extending for as long as six months, among the longest for birds. For
example, once Common Guillemot chicks fledge, they remain with the male parent for several months at
[15]
sea. The frigatebirds have the longest period of parental care of any bird, with the chicks fledging
[30]
after four to six months and with continued assistance after that for up to 14 months. Due to the
extended period of care, breeding occurs every two years rather than annually for some species. This life-
history strategy has probably evolved both in response to the challenges of living at sea (collecting
widely scattered prey items), the frequency of breeding failures due to unfavourable marine conditions,
[1]
and the relative lack of predation compared to that of land-living birds.
Because of the greater investment in raising the young and because foraging for food may occur far from
the nest site, in all seabird species except the phalaropes, both parents participate in caring for the young,
and pairs are typically at least seasonally monogamous. Many species, such as gulls, auks and penguins,
[14]
retain the same mate for several seasons, and many petrel species mate for life. The albatrosses and
procellariids which mate for life can take many years to form a pair bond before they breed, and the
[31]
albatrosses have an elaborate breeding dance that is part of pair-bond formation.
Breeding and colonies
Common Murres breed on densely packed colonies

on offshore rocks, islands and cliffs.
[1]
Ninety-five per cent of seabirds are colonial, and seabird colonies are amongst the largest bird
colonies in the world, providing one of Earth's great wildlife spectacles. Colonies of over a million birds
have been recorded, both in the tropics (such as Kiritimati in the Pacific) and in the polar latitudes (as in
Antarctica). Seabird colonies occur exclusively for the purpose of breeding; non-breeding birds will only
collect together outside the breeding season in areas where prey species are densely aggregated.
Seabird colonies are highly variable. Individual nesting sites can be widely spaced, as in an albatross
colony, or densely packed as with a murre colony. In most seabird colonies, several different species
will nest on the same colony, often exhibiting some niche separation. Seabirds can nest in trees (if any
are available), on the ground (with or without nests), on cliffs, in burrows under the ground and in rocky
crevices. Competition can be strong both within species and between species, with aggressive species
such as Sooty Terns pushing less dominant species out of the most desirable nesting spaces.[32] The
tropical Bonin Petrel nests during the winter to avoid competition with the more aggressive Wedge-
tailed Shearwater. When the seasons overlap, the Wedge-tailed Shearwaters will kill young Bonin
[33]
Petrels in order to use their burrows.
Many seabirds show remarkable site fidelity, returning to the same burrow, nest or site for many years,
and they will defend that site from rivals with great vigour.[1] This increases breeding success, provides
a place for returning mates to reunite, and reduces the costs of prospecting for a new site.[34] Young
adults breeding for the first time usually return to their natal colony, and often nest close to where they
hatched. This tendency, known as philopatry, is so strong that a study of Laysan Albatrosses found that
the average distance between hatching site and the site where a bird established its own territory was
22 m;[35] another study, this time on Cory's Shearwaters nesting near Corsica, found that of nine out of
61 male chicks that returned to breed at their natal colony bred in the burrow they were raised in, and
[36]
two actually bred with their own mother.
Colonies are usually situated on islands, cliffs or headlands which land mammals have difficulty
accessing.[37] This is thought to provide protection to seabirds, which are often very clumsy on land.
Coloniality often arises in types of bird which do not defend feeding territories (such as swifts, which
have a very variable prey source); this may be a reason why it arises more frequently in seabirds.[1]
There are other possible advantages: colonies may act as information centres, where seabirds returning
to the sea to forage can find out where prey is by studying returning individuals of the same species.
There are disadvantages to colonial life, particularly the spread of disease. Colonies also attract the
attention of predators, principally other birds, and many species attend their colonies nocturnally to
[38]
avoid predation.
Migration
Arctic Terns breed in the arctic and

subarctic and winter in Antarctica.
Like many birds, seabirds often migrate after the breeding season. Of these, the trip taken by the Arctic
Tern is the farthest of any bird, crossing the equator in order to spend the Austral summer in Antarctica.
Other species also undertake trans-equatorial trips, both from the north to the south, and from south to
north. The population of Elegant Terns, which nest off Baja California, splits after the breeding season
with some birds travelling north to the coast of central California and some travelling as far south as
Peru and Chile to feed in the Humboldt Current.[39] The Sooty Shearwater undertakes an annual
migration cycle that rivals that of the Arctic Tern; birds that nest in New Zealand and Chile and spend
the northern summer feeding in the North Pacific off Japan, Alaska and California, an annual round trip
[40]
of 40,000 miles (64,000 km).
Other species also migrate shorter distances away from the breeding sites, their distribution at sea
determined by the availability of food. If oceanic conditions are unsuitable, seabirds will emigrate to
[41]
more productive areas, sometimes permanently if the bird is young. After fledging, juvenile birds
often disperse further than adults, and to different areas, so are commonly sighted far from a species'
normal range. Some species, such as the auks, do not have a concerted migration effort, but drift
southwards as the winter approaches.[15] Other species, such as some of the storm-petrels, diving
petrels and cormorants, never disperse at all, staying near their breeding colonies year round.
Away from the sea
Whilst the definition of seabirds suggests that the birds in question spend their lives on the ocean, many
seabird families have many species that spend some or even most of their lives inland away from the
sea. Most strikingly, many species breed many tens, hundreds or even thousands of miles inland. Some
of these species still return to the ocean to feed; for example, the Snow Petrel, the nests of which have
been found 300 miles inland on the Antarctic mainland, are unlikely to find anything to eat around their
breeding sites.[42] The Marbled Murrelet nests inland in old growth forest, seeking huge conifers with
large branches to nest on.[43] Other species, such as the California Gull, nest and feed inland on lakes,
and then move to the coasts in the winter.[44] Some cormorant, pelican, gull and tern species have
individuals that never visit the sea at all, spending their lives on lakes, rivers, swamps and, in the case of
some of the gulls, cities and agricultural land. In these cases it is thought that these terrestrial or
freshwater birds evolved from marine ancestors.[7] Some seabirds, principally those that nest in tundra-
like skuas and phalaropes, will migrate over land as well.
The more marine species, such as petrels, auks, and gannets, are more restricted in their habits, but are
occasionally seen inland as vagrants. This most commonly happens to young inexperienced birds, but
can happen in great numbers to exhausted adults after large storms, an event known as a wreck,[45]
where they provide prized sightings for birders.
Relationship with humans
Seabirds and fisheries
Seabirds have had a long association with both fisheries and sailors, and both have drawn benefits and
disadvantages from the relationship.
Fishermen have traditionally used seabirds as indicators of both fish shoals,[22] underwater banks that
might indicate fish stocks, and of potential landfall. In fact, the known association of seabirds with land
was instrumental in allowing the Polynesians to locate tiny landmasses in the Pacific.[1] Seabirds have
provided food for fishermen away from home, as well as bait. Famously, tethered cormorants have been
used to catch fish directly. Indirectly, fisheries have also benefited from guano from colonies of seabirds
acting as fertiliser for the surrounding seas.
Negative effects on fisheries are mostly restricted to raiding by birds on aquaculture,[46] although long-
lining fisheries also have to deal with bait stealing. There have been claims of prey depletion by seabirds
of fishery stocks, and while there is some evidence of this, the effects of seabirds are considered smaller
[1]
than that of marine mammals and predatory fish (like tuna).
Seabirds (mostly Northern Fulmars) flocking at a long-lining

vessel.
Some seabird species have benefited from fisheries, particularly from discarded fish and offal. These
discards compose 30% of the food of seabirds in the North Sea, for example, and compose up to 70% of
the total food of some seabird populations.[47] This can have other impacts; for example, the spread of
the Northern Fulmar through the British Isles is attributed in part to the availability of discards.[48]
Discards generally benefit surface feeders, such as gannets and petrels, to the detriment of pursuit divers
like penguins.
Fisheries also have negative effects on seabirds, and these effects, particularly on the long-lived and
slow-breeding albatrosses, are a source of increasing concern to conservationists. The bycatch of
seabirds entangled in nets or hooked on fishing lines has had a big impact on seabird numbers; for
example, an estimated 100,000 albatrosses are hooked and drown each year on tuna lines set out by long-
line fisheries.[49] [50] Overall, many hundreds of thousands of birds are trapped and killed each year, a
source of concern for some of the rarest species (for example, only 1,000 Short-tailed Albatrosses are
known to still exist). Seabirds are also thought to suffer when overfishing occurs.
Exploitation
The hunting of seabirds and the collecting of seabird eggs have contributed to the declines of many
species, and the extinction of several, including the Great Auk and the Spectacled Cormorant. Seabirds
have been hunted for food by coastal peoples throughout history—one of the earliest instances known is
in southern Chile, where archaeological excavations in middens has shown hunting of albatrosses,
cormorants and shearwaters from 5000 BP.[51] This pressure has led to some species becoming extinct
in many places; in particular, at least 20 species of an original 29 no longer breed on Easter Island. In the
19th century, the hunting of seabirds for fat deposits and feathers for the millinery trade reached
industrial levels. Muttonbirding (harvesting shearwater chicks) developed as important industries in both
New Zealand and Tasmania, and the name of one species, the Providence Petrel, is derived from its
seemingly miraculous arrival on Norfolk Island where it provided a windfall for starving European
settlers.[52] In the Falkland Islands, hundreds of thousands of penguins were harvested for their oil each
year. Seabird eggs have also long been an important source of food for sailors undertaking long sea
voyages, as well as being taken when settlements grow in areas near a colony. Eggers from San
Francisco took almost half a million eggs a year from the Farallon Islands in the mid-19th century, a
[53]
period in the islands' history from which the seabird species are still recovering.
Both hunting and egging continue today, although not at the levels that occurred in the past, and
generally in a more controlled manner. For example, the Māori of Stewart Island/Rakiura continue to
harvest the chicks of the Sooty Shearwater as they have done for centuries, using traditional methods
(called kaitiakitanga) to manage the harvest, but now work with the University of Otago in studying the
[54]
populations. In Greenland, however, uncontrolled hunting is pushing many species into steep decline.
Other threats
Other human factors have led to declines and even extinctions in seabird populations, colonies and
species. Of these, perhaps the most serious are introduced species. Seabirds, breeding predominantly on
small isolated islands, have lost many predator defence behaviours.[37] Feral cats are capable of taking
seabirds as large as albatrosses, and many introduced rodents, such as the Pacific rat, can take eggs
hidden in burrows. Introduced goats, cattle, rabbits and other herbivores can lead to problems,
particularly when species need vegetation to protect or shade their young.[55] Disturbance of breeding
colonies by humans is often a problem as well—visitors, even well-meaning tourists, can flush brooding
adults off a colony leaving chicks and eggs vulnerable to predators.
This Crested Auklet was oiled in
Alaska during the M/V Selendang
Ayu spill of 2004.
The build-up of toxins and pollutants in seabirds is also a concern. Seabirds, being apex predators,
suffered from the ravages of DDT until it was banned; among other effects, DDT was implicated in
embryo development problems and the skewed sex ratio of Western Gulls in southern California.[56]
Oil spills are also a threat to seabird species, as both a toxin and because the feathers of the birds become
[57]
saturated by the oil, causing them to lose their waterproofing. Oil pollution threatens species with
restricted ranges or already depressed populations.
Conservation
The threats faced by seabirds have not gone unnoticed by scientists or the conservation movement. As
early as 1903, Theodore Roosevelt was convinced of the need to declare Pelican Island in Florida a
National Wildlife Refuge to protect the bird colonies (including the nesting Brown Pelicans),[58] and in
1909 he protected the Farallon Islands. Today many important seabird colonies are given some measure
of protection, from Heron Island in Australia to Triangle Island in British Columbia.
Island restoration techniques, pioneered by New Zealand, enable the removal of exotic invaders from
increasingly large islands. Feral cats have been removed from Ascension Island, Arctic Foxes from
many islands in the Aleutians,[59] and rats from Campbell Island. The removal of these introduced
species has led to increases in numbers of species under pressure and even the return of extirpated ones.
After the removal of cats from Ascension Island, seabirds began to nest there again for the first time in
[60]
over a hundred years.
Seabird mortality caused by long-line fisheries can be massively reduced by techniques such as setting
long-line bait at night, dying the bait blue, setting the bait underwater, increasing the amount of weight
[61]
on lines and by using bird scarers, and their deployment is increasingly required by many national
fishing fleets. The international ban on the use of drift nets has also helped reduce the mortality of
seabirds and other marine wildlife.
One of the Millennium Projects in the UK was the Scottish Seabird Centre, near the important bird
sanctuaries on Bass Rock, Fidra and the surrounding islands. The area is home to huge colonies of
gannets, puffins, skuas and other seabirds. The centre allows visitors to watch live video from the islands
as well as learn about the threats the birds face and how we can protect them, and has helped to
significantly raise the profile of seabird conservation in the UK. Seabird tourism can provide income for
costal communities as well as raise the profile of seabird conservation, for example the Northern Royal
[14]
Albatross colony at Taiaroa Head in New Zealand attracts 40,000 visitors a year.
The plight of albatross and large seabirds, as well as other marine creatures, being taken as bycatch by
long-line fisheries, has been addressed by a large number of NGOs (including BirdLife International and
the RSPB). This led to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, a legally binding
treaty designed to protect these threatened species, which has been ratified by eight countries as of 2006
(namely Australia, Ecuador, France, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, Spain, and the United Kingdom).
[62]
Role in culture
A relief depicting a mother pelican

bleeding to feed her chicks.
Many seabirds are little studied and poorly known, due to living far out to sea and breeding in isolated
colonies. Some seabirds have made the break into popular consciousness, most particularly, the
[63]
albatrosses and gulls. The albatrosses have been described as "the most legendary of birds", and have
a variety of myths and legends associated with them, and today it is widely considered unlucky to harm
them, although the notion that sailors believed that is a myth.[64] This myth derives from Samuel Taylor
Coleridge's famous poem, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner", where a sailor is punished for harming an
albatross by wearing the dead bird around his neck. Sailors did, however, consider it unlucky to touch a
[63]
storm-petrel, especially one that has landed on the ship.
Gulls are one of the most commonly seen seabirds, given their use of human-made habitats (such as
cities and dumps) and their often fearless nature. They therefore also have made it into the popular
consciousness, if only as the "flying rats" berated in Finding Nemo. They have been used
metaphorically, as in Jonathan Livingston Seagull, by Richard Bach, or to denote a closeness to the sea,
such as their use in the The Lord of the Rings, both in the insignia of Gondor, and therefore Númenor
(used in the design of the film), and to call Legolas to, and across, the sea. Other species have also made
an impact; pelicans have long been associated with mercy and altruism because of an early Western
[19]
Christian myth that they split open their breast to feed their starving chicks.
Seabird families
The following are the groups of birds normally classed as seabirds.
Sphenisciformes (Antarctic and southern waters; 16 species)
● Spheniscidae penguins
Procellariiformes (Tubenoses: pan-oceanic and pelagic; 93 species)
● Diomedeidae albatrosses
● Procellariidae fulmars, prions, shearwaters, gadfly and other petrels
● Pelacanoididae diving petrels
● Hydrobatidae storm-petrels
Pelecaniformes (Worldwide; 57 species)
● Pelecanidae pelicans
● Sulidae gannets and boobies
● Phalacrocoracidae cormorants
● Fregatidae frigatebirds
● Phaethontidae tropicbirds
Charadriiformes (Worldwide; 305 species, but only the families listed are classed as seabirds.)
● Stercorariidae skuas
● Laridae gulls
● Sternidae terns
● Rhynchopidae skimmers
● Alcidae auks
For an alternative taxonomy of these groups, see also Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy.

See also list of birds.
References
abcdefghijkl
1. ^ Schreiber, Elizabeth A. & Burger, Joanne.(2001.) Biology of Marine Birds,
Boca Raton:CRC Press, ISBN 0-8493-9882-7
2. ^ Johansson LC, Lindhe Norberg UM. (2001) "Lift-based paddling in diving grebe." J Exp Biol.
204(10) :1687-96.[1]
3. ^ Gregory, J. (1952) "The Jaws of the Cretaceous Toothed Birds, Ichthyornis and Hesperornis"
Condor 54(2): 73-88 [2]
4. ^ Goedert, J. (1989) "Giant Late Eocene Marine Birds (Pelecaniformes: Pelagornithidae) from
Northwestern Oregon" Journal of Paleontology, 63(6) 939-944
5. ^ Possibly due to comparatively close (in astronomical terms - c.150 lightyears) supernova
activity
6. ^ Olson, S. & Hasegawa, Y. (1979)"Fossil Counterparts of Giant Penguins from the North
Pacific" Science 206(4419): 688-689.
abcd
7. ^ Gaston, Anthony J. (2004). Seabirds: A Natural History New Haven:Yale University
Press, ISBN 0-300-10406-5
8. ^ Pennycuick, C. J. (1982). "The flight of petrels and albatrosses (Procellariiformes), observed in
South Georgia and its vicinity". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B
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33. ^ Seto, N. W. H., and D. O’Daniel. (1999) Bonin Petrel (Pterodroma hypoleuca). In The Birds of
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36. ^ Rabouam, C., Thibault, J.-C., Bretagnole, V., (1998) "Natal Philopatry and Close Inbreeding in
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47. ^ Oro, D., Ruiz, X., Pedrocchi, V. & Gonzalez-Solis, J. (1997) "Diet and adult time budgets of
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48. ^ Thompson, P.M., (2004) "Identifying drivers of change; did fisheries play a role in the spread
of North Atlantic fulmars?" in Management of marine ecosystems: monitoring change in upper
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49. ^ BirdLife International/RSPB (2005) Save the Albatross: The Problem Retrieved March 17,
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50. ^ Brothers NP. 1991. "Albatross mortality and associated bait loss in the Japanese longline
fishery in the southern ocean." Biological Conservation 55: 255-268.
51. ^ Simeone, A. & Navarro, X. (2002) "Human exploitation of seabirds in coastal southern Chile
during the mid-Holocene" Rev. chil. hist. nat 75(2): 423-431 [14]
52. ^ Anderson, A. (1996) "Origins of Procellariidae Hunting in the Southwest Pacific" International
Journal of Osteoarcheology 6: 403-410
53. ^ White, Peter; (1995), The Farallon Islands, Sentinels of the Golden Gate, Scottwall Associates:
San Francisco, ISBN 0-942087-10-0
54. ^ Burnham, W., Burnham, K.K., Cade, T.J., (2005) "Past and present assessments of bird life in
Uummannaq District, West Greenland" Dansk Orn. Foren. Tidsskr. 99: 196-208 [15]
55. ^ Carlile, N., Proiddel, D., Zino, F., Natividad, C. & Wingate, D.B. (2003) "A review of four
successful recovery programmes for threatened sub-tropical petrels" Marine Ornithology 31: 185-
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56. ^ Fry, D. & Toone, C. (1981) "DDT-induced feminization of gull embryos" Science 213(4510):
922-924
57. ^ Dunnet, G., Crisp, D., Conan, G., Bourne, W. (1982) "Oil Pollution and Seabird Populations
[and Discussion]" Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. B 297(1087): 413-
427
58. ^ USFWS Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge History of Pelican Island Retrieved
September 2 2006
59. ^ Williams, J.C., Byrd G.V.& Konyukhov, N.B. (2003) Whiskered Auklets Aethia pygmaea,
foxes, humans and how to right a wrong. 'Marine Ornithology 31: 175-180 [16]
60. ^ BirdLife International (2005) Stamps celebrate seabird return. Retrived August 12 2006
61. ^ Food and Agriculture Organisation (1999) "The incidental catch of seabirds by longline
fisheries: worldwide review and technical guidelines for mitigation. FAO Fisheries Circular
No.937. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. [17]
62. ^ Australian Antarctic Division Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels Site
Retrieved September 2 2006
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63. ^ Carboneras, C. (1992) "Family Diomedeidae (Albatrosses)" in Handbook of Birds of the
World Vol 1. Barcelona:Lynx Edicions, ISBN 84-87334-10-5
64. ^ ######, M., & Mabey, R., (2005) Birds Britannica London:Chatto & Windus, ISBN 0-701-
16907-9
External links
● Project Titi; a collaboration between the Māori of Stewart Island and the University of Otago to
manage Sooty Shearwater harvests
● BirdLife International; Save the Albatross Campaign
● Marine Ornithology, the Journal of Seabird Science and Conservation
● www.seabird.org, official site of the Scottish Seabird Centre
Shorebirds
Charadriidae | Haematopodidae | Recurvirostridae | Scolopacidae
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Waders
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)

Dunlin (Calidris alpina). Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Waders, called Shorebirds in North America (where "wader" is used to refer to long-legged wading
birds such as storks and herons), are members of the order Charadriiformes, excluding the more marine
web-footed seabird groups. The latter are the skuas (Stercoraracidae), gulls (Laridae), terns (Sternidae), Phylum: Chordata
skimmers (Rhynchopidae), and auks (Alcidae). Also, the pratincoles (Glareolidae) and the Crab Plover
(Dromadidae), which look more similar to waders, are closely related to the seabirds. Class: Aves
This leaves about 210 species, most of which are associated with wetland or coastal environments. Order: Charadriiformes
Many species of Arctic and temperate regions are strongly migratory, but tropical birds are often
resident, or move only in response to rainfall patterns. Some of the Arctic species, such Little Stint are Suborder: Charadrii
amongst the longest distance migrants, wintering in the southern hemisphere.
The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out of mud or exposed soil. Different lengths of Families
bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct Scolopacidae
competition for food. Many waders have sensitive nerve endings at the end of their bills which enable Rostratulidae
them to detect prey items hidden in mud or soft soil. Some larger species, particularly those adapted to Jacanidae
drier habitats will take larger prey including insects and small reptiles. Thinocoridae
Pedionomidae
Many of the smaller species found in coastal habitats, particularly but not exclusively the calidrids, are Burhinidae
often named as "Sandpipers", but this term does not have a strict meaning, since the Upland Sandpiper Chionididae
is a grassland species. Pluvianellidae
Ibidorhynchidae
In the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, waders and many other groups are subsumed into a greatly enlarged Recurvirostridae
Ciconiiformes order. However, the classification of the Charadriiformes is one of the weakest points of Haematopodidae
the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, as DNA-DNA hybridization has turned out to be incapable of properly Charadriidae
resolving the interrelationships of the group. Formerly, the waders formed the suborder Charadrii, but this has turned out to
be a "wastebin" taxon, uniting no less than four charadriiform lineages in a paraphyletic assemblage. Following recent
studies (Ericson et al., 2003; Paton et al., 2003; Thomas et al., 2004a, b; van Tuinen et al., 2004; Paton & Baker, 2006),
the waders may be more accurately subdivided as follows:
● Suborder Scolopaci
❍ Family Scolopacidae: snipe, sandpipers, phalaropes, and allies
● Suborder Thinocori
❍ Family Rostratulidae: painted snipe
Family Jacanidae: jacanas

Family Thinocoridae: seedsnipe
Family Pedionomidae: Plains Wanderer
● Suborder Chionidi
❍ Family Burhinidae: thick-knees
Family Chionididae: sheathbills

Family Pluvianellidae: Magellanic Plover
● Suborder Charadrii
❍ Family Ibidorhynchidae: Ibisbill
Family Recurvirostridae: avocets

Family Haematopodidae: oystercatchers
Family Charadriidae: plovers and lapwings
In keeping more in line with the traditional grouping, the Thinocori could be included in the Scolopaci, and the Chionidi in
the Charadrii. However, the increasing knowledge about the early evolutionary history of modern birds suggests that
the assumption of Paton et al. (2003) and Thomas et al. (2004b) of 4 distinct "wader" lineages (= suborders) already
being present around the C-T boundary is correct.
See also
● list of birds
References
● Ericson, P. G. P.; Envall, I.; Irestedt, M. & Norman, J. A. (2003): Inter-familial relationships of the shorebirds
(Aves: Charadriiformes) based on nuclear DNA sequence data. BMC Evol. Biol. 3: 16. DOI:10.1186/1471-2148-3-16
PDF fulltext
● Paton, Tara A. & Baker, Allan J. (2006): Sequences from 14 mitochondrial genes provide a well-supported phylogeny of
the Charadriiform birds congruent with the nuclear RAG-1 tree. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 39(3): 657–
667. DOI:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.01.011 (HTML abstract)
● Paton, T. A.; Baker, A. J.; Groth, J. G. & Barrowclough, G. F. (2003): RAG-1 sequences resolve phylogenetic
relationships within charadriiform birds. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 29: 268-278. DOI:10.1016/S1055-7903
(03)00098-8 (HTML abstract)
● Thomas, Gavin H.; Wills, Matthew A. & Székely, Tamás (2004a): Phylogeny of shorebirds, gulls, and alcids (Aves:
Charadrii) from the cytochrome-b gene: parsimony, Bayesian inference, minimum evolution, and quartet puzzling.
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 30(3): 516-526. DOI:10.1016/S1055-7903(03)00222-7 (HTML abstract)
● Thomas, Gavin H.; Wills, Matthew A. & Székely, Tamás (2004b): A supertree approach to shorebird phylogeny. BMC
Evol. Biol. 4: 28. DOI:10.1186/1471-2148-4-28 PDF fulltext Supplementary Material
● van Tuinen, Marcel; Waterhouse, David & Dyke, Gareth J. (2004): Avian molecular systematics on the rebound: a fresh
look at modern shorebird phylogenetic relationships. Journal of Avian Biology 35(3): 191-194. PDF fulltext
Home | Birds | Aviculture | Bird migration flyways | Bird topography | Birds by classification | Birds by geography
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Swifts
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Swifts
The swifts are birds superficially similar to swallows but are
actually not closely related to those passerine species at all; swifts
are in the separate order Apodiformes, which they formerly shared
with the hummingbirds.
The resemblances between the swifts and swallows are due to

convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles based on
catching insects in flight.
The family scientific name comes from the Greek απους, apous,
meaning "without feet", since swifts have very short legs and
never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead on vertical
surfaces. The tradition of depicting swifts without feet continued
Chimney Swift
into the Middle Ages, as seen in the heraldic martlet.
Swifts are the most aerial of birds and some, like the Common Kingdom: Animalia
Swift, even sleep and mate on the wing. Larger species, such as
white-throated needletail, are amongst the fastest flyers in the Phylum: Chordata
animal kingdom. One group, the Swiftlets or Cave Swiftlets have
developed a form of echolocation for navigating through dark cave
systems where they roost. One species, Aerodramus papuensis has Class: Aves
recently been discovered to use this navigation at night outside its
cave roost also. Order: Apodiformes
Like swallows and martins, the swifts of temperate regions are

Family: Apodidae
strongly migratory and winter in the tropics. Hartert, 1897
Genera
Many swifts have a characteristic shape, with a short forked tail
and very long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a Many; see text.
boomerang. The flight of some species is characterised by a distinctive "flicking" action quite different
from swallows.
The nest of many species is glued to a vertical surface with saliva, and the genus Aerodramus use only
that substance, which is the basis for bird's nest soup.
Systematics and evolution
The treeswifts are closely related to the true swifts, but form a separate family, the Hemiprocnidae.
In the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, the old order Apodiformes is split. Swifts remain in that order, but
hummingbirds are put into a new order, Trochiliformes. This might be correct, but further research on
the interrelationships and evolutionary history of the Apodiformes is necessary.
The taxonomy of this group is in general complicated, with genus and species boundaries widely
disputed, especially amongst the swiftlets. Analysis of behavior and vocalizations is marred by common
parallel evolution, while analyses of different morphological traits and of various DNA sequences have
yielded equivocal and partly contradictory results (Thomassen et al., 2005).
The Apodiformes diversified during the Eocene, at the end of which the extant families were present;
fossil genera are known from all over temperate Europe, between today's Denmark and France, such as
the primitive Scaniacypselus (Early - Middle Eocene) and the more modern Procypseloides (Late
Eocene/Early Oligocene - Early Miocene). A prehistoric genus sometimes assigned to the swifts,
Primapus (Early Eocene of England), might also be a more distant ancestor.
Species list: Family Apodidae
Tribe Cypseloidini
● Genus Cypseloides
❍ Chestnut-collared Swift, Cypseloides rutilus
Tepui Swift, Cypseloides phelpsi

Black Swift, Cypseloides niger
White-chested Swift, Cypseloides lemosi
Rothschild's Swift, Cypseloides rothschildi
Sooty Swift, Cypseloides fumigatus
Spot-fronted Swift, Cypseloides cherriei
White-chinned Swift, Cypseloides cryptus
White-fronted Swift, Cypseloides storeri
Great Dusky Swift, Cypseloides senex
● Genus Streptoprocne
❍ White-collared Swift, Streptoprocne zonaris
Biscutate Swift, Streptoprocne biscutata

White-naped Swift, Streptoprocne semicollaris
Tribe Collocaliini - swiftlets

● Genus Collocalia
❍ Glossy Swiftlet, Collocalia esculenta
■ Grey-rumped Swiftlet, Collocalia (esculenta) marginata
❍ Cave Swiftlet, Collocalia linchi
Pygmy Swiftlet, Collocalia troglodytes
● Genus Aerodramus
❍ Seychelles Swiftlet, Aerodramus elaphrus
Mascarene Swiftlet, Aerodramus francicus

Indian Swiftlet, Aerodramus unicolor
Philippine Swiftlet, Aerodramus mearnsi
Moluccan Swiftlet, Aerodramus infuscatus
Mountain Swiftlet, Aerodramus hirundinaceus
White-rumped Swiftlet, Aerodramus spodiopygius
Australian Swiftlet, Aerodramus terraereginae
Himalayan Swiftlet, Aerodramus brevirostris
Indochinese Swiftlet, Aerodramus rogersi
Volcano Swiftlet, Aerodramus vulcanorum
Whitehead's Swiftlet, Aerodramus whiteheadi
Bare-legged Swiftlet, Aerodramus nuditarsus
Mayr's Swiftlet, Aerodramus orientalis
Palawan Swiftlet, Aerodramus palawanensis
Mossy-nest Swiftlet, Aerodramus salangana
Uniform Swiftlet, Aerodramus vanikorensis
Palau Swiftlet, Aerodramus pelewensis
Guam Swiftlet, Aerodramus bartschi
Caroline Islands Swiftlet, Aerodramus inquietus
Mangaia Swiftlet, Aerodramus manuoi (prehistoric)
Atiu Swiftlet, Aerodramus sawtelli
Polynesian Swiftlet, Aerodramus leucophaeus
Marquesan Swiftlet, Aerodramus ocistus
Black-nest Swiftlet, Aerodramus maximus
Edible-nest Swiftlet, Aerodramus fuciphagus
German's Swiftlet, Aerodramus germani
Papuan Swiftlet, Aerodramus papuensis (probably a distinct genus)
● Genus Hydrochous
❍ Waterfall Swift, Hydrochous gigas
● Genus Schoutedenapus
❍ Scarce Swift, Schoutedenapus myoptilus
Schouteden's Swift, Schoutedenapus schoutedeni

Tribe Chaeturini - needletails
● Genus Mearnsia
❍ Philippine Spinetail, Mearnsia picina
Papuan Spinetail, Mearnsia novaeguineae
● Genus Zoonavena
❍ Malagasy Spinetail, Zoonavena grandidieri
Sao Tome Spinetail, Zoonavena thomensis

White-rumped Needletail, Zoonavena sylvatica
● Genus Telacanthura
❍ Mottled Spinetail, Telacanthura ussheri
Black Spinetail, Telacanthura melanopygia
● Genus Rhaphidura
❍ Silver-rumped Needletail, Rhaphidura leucopygialis
Sabine's Spinetail, Rhaphidura sabini
● Genus Neafrapus
❍ Cassin's Spinetail, Neafrapus cassini
Bat-like Spinetail, Neafrapus boehmi
● Genus Hirundapus
❍ White-throated Needletail, Hirundapus caudacutus
Silver-backed Needletail, Hirundapus cochinchinensis

Brown-backed Needletail, Hirundapus giganteus
Purple Needletail, Hirundapus celebensis
● Genus Chaetura
❍ Band-rumped Swift, Chaetura spinicauda
Lesser Antillean Swift, Chaetura martinica

Gray-rumped Swift, Chaetura cinereiventris
Pale-rumped Swift, Chaetura egregia
Chimney Swift, Chaetura pelagica
Vaux's Swift, Chaetura vauxi
Chapman's Swift, Chaetura chapmani
Short-tailed Swift, Chaetura brachyura
Ashy-tailed Swift, Chaetura andrei
Tribe Apodini - typical swifts

● Genus Aeronautes
❍ White-throated Swift, Aeronautes saxatalis
White-tipped Swift, Aeronautes montivagus

Andean Swift, Aeronautes andecolus
● Genus Tachornis
❍ Tachornis uranoceles (fossil; Late Pleistocene of Puerto Rico)
❍ Antillean Palm Swift, Tachornis phoenicobia
Pygmy Swift, Tachornis furcata

Fork-tailed Palm Swift, Tachornis squamata
● Genus Panyptila
❍ Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift, Panyptila cayennensis
Great Swallow-tailed Swift, Panyptila sanctihieronymi
● Genus Cypsiurus
❍ Asian Palm Swift, Cypsiurus balasiensis
African Palm Swift, Cypsiurus parvus
● Genus Apus
❍ Apus gaillardi (fossil)
❍ Apus wetmorei (fossil)
❍ Alpine Swift, Apus melba
Mottled Swift, Apus aequatorialis

Alexander's Swift, Apus alexandri
Common Swift, Apus apus
Plain Swift, Apus unicolor
Nyanza Swift, Apus niansae
Pallid Swift, Apus pallidus
African Swift, Apus barbatus
Forbes-Watson's Swift, Apus berliozi
Bradfield's Swift, Apus bradfieldi
Madagascar Swift, Apus balstoni
Pacific Swift, Apus pacificus
Dark-rumped Swift, Apus acuticauda
Little Swift, Apus affinis
House Swift, Apus nipalensis
Horus Swift, Apus horus
White-rumped Swift, Apus caffer
Bates' Swift Apus batesi
References
● Chantler, Phil & Driessens, Gerald (2000): Swifts : a guide to the swifts and treeswifts of the
world. Pica Press, Mountfield, East Sussex. ISBN 1-873403-83-6
● Thomassen, Henri A.; Tex, Robert-Jan; Bakker, Merijn A.G. & Povel, G. David E. (2005):
Phylogenetic relationships amongst swifts and swiftlets: A multi locus approach. Molecular
Phylogenetics and Evolution 37(1): 264-277. DOI:10.1016/j.ympev.2005.05.010 (HTML
abstract)
License
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Index
Back | Home
Birds
● Birds
Alektorophobia
Avian incubation
Bird abatement
Bird anatomy
Bird skeleton
Bird bath
Bird feeding
Bird food
Bird feeder
Bird flight
Wing clipping
Bird intelligence
Language of the birds
Nidification
● Aviculture
Domesticated birds
Australian Spotted
Barbary Dove
Budgerigar
Cayuga Duck
Chicken
Cockatiel
Cockatoo
Common Pheasant
Crested Guineafowl
Domestic Canary
Domesticated duck
Domesticated goose
Domesticated turkey
Homing pigeon
Indian Runner Duck
Khaki Campbell
Ostrich
Pekin duck
Quail
Rock Pigeon
Zebra Finch
African Grey Parrot
Bird-safe
British finches
Caique
Carrier pigeon
Citron-crested Cockatoo
Companion parrot
Conure
Cyanoramphus
Hawaiian Goose
Hill Myna
Kākāriki
Lilian's Lovebird
Long-billed Vulture
Moluccan Cockatoo
Parrotlet
Khaki Campbell
Pigeon racing
Pink Pigeon
Red-and-green Macaw
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Rosy-faced Lovebird
Senegal Parrot
Softbill
Spix's Macaw
Sun Parakeet
Umbrella Cockatoo
● Bird migration flyways
Flyway
Atlantic Flyway
Central Flyway
East Asian - Australasian Flyway
Mississippi Flyway
Pacific Flyway
● Bird topography
Beak
Supercilium
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Extinct birds
(Probably) Extinct birds
Late Quaternary prehistoric birds
Paleornithology
Fossil birds
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Suborders of birds
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Parvorders of birds
Superfamilies of birds
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Bird families - B
Bucerotidae
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Caprimulgidae
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Bird families - D
Dendrocolaptidae
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Dromornithidae
Bird families - E
Bird families - F
Falconidae
Fregatidae
Bird families - G
Gastornithidae
Bird families - H
Haematopodidae
Hydrobatidae
Bird families - I
Ibidorhynchidae
Bird families - L
Bird families - M
Mesitornithidae
Bird families - N
Bird families - O
Bird families - P
Pedionomidae
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Bird families - R
Rallidae
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Bird families - S
Scolopacidae
Spheniscidae
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Bird families - T
Teratornithidae
Tetraonidae
Threskiornithidae
Trochilidae
Tytonidae
Bird families - V
Bird families - W
Subfamilies of birds
Bucorvinae
Anatinae
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Phaethornithinae
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Vanellinae
Tribes of birds
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● Birds by geography
Endemism in birds
Birds of Africa
Birds of Asia
Birds of Australia
List of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds
List of Australian birds
Birds of Europe
● Birds of prey
Eagles
Falconry
Falcon
Harrier
Kites
Old World vulture
Owls
True hawks
● Birdwatching
● Bird diseases
Angel Wing
Avian adenovirus
Avian flu
Transmission and infection of H5N1
Bumblefoot
Scaly leg
● Famous birds
● Feathers
Plumage
● Fictional birds
Fictional ducks
Struthioniformes
● Heraldic birds
American Robin
Andean Condor
Blue Jay
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Canada Goose
Canary
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Double-headed eagle
Duck
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Macaw
Martlet
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Partridge
Peafowl
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Pheasant
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Rooster
Secretary Bird
Snipe
Spotted Eagle Owl
Stork
Swan
Toucan
Vulture
● Oology
Egg
Ornithology
● Poultry
● Seabird
Albatrosses
Gannets
Gulls
Larus
Pterodroma
Shearwaters
Skuas
Terns
● Shorebirds
Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostra
● Swifts
● License
Trochilidae
Back | Home | Up | Next
Hummingbird
Hummingbirds are small birds in the family
Trochilidae. They are known for their ability to hover in
mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings, 15 to 80 times
per second (depending on the species). Capable of
sustained hovering, the hummingbird has the ability to fly
deliberately backwards or vertically, and to maintain
position while drinking from flower blossoms. They are
named for the characteristic hum made by their wings.
Hummingbirds are attracted to many flowering plants—

shrimp plants, Heliconia, bromeliads, verbenas, fuchsias,
many penstemons—especially those with red flowers.
They feed on the nectar of these plants and are important
pollinators, especially of deep-throated flowers. Most
species of hummingbird also take insects, especially
when feeding young.
The Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) is the

smallest bird in the world, weighing 1.8 grams. A more
typical hummingbird, such as the Rufous Hummingbird
(Selasphorus rufus), weighs approximately 3 g and has a
length of 10-12 cm (3.5-4 inches). The largest
hummingbird is the Giant Hummingbird (Patagona A variety of hummingbirds from Ernst Haeckel's
1904 Kunstformen der Natur (Artforms of Nature)
gigas), with some individuals weighing as much as 24
grams. Scientific classification
Most male hummingbirds take no part in nesting. Most

species make a neatly woven cup in a tree branch. Two
white eggs are laid, which despite being the smallest of
all bird eggs, are in fact large relative to the
hummingbird's adult size. Incubation is typically 14-19
days.
Contents Kingdom: Animalia
● 1 Appearance Phylum: Chordata

● 2 Aerodynamics of hummingbird flight
● 3 Metabolism Class: Aves
● 4 Range
● 5 Systematics and evolution
Order: Apodiformes
● 6 Hummingbirds and humans
❍ 6.1 Hummingbird feeders and nectar
Family: Trochilidae
❍ 6.2 Hummingbirds in myth and culture
Vigors, 1825
● 7 References
Subfamilies
❍ 7.1 Footnotes
● 8 External links Phaethornithinae

Trochilinae
Appearance
Hummingbirds bear the most glittering plumage and some of the most elegant adornments in the bird
world. Male hummingbirds are usually brightly coloured. The females of most species are duller.
The names that admiring naturalists have given to hummingbirds suggest exquisite, fairylike grace and
gemlike brilliance. Fiery-tailed Awlbill, Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Glittering-bellied Emerald,
Brazilian Ruby, Green-crowned Brilliant, Festive Coquette, Shining Sunbeam, and Amethyst-throated
Sunangel are some of the names applied to birds in this group.
Aerodynamics of hummingbird flight

A male Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Hummingbird flight has been studied intensively from an aerodynamic perspective: Hovering
hummingbirds may be filmed using high-speed video cameras.
Writing in Nature, biophysicist Douglas Warrick and coworkers studied the Rufous Hummingbird,
Selasphorus rufus, in a wind tunnel using particle image velocimetry techniques and investigated the lift
generated on the bird's upstroke and downstroke.
They concluded that their subjects produced 75% of their weight support during the downstroke and
25% during the upstroke: many earlier studies had assumed (implicitly or explicitly) that lift was
generated equally during the two phases of the wingbeat cycle. This finding shows that hummingbirds'
hovering is similar to, but distinct from, that of hovering insects such as the hawk moths. The
differences result from an inherently dissimilar avian body plan (Warrick et al., 2005).
Metabolism
With the exception of insects, hummingbirds while in flight have the highest metabolism of all animals,
a necessity in order to support the rapid beating of their wings. Their heartbeat can reach as high as 1260
beats per minute, a rate once measured in a Blue-throated hummingbird [1]. They also typically
consume more than their own weight in food each day, and to do that they have to visit hundreds of
flowers daily. At any given moment, they are only hours away from starving. However, they are capable
of slowing down their metabolism at night, or any other time food is not readily available. They enter a
hibernation-like state known as torpor. During torpor, the heartrate and rate of breathing are both slowed
dramatically (the heartrate to roughly 50-180 beats per minute), reducing their need for food.
Studies of hummingbirds' metabolism are highly relevant to the question of whether a migrating Ruby-
throated Hummingbird can cross 800 km (500 miles) of the Gulf of Mexico on a nonstop flight, as field
observations suggest it does. This hummingbird, like other birds preparing to migrate, stores up fat to
serve as fuel, thereby augmenting its weight by as much as 40 to 50 percent and hence increasing the
bird's potential flying time. (Skutch, 1973)
Range
Hummingbird nest with two chicks in Santa

Monica, CA
Hummingbirds are found only in the Americas, from southern Alaska and Canada to Tierra del Fuego,
including the West Indies. The majority of species occur in tropical Central and South America, but
several species also breed in temperate areas. Excluding vagrants, sometimes from Cuba or the
Bahamas, only the migratory Ruby-throated Hummingbird breeds in eastern North America. The Black-
chinned Hummingbird, its close relative and another migrant, is the most widespread and common
species in the western United States and Canada.
Most hummingbirds of the U.S. and Canada and southern migrate to warmer climates in the northern
winter, though some remain in the warmest coastal regions. Some southern South American forms also
move to the tropics.
The Rufous Hummingbird shows an increasing trend to migrate east to winter in the eastern United
States, rather than south to Central America, as a result of increasing survival prospects provided by
artificial feeders in gardens. In the past, individuals that migrated east would usually die, but now many
survive, and their changed migration direction is inherited by their offspring. Provided sufficient food
and shelter is available, they are surprisingly hardy, able to tolerate temperatures down to at least -20°C.
A male Costa's Hummingbird, showing its

plumage to good effect
Traditionally, hummingbirds were placed in the order Apodiformes, which also contains the swifts. In
the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, hummingbirds are separated as a new order, Trochiliformes, but this is
not well supported by additional evidence.
There are between 325 and 340 species of hummingbird, depending on taxonomic viewpoint, divided
into two subfamilies, the hermits (subfamily Phaethornithinae, 34 species in six genera), and the
typical hummingbirds (subfamily Trochilinae, all the others). This arrangement has been extensively
verified (see review in Gerwin & Zink, 1998).
The modern diversity of hummingbirds is thought by evolutionary biologists to have evolved in South
America, as the great majority of the species are found there. All of the most common North American
species are thought to be of relatively recent origin, and are therefore (following the usual procedure of
lists starting with more 'ancestral' species and ending with the most recent) listed close to the end of the
list. However, as seen below, the actual origin of the hummingbird lineage now seems to have been parts
of Europe to what is southern Russia today.
Genetic analysis has indicated that the hummingbird lineage diverged from their closest relatives some
35 million years ago, in the Late Eocene, but fossil evidence has proved quite elusive. Fossil
hummingbirds are known from the Pleistocene of Brazil and the Bahamas - neither of which has been
scientifically described -, and there are fossils and subfossils of a few extant species known, but until
recently, older fossils had not been securely identifiable as hummingbirds.
Then, in 2004, Dr. Gerald Mayr of the Senckenberg Museum in Frankfurt am Main identified two 30-
million-year-old hummingbird fossils and published his results in Nature. The fossils of this primitive
hummingbird species, named Eurotrochilus inexpectatus ("unexpected European hummingbird"), had
been sitting in a museum drawer in Stuttgart; they had been unearthed in a clay pit at Wiesloch-
Frauenweiler, south of Heidelberg, Germany and because it was assumed that hummingbirds never
occurred outside the Americas were never believed to be hummingbirds until Mayr took a closer look at
them.
Fossils of birds not clearly assignable to either hummingbirds or a related, extinct family, the
Jungornithidae, have been found at the Messel pit and in the Caucasus, dating from 40-35 mya, proving
that the split between these two lineages indeed occurred at that date. The areas where these early fossils
have been found had a climate quite similar to the northern Caribbean or southernmost China during that
time. The biggest remaining mystery at the present time is what happened to hummingbirds in the
roughly 25 million years between the primitive Eurotrochilus and the modern fossils. The astounding
morphological adaptations, the decrease in size and the dispersal to the Americas and extinction in
Eurasia all occurred during in this timespan. DNA-DNA hybridization results (Bleiweiss et al, 1994)
suggest that the main radiation of South American hummingbirds at least partly took place in the
Miocene, some 12-13 mya, durng the uplifting of the northern Andes.
Hummingbirds and humans
A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird in

flight; note the speed of the wingbeats
Hummingbirds sometimes fly into garages and become trapped. It is widely believed that this is because
they mistake the hanging (usually red-color) door-release handle for a flower, although hummingbirds
can also get trapped in enclosures that do not contain anything red. Once inside, they may be unable to
escape because their natural instinct when threatened or trapped is to fly upward. This is a life-
threatening situation for hummingbirds, as they can become exhausted and die in a relatively short
period of time, possibly as little as an hour. If a trapped hummingbird is within reach, it can often be
caught gently and released outdoors. It will lie quietly in the space between cupped hands until released.
Hummingbird feeders and nectar

The diet of hummingbirds requires an energy source (typically nectar) and a protein source (typically
small insects). For nectar, hummingbirds will happily take artificial nectar from man-made feeders. Such
feeders allow people to observe and enjoy hummingbirds up-close while providing the hummingbirds
with a reliable supply of nectar, especially when flower blossoms are less abundant.The feeders can be
placed as high as 60 meters maximum. Homemade nectar can be made from 1 part white, granulated
table sugar to 4 parts water, boiled to make it easier to dissolve the sugar and to purify the solution so
that it will stay fresh longer. The cooled nectar is then poured into the feeder. Honey should not be used
[1]
because it is prone to culture a bacterium that is dangerous to hummingbirds. Diet sweeteners should
also be avoided because, though the hummingbirds will drink it, they will be starved of the calories they
need to sustain their metabolism.
Some commercial hummingbird foods contain red dyes and preservatives which are unnecessary and
have not been studied for long-term effects on hummingbirds. While it is true that bright colors
(especially red) attract hummingbirds, it is better to use a feeder that has some red on it, rather than
[2]
coloring the water. There are suggestions that red dye is harmful to hummingbirds . Yellow dyes also
cannot be used, as it has been known to attract bees and wasps. Commercial nectar mixes may contain
small amounts of mineral nutrients which are useful to hummingbirds, but hummingbirds get all the
nutrients they need from the insects they eat, not from nectar, so the added nutrients are also
unnecessary. Authorities on hummingbirds recommend just plain sugar and water (Shackelford et al.,
2005).
A hummingbird feeder should be easy to refill and clean. Prepared nectar can be refrigerated for 1 to 2
weeks before being used, but once placed outdoors it will only remain fresh for 2-4 days in hot weather
or 4-6 days in moderate weather before turning cloudy or developing mold. Hummingbirds can be
seriously harmed if they sip from a feeder with nectar that has gone bad. When changing the nectar, the
feeder should be rinsed thoroughly with warm tap water, flushing the reservoir and ports to remove any
contamination or sugar build-up. If dish soap is used, it needs extra rinsing so that no residue is left
behind. The feeder can be soaked in dilute chlorine bleach if black specks of mold appear.
Other animals are also attracted to hummingbird feeders. It is a good idea to get a feeder that has very
narrow ports, or ports with mesh-like "wasp guards", to prevent bees and wasps from getting inside
where they get trapped. Orioles are known to drink from hummingbird feeders, sometimes tipping them
and draining the liquid. If this becomes a problem, it is possible to buy feeders which are specifically
designed to support their extra weight and which hummingbirds will use too. If ants find your
hummingbird feeder, one solution is to install an "ant moat", which is available at specialty garden stores
and online.
Hummingbird image at Nazca
Hummingbirds in myth and culture
● The Aztec god Huitzilopochtli is often depicted as a hummingbird.

One of the Nazca Lines depicts a hummingbird.
The Ohlone tells the story of how a Hummingbird brought fire to the world. See an article at the
National Parks Conservation Association's website for a recounting.
Trinidad and Tobago is known as "The land of the hummingbird," and a hummingbird can be
seen on that nation's 1 cent coin.
Many popular songs have been written under the title "Hummingbird", including separate works
by B.B. King, Wilco, Leon Russell, John Mayer, Frankie Laine, Cat Stevens, Seals and Crofts,
Merzbow and Yuki.
References
Male Green Violet-ear in flight
● Bleiweiss, Robert; Kirsch, John A. W. & Matheus, Juan Carlos (1999): DNA-DNA hybridization
evidence for subfamily structure among hummingbirds. Auk 111(1): 8-19. PDF fulltext
● del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (editors) (1999): Handbook of Birds of the World, Volume
5: Barn-owls to Hummingbirds. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. ISBN 84-87334-25-3
● Gerwin, John A. & Zink, Robert M. (1998): Phylogenetic patterns in the Trochilidae. Auk 115
(1): 105-118. PDF fulltext
● Meyer de Schauensee, Rodolphe (1970): A Guide to Birds of South America. Livingston,

Wynnewood, PA.
● Shackelford, Clifford Eugene; Lindsay, Madge M. & Klym, C. Mark (2005): Hummingbirds of
Texas with their New Mexico and Arizona ranges. Texas A&M University Press, College Station.
ISBN 1-58544-433-2
● Skutch, Alexander F. & Singer, Arthur B. (1973): The Life of the Hummingbird. Crown
Publishers, New York. ISBN 0-517-50572X
● Warrick, D. R.; Tobalske, B.W. & Powers, D.R. (2005): Aerodynamics of the hovering
hummingbird. Nature 435: 1094-1097 DOI:10.1038/nature03647 (HTML abstract)
Footnotes
1. ^ http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/hummingbird/2003021845028716.html
2. ^ http://www.hummingbirds.net/dye.html
External links
A Rufous Hummingbird hovering in flight

at Hells Gate, British Columbia
● The Hummingbird Society
● Hummingbird Society's Photo Gallery
● "Operation Ruby Throat: The Hummingbird Project"
● Hummingbirds.net
● Hummingbirds
● Hummingbird videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Video (.wmv) (.mp4 - iPod) Hummingbird hovers and feeds. Licensed under Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike. Stored at blip.tv
● Video (.wmv) Hummingbird shaping a nest. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
ShareAlike. Stored at blip.tv
● Video (.wmv) Hummingbird adding spider's web to nest. Licensed under Creative Commons
● Video (.wmv) Hummingbird adding downy seed to nest. Licensed under Creative Commons
Home | Up | Tanager | Tapaculo | Teratornithidae | Tetraonidae | Thamnophilidae | Threskiornithidae

| Trochilidae | Troglodytidae | Turdidae | Turnagridae | Tyrant flycatcher | Tytonidae
Ostrich
Ostrich
The ostrich (Struthio camelus) is a flightless bird native to Africa. Conservation status Least concern
It is the only living species of its family, Struthionidae, and its
genus, Struthio. They are distinct in their appearance, with a long
neck and legs and the ability to run at speeds of about 65 km/h (40
mph). Ostriches are the largest living species of bird and are
farmed in many areas all over the world. The scientific name for
the ostrich is from the Greek for "camel sparrow" in allusion to
[1]
their long necks .
Contents
● 1 Description
● 2 Systematics and distribution
❍ 2.1 Evolution
● 3 Behavior
● 4 Reproduction
● 5 Ostriches and humans
● 6 Gallery
● 7 References Scientific classification
● 8 External links Kingdom: Animalia
● 9 Sources
Phylum: Chordata
Description Class: Aves
Ostriches usually weigh from 90 to 130 kg (200 to 285 pounds), Order: Struthioniformes
although some male ostriches have been recorded with weights of
up to 155 kg (340 pounds). The feathers of adult males are mostly
Family: Struthionidae
black, with some white on the wings and tail. Females and young Vigors, 1825
males are grayish-brown, with a bit of white. The small vestigial
wings are used by males in mating displays. They can also provide Genus: Struthio
shade for chicks. The feathers are soft and serve as insulation, and
are quite different from the stiff airfoil feathers of flying birds. Species: S. camelus
There are claws on two of the wings' fingers. The strong legs of
the ostrich lack feathers. The bird stands on two toes, with the
bigger one resembling a hoof. This is an adaptation unique to Binomial name
ostriches that appears to aid in running. Struthio camelus
Linnaeus, 1758
At sexual maturity (two to four years old), male ostriches can be between 1.8 m and 2.7 m (6 feet and 9
feet) in height, while female ostriches range from 1.7 m to 2 m (5.5 ft to 6.5 ft). During the first year of
life, chicks grow about 25 cm (10 inches) per month. At one year, ostriches weigh around 45 kg (100
pounds). An ostrich can live up to 75 years.
Systematics and distribution

The ostrich belong to the Struthioniformes order (ratites). Other members of this group include rheas,
emus, cassowaries and the largest bird ever, the now-extinct Aepyornis. However, the classification of
the ratites as a single order has always being questioned, with the alternative classification restricting the
Struthioniformes to the ostrich lineage and elevating the other groups to oder status also. Presently,
molecular evidence is equivocal while paleobiogeographical and paleontological considerations are
slightly in favor of the multi-order arrangement.
The present-day distribution of ostriches.
Ostriches occur naturally in the savannas and the Sahel of Africa, both north and south of the equatorial
forest zone. Five subspecies are recognized:
● S. c. australis in Southern Africa
S. c. camelus in North Africa, sometimes called the North African ostrich or red-necked ostrich.
S. c. massaicus in East Africa, sometimes called the Masai ostrich. During the mating season, the
male's neck and thighs turn pink-orange. Their range is from Ethiopia and Kenya in the east to
Senegal in the west, and from eastern Mauritania in the north to southern Morocco in the south.
S. c. syriacus in the Middle East, sometimes called the Arabian ostrich or Middle Eastern ostrich,
was a subspecies formerly very common in the Arabian Peninsula, Syria, and Iraq; it became
extinct around 1966.
S. c. molybdophanes in Somalia, Ethiopia, and northern Kenya, is called the Somali ostrich.
During the mating season, the male's neck and thighs turn blue. Its range overlaps with S.c.
massaicus in northeastern Kenya.
Analyses indicate that the Somali ostrich may be better considered a full species. mtDNA haplotype
comparisons suggest that it diverged from the other ostriches not quite 4 mya due to formation of the
Great Rift Valley. Subsequently, hybridization with the subspecies that evolved southwestwards of its
range, S. c. massaicus, has apparently been prevented to occur on a significant scale by ecological
separation, the Somali ostrich preferring bushland where it browses middle-height vegetation for food
while the Masai ostrich is, like the other subspecies, a grazing bird of the open savanna and miombo
habitat (Freitag & Robinson, 1993).
The population from Río de Oro was once separated as Struthio camelus spatzi because its eggshell
pores were shaped like a teardrop and not round, but as there is considerable variation of this character
and there were no other differences between these birds and adjacent populations of S. c. camelus, it is
not anymore considered valid. This population has disappeared in the later half of the 20th century. In
addition, there have been 19th century reports of the existence of small ostriches in North Africa; these
have been referred to as Levaillant's Ostrich (Struthio bidactylus) but remain a hypothetical form not
supported by material evidence (Fuller, 2000). Given the persistence of savanna wildlife in a few
mountaineous regions of the Sahara (such as the Tagant Plateau and the Ennedi Plateau), it is not at all
unlikely that ostriches too were able to persist in some numbers until recent times after the drying-up of
the Sahara.
Evolution
The earliest fossil of ostrich-like birds is the Central European Palaeotis from the Middle Eocene, a
middle-sized flightless bird that was originally believed to be a bustard. Its distribution indicates that its
ancestors must have flown across the ocean which at that time separated the continents from each other,
and this indicates that theories about evolution and dispersal of the ratites need much more research
before a consensus can be reached. Apart from this enigmatic bird, the fossil record of the ostriches
continues with several species of the modern genus Struthio which are known from the Early Miocene
onwards. While the relationship of the African species is comparatively straightforward, a large number
of Asian species of ostrich have been described from very fragmentary remains, and their
interrelationships and how they relate to the African ostriches is very confusing. In China, ostriches are
known to have become extinct only around or even after the end of the last ice age; images of ostriches
have been found there on prehistoric pottery and as petroglyphs.
● Struthio coppensi (Early Miocene of Elizabethfeld, Namibia)

● Struthio linxiaensis (Liushu Late Miocene of Yangwapuzijifang, China)
● Struthio orlovi (Late Miocene of Moldavia)
● Struthio karingarabensis (Late Miocene - Early Pliocene of SW and CE Africa)
● Struthio kakesiensis (Laetolil Early Pliocene of Laetoli, Tanzania)
● Struthio wimani (Early Pliocene of China and Mongolia)
● Struthio daberasensis (Early - Middle Pliocene of Namibia)
● Asian Ostrich, Struthio asiaticus (Early Pliocene - Late Pleistocene of Central Asia to China)
● Struthio oldawayi (Early Pleistocene of Tanzania) - probably subspecies of S. camelus
● Struthio anderssoni
● Struthio brachydactylus (Pliocene of Ukraine)
● Struthio chersonensis (Pliocene of SE Europe to WC Asia)
● Struthio oshanai
In addition, apparently ratite eggshell fragments were found on the Canary Islands. The fragments
apparently date to the Middle or Late Miocene, and no satisfying theory has been proposed as to how
they got there due to uncertainties about whether these islands were ever connected to the mainland.
Behavior
Ostriches live in nomadic groups of 5 to 50 birds that often travel together with other grazing animals,
such as zebras or antelopes. They mainly feed on seeds and other plant matter; occasionally they also eat
insects such as locusts. Lacking teeth, they swallow pebbles that help to grind the swallowed foods in
the gizzard. They can go without water for a long time, exclusively living off the moisture in the
ingested plants. However, they enjoy water and frequently take baths.
With their acute eyesight and hearing, they can sense predators such as lions from far away.
In popular mythology, the ostrich is famous for hiding its head in the sand at the first sign of danger. The
Roman writer Pliny the Elder is noted for his descriptions of the ostrich in his Naturalis Historia, where
he describes the ostrich and the fact that it hides its head in a bush. There have been no recorded
observations of this behavior. A common counter-argument is that a species that displayed this behavior
would not likely survive very long. The myth may have resulted from the fact that, from a distance,
when ostriches feed they appear to be burying their head in the sand because they deliberately swallow
sand and pebbles to help grind up their food. Burying their heads in sand will in fact suffocate the
ostrich. When lying down and hiding from predators, the birds are known to lay their head and neck flat
on the ground, making them appear as a mound of earth from a distance. This even works for the males,
as they hold their wings and tail low so that the heat haze of the hot, dry air that often occurs in their
habitat aids in making them appear as a nondescript dark lump. When threatened, ostriches run away,
but they can also seriously injure with kicks from their powerful legs.
The ostrich's behavior is also mentioned in what is thought to be the most ancient book of the Bible in
God's discourse to Job (Job 39.13-18). It is described as joyfully proud of its small wings, unmindful of
the safety of its nest, treats its offspring harshly, lacks in wisdom, yet can put a horse to shame with its
speed. Elsewhere, ostriches are mentioned as proverbial examples of bad parenting; see Arabian Ostrich
for details.
Ostriches are known to eat almost anything (dietary indiscretion), particularly in captivity where
opportunity is increased.
Ostriches can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. In much of its habitat temperature differences of 40°
C between night- and daytime can be encountered. Their temperature control mechanism is more
complex than in other birds and mammals, utilizing the naked skin of the upper legs and flanks (see the
photo of the "dancing" female ostrich below) which can be covered by the wing feathers or bared
according to whether the bird wants to retain or lose body heat.
Reproduction
An ostrich's nest
Ostriches become sexually mature when 2 to 4 years old; females mature about six months earlier than
males. The species is iteroparous, with the mating season beginning in March or April and ending
sometime before September. The mating process differs in different geographical regions. Territorial
males will typically use hisses and other sounds to fight for a harem of 2 to 5 females (which are called
hens). The winner of these fights will breed with all the females in an area but only form a pair bond
with one, the dominant female. The female crouches on the ground and is mounted from behind by the
male.
Ostriches are oviparous. The females will lay their fertilized eggs in a single communal nest, a simple pit
scraped in the ground and 30 to 60 cm deep. Ostrich eggs can weigh 1.3 kg and are the largest of all
eggs (and the largest single cells), though they are actually the smallest eggs relative to the size of the
bird. The nest may contain 15 to 60 eggs, with an average egg being 6 inches (15 cm) long, 5 inches (13
cm) wide, and weigh 3 pounds (1.4 kg). They are shiny and whitish in color. The eggs are incubated by
the females by day and by the male by night, making use of the different colors of the two sexes to
escape detection. The gestation period is 35 to 45 days. Typically, the male will tend to the hatchlings.
The life span of an ostrich can extend from 30 to 70 years, with 50 being typical.
Ostriches and humans

In the past, ostriches were mostly hunted and farmed for their feathers, which used to be very popular as
ornaments in ladies' hats and such. Their skins were also valued to make a fine leather. In the 18th
century, they were almost hunted to extinction; farming for feathers began in the 19th century. The
market for feathers collapsed after World War I, but commercial farming for feathers and later for skins,
took off during the 1970s.
The Arabian Ostriches in the Near and Middle East were hunted to extinction by the middle of the 20th
century.
Today, ostriches are bred all over the world, including climates as cold as that of Sweden. They will
prosper in climates between 30 and −30 °C, and are farmed in over 50 countries around the world, but
the majority are still found in Southern Africa. Since they also have the best feed to weight ratio gain of
any land animal in the world (3.5:1 whereas that of cattle is 6:1), they are bound to appear attractive to
farmers. Although they are farmed primarily for leather and secondarily for meat, additional useful
byproducts are the eggs, offal, and feathers. It is traditional to place seven of the large eggs on the roof
of an Ethiopian Orthodox church, to symbolise the Heavenly and Earthly Angels.
It is claimed that ostriches produce the strongest commercially available leather1. Ostrich meat tastes
similar to lean beef and is low in fat and cholesterol, as well as high in calcium, protein and iron. [1]
Ostriches are large enough for a small human to ride them; typically, the human will hold on to the
wings while riding. They have been trained in some areas of northern Africa and Arabia as racing
mounts. Ostrich races in the United States have been criticized by animal rights organizations, however
there is little possibility of this becoming a widespread practice due to the fact that the animals are
difficult to saddle (and ostriches are known to have a rather irascible temper).
Ostriches are classified as dangerous animals in Australia, the US and the UK. There are a number of
recorded incidents of people being attacked and killed. Big males can be very territorial and aggressive
and can attack and kick very powerfully with their legs. An ostrich will easily outrun any human athlete.
Their legs are powerful enough to eviscerate large animals.
Gallery
Male and female
Ostrich eggs for sale in a
Head of an ostrich. An ostrich egg. ostriches "dancing" by
Polish supermarket.
flapping their wings.
Male and female Ostrich farm between Ostriches in a zoo in Thermographic image of
ostriches on a farm in Phoenix and Tucson, Krasnoyarsk city two ostriches in
New Zealand. Arizona. (Siberia). wintertime.
References
1. ^ Ostrich. Online Etymology Dictionary.
● BirdLife International (2004). Struthio camelus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species
is of least concern
● Freitag, Stefanie & Robinson, Terence J. (1993): Phylogeographic patterns in mitochondrial

DNA of the ostrich (Struthio camelus). Auk 110, 614–622. PDF fulltext
● Fuller, Errol (2000): Extinct Birds (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press, Oxford, New York. ISBN
0198508379
External links
● Photos of hatchlings and mating ostriches
● Animal Diversity Web
● Bird Families of the World
● Fleet-Footed, Flightless, and Fascinating — The Ostrich
● Ostrich facts - Wild Animals Online encyclopedia
● Ostrich videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Nutritional Comparisons of Ostrich Meat
● Ostrich Farming Report on the Wire Worm
● WOC 2006 - XIII World Ostrich Congress
Sources
● Ostrich farming facts in New Zealand Note 1

● Honolulu Zoo page on Ostriches
● Kruger Park page on Ostriches
● South African Ostrich Business Chamber
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Emu
Emu
The Emu (IPA pronunciation: [ iːmjuː]), Dromaius Conservation status See text
novaehollandiae, is the largest bird native to Australia and
the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. It is also
the second-largest bird in the world by height, after its
ratite relative, the ostrich. The soft-feathered, brown,
flightless birds reach up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in height. The
Emu is common over most of mainland Australia, although
it avoids heavily populated areas, dense forest and arid
areas. Emus can travel great distances at a fast, economical
trot and, if necessary, can sprint at 50 km/h (31 mph) for
[1]
some distance at a time. They are opportunistically
nomadic and may travel long distances to find food; they
feed on a variety of plants and insects.
The Emu subspecies that previously inhabited Tasmania
became extinct following the European settlement of Kingdom: Animalia
Australia in 1788; the distribution of the mainland
subspecies has also been affected by human activities. The Phylum: Chordata
Emu was once common on the east coast, but is now
uncommon there; by contrast, the development of Class: Aves
agriculture and the provision of water for stock in the
interior of the continent have increased the range of the
Emu in arid regions. Emus are farmed for their meat, oil Order: Struthioniformes
and leather.
Family: Casuariidae
Genus: Dromaius
Species: D. novaehollandiae
Binomial name
Dromaius novaehollandiae
(Latham, 1790)
Contents Synonyms
Dromiceius novaehollandiae
● 1 Taxonomy and distribution
● 2 Physical description
● 3 Reproduction
● 4 Ecology and behaviour
● 5 Conservation status
● 6 Emu farming and products
● 7 Cultural references
● 8 See also
● 9 References
Taxonomy and distribution
The Emu has been recorded in the black-

coloured areas shown here.
Three different Dromaius species were common in Australia before European settlement and one species
is known from fossils. The small emus — Dromaius baudinianus and D. ater — both became extinct
shortly after; however, the Emu, D. novaehollandiae, remains common. The population varies from
decade to decade, largely dependent on rainfall; it is estimated that the Emu population is 625,000–
725,000, with 100,000–200,000 in Western Australia and the remainder mostly in New South Wales and
Queensland.[2] D. novaehollandiae diemenensis, a subspecies known as the Tasmanian Emu, became
extinct around 1865. Emus were introduced in Maria Island near Tasmania, and Kangaroo Island near
South Australia, in the 20th century and have established breeding populations there.
There are three extant subspecies in Australia:
● In the southeast, D. novaehollandiae novaehollandiae, with its whitish ruff when breeding;
● In the north, D. novaehollandiae woodwardi, slender and paler; and
● In the southwest, D. novaehollandiae rothschildi, darker, with no ruff during breeding.
The species was first described under the name of the New Holland Cassowary in Arthur Phillip's
Voyage to Botany Bay, published in 1789.[3] The species was named by ornithologist John Latham,
who collaborated on Phillip's book and provided the first descriptions of and names for many Australian
bird species; its name is Latin for "fast-footed New Hollander". The etymology of the common name
Emu is uncertain, but is thought to have come from an Arabic word for large bird that was later used by
[2]
Portuguese explorers to describe the related Cassowary in New Guinea.
Physical description
Emus have only three toes; this

adaptation for running is seen in
other bird species, such as
bustards and quails. The Ostrich
has only two toes.
Emus are large birds. The largest individuals can reach up to two metres (6 ft 7 in) in height (1–
1.3 metres (3.2–4.3 ft) at the shoulder) and weigh between 30 and 45 kilograms (66–100 pounds).[2]
They have small vestigial wings and a long neck and legs. Their ability to run at high speeds is due to
their highly specialised pelvic limb musculature. Their feet have only three toes and a similarly reduced
number of bones and associated foot muscles; they are the only birds with gastrocnemius muscles in the
back of the lower legs. The pelvic limb muscles of Emus have a similar contribution to total body mass
[4]
as the flight muscles of flying birds.
Emus have brown to grey-brown plumage of shaggy appearance; the shafts and the tips of the feathers
are black. Solar radiation is absorbed by the tips, and the loose-packed inner plumage insulates the skin.
[5]
The resultant heat is prevented from flowing to the skin by the insulation provided by the coat,
allowing the bird to be active during the heat of the day. A unique feature of the Emu feather is its
double rachis emerging from a single shaft. The sexes are similar in appearance.
On very hot days, Emus pant to maintain their body temperature, their lungs work as evaporative coolers
and, unlike some other species, the resulting low levels of carbon dioxide in the blood do not appear to
cause alkalosis.[6] For normal breathing in cooler weather, they have large, multifolded nasal passages.
Cool air warms as it passes through into the lungs, extracting heat from the nasal region. On exhalation,
[7]
the Emu's cold nasal turbinates condense moisture back out of the air and absorb it for reuse.
Reproduction
Emu chicks have distinctive bilateral

stripes that help to camouflage them.
Emus form breeding pairs during the summer months of December and January, and may remain
together for about five months. Mating occurs in the cooler months of May and June. During the
breeding season, males experience hormonal changes, including an increase in luteinizing hormone and
testosterone levels, and their testes double in size.[8] Males lose their appetite and construct a rough nest
in a semi-sheltered hollow on the ground from bark, grass, sticks and leaves. The pair mates every day
or two, and every second or third day the female lays an average of 11 (and as many as 20) very large,
thick-shelled, dark-green eggs. The eggs are on average 134 x 89 millimeters (5.3 x 3.5 inches) and
[9]
weigh between 700 and 900 grams (1.5–2 pounds), which is roughly equivalent to 10–12 chicken eggs
in volume and weight. The first occurrence of genetically identical avian twins was demonstrated in the
[10]
Emu.
The male becomes broody after his mate starts laying, and begins to incubate the eggs before the laying
period is complete. From this time on, he does not eat, drink or defecate, and stands only to turn the
eggs, which he does about 10 times a day. Over eight weeks of incubation, he will lose a third of his
weight and will survive only on stored body-fat and on any morning dew that he can reach from the nest.
As with many other Australian birds, such as the Superb Fairy-wren, infidelity is the norm for Emus,
despite the initial pair-bond: once the male starts brooding, the female mates with other males and may
lay in multiple clutches; thus, as many as half the chicks in a brood may be fathered by others, or by
[11]
neither parent as Emus also exhibit brood parasitism. Some females stay and defend the nest until the
chicks start hatching, but most leave the nesting area completely to nest again; in a good season, a
[12]
female Emu may nest three times.
[12]
Incubation takes 56 days, and the male stops incubating the eggs shortly before they hatch. Newly
hatched chicks are active and can leave the nest within a few days. They stand about 25 centimetres tall
and have distinctive brown and cream stripes for camouflage, which fade after three months or so. The
male stays with the growing chicks for up to 18 months, defending them and teaching them how to find
[9]
food. Chicks grow very quickly and are full-grown in 12–14 months; they may remain with their
family group for another six months or so before they split up to breed in their second season. In the
[13]
wild, Emus live between 10 to 20 years, captive birds can live longer than those in the wild.
Ecology and behaviour
Emu eyes are golden brown to black.

The naked skin on the neck is bluish-
black.
Emus live in most habitats across Australia, although they are most common in areas of sclerophyll
forest and savanna woodland, and least common in populated and very arid areas. Emus are largely
solitary, and while they can form enormous flocks, this is an atypical social behaviour that arises from
the common need to move towards food sources. Emus have been shown to travel long distances to
reach abundant feeding areas. In Western Australia, Emu movements follow a distinct seasonal pattern
— north in summer and south in winter. On the east coast their wanderings do not appear to follow a
[12]
pattern. Emus are also able to swim when necessary.
Their calls consist of loud booming, drumming and grunting sounds that can be heard up to two
[2]
kilometres away. The booming sound is created in an inflatable neck sac.
Emus forage in a diurnal pattern. They eat a variety of native and introduced plant species; the type of
plants eaten depends on seasonal availability. They also eat insects, including grasshoppers and crickets,
ladybirds, soldier and saltbush caterpillars, Bogong and cotton-boll moth larvae and ants.[14] In Western
Australia, food preferences have been observed in travelling Emus: they eat seeds from Acacia aneura
until it rains, after which they eat fresh grass shoots and caterpillars; in winter they feed on the leaves
[1]
and pods of Cassia; in spring, they feed on grasshoppers and quandong fruit. Emus may serve as an
important agent for the dispersal of large viable seeds, which could contribute to the maintenance of
[15]
floral biodiversity.
Conservation status
Emus were used as a source of food by indigenous Australians and early European settlers. Aborigines
used a variety of techniques to catch the bird, including spearing them while they drank at waterholes,
poisoning waterholes, catching Emus in nets, and attracting Emus by imitating their calls or with a ball
of feathers and rags dangled from a tree.[9] Europeans killed Emus to provide food and to remove them
if they interfered with farming or invaded settlements in search of water during drought. An extreme
example of this was the Emu War in Western Australia in 1932, when Emus that flocked to Campion
during a hot summer scared the town’s inhabitants and an unsuccessful attempt to drive them off was
mounted. In John Gould's Handbook to the Birds of Australia, first published in 1865, he laments the
loss of the Emu from Tasmania, where it had become rare and has since become extinct; he notes that
Emus were no longer common in the vicinity of Sydney and proposes that the species be given protected
status.[3] Wild Emus are formally protected in Australia under the Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Although the population of Emus on mainland Australia is thought to be higher now than before
[2]
European settlement, some wild populations are at risk of local extinction due to small population
size. Threats to small populations include the clearance and fragmentation of areas of habitat; deliberate
slaughter; collisions with vehicles; and predation of the young and eggs by foxes, feral and domestic
dogs, and feral pigs. The isolated Emu population of the New South Wales North Coast Bioregion and
[16]
Port Stephens is listed as endangered by the New South Wales Government.
Emu farming and products

Farmed Emu at Virginia's Emu
Marketing Cooperative near
Warrenton, Virginia, US.
Commercial Emu farming started in Western Australia in 1987 and the first slaughtering occurred in
1990.[17] In Australia, the commercial industry is based on stock bred in captivity and all states except
Tasmania have licensing requirements to protect wild Emus. Outside Australia, Emus are farmed on a
large scale in North America, with about 1 million birds in the US,[18] Peru and China, and to a lesser
extent in some other countries. Emus breed well in captivity, and are kept in large open pens to avoid leg
and digestive problems that arise with inactivity. They are typically fed on grain supplemented by
grazing, and are slaughtered at 50–70 weeks of age.
Emus are farmed primarily for their meat, leather and oil. Emu meat is a low-fat, low-cholesterol meat
(85 mg/100 g); despite being avian, it is considered a red meat because of its red colour and pH value.
[19][18] The best cuts come from the thigh and the larger muscles of the drum or lower leg. Emu fat is
rendered to produce oil for cosmetics, dietary supplements and therapeutic products. There is some
evidence that the oil has anti-inflammatory properties;[20] however, the US Food and Drug
Administration regards pure emu oil product as an unapproved drug. Emu leather has a distinctive
patterned surface, due to a raised area around the hair follicles in the skin; the leather is used in such
small items as wallets and shoes, often in combination with other leathers. The feathers and eggs are
used in decorative arts and crafts.
Cultural references
New South Wales 100th
Anniversary stamp
The Emu has a prominent place in Australian Aboriginal mythology, including a creation myth of the
Yuwaalaraay and other groups in NSW who say that the sun was made by throwing an Emu's egg into
[21]
the sky; the bird features in numerous aetiological stories told across a number of Aboriginal groups.
The Emu is popularly but unofficially considered as a faunal emblem—the national bird of Australia.
[22] It appears as a shield bearer on the Coat of Arms of Australia with the Red Kangaroo and as a part
of the Arms also appears on the Australian 50 cent coin. It has featured on numerous Australian postage
stamps, including a pre-federation New South Wales 100th Anniversary issue from 1888, which featured
a 2p blue Emu stamp, a 36-cent stamp released in 1986 and a $1.35 stamp released in 1994. The hats of
the Australian Light Horse were famously decorated with an Emu feather plume.
There are around 600 gazetted places named after the Emu in Australia, including mountains, lakes,
creeks and towns.[23] During the 19th and 20th centuries, many Australian companies and household
products were named after the bird; for example, in Western Australia, Emu branded beer has been
produced since the early 20th century. The Swan Brewery continues to produce a range of Emu branded
beers that include Emu Bitter, Emu Export and Emu Draft. Emu - Austral Ornithology is the quarterly
peer-reviewed publication of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, also known as Birds
Australia. The British entertainer Rod Hull was well known for his puppet "Emu", and regularly
appeared on television with it. Sheena Knowles's children's picture books, Edward the Emu and Edwina
the Emu, follow the fictional lives of a male Emu and his family in rhyming verse.
See also
● Birds of Australia
References
ab
1. ^ Davies, S. J. J. F. 1963. Emus. Australian Natural History 14:225–29
abcde
2. ^ Australian Museum. 2001. Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae
ab
3. ^ Gould, J. 1865. Handbook to the Birds of Australia Volume 2. Reprinted in 1972 by
Landsdowne Press
4. ^ Patak, A. E. and Baldwin, J. 1998 Pelvic limb musculature in the emu Dromaius
novaehollandiae (Aves : Struthioniformes : Dromaiidae): Adaptations to high-speed running.
Journal of Morphology 238:23–37 PMID 9768501
5. ^ Maloney, S. K. and Dawson, T. J. 1995. The heat load from solar radiation on a large, diurnally
active bird, the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae). Journal of Thermal Biology 20:381–87
6. ^ Maloney, S.K and Dawson, T.J. 1994. Thermoregulation in a large bird, the Emu (Dromaius
novaehollandiae). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. B, Biochemical Systemic and
Environmental Physiology. 164:464–72
7. ^ Maloney, S.K and Dawson, T.J. 1998. Ventilatory accommodation of oxygen demand and
respiratory water loss in a large bird, the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), and a re-examination
of ventilatory allometry for birds. Physiological Zoology 71:712–19
8. ^ Malecki I. A. et al. 1998. Endocrine and testicular changes in a short-day seasonally breeding
bird, the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), in southwestern Australia. Animal Reproduction
Sciences 53:143–55 PMID 9835373
abc
9. ^ Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds. 1976. Reader's Digest Services ISBN
0-909486-63-8
10. ^ Bassett, S. M. et al. 1999. Genetically identical avian twins. Journal of Zoology 247: 475–78
11. ^ Taylor, E. L. et al. 2000. Genetic evidence for mixed parentage in nests of the emu (Dromaius
novaehollandiae). Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology 47:359–64
abc
12. ^ Davies, S. J. J. F. 1976. The natural history of the Emu in comparison with that of other
ratites. In Proceedings of the 16th international ornithological congress, H.J. Firth and J. H.
Calaby eds. Australian Academy of Science, p. 109–20 ISBN 0-85847-038-1
13. ^ Parks Victoria. Emu
14. ^ Barker, R. D. and Vertjens, W. J. M. The Food of Australian Birds 1 Non-Passerines. CSIRO
Australia ISBN 0-643-05007-8
15. ^ McGrath, R. J. and Bass, D. 1999. Seed dispersal by Emus on the New South Wales north-east
coast. EMU 99: 248–52
16. ^ Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) Emu population in the NSW North
Coast Bioregion and Port Stephens LGA - profile
17. ^ O'Malley, P. 1997. Emu Farming in The New Rural Industries. Rural Industries Research &
Development Corporation
ab
18. ^ USDA. Ratites (Emu, Ostrich, and Rhea)
19. ^ USDA. 2005. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 18 Emu, full
rump, raw
20. ^ Yoganathan, S. et al. 2003. Antagonism of croton oil inflammation by topical emu oil in CD-1
mice. Lipids 38:603–07. PMID 12934669
21. ^ Dixon, R. B. 1916. Oceanic Mythology Part V. Australia
22. ^ Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Australia's Coat of Arms
23. ^ Geoscience Australia. 2004. Gazetteer of Australia
External links
● Emu videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Emu chicks emerging, article with sound clips, photos and videos.
● "Kangaroo feathers" and the Australian Light Horse from the Australian War Memorial
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Owls
Owl
The owl is a solitary, mainly nocturnal bird of prey. Owls belong
to the order Strigiformes, in which there are 222 known species.
Owls mostly hunt small mammals, insects, and other birds, though
a few species specialize in hunting fish. They are found in all
regions of the Earth except Antarctica, most of Greenland, and
some remote islands. Though owls are typically solitary, the
literary collective noun for a group of owls is a parliament.
Owls are classified in two families: the typical owls, Strigidae, and
the barn owls, Tytonidae.
Contents
● 1 External appearance
● 2 Behaviour
● 3 Myth, lore, and popular culture
❍ 3.1 Africa
❍ 3.2 The Americas Northern Spotted Owl

❍ 3.3 Asia Scientific classification
❍ 3.4 Europe
Kingdom: Animalia
❍ 3.5 Owls in popular culture
● 4 References
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
External appearance Order: Strigiformes

Wagler, 1830
Owls have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, Families
and usually a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye
Strigidae
called a facial disc. Although owls have binocular vision, their
Tytonidae
large eyes are fixed in their sockets, as with other birds, and they
must turn their entire head to change views.
Owls are far-sighted, and are unable to clearly see anything within a few inches of their eyes. Their far
vision, particularly in low light, is incredibly good, and they can turn their head 270 degrees around.
Different species of owls make different sounds. The facial disc helps to funnel the sound of prey to
their ears. In some species, these are placed asymmetrically, for better directional location.
Owls are more closely related to the nightjars (Caprimulgiformes) than to the diurnal predators in the
order Falconiformes. Some taxonomists place the nightjars in the same order as owls, as in the Sibley-
Ahlquist taxonomy .
Behaviour
A horned owl, genus

Bubo.
Owls' powerful clawed feet and sharp beak enable them to tear their prey to pieces before eating,
although most items are swallowed whole. Their muffled wings and dull feathers allow them to fly
practically silent and unseen. Some fish-eating owls, which have no need of silence, lack this adaptation.
Scientists studying the diets of owls are helped by their habit of disgorging the indigestible parts of their
prey (bones, scales, fur, etc.) in the form of pellets. These "owl pellets" are often sold by companies to
schools to be dissected by students as a lesson in biology and ecology, because they are plentiful and
easy to interpret.
Owl eggs are white and almost spherical, and range in number from a few to a dozen dependent on
species. Their nests are crudely built and may be in trees, underground burrows or barns and caves.
Most owls are nocturnal, but several, including the pygmy owls (Glaucidium), are crepuscular, or
twilight active, hunting mainly at dawn and dusk. A few owls, such as the Burrowing Owl (Speotyto
cunicularia) and the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), are also active during the day.
The smallest owls include the pygmy owls, some of which are only 13 cm (5.1 in) long, have a 32 cm
(12.6-in) wingspan, and weigh only 50 g (1.76 oz). The largest owls are the eagle owls, the Eurasian
Eagle Owl Bubo bubo and Verreaux's Eagle Owl B. lacteus, which may reach 76.2 cm (30 in) long, have
a wingspan of just over 2 m (6.6 ft), and weigh about 4 kg (almost 9 lb).
Myth, lore, and popular culture
A Barn Owl, Tyto alba.
A Barred Owl, Strix varia.
A Burrowing Owl, Athene

cunicularia.
A Tawny Owl, Strix aluco.
In many parts of the world, owls have been associated with death and misfortune, likely due to their
nocturnal activity and common screeching call. However, owls have also been associated with wisdom
and prosperity as a result of frequently being companion animals for goddesses.
Henry David Thoreau summarized one perception of owls, when he wrote in 1854's Walden, "I rejoice
that there are owls. Let them do the idiotic and maniacal hooting for men. It is a sound admirably suited
to swamps and twilight woods which no day illustrates, suggesting a vast and underdeveloped nature
which men have not recognized. They represent the stark twilight and unsatisfied thoughts which all
[men] have."
Africa
Ancient Egyptians used a representation of an owl for their hieroglyph for the sound m, although they
would often draw this hieroglyph with its legs broken to keep this bird of prey from coming to life..
The Americas
In the culture of the Native Americans, (e.g. the Native American Hopi nation), taboos often surround
owls and they are often associated with evil or sorcery. Like eagle feathers, the possession of owl
feathers as religious objects is regulated by federal law (e.g. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and
Title 50 Part 22 Code of Federal Regulations).
The Aztecs and Mayans, along with other natives of Mesoamerica, considered the Owl a symbol of
death and destruction. In fact, the Aztec god of death, Mictlantecuhtli, was often depicted with owls.
There is a saying in Spanish that still exists today: cuando el tecolote canta, el indio se muere ("when
the owl cries/sings, the Indian dies").
Asia
In Japanese culture, owls are seen as either negative or positive symbols depending on species. Owls are
seen as divine messengers of the gods while Barn or Horned owls are perceived as demonic figures.
In Indian culture, a white owl is considered a companion of the goddess of wealth, and therefore a
harbinger of prosperity. The owl has been adapted as an emblem to reflect its implications of wisdom
(Wise old owl) by a revered military institution in India known as the Defence Service Staff College. In
colloquial use, however, it is commonly used to refer to stupidity.
In the ancient region of Akkadia (located in present-day Iraq), the demoness Lilith is thought to have
been associated with (screech) owls as well. However, prior to the rise of Islam, owls were considered
evil omens and bad luck in most Middle Eastern pagan traditions. In modern times, although such
superstitions are less prevalent, owls are still popularly considered "evil" because of their fierce, horrific
appearance.
Europe
In Greek mythology, the owl, and specifically the Little Owl, was often associated with the Greek
goddess Athena, a bird goddess who often assumed the form of an owl. Athena was also the goddess of
wisdom, the Arts, and skills, and as a result, owls also became symbols of teaching and of institutions of
learning, being included in the crest of arms of many universities. In the Western world, owls continue
to be traditionally associated with wisdom. They are the unofficial mascot of the high-IQ society Mensa.
The Romans, in addition to having borrowed the Greek associations of the owl, also considered owls to
be funerary birds, due to their nocturnal activity and often having their nests in inaccessible places. As a
result, seeing an owl in the daytime was considered a bad omen. The vampiric strix of Roman
mythology was in part based on the owl.
Likewise, in Romanian culture, the mournful call of an owl is thought to predict the death of somebody
living in the neighbourhood. Such superstitions caused a minor disturbance when an owl showed up at
Romanian President's residence, Cotroceni Palace.
Owls in popular culture
References
● Paul A. Johnsgard, North American Owls: Biology and Natural History ISBN 1-56098-724-3,
Smithsonian Institution Press, 1997
● Bernd Heinrich, One Man's Owl, 1987
● Bernd Heinrich, Owl in the House: A Naturalist's Diary, 1990
External links
● Owl species of the World
● Animal Diversity Web Page: Owls
● Owl Brain Atlas
● Smithsonian Snowy Owl Info
● Australian Owls and Frogmouths
● Owls of the Harry Potter movies - learn about the owls featured in the films, threats to the
species, and conservation activities
● World Owl Trust
● Typical Owl videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Barn-Owl videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Owl Physiology, 'The Owl Pages' website.
● Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
Home | Up | Eagles | Falconry | Falcon | Harrier | Kites | Old World vulture | Owls | True hawks
Caprimulgidae
Nightjars
European Nightjar
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually
nest on the ground. Nightjars are sometimes referred to as goatsuckers from the mistaken belief that
they suck milk from goats (the Latin for goatsucker is Caprimulgus). Some North American species are
named as nighthawks. Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor,
and Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus
vociferus
Nightjars are found around the world. They are mostly active in the late evening and early morning or
at night, and feed predominantly on moths and other large flying insects. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically
coloured to resemble bark or leaves. Some species, unusually for birds, perch along a branch, rather Phylum: Chordata
than across it. This helps to conceal them during the day.
Class: Aves
The Common Poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii is unique as a bird that undergoes a form of
hibernation, becoming torpid and with a much reduced body temperature for weeks or months.
Order: Caprimulgiformes
Nightjars lay one or two patterned eggs directly onto bare ground.
Family: Caprimulgidae
Traditionally, nightjars have been divided into two subfamilies: the Caprimulginae, or typical nightjars Vigors, 1825
with about 70 species, and the Chordeilinae, or nighthawks of the New World with about 8 species.
Genera
The two groups are similar in most respects, but the typical nightjars have rictal bristles, longer bills,
Nyctiprogne
and softer plumage. In their pioneering DNA-DNA hybridisation work, Sibley and Ahlquist found that
Podager
the genetic difference between the eared nightjars and the typical nightjars was, in fact, greater than that
Lurocalis
between the typical nightjars and the nighthawks of the New World. Accordingly, they placed the eared
Chordeiles
nightjars in a separate family: Eurostopodidae.
Nyctidromus
Phalaenoptilus
Subsequent work, both morphological and genetic, has provided support for the separation of the
Siphonorhis
typical and the eared nightjars, and some authorities have adopted this Sibley-Ahlquist
Nyctiphrynus
recommendation, and also the more far-reaching one to group all the owls (traditionally Strigiformes)
Caprimulgus
together in the Caprimulgiformes. The listing below retains a more orthodox arrangement, but Macrodipteryx
recognises the eared nightjars as a separate group. For more detail and an alternative classification Hydropsalis
scheme, see Caprimulgiformes and Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy. Uropsalis
Macropsalis
Species Eleothreptus
Eurostopodus
● Subfamily Chordeilinae (New World nighthawks)
❍Band-tailed Nighthawk, Nyctiprogne leucopyga
Nacunda Nighthawk, Podager nacunda
Rufous-bellied Nighthawk, Lurocalis rufiventris
Short-tailed Nighthawk, Lurocalis semitorquatus
Antillean Nighthawk, Chordeiles gundlachii
Lesser Nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis
Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
Least Nighthawk, Chordeiles pusillus
Sand-colored Nighthawk, Chordeiles rupestris
● Subfamily Caprimulginae (typical nightjars)
❍ Egyptian Nightjar, Caprimulgus aegyptius
Savanna Nightjar, Caprimulgus affinis

Scrub Nightjar, Caprimulgus anthonyi
Indian Nightjar, Caprimulgus asiaticus
Jerdon's Nightjar Caprimulgus atripennis
Yucatan Nightjar, Caprimulgus badius
Bates's Nightjar, Caprimulgus batesi
Brown Nightjar, Caprimulgus binotatus
White-winged Nightjar, Caprimulgus candicans
Chuck-will's-widow Caprimulgus carolinensis
White-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus cayennensis
Sulawesi Nightjar, Caprimulgus celebensis
Vaurie's Nightjar, Caprimulgus centralasicus
Slender-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus clarus
Long-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus climacurus
Bonaparte's Nightjar, Caprimulgus concretus
Greater Antillean Nightjar, Caprimulgus cubanensis
Donaldson-Smith's Nightjar, Caprimulgus donaldsoni
Collared Nightjar, Caprimulgus enarratus
European Nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
Golden Nightjar, Caprimulgus eximius
Square-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus fossii
Sombre Nightjar, Caprimulgus fraenatus
Pygmy Nightjar, Caprimulgus hirundinaceus
Grey Nightjar, Caprimulgus indicus
Plain Nightjar, Caprimulgus inornatus
Band-winged Nightjar, Caprimulgus longirostris
Large-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus macrurus
Spot-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus maculicaudus
Cayenne Nightjar, Caprimulgus maculosus
Madagascar Nightjar, Caprimulgus madagascariensis
Sykes's Nightjar, Caprimulgus mahrattensis
Philippine Nightjar, Caprimulgus manillensis
Swamp Nightjar, Caprimulgus natalensis
Blackish Nightjar, Caprimulgus nigrescens
Black-shouldered Nightjar, Caprimulgus nigriscapularis
Puerto Rican Nightjar, Caprimulgus noctitherus
Nubian Nightjar, Caprimulgus nubicus
Little Nightjar, Caprimulgus parvulus
Fiery-necked Nightjar, Caprimulgus pectoralis
Montane Nightjar, Caprimulgus poliocephalus
Itombwe Nightjar, Caprimulgus prigoginei
Salvadori's Nightjar, Caprimulgus pulchellus
Buff-collared Nightjar, Caprimulgus ridgwayi
Red-necked Nightjar, Caprimulgus ruficollis
Rufous-cheeked Nightjar, Caprimulgus rufigena
Rufous Nightjar, Caprimulgus rufus
Ruwenzori Nightjar, Caprimulgus ruwenzorii
Tawny-collared Nightjar, Caprimulgus salvini
Dusky Nightjar, Caprimulgus saturatus
Silky-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus sericocaudatus
Star-spotted Nightjar, Caprimulgus stellatus
Freckled Nightjar, Caprimulgus tristigma
Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus
Roraiman Nightjar, Caprimulgus whitelyi
Scissor-tailed Nightjar, Hydropsalis brasiliana
Ladder-tailed Nightjar, Hydropsalis climacocerca
Standard-winged Nightjar, Macrodipteryx longipennis
Pennant-winged Nightjar, Macrodipteryx vexillarius
Long-trained Nightjar, Macropsalis creagra
Pauraque, Nyctidromus albicollis
Eared Poorwill, Nyctiphrynus mcleodii
Ocellated Poorwill, Nyctiphrynus ocellatus
Yucatan Poorwill, Nyctiphrynus yucatanicus
Common Poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
Jamaican Pauraque, Siphonorhis americana (extinct; rumors of survival)
Least Pauraque, Siphonorhis brewsteri
Cuban Parauque, Siphonorhis daiquiri (extinct; rumors of survival)
Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Uropsalis lyra
Swallow-tailed Nightjar, Uropsalis segmentata
Sickle-winged Nightjar, Eleothreptus anomalus
● Subfamily Eurostopodidae (eared nightjars)
❍ Mountain Eared Nightjar, Eurostopodus archboldi
Spotted Eared Nightjar, Eurostopodus argus

Satanic Eared Nightjar, Eurostopodus diabolicus
Great Eared Nightjar, Eurostopodus macrotis
White-throated Eared Nightjar, Eurostopodus mystacalis
Papuan Eared Nightjar, Eurostopodus papuensis
Malaysian Eared Nightjar, Eurostopodus temminckii
External links
● Nightjar videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Callaeidae | Caprimulgidae | Casuariidae | Cathartidae | Charadriidae | Chionididae | Cinclidae | Cinclosomatidae

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Beak
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The beak—otherwise known as the bill or rostrum—is

an external anatomical structure which serves as the
mouth in some animals. It is a distinctive feature of birds
and, in addition to eating, is used by them for grooming,
manipulating objects, killing prey, probing for food,
courtship, and feeding their young.
Contents
● 1 Anatomy
● 2 Billing
● 3 See also
● 4 References
● 5 External links The bill of a scavenger—the vulture.
Anatomy
Beaks can vary significantly in size and shape from
species to species. The beak is composed of an upper jaw
called the maxilla, and a lower jaw called the mandible.
The jaw is made of bone, typically hollow or porous to
conserve weight for flying. The outside surface of the
beak is covered by a thin horny sheath of keratin called The bill and knob of a Swan Goose.
the rhamphotheca. Between the hard outer layer and the
bone is a vascular layer containing blood vessels and
nerve endings. The rhamphotheca also includes the knob
which is found above the beak of some swans, such as the
Mute Swan and some Swan Geese (pictured).
The beak has two holes called nares which connect to the
hollow inner beak and thence to the respiratory system. In
some birds, these are located in a fleshy, often waxy
structure at the base of the beak called the cere (from
Latin cera. Hawks, parrots, doves, and skuas are among
the birds that have ceres. Budgerigars are dimorphic
because the males' ceres turn bright blue upon maturity,
while the females' ceres turn tan. The female budgies'
ceres also appear wrinkled, to a greater extent during
periods of fertility. Immature budgies have pale pinkish
ceres which are smooth and shiny.
Nares are bird nostrils. The nares of birds are usually

located directly above the beak. On some birds, such as
the budgerigar, the nares are situated within the cere. Northern Gannets billing.
The bill of the Greater Flamingo

Nares can also refer to nostrils on other Beak
animals, such as sharks, rays, and
sawfishes. Nares is a medical term from
Latin that describes human nostrils.
On some birds, the tip of the beak is hard,

dead tissue used for heavy-duty tasks
such as cracking nuts or killing prey. On
other birds, such as ducks, the tip of the
bill is sensitive and contains nerves, for
locating things by touch. The beak is External naris labeled at left; internal naris labeled at right.
worn down by use, so it grows Gray's subject #223 994
continuously throughout the bird's life. n_01/12558781
Dorlands/Elsevier
Unlike jaws with teeth, beaks are not used for chewing. Birds swallow their food whole, which is broken
up in the gizzard.
Examples of birds with unusual beaks include the hummingbird, the toucan and the spoonbill.
Billing
During courtship, mated pairs of a variety of bird species touch and clasp each other's bills. This is
called billing, and appears to strengthen the pair bond (Terres, 1980). Gannets raise their bills high and
repeatedly clatter them (pictured); the male puffin nibbles at the female's beak; the male waxwing puts
his bill in the female's mouth; and ravens hold each other's beaks in a prolonged "kiss".
See also
● Bird anatomy
References
● Gilbertson, Lance; Zoology Lab Manual; McGraw Hill Companies, New York; ISBN 0-07-
237716-X (fourth edition, 1999)
● Terres, John. K. The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds, New York: Alfred
A. Knopf, 1980. ISBN 0394466519
External links
● http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=15&cat=1829&articleid=2752
● http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww53eiv.htm
● http://qp-society.com/qpserc/beak.html
● Photo of a male budgie's cere
Home | Up | Beak | Supercilium
Egg
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In most birds and reptiles, an egg (Latin ovum) is the zygote, resulting from fertilization of the ovum. It
nourishes and protects the embryo. Oviparous animals are animals that lay eggs, with little or no other
development within the mother. This is the reproductive method of many fish, amphibians and reptiles,
all birds, the monotremes, and most insects and arachnids.
Reptile eggs, bird eggs, and monotreme eggs, which are laid out of water, are surrounded by a protective
shell, either flexible or inflexible.
The 1.5 kg ostrich egg contains the largest existing single cell currently known, though the extinct
Aepyornis and some dinosaurs had larger eggs. The bee hummingbird produces the smallest known bird
egg, which weighs half a gram. The eggs laid by some reptiles and most fish are even smaller, and those
of insects and other invertebrates are much smaller still.
The study or collecting of eggs, in particular bird eggs, is called oology.
Insect eggs, in this case Fish eggs, such as these An average Whooping
those of the Emperor
A baby tortoise emerges herring eggs are often Crane egg is 102 mm
Gum Moth, are often laid
from a reptile egg. transparent and are long, and weighs 208
on the underside of
fertilized after laying grams
leaves.
Contents
● 1 Bird eggs
❍ 1.1 Shell structure
❍ 1.2 Shape
❍ 1.3 Predation
● 2 Fish eggs
● 3 Mammal eggs
● 4 Reptile eggs
● 5 Amphibian eggs
● 6 References
● 7 See also
Bird eggs
Usually after fertilization, the bird egg is laid by the female and is incubated for a time that varies
according to the species; then a single young hatches from each egg. Average clutch sizes range from
one (as in condors) to about 17 (the Grey Partridge). Some birds lay eggs even when not fertilized, and it
is not uncommon for pet owners to find their lone bird nesting on a clutch of infertile eggs.
Shell structure
Eggs are usually smooth, but there are exceptions. A cormorant's egg, for example, is quite rough and is
very chalky. In contrast, tinamous have very shiny eggs, and ducks have oily and waterproof eggs.
Another variation is the very heavily pitted eggs of cassowaries.
There are tiny pores in the shells of eggs to allow the unborn animal to breathe. The domestic hen's egg
has around 7500 pores.
Shape
Most bird eggs have an oval shape, with one end rounded and the other more pointy. This shape results
from the egg being forced through the oviduct. Muscles contract the oviduct behind the egg, pushing it
forward. The egg's wall is still shapeable, and the pointy end develops at the back side. Highly conical
eggs are often seen in cliff-nesting birds. They are less likely to roll off, tending instead to roll around in
a tight circle, and thus are believed to have been selected for by evolution. In contrast many hole nesting
birds have nearly spherical eggs.
Brown-headed Cowbird eating

another bird's egg
Predation
There are numerous animals that feed on eggs. Principal predators of the Black Oystercatcher's eggs, for
example, include raccoons, skunks, mink, river and sea otters, gulls, crows and foxes.
The Stoat (Mustela erminea) and Long-tailed Weasel (M. frenata) steal ducks' eggs. Other mammals,
like humans, also eat bird eggs. The egg-eating snakes (genera Dasypeltis and Elachistodon) specialize
in eating eggs.
Brood parasitism also occurs in birds when one species lays its eggs in the nest of another. In some
cases, the host's eggs are removed or eaten by the female, or expelled by her chick. Brood parasites
include the cowbirds and many Old World cuckoos, most famously the Common Cuckoo.
References
● Marine Biology notes from School of Life Sciences, Napier University.
● Speckles Make Bird Eggs Stronger, Study Finds John Pickrell, National Geographic News, 11
Oct 2005.
● Andrew Gosler, Yet even more ways to dress eggs in British Birds, vol 99 no 7, July 2006
See also
Egg
● Oology - the study or collecting of eggs.
Home | Up | Egg | Ornithology
Bird skeleton
Home | Up
The skeleton of a dove.
The bird skeleton is highly adapted to the capacity for flight. It is extremely lightweight but strong
enough to withstand the stresses that a bird experiences, when taking off, flying or landing. One of the
adaptations that make this possible is the fusing of bones that are separate in mammals, into single
ossifications, such as the pygostyle. Because of this, birds usually have a smaller number of bones than
mammals or reptiles.
Birds have a jaw that has adapted into a beak, on which baby birds have an egg tooth.
Birds have many bones that are hollow, with criss-crossing struts or trusses (cross walls) for structural
strength. (Some flightless birds like penguins have only solid bones, however). The number of hollow
bones varies from species to species, though large gliding and soaring birds tend to have the most. Most
bones contain oxygen which also makes them lighter. Birds also have more cervical (neck) vertebrae
than many other animals; most have a highly flexible neck that consists of 13-25 vertebrae. Birds are the
only vertebrate animals to have a fused collarbone (the furcula or wishbone) or a keeled breastbone.
Contents
● 1 Skull
● 2 Neck, back, and tail
● 3 Chest
● 4 Wings
● 5 Hips
● 6 Legs
● 7 See also
Skull
The skeleton of an extinct

elephant bird
The skull consists of five major bones:
● Frontal (top of head).

● Parietal (back of head).
● Premaxillary and Nasal (top beak).
● Mandible (bottom beak).
The skull of a normal bird usually weighs about 1% of the birds total bodyweight.
Neck, back, and tail
The vertebral column consists of vertebrae, and is divided into three sections:
● Cervical (13-16) (neck).

● Synsacrum (fused vertebrae of the back, also fused to the hips (pelvis)).
● Pygostyle (tail).
Chest
The chest consists of the furcula (wishbone) and coracoid (collar bone), which two bones, together with
the scapula (see below), form the pectoral girdle. The side of the chest is formed by the ribs, which meet
at the sternum (mid-line of the chest).
Wings
The shoulder consists of the scapula (shoulder blade), coracoid (see The Chest), and humerus (upper
arm). The humerus joins the radius and ulna (forearm) to form the elbow. The carpus and metacarpus
form the "wrist" and "hand" of the bird, and the digits (fingers) are fused together. The bones in the wing
are extremely light so that the bird can fly more easily.
Hips
The hips consist of the pelvis which includes three major bones:
● Illium (top of the hip).

● Ischium (sides of hip).
● Pubis (front of the hip).
These are fused into one (the innominate bone). They meet at the acetabulum (the hip socket) and
articulate with the femur, which is the first bone of the hind limb.
Legs
The upper leg consists of the femur. At the knee joint, the femur connects to the tibiotarsus (shin) and
fibula (side of lower leg). The tarsometatarsus forms the upper part of the foot, digits make up the toes.
The leg bones of birds are the heaviest, contributing to a low center of gravity. This aids in flight.
See also
● Bird anatomy
Home | Up
Bird flight
Wing clipping
Flight is the mode of locomotion used by most of the world’s bird species. It is important to birds for
feeding, breeding and avoiding predators.
An African Hawk Eagle in flight.

Contents
● 1 Evolution and purpose of bird flight
● 2 Basic mechanics of bird flight
● 3 The wing
● 4 Wing shape and flight
❍ 4.1 Elliptical wings
❍ 4.2 High speed wings
❍ 4.3 Soaring wings with deep slots
● 5 Hovering
● 6 Take-off and landing
● 7 Adaptations for flight
● 8 References
Evolution and purpose of bird flight

The origin of bird flight is still somewhat unclear, even though most paleontologists agree that birds
evolved from small theropod dinosaurs. It seems likely that they evolved from ground living species,
with flight developing after the evolution of feathers. It seems likely in this case that flight evolved as a
result of benefits in the pursuit of small airborne prey items (such as insects), possibly subsequently
becoming useful as a predator avoiding behavior.
Flight is more energetically expensive in larger birds, and many of the largest species fly by soaring
(gliding without flapping their wings) most of the time. Many physiological adaptations have evolved
that make flight more efficient.
Today birds use flight for many purposes. It is still used by some species to obtain prey on the wing, as
well as foraging, to commute to feeding grounds, and migrate between the seasons. Flight's importance
in avoiding predators can be shown in the frequency with which it is lost when birds reach isolated
oceanic islands that lack ground-based predators. It is also used by some species to display during the
breeding season and to reach safe isolated places for nesting.
Basic mechanics of bird flight
The lift force has both a forward and a vertical component
The fundamentals of bird flight are similar to those of aircraft. Lift force is produced by the action of air-
flow on the wing, which is an airfoil/aerofoil. The lift-force is because the air has a lower air pressure
just above the wing and higher pressure below.
When gliding, both birds and gliders obtain both a vertical and a forward force from their wings. This is
possible because the lift force is generated at right angles to the air-flow, which in level flight comes
from slightly below the wing. The lift force therefore has a forward component. (Weight always acts
vertically downwards and so cannot provide a forward force. Without a forward component a gliding
bird would merely descend vertically.)
Forces acting on a wing
When a bird flaps, as opposed to gliding, its wings continue to develop lift as before but they also create
an additional forward and upward force, thrust, to counteract its weight and drag. Flapping involves two
stages, the down-stroke, which provides the majority of the thrust, and the up-stroke, which can also
(depending on the bird’s wings) provide some upward force. At each up-stroke the wing is slightly
folded inwards to reduce upward resistance. Birds change the angle of attack between the up-strokes and
the down-strokes of their wings. During the down-stroke the angle of attack is increased and is
decreased during the up-stroke.
There are three major forces that impede a bird's aerial flight: frictional drag (caused by the friction of
air and body surfaces), form drag (due to frontal area of the bird, also known as pressure drag) and lift-
induced drag (caused by the wingtip vortices).
The wing
The bird's forelimbs, the wings, are the key to bird flight. Each wing has a central vane to hit the wind,
composed of three limb bones, the humerus, ulna and radius. The hand, or manus, which ancestrally was
composed of five digits, is reduced to three digits (digit II, III and IV), the purpose of which is to serve
as an anchor for the primaries (or metacarpo-digitals), one of two groups of feathers responsible for the
airfoil shape. The other set of flight feathers that are behind the carpal joint on the ulna, are called the
secondaries or cubitals. The remaining feathers on the wing are known a coverts, of which there are
three sets. The wing sometimes has vestigial claws, in most species these are lost by the time the bird is
adult (such as the Hoatzin), but claws are retained into adulthood by the Secretary Bird, the screamers
and finfoot.
Wing shape and flight

The shape of the wing is important in determining the type of flight of which the bird is capable,
planform. This restricts the bird in some ways and enhances the bird in others. Wing shape can be
described in terms of two parameters, aspect ratio and wing loading. Aspect ratio is the ratio of wing
breadth to the mean of its Chord, or mean wingspan divided by wing area. Wing loading is the ratio of
weight to wing area.
Amongst the birds there are four main kinds of wing that the majority of birds use, although in some
cases wings may fall between two of the categories. These types of wings are elliptical wings, high
speed wings, high aspect ratio wings and soaring wings with slots.
Elliptical wings
Elliptical wings are short and rounded, having a low aspect ratio, allowing for tight maneuvering in
confined spaces such as might be found in dense vegetation. As such they are common in forest raptors
(such as Accipiter hawks), and many passerines, particularly non-migratory ones (migratory species
have longer wings). They are also common in species that use a rapid take off to evade predators, such
as pheasants and partridges.
High speed wings
High speed wings are short, pointed wings that when combined with a heavy wing loading and rapid
wingbeats provide an energetically expensive high speed. This type of flight is used by the bird with the
fastest wing speed, the Peregrine Falcon, as well as by most of the ducks. The same wing shape is used
by the auks for a different purpose; auks use their wings to "fly" underwater.
Soaring wings with deep slots
These are the wings favored by the larger species of inland birds, such as eagles, vultures, pelicans, and
storks. The slots at the end of the wings, between the primaries, reduce the turbulence at the tips, whilst
the shorter size of the wings aids in takeoff (High aspect ratio wings require a long taxi in order to get
airborne).
Hovering
Hovering is a demanding but useful ability used by several species of birds (and specialized in by one
family). Hovering, literally generating lift through flapping alone rather than as a product of thrust,
demands a lot of energy. This means that it is confined to smaller birds; the largest bird able to truly
hover is the Pied Kingfisher, although larger birds can hover for small periods of time. Larger birds that
hover do so by flying into a headwind, allowing them to utilize thrust to fly slowly but remain stationary
to the ground (or water). Kestrels, terns and even hawks use this windhovering.
The Ruby-throated
Hummingbird can beat its
wings 52 times a second.
Most birds that hover have high aspect ratio wings that are suited to low speed flying. One major
exception to this are the hummingbirds, which are among the most accomplished hoverers of all the
birds. Hummingbird flight is different to other bird flight in that the wing is extended throughout the
whole stroke, the stroke being a symmetrical figure of eight, with the wing being an airfoil in both the
up- and down-stroke. Some hummingbirds can beat their wings 52 times a second, others do so less
frequently.
Take-off and landing

Take-off can be one of the most energetically demanding aspects of flight, as the bird needs to generate
enough airflow under the wing to create lift. In small birds a jump up will suffice, while for larger birds
this is simply not possible. In this situation, birds need to take a run up in order to generate the airflow to
take off. Large birds often simplify take off by facing into the wind, and, if they can, perching on a
branch or cliff so that all they need to do is drop off into the air.
Landing is also a problem for many large birds with high airspeeds. This problem is dealt with in some
species by aiming for a point below the intended landing area (such as a nest on a cliff) then pulling up
beforehand. If timed correctly then the airspeed once the target is reached is virtually nil. Landing on
water is simpler, and the larger waterfowl species prefer to do so whenever possible.
Adaptations for flight

The most obvious adaptation to flight is the wing, but because flight is so energetically demanding birds
have evolved several other adaptations to improve efficiency when flying. The bird skeleton is hollow to
reduce weight, and many unnecessary bones have been lost (such as the bony tail of the early bird
Archaeopteryx), along with the toothed jaw of early birds, which has been replaced with a lightweight
beak. The vanes of the feathers have hooklets called barbules that zip them together, giving the feathers
the strength needed to hold the airfoil (these are often lost in flightless birds).
The large amounts of energy required for flight have led to the evolution of a unidirectional pulmonary
system to provide the large quantities of oxygen required for their high respiration rates. This high
metabolic rate produces large quantities of radicals in the cells that can damage DNA and lead to
tumours. Birds, however, do not suffer from an otherwise expected shortened lifespan as their cells have
evolved a more efficient antioxidant system than those found in other animals.
References
● Del Hoyo, Josep, et al. Handbook of Birds of the World Vol 1. 1992. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions,
ISBN 84-87334-10-5.
● Brooke, Michael and Tim Birkhead (editors). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Ornithology.
1991. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-36205-9.
● Campbell, Bruce, and Elizabeth Lack (editors). A Dictionary of Birds. 1985. Calton: T&A D
Poyse. ISBN 0-85661-039-9.
● Wilson, Barry (editor). Readings from Scientific American, Birds. 1980. San Francisco: WH
Freeman. ISBN 0-7167-1206-7.
● Alexander, David E. Nature's Flyers: Birds, Insects, and the Biomechanics of Flight. 2002
(hardcover) and 2004(paperback). Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-
6756-8(hardcover) and 0801880599(paperback).
External links
● 'Flight in Birds and Aeroplanes' by Evoluntionary Biologist John Maynard Smith Freeview video
provided by the Vega Science Trust.
Home | Up | Alektorophobia | Avian incubation | Bird abatement | Bird anatomy | Bird bath | Bird feeding
| Bird flight | Bird intelligence | Nidification
Struthioniformes
Apterygidae | Casuariidae | Dinornithidae | Struthionidae
Home | Up | Next
Ratites
A ratite is any of a diverse group of large, flightless birds of
Gondwanan origin, most of them now extinct. Unlike other
flightless birds, the ratites have no keel on their sternum and,
lacking a strong anchor for their wing muscles, could not fly even
were they to develop suitable wings. The name ratite comes from
the Latin word for raft (ratis), because their breastbone looks like
a raft.
Most parts of the former Gondwana have ratites, or have had until
the fairly recent past.
Living forms
● The African Ostrich is the largest living ratite. A large Emu
member of this species can be 3 m tall, weigh 135 kg, and Scientific classification
outrun a horse. Kingdom: Animalia
● Of the living species, the Australian emu is next in size,
reaching up to 2 m tall and about 60 kg. Like the ostrich, it
Phylum: Chordata
is a fast-running, powerful bird of the open plains and
woodlands.
● Also native to Australia and the islands to the north, are the Class: Aves
three species of cassowary. Shorter than an emu and very
solidly built, cassowaries prefer thickly vegetated tropical Superorder: Paleognathae
forest. They can be very dangerous when surprised or
cornered. In New Guinea, cassowary eggs are brought back
to villages and the chicks raised for eating as a much-prized Order: Struthioniformes
Latham, 1790
delicacy, despite (or perhaps because of) the risk they pose
to life and limb. Families
● The smallest ratites are the six species of kiwi from New
Zealand. Kiwi are chicken-sized, shy, and nocturnal. They
nest in deep burrows and use a highly developed sense of
smell to find small insects and grubs in the soil. Kiwi are
notable for laying eggs that are very large in relation to
their body size. A Kiwi egg may equal 15 to 20 percent of Struthionidae (ostriches)
the body mass of a female kiwi. Rheidae (rheas)
● South America has two species of rhea, mid-sized, fast- Casuariidae (emus etc.)
running birds of the pampas. The larger American rhea †Aepyornithidae (elephant birds)
grows to about 1.5 m tall and weighs 20 to 25 kg. (South †Dinornithidae (moa)
America also has 73 species of the small and ground- Apterygidae (kiwis)
dwelling but not flightless tinamou family, which is
distantly related to the ratite group.)
Extinct forms
● Aepyornis, the "elephant bird" of Madagascar, was the largest bird ever known. Although shorter
than the tallest moa, a large aepyornis could weigh 450 kg.
● Moa - at least ten species in New Zealand, ranging from just over turkey-sized, to the Giant Moa
Dinornis robustus (formerly known as Dinornis giganteus) with a height of 3 m and weighing
about 250 kg[1]. Extinct by 1500 due to hunting by human settlers, who arrived around 1000,
although at least one species may have survived past this date and maybe was seen by early
European settlers.
In addition, eggshell fragments similar to those of Aepyornis (though this is probably a

symplesiomorphy) were found on the Canary Islands. The fragments apparently date to the Middle or
Late Miocene, and no satisfying theory has been proposed as to how they got there due to uncertainties
about whether these islands were ever connected to the mainland.
Evolution and systematics

There are two taxonomic approaches to ratite classification: the one applied here combines the groups as
families in the order Struthioniformes, while the other supposes that the lineages evolved mostly
independently and thus elevates the families to order rank (e.g. Rheiformes, Casuariformes etc.). The
uncertainties regarding the evolution of these groups may be taken as indication that the latter is actually
a better way of expressing ratite interrelationships.
The traditional account of ratite evolution has the group emerging in Gondwana in cretaceous times,
then evolving in their separate directions as the continents drifted apart. Cladistic evidence for this is
strong: ratites share too many features for their current forms to be easily explained by convergent
evolution. However, recent analysis of genetic variations between the ratites conflicts with this: DNA
analysis appears to show that the ratites diverged from one another too recently to share a common
Gondwanian ancestor, and suggest that the kiwis are more closely related to the cassowaries than the
moa. At present there is no generally accepted explanation. Also, there is the Middle Eocene fossil
"proto-ostrich" Palaeotis from Central Europe, which either implies that the ancestral ratites had not yet
lost flight when they were dispersing all over Gondwana - by the Middle Eocene, both Laurasia and
Gondwana had separated into the continents of today - or that the "out-of-Gondwana" hypothesis is
wrong. Research continues, but at present the ratites are perhaps the one group of modern birds for
which no good theory of their evolution and paleobiogeography exists.
Home | Up | Struthioniformes | Ratites
Spheniscidae
Penguins
Penguins (order Sphenisciformes, family Spheniscidae)
are an order of aquatic, flightless birds living exclusively Fossil range: Paleocene-Recent
in the Southern Hemisphere.
Contents
● 1 Species and habitats
● 2 Evolution
❍ 2.1 Systematics
● 3 Anatomy
● 4 Mating habits
❍ 4.1 Male bonding behaviour
● 5 Name
● 6 Penguins in popular culture
❍ 6.1 Penguins and polar bears
● 7 External links Chinstrap Penguin, Pygoscelis antarctica

● 9 Gallery
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Species and habitats
Class: Aves
The number of penguin species has been and still is a
matter of debate. The numbers of penguin species listed
in the literature varies between 16 and 19 species. Some Order: Sphenisciformes
sources consider the White-Flippered Penguin a separate Sharpe, 1891
Eudyptula species, although today it is generally Family: Spheniscidae
considered a subspecies of the Little Penguin (e.g. Bonaparte, 1831
Williams, 1995; Davis & Renner, 2003). Similarly, it is Modern Genera
still unclear whether the Royal Penguin is merely a color
morph of the Macaroni penguin. Also possibly eligible to
be treated as a separate species is the Northern population
of Rockhopper penguins (Davis & Renner, 2003).
Although all penguin species are native to the southern Aptenodytes
hemisphere, they are not, contrary to popular belief, Eudyptes
found only in cold climates, such as Antarctica. In fact, Eudyptula
only a few species of penguin actually live so far south. Megadyptes
Three species live in the tropics; one lives as far north as Pygoscelis
the Galápagos Islands (the Galápagos Penguin). Spheniscus
The largest living species is the Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri): adults average about 1.1 m (3
ft 7 in) tall and weigh 35 kg (75 lb) or more. The smallest penguin species is the Little Blue Penguin
(also known as the Fairy Penguin), which stands around 40 cm tall (16 in) and weighs 1 kg (2.2 lb).
Generally larger penguins retain heat better, and thus inhabit colder regions, while smaller penguins are
found in temperate or even tropical climates (see also Bergmann's Rule). Some prehistoric species
attained enormous sizes, becoming as high as an adult human; see below for more.
Most penguins feed on krill, fish, squid, and other forms of sealife caught while swimming underwater.
They spend half of their life on land and half in the oceans.
When mothers lose a chick, they sometimes attempt to steal another mother's chick, usually
unsuccessfully as other females in the vicinity assist the defending mother in keeping her chick.
Penguins seem to have no fear of humans and have approached groups of explorers without hesitation.
This is probably on account of there being no land predators in Antarctica or the nearby offshore islands
that prey on or attack penguins. Instead, penguins are at risk at sea from such predators as the leopard
seal.
Evolution
The evolutionary history of penguins is poorly understood, as penguin fossils are rare. The oldest known
fossil penguin species are the Waimanu, which lived in the early Paleocene epoch of New Zealand,
about 62 million years ago. While they were not as well adapted to aquatic life as modern penguins
(which first emerged in the Eocene epoch 40 million years ago), Waimanu were flightless and loon-like,
with short wings adapted for deep diving. These fossils prove that prehistoric penguins were already
flightless and seagoing, so their origins probably reach as far back as 65 million years ago, before the
extinction of the dinosaurs. Penguin ancestry beyond Waimanu is not well known, though some
scientists (Mayr, 2005) think the penguin-like plotopterids (usually considered relatives of anhingas and
cormorants) may actually be an early sister group of the penguins, and that penguins may have
ultimately shared a common ancestor with the Pelecaniformes.
During the Late Eocene and the Early Oligocene (40-30 MYA), some lineages of gigantic penguins
existed. Nordenskjoeld's Giant Penguin was the tallest, growing nearly 1.80 meters (6 feet) tall. The
heaviest known species was with at least 80 kg the New Zealand Giant Penguin. Both were found on
New Zealand, the former also in the Antarctic.
Palaeeudyptines
Traditionally, most extinct species of penguins, giant or small, have been placed in the paraphyletic sub-
family called Palaeeudyptinae. More recently, it is becoming accepted that there were at least 2 major
extinct lineages, one or two closely related ones from Patagonia and at least one other with pan-
Antarctic and subantarctic distribution. For a complete list of these generarations, see below.
Systematics
(updated after Marples, 1962, and Acosta Hospitaleche, 2004)
ORDER SPHENISCIFORMES
● Waimanu
● Family Spheniscidae
❍ Subfamily Palaeeudyptinae (Giant penguins, fossil)
■ Palaeeudyptes
Archaeospheniscus
■ Anthropornis
■ Nordenskjoeld's Giant Penguin, Anthropornis nordenskjoeldi
■ Crossvallia (tentatively assigned to this subfamily)
Delphinornis
Pachydyptes
Platydyptes
Anthropodyptes (tentatively assigned to this subfamily)
❍ Subfamily Paraptenodytinae (Patagonian stout-legged penguins, fossil)
■ Paraptenodytes
Arthrodytes
❍ Subfamily Palaeospheniscinae (Patagonian slender-legged penguins, fossil)
■ Palaeospheniscus - includes Chubutodyptes
❍ Subfamily Spheniscinae (modern penguins)
■ Aptenodytes
■ King Penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Emperor Penguin, Aptenodytes forsteri

Ridgen's Penguin, Aptenodytes ridgeni (fossil)
■ Pygoscelis
■ Gentoo Penguin, Pygoscelis papua
Tyree's Penguin, Pygoscelis tyreei (fossil)

Adelie Penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae
Chinstrap Penguin, Pygoscelis antarctica
Pygoscelis grandis (fossil)
?Pygoscelis small sp. (fossil, may be different genus)
■ Eudyptes
■ Rockhopper Penguin, Eudyptes chrysocome
Fiordland Penguin, Eudyptes pachyrhynchus

Snares Penguin, Eudyptes robustus
Royal Penguin, Eudyptes schlegeli
Erect-crested Penguin, Eudyptes sclateri
Macaroni Penguin, Eudyptes chrysolophus
Chatham Islands Penguin, Eudyptes sp. (prehistoric?)
■ Megadyptes
■ Yellow-eyed Penguin, Megadyptes antipodes
■ Eudyptula
■ Little Penguin (Blue or Fairy Penguin), Eudyptula minor
White-Flippered Penguin, Eudyptula albosignata

■ Spheniscus
■ Spheniscus predemersus (fossil)
African Penguin (Jackass or Blackfooted Penguin), Spheniscus demersus

Spheniscus chilensis (fossil)
Spheniscus megaramphus (fossil)
Spheniscus urbinai (fossil)
Magellanic Penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus
Humboldt Penguin, Spheniscus humboldti
Galápagos Penguin, Spheniscus mendiculus
❍ Not asssigned to a subfamily (all fossil)

■ Dege
Duntroonornis
Eretiscus
Insuza
Korora
Marplesornis
Marambiornis
Mesetaornis
Nucleornis
Pseudaptenodytes
Tonniornis
Wimanornis
Anatomy
Penguins are superbly adapted to an aquatic life. Their wings have become flippers, useless for flight in
the air. In the water, however, penguins are astonishingly agile. Within the smooth plumage a layer of
air is preserved, ensuring buoyancy. The air layer also helps insulate the birds in cold waters. On land,
penguins use their tails and wings to maintain balance for their upright stance.
All penguins are countershaded - that is, they have a white underside and a dark (mostly black)
upperside. This is for camouflage. A predator looking up from below (such as an orca or a leopard seal)
has difficulty distinguishing between a white penguin belly and the reflective water surface. The dark
plumage on their backs camouflages them from above.
Diving penguins reach 6 to 12 km/h (3.7 to 7.5 mph), though there are reports of velocities of 27 km/h
(17 mph) (which are more realistic in the case of startled flight). The small penguins do not usually dive
deep; they catch their prey near the surface in dives that normally last only one or two minutes. Larger
penguins can dive deep in case of need. Dives of the large Emperor Penguin have been recorded which
reach a depth of 565 m (1870 ft) and last up to 20 minutes.
Penguins either waddle on their feet or slide on their bellies across the snow, a movement called
"tobogganing", which allows them to conserve energy and move relatively fast at the same time.
Penguins have an excellent sense of hearing. Their eyes are adapted for underwater vision, and are their
primary means of locating prey and avoiding predators; in air, conversely, they are nearsighted. Their
sense of smell has not been researched so far.
They are able to drink salt water safely because their supraorbital gland filters excess salt from the
[1][2][3]
bloodstream. The salt is excreted in a concentrated fluid from the nasal passages.
Mating habits
Some penguins mate for life, while others for just one season. They generally raise a small brood, and
the parents cooperate in caring for the clutch and for the young. During the cold season on the other
hand the mates separate for several months to protect the egg. The male stays with the egg and keeps it
warm, and the female goes out to sea and finds food so that when it comes home, the baby will have
food to eat. Once the female comes back, they switch.
Male bonding behaviour
In early February 2004 the New York Times reported a male pair of Chinstrap penguins in the Central
Park Zoo in New York City were partnered, and when given an egg which needed incubation,
successfully hatched it. Other penguins in New York have also been reported to be forming same-sex
[4]
pairs.
This was the basis for the children's picture book And Tango Makes Three. The couple about whom the
book was based, Roy and Silo, would see further interesting developments in their relationship when in
September 2005, Silo left Roy for a female penguin, only to come back to Roy in a few weeks.
Zoos in Japan and Germany have also documented male penguin couples.[5] The couples have been
shown to build nests together and use a stone to replace an egg in the nest. Researchers at Rikkyo
University in Tokyo, found twenty such pairs at sixteen major aquariums and zoos in Japan.
Bremerhaven Zoo in Germany attempted to break up the male couples by importing female penguins
from Sweden and separating the male couples; they were unsuccessful. The zoo director stated the
relationships were too strong between the older couples.
Name
Penguin is thought by some to derive from the Welsh words pen (head) and gwyn (white), applied to the
Great Auk, which had a conspicuous white patch between the bill and the eye (although its head was
black), or from an island off Newfoundland known as "White Head" due to a large white rock. This may
be, however, a false etymology created by Dr. John Dee in his book on Prince Madoc of Wales,
supposedly one of the discoverers of America. By this Dee hoped to cement Queen Elizabeth I's claim,
as a Tudor, to the New World. Penguins live nowhere near Newfoundland, nor do they generally have
white heads, however Great Auks did look remarkably like penguins. According to another theory, the
original name was pen-wing, with reference to the rudimentary wings of both Great Auks and penguins.
A third theory is that penguin comes from the Latin pinguis (fat). This has added credibility because in
two other Germanic languages, Dutch 'pinguïn' and German, 'Pinguin' both have the 'i' vowel too. While
it has been replaced by an 'e' in the English spelling, it can still be heard. By simply looking at the word's
pronunciation and comparing that to the Dutch and German words, one could assume a common Latin
root - after the first Germanic sound shift (500-200 BC) that makes a PIE 'p' into a 'f', of course.
However, a Welsh 'i' is often mutated to an 'e' in the English language so the Welsh origin is still
arguable..
Penguins in popular culture
Tux the Linux

mascot
Penguins are popular around the world primarily for their unusually upright, waddling pace and
(compared to other birds) lack of fear towards humans. Their striking black and white plumage is often
likened to a tuxedo suit and generates humorous remarks about the bird being "well dressed".
Perhaps in reaction to this cutesy stereotype, fictional penguins are occasionally presented as grouchy or
even sinister. The popular Sanrio character Badtz Maru is an example, being cute yet somewhat surly.
One of the best known penguins in childrens' TV is Pingu, characterised by his red scarf and bundle on a
stick over his shoulder. The 1960s television cartoon character Tennessee Tuxedo would often escape
the confines of his zoo with his partner, Chumley the walrus. Also, the webcomic Fluble features an
enormous penguin conspiracy run by numerous diabolical, if often inept, penguins. In the children's
movie Madagascar, the penguins are cast as spies. In the animated series "Wallace and Gromit" a
penguin called Feathers McGraw disguises himself as a chicken with a red rubber glove.In the animated
"Toy Story 2" a rubber penguin named Wheezy also featured-and once again was a sweet and friendly
character. Penguins are often portrayed as friendly and smart as well. Another example is in the anime
Neon Genesis Evangelion, which features a warm-water hot springs penguin named Pen Pen. Tux the
penguin is the official mascot for Linux. Also, in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a popular sport is penguin
sledding, which is catching a penguin and using it like a tobbogan. There was also a film that came out
in 1988 called "Scamper The Penguin," directed by G.A. Sokoljishij and Jim Terry, featuring Virginia
Masters, David Miles Monson, and others as the voices of the animated characters who execute an
elaborate escape plan. There is also the classic Woody the Woodpecker show, with Chilly Willy.
The Penguin is also the name of a villain in the comic series Batman and its TV show and movie
spinoffs, and is usually seen wearing a tuxedo type outfit in order to fit the name.
Opus, a character from the Comic strips Bloom County, Outland, and Opus was a popular penguin from
the 80's on, typically seen with a rather un-penguinlike nose.
Penguins also appear regularly in Steve Bell's "If" comic strip in England's Guardian newspaper,
wherein they tend to be somewhat anarchic and poorly behaved (by human standards).
The documentary March of the Penguins (2005) details a year in the life of a colony of Emperor
Penguins mating, giving birth, and hunting for food in the harsh continent of Antarctica. It won the 2005
Academy Award for Documentary Feature.
The old Budweiser ice commercials starred a Penguin, with the catchphrase "Doo bee doobee dooo,"
[6]
signaling his arrival, and the eventual stealing of the Bud ice.
The Little America hotels used a penguin as their logo for many years.
In the upcoming Pokemon Diamond and Pearl video game for the Nintendo DS, the water starter is a
penguin.
Penguins and polar bears
Despite what commercials and other sources may show, the likelihood of a meeting between a penguin
and a polar bear without human intervention is vanishingly small. This is because the two species are
found on opposite hemispheres. Polar bears inhabit the northern hemisphere, while penguins mainly
inhabit the southern hemisphere. This is a misconception that is fueled by popular culture such as
movies and television. A prominent example of this takes place in a holiday 2005 ad campaign by Coca-
Cola featuring the partying penguins and the polar bears watching from afar.
External links
● penguinpage.net - Weblog covering ongoing research in NZ penguins
● Live Penguin Webcam
● Penguin information on 70South
● Gentoo penguin webcam from the Antarctic
● Information about penguins at pinguins.info
● PBS Nature: The World of Penguins
● Integrated Taxonomic Information System
● Seaworld Penguin Information
● Penguin Weblog
● Pictures Penguins
● Penguin Videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Penguin World
References
1. ^ Animal Fact Sheets. Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
2. ^ Humboldt Penguin :: Saint Louis Zoo. Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
3. ^ African Penguins and Penguins of the World. Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
4. ^ Columbia News Service: June 10, 2002: They're in love. They're gay. They're penguins... And
they're not alone.. Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
5. ^ 365gay.com: Gay Penguins Resist 'Aversion Therapy'. Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
6. ^ Bud Ice ad on YouTube. Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
● Acosta Hospitaleche, Carolina (2004): Los pingüinos (Aves, Sphenisciformes) fósiles de

Patagonia. Sistemática, biogeografía y evolución. Doctoral thesis, Department of Natural
Sciences and Museum, Universidad Nacional de La Plata. La Plata, Argentina. [in Spanish] PDF
fulltext
● Davis; Lloyd S.; Renner; M. (1995). Penguins . London: T & A D Poyser. ISBN 0-7136-6550-5.
● Marples, B. J. (1962): Observations on the history of penguins. In: Leeper, G. W. (ed.), The
evolution of living organisms. Melbourne, Melbourne University Press: 408-416.
● Mayr, G. (2005): Tertiary plotopterids (Aves, Plotopteridae) and a novel hypothesis on the
phylogenetic relationships of penguins (Spheniscidae). Journal of Zoological Systematics and
Evolutionary Research 43(1): 61-71. DOI:doi:10.1111/j.1439-0469.2004.00291.x PDF fulltext
● Williams; Tony D. (1995). The Penguins - Spheniscidae . Oxford: Oxford University Press.
ISBN 0-19-854667-X.
Gallery
Humboldt Penguin at the

Chinstrap Penguin hunting
Adelie penguin in Antarctica African Penguin Milwaukee County
for krill
Zoological Gardens
Little Penguin - also called

Magellanic Penguin Gentoo Penguin Emperor Penguins
"Fairy Penguin"
Gentoo Penguin at polish
Arctowski base
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| Strigidae | Sturnidae | Sugarbird | Sulidae | Sylviidae | Sylviornithidae
Apterygidae
Kiwi
A kiwi is any of the species of small flightless birds endemic to Conservation status: Vulnerable
New Zealand of the genus Apteryx (the only genus in family
Apterygidae). At around the size of a domestic chicken, kiwi are by
far the smallest living ratites. Several kiwi species are endangered.
The kiwi is also a national symbol for New Zealand.
Contents
● 1 Habitat
● 2 Species
● 3 Discovery and documentation
● 4 Food
Phylum: Chordata
Habitat
Class: Aves
Prior to the arrival of humans in the 13th century or earlier, New
Zealand's only endemic mammals were three species of bat, and the Order: Struthioniformes
ecological niches that in other parts of the world were filled by
creatures as diverse as horses, wolves and mice were taken up by
Family: Apterygidae
birds (and, to a lesser extent, reptiles).
G.R. Gray, 1840
Kiwi are shy and usually nocturnal. Their mostly nocturnal habits Genus: Apteryx
Shaw, 1813
may be a result of habitat intrusion by predators including man,
resulting in kiwis that prefer day-time activities loosing out . This Species
seems evident in areas of New Zealand where introduced predators See text.
have been removed like sanctuaries where kiwis are often seen in
day light. Kiwis are creatures with a highly developed sense of smell and, most unusual in a bird,
nostrils at the end of their long bill. They feed by thrusting the bill into the ground in search of worms,
insects, and other invertebrates; they also take fruit and, if the opportunity arises, small crayfish,
amphibians and eels.
After an initial meeting during mating season (March to June), kiwi usually live as monogamous
couples, unless a more suitable mate arises. The pair will meet in the nesting burrow every few days and
call to each other at night. These relationships have been known to last for up to 20 years. (Source:
KiwiRecovery.org) Kiwi eggs can weigh up to one quarter the size of the female. Usually only one egg
is laid. Although the kiwi is about the size of a domestic chicken, it is able to lay eggs that are up to ten
times larger than a chicken's egg. (Source: Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia)
Their adaptation to a terrestrial life is extensive: like all ratites they have no keel on the breastbone to
anchor wing muscles, and barely any wings either: the vestiges are so small that they are invisible under
the kiwi's bristly, hair-like, two-branched feathers. While birds generally have hollow bones to save
weight and make flight practicable, kiwi have marrow, in the style of mammals. With no constraints on
weight from flight requirements, some Brown Kiwi females carry and lay a single 450 g egg.
It was long presumed that the kiwi's closest relatives were the other New Zealand ratites, the moa.
However recent DNA studies indicate that the Ostrich is more closely related to the moa and the kiwi's
closest relatives are the Emu and the cassowaries. This theory suggests that the kiwi's ancestors arrived
in New Zealand from elsewhere in Australasia well after the moa.
According to British scientists, the kiwi may be an ancient import from Australia. Researchers of Oxford
University have found DNA evidence connected to Australia's Emu and the Ostrich of Africa. Upon
examining DNA from New Zealand's native moa, they believe that the kiwi is more closely related to its
Australian cousins. (Source: News In Science)
Species
Currently there are five accepted species (one of which has four sub-species), plus one to be formally
described:
The distribution of each species of kiwi
● The largest species is the Great Spotted Kiwi, Apteryx haastii, which stands about 450 mm high
and weighs about 3.3 kg. (Males about 2.4 kg) It has grey-brown plumage with lighter bands. The
female lays just one egg, with both sexes incubating. Population is estimated to be over 20,000,
distributed through the more mountainous parts of northwest Nelson, the northern West Coast,
and the Southern Alps.
● The very small Little Spotted Kiwi, Apteryx owenii is unable to survive predation by imported
pigs, stoats and cats and is extinct on the mainland and the most threatened of all kiwi. About
1350 remain on Kapiti Island and it has been introduced to other predator-free islands and
appears to be becoming established with about 50 'Little Spots' on each island. A docile bird the
size of a bantam, it stands 250 mm high and the female weighs 1.3 kg. She lays one egg which is
incubated by the male.
● The North Island Brown Kiwi, Apteryx mantelli is widespread in the northern two-thirds of the
North Island and with about 35,000 remaining is the most common kiwi. Females stand about
400 mm high and weigh about 2.8 kg, the males about 2.2 kg. The North Island Brown has
demonstrated a remarkable resilience: it adapts to a wide range of habitats, even non-native
forests and some farmland. The plumage is streaky red-brown and spiky. The female usually lays
two eggs, which are incubated by the male.
● The Rowi, also known as the Okarito Brown Kiwi or Apteryx rowi, is a recently identified
species, slightly smaller, with a greyish tinge to the plumage and sometimes white facial feathers.
Females lay as many as three eggs in a season, each one in a different nest. Male and female both
incubate. Distribution of these kiwi are limited to a small area on the west coast of the South
Island of New Zealand.
● The Southern Tokoeka, Apteryx australis australis, relatively common species of kiwi known
from southwest South Island (Fiordland) that occurs at most elevations. It is approximately the
size of the Great Spotted Kiwi and is similar in appearance to the Brown Kiwi but its plumage
is lighter in colour.
❍ The Stewart Island Tokoeka, Apteryx australis lawryi, is a subspecies of Southern
Tokoeka known from Stewart Island.

● The Haast Tokoeka, Apteryx n. sp. (?fusca), is the rarest species of kiwi with only about 300
individuals. It was identified as a distinct form in 1993. It only occurs in a restricted area in South
Island's Haast Range at an altitude of 1,500 m. This form is distinguished by a more strongly
downcurved bill and more rufous plumage.
North Island Brown Kiwi
Analysis of mitochondrial DNA, ecology, behaviour, morphology, geographic distribution and parasites
of the North Island Brown Kiwi has led scientists to propose that the Brown Kiwi is three distinct
species. The North Island Brown Kiwi; the Okarito Brown Kiwi (Rowi), whose distribution is restricted
to a single site on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand; and a third distinct population of
the North Island Brown Kiwi, the Southern Tokoeka, distributed in the in lowland forest to the north of
Franz Josef glacier in the South Island and on Stewart Island, with a small population near Haast being
another possibly distinct species, the Haast Tokoeka.
Discovery and documentation

The first kiwi specimen to be studied by Europeans was a kiwi skin brought to George Shaw by Captain
Andrew Barclay aboard the ship Providence, who was reported to have been given it by a sealer in
Sydney Harbour around 1811. George Shaw gave the kiwi its scientific name and drew sketches of the
way he imagined a live bird to look which appeared as plates 1057 and 1058 in volume 24 of The
Naturalist's Miscellany in 1813.
Food
The kiwi birds eat spiders, beetles, catepillars, seeds, grubs, and many varities of worms. Of course, their
long beaks make it easy to catch prey.
References
● Burbidge M.L., Colbourne R.M., Robertson H.A., and Baker A.J. (2003). Molecular and other
biological evidence supports the recognition of at least three species of brown kiwi. Conservation
Genetics 4(2):167-177
● Cooper, Alan et al (2001). Complete mitochondrial genome sequences of two extinct moas clarify
ratite evolution in Nature 409: 704-707.
● News In Science
External links
● Dept. of Conservation article
● Save The Kiwi (formerly Kiwi Recovery)
● Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Christchurch, New Zealand
● Brown Kiwi (Apteryx australis) facts - Wild Animals Online encyclopedia
● Online Encyclopedia entry "Kiwi"
● ARKive - images and movies of the great spotted kiwi (Apteryx haastii)
Home | Up | Accentor | Accipitridae | Aegithinidae | Aegothelidae | Aepyornithidae | Alcedinidae

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| Australasian treecreeper | Australo-Papuan babbler
Rallidae
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Rallidae
The family Rallidae is a large group of small to medium-sized
birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules.
Nearly all members are associated with wetlands. There are
exceptions, however, notably the Corncrake which breeds on
farmland.
The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in

damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. Reedbeds are a
particularly favoured habitat. They are omnivorous, and those that
migrate do so at night: most nest in dense vegetation. In general
they are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis
Most species walk and run vigorously on strong legs, and have Kingdom: Animalia
long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They
tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers, although
nevertheless capable of covering long distances. Phylum: Chordata
Island species often become flightless, and many of them are now Class: Aves
extinct following the introduction of terrestrial predators such as
cats, rats and pigs. Order: Gruiformes
Many reedbed species are secretive, apart from loud calls, and
crepuscular, and have laterally flattened bodies. In the Old World, Family: Rallidae
Vigors, 1825
long billed species tend to be called “rails” and short billed species
“crakes”. North American species are normally called rails Genera
irrespective of bill length.
The larger species are also sometimes given other names. The
black coots are more adapted to open water than their relatives,
and some other large species are called gallinules and swamphens.
Taxonomy
The family Rallidae has traditionally been grouped with two
families of larger birds, the cranes and bustards to make up the
order Gruiformes. The alternative Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, Nesotrochis (extinct)
which has been widely accepted in America, raises the family to Diaphorapteryx (extinct)
ordinal level as the Ralliformes. Aphanapteryx (extinct)
Sarothrura
Species and genera Himantornis
Canirallus
● Genus Atlantisia Coturnicops
❍ Inaccessible Island Rail, Atlantisia rogersi
Micropygia
Ascension Flightless Crake, Atlantisia elpenor Rallina
(extinct) Anurolimnas
St Helena Crake, Atlantisia podarces (extinct) Laterallus
● Genus Nesotrochis (cave-rails) Nesoclopeus
❍ Antillean Cave-Rail, Nesotrochis debooyi (extinct)
Gallirallus
● Genus Diaphorapteryx Cabalus (extinct)
❍ Hawkins' Rail, Diaphorapteryx hawkinsi (extinct)
Rallus
● Genus Aphanapteryx Lewinia
❍ Red Rail, Aphanapteryx bonasia (extinct)
Dryolimnas
Rodrigues Rail, Aphanapteryx leguati (extinct) Crecopsis
● Genus Sarothrura (flufftails) Crex
❍ White-spotted Flufftail, Sarothrura pulchra
Rougetius
Buff-spotted Flufftail, Sarothrura elegans Aramidopsis
Red-chested Flufftail, Sarothrura rufa Atlantisia
Chestnut-headed Flufftail, Sarothrura lugens Aramides
Streaky-breasted Flufftail, Sarothrura boehmi Amaurolimnas
Striped Flufftail, Sarothrura affinis Gymnocrex
Madagascar Flufftail, Sarothrura insularis Amaurornis
White-winged Flufftail, Sarothrura ayresi Mundia (extinct)
Slender-billed Flufftail, Sarothrura watersi Porzana
● Genus Himanthornis Aenigmatolimnas
❍ Nkulengu Rail, Himantornis haematopus
Cyanolimnas
● Genus Canirallus Neocrex
❍ Grey-throated Rail, Canirallus oculeus
Pardirallus
Madagascar Wood Rail, Canirallus kioloides Eulabeornis
● Genus Coturnicops Habroptila
❍ Swinhoe's Rail, Coturnicops exquisitus
Megacrex
Yellow Rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis Gallicrex
Speckled Rail, Coturnicops notatus Aphanocrex (extinct)
● Genus Micropygia Porphyrio
❍ Ocellated Crake, Micropygia schomburgkii
Gallinula
● Genus Rallina Fulica
❍ Chestnut Forest Rail, Rallina rubra
White-striped Forest Rail, Rallina leucospila

Forbes's Forest Rail, Rallina forbesi
Mayr's Forest Rail, Rallina mayri
Red-necked Crake, Rallina tricolor
Andaman Crake, Rallina canningi
Red-legged Crake, Rallina fasciata
Slaty-legged Crake, Rallina eurizonoides
● Genus Anurolimnas
❍ Chestnut-headed Crake, Anurolimnas castaneiceps
Russet-crowned Crake, Anurolimnas viridis

Black-banded Crake, Anurolimnas fasciatus
● Genus Laterallus
❍ Rufous-sided Crake, Laterallus melanophaius
Rusty-flanked Crake, Laterallus levraudi

Ruddy Crake, Laterallus ruber
White-throated Crake, Laterallus albigularis
Grey-breasted Crake, Laterallus exilis
Black Rail, Laterallus jamaicensis
Junin Rail, Laterallus tuerosi
Galapagos Rail, Laterallus spilonotus
Red-and-white Crake, Laterallus leucopyrrhus
Rufous-faced Crake, Laterallus xenopterus
● Genus Nesoclopeus
❍ Bar-winged Rail, Nesoclopeus poecilopterus (extinct)
Woodford's Rail, Nesoclopeus woodfordi

● Genus Gallirallus
❍ Weka, Gallirallus australis
New Caledonian Rail, Gallirallus lafresnayanus (possibly extinct)

Lord Howe Island Rail, Gallirallus sylvestris
Okinawa Rail, Gallirallus okinawae
Calayan Rail, Gallirallus calayanensis
Barred Rail, Gallirallus torquatus
New Britain Rail, Gallirallus insignis
Buff-banded Rail, Gallirallus philippensis
Roviana Rail, Gallirallus rovianae
Guam Rail, Gallirallus owstoni (extinct in the wild)
Dieffenbach's Rail, Gallirallus dieffenbachii (extinct)
Tahiti Rail, Gallirallus pacificus (extinct)
Wake Island Rail, Gallirallus wakensis (extinct)
Sharpe's Rail, Gallirallus sharpei (probably extinct)
Slaty-breasted Rail, Gallirallus striatus
● Genus Cabalus (sometimes included in Gallirallus)
❍ Chatham Rail, Cabalus modestus (extinct)
● Genus Rallus
❍ Clapper Rail, Rallus longirostris
■ California Clapper Rail, R. l. brownii
❍ King Rail, Rallus elegans
Plain-flanked Rail, Rallus wetmorei

Virginia Rail, Rallus limicola
Bogota Rail, Rallus semiplumbeus
Austral Rail, Rallus antarcticus
Water Rail, Rallus aquaticus
African Rail, Rallus caerulescens
Madagascar Rail, Rallus madagascariensis
● Genus Lewinia (sometimes included in Rallus)
❍ Lewin's Rail, Lewinia pectoralis
Brown-banded Rail, Lewinia mirifica

Auckland Rail, Lewinia muelleri
● Genus Dryolimnas
❍ White-throated Rail, Dryolimnas cuvieri
Réunion Rail, Dryolimnas augusti (extinct)

● Genus Crecopsis (sometimes included in Crex)
❍ African Crake, Crecopsis egregia
● Genus Crex
❍ Corn Crake, Crex crex
● Genus Rougetius
❍ Rouget's Rail, Rougetius rougetii
● Genus Aramidopsis
❍ Snoring Rail, Aramidopsis plateni
Giant Wood Rail
● Genus Aramides
❍ Red-throated Wood Rail, Aramides gutturalis (extinct, doubtful species)
Little Wood Rail, Aramides mangle

Rufous-necked Wood Rail, Aramides axillaris
Grey-necked Wood Rail, Aramides cajanea
Brown Wood Rail, Aramides wolfi
Giant Wood Rail, Aramides ypecaha
Slaty-breasted Wood Rail, Aramides saracura
Red-winged Wood Rail, Aramides calopterus
● Genus Amaurolimnas
❍ Uniform Crake, Amaurolimnas concolor
● Genus Gymnocrex
❍ Bald-faced Rail, Gymnocrex rosenbergii
Talaud Rail, Gymnocrex talaudensis

Bare-eyed Rail, Gymnocrex plumbeiventris
● Genus Amaurornis
❍ Brown Crake, Amaurornis akool
Plain Bush-hen, Amaurornis olivacea

Isabelline Bush-hen, Amaurornis isabellina
Rufous-tailed Bush-hen, Amaurornis moluccana
White-breasted Waterhen, Amaurornis phoenicurus
Black Crake, Amaurornis flavirostra
Sakalava Rail, Amaurornis olivieri
Black-tailed Crake, Amaurornis bicolor
Talaud Bush-hen, Amaurornis magnirostris
● Genus Mundia (formerly included in Atlantisia)
❍ Ascension Island Rail, Mundia elpenor (extinct)
● Genus Porzana (crakes)

❍ Saint Helena Crake, Porzana astrictocarpus (extinct)
Little Crake, Porzana parva

Baillon's Crake, Porzana pusilla
Laysan Rail, Porzana palmeri (extinct)
Spotted Crake, Porzana porzana
Australian Crake, Porzana fluminea
Sora, Porzana carolina
Dot-winged Crake, Porzana spiloptera
Ash-throated Crake, Porzana albicollis
Hawaiian Rail, Porzana sandwichensis (extinct)
Ruddy-breasted Crake, Porzana fusca
Band-bellied Crake, Porzana paykullii
Spotless Crake, Porzana tabuensis
Kosrae Island Crake, Porzana monasa
Henderson Island Crake, Porzana atra
Miller's Crake, Porzana nigra (extinct, doubtful species)
Yellow-breasted Crake, Porzana flaviventer
White-browed Crake, Porzana cinerea
● Genus Aenigmatolimnas
❍ Striped Crake, Aenigmatolimnas marginalis
● Genus Cyanolimnas
❍ Zapata Rail, Cyanolimnas cerverai
● Genus Neocrex
❍ Colombian Crake, Neocrex colombianus
Paint-billed Crake, Neocrex erythrops
● Genus Pardirallus
❍ Spotted Rail, Pardirallus maculatus
Blackish Rail, Pardirallus nigricans

Plumbeous Rail, Pardirallus sanguinolentus
● Genus Eulabeornis
❍ Chestnut Rail, Eulabeornis castaneoventris
● Genus Habroptila
❍ Invisible Rail, Habroptila wallacii
● Genus Megacrex
❍ New Guinea Flightless Rail, Megacrex inepta
● Genus Gallicrex
❍ Watercock, Gallicrex cinerea
● Genus Aphanocrex (formerly included in Atlantisia)

❍ Saint Helena Swamphen, Aphanocrex podarces (extinct)
● Genus Porphyrio (swamphens and purple gallinules)

❍ Réunion Swamphen or Oiseau bleu, Porphyrio coerulescens (extinct, doubtful species)
New Caledonian Swamphen, Porphyrio kukwiedei (extinct)

Purple Swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio
Lord Howe Swamphen, Porphyrio albus (extinct)
Marquesan Swamphen, Porphyrio paepae (extinct)
North Island Takahē, Porphyrio mantelli (extinct)
Takahē, Porphyrio hochstetteri
Allen's Gallinule, Porphyrio alleni (sometimes placed in genus Porphyrula)
American Purple Gallinule, Porphyrio martinica (sometimes placed in genus Porphyrula)
Azure Gallinule, Porphyrio flavirostris (sometimes placed in genus Porphyrula)
African Purple Swamphen or African Purple Gallinule, Porphyrio madagascariensis
(sometimes placed in genus Porphyrula)
Porphyrio mcnabi (extinct)
● Genus Gallinula (gallinules)
❍ Samoan Wood Rail, Gallinula pacifica (sometimes placed in genus Pareudiastes, possibly
extinct)
Makira Wood Rail, Gallinula silvestris (sometimes placed in genus Pareudiastes or
Edithornis, possibly extinct)
Tristan Moorhen, Gallinula nesiotis (extinct)
Gough Island Moorhen, Gallinula comeri
Common Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
Dusky Moorhen, Gallinula tenebrosa
Lesser Moorhen, Gallinula angulata
Spot-flanked Gallinule, Gallinula melanops
Black-tailed Native-hen, Gallinula ventralis
Tasmanian Native-hen, Gallinula mortierii
● Genus Fulica (coots)
❍ Mascarene Coot, Fulica newtoni (extinct)
Red-knobbed Coot, Fulica cristata

Eurasian Coot or Common Coot, Fulica atra
Hawaiian Coot, Fulica alai
American Coot, Fulica americana
Caribbean Coot, Fulica caribaea
White-winged Coot, Fulica leucoptera
Andean Coot, Fulica ardesiaca
Red-gartered Coot, Fulica armillata
Red-fronted Coot, Fulica rufifrons
Giant Coot, Fulica gigantea
Horned Coot Fulica cornuta
Additionally, there are many species only known from fossil or subfossil remains that have not been
listed here, such as the Ibiza Rail (Rallus eivissensis). See Late Quaternary prehistoric birds for these
species.
Home | Up | Rallidae | Raphidae | Regulidae | Rostratulidae
Dinornithidae
Moa
Moa were giant flightless birds native to New Zealand. They are Conservation status: Extinct (c. 1500)
unique in having no wings, not even small wings, unlike other
ratites. Ten species of varying sizes are known, with the largest
species, the giant moa (Dinornis robustus and Dinornis
novaezelandiae), reaching about 3 m (10 ft) in height and about
250 kg (550 lb) in weight. They were the dominant herbivores in
the New Zealand forest ecosystem.
Contents
● 1 History
Moa attacked by a Haast's Eagle
● 2 Taxonomy
● 3 Biology Scientific classification
● 4 Claims by cryptozoologists Kingdom: Animalia
● 5 Trivia
● 6 References Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
History Superorder: Paleognathae
Moa are thought to have become extinct about 1500, although Order: Struthioniformes
some reports speculate that a few stragglers of Megalapteryx
didinus may have persisted in remote corners of New Zealand
Family: Dinornithidae
until the 18th and even 19th centuries.
Although it used to be thought that numbers were declining before Genera

the impact of humans, their extinction is now attributed to hunting Anomalopteryx (bush moa)
and forest clearance by the Polynesian ancestors of the Māori, who Euryapteryx
settled in New Zealand a few hundred years earlier. Before the Megalapteryx (upland moa)
arrival of humans, moa were hunted by Haast's Eagle, the world's Dinornis (giant moa)
largest eagle, which is also now extinct. Emeus
Pachyornis
Although the indigenous Māori told European settlers tales about the huge birds which they called moa,
which had once roamed the flats and valleys, the widespread physical evidence that they had actually
existed was never closely examined by early European settlers.
In 1839, John W. Harris, a Poverty Bay flax trader who was a natural history enthusiast, was given a
piece of unusual bone by a Māori who had found it in a river bank. He showed the 15 cm fragment of
bone to his uncle, John Rule, a Sydney surgeon, who sent it to Richard Owen who at that time was
working at the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons in London. Owen became a noted
biologist, anatomist and paleontologist at the British Museum.
Owen puzzled over the fragment for almost four years. He established it was part of the femur of a big
animal, but it was uncharacteristically light and honeycombed.
Owen announced to a skeptical scientific community and the world that it was from a giant extinct bird
like an ostrich, and named it "Dinornis". His deduction was ridiculed in some quarters but was proved
correct with the subsequent discoveries of considerable quantities of moa bones throughout the land,
sufficient to construct skeletons of the birds.
In July 2004, the Natural History Museum in London placed on display the moa bone fragment Owen
had first examined, to celebrate 200 years since his birth, and in memory of Owen as founder of the
museum.
Taxonomy
Dinornis maximus from The New
Gresham Encyclopedia
The kiwi were once regarded as the closest relatives of the moa, but comparisons of their DNA suggest
they are more closely related to the Australian emu and cassowary. (Turvey et al., 2005).
Although dozens of species were described in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many were based
on partial skeletons and turned out to be synonyms. More recent research, based on DNA recovered
from museum collections, suggest that there were only 11-15 species, including 2-4 giant moa. The giant
moa seem to have had pronounced sexual dimorphism, with females being much larger than males; so
much bigger that they were formerly classified as separate species (see also below). The giant moa grew
as large as 13 feet and became extinct much earlier (also by Māori hunting), about 1300.
Although traditionally reconstructed in an upright position giving impressive height, it is thought more
likely that moas carried their heads forward, in the manner of a kiwi in order to graze on low-level
vegetation.
Most interestingly, ancient DNA analyses have determined that there were a number of cryptic
evolutionary lineages in several moa species. These may eventually be classified as species or
subspecies; Megalapteryx benhami which was synonymized with M. didinus has been revealed to be a
valid species by the same study (Baker et al., 2005).
Sometimes, the Dinornithidae are considered to be a full order (Dinornithiformes), in which case the
subfamilies listed below would be advanced to full family status (replacing "-inae" with "-idae").
Thus, the currently recognized genera and species are:
● Family †Dinornithidae - Moa

❍ Subfamily Megalapteryginae - Megalapteryx Moa
■ Genus Megalapteryx
■ Benham's Megalapteryx, Megalapteryx benhami (South Island, New
Zealand)
■ Lesser Megalapteryx, Megalapteryx didinus (South Island, New Zealand)
❍ Subfamily Anomalopteryginae - Lesser Moa
■ Genus Anomalopteryx
■ Bush Moa, Anomalopteryx didiformis (South Island, New Zealand)
■ Genus Euryapteryx
■ North Island Broad-billed Moa, Euryapteryx curtus (North Island, New
Zealand)
■ South Island Broad-billed Moa, Euryapteryx geranoides (South Island, New
Zealand)
■ Genus Emeus
■ Eastern Moa, Emeus crassus (South Island, New Zealand)
■ Genus Pachyornis
■ Crested Moa, Pachyornis australis (South Island, New Zealand)
■ Heavy-footed Moa, Pachyornis elephantopus (South Island, New Zealand)
■ Mappin's Moa, Pachyornis mappini (North Island, New Zealand)
■ Pachyornis new lineage A (North Island, New Zealand)
■ Pachyornis new lineage B (South Island, New Zealand)
❍ Subfamily Dinornithinae - Giant Moa
■ Genus Dinornis
■ North Island Giant Moa, Dinornis novaezealandiae (North Island, New
Zealand)
■ South Island Giant Moa, Dinornis robustus (South Island, New Zealand)
■ Dinornis new lineage A (South Island, New Zealand)
■ Dinornis new lineage B (South Island, New Zealand)
Biology
It has been long suspected that the species of moa described as Euryapteryx
curtus / E. exilis, Emeus huttonii / E. crassus, and Pachyornis
septentrionalis / P. mappini constituted males and females, respectively.
This has been confirmed by analysis for sex-specific genetic markers of
DNA extracted from bone material (Huynen et al., 2003). More
interestingly, the former three species of Dinornis: D. giganteus = robustus,
D. novaezealandiae and D. struthioides have turned out to be males
(struthioides) and females of only two species, one each formerly occurring
on New Zealands North Island (D. novaezealandiae) and South Island (D.
robustus) (Huynen et al., 2003; Bunce et al., 2003); robustus however,
comprises 3 distinct genetic lineages and may eventually be classified as as
many species as discussed above.
Moa females were larger than males, being up to 150% of the male's size
and 280% of their weight. This phenomenon — reverse size dimorphism —
is not uncommon amongst ratites, being most pronounced in moa and kiwis.
Claims by cryptozoologists
Though there is no reasonable doubt that moa are extinct, there has been
occasional speculation that some may still exist in deepest south Westland, Owen with moa skeleton
a rugged wilderness in the South Island of New Zealand. Cryptozoologists
and others reputedly continue to search for them, but no hard evidence or actual specimens have ever
been found, and their efforts are widely considered to be pseudoscientific.
Paddy Freaney's picture of what he claimed was

a "moa". Even by the standards of
cryptozoology, the picture quality is extremely
low.
In January 1993, on the West Coast, Paddy Freaney, Sam Waby and Rochelle Rafferty claimed to have
seen a large moa-like bird. Analysis of the blurry photograph they claimed was of a moa suggested that
the subject could be either a large bird or a red deer. The incident is considered a hoax, especially as
Freaney is a hotelier, and may have concocted the story to attract tourists.
Moa experts say the likelihood of any moa remaining alive and unnoticed is extremely unlikely, since
they would be giant birds in a region often visited by hunters and hikers. Freaney cites the rediscovery of
the Takahē as evidence that living birds could still exist undiscovered. However, while the hen-sized
Takahē could successfully avoid humans, a large moa would have considerably more difficulty in doing
so. The Takahē was rediscovered after its tracks were identified, but no reliable evidence of moa tracks
has been reported.
Trivia
● The plural form of moa is also moa, as Māori words do not feature plural-"s".
● In the popular MMORPG Guild Wars, moa can be tamed as combat pets.
References
● Baker, Allan J.; Huynen, Leon J.; Haddrath, Oliver; Millar, Craig D. & Lambert, David M.
(2005): Reconstructing the tempo and mode of evolution in an extinct clade of birds with ancient
DNA: The giant moas of New Zealand. PNAS 102(23): 8257-8262. DOI:10.1073/
pnas.0409435102 PDF fulltext Supporting Information
● Bunce, Michael; Worthy, Trevor H.; Ford, Tom; Hoppitt, Will; Willerslev, Eske; Drummond,
Alexei & Cooper, Alan (2003): Extreme reversed sexual size dimorphism in the extinct New
Zealand moa Dinornis. Nature 425(6954): 172-175. DOI:10.1038/nature01871 HTML abstract
Supplementary information
● Huynen, Leon J.; Millar, Craig D.; Scofield, R. P. & Lambert, David M. (2003): Nuclear DNA
sequences detect species limits in ancient moa. Nature 425(6954): 175-178. DOI:10.1038/
nature01838 HTML abstract Supplementary information
● Millener, P. R. (1982): And then there were twelve: the taxonomic status of Anomalopteryx
oweni (Aves: Dinornithidae). Notornis 29: 165-170.
● Turvey, Samuel T.; Green, Owen R. & Holdaway, Richard N. (2005): Cortical growth marks
reveal extended juvenile development in New Zealand moa. Nature 435(7044): 940-943.
DOI:10.1038/nature03635 HTML abstract
External links
● Moa Pages
● Tree of Life classification and references
● Big Bird´s Last Stand
Home | Up | Dendrocolaptidae | Dicruridae | Dinornithidae | Dipper | Drepanididae | Dromadidae
| Dromornithidae
Alektorophobia
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Alektorophobia is the abnormal fear of chickens. The suffix Phobia referring to a strong fear. Those
that suffer from Alektorophobia often fear either the eggs of chickens, their feathers, contamination, or
being attacked by chickens.
A few reasons for these irrational fears include being pecked, swooned upon, that chickens roost above
eye level, or fear of the fact that chickens eat their food off the ground or in manure (invoking a fear of
contamination). These fears only occasionally apply to cooked chickens, but rather uncooked or live
chickens.
Symptoms of Alektorophobia include breathlessness, dizziness, dry mouth, excessive sweating, nausea,
shaking, heart palpitations, inability to speak or think clearly, a fear of dying, becoming mad or losing
control, a sensation of detachment from reality or even a full blown anxiety attack.
Alektorophobia is surprisingly common, and is a fear that many have either consciously or
subconsciously. Most simply begin to sweat when around chickens and may not even notice, while some
may think chickens are aggressive and conspiratorial and coordinate their attacks.
Notable alektorophobes
Werner Herzog
Avian incubation
The word incubate in the context of birds refers to the development of the chick (embryo) within the
egg and the constant temperature required for the development of it over a specific period. This in most
species of bird is produced by body heat from the brooding parent, though several groups, notably the
Megapodes, instead use geothermal heat or the heat generated from rotting vegetable material,
effectively a giant compost heap. The Namaqua Sandgrouse of the deserts of southern Africa, needing to
keep its eggs cool during the heat of the day, stands over them drooping its wings to shade them.
In the species that incubate, the work is divided differently between the sexes. Possibly the most
common pattern is that the female does all the incubation, as in the Coscoroba Swan and the Indian
Robin, or most of it, as is typical of falcons. In some species, such as the Whooping Crane, the male and
the female take turns incubating the egg. In others, such as the cassowaries, only the male incubates. The
male Mountain Plover incubates the female's first clutch, but if she lays a second, she incubates it
herself. In Hoatzins, some birds (mostly males) help their parents incubate later broods.
Incubation times range from 11 days (some small passerines and the Black-billed and Yellow-billed
Cuckoos) to 85 days (the Wandering Albatross and the Brown Kiwi). In these latter, the incubation is
[1]
interrupted; the longest uninterrupted period is 64 to 67 days in the Emperor Penguin.
Some species begin incubation with the first egg, causing the young to hatch at different times; others
begin after laying the last egg of the clutch, causing the young to hatch simultaneously.
Derived meanings
Climate-controlled incubators are used in industrial agricultural settings and in neonatal care, especially
of human infants. The life expectancy for premature infants has increased dramatically thanks to
incubation.
In economics, a business incubator is an organization providing physical space, communications tools,

investments or human resources intended to support the development of a new firm. Approximate egg-
development time, post-hatch of a regular, avian creature is six days for full flight capability in males;
twelve in females.
Reference
Christopher Perrins (editor), Firefly Encyclopedia of Birds, ISBN 1-55297-777-3
Bird abatement
The risks that birds create in certain circumstances have brought the need for bird abatement. Amongst
those risks are loss of investments in farming and aviculture, aircraft crashes, and bacteriological and
viral contamination. With more recent outbreaks of Newcastle's disease and the Avian Flu, it is
reasonable to expect that bird abatement will become a larger industry.
Contents
● 1 Problems
❍ 1.1 Damage to farming
❍ 1.2 Aircraft crashes
❍ 1.3 Health hazards
● 2 Solutions
❍ 2.1 Scarecrow
❍ 2.2 Poison
❍ 2.3 Falconry
Problems
Damage to farming
When a flock of birds descends upon a farmer's field, they can eat up the seed and produce, damaging a
farmer's crop. Canadian Geese, once a fully protected species of migratory bird, have become so
comfortable at some farms as to abandon their migrations and take up residency. Crows, starlings,
bluejays and many other species also pose a threat to crops.
Raptors and other predators are an age-old concern for those who raise gamebirds and pigeons as
livestock.
Aircraft crashes
Birds tend to see the open grasslands of an airport as an oasis. They quickly become desensitized to the
planes, and set up residency. Unfortunately, birds flying near an airport have been responsible for many
aircraft crashes resulting in loss of life and property. Whether by merely distracting the pilot, breaking a
windscreen, striking the prop, or causing a jet to crash when a bird is sucked into the aircraft's turbines,
airborne birds are a dangerous thing at an airport.
Health hazards
Concentrations of seagulls frequenting landfills in search of discarded food in coastal areas have been
shown to cause significant health hazard by drop feces in nearby waters.
Solutions
Scarecrow
One of the earliest methods of bird abatement is the scarecrow that farmers used to erect in their fields to
keep the birds from eating planted seeds and crops. Fashioned of a stick frame covered in human
clothing stuffed with straw, and often garnished with tin cans on strings and pie tins, the image of a
scarecrow in a farmer's field has become classic.
Unfortunately, it proves ineffective, as the birds quickly become comfortable with the statue. In more
recent times, netting has been placed over berry crops, poisons have been put out in the fields, and
falconers' services employed, all of which are far more successful. The proverbial scarecrow, which
often ended up serving as a perch for the birds they were expected to frighten away, are now largely a
romantic relic of agriculture.
Poison
In some places, poison has been set out to kill off the offending birds. This environmentally unsound
practice still occurs, but is on the decline owing to the fact that other creatures also consume the poisons.
Secondary kills of desirable predators, as well as roaming dogs, cats, have demonstrated the dangers.
Poisons are not discriminating. There is also concern that a child may inadvertently eat the poison bait.
In recent times, more evolved and ecologically friendly methods have been used.
Falconry
One of the more common and popular modern methods of bird abatement is employing falconers to fly
trained raptors over the fields, landfills and airports. When the raptor appears and chases the offending
birds, the prey quickly scatters. Without regular flights several times a day, they will return, but so long
as the raptor's presence is maintained, the problem is largely solved. Falconers' services are employed all
across the country, with considerable success. Thus falconry, which has long been an antiquidated
pastime since its medieval origins, has resurfaced as a profession.
Bird anatomy
Bird skeleton
Anatomy of a typical bird
Bird anatomy shows so many unusual adaptations (mostly aiding flight) that birds have earned their
own unique class in the vertebrate phylum.
Contents
● 1 Respiratory system
● 2 Circulatory system
● 3 Digestive system
● 4 Skeletal system
● 5 Muscular system
● 6 Head
● 7 Reproduction
● 8 References
Respiratory system
Due to having the high metabolic rate required for flying, birds have a high oxygen demand. They meet
this by having a respiratory system more efficient than that of a mammal or a reptile. Birds ventilate
their lungs by means of posterior and anterior air sacs (typically nine) which act like bellows, but do not
play a direct role in gas exchange. The lungs have a fixed volume and are the site of gas exchange, the
air passing through on its way to the air sacs and on its way back from the air sacs.
There are three distinct sets of organs involved in respiration—the anterior air sacs (interclavicular,
cervicals, and anterior thoracics), the lungs, and the posterior air sacs (posterior thoracics and
abdominals).
The posterior and anterior air sacs expand during inhalation. Air enters the bird via the trachea. Half of
the inhaled air enters the posterior air sacs, the other half passes through the lungs and into the anterior
air sacs. The sacs contract during exhalation. The anterior air sacs empty directly into the trachea, the
posterior air sacs empty via the lungs, the lungs expel this air via the trachea.
Since during inhalation and exhalation fresh air flows through the lungs in only one direction, there is no
mixing of oxygen rich air and carbon dioxide rich air within the lungs as in mammals. Thus the partial
pressure of oxygen in a bird's lungs is the same as the environment, and so birds have more efficient gas-
exchange of both oxygen and carbon dioxide than do mammals.
Avian lungs do not have alveoli, as mammalian lungs do, but instead contain millions of tiny passages
known as parabronchi, connected at either ends by the dorsobronchi and ventrobronchi. Air flows
through the honeycombed walls of the parabronchi and into air capillaries, where oxygen and carbon
dioxide are traded with cross-flowing blood capillaries by diffusion.
A diaphragm is absent in birds; the entire body cavity acts as a bellows to move air through the lungs.
The active phase of respiration in birds is exhalation, requiring effort of the musculature.
Circulatory system
Birds have four chambered hearts, in common with humans, most mammals and some reptiles. This
adaptation allows for efficient nutrient dispersion and oxygen transportation, throughout the body, which
provides birds with the energy they need to fly and to lead highly active lives. A Ruby-throated
[1]
Hummingbird's heart beats up to a rate of 1200 beats per minute (about 20 beats per second).
Digestive system
Birds possess a ventriculus, or gizzard, that is composed of four muscular bands that act to rotate and
crush food by shifting the food from one area to the next within the gizzard. Depending on the species,
the gizzard may contain small pieces of grit or stone that the bird has swallowed to aid in the grinding
process of digestion. For birds in captivity, only certain species of birds require grit in their diet for
digestion. The use of gizzard stones is a similarity between birds and dinosaurs, which left gizzard
stones called gastroliths as trace fossils.
Skeletal system
The skeleton of a dove.
The bird skeleton is highly adapted to the capacity for flight. It is extremely lightweight but strong
enough to withstand the stresses that a bird experiences, when taking off, flying or landing. One of the
adaptations that make this possible is the fusing of bones that are separate in mammals, into single
ossifications, such as the pygostyle. Because of this, birds usually have a smaller number of bones than
mammals or reptiles.
Birds have a jaw that has adapted into a beak, on which baby birds have an egg tooth.
Birds have many bones that are hollow, with criss-crossing struts or trusses (cross walls) for structural
strength. (Some flightless birds like penguins have only solid bones, however). The number of hollow
bones varies from species to species, though large gliding and soaring birds tend to have the most. Most
bones contain oxygen which also makes them lighter. Birds also have more cervical (neck) vertebrae
than many other animals; most have a highly flexible neck that consists of 13-25 vertebrae. Birds are the
only vertebrate animals to have a fused collarbone (the furcula or wishbone) or a keeled breastbone.
Muscular system
There are about 175 different muscles in the bird. They mainly control the wings, the skin and the legs,
but also many other parts of the bird. The largest muscles in the bird are the muscles that control the
wings. They are called the pectorals, or the breast muscles, and make up about 15 - 25% of a bird’s full
body weight. They make the birds’ wing stroke very powerful so that they can fly, and provide most of
the movements the bird needs for its down stroke. The muscle below the pectorals is the
supracoracoideus. It raises the wing when a bird is flying. The supracoracoideus and the pectorals
together make up about 25 – 35% of the birds’ full body weight.
The skin muscles help a bird in its flight by making the feathers, which are attached to the skin muscle,
go up, down, or move sideways. This helps the bird in its flight maneuvers.
There are only a few muscles in the trunk and the tail, but they are very strong and are essential for the
bird. The pygostyle controls all the movement in the tail and controls the feathers in the tail. This gives
the tail a larger surface area which helps keep the bird in the air.
Head
Birds have acute eyesight, with raptors having vision eight times sharper than humans. This is because
of many photoreceptors in the retina (up to 1,000,000 per square mm in Buteos, against 200,000 for
humans), a very high number of nerves connecting the receptors to the brain, a second set of eye
muscles not found in other animals, and, in birds of prey, an indented fovea which magnifies the central
part of the visual field. Many species, including hummingbirds and albatrosses, have two foveas in each
eye, and the ability to detect polarised light is also common.
Birds have a large brain to body mass ratio. This is reflected in the surprisingly advanced and complex
bird intelligence.
The region between the eye and bill on the side of a bird's head is called the lores. This region is
sometimes featherless, and the skin may be tinted (as in many species of the cormorant family).
Reproduction
Fledgling
Although most male birds have no external sex organs, the male does have two testes which become
hundreds of times larger during the breeding season to produce sperm. The female's ovaries also become
larger, although only the left ovary actually functions.
In the males of species without a phallus (see below), sperm is stored in the seminal glomera within the
cloacal protuberance prior to copulation. During copulation, the female moves her tail to the side and the
male either mounts the female from behind or in front (in the stitchbird), or moves very close to her. The
cloacae then touch, so that the sperm can enter the female's reproductive tract. This can happen very fast,
sometimes in less than one second.
The sperm is stored in the female's sperm storage tubules for anywhere from a week to a year, depending
on the species of bird. Then, one by one, eggs will be fertilised as they come out of the ovaries, before
being laid by the female. The eggs will then continue their development outside the female body.
A juvenile Laughing Gull
Many waterfowl and some other birds, such as the ostrich and turkey, do possess a phallus. When not
copulating, it is hidden within the proctodeum compartment within the cloaca, just inside the vent.
After the eggs hatch, parent birds provide varying degrees of care in terms of food and protection.
Precocial birds can care for themselves independently within minutes of hatching; altricial hatchlings are
helpless, blind, and naked, and require extended parental care. The chicks of many ground-nesting birds
such as partridges and waders are often able to run virtually immediately after hatching; such birds are
referred to as nidifugous. The young of hole-nesters, on the other hand, are often totally incapable of
unassisted survival. The process whereby a chick acquires feathers until it can fly is called "fledging".
Some birds, such as pigeons, geese, and Red-crowned Cranes, remain with their mates for life (or for a
long period) and may produce offspring on a regular basis.
References
1. ^ June Osborne (1998). The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. University of Texas Press, 14. ISBN
0292760477.
Bird bath
Photo of a mockingbird taking

a bath in a glass bowl bird bath.
The bottom of the bowl is
partially filled with smooth
pebbles in order to make it
shallow enough for the birds.
A bird bath is essentially a man-made puddle on a pedestal with a shallow basin filled with water for
bathing and drinking. Used in combination with bird feeders and species-appropriate shrubs and trees, a
bird bath is a powerful attraction for birds, especially during droughts.
Contents
● 1 Design and construction
❍ 1.1 A place to stand
❍ 1.2 A safe feeling
● 2 Maintenance
● 3 Welcoming larger birds
● 4 See also
Design and construction
Lorikeet-sized bird bath
The typical and traditional bird bath is made of molded concrete formed in two pieces, the bowl and the
pedestal. The bowl has an indentation or socket in the base which allows it to fit over the pedestal. The
pedestal is typically about one meter tall. Both bowl and pedestal are decorated with reliefs. The bowl
may have a shell type of motif or a woodland rocky spring motif. The pedestal usually has a motif of
vines or tree trunks. However, birds are also attracted to simpler designs, even a shallow plate or pie tin
placed beneath a slowly dripping water faucet will welcome birds to your garden.
Bird baths can be made with other types of materials including glass, metal, plastics, mosaic tile, or any
other material that can weather well and hold water. In addition to the standard shallow container of
standing water, there are also bird baths which use a recirculating pump with filters possibly coupled to
a water supply with an automatic valve which will keep the bird bath water cleaner and requires less day-
to-day care. Some use a solar powered pump to recirculate the water.
A place to stand
An important feature of a bird bath that should be considered in designing one, is a place to perch, to
avoid the risk of birds drowning. This requirement may be fulfilled simply by making the bowl or
container part shallow enough to allow birds to perch in the water. Another way is to add a number of
clean stones inside the bowl, to create places on which a bird might stand.
A safe feeling
Consideration should also be made to the issue of housecats or other predators, by placing the birdbath
in a location where the birds can see the area around it, and where there are no hiding places for
predators to lurk. This is one of the reasons birdbaths are customarily placed on pedestals.
Maintenance
A bird bath requires maintenance. Maintenance may be as simple as a daily quick wash and refill but it
will depend on the bird bath materials. This is important because of the possible adverse health effects of
birds drinking dirty water or water which may have become fouled with excrement. Fresh water is
important. Concrete bird baths tend to become mossy and require an occasional scrubbing out.
Welcoming larger birds

Larger birds, such as the Canada goose, also enjoy baths. They may be accommodated well by large
agricultural sprinklers in a field of stubble. The sight of several hundred or thousand large geese
"playing in the sprinklers" can be a moving experience. Providing such a place for migratory birds,
especially in urban and suburban areas devoid of wetlands is an excellent way of encouraging them to
frequent an area. As wetlands become more scarce, steps such as these can be important conservation
practices.
See also
● Bird feeder
● Bird watching
Bird feeding
Bird food | Bird feeder
A bird table, with a Wood Pigeon

on the roof, in an English garden.
The table provides water, peanuts,
sunflower seeds, and a seed mix
Bird feeding is the activity of feeding wild birds.
While birdwatchers seek out birds by species, bird feeders attempt to attract birds to suburban and
domestic locations. This requires setting up a feeding station and supplying bird food. The food might
include seeds, peanuts, bought food mixes, fat and suet. Additionally, a birdbath and grit (sand) that
birds store in their crops to help grind food as an aid to digestion, can be provided.
Certain foods tend to attract certain birds. Finches love niger thistle seed. Jays love corn. Hummingbirds
love nectar. Mixed seed attracts many birds. Black oil sunflower seed is favored by many seed-eating
species.
Feeding stations should be located near natural cover. Birds prefer not to be exposed. Therefore, putting
a bird feeding station by a window will attract only especially gregarious birds (such as sparrows and
starlings). While the viewer will want to have a clear line of sight to the feeding station, it is important
for the station to be near shrubbery or a tree. If the station is too close to a tree or shrub, pests such as
squirrels may find access to the station easy. Locating feeders near low cover gives predators such as
cats a hiding place from which to launch an ambush. Birds are messy eaters. If the feeding station is over
dirt or a lawn, whole cereals and unshelled sunflower seeds will germinate beneath the station, while
shelled nuts and degermed cereals will not.
After the station is established, it can take some weeks for birds to discover and start using it. This is
particularly true if the feeding station is the first one in an area or (in cold-winter areas) if the station is
being established in spring when natural sources of food are plentiful. Therefore, beginners should not
completely fill a feeder at first. The food will get old and spoil if it is left uneaten for too long. This is
particularly true of unshelled foods, such as thistle seed and suet. Once the birds begin taking food, the
feeder should be kept full. Additionally, people feeding birds should be sure that there is a source of
water nearby. A bird bath can attract as many birds as a feeding station.
Generally, bird feeding is environmentally neutral or helpful. However, birds can become dependent on
artificial food supplies, and feeding can upset the natural balance between different species. This is
especially true of invasive species, such as, in the US, European starlings and Eurasian tree sparrows,
which can increase in numbers due to feeding and displace native populations. Some bird feeders
therefore attempt to select foods and feeding stations that can discriminate between desired and invasive
species. Some species are considered "trash" birds because they are sighted so often. If there is concern
about fostering invasive species, it is best to feed during winter, when birds most need food, to taper
feeding activity in spring, and to increase again in fall, when fledging will have taken place and local
populations will be higher.
Different feeders can be purchased specialized for different species. Persons living on migration routes
should especially feed during the migration times (which may be year-round), as feeding will not be
likely to artificially promote local populations. During spring feeders make up less than 25% of a birds
diet but during winter months the birds will turn to the feeder which they have come to know as a
dependable food source.
When bird feeding, be sure to take hygiene and safety precautions, as the unnatural situation of having
large numbers of birds congregating in one area can lead to transmission of infectious diseases. Clean all
feeding stations regularly and wash away all droppings. Wear rubber gloves when undertaking these
tasks to avoid contact with bacteria and viruses that may be present in bird droppings. Other safety
precautions involve not feeding whole peanuts or unsoaked dried fruit during the breeding season as this
can be dangerous to nestlings, and never using net bags to feed birds, as birds may die as a result of their
feet or tongues getting trapped.
Large sums of money are spent by ardent bird feeders, who indulge their wild birds with a variety of
wild bird seeds, suets, nectars (for hummingbirds), and special flower plantings. Bird feeding is regarded
as the first or second most popular pastime in the USA. Some fifty-five million Americans are involved
in bird feeding. The activity has spawned an industry that sells birdseed, birdfeeders, birdhouses (nesting
boxes), mounting poles, squirrel baffles, binoculars, etc.
The ten commonest birds reported in U.S. gardens are, in descending order:
● Northern Cardinal
Mourning Dove
Dark-eyed Junco
American Goldfinch
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
● House Finch
Tufted Titmouse
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
(from the 2005 Great Backyard Bird Count)
Bird table in Blokker, The

Netherlands
The ten commonest birds in British gardens are, in descending order:
● House Sparrow
Common Starling
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Collared Dove
Wood Pigeon
Great Tit
Robin
(from the 2006 RSPB Garden Birdwatch. See also the RSPB's list of the twenty commonenst
garden birds[1])
In some cities or parts of cities (e.g. Trafalgar Square in London) feeding certain birds is forbidden,
either because they compete with vulnerable native species, or because they abound and cause pollution
and/or noise.
External links
● RSPB information regarding feeding and the dangers of net bags
● National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat
● Birdfeeding.org
● Project FeederWatch
● [2]
Bird intelligence
The level of intelligence in birds, as a scientific inquiry, has not been as thoroughly researched as
similar questions regarding primates and other mammals. However, there is a general belief that they are
more intelligent, as a class, than the reptiles, and that many species are just as intelligent as mammals of
comparable size. Because birds lack forelimbs with which to modify their surroundings, it is often
difficult to test for intelligence as we would define it for mammals. Traditionally, biological science has
maintained that most actions performed by birds that may indicate intelligence are merely ingrained
instinctual behaviours and that birds are unable to learn. One argument against the supposed intelligent
capabilities of bird species is that birds have a relatively small cerebral cortex, which is the part of the
brain considered to be the main area of intelligence in other animals [1]. However, it seems that birds
use a different part of their brain, the medio-rostral neostriatum/hyperstriatum ventrale, as the seat of
their intelligence, and the brain-to body size ratio of psitticines and corvines is actually comparable to
that of higher primates. [2]
Studies with captive birds have given us insight into which birds are the most intelligent. While parrots
have the distinction of being able to mimic human speech, studies with the African Grey Parrot have
shown that some are able to associate words with their meanings and form simple sentences. Along with
parrots, the crows, ravens, and jays (family Corvidae) are perhaps the most intelligent of birds. Not
surprisingly, research has shown that these species tend to have the largest hyperstriata. Dr. Harvey J.
Karten, a neuroscientist at UCSD who has studied the physiology of birds, discovered that the lower part
of avian brains are similar to ours.
Contents
● 1 Indications of intelligence in bird species
❍ 1.1 Vision
❍ 1.2 Social behaviour
❍ 1.3 Use of tools
❍ 1.4 Language
❍ 1.5 Migration
❍ 1.6 Conceptual skills
❍ 1.7 Other interesting behaviors showing higher intelligence
● 2 References
Indications of intelligence in bird species
Vision
Birds rely heavily on their eyes for flying and navigation. The brains of many birds must be able to
handle tasks differently from other animals. All flying birds must possess a fine level of motor control
for in-flight maneuvering and landing.
Most small birds are prey animals. Detecting the movement of predators in their environment is critical.
Their eyes are positioned on the sides of their heads to make this easier. They have monocular vision.
Other predatory species like owls are built differently. Their eyes are positioned in the front of their
heads so that they can calculate and maneuver a successful strike on a moving target. Owls eyes are so
large proportionally, they cannot move them independently. They are stationary inside the skull. That's
why they can rotate their heads nearly 360 degrees.
A bird of prey searching for a small rodent from high above the ground must be able to process a huge
amount of complex visual information. It helps that they can see in a different color spectrum than
humans. According to a video series distributed by PBS.org called "The Life Of Birds" by David
Attenborough, new research shows that hawks, for example, can easily see the urine in the grass found
around mouse habitats because it glows fluorescently for them. Seeing in a different color spectrum also
helps individual birds determine the sex of other members of their species. Light reflects differently off
the feathers of males and females. Perceiving this from a distance is obviously an advantage for a bird
who is defending his territory.
Social behaviour
Some scientists argue that the more social animals are, the more intelligent they seem to be. The human
race itself is an example of evidence that would support this conjecture. Both parrots and corvids have
shown tendencies towards organized social behaviour. Many corvid species separate into small family
groups or "clans" for activities like nesting and territorial defense. The birds will then congregate in
massive flocks made up of several different species for migratory purposes. When the migration period
is over, they will return to their original family groups. Scientists report that such behaviours indicate
intelligence, as they would require the birds to not only recognize and remember their former
companions, but also to interpret subtle changes in temperament and appearance.
Some birds use teamwork while hunting. Predatory birds hunting in pairs have been observed using a
"bait and switch" technique, whereby one bird will distract the prey while the other swoops in for the kill.
Use of tools
This New Caledonian postage stamp depicts a crow

using a simple stick tool.
Like primates, many bird species have taught themselves to use tools.
● New Caledonian Crows have been observed in the wild to use stick tools with their beaks to
extract insects from logs. While young birds in the wild normally learn this technique from
elders, a laboratory crow named "Betty" improvised a hooked tool from a wire with no prior
experience [3]. The woodpecker finch also uses simple stick tools to assist it in obtaining food.
● In captivity, a young cactus finch learned to imitate this behaviour by watching a woodpecker
finch in an adjacent cage.
● British documentarian David Attenborough, in his mini-series The Life of Birds, captured an
innovation the crows in urban Japan had developed. They dropped hard-shelled nuts onto
crosswalks. Once they were cracked by cars that ran over them, they were retrieved while the
cars were stopped at a red light.
● Striated Herons (Butorides striatus) use bait to catch fish.
Language
While birds have no form of spoken language, they do communicate with their flockmates through song,
calls, and body language. Studies have shown that the intricate territorial songs of some birds must be
learned at an early age, and that the memory of the song will serve the bird for the rest of its life. Some
bird species are able to communicate in a variety of dialects. For example, the New Zealand saddleback
will learn the different song "dialects" of clans of its own species, much as human beings might learn
diverse regional dialects. When a territory-owning male of the species dies, a young male will
immediately take his place, singing to prospective mates in the dialect appropriate to the territory he is in.
Recent studies indicate that they may also have an ability to understand grammatical structures.
A controversial study conducted by Ryan B. Reynolds has suggested budgerigars are able to form
simple, meaningful sentences. The evidence consists so far of only audio files, but they have yet to be
[1]
either proven or disproven. .
[edit] Migration
A flock of swans migrating
Scientists who have studied the mechanisms of bird migration over long distances have shown that while
a bird may be instinctively able, and biologically equipped, to make a first flight on its own, adults are
less prone to wander off-course than first-year fledglings. The birds were able to learn from experience
or remember landmarks for the benefit of future flights.
When a group of birds fly together, they often form a V shape. This creates a slipstream between the
birds, making an area of reduced pressure in the middle of the formation. This reduces air-resistance,
enabling the flock to travel up to 75% faster than they would individually. The first bird encounters the
majority of the air-resistance; as a consequence, the lead bird changes repeatedly as the flock travels. If a
bird falls out of formation, two other birds generally leave with that bird to help it return to the flock
with a similar formation.
Moreover, birds observe and integrate subtle visual clues to aid in their navigation, including the
movement of the sun, visual landmarks, cloud movements, wind direction, and the earth's own magnetic
field. Individual birds use different sources of information to navigate and may switch from one source
to another while in flight.
Conceptual skills
Some birds, notably pigeons, have demonstrated the ability to conceptualize. In one study, conducted at
Harvard in 1964, it was shown that pigeons have a general concept of "human," which includes male
humans and female humans, individual body parts, and the human body from the back, from below, and
from above. When shown photographs of all of the above, the pigeons recognized the photos as
"human." They also recognized photographs of human beings in "disguise" (i.e, a human in the nude,
wearing strange clothes, or shown out of proportion).
Another study conducted with pigeons showed that the birds were able to distinguish between the
artworks of different artists. For example, they could tell the difference between a Picasso and a Monet.
Other interesting behaviors showing higher intelligence
In an article published in 1995 by the National Geographic magazine, the macaw project at Tambopata
Research Center in the rain forest of Peru studied what the wild birds eat. Since most food items are
available only seasonally, researchers discovered that during the dry season, birds are forced to eat seeds
that are poisonous. To medicate themselves, hundreds of birds of many species of parrots and macaws
congregate at a nearby riverbank at the world's largest known avian clay lick. The clay that they
consume helps bind the toxins and prevent sickness in the birds. [4]
Cormorants used by Chinese fisherman are often rewarded with fish on every seventh fish that they
catch. The cormorants learn this pattern and are able to keep count and predict their reward and will wait
for it if the fisherman fails to keep count.
Hummingbirds feeding on bushes with flowers are able to remember the spatial distribution of flowers
that have nectar and ones that do not and will not revisit bad ones.
Many frugivorous birds have seasonal foraging patterns based on the flowering and fruiting seasons and
the locations of fruiting trees in a forest.
References
1. ^ Elvira Cordileone (2006). Are Birds Trying to Tell Us Things? (article). Toronto Star.
Retrieved on 7 May 2006. publication date: 23 Mar. 2006
External links
● An overview of the brain at the Life of Birds website
● The anatomy of a bird brain
Nidification
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Nidification is the process of making a nest. Nidification is with most birds the beginning of the
breeding season, but with many it is a labor that is scamped if not shirked. Some of the auk tribe place
their single egg on a bare ledge of rock, where its peculiar conical shape is but a precarious safeguard
when rocked by the wind or stirred by the thronging crowd of its parents' fellows. The stone-curlew and
the goatsucker deposit their egsfdsfsdfgs without the slightest preparation of the soil on which they rest;
yet this is nodfsdfsdfsdfsdf done at haphazard, for no birds can be more constant in selecting, almost to
an inch, the very same spot which year after year they choose for their procreant cradle. In marked
contrast to such artless care stand the wonderful structures, which others such as the tailorbird, the bottle
titmouse or the fantail warbler, build for the comfort or safety of their young. But every variety of
disposition may be found in the class. The apteryx seems to entrust its abnormally big egg to an
excavation among the roots of a tree fern; while a band of female ostriches scrape holes in the desert-
sand and therein promiscuously drop their eggs and leave the task of incubation to the male. Some
megapodes bury their eggs in sand, leaving thorn to come to maturity by the mere warmth of the ground,
while others raise a huge hotbed of dead leaves wherein they deposit theirs, and the young are hatched
without further care on the part of either parent. Some of the grebes and rails seem to avail themselves in
a less degree of the heat generated by vegetable decay and, dragging from the bottom or sides of the
waters they frequent fragments of aquatic plants, form of them a rude half-floating mass which is piled
on some growing water-weed but these birds do not spurn the duties of maternity.
Many of the gulls, sandpipers and plovers lay their eggs in a shallow pit which they hollow out in the
soil, and then as incubation proceeds add thereto a low breastwork of stems. The ringed plover
commonly places its eggs on shingle, which they so much resemble in color, but when breeding on
grassy uplands it paves the nest-hole with small stones. Pigeons mostly make an artless platform of
sticks so loosely laid together that their pearly treasures may be perceived from beneath by the
inquisitive observer.
The magpie, as though self-conscious that its own thieving habits may be imitated by its neighbors,
surrounds its nest with a hedge of thorns. Very many birds of almost every group bore holes in some
sandy cliff, and at the end of their tunnel deposit their eggs with or without [bedding. Such bedding, too,
is very various in character; thus, while the sheidduck and the sand martin supply the softest of materials
the one of down from her own body, the other of feathers collected by dint of diligent search, the
kingfisher forms a couch of the undigested spiny fish bones which she ejects in pellets from her own
stomach. Other birds, such as the woodpeckers, hew holes in living trees, even when the timber is of
considerable hardness, and therein establish their nursery. Some of the swifts secrete from their salivary
glands a fluid which rapidly hardens as it dries on exposure to the air into a substance resembling
isinglass, and thus furnish the "edible birds' nests" that are the delight of Chinese epicures. In the
architecture of nearly all the passerine birds, too, some salivary secretion seems to play an important
part. By its aid they are enabled to moisten and bend the otherwise refractory twigs and straws, and glue
them to their place. Spider webs also are employed with great advantage for the purpose last mentioned,
but perhaps chiefly to attach fragments of moss and lichen so as to render the whole structure less
obvious to the eye of the spoiler. The tailorbird deliberately spins a thread of cotton and therewith
stitches together the edges of a pair of leaves to make a receptacle for its nest. Beautiful, too, is the felt
fabricated of fur or hairs by the various species of titmouse, while many birds ingeniously weave into a
compact mass both animal and vegetable fibers, forming an admirable insulating medium which guards
the eggs from the extremes of temperature outside. Such a structure may be open and cup-shaped,
supported from below as that of the chaffinch and goldfinch, domed like that of the wren and bottle-
titmouse, slung hammock wise as in the case of the golden-crested wren and the orioles, or suspended by
a single cord as with certain grosbeaks and hummingbirds. Certain warblers (Aedon and Thamnobia)
invariably lay a piece of shedded snake skin in their nests-to repel, it has been suggested, marauding
lizards who may thereby fear the neighborhood of a deadly enemy.
The clay-built edifices of the swallow and martin are known to everybody, and the nuthatch plasters up
the gaping mouth of its nest-hole till only a postern large enough for entrance and exit, but easy of
defense, is left. In South America the ovenbirds (Furnariidae) construct on the branches of trees globular
ovens, so to speak, of mud, wherein the eggs are laid and the young hatched. The flamingo erects in the
marshes it frequents a mound of earth sometimes 2 feet in height, with a cavity atop. The females of the
hornbills submit to incarceration during this interesting period, the males immuring them by a barrier of
mud, leaving only a small window to admit air and food. But though in a general way the dictates of
hereditary instinct are rigidly observed by birds, in many species a remarkable degree of elasticity is
exhibited, or the rule of habit is rudely broken. Thus the falcon, whose ordinary eyry is on the beetling
cliff, will for the convenience of procuring prey condescend to lay its eggs on the ground in a marsh, or
appropriate the nest of some other bird in a tree. The golden eagle, too, remarkably adapts itself to
circumstances, now rearing its young on a precipitous ledge, now on the arm of an ancient monarch of
the forest and again on a treeless plain, making a humble home amid grass and herbage. Herons will
breed according to circumstances, in an open fen, on banks or, as is most usual, on lofty trees. Such
changes are easy to understand. The instinct of finding food for the family is predominant, and where
most food is there will the feeders be gathered together. This explains, in all likelihood, the associated
bands of ospreys or fish hawks, which in North America breed, or used to breed, in large companies
where sustenance is plentiful, though in the Old World the same species brooks not the society of aught
but its mate. Birds there are of eminently social predilections.
In Europe, apart from sea birds, whose congregations are universal and known to all, only the heron, the
fieldfare and the rook habitually flock during the breeding season; but in other parts of the world many
birds unite in company at that time, and in none possibly is this habit so strongly developed as in the anis
of the neotropical region, the republican swallow of North America and the sociable grosbeak of South
Africa, which last joins nest to nest until the tree is said to break down under the accumulated weight of
the common edifice. In the strongest contrast to these amiable qualities is the parasitic nature of the
cuckoos of the Old World and the cowbirds of the New. The egg of the parasite is introduced into the
nest of the dupe, and after the necessary incubation by the fond fool of a foster mother the interloper
successfully counterfeits the heirs, who perish miserably, victims of his superior strength. The whole
process has been often watched, but the reflective naturalist will pause to ask how such a state of things
came about, and there is not much to satisfy his inquiry. Certain it is that some birds whether by mistake
or stupidity do not infrequently lay their eggs in the nests of others. It is within the knowledge of many
that pheasant and partridge eggs are often laid in the same nest, and gull eggs have been found in the
nests of eider ducks and vice versa; a redstart and a pied flycatcher will lay their eggs in the same
convenient hole, the forest being rather deficient in such accommodation; an owl and a duck will resort
to the same nest box, set up by a scheming woodsman for his own advantage; and the starling, which
constantly dispossesses the green woodpecker, sometimes discovers that the rightful heir of the domicile
has to be brought up by the intruding tenant. In all such cases it is not possible to say which species is so
constituted as to obtain the mastery, but it is not difficult to conceive that in the course of ages that
which was driven from its home might thrive through the fostering of its young by the invader, and thus
the abandonment of domestic habits and duties might become a direct gain to the evicted householder.
The correlation between nests and the coloration of the birds has been investigated by A. R. Wallace.
Accordingly he divides birds into two main groups, first those in which the sexes are alike and of
conspicuous or showy colors, and which nidificate in a covered site; secondly, those in which the males
are showy and the females somber, and which use open sites for their nests.
The many exceptions to these generalizations caused J. A. Allen to write an adverse criticism. C. Dixon
has reviewed the question from Wallace's point of view. He established the following categories.
1. Birds in which the plumage of the male is bright and conspicuous in color, and that of the female dull
and somber, and which nidificate in open sites. In these very common cases, the female alone incubates,
and obviously derives protection from its inconspicuous plumage.
2. Birds in which the plumage of both sexes is showy or brilliant in color, and which nidificate in open
nests. This group forms one of those exceptions, which at first sight appear seriously to affect the
validity of Wallace's theory. In most of the cases, however, the birds, as, for instance, crows, gulls,
herons, are either well able to defend themselves and their nests or, as, for instance, the sandpipers, they
seek safety for themselves in flight, relying upon the protective tints of their eggs or young.
3. Birds in which the male is less brilliant than the female, and which nidificate in open nests. Such birds
are exceedingly few, e.g. the Phalaropes, the common cassowary, the emu, a carrion hawk (Milvago
leucurus) from the Falkland Islands, an Australian treecreeper (Climacteris erythrops) and an Australian
goatsucker (Eurystopodus albigularis). In all these cases the male performs the duty of incubation. The
male tinamous do the same, although they do not differ from their mates, but the conspicuously colored
male ostrich takes this duty upon himself during the night.
4. Birds in which both sexes are brightly colored, and which rear their young in holes or covered nests.
For instance, the gaudy colored rollers, bee-eaters, kingfishers, the hoopoe, hornbills, toucans, parrots,
tits, the sheldrake and many others.
5. Birds in which both sexes are dull in color, and which build covered nests from motives of safety
other than concealment. For example, the swifts (Cypselus), the sand martin (Cotyle riparia), wrens,
dippers and owls.
6. Birds in which the female is duller in color than the male, and which nidificate in covered nests. For
example, the redstart (Ruticilla phoenicura), the pied flycatcher (Muscicapa atricapilla), rock thrushes
(Monticola), chats (Saxicola) and robin-chats (Thamnobia), and birds of the genus Malurus. In some of
these cases the showy male bird assists in incubation, the kind of nest allowing him to do so with safety.
Similar difficulties beset the generalizations concerning the correlation of the color of the eggs and the
exposed or hidden condition of the nest. The eggs of most birds which breed in holes, or even in covered
nests, are white, but the number of exceptions is so great that no general rule can be laid down to this
effect. Conversely the number of birds that lay purely white eggs in open nests, such as pigeons, is also
large.
The eggs of owls are always white, whether they are deposited in holes on the bare ground or in open
nests in a tree. The eggs of the goshawk are white, but those of its small relation, the sparrow hawk, are
always blotched, the nest of both being built precisely in the same kind of position. In regard to the
almost countless cases of spotted eggs in holes or covered nests, of which so many groups of birds
furnish examples either wholly or in part, it has been suggested that the species in question has taken to
hiding its eggs in times comparatively recent, and has not yet, got rid of the ancestral habit of secreting
and depositing pigment.
Most of the smaller Passeres seem to hatch their young in from 13-15 days. The shortest period, only 10
days, is recorded of the small Zosterops coerulescens; the largest, amounting to about 8 weeks, is that of
some of the larger Ratitae, penguins and the condor. The best list, comprising birds of most groups, is
that by W. Evans. Speaking broadly, the largest birds lay the largest eggs and require the longest time
for incubation, but there are very many exceptions, and only birds of the same group can be compared
with each other. The domestic chicken takes 21 days, but the pheasant, though so very nearly allied,
takes 2 or 3 days longer, and even the small partridge requires 24 clays. The mallard takes 26, the
domestic duck 27, the musk duck 35 days, like most of the swans.
The cuckoo, with 13 to 14 days, seems to have adapted itself to the short period of its foster parents. The
whole question still affords ample opportunities of experimental investigation and comparison. The
condition of the newly hatched birds also varies extremely. The Nidifugae are born with their eyes open,
are thinly clothed with neossoptiles of simple structure, leave the nest on the first day and feed
themselves. The Nidicolae are born blind, remain a long time in the nest and have to be fed by their
parents. Taken as a whole, the Nidifugae comprise most of the phylogenetically older groups; but many
of these may include some closely allied members which have reached the developmental level of the
Nidicolae: for instance, some Alcidae, the pigeons, Sphenisci, Tubinares, Ciconiae. While in the first
category the sense, tegumentary and locomotory organs are far advanced, these are retarded in the
Nidicolae, the development of these structures being shifted onto the post-embryonic period. Yet the
length of the incubation is by no means always longer in the Nidifugae, when compared with equal-sized
Nidicolae.
References
● This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication
now in the public domain.
Fossil birds
Neornithes | Aves incertae sedis
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A cast of the Berlin specimen of

Archaeopteryx, the most famous prehistoric
bird.
Birds evolved from feathered dinosaurs and there is no real dividing line between birds and dinosaurs,
except of course that the former survived the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event and the latter did not.
For the purposes of this article, a 'bird' is considered to be any member of the clade Aves. Some dinosaur
groups which may or may not be true birds are listed below under 'Proto-birds'.
This page contains a listing of prehistoric bird taxa only known from completely fossilized specimens.
These extinctions took place before the Late Quaternary and thus took place in the absence of human
interference. Rather, reasons for extinction are stochastic abiotic events such as bolide impacts, climate
change due to orbital shifts, mass volcanic eruptions etc. Alternatively, species may have gone extinct
due to evolutionary displacement by successor or competitor taxa - it is notable that an extremely large
number of seabirds have gone extinct during the mid-Tertiary; this is probably due to competition by the
contemporary radiation of marine mammals. The relationships of these taxa are often hard to determine,
as many are known only from very fragmentary remains and due to the complete fossilization precluding
analysis of information from DNA, RNA or protein sequencing. The taxa listed in this article should be
classified with the Wikipedia conservation status category "Fossil".
Contents
● 1 Taxonomic List of Fossil Prehistoric Birds
❍ 1.1 †"Proto-birds"
❍ 1.2 †Basal Aves
■ 1.2.1 Omnivoropterygiformes
❍ 1.3 †Basal Pygostylia
❍ 1.4 †Enantiornithes
■ 1.4.1 Iberomesornithiformes
■ 1.4.2 Cathyornithiformes
■ 1.4.3 Gobipterygiformes
■ 1.4.4 Enantiornithiformes
❍ 1.5 †Basal Ornithurae
■ 1.5.1 Yanornithiformes
❍ 1.6 †Hesperornithes
❍ 1.7 †Ichthyornithes
❍ 1.8 Neornithes
■ 1.8.1 Struthioniformes
■ 1.8.2 †Lithornithiformes
■ 1.8.3 Tinamiformes
■ 1.8.4 Anseriformes
■ 1.8.5 Galliformes
■ 1.8.6 Charadriiformes
■ 1.8.7 Gruiformes
■ 1.8.8 Phoenicopteriformes
■ 1.8.9 Podicipediformes
■ 1.8.10 Ciconiiformes
■ 1.8.11 Pelecaniformes
■ 1.8.12 Procellariiformes
■ 1.8.13 Gaviiformes
■ 1.8.14 Sphenisciformes
■ 1.8.15 Pteroclidiformes
■ 1.8.16 Columbiformes
■ 1.8.17 Psittaciformes
■ 1.8.18 Cuculiformes
■ 1.8.19 Falconiformes
■ 1.8.20 Caprimulgiformes
■ 1.8.21 Apodiformes
■ 1.8.22 Coliiformes
■ 1.8.23 Strigiformes
■ 1.8.24 Trogoniformes
■ 1.8.25 Piciformes
■ 1.8.26 Passeriformes
❍ 1.9 Aves incertae sedis
■ 1.9.1 †Liaoningornithiformes
■ 1.9.2 †Eurolimnornithiformes
■ 1.9.3 †Palaeocursornithiformes
❍ 1.10 Ichnotaxa
● 2 References
● 3 See also
Taxonomic List of Fossil Prehistoric Birds

Extinct genera are presented in ascending chronological order. Extinct forms of extant genera are sorted
alphabetically by genus first, then chronologically.
The higher-level groups of non-Neornithes are arranged after Chiappe (2001, 2002), updated and
expanded to incorporate recent research. These categories are inclusive in ascending order: e.g., every
basal pygostylian is a member of the Aves (but more advanced than "basal Aves"), etc.
Please be aware that taxonomic assignments, especially in the pygostylian to early neornithine
genera, are still very provisional and subject to quite frequent change.
†"Proto-birds"
This category contains very early fossils that some consider the earliest evidence of birds and others
which are generally agreed to be theropods but the placement of which in regard to birds is
controversial, with most scientists consider them closely related to birds and others avian enough to
include in the latter. In any case, these forms demonstrate that feathered wings were not limited to true
birds, but evolved independently in several related lineages of theropods
● Protoavis (Late Triassic) - a nomen dubium

Palaeopteryx (Late Jurassic) - a nomen dubium
● Alvarezsauridae
❍ Shuvuuia (Late Cretaceous)
● Oviraptorosauria
❍ Caudipteryx (Early Cretaceous)
● Scansoriopterygidae
❍ Epidendrosaurus (Early Cretaceous)
● Troodontidae
❍ Mei (Early Cretaceous)
● Dromaeosauridae
❍ Rahonavis (Late Cretaceous)
● Yandangornis
†Basal Aves
Model of Sapeornis chaoyangensis, a short-

legged Early Cretaceous bird the size of a
large grouse which probably fed on fruit
and nuts.
The most primitive birds, usually still possessing a long bony tail with generally unfused vertebrae.
● Unresolved forms
❍ Dalianraptor (Jiufotang Early Cretaceous of Liaoning, China)
Hebeiornis (Yixian? Early Cretaceous? of Hebei, China)

Jixiangornis (Early Cretaceous)
Shenzhouraptor (Early Cretaceous)
Hulsanpes (Late Cretaceous)
● Archaeopterygidae
❍ Archaeopteryx (Late Jurassic)
Wellnhoferia (Late Jurassic) - may be synonym of Archaeopteryx
Omnivoropterygiformes
● Omnivoropterygidae
❍ Omnivoropteryx (Early Cretaceous)
❍ Sapeornis (Jiufotang Early Cretaceous of Chaoyang City, China)
†Basal Pygostylia
Reconstruction of two Confuciusornis in

flught, showing their strange wing shape.
The earliest birds with a modern pygostyle: a reduction and fusion of the tail vertebrae.
❍ Abavornis (Late Cretaceous) - enantiornithine?
❍ Catenoleimus
❍ Explorornis
❍ Incolornis
● Confuciusornithidae
❍ Proornis (Sinniju Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous of Sinnuiju City, North Korea)
❍ Changchengornis (Early Cretaceous of Chaomidianzi, China)
❍ Confuciusornis (Early Cretaceous)
❍ Jinzhouornis
†Enantiornithes
"Opposite Birds" due to the way their foot bones are fused; an extinct Mesozoic sub-class.
● Unresolved and basal forms

❍ Concornis (Early Cretaceous)
❍ Cuspirostrisornis (Early Cretaceous)
❍ Eoenantiornis (Early Cretaceous)

❍ Jibeinia (Early Cretaceous) - a nomen dubium
❍ Largirostrornis (Early Cretaceous)
❍ Liaoxiornis (Early Cretaceous)
❍ Longchengornis (Early Cretaceous)
❍ Longipteryx (Early Cretaceous)
❍ Longirostravis (Early Cretaceous)
❍ Vescornis (Early Cretaceous)
❍ Enantiornithes gen. et sp. indet. CAGS−IG−02−0901 (Early Cretaceous)
❍ Enantiornithes gen. et sp. indet. CAGS−IG−04−CM−007 (Early Cretaceous)
❍ Eoalulavis (Middle Cretaceous)
❍ Halimornis (Late Cretaceous)
❍ Kizylkumavis (Late Cretaceous)
❍ Lenesornis (Late Cretaceous)
❍ Sazavis (Late Cretaceous)
❍ Gurilynia (Late Cretaceous) - enantiornithiform?
❍ Yungavolucris (Late Cretaceous) - enantiornithiform (avisaurid)?
❍ Enantiornithes gen. et sp. indet. MCSNM V3882a (Late Cretaceous)
❍ Enantiornithes gen. et sp. indet. RBCM.EH2005.003.0002 (Late Cretaceous)
❍ Aberratiodontus
❍ Alexornis
❍ Dapingfangornis
● Kuszholiidae
❍ Kuszholia (Late Cretaceous)
Iberomesornithiformes
● Iberomesornithidae
❍ Iberomesornis (Early Cretaceous)
❍ Noguerornis (Early Cretaceous)
Cathyornithiformes
● Cathayornithidae
❍ Boluochia (Early Cretaceousa)
❍ Cathayornis (Early Cretaceous) - includes Sinornis
❍ Eocathayornis
Gobipterygiformes
● Gobipterygidae
❍ Gobipteryx (Late Cretaceous)
Enantiornithiformes
❍ Lectavis (Late Cretaceous) - avisaurid?
● Enantiornithidae
❍ Enantiornis (Late Cretaceous)
● Zhyraornithidae
❍ Zhyraornis (Late Cretaceous)
● Avisauridae
❍ Avisaurus (Late Cretaceous)
❍ Neuquenornis (Late Cretaceous)
❍ Soroavisaurus (Late Cretaceous)
†Basal Ornithurae
Essentially modern birds, except many still possess a few primitive features such as teeth or wing claws.

❍ Gansus (Early Cretaceous) - basal
❍ Apsaravis (Djadokhta Late Cretaceous of Ukhaa Tolgod, Mongolia)
❍ Archaeorhynchus (Early Cretaceous of Liaoning, China)
❍ Limenavis (Allen Late Cretaceous of Salitral Moreno, Argentina)
❍ "cf. Parahesperornis" (Nemegt Late Cretaceous of Tsagaan Kushu, Mongolia) -
hesperornithiform?
❍ Carinatae gen. et sp. indet. NHMM/RD 271 (Maastricht Late Cretaceous, CBR-
Romontbos Quarry, Belgium) - ichthyornithine?

❍ Ornithurae gen. et sp. indet. RBCM.EH2005.003.0001 (Northumberland Late Cretaceous
of Hornby Island, Canada)

❍ Ornithurae gen. et sp. indet. TMP 98.68.145 (Dinosur Park Late Cretaceous of Iddesleigh,
Canada) - hesperornithiform?
● Ambiortidae
❍ Ambiortus (Early Cretaceous of Mongolia)
Yanornithiformes
● Songlingornithidae
❍ Songlingornis (Jiufotang Early Cretaceous of Liaoning, China)
❍ Yanornis (Jiutotang Early Cretaceous of Chaoyang City, China)
❍ Yixianornis (Jiufotang Early Cretaceous of Chaoyang City, China)

†Hesperornithes
Skull of a Hesperornis with the unique teeth.
Large, toothed, loon-like diving birds.

❍ Hesperornithiformes gen. et sp. indet. (Late Cretaceous)
❍ Hesperornithiformes gen. et sp. indet. TMP 89.81.12 (Late Cretaceous)
❍ Judinornis (Late Cretaceous)
❍ Potamornis (Late Cretaceous) - hesperornithid?
❍ Pasquiaornis
● Enaliornithidae
❍ Enaliornis (Early Cretaceous)
● Baptornithidae
❍ Baptornis (Late Cretaceous)
● Hesperornithidae
❍ Hesperornis (Late Cretaceous)
❍ Parahesperornis (Late Cretaceous)
❍ Canadaga
❍ Coniornis
†Ichthyornithes
Toothed birds similar to modern gulls.
● Ichthyornidae
❍ Ichthyornis (Late Cretaceous)
Home | Up | Paleornithology | Fossil birds
Podicipedidae
Grebes
Grebes are members of the Podicipediformes order, a
widely distributed order of freshwater diving birds, some
of which visit the sea when migrating and in winter. This
order contains only a single family, the Podicipedidae,
containing 20 species in 6 genera.
Grebes are small to medium-large in size, have lobed

toes, and are excellent swimmers and divers. However,
they have their feet placed far back on the body, making
them quite ungainly on land. They leave the water only to
nest, walking very short distances upright like penguins.
They can run for a short distance, but often fall over.
Grebes have narrow wings, and some species are

reluctant to fly; indeed, two South American species are Western Grebe
completely flightless. They respond to danger by diving Scientific classification
rather than flying, and are in any case much less wary
than ducks. Kingdom: Animalia
However, the North American and Eurasian species are Phylum: Chordata
all, of necessity, migratory over much or all of their
ranges, and those species that winter at sea are also seen Class: Aves
regularly in flight. Even the small freshwater Pied-billed
Grebe of North America has occurred as a transatlantic
vagrant to Europe on more than 30 occasions. Order: Podicipediformes
Fürbringer, 1888
Bills vary from short and thick to long and pointed; the Family: Podicipedidae
feet are always large, with broad lobes on the toes and Bonaparte, 1831
small webs connecting the front three toes. The hind toe Genera
also has a small lobe. Recent experimental work has
shown that these lobes work like the hydrofoil blades of a
propeller. Curiously, the same mechanism seems to have
evolved independently in the extinct Cretaceous-age
Hesperornithiformes.
Grebes have unusual plumage. It is dense and waterproof, Podiceps
and on the underside the feathers are at right-angles to the Tachybaptus
skin, sticking straight out to begin with and curling at the Podilymbus
tip. By pressing their feathers against the body, grebes Aechmophorus
can adjust their buoyancy. Often, they swim low in the Poliocephalus
water with just the head and neck exposed. Rollandia
In the non-breeding season, grebes are plain-coloured in dark browns and whites. However, most have
ornate and distinctive breeding plumages, often developing chestnut markings on the head area, and
perform elaborate display rituals. The young, particularly those of the Podiceps genus, are often striped
and retain some of their juvenile plumage even after reaching full size.
When preening, grebes eat their own feathers, and feed them to their young. The function of this
behaviour is uncertain but it is believed to assist with pellet formation and to reduce their vulnerability to
gastric parasites.
The grebes share anatomical characters with and are genetically most closely related to flamingos
Phoenicopteridae, in spite of their superficial differences.
Species in taxonomic order

● Genus Tachybaptus
❍ Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae

Madagascar Grebe, Tachybaptus pelzelnii
Alaotra Grebe (Rusty Grebe), Tachybaptus rufolavatus - probably extinct (late 1980s)
Least Grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus
● Genus Podilymbus
❍ Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
†Atitlán Grebe, Podilymbus gigas Conservation status: Extinct (1989)
● Genus Rollandia
❍ White-tufted Grebe, Rollandia rolland
Titicaca Flightless Grebe, Rollandia microptera
● Genus Poliocephalus
❍ Hoary-headed Grebe, Poliocephalus poliocephalus
New Zealand Dabchick, Poliocephalus rufopectus
● Genus Podiceps
❍ Red-necked Grebe, Podiceps grisegena
Great Crested Grebe, Podiceps cristatus
Slavonian Grebe or Horned Grebe, Podiceps auritus
Black-necked Grebe or Eared Grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
†Colombian Grebe, Podiceps andinus Conservation status: Extinct (1977)
Great Grebe, Podiceps major
Silvery Grebe, Podiceps occipitalis
Junin Flightless Grebe, Podiceps taczanowskii
Hooded Grebe, Podiceps gallardoi
● Genus Aechmophorus
❍ Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Clark's Grebe, Aechmophorus clarkii
External links
● Grebe videos on the Internet Bird Collection
References
● Grebes of our world by André Konter. Lynx Edicions. 187 pages. ISBN 84-87334-33-4
Home | Up | Pachycephalidae | Paradoxornithidae | Paramythiidae | Pardalotidae | Parulidae

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| Picathartes | Picathartidae | Picidae | Pitta | Plotopteridae | Pluvianellidae | Podicipedidae | Polioptilidae
| Presbyornithidae | Psittacidae | Pteroclididae | Ptilogonatidae
Duck
Ducks
Duck is the common name for a number of species in the
Anatidae family of birds. The ducks are divided between
several subfamilies listed in full in the Anatidae article.
Ducks are mostly aquatic birds, mostly smaller than their
relatives the swans and geese, and may be found in both
fresh water and sea water.
Most ducks have a wide flat beak adapted for dredging.

They exploit a variety of food sources such as grasses,
grains and aquatic plants, fish, and insects. Diving ducks
forage deep underwater; Dabbling ducks feed on the
surface of water or land. Dabbling ducks have special A female and male Mallard
plates called lamellae[1] that are similar to a whale's Scientific classification
baleen. These tiny rows of plates along the inside of the
Kingdom: Animalia
bill allow them to filter water out of the side of their bills
and keep food inside. To be able to submerge more
easily, the diving ducks are heavier than dabbling ducks, Phylum: Chordata
and therefore have more difficulty taking off to fly. A few
specialized species (the goosander and the mergansers) Class: Aves
are adapted to catch large fish.
Order: Anseriformes
In Ohio, one of a duck's biggest enemies is the muskie,
which has been known to eat fully grown ducks. In
Britain, big pike have been known to swallow fully Family: Anatidae
grown wild ducks whole, and pike often take small
ducklings.
Subfamilies
The males (drakes) of northern species often have Dendrocygninae
extravagant plumage, but this is moulted in summer to Oxyurinae
Anatinae
give a more female-like appearance, the "eclipse"
Merginae
plumage. Many species of ducks are temporarily
flightless while moulting; they seek out protected habitat with good food supplies during this period.
This moult typically precedes migration.
Some duck species, mainly those breeding in the temperate and arctic Northern Hemisphere, are
migratory, but others are not. Some, particularly in Australia where rainfall is patchy and erratic, are
nomadic, seeking out the temporary lakes and pools that form after localised heavy rain.
Some people use "duck" specifically for adult females and "drake" for adult males, for the species
described here; others use "hen" and "drake", respectively.
Ducks are sometimes confused with several types of unrelated water birds with similar forms, such as
loons or divers, grebes, gallinules, and coots.
Etymology
The word duck from (Anglo-Saxon dūce) meaning the bird, came from the verb "to duck" (from Anglo-
Saxon supposed *dūcan) meaning "to bend down low as if to get under something", because of the way
many species in the dabbling duck group feed by upending (compare the Dutch word duiken = "to dive").
This happened because the older Old English word for "duck" came to be pronounced the same as the
word for "end": other Germanic languages still have similar words for "duck" and "end": for example,
Dutch eend = "duck", eind = "end"; compare Latin anas (stem anat-) = "duck", Sanskrit anta (masc.) =
"end", Lithuanian antis = "duck".
Ducks and humans

In many areas, wild ducks of various species (including ducks farmed and released into the wild) are
hunted for food or sport, by shooting, or formerly by decoys. From this came the expression "a sitting
duck", which means "an easy target".
Ducks have many economic uses, being farmed for their meat, eggs, feathers and down feathers. They
are also kept and bred by aviculturists and often displayed in zoos. All domestic ducks are descended
from the wild Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, except Muscovy Ducks[2]. Many breeds have become much
larger than their wild ancestor, with a "hull length" (from base of neck to base of tail) of 30 cm (12
inches) or more and routinely able to swallow an adult British Common Frog, Rana temporaria, whole.
Foie gras is often made using the liver of ducks, rather than of geese.
In a wildlife pond, the bottom over most of the area should be too deep for dabbling wild ducks to reach
the bottom, to protect bottom-living life from being constantly disturbed and eaten by wild ducks
dredging, and domestic ducks should not be allowed in.
Generally, the sound made by ducks is called a "quack". A common false urban legend asserts that
[3]
quacks do not echo.
Ducks and humor
In 2002, psychologist Richard Wiseman and colleagues at the University of Hertfordshire (UK) finished
a year-long LaughLab experiment, concluding that, of the animals in the world, the duck is the type that
attracts most humor and silliness; he said "If you're going to tell a joke involving an animal, make it a
duck." The word "duck" may have become an inherently funny word in many languages because ducks
are seen as a silly animal, and their odd appearance compared to other birds. Of the many ducks in
fiction, many are silly cartoon characters (see the New Scientist article [1] mentioning humor in the word
"duck").
Trivia
● Some Ancient Egyptian wall pictures show that (some of) the ships of the Sea Peoples had
[4]
ornamental prows shaped like a duck's head.
Gallery
Ruddy Shelduck - not a

Male Wood Duck in
African Comb Duck Mallard drake true duck but a member
eclipse plumage
of the Tadorninae
Female Mallard with

Female Mallard Mallard drake . Male Muscovy duck
ducklings
A duck enjoying the
Pair of Mallard Ducks. A male mallard. A duck right after a swim
afternoon
Mandarin Duck at Daffy Duck and Bugs

Slimbridge Wildfowl and Ten ducklings follow Ducks swimming in a Bunny in the famous
Wetlands Centre, their mother. pond 1952 Merrie Melodies
Gloucestershire, England. cartoon Rabbit Seasoning.
See also
● Domesticated duck — ducks kept as pets or show animals and for meat and eggs and down
● List of fictional ducks
References
1. ^ Ogden, Evans. Dabbling Ducks. CWE. Retrieved on 2006-11-02.
2. ^ Mallard - Nature Notes. Ducks Unlimited Canada. Retrieved on 2006-11-02.
3. ^ Amos, Jonathan. Sound science is quackers. BBC News. Retrieved on 2006-11-02.
4. ^ Cornelius. The Battle of the Nile. The South African Military History Society. Retrieved on
2006-11-02.
External links
● "The quack doesn't echo" urban legend (from Snopes.com)
● Guide to keeping ducks
● Duck videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Scientists Track Pintail-Duck Migration to Learn More About the Species' Population Decline
● Duck migration question
● Ducks Unlimited Conservation
● Raising Ducks, Geese & Swans
● Tufted duck (good for foreign names)
● list of books (useful looking abstracts)
● San Francisco Bay Area Duck Population
● Birds on the Brink (ruddy ducks' impact on white-headed ducks by crossbreeding in the wild)
● Ducks at a Distance, by Rob Hines, available freely at Project Gutenberg - A modern illustrated
guide to identification of US waterfowl.
● Duck Stock Photos
Goose
Geese
Goose (plural geese) is the general English name for a
considerable number of birds, belonging to the family
Anatidae. This family also includes swans, most of which are
larger than geese, and ducks, which are smaller.
Contents
● 1 Introduction
● 2 True geese
● 3 Other species called "geese"
A Canada Goose
● 4 Etymology
● 5 See also Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Introduction Phylum: Chordata
This article deals with the true geese in the subfamily Class: Aves
Anserinae. A number of other waterbirds, mainly related to
the shelducks, have "goose" as part of their name. Order: Anseriformes
True geese are medium to large birds, always (with the

Family: Anatidae
exception of the Nēnē) associated to a greater or lesser extent
with water. Most species in Europe, Asia and North America
are strongly migratory as wild birds, breeding in the far north Subfamily: Anserinae
and wintering much further south. However, escapes and
introductions have led to resident feral populations of several
Genera
species.
Geese have been domesticated for centuries. In the West,

farmyard geese are descended from the Greylag, but in Asia
the Swan Goose has been farmed for at least as long.
All geese eat an exclusively vegetarian diet, and can become

pests when flocks feed on arable crops or inhabit ponds or Anser
grassy areas in urban evnironments. Branta
Chen
Geese mate for life, though a small number will "divorce" Cereopsis
and remate. They tend to lay a smaller number of eggs than Cnemiornis (extinct)
ducks, however, both parents protect the nest and young, see also: Swan, Duck
which usually results in a higher survival rate for the young Anatidae
geese, known as goslings.
Greylag Geese flying.
Not all couples are heterosexual, as both females and males will form long-term same-sex couples with
greater or lesser frequency depending on species. Of the heterosexual couples, a significant proportion
are non-breeding despite having an active sexual life. See Canada Goose
A group on the ground is called a gaggle. When flying, a group of geese is known as a wedge or a skein.
Geese have appeared in feature films such as "Fly Away Home" which starred Jeff Daniels and Anna
Paquin.
True geese
Canada Goose gosling

The following are the true goose species.
Genus Anser Brisson 1760, Grey Geese
● Greylag Goose Anser anser

White-fronted Goose A. albifrons
Lesser White-fronted Goose A. erythropus
Bean Goose A. fabalis
Pink-footed Goose A. brachyrhynchus
Bar-headed Goose A. indicus
Swan Goose, A. cygnoides
Genus Chen Boie 1822 or Anser (depending on authority cited), White Geese
● Snow Goose Chen caerulescens or Anser caerulescens

Ross's Goose, C. rossii or A. rossii
Emperor Goose, C. canagica or A. canagicus
Genus Branta Scopoli 1769, Black Geese
● Brent Goose Branta bernicla

Barnacle Goose B. leucopsis
Canada Goose B. canadensis
Cackling Goose B. hutchinsii
Red-breasted Goose B. ruficollis
Hawaiian Goose or Nēnē, B. sandvicensis
Nēnē-nui or Woods-walking Goose, B. hylobadistes Conservation status: Prehistoric
Genus Cereopsis
● Cape Barren Goose, Cereopsis novaehollandiae
Genus Cnemiornis, New Zealand Geese Conservation status: Prehistoric
● South Island Goose, Cnemiornis calcitrans Conservation status: Prehistoric

North Island Goose, Cnemiornis gracilis Conservation status: Prehistoric
Other species called "geese"
There are a number of mainly southern hemisphere birds named as geese which are more correctly
placed with the shelducks in the Tadorninae. These are:
● Blue-winged Goose, Cyanochen cyanopterus

Andean Goose, Chloephaga melanoptera
Magellan Goose, Chloephaga picta
Kelp Goose, Chloephaga hybrida
Ashy-headed Goose, Chloephaga poliocephala
Ruddy-headed Goose, Chloephaga rubidiceps
Orinoco Goose, Neochen jubata
Egyptian Goose, Alopochen aegyptiacus
The Spur-winged Goose, Plectropterus gambensis, is most closely related to the shelducks, but distinct
enough to warrant its own subfamily, the Plectropterinae.
The three perching ducks in the genus Nettapus are named as pygmy geese, such as the Cotton Pygmy
Goose, Nettapus javanica, but are true ducks.
The unusual Magpie-goose is in a family of its own, the Anseranatidae.
Etymology
Goose in its origins is one of the oldest words of the Indo-European languages, the modern names
deriving from the proto-Indo-European root, ghans, hence Sanskrit hamsa (feminine hamsii), Latin
anser, Greek khén etc.
In the Germanic languages, the root word led to Old English gos with the plural gés, German Gans and
Old Norse gas. Other modern derivatives are Russian gus and Old Irish géiss; the family name of the
cleric Jan Hus is derived from the Czech derivative husa.
In non-technical use, the male goose is called a "gander" (Anglo-Saxon gandra) and the female is the
"goose" (Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913))
See also
● Domesticated goose, which includes cooking and folklore
Swan
Swans
Swans are large water birds of the family Anatidae,
which also includes geese and ducks. Swans are grouped
with the closely related geese in the subfamily Anserinae.
Swans usually mate for life, though "divorce" does

sometimes occur, particularly following nesting failure.
The number of eggs in each clutch is between 3–8.
The word is derived from Old English swan, akin to

German schwan, in turn derived from Indo-European root
*swen (to sound, to sing), whence Latin derives sonus
(sound). (Webster's New World Dictionary) Young
swans are known as cygnets, from the Latin word for Mute Swan
swan, cygnus. An adult male is a "cob", an adult female is Scientific classification
a "pen".
Kingdom: Animalia
Contents Phylum: Chordata
● 1 Coloration Class: Aves

● 3 Role in culture
Order: Anseriformes
● 4 Photo gallery
Family: Anatidae
Subfamily: Anserinae
Coloration
The Northern Hemisphere species of swan have pure Genera and species
white plumage, but the Southern Hemisphere species are
patterned with black. The Australian Black Swan
(Cygnus atratus) is completely black except for the white
flight feathers on its wings, and the South American
Black-necked Swan has a black neck. The Coscoroba
Swan, also from southern South America, has black tips Cygnus Bechstein 1803
to the primary feathers.
● C. cygnus
The legs of swans are dark blackish grey, except for the C. buccinator
two South American species, which have pink legs. Bill ● C. columbianus
colour varies; the four subarctic species have black bills ❍ C. (c.) bewickii
with varying amounts of yellow, and all the others are ● C. olor
patterned red and black. The Mute Swan and Black- ● C. atratus
necked Swan have a lump at the base of the bill on the ❍ C. (a.) sumnerensis
upper mandible. ● C. melancoryphus
Systematics and evolution Coscoroba Reichenbach 1853
All evidence suggests that the genus Cygnus evolved in C. coscoroba

Europe or western Eurasia during the Miocene, spreading
all over the Northern Hemisphere until the Pliocene. Sarcidiornis
When the southern species branched off is not known.
The Mute Swan apparently is closest to the Southern ● Sarcidiornis mauritania
Hemisphere Cygnus; its habits of carrying the neck (mauritianus)

curved (not straight) and the wings fluffed (not flush) as
well as its bill color and knob indicate that its closest
living relative is actually the Black Swan. Given the biogeography and appearance of the subgenus Olor
it seems likely that these are of a more recent origin, as evidenced by their modern ranges (which were
mostly uninhabitable during the last ice age) and great similarity between the taxa. Also, the
relationships of the Coscoroba Swan remain rather obscure; it apparently represents the most early
divergence as it is in some aspects more similar to geese and shelducks.
Genus Coscoroba
● Coscoroba Swan, Coscoroba coscoroba, South America
Genus Cygnus
● Subgenus Cygnus
❍ Mute Swan, Cygnus olor, is a common temperate Eurasian species, often semi-
domesticated; descendants of domestic flocks are naturalized in the United States and
elsewhere.
● Subgenus Chenopis
❍ Black Swan, Cygnus atratus of Australia, and introduced in New Zealand.
■ New Zealand Swan, Cygnus (atratus) sumnerensis, an extinct subspecies of the
Black Swan from New Zealand and the Chatham Islands.

● Subgenus Sthenelides
❍ Black-necked Swan, Cygnus melancoryphus of South America.
● Subgenus Olor
❍ Whooper Swan, Cygnus cygnus breeds in Iceland and subarctic Europe and Asia,
migrating to temperate Europe and Asia in winter.

❍ Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator is a North American species very similar to the
Whooper Swan (and sometimes treated as a subspecies of it), which was hunted almost to
extinction but has since recovered
❍ Whistling Swan, Cygnus columbianus is a small swan which breeds on the North
American tundra, further north than other swans. It winters in the USA.
■ Bewick's Swan, Cygnus (columbianus) bewickii is the Eurasian form which
migrates from Arctic Russia to western Europe and eastern Asia (China, Japan) in
winter. It is often considered a subspecies of C. columbianus, creating the species
Tundra Swan.
Genus Sarcidiornis
● Mascarene Swan, Sarcidiornis mauritania(mauritianus) an extinct species which lived in the

Mascarene Islands, last observed in Mauritius in 1668 [1].
The fossil record of the genus Cygnus is quite impressive, although allocation to the subgenera is often
tentative; as indicated above, at least the early forms probably belong to the C. olor - Southern
Hemisphere lineage. A number of prehistoric species have been described, mostly from the Northern
Hemisphere. Among them were the giant Siculo-Maltese C. falconeri and C. equitum which were taller
(though not heavier) than the contemporary local dwarf elephants (Elephas falconeri).
Fossil Swans
● Cygnus atavus (Middle Miocene of Germany)

● Cygnus csakvarensis (Late Miocene of Hungary) - formerly Cygnanser
● Cygnus mariae (Early Pliocene of Wickieup, USA)
● Cygnus verae (Early Pliocene of Sofia, Bulgaria)
● Cygnus liskunae (Middle Pliocene of W Mongolia)
● Cygnus hibbardi (?Early Pleistocene of Idaho, USA)
● Cygnus sp. (Early Pleistocene of Dursunlu, Turkey)
● Cygnus equitum (Middle Pleistocene of Malta and Sicily, Mediterranean)
● Giant Swan, Cygnus falconeri (Middle Pleistocene of Malta and Sicily, Mediterranean)
● Cygnus paloregonus (Pleistocene of Oregon, USA)
● Cygnus sp. (Pleistocene of Australia)
● Cygnus americanus
● Cygnus lacustris
● Cygnus matthewi
The supposed fossil swans "Cygnus" bilinicus and "Cygnus" herrenthalsi were, respectively, a stork and
some large bird of unknown affinity (due to the bad state of preservation of the referred material).
Role in culture
Many of the cultural aspects refer to the Mute Swan of Europe. Perhaps the best known story about a
swan is The Ugly Duckling fable. The story centers around a duckling who is mistreated until it
becomes evident he is a swan and is accepted into the habitat. He was mistreated because real ducklings
are, according to many, more attractive than a cygnet, yet cygnets become swans, which are very
attractive creatures. Swans are often a symbol of love or fidelity, because of their long-lasting
monogamist relationships. See the famous swan-related operas Lohengrin and Parsifal.
In the TV series LOST the formal name of the Hatch is "Station 3: The Swan", the swan is the
Electromagnetic station of the DHARMA Initiative.
Swans feature strongly in mythology. In Greek mythology, the story of Leda and the Swan recounts that
Helen of Troy was conceived in a union of Zeus disguised as a swan and Leda, Queen of Sparta. The
Irish legend of the Children of Lir is about a mother transforming her children into swans for 900 years.
Myths also exist about swans themselves. It was once believed that upon death, the otherwise silent
Mute swan would sing beautifully- hence the phrase swan song.
Swans are revered in many religions and cultures, especially Hinduism. The Sanskrit word for swan is
hamsa or hansa, and it is the vehicle of many deities like the goddess Saraswati. It is mentioned several
times in the Vedic literature, and persons who have attained great spiritual capabilities are sometimes
called Paramahamsa ('Great Swan') on account of their spiritual grace and ability to travel between
various spiritual worlds. In the Vedas, swans are said to reside in the summers in the Manasarovar lake
and migrate to Indian lakes for the winter, eat pearls, and separate milk from water in a mixture of both.
Hindu iconography typically shows the Mute Swan. It is wrongly supposed by many historians that the
word hamsa only means a goose, since today swans are no longer found in India, not even in most zoos.
However, ornithological checklists clearly classify several species of swans as vagrant birds in India.
One Chinese idiom about swans is how "a toad wants to eat swan flesh!". This idiom is used derisively
on men who desire women who are beyond their station in terms of wealth, social class or beauty.
Today swans are used symbolically or as brands. The Sydney Swans AFL Team uses a swan as its club
emblem/mascot, and Swansea City A.F.C.'s mascot is a swan called Cyril the Swan. The Bonny Swans
is a song on Loreena McKennitt's 1994 album, The Mask and Mirror.
Photo gallery
Flock of Tundra Swans migrating near
Trumpeter Swan Black Swans Mute Swan
Alma, WI, USA
External links
● Swan videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● The Swan Sanctuary Shepperton,England
Pheasant
Pheasants
Pheasants are a group of large birds in the order
Galliformes. In many countries they are hunted as game.
Pheasant are characterised by strong sexual dimorphism,

with males being highly ornate with bright colours and
adornments such as wattles and long tails. They are
usually larger than the females. Males play no part in
rearing the young.
There are 35 species of pheasant in 11 different genera.

The best-known is the Ringnecked Pheasant (Phasianus
colchicus torquatus) which is widespread throughout the
world in introduced feral populations and in farm
operations. Various other pheasant species are popular in
aviaries, such as the Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus
pictus).

This list is ordered to show relationships between species
Male Common Pheasant
● Blood Pheasant (genus Ithaginis) Scientific classification
❍ Blood Pheasant, (I. cruentus)
● Koklass (genus Pucrasia) Kingdom: Animalia

❍ Koklass Pheasant, (P. macrolopha)
● Gallopheasants (genus Lophura) Phylum: Chordata

❍ Kalij Pheasant, (L. leucomelanos)
■ White-crested Kalij Pheasant, (L. l.

Class: Aves
hamiltoni)
Nepal Kalij Pheasant, (L. l.
leucomelanos) Order: Galliformes
Black-backed Kalij Pheasant, (L. l.
melanota) Family: Phasianidae†
Black Kalij Pheasant, (L. l. moffitti)
Black-breasted Kalij Pheasant, (L. l.
lathami) Genera
William's Kalij Pheasant, (L. l.
Ithaginis
williamsi)
Catreus
Oates' Kalij Pheasant, (L. l. oatesi)
Rheinartia
Crawfurd's Kalij Pheasant, (L. l.
Crossoptilon
crawfurdi)
Lophura
Lineated Kalij Pheasant, (L. l.
Argusianus
lineata)
Pucrasia
❍ Silver Pheasant, (L. nycthemera)
Syrmaticus
■ (L. n. nycthemera)
Chrysolophus
■ (L. n. lewisi)
Phasianus
■ (L. n. annamensis)
† See also partridge
■ (L. n. engelbachi)
■ (L. n. beli)
■ (L. n. berliozi)
■ (L. n. rufripes)
■ (L. n. ripponi)
■ (L. n. occidentalis)
■ (L. n. beaulieui)
■ (L. n. fokiensis)
■ (L. n. whiteheadi)
■ (L. n. omeiensis)
■ (L. n. rongjiangensis)
❍ Imperial Pheasant, (L. imperialis)
Edward's Pheasant, (L. edwardsi)

Swinhoe Pheasant, (L. swinhoii)
Salvadori's Pheasant, (L. inornata)
❍ Crestless Fireback Pheasant, (L. erythrophthalma)
■ Malayan Crestless Fireback, (L. e. erythrophthalma)
Bornean Crestless Fireback, (L. e. pyronota)

❍ Crested Fireback Pheasant, (L. ignita)
■ Lesser Bornean Crested Fireback, (L. i. ignita)
Greater Bornean Crested Fireback, (L. i. nobilis)

Vieilott's Crested Fireback, (L. i. rufa)
Delacour's Crested Fireback, (L. i. macartneyi)
❍ Siamese Fireback, (L. diardi)
Bulwer's Wattled Pheasant, (L. bulweri)

● Eared Pheasants (genus Crossoptilon)
❍ White-eared Pheasant, (C. crossoptilon)
Brown Eared Pheasant, (C. mantchuricum)

Blue Eared Pheasant, (C. auritum)
● Cheer (genus Catreus)
❍ Cheer Pheasant, (C. wallichi)
● Long-tailed Pheasants (genus Syrmaticus)
❍ Reeve's Pheasant, (S. reevesi)
Elliot's Pheasant, (S. ellioti)

Bar-tailed Pheasant, (S. humiae)
Mikado Pheasant, (S. mikado)
Copper Pheasant, (S. soemmerringi)
● True Pheasants (genus Phasianus)
❍ Green Pheasant (P. versicolor)
❍ Common Pheasant, (P. colchicus)
■ Pheasant (P.c. colchicus)
■ Ringnecked Pheasant (P.c. torquatus)
● Ruffed Pheasants (genus Chrysolophus)

❍ Golden Pheasant, (C. pictus)
Lady Amherst's Pheasant, (C. amherstiae)

● Peacock Pheasants (genus Polyplectron)
❍ Bronze-tailed Peacock Pheasant, (P. chalcurum)
Mountain Peacock Pheasant, (P. inopinatum)

Germain's Peacock Pheasant, (P. germaini)
Grey Peacock Pheasant (P. bicalcaratum)
Malaysian Peacock Pheasant, (P. malacense)
Bornean Peacock Pheasant, (P. schleiermacheri)
Palawan Peacock Pheasant, (P. emphanum)
● Crested Argus (genus Rheinartia)
❍ Crested Argus Pheasant, (R. ocellata)
● Great Argus (genus Argusianus)

❍ Great Argus Pheasant, (A. argus)
Pheasant Fowling.--"Showing
how to catch Pheasants."--Fac-
simile of a Miniature in the
Manuscript of the "Livre du
Roy Modus" (Fourteenth
Century).
References
● Beebe, William. 1918-22. A Monograph of the Pheasants. 1st edition in 4 volumes: H. F.
Witherby, London. Reprint: 1990, Dover Publications.(4 volumes bound as 2). ISBN 0-48-62657-
9-X and ISBN 0-48-626580-3. Republished as: Pheasants: Their Lives and Homes. 2 vols. 1926.
Single volume edition: New York Zoological Society, 1936.)
● Green-Armytage, Stephen. 2002. Extraordinary Pheasants.Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York.
Book ISBN 0-81-091007-1.
● Madge and McGowan,Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse ISBN 0-7136-3966-0
External links
● Illinois State Academy of Science (ISAS)
● Pheasants & Peafowl - Aviculture & Conservation
● Pheasant videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Tetraonidae
Grouse
Grouse are from the order Galliformes which inhabit
temperate and subarctic regions of the northern
hemisphere. They are game and are sometimes hunted for
food.
Males are often polygamous, and many species have

elaborate courtship displays. These heavily built birds have
legs feathered to the toes. Most species are year-round
residents, and do not migrate.
These birds feed mainly on vegetable food, but will also

feed on insects, especially when feeding young.
Species
● Siberian Grouse, Falcipennis falcipennis
Spruce Grouse, Falcipennis canadensis
● Blue Grouse now split into two species: Greater Sage-Grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus
❍ Dusky Grouse, Dendragapus obscurus Scientific classification
Sooty Grouse, Dendragapus fuliginosus
Kingdom: Animalia
● Willow Grouse (Willow Ptarmigan in North
America), Lagopus lagopus
Ptarmigan (Rock Ptarmigan in North America), Phylum: Chordata
Lagopus mutus
White-tailed Ptarmigan, Lagopus leucurus Class: Aves
Eurasian Black Grouse, Tetrao tetrix
Caucasian Black Grouse, Tetrao mlokosiewiczi
Capercaillie, Tetrao urogallus Order: Galliformes
Black-billed Capercaillie, Tetrao parvirostris
Hazel Grouse, Bonasa bonasia Family: Tetraonidae
Severtzov's Grouse, Bonasa sewerzowi Vigors, 1825
Ruffed Grouse, Bonasa umbellus
Genera
Greater Sage-Grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus
Gunnison Sage-Grouse, Centrocercus minimus
Sharp-tailed Grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus
● Greater Prairie-Chicken, Tympanuchus cupido Tetrao
❍ Heath Hen, T. c. cupido (extinct, 1932) - Lagopus
possibly a distinct species Falcipennis
● Lesser Prairie-Chicken Tympanuchus pallidicinctus Centrocercus
Bonasa
External links Dendrapagus
Tympanuchus
● Grouse videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Chicken
Chicken
A chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) is a type of domesticated Conservation status: Domesticated
bird which is often raised as a type of poultry. It is believed to be
descended from the wild Indian and south-east Asian Red
Junglefowl.
With a population of more than 24 billion in 2003 (according to

the Firefly Encyclopedia of Birds), there are more chickens in the
world than any other bird. They provide two sources of food
frequently consumed by humans: their meat, also known as
chicken, and eggs.
Contents
● 1 General biology and habitat A Bantam rooster
● 2 Courting Scientific classification
● 3 Going broody
Kingdom: Animalia
● 4 Artificial incubation
● 6 Chickens as pets
● 7 Chickens in agriculture Phylum: Chordata
● 8 Issues with mass production
● 9 Chicken diseases Class: Aves
● 10 Chickens in religion
● 11 History Order: Galliformes
❍ 11.1 Chickens in ancient Rome
● 12 A selection of chicken breeds Family: Phasianidae

● 13 Famous chickens
❍ 13.1 Real chickens
Genus: Gallus
❍ 13.2 Fictional chickens
❍ 13.3 Mythical creatures with chicken-like anatomy

Species: G. gallus
● 14 Chicken as symbol
● 15 Published Sources
Subspecies: G. g. domesticus
Trinomial name
General biology and habitat Gallus gallus domesticus
Chicken eggs vary in color depending on

the hen, typically ranging from bright white
to shades of brown and even blue, green,
and recently reported purple (found in
South Asia) (Araucana varieties).
Rooster crowing during daylight hours
Male chickens are known as roosters (in the U.S., Canada and Australia), cocks, or cockerels if they are
young. Female chickens are known as hens, or 'chooks' in Australasian English. Young females are
known as pullets. Roosters can usually be differentiated from hens by their striking plumage, marked by
long flowing tails and bright pointed feathers on their necks.
However, in some breeds, such as the Sebright, the cock only has slightly pointed neck feathers, and the
identification must be made by looking at the comb. Chickens have a fleshy crest on their heads called a
comb, and a fleshy piece of hanging skin under their beak called a wattle. These organs help to cool the
bird by redirecting bloodflow to the skin. Both the male and female have distinctive wattles and combs.
In males, the combs are often more prominent, though this is not the case in all varieties.
Domestic chickens are typically fed commercially prepared feed that includes a protein source as well as
grains. Chickens often scratch at the soil to get at adult insects and larvae or seed. Incidents of
cannibalism can occur when a curious bird pecks at a pre-existing wound or during fighting (even
among female birds). This is exacerbated in close quarters. In commercial egg production this is
controlled by trimming the beak (removal of ⅔ of the top half and occasionally ⅓ of the lower half of
the beak).
Domestic chickens are not capable of flying for long distances, although they are generally capable of
flying for short distances such as over fences. Chickens will sometimes fly simply in order to explore
their surroundings, but will especially fly in an attempt to flee when they perceive danger. Because of
the risk of flight, chickens raised in the open air generally have one of their wings clipped by the breeder
— the tips of the longest feathers on one of the wings are cut, resulting in unbalanced flight which the
bird cannot sustain for more than a few meters (more on wing clipping).
Chickens are gregarious birds and live together as a flock. They have a communal approach to the
incubation of eggs and raising of young. Individual chickens in a flock will dominate others, establishing
a "pecking order", with dominant individuals having priority for access to food and nesting locations.
Removing hens or roosters from a flock causes a temporary disruption to this social order until a new
pecking order is established.
Chickens will try to lay in nests that already contain eggs, and have been known to move eggs from
neighbouring nests into their own. Some farmers use fake eggs made from plastic or stone to encourage
hens to lay in a particular location. The result of this behavior is that a flock will use only a few
preferred locations, rather than having a different nest for every bird.
Hens can also be extremely stubborn about always laying in the same location. It is not unknown for two
(or more) hens to try to share the same nest at the same time. If the nest is small, or one of the hens is
particularly determined, this may result in chickens trying to lay on top of each other.
Contrary to popular belief, roosters may crow at any time of the day or night. Their crowing - a loud and
sometimes shrill call - is a territorial signal to other roosters. However, crowing may also result from
sudden disturbances within their surroundings.
Chickens are domesticated descendants of the red junglefowl, which is biologically classified as the
same species.
Recent studies [1] have shown that chickens (and possibly other bird species) still retain the genetic
blueprints to produce teeth in the jaws, although these are dormant in living animals. These are a
holdover from primitive birds such as Archaeopteryx, which were descended from theropod dinosaurs.
Courting
When a rooster finds food he may call the other chickens to eat it first. He does this by clucking in a
high pitch as well as picking up and dropping the food. This behavior can also be observed in mother
hens, calling their chicks. In some cases the rooster will drag the wing opposite the hen on the ground,
while circling her. This is part of chicken courting ritual. When a hen is used to coming to his "call" the
rooster may mount the hen and proceed with the fertilization.
Going broody
A broody hen guarding her eggs
Sometimes a hen will stop laying and instead will focus on the incubation of eggs, a state that is
commonly known as going broody. A broody chicken will sit fast on the nest, and protest or peck in
defense if disturbed or removed, and will rarely leave the nest to eat, drink, or dust bathe. While broody,
the hen keeps the eggs at a constant temperature and humidity, as well as turning the eggs regularly.
At the end of the incubation period, which is an average of 21 days, the eggs (if fertilized) will hatch,
and the broody hen will take care of her young. Since individual eggs do not all hatch at exactly the
same time (the chicken can only lay one egg approximately every 25 hours), the hen will usually stay on
the nest for about two days after the first egg hatches. During this time, the newly-hatched chicks live
off the egg yolk they absorb just before hatching. The hen can hear the chicks peeping inside the eggs,
and will gently cluck to encourage them to break out of their shells. If the eggs are not fertilized and do
not hatch, the hen will eventually grow tired of being broody and leave the nest.
Modern egg-laying breeds rarely go broody, and those that do often stop part-way through the
incubation cycle. Some breeds, such as the Cochin, Cornish and Silkie, regularly go broody and make
excellent mothers.
Artificial incubation
Chicken egg incubation can successfully occur artificially as well. Nearly all chicken eggs will hatch
after 21 days of good conditions - 99.5° fahrenheit (37.5°C) and around 55% relative humidity (increase
to 70% in the last three days of incubation to help soften egg shell). Many commercial incubators are
industrial-sized with shelves holding tens of thousands of eggs at a time, with rotation of the eggs a fully
automated process.
Home incubators are usually small boxes (styrofoam incubators are popular) and hold a few to 50 eggs.
Eggs must be turned three to five times each day, rotating at least 90 degrees. If eggs aren't turned, the
embryo inside will stick to the shell and likely will be hatched with physical defects. This process is
natural; hens will stand up three to five times a day and shift the eggs around with their beak.
Chickens as pets
pair of day old chicks
Chickens can make loving and gentle companion animals, but sometimes can turn nasty. It is not
suggested you keep a chicken as a pet if you have young children, as they can be very territorial and
violent. In Asia, chickens with striking plumage have long been kept for ornamental purposes, including
feather-footed varieties such as the Cochin and Silkie from China and the extremely long-tailed Phoenix
from Japan. Asian ornamental varieties were imported into the United States and Great Britain in the late
1800s. Poultry fanciers then began keeping these ornamental birds for exhibition, a practice that
continues today. From these Asian breeds, distinctive American varieties of chickens have been
developed.
Today, some cities in the United States still allow residents to keep chickens as pets, although the
practice is quickly disappearing. Individuals in rural communities commonly keep chickens for both
ornamental and practical value. Some communities ban only roosters, allowing the quieter hens. Many
zoos use chickens instead of insecticides to control insect populations.
Keeping a few chickens as backyard pets is surprisingly easy to do. The major challenge is protecting
the birds from predators, both domestic predators such as dogs and wild predators such as racoons in
North America and foxes in Europe. The birds will need a secure place to sleep at night. This can be as
simple or as elaborate as you like. For only a few birds which are allowed to free roam during the day, a
large dog house type structure with a locking door will serve just fine. Some kind of bedding such as
straw or wood shaving should be provided on the floor. Nest boxes will make egg collection easier. If
the birds are left in the structure during the day, a larger more elaborate structure would be necessary.
Chicken naturally return to the same spot to roost everynight. That means on most occasions they will
put themselves to bed and your only job is to make sure the door is shut and locked before nightfall. It is
best to count the birds each night as sometimes a bird will not find her way back into the coop. A bird
left out at night is likely to be taken by a racoon or other nocturnal predator.
Most chickens cannot fly well and are easily contained with 3-4' fencing. Birds which are allowed to
roam the yard during the day are quite effective at controlling insects of all types. The birds will pick at
plants and grass and may cause some damage to ground-covers with their scratching. Areas of bare dirt
will benefit from the weed control and soil cultivation provided by the birds in their never ending search
for food. Also chickens will eat most any kind of food scraps. It can be quite satisfying to see unusable
food items turned into eggs by these able recyclers.
The eggs themselves can be quite different from the store purchased variety. Fresh yolks are quite
"perky" and stand tall above the white. The yolk color is frequently a deeper color than the pale yellow
of commercially raised eggs and can at time be almost a dark orange. The pleasure of picking up a
freshly laid egg still warm to the touch is not to be overlooked.
Growing chickens can easily be tamed by feeding them a special treat such as mealworms in the palm of
one's hand, and by being with them for at least ten minutes daily when they are young. However even
older birds can be tamed considerably by hand feeding leftover table scraps to the birds. It can be fun to
help the birds forage by turning rocks over and watching them grab worms and bugs that typically can
be found in these dark, moist areas. The chickens quickly associate you with a source of food and will
become your constant companion when you are both in the yard.
A former recurring skit on the weekly comedy show Saturday Night Live featured a chicken pet store
with the Chinese owner (as played by Dana Carvey) not wishing to sell to customers on the basis that
"Chickens make lousy house pets
Chickens in agriculture
Free Range Chickens Drinking from a tire
In the United States, chickens were once raised primarily on family farms. Prior to about 1930, chicken
was served primarily on special occasions or on Sunday, as the birds were typically more valued for
their eggs than meat. Excess roosters or non-productive hens would be culled from the flock first for
butchering. As cities developed and markets sprung up across the nation, live chickens from local farms
could often be seen for sale in crates outside the market to be butchered and cleaned onsite by the
butcher.
With the advent of vertical integration and selective breeding of efficient meat-type birds, poultry
production changed dramatically. Large farms and packing plants emerged that could grow birds by the
thousands. Chickens could be sent to slaughterhouses for butchering and processing into pre-packaged
commercial products to be frozen or shipped fresh to markets or wholesalers. Meat-type chickens
currently grow to market weight in 6-7 weeks whereas only fifty years ago it took three times as long
(reference: Havenstein, G.B., P.R. Ferket, and M.A. Qureshi, 2003a. Growth, livability, and feed
conversion of 1957 versus 2001 broilers when feed representative 1957 and 2001 broiler diets. Poult.
Sci. 82:1500-1508). This is due exclusively to genetic selection and nutritional advances (and not to use
of growth hormones, which are illegal for use in poultry in the US and many other countries). Once a
meat consumed only occasionally, the common availability and lower cost has made chicken a common
and significant meat product within developed nations. Growing concerns over the cholesterol content of
red meat in the 1980s and 1990s further resulted in increased consumption of chicken.
Another breed of chicken, the Leghorn, was further developed to be efficient layers of eggs. Egg
production and consumption changed with the development of automation and refrigeration. Large
farms were devoted solely to egg production and packaging. Today, eggs are produced on large egg
ranches on which environmental parameters are well controlled. Chickens are exposed to artificial light
cycles to stimulate egg production year-round. In addition, it is a common practice to induce molt
through careful manipulation of light and the amount of food they receive in order to further increase
egg size and production.
Often, people in developing countries keep chickens for their eggs and meat.
Issues with mass production
Battery cages, which measure 18 by 20 inches and

hold 5 to 11 hens each.
Many animal rights advocates object to killing chickens for food or to the "factory farm conditions"
under which they are raised. They contend that commercial chicken production often involves raising
the birds in large, crowded rearing sheds that prevent the chickens from engaging in many of their
natural behaviors. Contrary to popular belief, however, meat-type chickens are not raised in cages and
are instead raised on the floor on litter such as rice hulls. They are slaughtered prior to sexual maturity,
and thus many of the aggressive behaviors seen in adult chickens (fighting, cannibalism) are seldom
seen in meat-type chickens. In 2004, 8.9 billion chickens were slaughtered in the United States[2].
Although many would argue that the birds are not intelligent and thus not a high priority for humane
treatment on farms, a woman once brought a chicken on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno where it
played "Mary Had A Little Lamb" on a toy piano and bowled 3 strikes. Animal rights groups such as
PETA see this and other "amazing" trained chickens as evidence that they are intelligent and sentient
and should not be killed or eaten [3].
Another animal welfare issue is the use of selective breeding to create heavy, large-breasted birds, which
can lead to crippling leg disorders and heart failure for some of the birds. In addition, many scientists
have raised concerns that companies growing one variety of bird for eggs or meat are causing them to
become much more susceptible to disease. For this reason, many scientists are promoting the
conservation of heritage breeds to retain genetic diversity in the species.
Chicken diseases
Hen with newly hatched chicks
Day old chick
Baby chicks in a box
● Aspergillosis
Avian influenza (bird flu) - most well-known chicken-related disease
Blackhead disease
Botulism
Cage Layer Fatigue
Coccidiosis
Colds
Crop bound
Egg bound
Erysipelas
Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome
Fowl Cholera
Fowl pox
Fowl Typhoid
Gallid herpesvirus 1 Also known as Infectious Laryngotracheitis or LT
Gapeworms
Infectious Bronchitis
Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro)
Infectious Coryza
Lymphoid Leucosis
Marek's disease
Moniliasis
Mycoplasmas
Newcastle disease
Necrotic Enteritis
Omphalitis (Mushy chick disease)
Prolapse (in egg layers)
Psittacosis
Pullorum (Salmonella)
Scaly leg
Squamous cell carcinoma
Tibial dyschondroplasia
Toxoplasmosis
Ulcerative Enteritis
Chickens are also susceptible to parasites, including lice, mites, ticks, fleas, and intestinal Worms.
Chickenpox is a disease of humans, not chickens.
Chickens in religion
Chickens, Indonesia
In Indonesia the chicken has great significance during the Hindu cremation ceremony. A chicken is a
channel for evil spirits which may be present during the ceremony. A chicken is tethered by the leg and
kept present at the ceremony for the duration to ensure that any evil spirits present during the ceremony
go into the chicken and not the family members present. The chicken is then taken home and returns to
its normal life. It is not treated in any special way or slaughtered after the ceremony.
In ancient Greece, the chicken was not normally used for sacrifices, perhaps because it was still
considered an exotic animal. Because of its valour, cocks are found as attributes of Ares, Heracles and
Athena. The Greeks believed that even lions were afraid of cocks. Several of Aesop's Fables reference
this belief.
In the cult of Mithras, the cock was a symbol of the divine light and a guardian against evil.
In the Bible, Jesus prophesied the betrayal by Peter: "And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not
crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me." (Luke 22:43) Thus it happened
(Luke 22:61), and Peter cried bitterly. This made the cock a symbol for both vigilance and betrayal.
Earlier, Jesus compares himself to a mother hen, when talking about Jerusalem: "How often would I
have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would
not!" (Matthew 23:37; also Luke 13:34).
In many Central European folk tales, the devil is believed to flee at the first crowing of a cock.
In some sects of Orthodox Judaism a chicken is slaughtered on the afternoon before Yom Kippur (Day
of Atonement) in a ritual called kapparos. Although not actually a sacrifice in the biblical sense, the
death of the chicken reminds the penitent sinner that his or her life is in God's hands. A woman brings a
hen to be slaughtered, a man brings a rooster. The meat is donated to the poor.
The Talmud speaks of learning "courtesy toward one's mate" from the rooster. This might refer to the
fact that, when a rooster finds something good to eat, he calls his hens to eat first.
The chicken is one of the Zodiac symbols of the Chinese calendar. Also in Chinese religion, a cooked
chicken as a religious offering is usually limited to ancestor veneration and worship of village deities.
Vegetarian deities such as Buddha are not one of the recipients of such offerings. Under some
observations, an offering of chicken is present with "serious" prayer (while roasted pork is offered
during a joyous celebration). In some old Confucian Chinese Wedding a chicken can be used as a
substitute of that person if they are seriously ill or not available (e.g sudden death) to attend during the
ceremony. They will put a red silk scarf on the chickens head and a close relative of the absent bride/
groom will be holding the chicken to continue with the ceremony. However this occurrence happens
rarely in modern time and usually better to avoid.
History
The first pictures of chickens in Europe are found on Corinthian pottery of the 7th century BC. The poet
Cratinus (mid-5th century BC, according to the later Greek author Athenaeus) calls the chicken "the
Persian alarm". In Aristophanes's comedy The Birds (414 BC) a chicken is called "the Median bird",
which points to an introduction from the East. Pictures of chickens are found on Greek red figure and
black-figure pottery.
In ancient Greece, chickens were still rare and were a rather prestigious food for symposia. Delos seems
to have been a centre of chicken breeding.
An early domestication of chickens in Southeast Asia is probable, since the word for domestic chicken
(*manuk) is part of the reconstructed Proto-Austronesian language (see Austronesian languages).
Chickens, together with dogs and pigs, were the domestic animals of the Lapita culture, the first
Neolithic culture of Oceania.
Chickens were spread by Polynesian seafarers and reached Easter Island in the 12th century AD, where
they were the only domestic animal, with the possible exception of the Polynesian Rat (Rattus exulans).
They were housed in extremely solid chicken coops built from stone. Traveling as cargo on trading
boats, they reached the Asian continent via the islands of Indonesia and from there spread west to
Europe and western Asia.
Chickens in ancient Rome
The Romans used chickens for oracles, both when flying ("ex avibus") and when feeding ("auspicium ex
tripudiis"). The hen ("gallina") gave a favourable omen ("auspicium ratum"), when appearing from the
left (Cic.,de Div. ii.26), like the crow and the owl.
For the oracle "ex tripudiis" according to Cicero (Cic. de Div. ii.34), any bird could be used, but
normally only chickens ("pulli") were consulted. The chickens were cared for by the pullarius, who
opened their cage and fed them pulses or a special kind of soft cake when an augury was needed. If the
chickens stayed in their cage, made noises ("occinerent"), beat their wings or flew away, the omen was
bad; if they ate greedily, the omen was good.
In 249 BC, the Roman general Publius Claudius Pulcher had his chickens thrown overboard when they
refused to feed before the battle of Drepana, saying "If they won't eat, perhaps they will drink." He
promptly lost the battle against the Carthaginians and 93 Roman ships were sunk. Back in Rome, he was
tried for impiety and heavily fined.
In 161 BC a law was passed in Rome that forbade the consumption of fattened chickens. It was renewed
a number of times, but does not seem to have been successful. Fattening chickens with bread soaked in
milk was thought to give especially delicious results. The Roman gourmet Apicius offers 17 recipes for
chicken, mainly boiled chicken with a sauce. All parts of the animal are used: the recipes include the
stomach, liver, testicles and even the pygostyle
(the fatty "tail" of the chicken where the tail feathers attach).
The Roman author Columella gives advice on chicken breeding in his eighth book of his treatise on
agriculture. He identifies Tanagrian, Rhodic, Chalkidic and Median (commonly misidentified as Melian)
breeds, which have an impressive appearance, a quarrelsome nature and were used for cockfighting by
the Greeks. For farming, native (Roman) chickens are to be preferred, or a cross between native hens
and Greek cocks. Dwarf chickens are nice to watch because of their size but have no other advantages.
Per Columella, the ideal flock consists of 200 birds, which can be supervised by one person if someone
is watching for stray animals. White chickens should be avoided as they are not very fertile and are
easily caught by eagles or goshawks. One cock should be kept for five hens. In the case of Rhodian and
Median cocks that are very heavy and therefore not much inclined to sex, only three hens are kept per
cock. The hens of heavy fowls are not much inclined to brood; therefore their eggs are best hatched by
normal hens. A hen can hatch no more than 15-23 eggs, depending on the time of year, and supervise no
more than 30 hatchlings. Eggs that are long and pointed give more male, rounded eggs mainly female
hatchlings.
Per Columella, Chicken coops should face southeast and lie adjacent to the kitchen, as smoke is
beneficial for the animals. Coops should consist of three rooms and possess a hearth. Dry dust or ash
should be provided for dust-baths.
According to Columella, chicken should be fed on barley groats, small chick-peas, millet and wheat
bran, if they are cheap. Wheat itself should be avoided as it is harmful to the birds. Boiled ryegrass
(Lollium sp.) and the leaves and seeds of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) can be used as well. Grape marc
can be used, but only when the hens stop laying eggs, that is, about the middle of November; otherwise
eggs are small and few. When feeding grape marc, it should be supplemented with some bran. Hens start
to lay eggs after the winter solstice, in warm places around the first of January, in colder areas in the
middle of February. Parboiled barley increases their fertility; this should be mixed with alfalfa leaves
and seeds, or vetches or millet if alfalfa is not at hand. Free-ranging chickens should receive two cups of
barley daily.
Columella advises farmers to slaughter hens that are older than three years, because they no longer
produce sufficient eggs. Capons were produced by burning out their spurs with a hot iron. The wound
was treated with potter's chalk.
A selection of chicken breeds

● Araucana
Australorp
Barnevelder
Brahma (chicken)
Orpington
Plymouth Rock
Rhode Island Red
Sussex
Wyandotte
Famous chickens
Real chickens
● Mike the Headless Chicken

Henrietta the four-legged chicken
Fictional chickens
● Alecto and Galina, in Clemens Brentano's "The Tale of Gockel, Hinkel, and Gackeleia"
Billina the talking hen, from L. Frank Baum's Ozma of Oz
Burn Rooster, a Maverick with fire-elemental powers from the video game Mega Man X8 (made
by Capcom)
Camilla the Chicken, the object of Gonzo (Muppet)'s affections.
Chanticleer, the rooster from Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales ("The Nun's Priest's
Tale")
Chanticleer, the Elvis Presley-like rooster in the Don Bluth film Rock-a-Doodle; presumably
named for the Chaucer rooster.
Chicken, from the Cow and Chicken cartoon series
Chicken Boo, from Animaniacs
Chicken Little, the chicken that thought the sky was falling when an acorn landed on its head
Chicken Man, from Chicken Man (radio series)
Cuccos (also Hylian Cuccos) are a breed of chickens or chicken-like birds which feature
prominently in latter installments of the Legend of Zelda series.
Fission Chicken, the Chicken of Wrath, grouchy superhero
Foghorn Leghorn, the rooster and Looney Tunes character
Le coq d'or (The Golden Cockerel) opera by Rimsky-Korsakov, with a magical cock that is
supposed to crow to warn the king of advancing enemies
Le galline penseuse of Luigi Malerba (Einaudi, 1980)
Ginger, the protagonist of the movie Chicken Run
The Goose that Laid the Golden Egg was originally a chicken in some older versions
Jonathan Segal Chicken, a 1973 book written by Sol Weinstein and Howard Albrecht, parodying
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
The Little Red Hen, who asked everyone in the barnyard to help bake bread
The vicious Chicken of Bristol, who was nearly stood up to by Brave Sir Robin, in Monty Python
and the Holy Grail.
Little Jerry Seinfeld, a fighting cock appearing in "The Little Jerry" (episode 145) of Seinfeld
Joey and Chandler's chicken from Friends, who eventually became a rooster, died some time later
and was succeeded by Chick, Jr.
The Rooster Prince is a parable written by Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, in which a prince goes
insane and believes himself to be a rooster (in some English translations of the tale, the species of
bird is a turkey)
The San Diego Chicken
Sweety the Chick, an animated character with a ringtone
The Subservient Chicken, part of a viral marketing promotion
Lord Chicken the Great; see Leongatha
Ultra Mega Chicken is a legendary chicken raised from the dead by Billy Witch Doctor in Aqua
Teen Hunger Force
Roy, Booker and Sheldon from U.S. Acres
King Chicken, from Duckman
Little John, Bubble, Bubble Junior,Pop, Araucana 1, Araucana II, Buffy Araucana, Mary and
Sheepy are the chickens of a popular ABC television show set in Turramurra, Sydney, Australia
called The chickens of Warragal Road; the series ran from 1983 to 1985.
The 'Yellow Chicken' that violently and restlessly fights Peter in Family Guy has become one of
the most beloved character on the cult show
Robot Chicken, a television series that appears on Adult Swim, features a mad scientist in the
opening theme bringing a roadkill chicken to life in cyborg form. The show itself is a stop-
motion sketch comedy, featuring sements which generally have nothing to do with chicken(s).
Charles the Rooster in Walter R. Brooks' "Freddy the Pig" Series
Henerietta the Hen in Walter R. Brooks' "Freddy the Pig" Series
Super Chicken, an animated television cartoon character
Alan-a-Dale, the Rooster in Disney's Robin Hood
Gamecocks, chickens used by Masa Tom Lea and others in the book, Roots: The Saga of an
American Family, and in the tv miniseries Roots
The Chickens in DreamWorks' Chicken Run
The two chickens in the Foster Farms commercials
The Rooster logo for Dickhouse Productions company for the tv show Jackass
Mythical creatures with chicken-like anatomy
● The hut of the Russian witch Baba Yaga moves on chicken feet
The demon Abraxas, often depicted on "Gnostic gems" has a cock's head, the upper body of a
man, while his lower part is formed by a snake. He often holds a whip.
The Basilisk, a giant snake who kills with a single glance and poisons wells, was hatched by a
toad from a hen's egg. The Basilisk will die if it hears a rooster crowing.
The cockatrice
Chicken as symbol
● The cock is a national symbol of France and is used as an (unofficial) national mascot, in
particular for sports teams. See also: Gallic rooster.
The Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) independent party ZANU party used a chicken as a symbol, since
a majority of Rhodesian citizens (mostly native african black) were analphabetic due to lack of
school funding for the poor, so they use symbol or mascot to identify their political party.
The mascot of the English Premiership team Tottenham Hotspur is a cockerel.
The standard of Sir Robin from Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a chicken.
The town of Denizli in Republic of Turkey is symbolized by a cock.
Sydney Roosters Australian rugby league team
The Rhode Island Red is the state bird of Rhode Island.
Pathé corporate logo
The athletic teams of the University of South Carolina "The USC" (the original USC) use the
Gamecock (the fighting cock) as mascot and use the "Gamecocks" as their moniker.
Fighting Cock brand of Bourbon uses a mean rooster as their trademark.
The State Bird of Delaware is the Blue Hen, as well being the Mascot for the University of
Delaware sports teams.
Published Sources
P. Smith, The Chicken Book (University of Georgia Press, 2000), passim.
External links
● The American Poultry Association "Serving the Fancy Poultry World for over 120 years"
Information on chicken breeds, shows and the chicken hobby.
● Youth site for the American Poultry Association Educational learning tools for practical use at
home and youth showmanship.
● "Poultry One's Guide to Raising Poultry" - Articles on raising chickens
● "The Poultry Guide" - A to Z and FAQ Knowledgebase / Chicken Reference Guide
● Articles on Raising Chickens - Chicken raising guide
● "Omlet Chicken Guide" - a comprehensive guide to keeping chickens by a UK company
● Omlet Breed Guide - good pictures of chickens
● Humane Farm Animal Care - publish standards for humanely keeping chickens
● Chicken and egg debate unscrambled - CNN article answering which came first
● HenTV at Ourchickens.com - Live chicken webcam from an english garden, showing 24/7, with
infra-red nightvision nest box cam.
Columbidae
Pigeons and Doves
Pigeon beside Weiming Lake, Peking Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)

University (2002)
Pigeons and doves are some 300 species of near passerine birds in the order Columbiformes. In general Kingdom: Animalia
parlance the terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used somewhat interchangeably. In ornithological practice
there is a tendency for "dove" to be used for smaller species and "pigeon" for larger ones, but this is in Phylum: Chordata
no way consistently applied, and historically the common names for these birds involve much variation
between "dove" and "pigeon".
Class: Aves
The species commonly referred to just as the "pigeon" is the feral Rock Pigeon, common in many cities.
Order: Columbiformes
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Family: Columbidae
The usually flimsy nests are made of sticks, and the two white eggs are incubated by both sexes. Doves
feed on seeds, fruit and other soft plantstuff. Unlike most other birds, (but see flamingo), the doves and subfamily
pigeons produce "crop milk", which is secreted by a sloughing of fluid-filled cells from the lining of the
crop. Both sexes produce this highly nutritious substance to feed to the young. see article text
This family occurs worldwide, but the greatest variety is in the Indomalaya and Australasia ecozones. It is related to the
extinct dodo. The young doves and pigeons are called "squabs".
Contents
❍ 1.1 Subfamily Columbinae - typical pigeons & doves
❍ 1.2 Subfamily N.N. - Bronzewings and relatives
❍ 1.3 Subfamily Leptotilinae - Zenaidine and quail doves
❍ 1.4 Subfamily Columbininae - American ground doves
❍ 1.5 Subfamily N.N. - Indopacific ground doves
❍ 1.6 Subfamily Otidiphabinae - Pheasant Pigeon
❍ 1.7 Subfamily Didunculinae - tooth-billed pigeon
❍ 1.8 Subfamily Gourinae - crowned pigeons
❍ 1.9 Subfamily N.N. ("Treroninae") - green and fruit doves and imperial pigeons
❍ 1.10 Placement unresolved
● 2 Symbolism
● 3 Doves as food
● 4 Trivia
● 6 References
❍ 6.1 Footnotes
● 7 See also
❍ 7.1 Related to doves
❍ 7.2 Related to symbolism
❍ 7.3 Miscellaneous

The family is usually divided into five subfamilies, but this is probably inaccurate. For example, the American ground
[1]
and quail doves which are usually placed in the Columbinae seem to be two distinct subfamilies . The order presented
here follows Baptista et al. (1997) with some updates (Johnson & Clayton, 2000; Johnson et al., 2001; Shapiro et al., 2002)...
Note that the arrangement of genera and naming of subfamilies is in some cases provisional because analyses of different
DNA sequences yield results that differ, often radically, in the placement of certain (mainly Indo-Australian) genera.
This ambiguity, probably caused by Long branch attraction, on the other hand seems to confirm that the first pigeons
evolved in the Australasian region, and that the "Treronidae" and allied forms (crowned and pheasant pigeons, for
example) represent the earliest radiation of the group.
Exacerbating these issues, columbids are not well represented in the fossil record. No really primitive forms have been found
to date. The genus Gerandia which most likely belongs to the Columbinae has been described from Early Miocene deposits
of France. Apart from that, all other fossils belong to extant genera. For these, and for the considerable number of
more recently extinct prehistoric species, see the respective genus accounts.
Subfamily Columbinae - typical pigeons & doves
A feral pigeon Columba livia domestica in a

city park.
Genus Columba (Old World pigeons)
● Rock Pigeon, Columba livia

❍ Domestic pigeon or feral pigeon, Columba livia domestica
● Stock Pigeon, Columba oenas

Trocaz Pigeon, Columba trocaz
Bolle's Pigeon, Columba bollii
Laurel Pigeon, Columba junoniae
Hill Pigeon, Columba rupestris
Snow Pigeon, Columba leuconota
Speckled Pigeon, Columba guinea
White-collared Pigeon, Columba albitorques
Pale-backed Pigeon, Columba eversmanni
Somali Pigeon, Columba oliviae
Wood Pigeon, Columba palumbus
Afep Pigeon, Columba unicincta
African Olive Pigeon, Columba arquatrix
Cameroon Olive Pigeon, Columba sjostedti
Sao Tome Olive Pigeon, Columba thomensis
Comoro Olive Pigeon, Columba polleni
Speckled Wood-pigeon, Columba hodgsonii
White-naped Pigeon, Columba albinucha
Ashy Wood-pigeon, Columba pulchricollis
Nilgiri Wood-pigeon, Columba elphinstonii
White-headed pigeon, Columba leucomela.
● Sri Lanka Wood-pigeon, Columba torringtoni

Pale-capped Pigeon, Columba punicea
Silvery Pigeon, Columba argentina (possibly extinct)
Andaman Wood-pigeon, Columba palumboides
Japanese Wood-pigeon, Columba janthina
Bonin Wood-pigeon, Columba versicolor (extinct)
Ryukyu Wood-pigeon, Columba jouyi (extinct)
Metallic Pigeon or White-throated Pigeon, Columba vitiensis
White-headed Pigeon, Columba leucomela
Yellow-legged Pigeon, Columba pallidiceps
Feral pigeons in Kraków, Poland.
● Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, Columba delegorguei

Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Columba iriditorques
Sao Tome Bronze-naped Pigeon, Columba malherbii
African Lemon-dove, Columba larvata
Sao Tome Lemon-dove, Columba simplex
Barbary Dove (or Domestic Ringneck),
Streptopelia risoria, native to South Africa.
Genus Streptopelia (turtledoves)
● Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis (may be distinct genus Stigmatopelia)

Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis (may be distinct genus Stigmatopelia)
Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
Barbary Dove Streptopelia risoria (domesticated; taxonomic status doubtful)
African Collared Dove, Streptopelia roseogrisea
Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis
Dusky Turtle Dove, Streptopelia lugens
Adamawa Turtle Dove, Streptopelia hypopyrrha
Island Collared Dove, Streptopelia bitorquata
White-winged Collared Dove, Streptopelia reichenowi
African Mourning Dove, Streptopelia decipiens
Red-eyed Dove, Streptopelia semitorquata
Ring-necked Dove, Streptopelia capicola
Vinaceous Dove, Streptopelia vinacea
Red Turtle Dove, Streptopelia tranquebarica
Madagascar Turtle Dove, Streptopelia picturata (may be distinct genus Nesoenas)
Rodrigues Turtle Dove, Streptopelia rodericana (extinct; may be distinct genus Nesoenas)
Pink Pigeon, Streptopelia mayeri (may be distinct genus Nesoenas)
Réunion Pink Pigeon, Streptopelia duboisi (extinct; may be distinct genus Nesoenas)
Genus Patagioenas (American pigeons; formerly included in Columba)
● White-crowned Pigeon, Patagioenas leucocephala

Scaly-naped Pigeon, Patagioenas squamosa
Scaled Pigeon, Patagioenas speciosa
Picazuro Pigeon, Patagioenas picazuro
Bare-eyed Pigeon, Patagioenas corensis
Spot-winged Pigeon, Patagioenas maculosa
Band-tailed Pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata
Chilean Pigeon, Patagioenas araucana
Ring-tailed Pigeon, Patagioenas caribaea
Pale-vented Pigeon, Patagioenas cayennensis
Red-billed Pigeon, Patagioenas flavirostris
Peruvian Pigeon, Patagioenas oenops
Plain Pigeon, Patagioenas inornata
Plumbeous Pigeon, Patagioenas plumbea
Ruddy Pigeon, Patagioenas subvinacea
Short-billed Pigeon, Patagioenas nigrirostris
Dusky Pigeon, Patagioenas goodsoni
Brown Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia
phasianella.
Genus Macropygia
● Barred Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia unchall

Slender-billed Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia amboinensis
Brown Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia phasianella
Dusky Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia magna
Andaman Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia rufipennis
Philippine Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia tenuirostris
Ruddy Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia emiliana
Black-billed Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia nigrirostris
Mackinlay's Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia mackinlayi
Little Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia ruficeps
Genus Reinwardtoena
● Great Cuckoo-dove, Reinwardtoena reinwardtii

Pied Cuckoo-dove, Reinwardtoena browni
Crested Cuckoo-dove, Reinwardtoena crassirostris
Genus Turacoena
● White-faced Cuckoo-dove, Turacoena manadensis

Black Cuckoo-dove, Turacoena modesta
Subfamily N.N. - Bronzewings and relatives
Genus Turtur (African wood doves; subfamily assignment unclear)
● Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Turtur chalcospilos

Black-billed Wood Dove, Turtur abyssinicus
Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Turtur afer
Tambourine Dove, Turtur tympanistria
Blue-headed Wood Dove, Turtur brehmeri
Genus Oena (subfamily assignment unclear)
● Namaqua Dove, Oena capensis

Emerald Dove, Chalcophaps indica, native
to tropical southern Asia and Australia.
Genus Chalcophaps
● Emerald Dove, Chalcophaps indica

Stephan's Dove, Chalcophaps stephani
Genus Henicophaps
● New Guinea Bronzewing, Henicophaps albifrons

New Britain Bronzewing, Henicophaps foersteri
Genus Phaps
● Common Bronzewing, Phaps chalcoptera

Brush Bronzewing, Phaps elegans
Flock Bronzewing, Phaps histrionica
Genus Ocyphaps
● Crested Pigeon, Ocyphaps lophotes
Genus Geophaps
● Spinifex Pigeon, Geophaps plumifera

Squatter Pigeon, Geophaps scripta
Partridge Pigeon, Geophaps smithii
Genus Petrophassa, rock pigeons
● Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon, Petrophassa rufipennis

White-quilled Rock Pigeon, Petrophassa albipennis
Bar-shouldered Dove, Geopelia humeralis,

native to Australia.
Genus Geopelia
● Diamond Dove, Geopelia cuneata

Zebra Dove, Geopelia striata
Peaceful Dove, Geopelia placida
Barred Dove, Geopelia maugei
Bar-shouldered Dove, Geopelia humeralis
Subfamily Leptotilinae - Zenaidine and quail doves
Genus Zenaida
● White-winged Dove, Zenaida asiatica

Pacific Dove, Zenaida meloda
Zenaida Dove, Zenaida aurita
Galapagos Dove, Zenaida galapagoensis
Eared Dove, Zenaida auriculata
Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura
Socorro Dove, Zenaida graysoni (extinct in the wild)
Nestlings and mother Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura
Genus Ectopistes
● Passenger Pigeon Ectopistes migratorius (extinct)
Genus Leptotila
● White-tipped Dove, Leptotila verreauxi

White-faced Dove, Leptotila megalura
Grey-fronted Dove, Leptotila rufaxilla
Grey-headed Dove, Leptotila plumbeiceps
Pallid Dove, Leptotila pallida
Brown-backed Dove, Leptotila battyi
Grenada Dove, Leptotila wellsi
Caribbean Dove, Leptotila jamaicensis
Grey-chested Dove, Leptotila cassini
Ochre-bellied Dove, Leptotila ochraceiventris
Tolima Dove, Leptotila conoveri
Genus Geotrygon, quail-doves
● Purplish-backed Quail-Dove, Geotrygon lawrencii

Veracruz Quail-Dove, Geotrygon carrikeri
Costa Rica Quail-Dove, Geotrygon costaricensis
Russet-crowned Quail-Dove, Geotrygon goldmani
Sapphire Quail-Dove, Geotrygon saphirina
Grey-headed Quail-Dove, Geotrygon caniceps
Crested Quail-Dove, Geotrygon versicolor
Rufous-breasted Quail-Dove, Geotrygon chiriquensis
Olive-backed Quail-Dove, Geotrygon veraguensis
White-faced Quail-Dove, Geotrygon albifacies
Lined Quail-Dove, Geotrygon linearis
White-throated Quail-Dove, Geotrygon frenata
Key West Quail-Dove, Geotrygon chrysia
Bridled Quail-Dove, Geotrygon mystacea
Violaceous Quail-Dove, Geotrygon violacea
Ruddy Quail-Dove, Geotrygon montana
Genus Starnoenas
● Blue-headed Quail-Dove, Starnoenas cyanocephala
Subfamily Columbininae - American ground doves
Genus Columbina
● Common Ground Dove, Columbina passerina

Plain-breasted Ground Dove, Columbina minuta
Ecuadorian Ground Dove, Columbina buckleyi
Ruddy Ground Dove, Columbina talpacoti
Picui Dove, Columbina picui
Croaking Ground Dove, Columbina cruziana
Blue-eyed Ground Dove, Columbina cyanopis
Genus Claravis
● Blue Ground Dove, Claravis pretiosa

Purple-winged Ground Dove, Claravis godefrida
Maroon-chested Ground Dove, Claravis mondetoura
Genus Metropelia
● Bare-faced Ground Dove, Metriopelia ceciliae

Moreno's Ground Dove, Metriopelia morenoi
Black-winged Ground Dove, Metriopelia melanoptera
Golden-spotted Ground Dove, Metriopelia aymara
Genus Scardafella
● Inca Dove, Scardafella inca

Scaled Dove, Scardafella squammata
Genus Uropelia
● Long-tailed Ground Dove, Uropelia campestris...
Subfamily N.N. - Indopacific ground doves

Luzon Bleeding-heart Pigeon Gallicolumba
criniger, native to the Philippines.
Genus Gallicolumba
● Luzon Bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba luzonica

Mindanao Bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba crinigera (criniger is a spelling error in the description)
Mindoro Bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba platenae
Negros Bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba keayi
Sulu Bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba menagei (possibly extinct)
Cinnamon Ground Dove, Gallicolumba rufigula
Sulawesi Ground Dove, Gallicolumba tristigmata
White-bibbed Ground Dove, Gallicolumba jobiensis
Caroline Ground Dove, Gallicolumba kubaryi
Polynesian Ground Dove, Gallicolumba erythroptera
White-throated Ground Dove, Gallicolumba xanthonura
Friendly Ground Dove, Gallicolumba stairi
Tanna Ground Dove, Gallicolumba ferruginea (extinct)
Santa Cruz Ground Dove, Gallicolumba sanctaecrucis
Thick-billed Ground Dove, Gallicolumba salamonis (extinct)
Marquesas Ground Dove, Gallicolumba rubescens
Bronze Ground Dove, Gallicolumba beccarii
Palau Ground Dove, Gallicolumba canifrons
Wetar Ground Dove, Gallicolumba hoedtii
Norfolk Island Ground Dove, Gallicolumba norfolciensis (extinct)
Genus Trugon
● Thick-billed Ground Pigeon, Trugon terrestris
Subfamily Otidiphabinae - Pheasant Pigeon
Genus Otidiphaps
● Pheasant Pigeon, Otidiphaps nobilis
Subfamily Didunculinae - tooth-billed pigeon
Genus Didunculus
● Tooth-billed Pigeon, Didunculus strigirostris
Subfamily Gourinae - crowned pigeons

Victoria Crowned Pigeon Goura victoria in
a zoo aviary.
Genus Goura
● Western Crowned Pigeon, Goura cristata

Southern Crowned Pigeon, Goura scheepmakeri
Victoria Crowned Pigeon, Goura victoria
Subfamily N.N. ("Treroninae") - green and fruit doves and imperial pigeons
Genus Ducula (imperial pigeons)
Chestnut-naped Imperial Pigeon Ducula

aenea paulina. Other names for this bird are
Celebes Imperial Pigeon, Celebes Green
Imperial Pigeon and Green Imperial Pigeon.
● Pink-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Ducula poliocephala

White-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Ducula forsteni
Mindoro Imperial Pigeon, Ducula mindorensis
Grey-headed Imperial Pigeon, Ducula radiata
Grey-necked Imperial Pigeon, Ducula carola
Green Imperial Pigeon, Ducula aenea
White-eyed Imperial Pigeon, Ducula perspicillata
Blue-tailed Imperial Pigeon, Ducula concinna
Pacific Imperial Pigeon, Ducula pacifica
Micronesian Imperial Pigeon, Ducula oceanica
Polynesian Imperial Pigeon, Ducula aurorae
Nukuhiva Imperial Pigeon, Ducula galeata
Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon, Ducula rubricera
Spice Imperial Pigeon, Ducula myristicivora
Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon, Ducula rufigaster
Cinnamon-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Ducula basilica
Finsch's Imperial Pigeon, Ducula finschii
Shinning Imperial Pigeon, Ducula chalconota
Island Imperial Pigeon, Ducula pistrinaria
Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon, Ducula rosacea
Christmas Imperial Pigeon, Ducula whartoni
Grey Imperial Pigeon, Ducula pickeringii
Peale's Imperial Pigeon, Ducula latrans
Chestnut-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Ducula brenchleyi
Vanuatu Imperial Pigeon, Ducula bakeri
New Caledonian Imperial Pigeon, Ducula goliath
Pinon's Imperial Pigeon, Ducula pinon
Bismarck Imperial Pigeon, Ducula melanochroa
Collared Imperial Pigeon, Ducula mullerii
Zoe's Imperial Pigeon, Ducula zoeae
Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Ducula badia
Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon, Ducula lacernulata
Timor Imperial Pigeon, Ducula cineracea
Pied Imperial Pigeon Ducula bicolor.
● Pied Imperial Pigeon, Ducula bicolor

Torresian Imperial Pigeon, Ducula spilorrhoa
White Imperial Pigeon, Ducula luctuosa
Genus Lopholaimus
● Topknot Pigeon, Lopholaimus antarcticus
Kererū, New Zealand Pigeon, Hemiphaga

novaeseelandiae.
Genus Hemiphaga
● New Zealand Pigeon, Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
Genus Cryptophaps
● Sombre Pigeon, Cryptophaps poecilorrhoa
Genus Gymnophaps (mountain pigeons)
● Papuan Mountain Pigeon, Gymnophaps albertisii

Long-tailed Mountain Pigeon, Gymnophaps mada
Pale Mountain Pigeon, Gymnophaps solomonensis
Genus Ptilinopus (fruit doves)
● Black-backed Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus cinctus

Black-banded Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus alligator
Red-naped Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus dohertyi
Pink-headed Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus porphyreus
Flame-breasted Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus marchei
Cream-bellied Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus merrilli
Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus occipitalis
Red-eared Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus fischeri
Jambu Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus jambu
Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus subgularis
Black-chinned Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus leclancheri
Scarlet-breasted Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus bernsteinii
Wompoo Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus magnificus
Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus perlatus
Ornate Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus ornatus
Tanna Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus tannensis
Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus aurantiifrons
Wallace's Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus wallacii
Superb Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus superbus
Many-coloured Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus perousii
Purple-capped Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus porphyraceus
Palau Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus pelewensis
Rarotonga Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus rarotongensis
Mariana Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus roseicapilla
Rose-crowned Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus regina
Silver-capped Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus richardsii
Grey-green Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus purpuratus
Makatea Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus chalcurus
Atoll Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus coralensis
Red-bellied Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus greyii
Rapa Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus huttoni
White-capped Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus dupetithouarsii
Male Pink-headed Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus

porphyreus
● Red-moustached Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus mercierii (extinct)
Henderson Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus insularis
Coroneted Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus coronulatus
Beautiful Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus pulchellus
Blue-capped Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus monacha
White-bibbed Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus rivoli
Yellow-bibbed Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus solomonensis
Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus viridis
White-headed Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus eugeniae
Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus iozonus
Knob-billed Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus insolitus
Grey-headed Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus hyogaster
Carunculated Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus granulifrons
Black-naped Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus melanospila
Dwarf Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus nanus
Negros Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus arcanus (possibly extinct)
Orange Dove, Ptilinopus victor
Golden Dove, Ptilinopus luteovirens
Whistling Dove, Ptilinopus layardi
Genus Natunaornis
● Viti Levu Giant Pigeon, Natunaornis gigoura (prehistoric)
Genus Drepanoptila
● Cloven-feathered Dove, Drepanoptila holosericea
Genus Alectroenas (blue pigeons)
● Madagascar Blue Pigeon, Alectroenas madagascariensis

Comoro Blue Pigeon, Alectroenas sganzini
Seychelles Blue Pigeon, Alectroenas pulcherrima
Farquhar Blue Pigeon, Alectroenas sp. (extinct)
Mauritius Blue Pigeon, Alectroenas nitidissima (extinct)
Rodrigues Pigeon "Alectroenas" rodericana (extinct; probably distinct genus)
Placement unresolved
Nicobar Pigeon
Genus Caloenas
● Nicobar Pigeon, Caloenas nicobarica

Liverpool Pigeon, "Caloenas" maculata (extinct; probably distinct genus)
Genus Treron (green pigeons)
● Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeon, Treron fulvicollis

Little Green Pigeon, Treron olax
Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Treron vernans
Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Treron bicincta
Pompadour Green Pigeon, Treron pompadora
Thick-billed Green Pigeon, Treron curvirostra
Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Treron griseicauda
Sumba Green Pigeon, Treron teysmannii
Flores Green Pigeon, Treron floris
Timor Green Pigeon, Treron psittacea
Large Green Pigeon, Treron capellei
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Treron phoenicoptera
Bruce's Green Pigeon, Treron waalia
Madagascar Green Pigeon, Treron australis
African Green Pigeon, Treron calva
Pemba Green Pigeon, Treron pembaensis
Sao Tome Green Pigeon, Treron sanctithomae
Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Treron apicauda
Sumatran Green Pigeon, Treron oxyura
Yellow-vented Green Pigeon, Treron seimundi
Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Treron sphenura
White-bellied Green Pigeon, Treron sieboldii
Whistling Green Pigeon, Treron formosae
Genus Phapitreron (brown doves)
● White-eared Brown Dove, Phapitreron leucotis

Amethyst Brown Dove, Phapitreron amethystina
Dark-eared Brown Dove, Phapitreron cinereiceps
Wonga Pigeon, Leucosarcia melanoleuca,

native to Australia.
Genus Leucosarcia
● Wonga Pigeon, Leucosarcia melanoleuca
Genus Microgoura
● Choiseul Pigeon, Microgoura meeki (extinct; subfamily assignment unclear)
Genus Dysmoropelia
● St Helena Flightless Pigeon, Dysmoropelia dekarchiskos (extinct)
Genus indeterminate
● Henderson Island Archaic Pigeon, Columbidae gen. et sp. indet. (prehistoric)
Symbolism
● White doves, usually meaning domesticated Rock Pigeons, are a traditional Christian and Jewish symbol of love and
peace. According to the biblical story, a dove was released by Noah after the flood in order to find land; it came back
carrying an olive branch, telling Noah that, somewhere, there was land. A dove with an olive branch has since then come
to symbolize peace. In Christian iconography, a dove also symbolizes the Holy Spirit, in reference to Matthew 3:16 and
Luke 3:22 where the Holy Spirit appeared as a dove at the Baptism of Jesus.
● Doves or other birds are sometimes released at Christian weddings. It should be noted that these birds, unless they are
trained homing pigeons, cannot survive in the wild and will either starve to death or be easy prey for predators.
● Doves are often associated with the concept of peace and pacifism. They often appear in political cartoons, on banners
and signs at events promoting peace (such as the Olympic games, at various anti-war/anti-violence protests, etc.), and
in pacifist literature. A person who is a pacifist is sometimes referred to as a dove (similarly, in American politics, a
person who advocates the use of military resources as opposed to diplomacy can be referred to as a hawk).
● Ironically, although sometimes ungratefully considered "pests" in big cities, common pigeons or Rock Pigeons have
served humans in times of war as war pigeons, and have even been awarded war medals to honour their services to
humanity. These include the homing pigeon, Cher Ami, who received the French Croix de guerre for services during
wartime, and who is now enshrined in the Smithsonian Institution, and G.I. Joe, who received the Dickin Medal for his role
in preventing the bombing of an Italian village of over 1,000 people.
Doves as food
Several species of pigeon or dove are used as food, and probably any could be; the powerful breast muscles characteristic of
the family make excellent meat. In Europe the Wood Pigeon is commonly shot as a game bird, while Rock Pigeons
were originally domesticated as a food species, and many breeds were developed for their meat-bearing qualities.
The extinction of the Passenger Pigeon was at least partly due to shooting for use as food.
Doves are Kosher, and they and Turtle Doves are the only birds that may be used for a Korban. Other Kosher birds may
be eaten, but not brought as a Korban.
Trivia
A traditional pigeonhouse in
Meybod, Yazd, Iran.
● Doves can be trained and often are utilized in tricks and animal acts by magicians and showmen.
● In the United States, "dove" is sometimes used as a street name for cocaine. Ecstasy pills are also sometimes referred to
as "doves", due to a well-known "brand" of pills featuring an embossed dove.
● Dove is a brand of American ice cream; their "Dove Bar", featuring a vanilla ice cream filling with a thin chocolate coating,
is particularly well known.
● Dove is also a brand of soaps, deodorants skin care and hair care products, manufactured by Unilever.
● A "pigeon" is an English slang word to refer to an uneducated, naive, or unsophisticated person: one that is easily deceived
or cheated by underhanded means. To be referred to as a "pigeon" or a "dupe" suggests unwariness in the person deluded
— especially used in the slang language of gambling. Etymology: from Middle French duppe.
External links
● columbidae.org.uk - an online resource for the conservation of pigeons and doves
● Dove Pictures and Links
● The Dove Page The Place on the Internet for Doves
● A selection of external links
● Pigeon Blog
● Dove videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Pigeon and dove information
● Some squab recipes
● Pigeon and Dove info
References
● Baptista, L. F.; Trail, P. W. & Horblit, H. M. (1997): Order Columbiformes. In: del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J.
(editors): Handbook of birds of the world, Volume 4: Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. ISBN 84-87334-22-9
● Johnson, Kevin P. & Clayton, Dale H. (2000): Nuclear and Mitochondrial Genes Contain Similar Phylogenetic. Signal
for Pigeons and Doves (Aves: Columbiformes). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 14(1): 141–151. PDF fulltext
● Johnson, Kevin P.; de Kort, Selvino; Dinwoodey, Karen, Mateman, A. C.; ten Cate, Carel; Lessells, C. M. & Clayton, Dale
H. (2001): A molecular phylogeny of the dove genera Streptopelia and Columba. Auk 118(4): 874-887. PDF fulltext
● Shapiro, Beth; Sibthorpe, Dean; Rambaut, Andrew; Austin, Jeremy; Wragg, Graham M.; Bininda-Emonds, Olaf R. P.;
Lee, Patricia L. M. & Cooper, Alan (2002): Flight of the Dodo. Science 295: 1683. DOI:10.1126/
science.295.5560.1683 (HTML abstract) Supplementary information
Footnotes
1. ^ Basically, the conventional treatment had 2 large subfamilies, one for the fruit-doves, imperial pigeons and fruit-pigeons,
and another for nearly all of the remaining species. Additionally, there were 3 monotypic subfamilies, one each for the
genera Goura, Otidiphaps and Didunculus. The old subfamily Columbinae consists of 5 distinct lineages, whereas the other
4 groups are more or less accurate representations of the evolutionary relationships.
See also
Related to doves
● Homing pigeon
● Carrier pigeon
Home | Up | Callaeidae | Caprimulgidae | Casuariidae | Cathartidae | Charadriidae | Chionididae | Cinclidae | Cinclosomatidae

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Passeri
Passeri
A songbird or oscine is a bird belonging to the suborder Passeri of
Passeriformes (ca. 4000 species), in which the vocal organ is
developed in such a way as to produce various sound notes,
commonly known as bird song. Songbirds evolved about 50 million
years ago in the western part of Gondwana that later became
Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica and later spread around the
world.
This 'bird song' is essentially territorial in that it communicates the

identity and whereabouts of an individual to other birds and also
signals sexual intentions. It is not to be confused with bird calls
which are used for alarms and contact, and are especially important
in birds that feed or migrate in flocks.
Superb Lyrebird
Other birds have songs to attract mates or hold territory, but these as painted by John Gould
are usually simple and repetitive, lacking the variety of many of a British Museum specimen
passerine songs. The monotonous repetition of the Common Cuckoo ( in real life, the Lyrebird's tail is
or Little Crake can be contrasted with the variety of a Nightingale or different )
Marsh Warbler. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Although many songbirds have songs which are pleasant to the
human ear, this is not invariably the case. Many members of the
crow family make croaks or screeches which sound harsh to humans. Phylum: Chordata
Under the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy this suborder is divided into Class: Aves
two parvorders, Corvida and Passerida. However, more recent
research is casting doubt on the existence of Corvida as single Order: Passeriformes
parvorder, but given the present lack of any generally accepted
redivision of Corvida into two or more groupings at the parvorder
level, the families of suborder Passeri are listed below as being in Suborder: Passeri
either Corvida or Passerida.
Families
Many, see text
Contents
● 1 Families
❍ 1.1 Corvida
❍ 1.2 Passerida
● 2 See also
● 3 External link
Families
Corvida
● Menuridae: lyrebirds
Atrichornithidae: scrub birds
Climacteridae: Australian treecreepers
Pardalotidae: pardalotes, scrubwrens, thornbills, and gerygones
Petroicidae: Australian robins
Orthonychidae: logrunners
Pomatostomidae: Australasian babblers
Cinclosomatidae: whipbirds and allies
Neosittidae: sittellas
Pachycephalidae: whistlers, shrike-thrushes, pitohuis and allies
Dicruridae: monarch flycatchers and allies
Campephagidae: cuckoo shrikes and trillers
Oriolidae: orioles and Figbird
Icteridae: American blackbirds, New World orioles, grackles and cowbirds.
Artamidae: wood swallows, butcherbirds, currawongs and Australian Magpie
Paradisaeidae: birds of paradise
Corvidae: crows, ravens, and jays
Laniidae: shrikes
Vireonidae: vireos
Turnagridae: Piopio
Passerida
● Alaudidae: larks
Aegithinidae: ioras
Bombycillidae: waxwings and allies
Ptilogonatidae: silky flycatchers
Cinclidae: dippers
Prunellidae: accentor
Passeridae: true sparrows
Estrildidae: estrildid finches (waxbills, munias, etc)
Fringillidae: true finches
Cardinalidae: cardinals
Emberizidae: buntings and American sparrows
Nectariniidae: sunbirds
Mimidae: mockingbirds and thrashers
Paridae: tits, chickadees and titmice
Hirundinidae: swallows and martins
Regulidae: kinglets
Hypocoliidae: Hypocolius
Zosteropidae: White-eyes
Muscicapidae: Old World flycatchers and chats
See also
● list of birds
External link
● Oscines Tree of Life web project article July 31, 2006
Home | Up | Corvida | Passeri | Passerida | Tyranni
Passeriformes
Passerines
A passerine is a bird of the giant order Passeriformes. More than
half of all species of bird are passerines. Sometimes known as
perching birds or, less accurately, as songbirds, the passerines are
one of the most spectacularly successful vertebrate orders: with
around 5,400 species, they are roughly twice as diverse as the
largest of the mammal orders, the Rodentia.
The group gets its name from the Latin name for the House
Sparrow (Passer domesticus).
House Sparrow
(Passer domesticus)
Contents Scientific classification
● 1 Characteristics Kingdom: Animalia

● 2 Origin
● 3 Taxonomy of passerines Phylum: Chordata
● 4 See also
Class: Aves
Characteristics Order: Passeriformes

Linnaeus, 1758
Many passerines are songbirds and have complex muscles to Suborders

control their syrinx; many gape in the nest as infants to beg for Tyranni
food. Passeri
The order is divided into two suborders, Tyranni, and Passeri (oscines). Oscines have the most control of
their syrinx muscles and are true songbirds (though some of them, such as the crows, do not sound like
it).
Most passerines are smaller than typical members of other avian orders. The largest passerine is the
Thick-billed Raven (although the Lyrebird is longer).
The foot of a passerine has three toes directed forward without any webbing or joining, and one toe
directed backward. The hind toe joins the leg at the same level as the front toes. In other orders of birds
the toe arrangement is different.
Most passerines lay coloured eggs, in contrast to non-passerines, where the colour is white except in
some ground nesting groups such as Charadriiformes and nightjars, where camouflage is necessary, and
some parasitic cuckoos which have to match the passerine host's egg.
Origin
The evolutionary history of and relationships among the passerine families remained rather mysterious
until around the end of the 20th century. Many passerine families were grouped together on the basis of
morphological similarities that, it is now believed, are the result of convergent evolution, not a close
genetic relationship. For example, the "wrens" of the northern hemisphere, of Australia, and of New
Zealand all look very similar and behave in similar ways, and yet belong to three far-flung branches of
the passerine family tree: they are as unrelated as it is possible to be while yet remaining Passeriformes.
Much research remains to be done, but a series of biochemical studies are gradually revealing a clearer
picture of passerine origins and evolution. It is now thought that the early passerines evolved in
Gondwana at about the time that the southern supercontinent was breaking up. This led to the Tyranni
and, a little later, to a great radiation of forms in Australia-New Guinea (the Passeri or songbirds). A
major branch of the passerine tree, the Passerida (or sparrow-like forms), emerged either as the sister
group to the basal lineages ("Corvida"), or more likely as a subgroup of it, and reached the northern
hemisphere, where there was a further explosive radiation of new species. Since then, there has been
extensive mixing, with northern forms returning to the south, southern forms moving north, and so on.
Taxonomy of passerines
This list is in taxonomic order, placing related species/groups next to each other. For missing families.
Note that as of 2006, several studies have appeared which if validated will revolutionize the phylogeny
presented here. For example, the Corvida as presented here are as far as anyone can tell a rather arbitrary
assemblage of early and minor lineages of passeriform birds of Old World origin.
● ORDER PASSERIFORMES
❍ Suborder Tyranni
■ Tyrannidae: tyrant flycatchers
Pittidae: pittas
Eurylaimidae: broadbills
Furnariidae: ovenbirds and woodcreepers
Thamnophilidae: antbirds
Conopophagidae: gnateaters
Pipridae: manakins
Acanthisittidae: New Zealand wrens
❍ Suborder Passeri (Corvida)
■ Menuridae: lyrebirds

Promeropidae: sugarbirds
Pardalotidae: pardalotes, scrubwrens, thornbills, and gerygones
Petroicidae: Australian robins
Orthonychidae: logrunners
Pomatostomidae: Australasian babblers
Cinclosomatidae: whipbirds and allies
Pachycephalidae: whistlers, shrike-thrushes, pitohuis and allies
Artamidae: wood swallows, butcherbirds, currawongs and Australian Magpie
Paradisaeidae: birds of paradise
Corvidae: crows, ravens and jays
Laniidae: shrikes
Prionopidae: helmetshrikes.
Malaconotidae: puffback shrikes, bush shrikes, tchagras and boubous
Vireonidae: vireos
Vangidae: vangas
Turnagridae: Piopio
Callaeidae: New Zealand wattlebirds
❍ Suborder Passeri (Passerida)
■ Alaudidae: larks
Aegithinidae: ioras
Bombycillidae: waxwings and allies
Dulidae: palmchat
Ptilogonatidae: silky flycatchers
Cinclidae: dippers
Urocynchramidae: Przewalski's Finch
Estrildidae: estrildid finches (waxbills, munias, etc)
Cardinalidae: cardinals
Ploceidae: weavers
Mimidae: mockingbirds and thrashers
Rhabdornithidae: Philippine creepers
Remizidae: penduline tits
Regulidae: kinglets
Coerebidae: Bananaquit
Icteridae: grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles
Paradoxornithidae: Parrotbills
Platysteiridae: wattle-eyes or puffback flycatchers
See also
● list of birds
Fringillidae
Carduelis | Carpodacus | Coccothraustes | Eophona | Euphoniinae | Fringilla | Grosbeak | Leucosticte
| Loxia | Pinicola | Pyrrhula | Rhodopechys | Seedeater | Serinus
True Finches
Finches are passerine birds, often seed-eating, found chiefly in the
northern hemisphere and Africa. One subfamily is endemic to the
Neotropics. The taxonomic structure of the true finch family,
Fringillidae, is somewhat disputed, with some including the
Hawaiian honeycreepers as another subfamily (Drepanidinae) and/
or uniting the cardueline and fringilline finches as tribes
(Carduelini and Fringillini) in one subfamily; the euphonious
finches were thought to be tanagers due to general similarity in
appearance and mode of life until their real affinities were
realized; the buntings and American sparrows were formerly
considered another subfamily (Emberizinae). Przewalski's
"Rosefinch" (Urocynchramus pylzowi) is now classified as a
distinct, monotypic family with no particularly close relatives.
"Classic" or true finches are small to moderately large and have a

strong, stubby beaks, which in some species can be quite large. All
have 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. They have a bouncing flight,
Evening Grosbeak
alternating bouts of flapping with gliding on closed wings, and
most sing well. Their nests are basket-shaped and built in trees. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
There are many birds in other families which are often called
finches. These include many species in the very similar-looking
Phylum: Chordata
Estrildids or waxbill family, which occur in the Old World tropics
and Australia. Several groups of the Emberizidae family (buntings
and American sparrows) are also named as finches, including the Class: Aves
Darwin's finches of the Galapagos islands, which provided
evidence of Darwin's theory of evolution. Order: Passeriformes
Systematics Family: Fringillidae

Vigors, 1825
The systematics of the cardueline finches are contentious. The Genera
layout presented here follows the molecular studies of Marten &
Johnson (1986) and Arnaiz-Villena et al. (1998, 2001), and takes Many, see text
into account the traditional splitting of the genus Carduelis. The
exact position of several genera in the cardueline sequence is tentative.
FAMILY FRINGILLIDAE
● Subfamily Fringillinae - Fringilline finches; contains only three species, which feed their young
on insects rather than seeds.
❍ Genus Fringilla - Bramblings and chaffinches
■ Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
Blue Chaffinch (Fringilla teydea)

Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla)
● Subfamily Carduelinae - Cardueline finches; a much larger group that contains several genera
which feed their young on seeds.
❍ Genus Eophona - Oriental grosbeaks
Genus Mycerobas - Mycerobas Grosbeaks

Genus Pinicola - Pine grosbeak
Genus Pyrrhula - Bullfinches
Genus Leucosticte - Mountain finches
Genus N.N. - Dark-breasted Rosefinch, "Carpodacus" nipalensis (possibly belongs into
Fringillinae)
Genus Carpodacus - Rosefinches (may be 2 or 3 genera; probably includes Haematospiza
and possibly also Uragus)
Genus Haematospiza - Scarlet Finch
Genus Uragus - Streaked rosefinches
Genus Serinus - Canaries, seedeaters, serins and African siskins
Genus Carduelis sensu lato
■ (Sub)Genus Carduelis sensu stricto - Linnets, goldfinches, twite and cardueline
siskins.
(Sub)Genus Chloris - greenfinches and desert finch
(Sub)Genus Acanthis - redpolls
(Sub)Genus Loxia - Crossbills
❍ Genus Rhodopechys - Trumpeter Finch and relatives
Genus Coccothraustes - Hawfinch, Evening Grosbeak

Genus Pyrrhoplectes - Gold-naped Finch
Genus Chaunoproctus - Bonin Grosbeak (extinct)
Genus Callacanthis - Spectacled Finch
Genus Neospiza - Sao Tomé Grosbeak
Genus Linurgus - Oriole Finch
Genus Rhynchostruthus - Golden-winged Grosbeak
● Subfamily Euphoniinae - Euphonious finches; endemic to the Neotropics; formerly treated in
Thraupidae.
❍ Genus Euphonia, the euphonias
❍ Genus Chlorophonia, the chlorophonias
References
● Arnaiz-Villena, A.; Álvarez-Tejado, M.; Ruiz-del-Valle, V.; García-de-la-Torre, C.; Varela, P.;
Recio, M. J.; Ferre. S. & Martínez-Laso, J. (1998): Phylogeny and rapid Northern and Southern
Hemisphere speciation of goldfinches during the Miocene and Pliocene Epochs. Cellular and
Molecular Life Sciences 54(9): 1031–1041. DOI:10.1007/s000180050230 PDF fulltext. Erratum,
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 55(1): 148. DOI:10.1007/s000180050280 PDF fulltext
● Arnaiz-Villena, A.; Guillén, J.; Ruiz-del-Valle, V.; Lowy, E.; Zamora, J.; Varela, P.; Stefani, D.
& Allende, L. M. (2001): Phylogeography of crossbills, bullfinches, grosbeaks, and rosefinches.
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 58: 1159–1166. PDF fulltext
● Clement, Peter; Harris, Alan & Davis, John (1993): Finches and Sparrows: an identification
guide. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-8017-2
● Marten, Jill A. & Johnson, Ned K. (1986): Genetic relationships of North American cardueline
finches. Condor 88(4): 409-420. PDF fulltext
External links
● Lyric Wild Bird Food - Attracting American Goldfinches to Your Back Yard
● Finch Info & Pictures Information and pictures about various types of finches.
● FinchInfo.com Information on keeping finches as pets.
● Finch videos on the Internet Bird Collection
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| Motacillidae | Muscicapidae | Nectariniidae | Nuthatches | Old World babblers | Paradoxornithidae
| Paramythiidae | Paridae | Parulidae | Passeridae | Peucedramidae | Picathartidae | Platysteiridae
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| Remizidae | Rhabdornithidae | Sturnidae | Sylviidae | Thraupidae | Timaliidae | Troglodytidae | Turdidae
| Viduidae | Waxwings | Zosteropidae
Rock Pigeon
Rock Pigeon
The Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), is a member of the bird family Columbidae, doves and pigeons. The Conservation status Least concern
bird is also known by the names of feral pigeon or domestic pigeon. In common usage, this bird is
often simply referred to as the "pigeon". The species was commonly known as Rock Dove until the
British Ornithologists' Union and the American Ornithologists' Union changed the official English
name of the bird in their regions to Rock Pigeon.
Rock Pigeon near the shore in Connecticut

Feral Rock Pigeons commonly
show a very wide range of
plumage variation Kingdom: Animalia
The Rock Pigeon has a restricted natural resident range in western and southern Europe, North Africa, Phylum: Chordata
and into southwest Asia. Its habitat is natural cliffs, usually on coasts. Its domesticated form, the feral
pigeon, has been widely introduced elsewhere, and is common, especially in cities, over much of the
world. In Britain, Ireland, and much of its former range, the Rock Pigeon probably only occurs pure in Class: Aves
the most remote areas. A Rock Pigeon's life span is anywhere from 3–5 years in the wild to 15 years in
captivity, though longer-lived specimens have been reported. Order: Columbiformes
The species was first introduced to North America in 1606 at Port Royal, Acadia (now Nova Scotia). Family: Columbidae
The Rock Pigeon is 30–35 cm long with a 62–68 cm wingspan. The white lower back of the pure Rock
Pigeon is its best identification character, but the two black bars on its pale grey wings are also Genus: Columba
distinctive . The tail is margined with white. It is strong and quick on the wing, dashing out from sea
caves, flying low over the water, its white rump showing well from above. Species: C. livia
The head and neck of the mature bird are a darker blue-grey than the back and wings; the lower back is Binomial name
white. The green and lilac or purple patch on the side of the neck is larger than that of the Stock Dove,
and the tail is more distinctly banded. Young birds show little lustre and are duller. Eye colour of the Columba livia
Gmelin, 1789
pigeon is generally an orange colour but a few pigeons may have white-grey eyes. The eyelids are
orange in colour and are encapsulated in a grey-white eye ring.
When circling overhead, the white under wing of the bird becomes conspicuous. In its flight, behaviour, and voice, which
is more of a dovecot coo than the phrase of the Wood Pigeon, it is a typical pigeon. Although it is a relatively strong flier,
it also glides frequently, holding its wings in a very pronounced V shape as it does. Though fields are visited for grain
and green food, it is nowhere so plentiful as to be a pest.
Varying eye colour in Rock

Pigeons.
The bowing courtship, when the metallic lustre of the neck is fully displayed, often takes place on ledges where Guillemots
and Razorbills sit.
A small prehistoric subspecies of the Rock Dove that lived during the last ice age in Italy has been described as Columba
livia minuta.
Rock Pigeons in their natural

habitat perched on sea cliffs.
Most pigeons in an urban
environment substitute sheer
building facades for cliff faces
Contents
● 1 Nest and Nestling
● 2 Domestication
● 3 Feral pigeons in cities
● 4 See also
● 5 References
Nest and Nestling

The nest is usually on a ledge in a cave; it is a slight structure of grass, heather, or seaweed. Like most pigeons it lays two
white eggs. The eggs are incubated by both parents for about 18 days.
The nestling has pale yellow down and a flesh-coloured bill with a dark band. It is tended and fed on "crop milk" like
other doves. The fledging period is 30 days.
Egg, measured in centimetresNest with two eggs Newly hatched nestling and one eggNestlings, one day
Nestling, five days Nestlings, about ten daysYoung bird, 22 days
Domestication
In tree
Rock Pigeons have been domesticated for several thousand years, giving rise to the domestic pigeon. Trained
domestic pigeons are able to return to the home loft if released at a location that they have never visited before and that may
be up to 1000 km away. A special breed, called homing pigeons has been developed through selective breeding to
carry messages and members of this variety of pigeon are still being used in pigeon racing.
Pigeons are also bred for meat and by fanciers to develop many exotic forms. Among those forms are the carrier pigeons,
a variety of pigeon with wattles and a unique, almost vertical, stance (pictures). Young pigeon meat is often sold under
the name squab.
Pigeons' extraordinary navigation abilities have been attributed to the theory that they are able to sense the Earth's
magnetic field with tiny magnetic tissues in their head. This is all the more surprising as they are not a migratory species,
which is a fact used by some ornithologists to dispute the "compass pigeon" theory.
Many domestic birds have escaped or been released over the years, and have given rise to the feral pigeon. These show
a variety of plumages, although some look very like the pure Rock Pigeons. The scarcity of the pure wild species is due
to interbreeding with feral birds.
Many people consider pigeons to be pests but they have made contributions of considerable importance to humanity,
especially in times of war. In war the homing ability of pigeons has been put to use by making them messengers. So-called
war pigeons have carried many vital messages and some have been decorated for their service. Medals such as the Croix
de guerre, awarded to Cher Ami, and the Dickin Medal awarded to G.I. Joe have been given to pigeons for their service.
Domestic pigeons are also commonly used in laboratory experiments in biology, medicine and cognitive science. They
have been trained to distinguish between cubist and impressionist paintings, for instance. In another project, pigeons
were shown to be more effective than humans in spotting shipwreck victims at sea. Current (2004) research in pigeons
is widespread, encompassing shape and texture perception, exemplar and prototype memory, category-based and
associative concepts, and many more unlisted here.
Feral pigeons in cities

Although feeding them is now forbidden, pigeons
still flock to London's Trafalgar Square
Pigeon in flight
Feral pigeons, also called city doves or city pigeons, find the ledges of high buildings a perfect substitute for sea cliffs,
and have become abundant in cities all over the world. However, they are often considered a pest or even vermin, owing
to concerns that they spread disease, damage property, cause pollution with their excrement, and drive out other bird
species. Alternative, pejorative, nicknames for pigeons are sky rats, rats with wings, or gutter birds. In Montreal,
Quebec, Canada, they are also commonly referred to as flying ashtrays.
Many city squares are famous for their large pigeon populations, including:
● Trafalgar Square — London

Dam Square — Amsterdam
Martin Place — Sydney
Piazza San Marco — Venice
Misir Carshisi — Istanbul
Rynek Główny — Cracow
Richard J. Daley Center — Chicago
Piccadilly Gardens — Manchester
Many places where pigeons could

land are covered with spikes
In the mid 20th century, the pigeons in Trafalgar Square were considered a tourist attraction, with street vendors selling
packets of seeds for visitors to feed the pigeons. The feeding of the Trafalgar Square pigeons was controversially forbidden
[1] in 2003 by London mayor Ken Livingstone. However, activist groups such as Save the Trafalgar Square Pigeons[2]
flouted the ban, feeding the pigeons from a small part of the square that is under the control of Westminster City Council,
[3]
not the mayor. The organisation has since come to an agreement to feed the pigeons only once a day, at 7.30am .
Although pest exterminators using poison, a hawk or nets have been employed at ground level to control urban
pigeon populations, the effect is limited and very short term. Pigeons breed when the food supply is good — for wild
rock doves this might be on a seasonal basis so they usually breed once a year. In the urban environment, because of their
year-round food supply, feral pigeons will breed continuously, laying eggs up to six times a year.
Feral pigeons can be seen eating grass seeds and berries in urban parks and gardens in the spring, but there are plentiful
sources throughout the year from scavenging (e.g. dropped fast-food cartons). Further food is also usually available from
the disposing of stale bread in parks by restaurants and supermarkets, from tourists buying and distributing birdseed,
etc. Pigeons tend to congregate in large, often thick flocks when going for discarded food, and many have been observed
flying skillfully around trees, buildings, telephone poles and cables, and even moving traffic just to reach it.
A Rock Pigeon perched in Central Park
Long term reduction of feral pigeon populations can only be achieved by restricting food supply, which in turn will
involve legislation and litter (garbage) control.
As a result of the continuous food supply, pigeon courtship rituals can be observed in urban parks at any time of the
year. Males on the ground initially puff up feathers at the nape of the neck to increase their apparent size and thereby
impress or attract attention, then they single out a female in the vicinity and approach at a rapid walk, often bowing as
they approach. Females invariably initially walk away or fly short distances, the males follow them at each stage.
Persistence by the male will usually eventually cause the female to tolerate his proximity, at which point he will continue
the bowing motion and very often turn full- or half-pirouettes in front of the female. Subsequent mating when observed is
very brief with the male flapping his wings to maintain balance on the female. Sometimes the male and female beaks
are locked together.
Nests are rudimentary as for the wild doves and pigeons. Favourite nesting areas are in damaged property. Mass nesting
is common with dozens of birds sharing a building. Loose tiles and broken windows give pigeons access — they
are remarkably good at spotting when new access points become available for example after strong winds cause
property damage. Nests and droppings will quickly make a mess of any nesting area. Pigeons are particularly fond of
roof spaces containing water tanks, though they frequently seem to fall into the tanks and drown. Any water tank or cistern in
a roof space needs to have a secure lid for this reason. The popularity of a nesting area seems little affected if pigeons die or
are killed there — corpses are seen among live birds, who seem unconcerned.
On undamaged property the gutters, chimney pots and external ledges will be used as nesting sites. Many building
owners attempt to limit roosting by using bird control spikes and netting to cover ledges and resting places on the facades
of buildings. These probably have little effect on the size of pigeon populations, but can help to reduce the accumulation
of droppings on and around an individual building.
Only the larger and more wary Wood Pigeon (which often shares the same territory and food supply) will build a tree nest;
for some reason it prefers trees close to roads.
The coo-ing of the feral pigeon is almost continuous when birds are on a nest; it is rarely heard at other times except
courtship. Males are at least as likely to be on the nest as females, though a pair of birds will attend the nest.
Peregrine Falcons which are also originally cliff dwellers have also adapted to the big cities, living on the window ledges
of skyscrapers and often feeding exclusively on Rock Pigeons.
See also
● Birdfeeding
● Homing pigeons
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Columba livia. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 08
May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
● Collins Bird Guide by Mullarney, Svensson, Zetterström and Grant ISBN 0-00-219728-6
● Columba livia (TSN 177071). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 9 February 2006.
External links
● Why do pigeons bob their heads? (from The Straight Dope)
● BBC Life and Nature (from the BBC)
● Facts about pigeon-related diseases
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Homing pigeon
Homing pigeon
The homing pigeon is a variety of domesticated Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) that has been selectively
bred to be able to find its way home over extremely long distances. Because any pigeon generally
returns to its own nest and its own mate, it was relatively easy to selectively breed the birds that
repeatedly found their way home over long distances. Flights as long as 1689 miles have been recorded
by exceptional birds in competition pigeon racing. Their average flying speed over moderate distances is
around 30 miles per hour, but they can achieve bursts of speed up to 60 mph. Homing pigeons have been
used to carry messages written on thin light paper (such as cigarette paper) in a small tube attached to
one leg; this is called pigeon post.
This bird is to be distinguished from the carrier pigeon, an entirely different breed.
Contents
● 1 Navigation
● 2 History
● 3 References
Navigation
Some research has been performed with the intention of discovering how birds can find their way back
from distant places they have never visited before. Some researchers believe that pigeons navigate by
Earth's magnetic field. Near their home lofts, in areas they have previously visited, pigeons probably are
guided by natural and artificial landmarks. Research by Floriano Papi (Italy, early 1970s) and newer
research published in the February, 2004 issue of Animal Behaviour suggest that pigeons also orient
themselves by odors and/or combinations of odors. (See the August 20, 2005 issue of Science News.)
Various experiments suggest that different breeds of homing pigeons rely on different cues to different
extents. Charles Walcott at Cornell was able to demonstrate that one strain of pigeons was confused by a
magnetic anomaly in the Earth that had no effect on another strain of birds. Other experiments have
shown that altering the perceived time of day with artificial lighting or using air conditioning to
eliminate odors in the pigeons' home roost affected the pigeons' ability to return home.
Some research also indicates that homing pigeons navigate by following roads and other man-made
features, making 90 degree turns and following habitual routes, much the same way that humans
navigate [1].
History
Messenger pigeons were used as early as 1150 in Baghdad [2] and also later by Genghis Khan.
In 1850, Paul Reuter, who later founded Reuters press agency, used a fleet of over 45 pigeons to deliver
news and stock prices between Brussels and Aachen. The outcome of the Battle of Waterloo was also
first delivered by a pigeon to England.
Stamp for early Pigeon-

Gram service
Possibly the first regular air mail service in the world was Mr Howie's Pigeon-Post service from the
Auckland New Zealand suburb of Newton to Great Barrier Island, starting in 1896. Certainly the world’s
first 'airmail' stamps were issued for the Great Barrier Pigeon-Gram Service from 1898 to 1908. [3]
They were used extensively during World War I, and one homing pigeon, Cher Ami, was awarded the
French Croix de Guerre for his heroic service in delivering 12 important messages, despite being shot
once.
Eighty-two homing pigeons were dropped into Holland with the First Airborn Division Signals as part of
Operation Market-Garden in World War II. The pigeons' loft was located in London which would have
required them to fly 240 miles to deliver their messages.¹
Homing pigeons were still employed in the 21st century by certain remote police departments in Orissa
state in eastern India to provide emergency communication services following natural disasters. In
March 2002, it was announced that India's Police Pigeon Service messenger system in Orissa was to be
retired.
The humorous IP over Avian Carriers (RFC 1149) is an Internet protocol for the transmission of
messages via homing pigeon. This protocol has been used, once, to transmit a message in Bergen,
Norway.
Notable pigeon enthusiasts in the United Kingdom include Gerry Francis (football manager) and Duncan
Ferguson (Everton and Scotland footballer).
In Chinese martial art (wushu) films and dramas, homing pigeons are often used for "Pigeon Mail" (飛鴿
傳書). People often labor under the misapprehension that the pigeons know where to deliver the mail.
The fact is that they can only go back to one "mentally marked" point that they have identified as their
home. So "pigeon mail" can only work when the sender is actually holding the receiver's pigeons.
The Taliban banned homing pigeons (or probably more realistically the keeping of homing pigeons and/
or the use for sport) in Afghanistan.
References
¹ 'A Bridge too Far' by Cornelius Ryan
External links
● An informative magazine article written in the 1880s
● Image of a homing pigeon (Note the straight slope from the top of the head to the beak, and the
prominent band around the nostrils. This photograph also shows a message tube and a small sheet
of very thin paper near the bird's feet.)
● The three most important things that every pigeon fancier should know
● [4] (Newspaper article on the '97 pigeon race "disaster")
● Acquiring white homing pigeons
● The System of Military Dovecotes in Europe from an 1891 Scientific American article at Project
Gutenberg
Falcon
Falcons
A Falcon is any of several species of raptors in the genus Falco.
The word came from Latin falco, from Latin falx = "sickle"
because of the shape of its wings.
Overview
Falcons have thin pointed wings, which give them speed and the
ability to change direction rapidly. Peregrine Falcons, the fastest
birds on Earth, are said to have reached stoop speeds of up to 200 Hybrid white gyrfalcon and saker falcon.
mph.
Young falcons in their first year have longer flight feathers than Kingdom: Animalia
adults. This makes their configuration more like a general-purpose
bird such as a broadwing while they are learning how to fly. Phylum: Chordata
Other falcons include the Gyrfalcon, Lanner Falcon, and the Class: Aves
Merlin. Some small insectivorous falcons with long, narrow wings
are called hobbies, and some which sometimes hover as they hunt
for small rodents are called kestrels. Order: Falconiformes
The traditional term for a male falcon is a "tiercel", from Latin Family: Falconidae
tertius, because it is roughly a third smaller than the female.
Genus: Falco
An eyass is a raptor chick still in its downy stage: the word arose Linnaeus, 1758
by misdivision of Old French un niais, from Latin presumed
*nidiscus, from Latin nidus = "nest". Or it is sometime sused for a Species
falcon which had been taken from its nest before it flew. About 37; see text.
The technique of hunting with trained captive birds of prey is known as falconry.
The falcons are part of the family Falconidae, which also includes the caracaras, Laughing Falcon, forest
falcons, and falconets.
In February 2005 the Canadian scientist Dr Louis Lefebvre announced a method of measuring avian IQ
in terms of their innovation in feeding habits. Falcons were named among the most intelligent birds
based on this scale.
Falcon fossils have been found dated 50 million years ago in the Eocene in the Messel Pit in Germany.
Common Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
New Zealand Falcon
● Lesser Kestrel, Falco naumanni

Common Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
Madagascar Kestrel, Falco newtoni
Mauritius Kestrel, Falco punctatus
Seychelles Kestrel, Falco araea
Spotted Kestrel, Falco moluccensis
Nankeen Kestrel, Falco cenchroides
American Kestrel, Falco sparverius
Greater Kestrel, Falco rupicoloides
Fox Kestrel, Falco alopex
Grey Kestrel, Falco ardosiaceus
Dickinson's Kestrel, Falco dickinsoni
Banded Kestrel, Falco zoniventris
Red-necked Falcon, Falco chicquera
Red-footed Falcon, Falco vespertinus
Amur Falcon, Falco amurensis
Eleonora's Falcon, Falco eleonorae
Sooty Falcon, Falco concolor
Aplomado Falcon, Falco femoralis
Merlin Falcon, Falco columbarius
Bat Falcon, Falco rufigularis
Orange-breasted Falcon, Falco deiroleucus
Eurasian Hobby, Falco subbuteo
African Hobby, Falco cuvierii
Oriental Hobby, Falco severus
Australian Hobby, Falco longipennis
New Zealand Falcon, Falco novaeseelandiae
Brown Falcon, Falco berigora
Grey Falcon, Falco hypoleucos
Lanner Falcon, Falco biarmicus
Laggar Falcon, Falco jugger
Saker Falcon, Falco cherrug
Black Falcon, Falco subniger
Gyr Falcon, Falco rusticolus
Prairie Falcon, Falco mexicanus
Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus
Barbary Falcon, Falco (peregrinus) pelegrinoides
Taita Falcon, Falco fasciinucha
External links
● Falconidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Phalacrocoracidae
Cormorants
The Phalacrocoracidae family of birds is represented by 38
species of cormorants and shags. Several different classifications
of the family have been proposed recently, but in the one most
commonly used, all but three species are placed in a single genus
Phalacrocorax, the exceptions being the Galapagos' Flightless
Cormorant, the Kerguelen Shag and the Imperial Shag.
Contents
Brandt's Cormorant, Phalacrocorax
● 1 Names penicillatus
● 2 Characteristics Scientific classification
● 3 Species Kingdom: Animalia
● 4 Cormorants' fishing
Phylum: Chordata
● 6 References
Class: Aves
Order: Pelecaniformes
Names
Family: Phalacrocoracidae
There is no consistent distinction between cormorants and shags. Reichenbach, 1850
The names "cormorant" and "shag" were originally the common
names of the two species of the family found in Great Britain, Genera
Phalacrocorax carbo (now referred to by ornithologists as the Nannopterum
Great Cormorant) and P. aristotelis (the Common Shag). "Shag" Phalacrocorax
refers to the bird's crest, which the British forms of the Great Leucocarbo
Cormorant lack. As other species were discovered by English-
speaking sailors and explorers elsewhere in the world, some were called cormorants and some shags,
depending on whether they had crests or not. Sometimes the same species is called a cormorant in one
part of the world and a shag in another, e.g. the Great Cormorant is called the Black Shag in New
Zealand (the birds found in Australasia have a crest that is absent in European members of the species).
Some modern classifications of the family have divided it into two genera and have tried to attach the
name "Cormorant" to one and "Shag" to the other, but this flies in the face of common usage and has not
been widely adopted.
The scientific genus name is latinized Ancient Greek, from phalakros (bald) and korax (raven).
"Cormorant" is a contraction derived from Latin corvus marinus, "sea raven". Indeed, "sea raven" or
analogous terms were the usual terms for cormorants in Germanic languages until after the Middle Ages,
and the erroneous belief that these birds were related to ravens lasted at least to the 16th century:
"...le bec semblable à celuy d'un cormaran, ou autre corbeau." (...the beak similar to that of
a cormorant or other corvids."; Thevet, 1558).
Characteristics
Cormorants and shags are medium-to-large seabirds. The majority, including all Northern Hemisphere
species, have mainly dark plumage, but some Southern Hemisphere species are black and white, and a
few (e.g. the Spotted Shag of New Zealand) are quite colourful. Many species have areas of coloured
skin on the face (the lores and the gular skin) which can be bright blue, orange, red or yellow, typically
becoming more brightly coloured in the breeding season. The bill is long, thin, and sharply hooked.
Their feet are four-toed and webbed, a distinguishing feature among the Pelecaniformes order.
They are coastal rather than oceanic birds, and some have colonised inland waters. They range around
the world, except for the central Pacific islands.
All are fish-eaters, dining on small eels, fish, and even water snakes. They dive from the surface, though
many species make a characteristic half-jump as they dive, presumably to give themselves a more
streamlined entry into the water. Under water they propel themselves with their feet. Some cormorant
species have been found, using depth gauges, to dive to depths of as much as 45 metres.
After fishing, cormorants go ashore, and are frequently seen holding their wings out in the sun; it is
assumed that this is to dry them. Unusually for a water bird, their feathers are not waterproofed. This
may help them dive quickly, since their feathers do not retain air bubbles.
Cormorants are colonial nesters, using trees, rocky islets, or cliffs. The eggs are a chalky-blue colour.
There is usually one brood a year. The young are fed through regurgitation. They typically have deep,
ungainly bills which make it obvious that they are related to pelicans.
Species
For an alternative scientific classification, see Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy.
● Genus Phalacrocorax
❍ Brandt's Cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Double-crested Cormorant or White-crested Cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus
Great Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
Neotropic Cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Olivaceous Cormorant or Mexican Cormorant, Phalacrocorax olivaceus
Pelagic Cormorant or Baird's Cormorant, Phalacrocorax pelagicus
Red-faced Cormorant, Phalacrocorax urile
Guanay Cormorant , Phalacrocorax bougainvillii (off Peru, guano collected from nesting
colonies of this bird is used to produce internationally traded commercial fertilizer)
Little Black Cormorant, Phalacrocorax sulcirostris
Indian Cormorant, Phalacrocorax fuscicollis
Cape Cormorant, Phalacrocorax capensis
Socotran Cormorant, Phalacrocorax nigrogularis
Wahlberg's Cormorant or Bank Cormorant, Phalacrocorax neglectus
Temminck's Cormorant, Phalacrocorax capillatus
Common Shag, Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Rock Shag, Phalacrocorax magellanicus
Long-tailed Cormorant, Phalacrocorax africanus
White-breasted Cormorant, Phalacrocorax lucidus
Crowned Cormorant, Phalacrocorax coronatus
Little Cormorant, Phalacrocorax niger
Pygmy Cormorant, Phalacrocorax pygmaeus
Pitt Cormorant or Featherstone's Shag Phalacrocorax featherstoni
Pied Cormorant or Yellow-faced Cormorant, Phalacrocorax varius
King Shag, Phalacrocorax carunculatus
Black-faced Cormorant, Phalacrocorax fuscescens
Spectacled Cormorant, Phalacrocorax perspicillatus (extinct)
Red-footed Shag, Phalacrocorax gaimardi
Spotted Shag Phalacrocorax punctatus
White-bellied Shag, Phalacrocorax albiventer
Little Pied Cormorant, Phalacrocorax melanoleucos
Stewart Island Shag, Phalacrocorax chalconotus
Chatham Shag, Phalacrocorax onslowi
Auckland Shag, Phalacrocorax colensoi
Campbell Shag, Phalacrocorax campbelli
Bounty Shag, Phalacrocorax ranfurlyi
Flightless Cormorant, Phalacrocorax harrisi (previously Nannopterum harrisi) (confined to
the Galapagos Islands where, through evolution, its wings have shrunk to the size of a
penguin's flippers)
● Genus Leucocarbo
❍ Imperial Shag (Blue eyed Shag), Leucocarbo atriceps (Previously Antarctic, South
Georgian, Heard, Crozet, and Macquarie Shags, Phalacrocorax bransfieldensis,

georgianus, nivalis, melanogenis, and purpurascens.)
Kerguelen Shag, Leucocarbo verrocosus (Previously P. verrocosus.)
The King Shag of New Zealand has a number of races previously considered as full species.
Cormorants' fishing
Humans have historically exploited cormorants' fishing skills, in China, Japan, and Macedonia, where
they have been trained by fishermen. In Japan, traditional cormorant fishing can be seen in Gifu City, in
Gifu Prefecture, where it has continued uninterrupted for 1300 years, or in the city of Inuyama, in Aichi
Prefecture. In Guilin, China, cormorant birds are famous for fishing on the shallow Lijiang River. A
snare is tied near the base of the bird's throat, a snare that allows the bird only to swallow small fish.
When the bird captures and tries to swallow a large fish, the fish gets stuck in the bird's throat. When the
bird returns to the fisherman's raft, the fisherman helps the bird to remove the fish from its throat. The
method is not as common today, since more efficient methods of catching fish have been developed.
Cultural references
● Cormorants feature quite commonly in heraldry and medieval ornamentation, usually in their
"wing-drying" pose, which was seen as representing the Christian cross. The species depicted is
most likely to be the Great Cormorant.
● On the other hand, in Milton's Paradise Lost, Satan takes on the form of a cormorant.
● Christopher Isherwood wrote the poem
"The common cormorant or shag

Lays eggs inside a paper bag,
The reason you will see no doubt
It is to keep the lightning out.
But what these unobservant birds

Have never noticed is that herds
Of wandering bears may come with buns
And steal the bags to hold the crumbs."
His information about the bird's nesting habits shouldn't be relied on.
● In addition to the comic verse quoted above, the bird inspired at least one other poet, Amy
Clampitt, to write the sonnet below; it is not obvious which species she was referring to, since all
members of the family share the characteristic behavioural and morphological features that the
poem celebrates.
The Cormorant in Its Element
That bony potbellied arrow, wing-pumping along

implacably, with a ramrod's rigid adherence,
airborne, to the horizontal, discloses talents
one would never have guessed at. Plummeting
waterward, big black feet splayed for a landing

gear, slim head turning and turning, vermilion-
strapped, this way and that, with a lightning glance
over the shoulder, the cormorant astounding-
ly, in one sleek involuted arabesque, a vertical

turn on a dime, goes into the inimitable
vanishing-and-emerging-from-under-the-briny-
deep act which, unlike the works of Homo Houdini,

is performed for reasons having nothing at all
to do with ego, guilt, ambition, or even money.
● Colin Meloy mentions the cormorant in the song "The Island: Come and See, The Landlord's
Daughter, You'll Not Feel The Drowning" on The Crane Wife, a 2006 album by the
Decemberists.
● In the video game Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, the Gelb Squadron is also known as "The
Coupled Cormorants." The callsign of Gelb 2 (2nd Lieutenant Rainer Altman) is "Cormorant."
Their squadron insignia includes a cormorant with goggles.
References
● Thevet, F. André (1558): [About birds of Ascension Island]. In: Les singularitez de la France
Antarctique, autrement nommee Amerique, & de plusieurs terres & isles decouvertes de nostre
temps: 39-40. Maurice de la Porte heirs, Paris. Fulltext at Gallica
External links
● Cormorants (Phalacracorax carbo) in the British Isles
● Species Listing
● Cormorant videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Canary
Canary
The Canary (Serinus canaria) sometimes called the Island
Canary, Wild Canary or Atlantic Canary is a small
songbird which is a member of the finch family.
This bird is native to Madeira, Azores and the Canary

Islands. The bird was named after the Canary Islands, not
the other way around; "Canary" is derived from the Latin
canaria, "of the dogs", referring to the numerous wild dogs
that inhabited the islands.
Its habitat is semi-open areas such as orchards and copses,

where it nests in bushes or trees. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
The wild bird is 4 to 6 in. long, yellow-green, with
streaking on its back. It is larger, longer and less contrasted
Phylum: Chordata
than its relative the Serin, and has more grey and brown in
its plumage.
Class: Aves
The song is a silvery twittering like the Goldfinch.
Order: Passeriformes
This species is often kept as a pet: see Domestic Canary
for details. Family: Fringillidae
References Genus: Serinus
● Clement, Harris and Davis, Finches and Sparrows

Species: S. canaria
ISBN 0-7136-8017-2
External links Binomial name

Serinus canaria
(Linnaeus, 1758)
● Madeira birds - Canary
● Sexy songs induce larger Canary eggs
● Canary videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Gloster Canary
Bird feeder
Back | Home | Up
A pole hung bird feeder with a

American Goldfinch.
A hummingbird feeder.
Bushtits on a suet feeder
A birdfeeder, bird feeder, or bird table is a device placed out-of-doors to supply bird food to birds.
The success of a birdfeeder in attracting birds depends on its placement and the kinds of seeds offered,
as different species have different preferences.
The most familiar feeders supply seeds such as millet, sunflower, safflower, thistle (niger or nyjer), and
rapeseed or canola seed, to seed-eating birds.
Hummingbird feeders, rather than dispensing seed, supply liquid nourishment to hummingbirds, in the
form of a solution of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. This mixture is often coloured red to attract the birds,
but this is unnecessary and the food coloring may actually be detrimental to the birds' health [1].
Oriole feeders, which are traditionally colored orange, also supply such artificial nectar and are
designed to serve New World orioles, which have a differently shaped beak and tongue. These orioles
and some other birds will also come to fruit foods, such as grape jelly or half an orange on a peg.
A suet feeder is typically a metal cage-like construction with a plastic coating which contains a cake or
block of suet to feed woodpeckers, flickers, nuthatches and many other species of insect eaters.
Bird feeders are a must for home birdwatching, and many people keep webcams trained on feeders
where birds often congregate.
Squirrels may also help themselves to the contents of bird feeders, often not merely feeding, but carrying
away the food to their hoard. There are various anti-squirrel devices available to thwart squirrels'
attempts to raid bird feeders. Several manufacturers produce feeders with perches that collapse under the
weight of anything heavier than a bird, or that use battery power to lightly shock an intruder or spin the
perching area to fling it off.
Sometimes the placement of a squirrel feeder is the best way to keep squirrels away from bird feeders.
Squirrel feeders typically offer a whole dried cob of corn, often at the top of a rotating stick to add a bit
of amusement to the antics. The American talk-show host, Rosie O'Donnell had a well-known and
longstanding 'feud' with what was apparently a band of "genius squirrels". No matter what she tried, the
squirrels seemed to quickly figure out how to get around it.
While bird feeders are thought of by some as winter projects, urban and suburban areas can benefit from
bird feeders year-round. The absence of plentiful food sources, as well as the increasingly toxic
environment created by the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, can make the process of finding
safe and plentiful food difficult for birds which find themselves in these areas.
See also
● Bird Bath
● Bird Feeding
● Bird Watching
External links
● All Bird Feeders
● WBU birdfeeder cam
● Bird Feeder Plans and Precautions against Disease, Window Collisions and Cats
● Bird Feeder Types at Wild Feeders
● Wild birdseed types explained at eBirdseed.com
● Online Plans For Building a Bird Feeder
● Free bird feeder plans
Home | Up | Bird food | Bird feeder
Carinatae
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In phylogenetic taxonomy, the Carinatae are considered the last common ancestor of Neornithes (living
birds) and Ichthyornis (an extinct seabird of the Cretaceous). Defined in this way, the group includes all
living birds, including ratites (ostrich, emu, etc.), as well as neognathous birds and a few Mesozoic
forms.
Traditionally, Carinatae were defined as all birds having a keeled sternum. The carina or "keel" referred
to a strong median ridge running down the length of the sternum, or breast bone. This is an important
area for the attachment of flight muscles. Thus, all flying birds have a pronounced carina. Ratites, all of
whom are flightless, lack a strong carina. Thus, living birds were divided into carinates and ratites. The
difficulty with this scheme was that there have been (and still are) any number of flightless birds,
without strong carinae, but which are descended directly from ordinary flying birds with carinae.
Examples include the turkey, a galliform (chicken-like) bird, and the dodo, a columbiform (the pigeon
family). None of these birds are ratites. Thus, this supposedly distinctive feature was easy to use, but had
nothing to do with actual phylogenic relationship.
Unfortunately, the use of this term to describe the Ichthyornis-Neornithine group turned out to be
equally inapt. Various dinosaurs -- apparently, remote ancestors and cousins of the Carinatae -- do
possess a keeled sternum. So, evidently the presence of this structure does not necessarily imply its use
in flight. This sort of definitional problem is one reason why the use of physical characteristics to define
or name taxonomic groups is now discouraged.
The characteristics that actually are unique to the Carinatae have little to do with the sternum. Rather,
carinates are unique in having, for example, a globe-shaped, convex head on the humerus and fully fused
bones in the lower leg and outer arm.
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A language of the birds, a mystical, perfect or divine language, or a mythical or magical language used
by birds to communicate with the initiated, is postulated in mythology, medieval literature and occultism.
Contents
● 1 History
❍ 1.1 Mythology
❍ 1.2 Folklore
❍ 1.3 Religion
❍ 1.4 Alchemy
❍ 1.5 Culture
● 2 References
History
Birds played an important role in Indo-European religion, used for divination by augurs, and according
to a suggestion by Walter Burkert, these customs may have their roots in the Paleolithic when during the
Ice Age, early humans used to look for carrion by observing birds.
From the Renaissance, it was the inspiration for some magical a priori languages, in particular musical
languages. Whistled languages based or constructed on or articulated natural languages used in some
cultures are sometimes also referred to, and compared with, the language of the birds.
Mythology
According to Apollonius Rhodius, the figurehead of Jason's ship, the Argo, was built of oak from the
sacred grove at Dodona and could speak the language of birds. The language of birds in Greek
mythology may be attained by magical means. Democritus, Anaximander, Apollonius of Tyana,
Tiresias, Melampus and Aesopus were all said to have understood the birds.
According to several Norse sagas, dragons' blood gives its drinker the power to understand the speech of
birds.
In Celtic mythology, birds usually represent prophetic knowledge or bloodshed (especially crows).
Morrigan adopted the shape of a bird to warn the Brown Bull. Echoing stories of the Edda and the
Mabinogion, Richard Wagner's Siegfried understands the birds after he tasted Fafner's blood.
Folklore
The concept is also known from many folk tales (including Welsh, Russian, German, Estonian, Greek),
where usually the protagonist is granted the gift of understanding the language of the birds either by
some magical transformation, or as a reward for some good deed by the king of birds. The birds then
inform or warn the hero about some danger or hidden treasure.
Religion
In Sufism, the language of birds is a mystical language of angels. The Conference of the Birds (mantiq
at-tair) is a mystical poem of 4647 verses by the 12th century Persian poet Farid ud-Din Attar [1].
Francis of Assisi is said to have preached to the birds.
In the Talmud (Louis Ginzberg, Legends of the Bible, 1909), Solomon's proverbial wisdom was due to
his being granted understanding of the language of birds by God.
Alchemy
In Kabbalah, Renaissance magic, and alchemy, the language of the birds was considered a secret and
perfect language and the key to perfect knowledge, sometimes also called the langue verte, or green
language (Jean Julien Fulcanelli, Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa de occulta philosophia).
Culture
In medieval France, the language of the birds (la langue des oiseaux) was a secret language of the
Troubadours, connected with the Tarot, allegedly based on puns and symbolism drawn from
homophony, e. g. an inn called au lion d'or "the Golden Lion" is allegedly "code" for au lit on dort "in
the bed one sleeps" [2] (note that this particular pun cannot be medieval, since final t was pronounced
until Middle French, c.f. e.g. the 14th century loanword bonnet).
Compare also the rather comical and satirical Birds of Aristophanes and Parliament of Fowls by Chaucer.
"The language of the birds" (Die Sprache der Vögel) is a 1991 German movie. Jean Sibelius composed a
wedding march titled "The language of the birds" in 1911. The children's book author Rafe Martin has
written "The Language of Birds" as an adaptation of a Russian folk tale; it was made into a children's
opera by composer John Kennedy.
In Egyptian Arabic, hieroglyphic writing is called "the alphabet of the birds". In Ancient Egyptian itself,
the hieroglyphic form of writing was given the name medu-netjer ("words of the gods" or "divine
language").
References
● Animal Symbolism in Celtic Mythology, by Lars Noodén (1992)
● Davidson, H.R. Ellis. Myths and Symbols in Pagan Europe: Early Scandinavian and Celtic
Religions. Syracuse University Press: Syracuse, NY, USA, 1988.
● Richard Khaitzine, La Langue des Oiseaux - Quand ésotérisme et littérature se rencontrent [3]
● Rene Guenon, The Language of the Birds, Australia's Sufi Magazine "The Treasure" 2 (1998).
● LE VERLAN DES OISEAUX (The Verlan of the Birds) Collection "Pommes Pirates Papillons",
Poèmes de Michel Besnier. Illustrations de Boiry, Editions Møtus (in French)
● Definition of Verlan English (in French)
External links
● Occultopedia
● Sacred Texts - Russian folk tales
● Jewish Heritage Online Magazine - Ellen Frankel
● Le Tarot
● The Society of Inner Light
● Belén Gache
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Ornithology
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Ornithology (from the Greek ornis = bird and logos = word/science) is the branch of zoology concerned
with the scientific study of birds. Several aspects of the study of ornithology differ from closely related
disciplines, perhaps because of the high visibility and the aesthetic appeal of birds. Most marked among
these is the extent of field studies undertaken by amateur volunteers working within the parameters of
strict scientific methodology.
Contents
● 1 Fields of study
● 2 History of ornithology
● 3 National associations and societies
❍ 3.1 Africa
❍ 3.2 Asia
❍ 3.3 Europe
❍ 3.4 North America
❍ 3.5 Oceania
❍ 3.6 South America
● 4 Publications and magazines

● 5 People
● 6 See also
● 7 Other Meanings
Fields of study
The areas of study that are included under ornithology are numerous and no list can attempt to be
exhaustive. The following is a broad classification of some of the fields within contemporary
ornithology.
● Field Ornithology
❍ Ecological studies
■ Studies of individuals
■ Studies of populations
■ Studies of communities
❍ Behavioral studies
● Laboratory Ornithology
❍ Physiological studies
❍ Genetic studies
The techniques used in ornithology are varied and changing. Early ornithological studies were based on
specimen shooting and skins. Ornithology has subsequently become largely observation based. Optical
instruments have been very important in ornithology; however approaches such as the use of radar and
radio tracking are also used. Use of ringing and other marking techniques have helped in studies of
migration and behavior.
Birds have served as important model organisms in the evolution of modern biological ideas. Key ideas
include that of speciation, as noted by Charles Darwin from his observation of the finches on the
Galapagos Islands. The first attempt to formally define the concept of biological species was also
developed using birds as model organisms by Ernst Mayr. Birds have also been the subject of numerous
evolutionary studies that have helped in understanding the plasticity of species and the limitations of
attempts to define species.
Many advances in ecology have also been made based on the study of birds. These include theories of
island biogeography, models of extinction and species-area relationships.
Birds have also served as models for behavioural studies including studies of mate selection,
territoriality, foraging behaviour and parental investment. Other aspects of special interest include their
ability to navigate in migrations.
History of ornithology
National associations and societies
Africa
South Africa
Asia
India
● Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS): Located at Mumbai (formerly Bombay), the oldest
non-government Organization in the area of natural history in the Indian subcontinent.
● Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) Located near Coimbatore.
● Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta. The government department meant to document and study
the fauna of India.
Japan
● The Ornithological Society of Japan (OSJ) - [1]

● Wild Bird Society of Japan (WBSJ) - [2]
● Japanese Society for Preservation of Birds (JSPB) - [3]
● Yamashina Institute for Ornithology - [4]
Europe
Estonia
● Estonian Ornithological Society - [5]
Ireland
● Bird Watch Ireland
Lithuania
● Lithuanian Ornithological Society - [6]
Slovenia
● Society for Observation and Study of Birds of Slovenia (Društvo za opazovanje in proučevanje
ptic Slovenije) (DOPPS)
United Kingdom
● British Ornithologists' Club

British Ornithologists' Union
British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
The British Birds Rarities Committee
The Rare Birds Breeding Panel (RBBP)
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT)
North America
Canada
● Bird Studies Canada

● The Society of Canadian Ornithologists - Société des ornithologistes du Canada
USA
● The Ornithological Council

● American Birding Association
● American Ornithologists' Union (AOU)
● Association of Field Ornithologists
● Cooper Ornithological Society
● National Audubon Society
● Wilson Ornithological Society
● Pacific Seabird Group
● Raptor Research Foundation
● The Water bird Society
Mexico
● CIPAMEX, La Sección Mexicana del Consejo Internacional para la Preservación de las Aves, A.
C.
Oceania
Australia
● Birds Australia
New Zealand
● Ornithological Society of New Zealand

● Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand
South America
Brazil
● Brazilian Ornithological Records Committee - CBRO
● Brazilian Ornithological Society - SBO
Publications and magazines

● Acrocephalus, DOPPS (Slovenia)
● Ardeola, Sociedad Española de Ornitología (Spain) - [7]
● Audubon Magazine (USA) - [8]
● The Auk, American Ornithologists' Union (USA) - Post-1999 volumes [9]; complete volumes 1-
116 (1884-1999) as free DjVu and PDF files at SORA [10]
● BirdingASIA (formerly OBC Bulletin), Oriental Bird Club - [11], OBC Bulletin [12]
● Bird Study (UK) - [13]
● Birds & Blooms - [14]
● British Birds (UK)
● Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club (UK) - [15]
● The Condor, Cooper Ornithological Society (USA) - Post-2000 volumes [16]; complete volumes
1-102 (1899-2000) as free DjVu and PDF files at SORA [17]
● 'Elepaio, Hawaii Audubon Society (USA) - Free full-text access to last 2 volumes [18]
● Emu, Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union (Australia) - [19]
● Forktail, Oriental Bird Club - [20]
● Hirundo (Estonia) - [21]
● Ibis, British Ornithologists Union (UK) - [22]
● Irish Birds (Ireland)
● Journal of Avian Biology, Nordic Society Oikos [23]
● The Journal of Field Ornithology, Association of Field Ornithologists (USA) - Complete volumes
51-70 (1980-1999) and predecessor publication Bird-Banding as free DjVu and PDF files at
SORA [24]
● Japanese Journal of Ornithology (Japan) - [25]
● Journal of the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology (Japan) - [26]
● Kukila (Bulletin of the Indonesian Ornithological Society) - [27]
● Marine Ornithology - Free full-text access to volumes 16 and later (1988-present) [28]
● Ostrich (South Africa)
● Ornithos (France) - [29]
● Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia, SBO (Brasil) - [30]
● Revista Ornitología Colombiana, ACO (Colombia) - Free full-text access [31]
● Te Manu, Société d'Ornithologie de Polynésie - Free back issues [32]
● The Wilson Bulletin, Wilson Ornithological Society (USA) - Complete volumes 1-111 (1889-
1999) as free DjVu and PDF files at SORA [33]
● Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volumes 1-16 [34]
People
See also
● Bird migration
● Birdwatching
Other Meanings
External links
● List of oldest ornithological organisations in the world
Home | Up | Egg | Ornithology
Domesticated birds
Australian Spotted | Barbary Dove | Budgerigar | Cayuga Duck | Chicken | Cockatiel | Cockatoo
| Common Pheasant | Crested Guineafowl | Domestic Canary | Domesticated duck | Domesticated goose
| Domesticated turkey | Homing pigeon | Indian Runner Duck | Khaki Campbell | Ostrich | Pekin duck
| Quail | Rock Pigeon | Zebra Finch
Home | Up | Next
Australian Spotted
Barbary Dove
Budgerigar
Cayuga Duck
Chicken
Cockatiel
Cockatoo
Common Pheasant
Crested Guineafowl
Domestic Canary
Domesticated duck
Domesticated goose
Domesticated turkey
Homing pigeon
Indian Runner Duck
Khaki Campbell
Ostrich
Pekin duck
Quail
Rock Pigeon
Zebra Finch
Home | Up | Domesticated birds | African Grey Parrot | Bird-safe | British finches | Caique
| Carrier pigeon | Citron-crested Cockatoo | Companion parrot | Conure | Cyanoramphus
| Hawaiian Goose | Hill Myna | Kākāriki | Lilian's Lovebird | Long-billed Vulture | Moluccan Cockatoo
| Parrotlet | Pigeon racing | Pink Pigeon | Red-and-green Macaw | Rose-ringed Parakeet
| Rosy-faced Lovebird | Senegal Parrot | Softbill | Spix's Macaw | Sun Parakeet | Umbrella Cockatoo
African Grey Parrot
African Grey Parrot

The African Grey Parrot is a medium-sized parrot of the genus Conservation status: Least concern
Psittacus, native to Africa. As the name implies, they are
predominantly grey, with accents of white. Some of their feathers
are very dark grey and others are a lighter grey colour. They have
red or maroon tails depending on the subspecies. They feed
primarily on nuts and fruits, supplemented by leafy matter.
Contents
● 1 Subspecies
● 2 Mimicry and intelligence
● 3 African Grey Parrots as Pets
● 4 References
Subspecies
Congo African Grey Parrot
Psittacus erithacus erithacus
There are two subspecies:
● Congo African Grey parrot, Psittacus erithacus erithacus - Kingdom: Animalia
these are larger birds (about 12 inches/30cm long) with Phylum: Chordata
light grey feathers, deep red tails and black beaks.
● Timneh African Grey parrot, Psittacus erithacus timneh - Class: Aves
these are smaller in size, have a darker charcoal gray Order: Psittaciformes
coloring, a darker maroon tail, and a light, horn colored
Family: Psittacidae
upper mandible.
Genus: Psittacus
Some avian enthusiasts (incorrectly) recognize a third subspecies, Species: P. erithacus
Ghana African Grey (Psittacus erithacus princeps). This bird is
described to be similar to the Congo African greys, but darker and Binomial name
slightly smaller; however, scientifically this subspecies has not Psittacus erithacus
been found. Among breeders, there is said to be a fourth Linnaeus, 1758
subspecies, the Cameroon African Grey, most often referred to as
the big silvers. Subspecies
P. e. erithacus
Mimicry and intelligence P. e. timneh
Congo African Grey Parrot
While comparative judgements of animal intelligence are always very difficult to make objectively,
Psittaciformes are generally regarded as being the most intelligent of birds. African grey parrots are
particularly noted for their cognitive abilities, which are believed to have evolved as a consequence of
their history of cooperative feeding on the ground in central Africa.
Irene Pepperberg's extensively published research with captive African greys, including Alex, has shown
that these parrots are capable of associating human words with their meanings, at least to some extent.
Ambitious claims of language use have also been made for another African grey N'kisi, who has a
vocabulary of over a thousand words and speaks in sentences. However, there is little doubt that Greys
and other parrots (especially macaws and cockatoos), along with corvines (Crows, Ravens, and Jays),
are highly intelligent in comparison with other birds.
African Grey Parrots as Pets

The history of African Grey parrots kept as pets dates back over 4,000 years. Some Egyptian
hieroglyphics clearly depict pet parrots. The ancient Greeks also valued parrots as pets, and this custom
was later adopted by the Wealthy Roman families often kept parrots in ornate cages, and parrots were
prized for their ability to talk. King Henry VIII of England also had an African Grey parrot. The
Portuguese sailors kept them as companions on their long sea voyages.
Today, many African Grey parrots are hand reared by breeders for the pet trade and they make
wonderful and very affectionate companion parrots; however, because they can be unpredictable at
times, they may not be compatible with small children. African Grey parrots are very strong and they
can bite with their strong pointed beak and scratch with their claws. African Grey parrots have a high
intelligence and they are generally thought to be the best mimics of all parrots. Pet owners often refer to
their relationship with their hand reared pet African Greys as being "like having a five-year-old child".
On the other hand, wild-caught African Grey parrots captured from the wild need time and effort to
adapt to human presence, and have a tendency to growl and bite when they are approached. The
Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has made the sale of all wild
caught parrot species illegal.
African Grey parrots, like any pet parrot, can require a large commitment as they require a lot of
attention. While numbers vary with each source, most agree that three hours out of cage daily and 45
minutes of physical interaction is the minimum attention required for good mental health. African Greys
– particularly Congo African Greys – are known to be shy amongst strangers. African Greys have the
tendency to bond to only one person if they do not interact with different people regularly. While inter-
species friendships with other parrots are uncommon with African Greys, they require socialization with
other parrots of any species.
African Greys require a lot of stimulating toys due to their high intelligence and to avoid boredom.
Three to five toys at a time are typically enough to satisfy African Greys, but too many toys can crowd
the cage. Toys should be rotated and switched regularly to keep the stimulation constant and diverse. For
an African Grey spending most of its day in the cage, 36"W x 24"D is a good cage size. The height of a
cage is typically not important, except in the case of playtop cages that are taller than the owner, in
which case the bird can become territorial. An African Grey who spends most of its time on a playstand
and uses the cage solely for sleeping only needs a cage large enough so that the bird's wingspan doesn't
touch the cage's sides and its head and tail do not touch the cage's top and bottom respectively. The bar-
spacing should from be ¾ inch to 1 inch. A companion African Grey should be kept in a bird-safe
environment and placed in a busy part of the home, such as the living room, where the bird can occupy
himself (or herself) in watching the household activities.
African Greys have special dietary requirements and should be fed with calcium and Vitamin A rich
foods such as leafy greens like mustard greens, broccoli etc., almonds or little amount of cheese. It is
usual to give African grey parrots carefully calculated quantities of calcium and vitamin supplements.
An excess of these added vitamins and minerals in an African Grey’s diet can lead to health problems.
Only a few feathers should be clipped from the wings of an African Grey since they are heavy birds.
Clipping too many feathers can severely impair flight and may lead to injuries as they may have a
tendency to crash to the ground. If very young birds are wing clipped they may never gain full
coordination and agility in flight. African Grey parrots' lifespans are upto about 50 years (or more) in
captivity.
References
● BirdLife International (2006). Psittacus erithacus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 09 May 2006.
1. Nikki Moustaki; (2004) A New Owner's Guide to African Grey Parrots TFH Publications. ISBN
0-7938-2855-4
2. Maggie Wright; (2001) African Grey Parrots Barron's Pet Handbooks. ISBN 0-7641-1035-7
3. Mattie Sue Athan and Dianalee Deter; (2000) The African Grey Parrot Handbook : Everything
About History, Care, Nutrition, Handling, and Behavior Barron's Pet Handbooks. ISBN 0-7641-
0993-6
4. Tony Juniper and Mike Parr; (1998) Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World Yale University
Press. ISBN 0-300-07453-0
5. Julie Rach; (1998) The African Grey : An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet Howell Book
House. ISBN 0-87605-443-2
6. E. J. Mulawka; (1984) African Grey Parrots TFH Publications. ISBN 0-86622-975-2
7. W.T. Greene; African Grey Parrots Beech Publishing House. ISBN 1-85736-027-3
8. Irene Pepperberg; "The Alex Studies" Harvard University Press. ISBN 0-674-00806-5
External links
● African Grey Parrot Forum
● African Grey Parrot Research and Conservation
● The Alex Foundation website
● African Grey Parrot
● PBS Video of Alex in Action'" (3rd video down)
● Parrot's Oratory Stuns Scientists - BBC article on N'kisi
● Hear N'kisi speak
● African Grey parrot as an endangered species on RSPB website
● Tinkerbell - a flighted CAG parrot in Taiwan and how to keep a flighted grey parrot at home
Bird-safe
Bird-safe (or less popularly bird-proof) is a term used to describe objects that are safe for captive birds
and it is most commonly associated with pet birds. Birds are smaller than humans and other pets and
therefore are considerably more vulnerable to dangers.
Contents
● 1 Household dangers
● 2 Cage Safety
● 3 Toxic foods for birds
● 4 Toxic plants for birds
● 5 Toxicity of overheated non-stick surfaces
● 6 Introducing your bird to strangers
Household dangers
Household dangers can lurk almost everywhere, from a lead-painted wall to a burning stove. Many
forgetful and/or unaware bird owners lose their birds just because of ignoring household dangers. One of
the biggest household dangers is an open window: a bird may try to fly out of it and a flighted bird can
possibly be successful in doing so, therefore it is recommended to wing-clip a pet bird.
Always supervise your bird outside its cage and make sure it isn't eating anything from surfaces outside
the cage, especially the floor. Sometimes pet birds can crash into a fan and injure themselves. Therefore
turn fans off before letting your bird outside its cage and keep its wings clipped. Don't let your bird
access any surface with lead, this especially includes metals. Very hot or cold surfaces can also injure a
bird and therefore also keep them away from your bird. Even some polishes may contain toxic materials.
Alcohol, pesticides and other chemicals must also be avoided. More information can be found here here.
Cage Safety
Before buying a cage make sure it does not contain lead (lead is potentially toxic to birds). Excess of
zinc can also be harmful. Lead and zinc are two main factors one should consider before buying a cage
for a pet bird. Rectangular cages are preferred over round cages because a round cage does not give a
bird a safe corner when it is frightened or alarmed. The round bar positioning in round cages may also
affect a bird's feathers, particularly the tailfeathers. Another point to consider in bird cages are the toys
that the bird will play with.
The toys should be constructed of material non-toxic to birds (marketed as "bird-safe"). The toys should
not contain lead and/or zinc. If a toy contains colored leather and/or wood, it must be vegetable tanned
or colored with food coloring. If a toy contains rope, it should not get tangled in a bird's toe (though
sometimes even the best bird-safe ropes get tangled in bird's toes). The best bird-safe ropes are the
Supreme Cotton Rope - which dispenses fluff when its strands are plucked from the rope - or the Paulie
Rope. However, Paulie Ropes designed for industrial purposes are not suitable for birds.
The same applies for playgyms, food bowls, perches and all other accessories a pet bird will interact
with. More information on pet bird safety can be found here.
Toxic foods for birds

Toxic foods are foods that can cause allergies and/or health problems in birds. Avocados, chocolate,
milk, foods high in salt and/or sugar and fatty foods should be avoided. Any food considered junk food
for humans should also be considered junk food for pet birds.
Toxic plants for birds

There are many plants that can be harmful to pet birds. In some cases an entire plant can be harmful to a
bird and in some cases only some parts of certain plants can be dangerous to birds. Click here to see a
comprehensive list of plants that can be harmful to pet birds.
Toxicity of overheated non-stick surfaces

Many reports from bird owners claim that their pet birds died after the owners used non-stick cookware
around the birds. The cause of this phenomenon is PTFE, a fume that is released by non-stick coatings
when they are overheated. The most common source of these non-stick coatings is DuPont's Teflon,
which is now very common in stock, but there are many other brands that use non-stick coatings. Make
sure to buy cookware that is PTFE-free or use non-stick surfaces very carefully.
PTFE usually burns when the surface is heated over 500 degrees Celsius, and disposing non-stick
cookware is the best thing to do, however, there are alternate options. Non-stick cookware is not the
only source of PTFE, other sources include wafflemakers, some irons, some self-cleaning ovens among
other things. If you are using PTFE-coated surfaces in a household that has birds, make sure that:
● You don't heat the stove more than the conventional heat level, which is, 500 degrees Celsius
● The area where the bird is kept and the non-stick is located should both be well-ventilated.
Introducing your bird to strangers
Strangers to a bird include new people and animals. It is recommended that a stranger bird be
quarantined before being kept in a cage with another bird. Some people don't know the sensitivity of a
bird and handle it recklessly, this is especially with younger children who may be too excited to handle a
bird, therefore first tell a stranger that a bird is frail and sensitive and that it needs to be handled in the
gentlest way. Sometimes even house pets (dogs and cats) are prone to eat birds, therefore it is
recommended to keep them away from the bird. Some new bird owners trust their house pets too much
and are very confident that they won't eat the bird, but this is not always the case. Even the tamest dog
may eat a bird when it is very hungry and has nothing else to eat, cats are even more prone to such
incidents.
External links
● A website on how to have a bird-safe surrounding
● Miscellaneous information on bird safety
● Information bird-safe and toxic materials in bird toys, particularly ropes
British finches
The British finches are made up of several species of Finch which were formerly very popular as cage
birds in Great Britain. Nowadays they are not commonplace, but are still keped by a few dedicated
fanciers. British finches are often associated with Mules - a term used by cagebird breeders to refer to
hybrids of finch species bred in captivity, such as that of a Goldfinch and Canary. There are now strict
ringing regulations on British finches in places such as the UK, but they are still kept by aviculturists
who care for them in much the same way as applies for canaries. The seed mixture in the UK known as
British Finch & Mule is their basic diet.
Contents
● 1 History
● 2 Species
● 3 Mules and Hybrids
● 4 Other British birds
● 5 See also
History
In Victorian times British finches were hugely popular as cage birds throughout the British Isles, often
replacing Canaries. Due to a lack of protection, thousands of birds were captured for pets every year.
Goldfinches were once caught in thousands to

be kept as cage birds
Their popularity is reflected in the well known British rhyme, Don't Dilly Dally on the Way, in the line,
"I walked behind wiv me old cock linnet..." referring to the Linnet, Carduelis cannabina.
Since the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it has been illegal to capture, attempt to capture or sell any
British bird, and only those on Shedule 3 Part 1, may be sold if they are closed ringed and proof can be
given that it was bred in captivity. Unfortunately, some people do still capture wild birds using cruel
methods such as illegal bird lime.
Species
British finches are quite simply birds in the Finch family which to this day live wild in the British Isles.
The species most popular include:
● Genus Fringilla - Bramblings and chaffinches

❍ Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) (Note: this species is often known in aviculture as the
Bramble finch)
● Genus Carduelis - Linnets, redpolls, goldfinches, greenfinches, some siskins.

❍ Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris)
Redpoll (Carduelis sp.)

Siskin (Carduelis spinus )
Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis )
Twite (Carduelis flavirostris)
Linnet (Carduelis cannabina)
● Genus Loxia - Crossbills

❍ Common Crossbill (Loxia sp.) (Note: In Victorian times the Scottish Crossbill had not
been identified)
● Genus Pyrrhula - Bullfinches

❍ Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)
Mules and Hybrids

During the Victorian era, it was found that if a British finch, e.g. a Goldfinch, was crossed with a
Canary, the result was an attractive looking, good singing bird. The resulting birds were sterile, but
continue to be bred to this day under the name of Mules. Many clubs specialise in Mules. [1]
Also around this time a few people began to experiment crossing British finches. The resulting birds,
including Siskin x Goldfinch and even such beauties as Bullfinch x Crossbill also remain to this day,
often winning prizes at prestigious shows. The breeding of such hybrids can, however be notriously
difficult. [2]
Other British birds

Not just finches were/are popular in British aviculture, and the following have had a following of
fanicers for many years. They are all protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as are
finches.
Buntings
● Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) (Note: This species is often known in aviculture as the
Yellow Bunting)
Thrushes
● Blackbird (Turdus merula)

Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)
Crows
● Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)

Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
Magpie (Pica pica)
Others
● Dunnock (Prunella modularis)

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Birds such as Jackdaws were often kept
by children who marvelled at their
ability to talk in the days before parrots
were readily available
Other more unusual birds, including Redstarts and Flycatchers, are sometimes bred by specialised
owners.
See also
● Finch
External links
● British Birds in Aviculture
● Mules and Hybrids
● RSPB Wild birds and the Law
Caique
Caique
A Caique is one of two species of small, brightly colored parrot of
the genus Pionites.
Caiques originate from the area of the Amazon Rainforest of Kingdom: Animalia
northern Brazil and southern Venezuela, and the Guiana highlands.
Phylum: Chordata
In the wild, caiques generally prefer forested areas and subsist on
fruit and seeds. Caiques are generally canopy dwellers, spending
Class: Aves
most of their time in the tops of trees, foraging and playing.
Caiques are also occasionally known as the "Seven-Color Parrot" Order: Psittaciformes
because black, green, yellow, orange, white and blue feathers have
all been observed. They have also been historically known as "The Family: Psittacidae
Dancing Parrot" for their habit of hopping and dancing, especially
when encouraged by rhythmic clapping.
Genus: Pionites
Heine
Contents
● 1 Species
❍ 1.1 The White-Bellied Caique
❍ 1.2 The Black-Headed Caique
● 2 Aviculture
● 3 Sexing
Species
There are only two species of caique: the White-bellied Parrot or White-bellied Caique and the Black-
headed Parrot or Black-headed Caique.
White-Bellied Caique
The White-Bellied Caique
The White-Bellied Caique, Pionites leucogaster, has an orange-yellow head, a white belly, green wings
and back, bluish primary feathers, a horn-colored beak, and pink or grey feet. The white-belly tends to
flock in pairs.
The Black-Headed Caique
A mature female Black-headed

Caique in captivity. Photo:
Amy Shears, 27 July 2005.
Public Domain.
The Black-Headed Caique, Pionites melanocephala, has a black crown, yellow to orange head, white
belly, yellow leg feathers and underside of tail, green back and wings, bluish primaries, greyish bill, and
black feet. Minor variations in this coloration exist. The black-head tends to flock in groups of about
three dozen.
Aviculture
Caiques are growing in popularity in aviculture, the more commonly found species being the black-
head. Caiques bond well with humans and have a reputation as playful birds, and enjoy playing with
toys while laying on their backs. They are not particularly good flyers, instead preferring to walk, jump,
or hop as a mode of transportation. Their behavior has been said to be most comparable to Lories and
Lorikeets.
Caiques can be quiet (compared with the maximum volume of larger parrots) if trained properly. They
have a peculiar call which has been compared to a smoke alarm, used for warning and for making
contact with flock members who are out of visual range. This call is high, piercing, and loud enough to
alert flock members across the jungle or neighboring apartment dwellers. They are extremely active,
prefer lots of physical interaction and playtime, and are prolific chewers. They can be distrustful of or
aggressive toward other species of parrot, so prospective buyers should be careful if they have or plan to
have other types of parrots. They can also be highly demanding of human attention, and stubborn, not
easily distracted from stealing eyeglasses or chewing unapproved items even when tempted with favorite
treats and toys.
Caiques are poor imitators of human speech, and their appeal as a pet lies in their playfulness, not their
speaking ability. They can learn to mimic words, and will speak in a soft and gravelly voice. They can
also learn to whistle and some birds enjoy developing a large repertoire which they creatively recombine
to come up with new calls and short tunes. They also enjoy learning environmental sounds such as
telephone rings and microwave beeps.
Caiques have a particular odor. Some birds smell more strongly than others, and the scent can be
described as a dry, cardboardlike smell. Prospective buyers should interact with a bird before buying it
(as all pet buyers should) to see whether they find the smell unpleasant.
Sexing
As with most parrots, males and females of either species of caique look exactly the same. The only
ways to determine sex are surgical sexing and DNA sexing.
Carrier pigeon
A carrier pigeon is a breed of pigeon (specifically a domesticated Rock Pigeon, Columba livia) that has
wattles, a nearly vertical stature, and that may once have been used to carry messages. The carrier
pigeons of today are not good flyers; they are instead kept as an ornamental or fancy breed, valued for
their unusual appearance. They are about 33 cm (about 13 in) in length, with the male generally larger
than the female.
Carrier Pigion
Carrier pigeons should not be confused with homing pigeons, another variety of Columba livia. Homing
pigeons, not carrier pigeons, were used to carry messages in World War I and World War II and are
nowadays used for pigeon racing.
The Egyptians and the Persians first used carrier pigeons 3,000 years ago. They also were used to
proclaim the winner of the Olympics.
External links
● Carrier Pigeons, also known as English Carriers
● Photos of carrier pigeons
● Pigeon power
● Racing Pigeons
The Citron-crested Cockatoo, Cacatua sulphurea Conservation status: Critical
citrinocristata is a medium-sized cockatoo with an orange
crest, dark grey beak, pale orange ear patches, and strong feet
and claws. The underside of the larger wing and tail feathers
have a pale yellow colour. The eye colour ranges from brown
through very dark brown to black. Both sexes are similar.
The smallest of the Yellow-crested Cockatoo subspecies, it is

distributed and endemic to Sumba and Lesser Sunda Islands
in Indonesia. The diet consists mainly of seeds, buds, fruits,
nuts and herbaceous plants.
The Citron-crested Cockatoo as an

endangered bird
The Citron-crested Cockatoo is classified as critically
endangered. Its numbers in the wild have declined due to
habitat loss and illegal trapping for the cage-bird trade. It is
listed in appendix II of the CITES (Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and
Fauna) list of protected species. CITES protects endangered Scientific classification
species like the cockatoo, by making the trade of wild-caught Kingdom: Animalia
birds illegal. However, trade of the cockatoos bred in captivity
is permitted. Each bird bred in captivity is given a CITES
certificate to prove that it is not a wild caught bird. The Phylum: Chordata
CITES certificate must accompany its sale or resale.
Class: Aves
The Citron-crested Cockatoo as pets
Order: Psittaciformes
As hand-reared birds Citron-crested Cockatoos can make
good pets, as they are friendly and sociable. They are not as Family: Cacatuidae
noisy as most cockatoos, but are curious and like to chew.
Generally they are quiet, but they can make a moderately loud
honking or screeching sound. They can also make a repetitive
quieter whistling or squeaking noise. They are not good at Subfamily: Cacatuinae
imitating human speech as some members of the parrot
family, having a vocabulary of up to only 15 words or
phrases. They readily learn tricks and they can be trained. Genus: Cacatua
They often raise the coloured crest feathers in display or when
surprised. Their droppings are semi-solid and can be messy. Subgenus: Cacatua
As with many cockatoo species, Citron-crested Cockatoos
taken as pets need much greater care and attention than other
Species: C. sulphurea
companion parrots.
They are not common in pet stores, but are becoming more Subspecies: C. s. citrinocristata
popular with breeders. Each bird must be sold with an official
CITES certificate to prove that it was bred in captivity. Trinomial name
Cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata
External links Fraser, 1844
● Royal Society for the Protection of Birds website - threats to wild bird populations
Companion parrot
Companion parrot is a general term used for any parrot kept as a pet that interacts with its human a
great deal, while companion parrots is the collective designation for any species of parrot that is
considered by practitioners of aviculture to make an affectionate pet parrot.
Generally, almost all species of parrots are considered to make good companion parrots. All larger
varieties of parrots, such as Amazons, African Greys, Cockatoos, Eclectus, Hawk-Heads, Keas and
Macaws; most mid-sized birds such as Caiques, Conures, Pionus, Poicephalus, Rose-ringed parakeets,
and Rosellas, and quite a few of the smaller types including Brotegeris, Budgies, Cockatiels, Grass
parakeets, Lovebirds, and some Parrotlets are often considered companion parrots.
Species of pet parrots that are not generally considered companion parrots include Lories and Lorikeets,
Hanging parrots, and Fig parrots, fruit and nectar eating birds which are generally kept in colonies. Such
species as Pygmy parrots and Kakapos, Night Parrots, and about half of the species of parrotlet, are not
considered companion parrots due to the apparent impossibility of keeping them alive in captivity for
extended periods of time.
Generally, depending on one's definition of a good pet though, the definition of a companion parrot can
vary considerably, and there are some in aviculture who go by the individual parrot rather than the
species.
External links
● Problems Faced by Parrots in Captivity
● Don't Breed. Don't Buy. Adopt a Parrot!
Conure
Conures are a diverse, loosely-defined group of medium-sized to small New World parrots. Essentially
they are large parakeets native to Central and South America. For parrots, conures are lightly built, with
long tails (Conure literally means 'cone tail') and small, strong beaks. They have a diverse range of
colors.
Nanday Conure
a Sun Conure
a rare St. Thomas Conure

Extinct Carolina parakeet
Contents
● 1 Description
● 2 Conure Species
❍ 2.1 Aratinga
❍ 2.2 Pyrrhura
❍ 2.3 Nanday Conure
❍ 2.4 Golden Conure
❍ 2.5 Patagonian Conure
❍ 2.6 Enicognathus
❍ 2.7 Golden-Plumed Conure
❍ 2.8 Yellow-Eared Conure
❍ 2.9 Carolina Parakeet
● 3 Scientific Classification
Description
Conures are either large parakeets or small parrots that are found in the western hemisphere. They are
analogous in size and way of life to the Old World's Rose-ringed Parakeets or the Australian parakeets.
All living conure species are found in Central and South America; the extinct Conuropsis carolinensis or
Carolina Parakeet was an exception.
Despite being large for parakeets, conures are lightly built with long tails and small (but strong) beaks.
Conure beaks always have a small cere and are usually horn-colored or black. Most conure species live
in flocks of 20 or more birds. Conures often eat grain, which causes them to be treated as agricultural
pests in some places.
Conures are as diverse a group as African Parrots, so trying to characterize them all is difficult and
inaccurate. The category conure is loosely-defined because they do not currently constitute a natural,
scientific grouping. The macaws are so closely related to conures that strictly by descent, macaws could
also be called "conures". The term conure is now used mostly in aviculture. Scientists and laypeople
alike tend to refer to these birds as "parrots" or "parakeets." (See below under Scientific Classification
for more details.)
Conure Species
Conures, as the term is used by aviculturists, include only the genera Aratinga and Pyrrhura, as well as
several single-species genera and one double-species genus*. These other genera are listed below:
● Conuropsis: Carolina Parakeet (extinct)

● Cyanoliseus: Patagonian Conure
● Enicognathus: Austral and Slender-Billed Conures
● Guarouba: Golden or Queen Of Bavaria Conure
● Leptosittaca: Golden-Plumed Conure
● Nandayus: Nanday Conure
● Ognorhynchus: Yellow-Eared Conure
Aratinga
Latin for "little macaw," (ara - macaw, tinga - diminutive) the Aratinga conures generally seem to have a
more mischievous personality than the real little macaws or mini macaws. The Aratinga conures are
generally larger with brighter plumage and are generally the noisier, more outgoing, more demanding of
the two primary conure genera. The Sun Conure and Jenday Conure are among the species of conures
more commonly kept as pets.
Pyrrhura
Pyrrhura is the other large genus of conures. These generally greenish conures including the very
common Green-cheeked Conure. Usually smaller, duller-colored, and quieter than the Aratinga conures,
the Pyrrhura conures contain almost every conure species with a hyphen in the name, and the majority of
Pyrrhura species names are hyphenated.
Nanday Conure
Pair of wild Nanday Conures
The Nanday conure, Nandayus nenday is the most commonly kept pet conure species outside of the
two main genera. Some experts believe that Nandays should actually be grouped with the Aratinga
genus, since they are cross-fertile with such species as Jendays and Suns. Nanday conures have a
distinctive black head, and wings and tails tipped with dark blue feathers. They have a light-blue scarf
and bright orange feathers on their legs and around their vents. The maturity of a Nanday can be told by
the edges of its black hood: if the hood has a ragged edge of brown, then the bird is over a year old.
Although Nandays are often said to be extremely noisy, it might be more accurate to say that they are a
heavily flock-oriented species, used to making their demands known, calling out warnings for the group,
and making inquiries about other members of the group who are out of sight. They are also extremely
intelligent birds, capable of learning tricks, mimicking sounds, and learning a small vocabulary. At least
one report suggests that they are highly adaptable to human encroachment on their territories, but the
exact status of the species in the wild is unknown.
Golden Conure
The Golden conure or Queen of Bavaria Conure, Guarouba guarouba (recently reclassified from
Aratinga guarouba) is, as the name implies, covered all over with bright yellow feathers, except for the
green wing-tip feathers and the greyish-horn-colored beak. Golden conures are among the most
expensive conures both to purchase and to care for, although many owners feel that the benefits
outweigh the cost. It is one of the rarest Conures in the wild in addition to the pet trade. Many experts
believe that these birds should not be kept in captivity unless in a breeding program.
Patagonian Conure
Patagonian conure, Cyanoliseus patagonus
The Patagonian conure, Cyanoliseus patagonus, is a large conure found in the Patagonia region of
south-central Argentina and Chile. Drab on the top, brighly colored underneath, the Patagonian conure
has exploded in popularity since the 1990s, leading to an increase in illegal importation which threatens
the wild populations. It is also known as the "burrowing parrot," due to its habit of nesting in holes in the
ground. Unsurprisingly, Patagonians in captivity are great chewers, and have been known to munch
through furniture and even walls.
Enicognathus
The dusky red-tailed and green Austral conure and the descriptively named Slender-billed conure
make up the genus Enicognathus. Although both birds in the genus are available in aviculture, neither is
especially common in captivity.
Golden-Plumed Conure
The Golden-plumed conure, Leptosittaca branickii, is a small Andean conure not found in aviculture
and endangered in its own habitat.
Yellow-Eared Conure
The exceedingly rare Yellow-eared conure or Ognorhynchus icterotis of Colombia and Ecuador was
never common in aviculture and has not successfully bred in captivity.
Carolina Parakeet
Conuropsis carolinensis, the Carolina Parakeet, was the only parrot species indigenous to the United
States. The Carolina parakeet was a remarkably social bird, living in vast flocks. American bird hunters
reported that Carolina Parakeets would return to mourn dead members of the flock, making themselves
easy targets. Considered a pest, popular in the pet trade, and bearing plumes feathers valued for hats, this
species was hunted to extinction around the beginning of the 1900's.
Scientific Classification
The word conure is an old term and was originally used as a descriptive name for the members of the
nolonger-used genus Conurus, which included the members of Aratinga and Pyrrhura.
The parrot order Psittaciformes is a rather confusing tangle of genera, many containing only one species.
Parrots or Psittacines (order Psittaciformes) includes about 353 species of bird which are generally
grouped into two families: the Cacatuidae or cockatoos, and the Psittacidae or true parrots. The term
parrot is generally used for both the entire order as well as for the Psittacidae alone.
All members of the Psittaciformes order have a characteristic curved beak shape with the upper
mandible having slight mobility in the joint with the skull and a generally erect stance. All parrots are
zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back.
The conures and all other New World parrots are often placed in a subfamily or tribe Arinae. Internal
relationships of conures are poorly understood though it seems evident that, to make them a natural
grouping, the Quaker parakeet1, the thick-billed parrot, and Brotogeris2 should be included, and often
are. Neotropical parakeets, macaws, and other are also candidates potential for inclusion. In this scheme,
"conure" would comprise members of the genera:
● Aratinga
● Pyrrhura
● Nandayus
● Guarouba
● Cyanoliseus
● Enicognathus
● Leptosittaca
● Ognorhynchus
● Conuropsis
● Rhynchopsitta: Thick-billed parrot
● Myopsitta: Quaker parakeet
Macaws:
● Ara
● Anodorhynchus
● Cyanopsitta
● Diopsittaca
● Orthopsittaca
● Primolius
In addition the caiques and the hawk-headed parakeets have also been proposed for inclusion. Both the
caiques and the Hawk-headed parakeets have a heavier build and different tail structure from traditional
conures.
1The Quaker or Monk parakeet is technically a conure by almost anybody's definition, but due to its
popularity in aviculture and its uniqueness, it is generally considered in a category of its own.
2Brotogeris are not only often counted as conures, but as parrotlets as well, and it is not clear precisely
which one, or both, or neither, they belong to. Certainly the tail structure is different from that of the
parrotlets, although the basic body structure seems to be analogous with both groups.
Cyanoramphus
Cyanoramphus
Cyanoramphus is a genus of parakeets native to New
Zealand and islands of the southern Pacific Ocean.
The list curreently accepted of Cyanoramphus taxa,

following Boon et al. (2001) is:
● Yellow-crowned Parakeet C. auriceps (Kuhl,

1820)
Orange-fronted Parakeet C. malherbi Souancé,
1857Conservation status: Critical
● Red-crowned Parakeet C. novaezelandiae
(Sparrman, 1787)
❍ New Zealand Red-crowned Parakeet C.
novaezelandiae novaezelandiae
Chatham Island Red-crowned Parakeet C.
novaezelandiae chathamensis
● Forbes' Parakeet C. forbesi (formerly considered a
subspecies of C. auriceps).
Antipodes Island Parakeet C. unicolor
Black-fronted Parakeet C. zealandicus (extinct) Red-crowned Parakeet, Cyanoramphus
Subantarctic Red-crowned Parakeet C. erythrotis novaezelandiae
❍ Macquarie Island Red-crowned Parakeet C.
erythrotis erythrotis (extinct; formerly
considered a subspecies of C. Kingdom: Animalia
novaezelandiae).
Reischek's Parakeet C. erythrotis Phylum: Chordata
hochstetteri (formerly considered a
subspecies of C. novaezelandiae).
● New Caledonia Red-crowned Parakeet C. saisetti Class: Aves
(formerly considered a subspecies of C.
novaezelandiae). Order: Psittaciformes
Norfolk Island Parakeet C. cooki (formerly
considered a subspecies of C. novaezelandiae).
Family: Psittacidae
Society Parakeet C. ulietanus (extinct)
The two forms of C. erythrotis may be distinct species:

the single specimen believed to be from Macquarie Island Genus: Cyanoramphus
(Canterbury Museum specimen AV2099, O'Connor Bonaparte, 1854
catalog 369) in Boon et al.'s analysis has turned out to be
Species
from the Antipodes Islands population (hochstetteri)
instead (Scofield, 2005). Cyanoramphus auriceps
Cyanoramphus erythrotis
Cyanoramphus malherbi
References Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae
Cyanoramphus saisetti
● Boon, W.M.; Kearvell, J.; Daugherty, C. H.; Cyanoramphus ulietanus (extinct)
Chambers, G. K. (2001): Molecular systematics Cyanoramphus unicolor
and conservation of kakariki (Cyanoramphus Cyanoramphus zealandicus (extinct)
spp.). Science for Conservation 176 PDF fulltext Cyanoramphus cooki
● Scofield, R. Paul (2005): The supposed Macquarie
Island parakeet in the collection of Canterbury Museum. Notornis 52(2): 117-120. PDF fulltext
Hawaiian Goose
Hawaiian Goose
The Hawaiian Goose or Nēnē, Branta sandvicensis, is a species Conservation status: Vulnerable
of goose endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. It shares a recent
common ancestor with Branta canadensis, the Canada Goose. The
official bird of the State of Hawai i, the Nēnē is exclusively found
in the wild of the islands of Mau i, Kaua i and Hawai i. A larger,
extinct and possibly flightless species, the Nēnē-nui (Branta
hylobadistes) was present in prehistoric times on Maui; related,
but hitherto undescribed forms also occurred on Kauaʻi and Oʻahu,
and there was a gigantic, flightless relative on the island of
Hawaiʻi.
The Nēnē gets its Hawaiian name from its soft call.
Kingdom: Animalia
The species has a black head, buff cheeks and heavily furrowed
neck. Bill, legs and feet are black. The young birds are as the male Phylum: Chordata
but duller brown and with less demarcation between the colours of
the head and neck, and striping and barring effects are much Class: Aves
reduced. Bill, legs and feet as for the adult.
The female Hawaiian Goose is similar to the male in colouring but Order: Anseriformes
slightly smaller.
Family: Anatidae
Its strong toes have much reduced webbing, an adaptation to the
lava flows on which it breeds. It mates on land unlike most other Genus: Branta
wildfowl.
This is the world's rarest goose. Once common, hunting and Species: B. sandvicensis
introduced predators such as mongooses, pigs, and cats reduced
the population to 30 birds by 1952. However, this species breeds Binomial name
well in captivity, and has been successfully re-introduced so in Branta sandvicensis
2004 it was estimated that there were 500 birds in the wild (and (Vigors, 1833)
good numbers in wildfowl collections).
A group of Nēnē; the bird A sign in Hawaiʻi Two Nēnē at the Kīlauea
The distinctive neck
on the right shows the warning of crossing Point National Wildlife
pattern
characteristic foot Nēnē. Refuge.
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Branta sandvicensis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
is vulnerable
Hill Myna
Hill Myna
The Hill Myna, Gracula religiosa, is a member of the Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
starling family.
This myna is a resident breeder in tropical southern Asia

from India and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia and has been
introduced to the USA.
The races found in the Western Ghats of India and in Sri

Lanka, G. r. indica and G. r. ptilogenys , have recently
been split off as a separate species, the Southern Hill
Myna (Gracula indica) and the Ceylon Hill Myna
(Gracula ptilogenys).
This passerine is typically found in forest and cultivation.

The Hill Myna builds a nest in hole. The normal clutch is 2-
3 eggs.
These 25-29 cm long birds have green-glossed black Southern Hill Myna Gracula religiosa indica
plumage, purple-tinged on the head and neck. There are Scientific classification
large white wing patches which are obvious in flight. The
bill and strong legs are bright yellow, and there are yellow Kingdom: Animalia
wattles on the nape and under the eye, which are separate
in the Southern Hill Myna, but joined in other forms. The Phylum: Chordata
sexes are similar, but juveniles have a duller bill. They are
often detected by their loud shrill descending whistles Class: Aves
followed by other calls. They are most vocal at dawn and
dusk and they are found in forest clearings high on the
canopy in small groups. Order: Passeriformes
Like most starlings, the Hill Myna is fairly omnivorous, Family: Sturnidae
eating fruit, nectar and insects.
Genus: Gracula
The Hill Myna is a popular cage bird, renowned for its
ability to imitate speech. Demand in the West outstrips
breeding capacity so they are rarely found in pet stores.
They are becoming increasingly rare in their native Species: G. religiosa
countries due to capture for the illegal pet trade.
Binomial name
References Gracula religiosa
Linnaeus, 1758
● Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp,
ISBN 0-691-04910-6
Kākāriki
Kākāriki
The three species of Kākāriki or New Zealand
parakeets are the most common species of parakeet in
the genus Cyanoramphus, family Psittacidae. The birds'
Māori name, which is the most commonly used, means
"small parrot", and is also used as the term for the colour
green.
The three species on mainland New Zealand are the

Yellow-crowned Parakeet Cyanoramphus auriceps, the
Orange-fronted Parakeet C. malherbi and the Red-
crowned Parakeet or Red-fronted Parakeet, C.
novaezelandiae. All are native to New Zealand, and have
become endangered as a result of habitat destruction
following European settlement and nest predation by
introduced species of mammal. Scarce on the mainland,
they have survived well on outlying islands, and also
through breeding in captivity since they make good pets.
A licence from the New Zealand Department of
Conservation is now required to breed them in captivity.
Red-crowned Parakeet, Cyanoramphus
In October 2004, according to the Porirua City News (17 novaezelandiae
November, page 8), two pairs of Red-crowned Parakeets Scientific classification
were seen in the Porirua Scenic Reserve, probably having
flown from Kapiti Island. Kingdom: Animalia
Mitochondrial DNA analysis has indicated that the Phylum: Chordata

Orange-fronted Parakeet is a separate species and not just
a colour variation of the Yellow-crowned Parakeet. The Class: Aves
Orange-fronted Parakeet is highly endangered, with less
than 200 individuals remaining in the North Canterbury
region of the South Island. Furthermore, Chatham Order: Psittaciformes
Island's Yellow-crowned Parakeet and the red-crowned
populations of New Caledonia, Norfolk Island and the Family: Psittacidae
subantarctic islands have been determined to be distinct
species (Boon et al., 2001).
There is one remaining subspecies of the Red-crowned Genus: Cyanoramphus
Parakeet, the Chatham Island Red-crowned Parakeet,
C. n. chathamensis, all other forms having been split off
Species: C. auriceps
(see also Scofield, 2005).
C. malherbi
C. novaezelandiae
Aviculture
Binomial name
The red-crowned parakeets are common in aviculture and
they are relatively easy to breed. They lay about 3 to 5 Cyanoramphus auriceps
(Kuhl, 1820)
white eggs in a nesting box. A cinnamon colour variety
and a pied variety are available. Cyanoramphus malherbi
Souancé, 1857
Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae
References (Sparrman, 1787)
● Boon, W.M.; Kearvell, J.; Daugherty, C. H.; Chambers, G. K. (2001): Molecular systematics and
conservation of kakariki (Cyanoramphus spp.). Science for Conservation 176 PDF fulltext
● Scofield, R. Paul (2005): The supposed Macquarie Island parakeet in the collection of Canterbury
Museum. Notornis 52(2): 117-120. PDF fulltext
External links
● NZBirds.com - Kakariki
● The Lexicon of Parrots - Red-fronted Parakeet
Lilian's Lovebird
Lilian's Lovebird
The Lilian's Lovebird also know as Nyasa Lovebird (Agapornis Conservation status Near threatened
lilianae) is rare and endemic to Malawi. Nyasa species is one of the
least studied of all lovebird species. There have not been any
previous ecological and field studies of this species but there is a
new Research Project conducted by Research Centre for Parrot Kingdom: Animalia
Conservation (University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa). This
study represents a very important step towards defining Nyasa Phylum: Chordata
Lovebird ecology and conservation.
Class: Aves
The Nyasa Lovebird currently inhabits Liwonde National Park
(LNP) and a few cluster groups occur in the surrounding forests
outside LNP. Its distribution is rapidly becoming restricted to LNP Order: Psittaciformes
because their feeding and breeding habitats are being exploited over
for agricultural purposes. The extent of habitat loss outside LNP has Family: Psittacidae
not been determined scientifically although remaining habitat
outside the LNP are fragmented Miombo Forest Reserves. Liwonde
National Park is located in the southern region of Malawi, which has Genus: Agapornis
the highest human population density in the country approximating
100-115 inhabitants per km² (FAO, 1997). LNP is greatly impacted Species: A. lilianae
by population growth and agricultural activities than any other
national park in the country. Recently, cases of Nyasa Lovebird
poisoning have intensified although it is not known why poachers Binomial name
are poisoning the birds. Nyasa Lovebird Researchers assume Agapornis lilianae
poachers mean to poison larger mammals and Lovebirds fall victims. (Selby, 1836)
Nyasa Lovebirds have proved to be a difficult species to rear in captivity. Many breeders worldwide
struggle to breed the species.
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Agapornis lilianae. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this
species is near threatened
Long-billed Vulture
Long-billed Vulture
The Long-billed Vulture, Gyps indicus, is an Old World vulture in Conservation status: Critical
the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards
and hawks. It is closely related to the European Griffon Vulture, G. Scientific classification
fulvus. Some sources treat the birds in the eastern part of its range as
Kingdom: Animalia
a separate species, the Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris.
It breeds on crags or in trees in mountains in India and South-east Phylum: Chordata

Asia, laying one egg. Birds may form loose colonies. The
population is mostly resident. Class: Aves
Like other vultures it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses

Order: Falconiformes
of dead animals which it finds by soaring over savannah and around
human habitation. It often moves in flocks.
Family: Accipitridae
The Long-billed Vulture is a typical vulture, with a bald head, very
broad wings and short tail. It is smaller and less heavily-built than Genus: Gyps
European Griffon. It is distinguished from that species by its less
buff body and wing coverts It also lacks the whitish median covert
Species: G. indicus
bar shown by Griffon.
This and the Indian White-rumped Vulture, G. bengalensis species Binomial name
have suffered a 99% - 97% decrease in India and the cause of this Gyps indicus
has been identified as poisoning caused by a veterinary drug (Scopoli, 1786)
Diclofenac. Diclofenac is a non-steroidal antiinflamatory drug
(NSAID) and it is given to working animals to help prevent joint pain and so keep them working. The
drug is believed to be swallowed by vultures with the flesh of dead cattle which have been given
diclofenac in the last days of life. Diclofenac causes kidney failure in the birds. [1]. In March 2005 the
Indian Government announced its support for a ban on the veterinary use of diclofenac. Meloxicam
(another NSAID) has been found to be harmless to vultures and should prove to be an acceptable
substitute. In March 2006 diclofenac was still being used for animals throughout India and the changes
in Indian legislation are awaited. When meloxicam production is increased it is hoped that it will be as
cheap as diclofenac.
Captive breeding programmes

Captive breeding programmes for several species of Indian vultue have been started. The vultures are
long lived and slow in breeding, so the programmes are expected to take decades. Vultures reach
breeding age at about 5 years old. It is hoped that captive breed birds will be released back to the wild
when the invironment is clear of diclofenac.
Head of Slender-billed Vulture
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Gyps indicus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN
2006. Retrieved on 09 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why
this species is critically endangered
External link
● India to ban vulture death drug
Moluccan Cockatoo
Moluccan Cockatoo
The Moluccan Cockatoo, Cacatua moluccensis also known Conservation status: Vulnerable
as Salmon-crested Cockatoo is a cockatoo endemic to south
Moluccas in eastern Indonesia. At 50 cm, it is the largest of
the white cockatoos. The female is larger than the males on
average. It has white-pink feathers with a definite peachy
glow, a slight yellow on the underwing and a large retractable
recumbent crest which it raises when threatened to frighten
potential attackers. It also has a loud voice and in captivity is
a capable mimic.
In the wild the Moluccan Cockatoo inhabits lowland forests

below 1000m. The diet consists mainly of seeds, nuts and
fruit, as well as coconuts.
Contents
● 1 Endangered status in the wild
● 2 Aviculture
● 3 References
Endangered status in the wild

The Moluccan Cockatoo is an endangered species, and has
been listed on appendix I of CITES since 1989, which makes
trade in wild-caught birds illegal. Trade in captive bred birds
is legal only with appropriate CITES certification. Numbers
have declined due to illegal trapping for the cage-bird trade
and habitat loss. During the height of the trapping of this
species over 6,000 birds were being removed from the wild
per year. It has a stronghold in Manusela National Park on
Seram, although even today some illegal trapping continues.
Aviculture Kingdom: Animalia
The Moluccan Cockatoo can no longer be imported into the Phylum: Chordata
United States because of its being listed on the Wild Bird
Conservation Act. However they are being bred in captivity.
Class: Aves
The potential owner should be aware of the bird's needs, and
know how loud these birds can be.
References
Family: Cacatuidae
● BirdLife International (2004). Cacatua moluccensis.
2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN Subfamily: Cacatuinae
2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry
includes justification for why this species is vulnerable Genus: Cacatua
External links Subgenus: Cacatua
● BirdLife Species Factsheet

Species: C. moluccensis
● IUCN Red List
● Red Data Book
Binomial name
● Moluccan Cockatoo photo on Pc-Zoo
● Project Bird Watch Project Bird Watch is a group of Cacatua moluccensis
Gmelin, 1788
people dedicated to the study and protection of the
Moluccan, and other parrots in their natural habitat in the Indonesian Islands. One of their many
projects is to encourage and develop eco-tourism as an alternative to trapping the birds for the
native dwellers of the area.
Parrotlet
Parrotlets
Parrotlets are a species of the smallest, New World
parrots, comprised of three genera. One of these genera:
Forpus is growing in popularity within the world of
aviculture, raising interest in the group as a whole.
Contents
● 1 General
● 2 Speech/Learning
● 3 Aviculture
● 4 Genera
❍ 4.1 Forpus
❍ 4.2 Touit
❍ 4.3 Nannopsittaca
● 5 Parrotlet Links
General
Parrotlets are distinguished from parakeets in that despite
their small size, they have a thick build and a broad tail,
much like the lovebird species of East Africa and fig Pacific Parrotlet
parrot and pygmy parrot species of Australasia. At 4½–5 Scientific classification
inches long, they are the second smallest kind of parrot in
the world.
These miniature parrots in the wild travel in flocks which,

depending on the species can range from as low as four to
over 100 birds. Most either species travel in flocks of
about 5–12 or of about 10–40.
Speech/Learning
They can learn more than 10–15 words and can "whistle" Kingdom: Animalia
songs well. They have about the same speaking and
whistling capabilities of a cockatiel. They are also very
good learners for commands such as "step up", "kiss- Phylum: Chordata
kiss", "step down", and other small commands. Some
parrotlets can learn advanced tricks, but not advanced as a Class: Aves
macaw or an african grey.
Aviculture
Family: Psittacidae
The most commonly kept parrotlet in aviculture is by far
the Pacific Parrotlet, which now has several color
mutations. The Mexican, Spectacled, and Yellow-Faced Genera
are also fairly common pets. Their popularity as pets has Forpus
grown due to their small size and large personalities. Touit
Parrotlets are commonly known as playful birds that Nannopsittaca
enjoy the chewing as much as their larger Amazon Parrot
counterparts. However, their largest quirk lies in the fact that they don't grow as bored as other species
of parrots. Parrotlets keep themselves more than occupied when left alone for several hours, so long as
they are provided with an array of chewable and destructable toys to play with. However, when their
keepers get home, they often greet them with lovely chirps and whistles to let them know they want
attention....
Genera
Forpus
Forpus, the most well known genus of parrotlet, includes all species of parrotlet commonly kept as pets
including the Pacific Parrotlet, Mexican Parrotlet, and the Spectacled Parrotlet.
Touit
The Touit Parrotlets are a genus of parrotlets found in The Venezuela-Guyana area, Northern Andes,
and Bahia. Only three of the seven species have ever been brought into aviculture, with all three failing
to keep them alive, or breed them.
Nannopsittaca
There are only two species in the Genus Nannopsittaca, of which only one—Nannopsittaca panychlora,
the Tepui Parrot—has been successfully kept in captivity.
Parrotlet Links
● Talk Parrotlets is a website for parrotlet owners to talk about their parrotlets. Includes an
interactive forum and a parrotlet gallery.
Pigeon racing
Pigeon racing is a sport in which pigeons are removed by an agreed distance from their home coops and
then released at a predetermined time. The arrival of each bird at its home coop is carefully recorded.
For each bird, a velocity, usually in meters per minute or yards per minute, is calculated from the
recorded time and the distance the coop is from the release point (distance/time). The velocities for each
of the birds in the race are then compared to determine the order in which they reached their homes, and
a winner is declared on that basis.
During the 1920s and 1930s successful racing pigeons would often have their portraits painted. Notable
among pigeon artists at the time was E H Windred.
Homing pigeons, selectively bred to be able to navigate back to their homes from places they have never
visited, are used in these races. (Homing pigeons should be clearly distinguished from the ornamental
breed called carrier pigeons. Carrier pigeons, as they exist today, are poor fliers.)
As with many other sports, the gaming behavior involved is not only exciting for participants and
spectators, but it also serves a very real purpose. Homing pigeons were originally bred to carry messages
at high speeds over long distances. Since the birds can only carry the weight of a few sheets of cigarette
paper, and since preparation for sending messages involves transporting the messenger pigeons overland
from their home loft to wherever the messages will originate from, the messages generally had to be
short and important. Emergency messages pertaining to catastrophes and to warfare were therefore the
primary use to which pigeon flight was devoted.
In order to breed messenger pigeons that were both fast and dependable, it was necessary to carry them
long distances from home, release them at a recorded time, and calculate the speed with which they
returned. Some pigeons would fail to return, and they would automatically be eliminated from the
breeding program.
The procedures necessary for improving the breed of homing pigeons are almost identical to the
procedures needed for a race. All that need be added is a collection of competitors and a prize. The
homing pigeon gets improved at the same time the pigeon racers and observers are entertained. Some
care is needed to assure that birds are released at the same time, and that arrival times are properly
verified.
Pigeons are banded both for ease in recording and maintaining genealogies and also so that homing
pigeons that become lost during a race and are found by helpful people can be returned to their owners.
On Race days a rubber ring is placed on the birds foot and the number noted by a club official. When the
birds are released and fly home the rubber ring is taken off and "clocked into" a specially made sealed
Pigeon Racing Clock. This records the time of arrival of the bird and a average speed, normally in yards
per minute is calculated.
Like all sports, pigeon racing also has drug problems, although they are minor. The main drug is a
steroid called Cortisone. It works like amphetamines on young birds, and is administered with eyedrops.
After a while, it slows down the muscles of the bird, making it useless for flying anyway.
Famous pigeon flyers include:
● The Janssen Brothers
External links
● American Racing Pigeon Union - With links to over 60 other related organizations
● Furapi - The Future of Racing Pigeon Sport - Everything about Pigeon Sport in Europe
● Royal Pigeon Racing Association - UK Pigeon Racing governing body
● Pigeonbasics.com - Pigeon Racing the Basics! - Information on pigeon racing, and how to get
involved.
● Pigeon Paradise
● EH Windred - Artist specialising in racing pigeons in 1920s 1930s
Pink Pigeon
Pink Pigeon
The Pink Pigeon is a species of Columbidae (doves and pigeons) Conservation status: Endangered
endemic to Mauritius, and now very rare. It has been conserved
through the efforts of Gerald Durrell and the Durrell Wildlife Scientific classification
Conservation Trust in the 1960s. The book Golden Bats and Pink
Pigeons by Gerald Durrell refers to the conservation efforts. The Kingdom: Animalia
IUCN has recently downlisted the species from critically
endangered to endangered. Mauritius has brought out a series of Phylum: Chordata
stamps depicting the endemic Pink Pigeon.
Class: Aves
Contents
● 1 Description
● 2 Phylogeny Family: Columbidae
● 3 Range
● 4 Habitat
Genus: Streptopelia
● 5 Habits
❍ 5.1 Feeding Habits
❍ 5.2 Social Habits

Species: S. mayeri
❍ 5.3 Breeding Habits
❍ 5.4 Rearing Young Binomial name

● 6 Demography and Longevity Columba mayeri
● 7 References Prevost, 1843
● 8 External links Nesoenas mayeri
Salvadori, 1893
Streptopelia mayeri
Johnson et al, 2001
Description
An adult pigeon is about 32 cm from beak to tail and 350 gram in weight. Pink pigeons have pale pink
plumage on their head, shoulders and underside, along with pink feet and beak. They have dark brown
wings, and a broad, reddish-brown tail. They have dark brown eyes surrounded by a ring of red skin.
Newly hatched pigeons have sparse, downy-white feathers and closed eyes.
Phylogeny
Initially classified as a true pigeon, it was re-classified in a monotypic genus by Tommaso Salvadori.
Recent DNA analyses suggests its nearest neighbour on the phylogenetic tree is the geographically close
Madagascar Turtle Dove (Streptopelia picturata), and has thus been placed in the Streptopelia genus,
which mostly contains turtle doves. However, the two species form a distinct group that cannot
unequivocally be assigned to either Streptopelia or Columba, and indeed, placing the two species in
Nesoenas may best reflect the fact that they seem to belong to a distinct evolutionary lineage (Johnson et
al., 2001).
Range
It is only found in the Mascarene island of Mauritius, a related form having become extinct in the
neighbouring larger Reunion Island.
On Mauritius, it is found in patches of forest in the Southwest.
Habitat
It prefers upland evergreen forests. Destruction of these forests have been a major reason for its decline.
Habits
Feeding Habits
It feeds on native plants - by consuming buds, flowers, leaves, shoots, fruits and seeds. Non-native
species like Guava pose a threat to it by preventing growth of native trees. It does supplement its diet at
feeding stations manned by conservation officials.
Social Habits
They feed and roost in small flocks.
Breeding Habits
The breeding season starts in August-September. The male courts the female with a "step and bow"
display. Mating is monogamous, with the pair making a flimsy platform nest and defending a small area
around it (even though the pigeons initially had no natural predators). The female usually lays 2 white
eggs, and incubation duration is 2 weeks. The male incubates during the day, and the female during
night and early day.
Males remain fertile till 17 - 18 years of age, females till 10 - 11 years of age.
Rearing Young
1 - 7 days: Chicks eyes closed, fed entirely on crop milk.
7 - 10 days: Chicks undergo a dietary transformation to solid food.
2 - 4 weeks: Chicks fledge, but are parent-fed.
4 - 6/7 weeks: Chicks remain in the nest. After this the chicks leave the nest.
Demography and Longevity

Due to habitat destruction, and non-native predators, the population had dropped to 10 in 1991. The
captive breeding and reintroduction program initiated and supported by the Durrell Wildlife
Conservation Trust, and largely carried out by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation has resulted in a stable
population of about 350 in the wild in 2001, as well as a healthy captive population as backup. There are
more males than females in a population due to greater life expectancy of the male (about 5 years more).
The average life expectancy upper bound is estimated at 17 - 18 years.
References
● Johnson, Kevin P.; de Kort, Selvino; Dinwoodey, Karen, Mateman, A. C.; ten Cate, Carel;
Lessells, C. M. & Clayton, Dale H. (2001): A molecular phylogeny of the dove genera
Streptopelia and Columba. Auk 118(4): 874-887. PDF fulltext
● The Mauritius Pink Pigeon Report. Durrell Wildife Conservation Trust, 2001.
External links
● Photograph of pink pigeon on IUCN website
Red-and-green Macaw
Red-and-green Macaw
The Red-and-green Macaw or Green-winged Macaw (Ara
chloroptera) is often mistaken for the Scarlet Macaw because of
its predominantly red feathering. The breast of the Red-and-green
Macaw is bright red, but the lower feathers of the wing are green.
In addition, the Red-and-green Macaw has characteristic red lines
around the eyes formed by rows of tiny feathers on the otherwise
bare skin. This is the commonest of the large macaws and the
largest of the "Ara" genus, widespread in the forests of Northern
South America. However, in common with other macaws, in
recent years there has been a marked decline in it's numbers due to
habitat loss and illegal capture for the pet trade.
The superficially similar Scarlet Macaw has no eye lines and a

yellow bar on each wing. Some macaw owners and experts call
the Green-winged Macaw the "gentle giant", as it is larger in size
than the Scarlet Macaw and Blue-and-yellow Macaw, but has a
more docile nature which often makes it a more desirable pet than
the other two popular species. It is second only in size to the
Hyacinth Macaw, the largest bird of the macaw family.
Red-and-green Macaws as pets
Kingdom: Animalia
Bird experts often advise those interested in obtaining a macaw as
a pet to educate themselves extensively about these birds prior to Phylum: Chordata
obtaining one, as they require more attention than a dog or cat.
Class: Aves
Media
● Ara chloroptera
❍ Video of the Ara chloroptera at Disney's Animal Family: Psittacidae
Kingdom.
Genus: Ara
External links
● Araproject parrots Species: A. chloroptera
● The World Parrot Trust Fund
● A page (with photos) devoted to a Red-and-green Macaw
Binomial name
Ara chloroptera
(Gray, 1859)
The Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), also known as Conservation status Least concern
the Ring-necked Parakeet, is a gregarious tropical parakeet
species that is popular as a pet. Its scientific name commemorates
the Austrian naturalist Wilhelm Heinrich Kramer.
This non-migrating species is one of few parrot species that have

successfully adapted to living in 'disturbed habitats', and in that
way withstood the onslaught of urbanisation and deforestation. In
the wild, this is a noisy species with an unmistakable squawking
call. Rose-ringed Parakeets are sexually dimorphic, and adult
males sport black markings under their beaks and a dark band of
colors around their necks.
Contents
● 1 Phylogeny and distribution
● 2 Diet
● 3 Size
● 4 Feral Rose-ringed Parakeets
● 5 Rose-ringed Parakeets as pets
● 6 References
Phylogeny and distribution
Four subspecies are recognized, though they do not differ much:
● African subspecies:
❍ African Rose-ringed Parakeet (P. krameri

krameri): West Africa in Guinea, Senegal and
southern Mauretania, east to Western Uganda and
Southern Sudan. Kingdom: Animalia
❍ Abyssinian Rose-ringed Parakeet (P. krameri
parvirostris): Northwest Somalia, west across
northern Ethiopia to Sennar district, Sudan. Phylum: Chordata
● Asian subspecies: Class: Aves
❍ Indian Rose-ringed Parakeet (P. krameri Order: Psittaciformes

manillensis): Originated from the southern Indian
subcontinent; introduced populations worldwide.
❍ Neumann's Rose-ringed Parakeet (P. krameri Family: Psittacidae
borealis): east Pakistan, northern India and Nepal to
central Burma; introduced populations worldwide in Genus: Psittacula
localities.
Species: P. krameri
A phylogenetic analysis using DNA (see Psittacula) showed that
the Mauritius Parakeet (Psittacula echo) is closely related to this
species, and probably needs to be placed between the African and Binomial name
Asian subspecies. Consequently, this species is paraphyletic. Psittacula krameri
(Scopoli, 1769)
Diet
In the wild, Rose-ringed Parakeets usually feed on buds, fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries and seeds.
Size
The Rose-ringed Parakeet is on average 40 cm (16 inches) long including the tail feathers. Its average
single wing length is about 15–17.5 cm (6-7 inches). The tail accounts for a large portion of the length.
The Indian Rose-ringed Parakeet, African Rose-ringed Parakeet, Abyssinian Rose-ringed Parakeet and
Neumann's Rose-ringed Parakeet measure 42 cm, 40 cm, 40 cm and 43 cm long, respectively.
Feral Rose-ringed Parakeets

The Rose-ringed Parakeet has established feral populations in India and a number of European cities.
There are also apparently stable populations in the USA in Florida and California. There also a small but
sizeable population of Rose-ringed Parakeets in Tehran, Iran mostly concentrated in the northern parts of
city.
The Indian subspecies established itself in Britain during the mid to late 20th Century from introduced
and escaped birds. There are two main population centres: the largest is based around south London,
Surrey and Berkshire, and by 2005 consisted of many thousands of birds. A smaller population occurs
around Margate and Ramsgate, Kent. Elsewhere in Britain, smaller feral populations have established
from time to time (e.g., at Studland, Dorset).
However, in some parts of South Asia - from where the Rose-ringed Parakeets originated, populations of
these birds are decreasing due to trapping for the pet trade. Despite some people's attempts to revive
their population by freeing these birds from local markets, the Rose-ringed Parakeet's population has
dropped drastically in many areas of the Indian subcontinent.
Rose-ringed Parakeets as pets
A blue Rose ring
These birds where first bred by the people of India at least 3,000 years ago, and color mutations of Rose-
ringed parakeets were also bred. The royals prized them as pets and for their ability to speak. It was a
popular status symbol in Indian culture to have a Rose-ringed parakeet. They were the first parrots
brought to Europe and the Greeks were the first Europeans to breed them. Socrates is reported to have
praised its beauty and ability to speak. The Romans then bred them for pets, and their beauty in their
aviaries. In the 1920's aviculturists the popularity of the breed began to increase greatly. Now widely
available in the pet trade, Rose-ringed Parakeets continue to gain popularity. Hand-fed Rose-ringed
Parakeets are regarded as excellent pets if provided with daily attention, though even parent-raised Rose-
ringed Parakeets make good pets when provided with regular handling and attention. They are generally
family birds and are less likely to bond to only one person. With adequate attention, handling, and love,
a Rose-ringed Parakeet can quickly become a beloved companion.
Rose-ringed Parakeets are known to be hardy birds requiring less interaction than most other parakeets
of their size. This makes them ideal for a bird owner who cannot spend as much time with his/her bird as
other species need. Rose-ringed Parakeets can cope with as little as half an hour of interaction a day.
However, they can become untame if not provided with daily interaction, especially during their early
months.
They require a relatively tall cage because of their long tails. A Rose-ringed Parakeet who will be
spending most of his/her day inside the cage should be kept in a cage about 60 cm (24") wide x 45 cm
(18") deep x 90 cm (36") high, though the larger the better, and the bar spacing should be between 1.25
cm (1/2 inch) and 1.875 cm (3/4 inch). Rose-ringed Parakeets are avid chewers and climbers and should
therefore be provided with chewing toys in their cages. The cages should be in a place out of direct
sunlight and free of drafts. A pet or captive Rose-ringed Parakeet should be kept in a bird-safe
environment.
Captive Rose-ringed Parakeets should be fed a nutritionally balanced diet of pellets and seeds, and the
appreciated fruit, vegetable or nut treat should also be offered often. They should always have access to
fresh water in their cages.
The Rose-ringed Parakeet is considered one of the best talking parakeets and can learn a vocabulary of
up to 250 words. Now these birds come in many mutations, including the common green, blue, grey and
lutino among many other colors.
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Psittacula krameri. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
is of least concern
External links
● Indian Parakeets Yahoo group
● Scientific information on the Psittacula species
● A guide to pet Indian Ringnecked Parakeets
● Indian Ringneck website
● Florida Breeding Bird Atlas: Rose-ringed Parakeet
● Rose-ringed Parakeet in California
Rosy-faced Lovebird
Rosy-faced Lovebird
The Rosy-faced Lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis), also Conservation status Least concern
known as the Peach-faced Lovebird, is a species of
lovebird native to arid regions in southwestern Africa such
as the Namib Desert. A loud and constant chirper, these
birds are very social animals and often congregate in small
groups in the wild. They eat throughout the day and take
frequent baths. Coloration can vary widely among
populations but females are generally darker and greener,
whilst males are smaller and brighter. Lovebirds are
reknowned for their sleep position in which they sit side-by-
side and turn their faces in towards each other. Also,
females are well noted to tear raw materials into long
strips, "twisty-tie" them onto their backs, and fly distances
back to make a nest.
● 1 Peach-faced Lovebirds as Pets Phylum: Chordata

❍ 1.1 Housing
❍ 1.2 Feeding Class: Aves

● 2 References
● 3 External links Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Peach-faced Lovebirds as Pets
Genus: Agapornis
Adorable
Species: A. roseicollis
Housing
Binomial name
Lovebirds, being an active bunch, need some room to move
in their cage. A cage approximately 24" W x 14" D x 30" H Agapornis roseicollis
(Vieillot, 1818)
is a good size, but if you can afford it, the bigger the better.
Make sure the bars are spaced no wider than 3/8" apart, otherwise your bird will be able to stick its head
through the bars. Add a variety of perches, so your lovebird can excerise its feet to prevent arthritis. The
perches should be at least 4" long and 1/2" in diameter. Also, a variety of different toys should be placed
in the cage to prevent your bird from boredom and loneliness. Do not get your lovebird parakeet toys,
because they can tear them apart easily. Try getting cockatiel toys that are more durable. Do not get toys
with small bells, because your lovebird can get them stuck in its throat. Also, please, PLEASE don't put
the food and water dishes under the perches, because droppings will contaminate them.
Feeding
Peachfaced lovebirds thrive when fed the proper diet. They should be fed a wide variety of active food,
including vegetables, whole grains, and fruits. They are not to be fed dairy products, like chocolate and
cheese. Carrots, beans, squash, and corn are excellent foods that provide healthy proteins. Grains should
include millet, quinoa, winterwheat, and others. Except strawberries (which contain trace amounts of
carcinogenic pesticides) feed lovebirds a rare treat of fresh fruit. Many are attuned to the taste of grapes.
These birds also eat various seeds, pellets, and pastas. While seeds and pellets are easy to give to birds,
they are not part of their natural diet and should be used in conjunction with vegetables. Good seed and
pellet mixes include a large array of different seed types. Be sure to change any perishable food within a
few hours of placing it in their housing or at the maximum within one day.
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Agapornis roseicollis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this
species is of least concern
External links
● Peach-faced Lovebird Range Expansion Data in Greater Phoenix, Arizona
Senegal Parrot
Senegal Parrot
Conservation status Least concern
Senegal parrot egg

(on 1cm grid)
The Senegal Parrot (Poicephalus senegalus) is a parrot which is a resident breeder in west Africa. It
undergoes local movements, driven mainly by the availability of the fruit and blossoms which make up
its diet. It is considered a farm pest, often feeding on crops.
The Senegal Parrot is a bird of open woodland and savannah. It nests in holes in trees, often Oil Palms, Scientific classification
laying 2-3 white eggs. The eggs are about 3cm long x 2.5cm wide. It is a gregarious species,
Kingdom: Animalia
continuously chattering with a range of whistling and squawking calls. Senegal Parrots live an average
of approximately 25-30 years in the wild, but have been known to live for 50 years in captivity.
Phylum: Chordata
The Senegal Parrot is about 23 cm long, plump-looking, and weighs about 125 to 170 gm. Males are
generally larger and heavier then female birds. Adults have a charcoal grey head, yellow eyes, green Class: Aves
back and throat, and yellow underparts and rump. The yellow and green areas on a Senegal Parrot's
front form a V-shape and resemble a yellow vest worn over green. Immature birds are duller, with a
lighter grey head and grey eyes. Senegals are not sexually dimorphic, but there are some hypotheses on
how to tell the genders apart; it is thought that a female's beak and head are smaller and narrower than
the male's and also, the V-shape of the vest is usually longer in females, so that the green area extends Family: Psittacidae
down over the chest to between the legs whereas in males it ends midway down the chest.
Tribe: Psittacini
There are three generally recognized subspecies. They do not differ in behaviour, but only in the color
of the "vest". In the pet trade, the nominate subspecies is the most common though all three are raised
Genus: Poicephalus
and sold as pets.
● Poicephalus senegalus senegalus (the nominate subspecies): The vest is yellow. Its native range Species: P. senegalus
includes southern Mauritania, southern Mali to Guinea and the Island of Los.
● P. s. mesotypus: This subspecies has an orange vest. It comes from eastern and northeastern Binomial name
Nigeria and Cameroon into southwest Chad.
Poicephalus senegalus
● P. s. versteri: The vest of this subspecies is red. Its native range is the Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana Linnaeus, 1766
east to western Nigeria.
Senegal Parrots as pets

The Senegal Parrot has recently begun to be bred in captivity and is the most popular Poicephalus parrot in aviculture, with
the Meyers Parrot being the second most popular. They can live up to 40 or 50 years in a safe clean home. They eat seeds,
most fruits and vegetables.
Hand reared Senegal Parrots make excellent pets, and, like all Poicephalus parrots, they are curious, fun-loving animals that
are much "mellower" compared with many other parrots. They are acrobatic, amusing, and generally sweet. They are able
to speak in a limited fashion, often with a high squeaky voice, and can learn to mimic many sounds such as whistling,
kisses, microwave beeps, and smoke alarms. They do not make very loud noises, like some parrots do. They are known
for their jealousy of other family members and pets. They can develop a bond with only one human and refuse to interact
with other people, even attacking them in some cases. Although a Senegal is a small bird it does not seem to believe so,
and will attack larger birds and even dogs if it feels it or its human is threatened. Owners should be cautious in multiple-
pet homes. Continuing to socialize the hand reared pet bird from a young age and letting many people handle and interact
with it can prevent single-person bonding and allow it to become an excellent family pet.
Wild-caught Senegal Parrots do not make good pets, because they do not become tame and they will always be frightened
of humans. The Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has made the trade of wild
caught parrots illegal.
Gallery
Senegal parrot
References
● BirdLife International (2006). Poicephalus senegalus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on
09 May 2006.
● Birds of The Gambia by Barlow, Wacher and Disley, ISBN 1-873403-32-1
● SENEGAL Parrot. Retrieved on September 20, 2005.
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| Lilian's Lovebird | Long-billed Vulture | Moluccan Cockatoo | Parrotlet | Pigeon racing | Pink Pigeon | Red-and-green Macaw
| Rose-ringed Parakeet | Rosy-faced Lovebird | Senegal Parrot | Softbill | Spix's Macaw | Sun Parakeet | Umbrella Cockatoo
Softbill
An example of a softbill
The following description has been taken, with permission, from Softbills.org-
The term softbill is not a scientific one and has been used, and more often misused, in aviculture for
numerous years. It is a very misleading title, as many species that fall into the category do not have a
soft bill at all; anyone who has ever been attacked by a hornbill can attest to this.
The proper use of the term is in reference to the ‘soft food’ diets which basically fall into the following
six categories:
● Carnivorous – those who feed on small mammals, birds or other vertebrates (eg. Kingfishers,
Rollers)
● Insectivorous – those who feed on insects and other invertebrates (eg. Bee-eaters, Fly-catchers)
● Omnivorous – those who feed on both animal and plant material (eg. Corvids, Hornbills)
● Frugivorous – those who feed on fruit (eg. Turacos, Fruit Doves)
● Nectarivorous – those who feed on flower nectar (eg. Hummingbirds, Sunbirds)
● Folivorous – those who feed on leafs, petals and other plant material (Turacos, Mousebirds)
This sixth diet type is usually in association with one of the above, as very few birds are solely
foliverous, a few species of Galliforme come to mind, however they are not considered to be Softbills.
A more recent definition by Clive Roots is, “Cage and aviary birds with relatively soft bills, which feed
upon insects* and soft plant material and whose young are helpless at birth”.
- including other larger animal prey
This latter definition does discriminate against a few species, however as can be seen, the definition is
very subjective and can encompass numerous species not generally included in the group.
References-
● The New Softbill Handbook Werner & Steinigeweg

● The Bird Keepers Guide to Softbills David Alderton
● Softbills: their care, breeding & conservation Martin Vince
● Encyclopedia of Softbilled birds Dr. Matthew Vriends
● Softbilled Birds Clive Roots
● The Encyclopedia of Aviculture IN PRESS
● Softbills.org
Spix's Macaw
Spix's Macaw
The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only member of the Conservation status: Critical
[1]
parrot genus Cyanopsitta. This macaw was found in Brazil, in the
north part of the state Bahia. The species went extinct in the wild
around 2000, when the last male bird died [2], however, there is a
captive population of some 68 individuals [2][3][4]. Most of these Kingdom: Animalia
individuals are bred in captivity. Of these individuals, only 9 are
found in breeding programs of zoos; two birds are in Loro Parque, Phylum: Chordata
Tenerife, Spain and seven birds are in the Sao Paulo Zoo, Brazil.
The pair at the Loro Parque produced two young in 2004. The aim
of the breeding program is to eventually reintroduce this species Class: Aves
[2]
back to the wild. Some 47 animals belong to Sheikh Saoud Bin
Mohammed Bin Ali Al Thani in Doha, Quatar, who acquired them Order: Psittaciformes
from private keepers in the Philippines and Switzerland and founded
the Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation Center. It runs its own breeding Family: Psittacidae
[4]
program which has produced 12 young so far, 7 of them in 2006.
[5]
Subfamily: Arinae
This bird is a delicate, blue-grey macaw with long tail and wings. It
Genus: Cyanopsitta
has a pale ashy-blue head, distinctively square shaped, and pale blue Bonaparte, 1854
underparts. Its upperparts, wings and long tail are a more vivid blue.
Species: C. spixii
The decline of the species is attributed to hunting and trapping of
the birds, destruction of its habitat, and the introduction of the Binomial name
Africanized bee, which competes for nesting sites and killed Cyanopsitta spixii
breeding individuals at the nest. The three last birds were captured (Wagler, 1832)
for trade in 1987 and 1988. A single male, paired with a female
Blue-winged Macaw, was discovered at the site in 1990. A female Spix's Macaw released from captivity
at the site in 1995 disappeared after seven weeks. The last wild male died probably at the site in October
[2]
2000.
This bird is named for the German naturalist Johann Baptist von Spix.
References
1. ^ BirdLife International (2004). Cyanopsitta spixii. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
is critically endangered
abcd
2. ^ BirdLife Species Factsheet
3. ^ University of Michigan The Spix's Macaw
ab
4. ^ Al Wabra Annual Report 2005
5. ^ Al Wabra Newsletter 6-2006
Further reading
● Juniper, Tony (2003) Spix's Macaw : The Race to Save the World's Rarest Bird ISBN 0-7434-
7550-X
External links
● Araproject parrots
● Photograph of 2 Spix's macaws on the Loro Parque website
● http://awwp.alwabra.com/ Al Wabra Conservation Center
Sun Parakeet
Sun Parakeet
[2][3] [1]
The Sun Parakeet, previously and in aviculture called Sun Conservation status Least concern
[4]
Conure, (Aratinga solstitialis) is a member of the parrot family
(Psittacidae). It is native to the north-eastern coastal forests of
South America. The average weight for a Sun Conure is
approximately 110g. Their length is approximately 305mm from
[5]
head to tail . They are monomorphic and reach sexual maturity
around two years of age. It is noted for its loud squawking
compared to its relatively small size. The bird is capable of
mimicking humans but not as well as some larger parrots.
They are especially popular as pets because of their bright

coloration. Due to their inquisitive temperament, they demand a
great deal of attention from their owners, and can sometimes be
loud. Like many parrots, they are high-grade chewers and require
[6]
toys and treats to chew on. They can live for 25 to 30 years.
References
1. ^ BirdLife International (2004). Aratinga solstitialis. 2006
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006.
Retrieved on 11 May 2006.
2. ^ A classification of the bird species of South America
South American Classification Committee, American
Ornithologists' Union
3. ^ World Institute for Conservation & Environment, WICE: Scientific classification
Nature World Wide: Nature in Brazil
4. ^ Forshaw, Joseph M., Cooper, William T. [1973, 1978]
(1981). Parrots of the World, corrected second edition,
David & Charles, Newton Abbot, London. ISBN 0-7153-
7698-5.
5. ^ Alternate image (PBase)
6. ^ http://sunconure.com/
Kingdom: Animalia
Home | Up | Domesticated birds | African Grey Parrot | Bird-safe
| British finches | Caique | Carrier pigeon | Citron-crested Cockatoo Phylum: Chordata
| Companion parrot | Conure | Cyanoramphus | Hawaiian Goose
| Hill Myna | Kākāriki | Lilian's Lovebird | Long-billed Vulture Class: Aves
| Moluccan Cockatoo | Parrotlet | Pigeon racing | Pink Pigeon
| Red-and-green Macaw | Rose-ringed Parakeet
| Rosy-faced Lovebird | Senegal Parrot | Softbill | Spix's Macaw
| Sun Parakeet | Umbrella Cockatoo
Family: Psittacidae
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation
License. It uses material from the Wikipedia. Genus: Aratinga
Species: A. solstitialis
Binomial name
Aratinga solstitialis
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Umbrella Cockatoo
Back | Home | Up
Umbrella Cockatoo
The Umbrella Cockatoo, Cacatua alba also known as White Cockatoo is a medium-sized cockatoo Conservation status: Vulnerable
endemic to the islands of Halmahera, Bacan, Ternate, Tidore, Kasiruta and Mandiole in North Maluku,
Indonesia. At first sight it appears to be a white parrot with brown or black eyes and a dark grey beak.
If it is surprised, it extends a large and striking crest, which has a semicircular shape (similar to an
umbrella, hence the name). The crest is normally recumbent. The underside of the wings and tail have
pale yellow or lemon colour, which flash when they fly.
The Umbrella Cockatoo can live up to, and perhaps beyond, 80 years in age. They are very social,
needing a lot of interaction. They can be very loud and their calls (a very loud screeching noise) can be
heard up to three miles away.
The Umbrella Cockatoo weighs about 600gm (based on weights of two male pet birds aged about 1 and
3 years).
Contents
● 1 Feathers
● 2 Umbrella Cockatoo as a vulnerable species
● 3 Umbrella Cockatoo as pet birds
● 4 References
Kingdom: Animalia
Feathers
The feathers of the Umbrella Cockatoo are mostly white. However, both upper and lower surfaces of Phylum: Chordata
the inner half of the trailing edge of the large wing feathers are a yellow colour. The yellow colour is
most notable on the underside of the wings because the yellow portion of the upper surface of the Class: Aves
feather is covered by the white of the feather immediately medial (nearer to the body) and above.
Similarly, areas of larger tail feathers that are covered by other tail feathers, and the innermost covered
areas of the larger crest feathers are yellow. Short white feathers grow from and closely cover the upper
legs.
Family: Cacatuidae
Subfamily: Cacatuinae
Genus: Cacatua
Subgenus: Cacatua
Upper side of left wing feathers
Species: C. alba
Binomial name
Cacatua alba
Muller, 1776
Under side of left wing feathers
Umbrella Cockatoo as a vulnerable species

Although the Umbrella Cockatoo is not classified as an endangered species it is classified as vulnerable. It numbers in the
wild have declined owing to habitat loss and illegal trapping for the cage-bird trade. It is listed in appendix II of the CITES
list of protected species. This gives it protection by making the trade of wild caught birds illegal.
Umbrella Cockatoo as pet birds
Hand reared Umbrella Cockatoos can make good pets, as they are sociable, intelligent and they can learn tricks and be
trained. They require a large cage (at least 3ft x 3ft x 5ft) and they need to exercise outside of their cage often. They can
imitate basic human speech, but they are not considered the most able speakers among parrots. They are not an easy pet to
keep and require a lot of time, devotion and understanding from their caregivers. They can destroy furniture with their
powerful beaks and even the sweetest cockatoo may inflict a serious bite without provocation. Additionally, they can make
a lot of loud noise and their large droppings are quite messy. Umbrella cockatoos as pets need so much care and attention,
and can be so destructive and expensive to keep, that they are often passed from one owner to the next.
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Cacatua alba. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11
May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is vulnerable
External links
● IUCN Red List
● Red Data Book
● Umbrella Cockatoo as pets
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| Lilian's Lovebird | Long-billed Vulture | Moluccan Cockatoo | Parrotlet | Pigeon racing | Pink Pigeon | Red-and-green Macaw
| Rose-ringed Parakeet | Rosy-faced Lovebird | Senegal Parrot | Softbill | Spix's Macaw | Sun Parakeet | Umbrella Cockatoo
Bird families
Bird families - A | Bird families - B | Bird families - C | Bird families - D | Bird families - E
| Bird families - F | Bird families - G | Bird families - H | Bird families - I | Bird families - L
| Bird families - M | Bird families - N | Bird families - O | Bird families - P | Bird families - R
| Bird families - S | Bird families - T | Bird families - V | Bird families - W
Bird families - A
Bird families - B
Bird families - C
Bird families - D
Bird families - E
Bird families - F
Bird families - G
Bird families - H
Bird families - I
Bird families - L
Bird families - M
Bird families - N
Bird families - O
Bird families - P
Bird families - R
Bird families - S
Bird families - T
Bird families - V
Bird families - W
Flyway
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Flyway is the term for the flight paths used in bird migration.
Flyway is also a 90's rock/alternative band from Southeastern Wisconsin. The link to their website is
down below.
See also
● bird migration
● Atlantic Flyway
● Central Flyway
● East Asian - Australasian Flyway
● Pacific Flyway
External links
● North American Bird Migration Flyways
● [1]
Home | Up | Flyway | Atlantic Flyway | Central Flyway | East Asian - Australasian Flyway
| Mississippi Flyway | Pacific Flyway
Atlantic Flyway
The Atlantic Flyway is a bird migration route that generally follows the Mississippi River in the United
States and the Mackenzie River in Canada. The main endpoints of the flyway include the Canadian
Maritimes and the region surrounding the Gulf of Mexico; the migration route tends to narrow
considerably in the southern United States in the states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia (U.S. state), and Florida. which account for the high number of bird species found in those
areas. Once in Florida, the flyway diverges into a path over eastern Mexico and a longer path across the
Caribbean Sea via Cuba and Jamaica.
This route is used by birds typically because no mountains or even ridges of hills block this path over its
entire extent. Good sources of water, food, and cover exist over its entire length.
The other primary migration routes for North American birds includes the Mississippi, Central and
Pacific Flyways.
External links
● North American Migration Flyways
Central Flyway
The Central Flyway is a bird migration route that generally follows the Great Plains in the United
States and Canada. This main endpoints of the flyway include central Canada and the region
surrounding the Gulf of Mexico; the migration route tends to narrow considerably in the Platte River and
Missouri River valleys of central and eastern Nebraska, which accounts for the high number of bird
species found there. Some birds even use this flyway to migrate from the Arctic Ocean to Patagonia.
Routes used by birds are typically established because no mountains or large hills block the flyway over
its entire extent. Good sources of water, food, and cover exist over its entire length.
The other primary migration routes for North American birds includes the Atlantic, Mississippi and
Pacific Flyways. The Central Flyway merges with the Mississippi Flyway between Missouri and the
Gulf of Mexico.
The Central Flyway Council is comprised of representatives from agencies responsible for migratory
bird management in 10 states, two Canadian provinces and the Northwest Territories. Member states and
provinces in the council are: Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas,
Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
External links
● Central Flyway Council
East Asian - Australasian Flyway
The East Asian - Australasian Flyway is ones of the world's great flyways. At its northernmost it
stretches eastwards from the Taimyr Peninsula in Russia to Alaska. Its southern end encompasses
Australia and New Zealand. Between these extremes the Flyway covers much of eastern Asia, including
China, Japan, Korea, South-East Asia and the western Pacific. It is especially important for the millions
of migratory waders or shorebirds that breed in northern Asia and Alaska and spend the non-breeding
season in South-East Asia and Australasia.
External links
● East Asian - Australasian Shorebird Site Network
● Australasian Wader Studies Group
Mississippi Flyway
The Mississippi Flyway is a bird migration route that generally follows the Mississippi River in the
United States and the Mackenzie River in Canada. This main endpoints of the flyway include central
Canada and the region surrounding the Gulf of Mexico; the migration route tends to narrow considerably
in the lower Mississippi River valley in the states of Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana, which account
for the high number of bird species found in those areas. Some birds even use this flyway to migrate
from the Arctic Ocean to Patagonia.
This route is used by birds typically because no mountains or even ridges of hills block this path over its
entire extent. Good sources of water, food, and cover exist over its entire length. About 40% of all North
American migrating waterfowl and shorebirds use this route.
The other primary migration routes for North American birds includes the Atlantic, Central and Pacific
Flyways. The Central Flyway merges with the Mississippi Flyway between Missouri and the Gulf of
Mexico.
External links
Pacific Flyway
Back | Home | Up
The Pacific Flyway is a major north-south route of travel for migratory birds in the Americas, extending
from Alaska to Patagonia. Every year, migratory birds travel some or all of this distance both in spring
and in fall, following food sources, heading to breeding grounds, or travelling to over-wintering sites.
Any given bird species travels roughly the same route every year, at almost the same time.
Ornithologists and bird-lovers can often predict to the day when a particular species will show-up in
their area.
Along the Pacific Flyway, there are many key rest-stops where birds of many species gather, sometimes
in the millions to feed, and regain their strength before continuing. Some species may remain in these
rest-stops for the entire season, but most stay a few days before moving on. One of these rest-stops,
Boundary Bay, Canada, has been listed as an Important Bird Area by the Canadian government in
recognition of its value to migratory birds.
External links
● Important Bird Areas of Canada
Vulture
Vultures
Vultures are scavenging birds, feeding mostly on the
carcasses of dead animals. Vultures are found in every
continent except Antarctica and Oceania.
A particular characteristic of many vultures is a bald

head, devoid of feathers. This is likely because a
feathered head would become spattered with blood and
other fluids, and thus be difficult to keep clean. This
feature also allows quick cleaning in a nearby river.
Vultures fall into two groups. The Old World vultures

found in Africa, Asia and Europe belong to the family
Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards
and hawks. They find carcasses exclusively by sight.
New World vultures and condors are not at all closely Griffon vulture, Gyps fulvus
related to the superficially similar Accipitridae, but Scientific classification
belong in the family Cathartidae, which is quite close to
the storks. Several species have a good sense of smell, Kingdom: Animalia
unusual for raptors.
Phylum: Chordata
The similarities between the two groups are due to
convergent evolution rather than a close relationship. Class: Aves
A group of vultures is occasionally called a venue. When

circling in the air, a group of vultures is called a kettle. Orders
Falconiformes (Fam. Accipitridae (part))
Ciconiiformes (Fam. Cathartidae)
Contents
● 1 Feeding
● 2 Threat due to diclofenac poisoning
● 3 Vultures in culture
❍ 3.1 Ancient Egypt
❍ 3.2 Western culture
● 4 See also
Feeding
Some members of both the old and new

world vultures have an unfeathered neck
and head, shown as radiating heat in this
thermographic image.
Vulture seldom attack a healthy living animal, but may kill the wounded or sick. Vast numbers have
been seen upon battlefields. They gorge themselves when prey is abundant, till their crop forms a
projection, and sit, sleepy or half torpid, to digest their food. They do not carry food to their young in
their claws, but disgorge it from the crop. These birds are of great value as scavengers, especially in hot
regions.
Threat due to diclofenac poisoning

The vulture population in India has declined by up to 95% recently and two or three of the species of
vulture in South Asia are nearing extinction. The cause was found to be due to the practice of giving
working animals the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac, which has a pain killing
action. Diclofenac administration keeps animals that are ill or in pain working on the land for longer.
Diclofenac accumulates in the animals' bodies; when the ill animals die, their carcasses will still contain
the diclofenac. Farmers leave the dead animals out in the open, relying on vultures to tidy up. Diclofenac
present in carcasses it also eaten by the vultures, but unfortunately vultures are very sensitive to
diclofenac and suffer kidney failure and death as a result of diclofenac poisoning.
The decline has led to general hygiene problems in India as carcasses of dead animals now tend to rot, or
be eaten by rats or wild dogs, rather than be tidied up by vultures. In addition, there are particular
problems for certain human communities, such as the Parsi, that have sky burials where the human dead
are put on the top of Towers of Silence where vultures eat and clean the bodies and leave only dry bones.
Meloxicam – another NSAID similar to diclofenac – has been found to be harmless to vultures and
should prove to be an acceptable alternative. The Government of India has banned diclofenac, but it
continues to be sold over a year later.
Vultures in culture
Ancient Egypt
In Southern Africa, the name for a Nubian Vulture is synonymous with the term applied to lovers,
because these vultures are always seen in pairs, mother and child remaining closely bonded together.
Pairing, bonding, protecting, and loving are essential attributes associated with a vulture. The vulture
was thought to be close to the gods who resided in the sky because of its immense size and its ability to
soar high up in the sky. The Egyptians considered the vulture to be an excellent mother, and its wide
wingspan was seen as all-encompassing and providing a protective cover to its infants. The vulture
hieroglyph
was the uniliteral used for the glottal sound (3) including words such as mother, prosperous,
grandmother, and ruler.
Western culture
In contrast to many other birds of prey, vultures have often been considered repulsive in Western
culture, due to their association with death. Sensationalistic journalists looking for news about bloody
crimes are sometimes called "vultures". Financial investors who look for indebted companies or
countries to buy securities at low prices are known as vulture funds. Lawyers who profit off death, such
as inheritance, wrongful death, or life insurance lawyers, may also be called "vultures". A prominent
Spider-Man supervillain is known as the Vulture.
See also
● "India's Vultures Fall Prey to a Drug in the Cattle They Feed On", New York Times, Amelia
Gentleman, March 28, 2006.
External links
● NSAID effects on vultures (BBC website)
● Vulture videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Eagles
Home | Up | Next
Contents Eagle
● 1 Taxonomy
❍ 1.1 Species
● 2 Eagles in culture
❍ 2.1 Eagles as national symbols
❍ 2.2 Eagles as religious objects
❍ 2.3 Eagles as organizational symbols
● 3 References
Eagles are large birds of prey which inhabit mainly the

White-tailed Eagle in flight
Old World, with only two species (Bald Eagle and
Golden Eagle) commonly found in North America, a few Scientific classification
in South America, the (White-bellied Sea Eagle, Wedge- Kingdom: Animalia
tailed Eagle) in Australia and the Philippine Eagle in the
Philippine Archipelago. They are members of the bird
Phylum: Chordata
order Falconiformes (or Accipitriformes, according to
alternative classification schemes), family Accipitridae
and belong to several genera which are not necessarily Class: Aves
closely related to each other.
Eagles are differentiated from other broad-winged birds
of prey mainly by their larger size, more powerful build, Family: Accipitridae
and heavier head and bill. Even the smallest eagles, like
the Booted Eagle, which is comparable in size to a
Common Buzzard or Red-tailed Hawk has relatively Genera
longer and more evenly broad wings, and more direct, Several, see below.
faster flight. Most eagles are larger than any other raptors
apart from the vultures.
In Britain before 1678, Eagle referred specifically to the Golden Eagle, the other native species, the
White-tailed Eagle, being known as the Erne. The modern name "Golden Eagle" for Aquila chrysaetos
was introduced by the naturalist John Ray.
Like all birds of prey, eagles have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey,
strong legs, and powerful talons. They also have extremely keen eyesight to enable them to spot
potential prey from a very long distance. This keen eyesight is primarily contributed by their extremely
large pupils which cause minimal diffraction (spreading) of the incoming light.
Eagles build their nest in tall trees or on high cliffs. Their nests, which are sometimes called eyries, can
grow to 10 feet in diameter and weigh as much as 2000 pounds.
Eagles are sometimes used in falconry. They appear prominently in myth and literature. In the Old
World, such references are commonly to the Golden Eagle (or possibly closely related species found in
warm climates).
Thermographic image of an eagle,

thermoregulating using his wings
Taxonomy
For many years there has been some scientific debate as to whether the Accipitriformes are a separate
order, or belong to the Falconiformes.
Major new research into eagle taxonomy suggests that the important genera Aquila and Hieraaetus are
not composed of nearest relatives, and it is likely that a reclassification of these genera will soon take
place, with some species being moved to Lophaetus or Ictinaetus.
● Bonelli's Eagle, Booted Eagle and African Hawk-eagle have been moved from Hieraaetus to
Aquila.
Greater Spotted Eagle, Aquila clanga and Lesser Spotted Eagle, Aquila pomarina should be
moved either to join Long-crested Eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis or, perhaps better, all three of
these species should move to Ictinaetus with the Black Eagle, Ictinaetus malayensis.
Steppe Eagles and Tawny Eagles, once thought to be conspecific, are shown not even to be each
other's nearest relatives.
Species
FAMILY ACCIPITRIDAE
● Subfamily Buteoninae - hawks (buzzards), true eagles and sea-eagles

❍ Genus Geranoaetus
■ Black-chested Buzzard-eagle, Geranoaetus melanoleucus
❍ Genus Harpyhaliaetus
■ Crowned Solitary Eagle, Harpyhaliaetus coronatus
Solitary Eagle, Harpyhaliaetus solitarius

❍ Genus Morphnus
■ Crested Eagle, Morphnus guianensis
The powerful Harpy Eagle can easily grab a

monkey weighing 5 kg and fly away with it.
❍ Genus Harpia
■ Harpy Eagle, Harpia harpyja
❍ Genus Pithecophaga
■ Philippine Eagle, Pithecophaga jefferyi
❍ Genus Harpyopsis
■ New Guinea Eagle, Harpyopsis novaeguineae
❍ Genus Oroaetus
■ Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Oroaetus isidori
❍ Genus Spizastur
■ Black-and-white Hawk-eagle, Spizastur melanoleucus
❍ Genus Spizaetus
■ Cassin's Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus africanus
Changeable Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus cirrhatus

Mountain Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus nipalensis
Blyth's Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus alboniger
Javan Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus bartelsi
Sulawesi Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus lanceolatus
Philippine Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus philippensis
Wallace's Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus nanus
Black Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus tyrannus
Ornate Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus ornatus
❍ Genus Lophaetus
■ Long-crested Eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis - possibly belongs into Ictinaetus
❍ Genus Stephanoaetus
■ Crowned Hawk-eagle, Stephanoaetus coronatus
❍ Genus Polemaetus
■ Martial Eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus
❍ Genus Hieraaetus
■ Little Eagle, Hieraaetus morphnoides
Ayres' Hawk-eagle, Hieraaetus ayresii

Rufous-bellied Hawk-eagle, Hieraaetus kienerii
A Golden Eagle in Lahore Zoo.
● Genus Aquila
■ Bonelli's Eagle, Aquila fasciata - formerly Hieraaetus fasciatus
Booted Eagle, Aquila pennata - formerly Hieraaetus pennatus
African Hawk-eagle, Aquila spilogastra - formerly Hieraaetus spilogaster
Golden Eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
Eastern Imperial Eagle, Aquila heliaca
Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti
Steppe Eagle, Aquila nipalensis
Tawny Eagle, Aquila rapax
Greater Spotted Eagle, Aquila clanga - to be moved to Lophaetus or Ictinaetus
Lesser Spotted Eagle, Aquila pomarina - to be moved to Lophaetus or Ictinaetus
Verreaux's Eagle, Aquila verreauxii
Gurney's Eagle, Aquila gurneyi
Wahlberg's Eagle, Aquila wahlbergi
Wedge-tailed Eagle, Aquila audax
❍ Genus Ictinaetus
■ Black Eagle, Ictinaetus malayensis
❍ Genus Haliaeetus
■ White-tailed Eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla
Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Steller's Sea-eagle, Haliaeetus pelagicus
African Fish-eagle, Haliaeetus vocifer
White-bellied Sea-eagle, Haliaeetus leucogaster
Sanford's Fish-eagle, Haliaeetus sanfordi
Madagascar Fish-eagle, Haliaeetus vociferoides
Pallas' Sea-eagle, Haliaeetus leucoryphus
❍ Genus Ichthyophaga
■ Lesser Fish-eagle, Ichthyophaga humilis
Grey-headed Fish-eagle, Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus

A dark individual of the Short-toed Eagle.
● Subfamily Circaetinae: snake-eagles

❍ Genus Terathopius
■ Bateleur, Terathopius ecaudatus
❍ Genus Circaetus
■ Short-toed Eagle, Circaetus gallicus
Black-chested Snake-eagle, Circaetus pectoralis

Brown Snake-eagle, Circaetus cinereus
Fasciated Snake-eagle, Circaetus fasciolatus
Banded Snake-eagle, Circaetus cinerascens
❍ Genus Spilornis
■ Crested Serpent-eagle, Spilornis cheela
Nicobar Serpent-eagle, Spilornis minimus

Mountain Serpent-eagle,Spilornis kinabaluensis
Sulawesi Serpent-eagle, Spilornis rufipectus
Philippine Serpent-eagle, Spilornis holospilus
Andaman Serpent-eagle, Spilornis elgini
❍ Genus Eutriorchis
■ Madagascar Serpent-eagle, Eutriorchis astur

Eagles in culture
Eagles as national symbols
Coat of arms of the town of Berg en Terblijt

in the Netherlands, an example of the
prolific use of the eagle in European
heraldry.
The eagle has been used by many nations as a national symbol, depicting power, beauty and
independence.
● Ancient Egypt. The Ptolemaic rulers of Egypt used it as their seal

● Arabic world. Many Arabic states and organisations use eagles as symbols, e.g. the PLO.
Napoleonic eagle
● Czech Republic. The Czech Republic integrates three historical parts: Bohemia (with a double
tailed lion in the emblem), Moravia and Silesia (both with eagle females in emblems - red-and-
white chequered and black).
● First French Empire. Napoleon Bonaparte recovered the Roman golden eagle as the symbol of
his new French empire.
● Mexico. The bird on the Mexican coat of arms and flag is a Golden Eagle.
● Moldova. An eagle is part of the coat of arms and flag of Moldova.
● The Philippines. The endangered Philippine Eagle is the national bird of the Philippines.
● Poland. A white eagle on a red field is the coat of arms of Poland.
● Romania. The eagle is also part of the coat of arms of Romania
● Rome. The Romans used it on the standards of their armies. From this derives:
❍ The Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) at Constantinople chose a two-headed golden
eagle as its symbol. One head symbolised ancient Rome, and the other head symbolised
"new Rome" at Constantinople. From this derives:
■ Albania. The two-headed eagle is the emblem of "Shqipëria" or Land of the
Eagles, which is known in English as Albania

■ Russian Empire. After the fall of Constantinople, the Russian Empire took the
two-headed eagle as its own symbol.

❍ Charlemagne and Holy Roman Empire. After his crowning as the new Roman
Emperor, Charlemagne adopted the ancient Roman eagle as his own symbol. The Holy
Roman Empire born of his kingdom took the eagle, but the Habsburgs replaced the golden
eagle by an imperial eagle. From this derives:
■ Austria. The Austrian Empire had a two-headed eagle as its symbol. After the
abolition of Austria-Hungary, Austria took as its symbol a one-headed eagle in the
modern coat of arms of Austria.
■ Germany and Prussia. Prussia, and later Germany have used a black eagle as
their national symbol.

■ Spain. The "Catholic Kings", Isabella and Ferdinand, used the Golden Eagle as a
part of the royal shield. The eagle was on the Spanish shield until 1978.
● Serbia/Montenegro. The Two-headed eagle is the emblem of Serbia, Montenegro, and Serbia
and Montenegro.
A Selçuklu kartalı,
the coat-of-arms of
the Seljuk dynasty.
A Selçuklu kartalı,
the coat-of-arms of
the Seljuk dynasty.
● Seljuk Turks and Ottoman Turks used a double-headed eagle as coats-of-arms.

● USA. The United States has adopted the North American Bald Eagle as its national emblem.
Although the Golden Eagle is found in North America, U.S. references to an unspecified "eagle"
are often to the Bald Eagle; this point was not realized by an American coin die engraver, who,
told to depict "an eagle", depicted a Golden Eagle; this error is the cause of the expression
"illegal eagle".
Eagles as religious objects
In Jewish tradition the eagle is a symbol of true greatness, and the nation's greatest leaders such as the
great sage of the Middle Ages Maimonides and the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M.
Schneerson, the modern day leader of world Jewry have been referred to by their peers and students as
"The Great Eagle". The Torah compares G-d Himself to an eagle in Deuteronomy, 32.11-12. "As an
eagle awakens its nest, hovering over its fledglings, it spreads its wings, taking them and carrying them
on its pinions. [So] the Lord guided them [the Israelites] alone, and there was no alien deity with Him."
The eagle is a sacred bird in some cultures and the feathers of the eagle are central to many religious and
spiritual customs, especially amongst Native Americans. Native Americans revere eagles as sacred
religious objects and the feathers and parts of Bald and Golden Eagles are often compared to the Bible
and crucifix. Eagle feathers are often used in various ceremonies and are used to honor noteworthy
achievements and qualities such as exceptional leadership and bravery.
Despite modern and historic Native American practices of giving eagle feathers to non-Native
Americans and Native American members of other tribes who have been deemed worthy, current United
States eagle feather law stipulates that only individuals of certifiable Native American ancestry enrolled
in a federally-recognized tribe are legally authorized to obtain eagle feathers for religious or spiritual use.
Eagles as organizational symbols
● USA. Eagles are a common motif for American companies and organizations seeking association
with a national identity. A few examples are the United States Postal Service, the Constitution
Party, and the name of the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America.
● Portugal. Eagle is the symbol of the Portuguese football team Sport Lisboa e Benfica.
References
● Splitting headaches? Recent taxonomic changes affecting the British and Western Palaearctic
lists - Martin Collinson, British Birds vol 99 (June 2006), 306-323
● Bruguier, Leonard.A Warrior's Eagle Feather
External links
● PBS Nature: Eagles
● Eagle videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Stork
Storks
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long
stout bills, belonging to the family Ciconiidae. They occur in
most of the warmer regions of the world and tend to live in drier
habitats than the related herons, spoonbills and ibises; they also
lack the powder down that those groups use to clean off fish slime.
Storks have no syrinx and are mute, giving no bird call; bill-
clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the
nest. Many species are migratory. Most storks eat frogs, fish,
insects, earthworms, and small birds or mammals. There are 19
species of storks in six genera.
Storks tend to use soaring, gliding flight, which conserves energy.

Soaring requires thermal air currents. Ottomar Anschütz's famous
1884 albumen photographs of storks inspired the design of Otto
Lilienthal's experimental gliders of the late 19th century. Storks Painted Stork
are heavy with wide wingspans, and the Marabou Stork, with a Scientific classification
wingspan of 3.2 m (10.5 feet), shares the distinction of "longest
Kingdom: Animalia
wingspan of any land bird" with the Andean Condor.
Their nests are often very large and may be used for many years. Phylum: Chordata
Some have been known to grow to over 2 m (6 feet) in diameter
and about 3 m (10 feet) in depth. Storks were once thought to be Class: Aves
monogamous, but this is only true to a limited extent. They may
change mates after migrations, and migrate without them. They
Order: Ciconiiformes
tend to be attached to nests as much as partners.
Storks' size, serial monogamy, and faithfulness to an established Family: Ciconiidae

Gray, 1840
nesting site contribute to their prominence in mythology and
culture. Genera
See text.
Contents
● 1 Etymology
● 2 Species
● 3 Symbolism of storks
● 4 Mythology of storks
Etymology
White Storks build large nests in high

places.
The modern English word comes from Old English "storc", which is in turn related to "stark", probably
in reference to the bird's stiff or rigid posture.
Originally from Proto Germanic *sturkaz (compare Old Norse storkr,and Old High German storah, all
meaning stork). Nearly every Germanic language has a form of this proto language to indicate the stork;
the Dutch exception, apparently originating in a euphemism, may signify the presence of a deep-seated
taboo: compare "bear".
Language Word used for "Stork"
Danish stork
German Storch
Low Saxon Stork
Dutch Ooievaar*
Norwegian stork
Swedish Stork
* Dutch is an exception within the Germanic language group.
Old Church Slavonic struku, Russian стерх (pronounced sterkh, meaning Siberian White Crane),
Lithuanian starkus, Hungarian eszterag (rarely used; commonly gólya) and Albanian sterkjok are all
Germanic loan-words.
Rarely the word's origin is linked to Greek torgos meaning "vulture".
The fable that babies are brought by storks is mainly from Dutch and Northern German nursery stories,
no doubt from the notion that storks nesting on one's roof meant good luck, often in the form of family
happiness.
Species
White Stork Ciconia ciconia
● Family Ciconiidae
❍ Genus Mycteria
■ Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea)
Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis)

Painted Stork ( Mycteria leucocephala)
Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)
❍ Genus Anastomus
■ Asian Openbill Stork, Anastomus oscitans
African Openbill Stork, Anastomus lamelligerus

❍ Genus Ciconia
■ Abdim's Stork, Ciconia abdimii
Woolly-necked Stork, Ciconia episcopus

Storm's Stork, Ciconia stormi
Maguari Stork, Ciconia maguari
Oriental White Stork, Ciconia boyciana
White Stork Ciconia ciconia
Black Stork Ciconia nigra
❍ Genus Ephippiorhynchus
■ Black-necked Stork, Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
Saddle-billed Stork, Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis

❍ Genus Jabiru
■ Jabiru Jabiru mycteria
❍ Genus Leptoptilos
■ Lesser Adjutant, Leptoptilos javanicus
Greater Adjutant, Leptoptilos dubius

Marabou Stork, Leptoptilos crumeniferus
Symbolism of storks
A White Stork in flight in Spain.
The white stork is the symbol of The Hague in the Netherlands and the unofficial symbol of Poland,
where about 25 percent of European storks breed.
In Western culture the White Stork is a symbol of childbirth. In Victorian times the details of human
reproduction were difficult to approach, especially in reply to a child's query of "Where did I come
from?"; "The stork brought you to us" was the tactic used to avoid discussion of sex. This habit was
derived from the once popular superstition that storks were the harbingers of happiness and prosperity.
The image of a stork bearing an infant wrapped in a sling held in its beak is common in popular culture.
The small pink or reddish patches often found on a newborn child's eyelids, between the eyes, upper lip,
and the nape of the neck, which are clusters of developing veins that soon fade, are sometimes still
called "stork bites".
Vlasic brand pickles in North America use this child-bearing stork as a mascot.
Mythology of storks
Most of these myths tend to refer to the White Stork.
● In Ancient Egypt the stork was associated with the human ba; they had the same phonetic value.
The ba was the unique individual character of each human being: a stork with a human head was
an image of the ba-soul, which unerringly migrates home each night, like the stork, to be reunited
with the body during the Afterlife. [1]
● The motto "Birds of a feather flock together" is appended to Aesop's fable of the farmer and the
stork his net caught among the cranes that were robbing his fields of grain. The stork vainly
pleaded to be spared, being no crane.
● The Hebrew word for stork was equivalent to "kind mother", and the care of storks for their
young, in their highly visible nests, made the stork a widespread emblem of parental care. It was
widely noted in ancient natural history that a stork pair will be consumed with the nest in a fire,
rather than fly and abandon it.
● In Greek mythology, Gerana was an Æthiope, the enemy of Hera, who changed her into a stork, a
punishment Hera also inflicted on Antigone, daughter of Laomedon of Troy (Ovid,
Metamorphoses 6.93). Stork-Gerana tried to abduct her child, Mopsus. This accounted, for the
Greeks, for the mythic theme of the war between the pygmies and the storks. In popular Western
culture, there is a common image of a stork bearing an infant wrapped in cloths held in its beak;
the stork, rather than absconding with the child Mopsus, is pictured as delivering the infant, an
image of childbirth.
● The stork is alleged in folklore to be monogamous although in fact this monogamy is "serial
monogamy", the bond lasting one season: see above. For Early Christians the stork became an
emblem of a highly respected "white marriage", that is, a chaste marriage. This symbolism
endured to the seventeenth century, as in Henry Peacham's emblem book Minerva Britanna
(1612) (see link).
● Though "Stork" is rare as an English surname, the Czech surname "Čapek" means "little stork".
● For the Chinese, the stork was able to snatch up a worthy man, like the flute-player Lan Ts'ai Ho,
and carry him to a blissful life.
● In Norse mythology, Hoenir gives to mankind the spirit gift, the óðr that includes will and
memory and makes us human (see Rydberg link). Hoenir's epithets langifótr "long-leg" and
aurkonungr "mire-king" identify him possibly as a kind of stork. Such a Stork King figures in
northern European myths and fables. However, it is possible that there is confusion here between
the White Stork and the more northerly-breeding Common Crane, which superficially resembles
a stork but is completely unrelated.
● In Bulgarian folklore, the stork is a symbol of the coming spring (as this is the time when the
birds return to nest in Bulgaria after their winter migration) and in certain regions of Bulgaria it
plays a central role in the custom of Martenitsa: when the first stork is sighted it is time to take
off the red-and-white Martenitsa tokens, for spring is truly come.
● A series of sightings of a mysterious pterodactyl-like creature in South Texas' Rio Grande Valley
in the 1970s has been attributed to an errant giant stork that become lost during a migratory flight
and wound up in an unfamiliar region (see Big Bird, Texas).
External links
● Scott MacDonald, "The Stork" emblematic uses
● "Gerana"
● Storks Image documentation
● Stork videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Waxwings
Waxwing
The waxwings are a group of passerine birds characterised by soft
silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In
the Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings, these tips look like sealing
wax, and give the group its name.
These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects

in summer and berries in winter.
They are not true long-distance migrants, but wander erratically

outside the breeding season and move south from their summer
range in winter. In poor berry years huge numbers can erupt well
beyond their normal range.
Some authorities (including the Sibley-Monroe checklist) place

the silky-flycatchers, and the Hypocolius, in family Bombycillidae
along with the waxwings.
Species Bohemian Waxwings

● Bohemian Waxwing, B. garrulus
Japanese Waxwing, B. japonica Kingdom: Animalia
Cedar Waxwing, B. cedrorum
Phylum: Chordata
Quote
Class: Aves
I was the shadow of the waxwing slain
By the false azure of the windowpane Order: Passeriformes
are the first lines of the poem "Pale Fire" by "John Shade," a
fictional poet created by Vladimir Nabokov, for his novel Pale Family: Bombycillidae
Fire.
Genus: Bombycilla
Vieillot, 1808
External links
● Waxwing videos on the Internet Bird Collection Species
B. garrulus
B. japonica
B. cedrorum
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Hirundinidae
Pseudochelidoninae
Swallows and Martins

The swallows and martins are a group of passerine birds in the family Hirundinidae which are
characterised by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Swallow is also used in Europe as a synonym for the
Barn Swallow.
This family comprises two subfamilies: Pseudochelidoninae (the river martins of the genus
Pseudochelidon) and Hirundininae (all other swallows and martins). Within the Hirundiniae, the name
martin tends to be used for the squarer-tailed species, and the name swallow for the more fork-tailed
species; however, there is no scientific distinction between these two groups.
They have adapted to hunting insects on the wing by developing a slender streamlined body, and long
pointed wings. Like the unrelated swifts and nightjars, which hunt in a similar way, they have short
bills, but a wide gape.
Welcome Swallow
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Mud nests made by swallows.
Class: Aves
Their feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the
base. Many species have long tails.
Swallows typically build mud nests close to overhead shelter in locations that are protected from both
the weather and predators. Family: Hirundinidae
Vigors, 1825
Many cave and cliff dwelling species of swallow nest in large colonies. In historical times, the Genera
introduction of man-made stone structures such as barns and bridges, together with forest clearance, has
Many, see text.
led to an abundance of colony sites around the globe, significantly increasing the breeding ranges of
some species. Birds living in large colonies typically have to contend with both ectoparasites and conspecific nest
parasitism. Old males benefit most from coloniality, since they are able to maintain their own nests and benefit from
frequent extra-pair copulations.
Subfamily Pseudochelidoninae (river martins)
● Pseudochelidon
❍ African River Martin Pseudochelidon eurystomina
White-eyed River Martin Pseudochelidon sirintarae
Subfamily Hirundininae (all other swallows & martins)
● Psalidoprocne
❍ Square-tailed Rough-winged Swallow Psalidoprocne nitens
Cameroon Mountain Rough-winged Swallow Psalidoprocne fuliginosa

White-headed Rough-winged Swallow Psalidoprocne albiceps
Black Rough-winged Swallow Psalidoprocne pristoptera
Fanti Rough-winged Swallow Psalidoprocne obscura
Eastern Saw-Wing (Swallow) Psalidoprocne orientalis
Black Saw-Wing (Swallow) Psalidoprocne holomelaena
● Pseudhirundo
❍ Grey-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga
● Cheramoeca
❍ White-backed Swallow Cheramoeca leucosternus
● Phedina
❍ Mascarene Martin Phedina borbonica
Congo Martin Phedina brazzae

● Riparia
❍ Brown-throated Sand Martin Riparia paludicola
Congo Sand Martin Riparia congica

Sand Martin Riparia riparia
Pale Martin Riparia diluta
Banded Martin Riparia cincta
● Tachycineta
❍ Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor
Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina

Golden Swallow Tachycineta euchrysea
Bahama Swallow Tachycineta cyaneoviridis
Tumbes Swallow Tachycineta stolzmanni
Mangrove Swallow Tachycineta albilinea
White-winged Swallow Tachycineta albiventer
White-rumped Swallow Tachycineta leucorrhoa
Chilean Swallow Tachycineta meyeni
● Progne
❍ Purple Martin Progne subis
Cuban Martin Progne cryptoleuca

Caribbean Martin Progne dominicensis
Sinaloa Martin Progne sinaloae
Grey-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
Galapagos Martin Progne modesta
Peruvian Martin Progne murphyi
Southern Martin Progne elegans
Brown-chested Martin Progne tapera
● Notiochelidon
❍ Brown-bellied Swallow Notiochelidon murina
Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca

Pale-footed Swallow Notiochelidon flavipes
Black-capped Swallow Notiochelidon pileata
● Haplochelidon
❍ Andean Swallow Neochelidon andecola
● Atticora
❍ White-banded Swallow Atticora fasciata
Black-collared Swallow Atticora melanoleuca

● Neochelidon
❍ White-thighed Swallow Neochelidon tibialis
● Stelgidopteryx
❍ Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

● Alopochelidon
❍ Tawny-headed Swallow Alopochelidon fucata
● Hirundo
❍ Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Red-chested Swallow Hirundo lucida

Angolan Swallow Hirundo angolensis
Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica
Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena
White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis
Ethiopian Swallow Hirundo aethiopica
Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii
White-throated Blue Swallow Hirundo nigrita
Pied-winged Swallow Hirundo leucosoma
White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis
Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata
Montane Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea
Black-and-rufous Swallow Hirundo nigrorufa
● Ptyonoprogne
❍ Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris
Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula

Dusky Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne concolor
● Delichon
❍ House Martin Delichon urbicum
Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus

Nepal House Martin Delichon nipalense
● Cecropis
❍ Greater Striped Swallow Cecropis cucullata
Lesser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica

Rufous-chested Swallow Cecropis semirufa
Mosque Swallow Cecropis senegalensis
Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica
Striated Swallow Cecropis striolata
Rufous-bellied Swallow Cecropis badia
● Petrochelidon
❍ Red-throated Swallow Petrochelidon rufigula
Preuss's Swallow Petrochelidon preussi

Red Sea Swallow Petrochelidon perdita
South African Swallow Petrochelidon spilodera
Forest Swallow Petrochelidon fuliginosa
Streak-throated Swallow Petrochelidon fluvicola
Fairy Martin Petrochelidon ariel
Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans
Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Cave Swallow Petrochelidon fulva
Chestnut-collared Swallow Petrochelidon rufocollaris
References
● Turner, Angela, Chris Rose (1989). Swallows and martins: an identification guide and handbook. Houghton-Mifflin. ISBN
0-395-51174-7.
External links
● Swallow videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● paper The evolution of nest construction in swallows (Hirundinidae) is associated with the decrease of clutch size in
Linzer Biologische Beiträge
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Gulls
Larus
Gulls
Gulls are birds in the family Laridae. They are most
closely related to the terns (family Sternidae), auks and
skimmers, and more distantly to the waders. Most gulls
belong to the large genus Larus.
They are in general medium to large birds, typically grey

or white, often with black markings on the head or wings.
They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet.
Most gulls, particularly Larus species, are ground nesting

carnivores, which will take live food or scavenge
opportunistically. The live food often includes crabs and
small fish. Apart from the kittiwakes, gulls are typically
coastal or inland species, rarely venturing far out to sea.
The large species take up to four years to attain full adult
plumage, but two years is typical for small gulls. A Silver Gull, Lakes Entrance
Gulls — the larger species in particular — are resourceful Kingdom: Animalia
and highly-intelligent birds, demonstrating complex
methods of communication and a highly-developed social
structure. Certain species (e.g. the Herring Gull) have Phylum: Chordata
exhibited tool use behaviour. Many species of gull have
learned to co-exist successfully with man and have Class: Aves
thrived in human habitats. Others rely on
Kleptoparasitism to get their food.
Order: Charadriiformes
Two terms are in common usage among gull enthusiasts

for subgroupings of the gulls: Suborder: Lari
● Large white-headed gulls for the 16 Herring Gull- Family: Laridae

like species from Great Black-backed Gull to Vigors, 1825
Lesser Black-backed Gull in the taxonomic list Genera
below
● White-winged gulls for the two Arctic-breeding Larus
species Iceland Gull and Glaucous Gull Rissa
Pagophila
Hybridisation between species of gull occurs quite Rhodostethia
frequently, although to varying degrees depending on the Xema
species involved (see Hybridisation in gulls). The Creagus
taxonomy of the large white-headed gulls is particularly
complicated.
In common usage, members of various gull species are often called sea gulls or seagulls. This name is
used by laypeople to refer to a common local species or all gulls in general, and has no fixed taxonomic
meaning.
Contents
● 1 Species list in taxonomic order
❍ 1.1 Family Laridae
● 2 Gallery
● 3 Reference
Species list in taxonomic order

The American Ornithologists' Union combines Sternidae, Stercorariidae, and Rhynchopidae as
subfamilies in the family Laridae.
Family Laridae
A Black-tailed Gull in flight.

● Genus Larus
❍ Dolphin Gull, Larus scoresbii

Pacific Gull, Larus pacificus
Belcher's Gull, Larus belcheri
Olrog's Gull, Larus atlanticus
Black-tailed Gull, Larus crassirostris
Grey Gull, Larus modestus
Heermann's Gull, Larus heermanni
White-eyed Gull, Larus leucophthalmus
Sooty Gull, Larus hemprichii
Common Gull or Mew Gull, Larus canus
Audouin's Gull, Larus audouinii
Ring-billed Gull, Larus delawarensis
California Gull, Larus californicus
Great Black-backed Gull, Larus marinus
Kelp Gull, Larus dominicanus
Glaucous-winged Gull, Larus glaucescens
Western Gull, Larus occidentalis
Yellow-footed Gull, Larus livens
Glaucous Gull, Larus hyperboreus
Iceland Gull, Larus glaucoides
Thayer's Gull, Larus thayeri
Herring Gull, Larus argentatus
Heuglin's Gull, Larus heuglini
American Herring Gull, Larus smithsonianus
Yellow-legged Gull, Larus michahellis
The Black-headed Gull is a smaller species.
❍ Caspian Gull, Larus cachinnans

East Siberian Herring Gull, Larus vegae
Armenian Gull, Larus armenicus
Slaty-backed Gull, Larus schistisagus
Lesser Black-backed Gull, Larus fuscus
Great Black-headed Gull, Larus ichthyaetus
Brown-headed Gull, Larus brunnicephalus
Grey-headed Gull, Larus cirrocephalus
Hartlaub's Gull, Larus hartlaubii
Silver Gull, Larus novaehollandiae
Red-billed Gull, Larus scopulinus
Black-billed Gull, Larus bulleri
Brown-hooded Gull, Larus maculipennis
Black-headed Gull, Larus ridibundus
Slender-billed Gull, Larus genei
Bonaparte's Gull, Larus philadelphia
Saunders' Gull, Larus saundersi
Andean Gull, Larus serranus
Mediterranean Gull, Larus melanocephalus
Relict Gull, Larus relictus
Lava Gull, Larus fuliginosus
Laughing Gull, Larus atricilla
Franklin's Gull, Larus pipixcan
Little Gull, Larus minutus
The Swallow-tailed Gull, endemic

inhabitant of the Galápagos Islands.
● Genus Rissa
❍ Kittiwake or Black-legged Kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla

Red-legged Kittiwake, Rissa brevirostris
● Genus Pagophila
❍ Ivory Gull, Pagophila eburnea
● Genus Rhodostethia
❍ Ross's Gull, Rhodostethia rosea
● Genus Xema
❍ Sabine's Gull, Xema sabini
● Genus Creagrus
❍ Swallow-tailed Gull, Creagrus furcatus
Gallery
The Western Gull, found

only along the Western Gull chick at Trondheim,
Seagull in Ocean Beach Western Gull
North American Norway
coastline.
Western Gull At the Herring Gull on the
Silver Gull at Sale, Silver Gull at Sale,
Golden Gate Bridge San North Devon coast,
Australia Australia
Francisco England
Silver Gull at Rose Bay, Great Black-backed Gull, A gull taking bread from
Gull in Ottawa, Canada
Australia Stornoway, Hebrides a human hand
Reference
● Olsen, Klaus Malling & Larsson, Hans (1995): Terns of Europe and North America. Christopher
Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-4056-1
External links
● Rudy's Gull-index: Pictures of several less well-known plumages of large gulls plus many links.
● The Norwegian Gull Page: Huge picture archive including all NW European species, as well as
features from the Nearctic and SE Europe.
● Bird pictures - Gulls: Pictures and descriptions of large gulls from The Netherlands, France,
Spain and Poland.
● Bird Hybrids Database: Search for specific laridae hybrids by entering gull species name in query
box. Click on hybrid for references.
● Gull videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Albatrosses | Gannets | Gulls | Haematopodidae | Hydrobatidae | Penguins | Pterodroma
| Shearwaters | Skuas | Storm-petrels | Terns
Terns
Back | Home | Up
Terns
Terns are seabirds in the family Sternidae, previously
considered a subfamily (Sterninae) of the gull family
Laridae (van Tuinen et al., 2004). They form a lineage with
the gulls and skimmers which in turn is related to skuas and
auks. Terns have a worldwide distribution.
Most terns were formerly treated as belonging into one

large genus Sterna, with the other genera being small, but
analysis of DNA sequences supports the splitting of Sterna
into several smaller genera (see list, below) (del Hoyo et Arctic Tern
al., 1996; Bridge et al. 2005; Collinson 2006). Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Many terns breeding in temperate zones are long-distance
migrants, and the Arctic Tern probably sees more daylight
Phylum: Chordata
than any other creature, since it migrates from its northern
breeding grounds to Antarctic waters. One Arctic Tern,
ringed as a chick (not yet able to fly) on the Farne Islands Class: Aves
off the Northumberland coast in eastern Britain in summer
1982, reached Melbourne, Australia in October 1982, a sea Order: Charadriiformes
journey of over 22,000 km (14,000 miles) in just three
months from fledging - an average of over 240 km per day,
and one of the longest journeys ever recorded for a bird. Suborder: Lari
They are in general medium to large birds, typically with Family: Sternidae
grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the Bonaparte, 1838
head. They have longish bills and webbed feet. They are Genera
lighter bodied and more streamlined than gulls, and look
elegant in flight with long tails and long narrow wings.
Terns in the genus Sterna have deeply forked tails, those in
Chlidonias and Larosterna shallowly forked tails, while the
noddies (genera Anous, Procelsterna, Gygis) have unusual
'notched wedge' shaped tails, the longest tail feathers being
the middle-outer, not the central nor the outermost.
Anous
Procelsterna
Gygis
Onychoprion
Sternula
Phaetusa
Hydroprogne
Gelochelidon
Larosterna
A flock of Royal Terns in Common Tern by the River
Chlidonias
flight in Florida, USA. Thames
Thalasseus
Sterna z
Most terns (Sterna and the noddies) hunt fish by diving,
often hovering first, but the marsh terns (Chlidonias) pick insects of the surface of fresh water. Terns
only glide infrequently; a few species, notably Sooty Tern, will soar high above the sea. Apart from
bathing, they only rarely swim, despite having webbed feet.
Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species now known to live in excess of 25-30 years.
Classification and species list

A recent study (Thomas et al., 2004) of part of the cyt b gene sequence found a closer relationship
between terns and the Thinocori, some species of aberrant waders. These results are in disagreement
with other molecular and morphological studies (see Paton & Baker, 2006) and are best interpreted to
prove an extraordinary amount of molecular convergent evolution between the terns and these waders,
or as retention of an ancient genotype.
According the mtDNA studies and review by Bridge et al (2005), the genera and species of terns are as
follows:
● Genera Anous, Procelsterna, Gygis - noddies. A tropical group, characterised by the notch-
wedge shaped (not forked) tail; coastal and pelagic oceanic.
❍ Brown Noddy Anous stolidus
Black Noddy Anous minutus

Lesser Noddy Anous tenuirostris
Blue Noddy Procelsterna cerulea
Grey Noddy Procelsterna albivitta
White Tern Gygis alba
Little White Tern Gygis microrhyncha
● Genus Onychoprion - "brown-backed" terns

❍ Grey-backed Tern Onychoprion lunata
Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus
Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscata
Aleutian Tern Onychoprion aleutica
● Genus Sternula - little white terns

❍ Fairy Tern Sternula nereis
Damara Tern Sternula balaenarum

Little Tern Sternula albifrons
Saunders's Tern Sternula saundersi (formerly considered a subspecies of Little Tern)
Least Tern Sternula antillarum (formerly considered a subspecies of Little Tern)
Yellow-billed Tern Sternula superciliaris
Peruvian Tern Sternula lorata
● Genus Phaetusa - Large-billed Tern

❍ Large-billed Tern Phaetusa simplex
● Genus Hydroprogne - Caspian Tern

❍ Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia
● Genus Gelochelidon - Gull-billed Tern

❍ Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica
● Genus Larosterna - Inca Tern

❍ Inca Tern Larosterna inca
● Genus Chlidonias - marsh terns

❍ Black Tern Chlidonias niger
White-winged Tern or White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus
Black-fronted Tern Chlidonias albostriatus (ex-Sterna albostriata)
● Genus Thalasseus - crested terns

❍ Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis
Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus

Greater Crested Tern or Swift Tern, Thalasseus bergii
Chinese Crested Tern Thalasseus bernsteini
Elegant Tern Thalasseus elegans
Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis
● Genus Sterna - large white terns

❍ Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri
Trudeau's Tern Sterna trudeaui

Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii
White-fronted Tern Sterna striata
Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana
South American Tern Sterna hirundinacea
Antarctic Tern Sterna vittata
Kerguelen Tern Sterna virgata
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea
River Tern Sterna aurantia
Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda (possibly Chlidonias)
White-cheeked Tern Sterna repressa (possibly Chlidonias)
References
● Bridge, E. S.; Jones, A. W. & Baker, A. J. (2005): A phylogenetic framework for the terns
(Sternini) inferred from mtDNA sequences: implications for taxonomy and plumage evolution.
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 35: 459–469. PDF fulltext
● Collinson, M. (2006). Splitting headaches? Recent taxonomic changes affecting the British and
Western Palaearctic lists. British Birds 99 (6): 306-323.
3: Hoatzin to Auks. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. ISBN 84-87334-22-9
● Paton, Tara A. & Baker, Allan J. (2006): Sequences from 14 mitochondrial genes provide a well-
supported phylogeny of the Charadriiform birds congruent with the nuclear RAG-1 tree.
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 39(3): 657–667. DOI:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.01.011
(HTML abstract)
● Thomas, Gavin H.; Wills, Matthew A. & Székely, Tamás (2004a): Phylogeny of shorebirds,
gulls, and alcids (Aves: Charadrii) from the cytochrome-b gene: parsimony, Bayesian inference,
minimum evolution, and quartet puzzling. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 30(3): 516-
526. DOI:10.1016/S1055-7903(03)00222-7 (HTML abstract)
● van Tuinen, Marcel; Waterhouse, David & Dyke, Gareth J. (2004): Avian molecular
systematics on the rebound: a fresh look at modern shorebird phylogenetic relationships. Journal
of Avian Biology 35(3): 191-194. PDF fulltext
External links
● Tern videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● "Tern! Tern! Tern!" Song parody

Alcidae
Auks
This article is about a family of birds. For the
American ornithological journal, see The Auk.
Auks are birds of the family Alcidae in the order

Charadriiformes. They are superficially similar to
penguins due to their black-and-white colours, their
upright posture and some of their habits. Nevertheless
they are not related to the penguins at all, but considered
by some to be a product of moderate convergent
evolution.
In contrast to penguins, the modern auks are able to fly Parakeet Auklets
(with the exception of the recently extinct Great Auk). Scientific classification
They are good swimmers and divers, but their walking
Kingdom: Animalia
appears clumsy. Due to their short wings auks have to
flap their wings very fast in order to fly. Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Auks live on the open sea and only go ashore for
breeding, although some species, like the Common
Guillemot, spend a great part of the year defending their Family: Alcidae
nesting spot from others. Leach, 1820
Genera
Several species have different names in Europe and North
Uria
America. The guillemots of Europe are murres in North
Alle
America, if they occur in both continents, and the Little
Alca
Auk becomes the Dovekie.
Pinguinus
Synthliboramphus
Some species, such as the Uria guillemots, nest in large Cepphus
colonies on cliff edges; others, like the Cepphus Brachyramphus
guillemots, breed in small groups on rocky coasts; and Ptychoramphus
the puffins, auklets and some murrelets nest in burrows. Aethia
All species except the Brachyramphus murrelets are Cerorhinca
colonial. Fratercula
Extinct Genera, see Systematics
Contents
● 1 Evolution and distribution
● 2 Feeding and ecology
● 3 Social behaviour and breeding
● 4 Systematics
● 5 References
Evolution and distribution

Traditionally, the auks were believed to be one of the earliest distinct charadriiform lineages due to their
characteristic morphology. However, molecular analyses have demonstrated that these peculiarities are
the product of strong natural selection instead: as opposed to, for example, plovers (a much older
charadriiform lineage), auks radically changed from a wading shorebird to a diving seabird lifestyle.
Thus, today, the auks are no longer separated in their own suborder ("Alcae"), but are considered part of
the Lari suborder which otherwise contains gulls and similar birds. Judging from molecular data, their
closest living relatives appear to be the skuas, with these two lineages separating about 30 MYA (Paton
et al., 2003). This may or may not be correct due to uncertainties of the fossil record (Thomas et al.,
2004, and see below). Alternatively, auks may have split off far earlier from the rest of the Lari and
undergone strong morphological, but slow molecular evolution, which would require a very high
evolutionary pressure, coupled with a long lifespan and slow reproduction.
The earliest unequivocal fossils of auks are from the Miocene (e.g. the genus Miocepphus, 15 MYA).
Two very fragmentary fossils are often assigned to the Alcidae, although this may not be correct:
Hydrotherikornis (Late Eocene, some 35 MYA) and Petralca (Late Oligocene). Most extant genera are
known to exist since the Late Miocene or Early Pliocene (c. 5 MYA). Miocene fossils have been found
in both California and Maryland, but the greater diversity of fossils and tribes in the Pacific leads most
scientists to conclude that it was there they first evolved, and it is in the Miocene Pacific that the first
fossils of extant genera are found. Early movement between the Pacific and the Atlantic probably
happened to the south (since there was no northern opening to the Atlantic), later movements across the
Arctic Sea (Konyukhov, 2002). The flightless subfamily Mancallinae which was apparently restricted to
the Pacific coast of southern North America became extinct in the Early Pleistocene.
The extant auks (subfamily Alcinae) are broken up into 2 main groups: the usually high-billed puffins
(tribe Fraterculini) and auklets (tribe Aethiini), and the more slender-billed murres (tribe Alcini) and the
murrelets and guillemots (tribes Brachyramphini and Cepphini). Molecular studies (Friesen et al., 1996;
Moum et al., 2002) confirm this arrangement except that the Synthliboramphus murrelets should be split
into a distinct tribe, as they appear more closely related to the Alcini.
Compared to other families of seabirds, there are no genera with many species (such as the 47 Larus
gulls). This is probably a product of the rather small geographic range of the family (the most limited of
any seabird family), and the periods of glacial advance and retreat that have kept the populations on the
move in a narrow band of subarctic ocean.
Razorbills are only found in the Atlantic

Ocean
Today, as in the past, the auks are restricted to cooler northern waters. Their ability to spread further
south is restricted as their prey hunting method, pursuit diving, becomes less efficient in warmer waters.
The speed at which small fish (which along with krill are the auk's principal food items) can swim
doubles as the temperature increases from 5°C to 15°C, with no corresponding increase in speed for the
bird. The southernmost auks, in California and Mexico, can survive there because of cold upwellings.
The current paucity of auks in the Atlantic (6 species), compared to the Pacific (19-20 species) is
considered to be because of extinctions to the Atlantic auks; the fossil record shows there were many
more species in the Atlantic during the Pliocene. Auks also tend to be restricted to continental shelf
waters and breed on few oceanic islands.
Feeding and ecology

The feeding behaviour of auks is often compared to that of penguins; they are both wing-propelled
pursuit divers. In the region where auks live their only seabird competition is with cormorants (which
dive powered by their strong feet); in areas where the two groups feed on the same prey the auks tend to
feed further offshore.
Although not to the extent of penguins, auks have to a large extent sacrificed flight, and also mobility on
land, in exchange for swimming; their wings are a compromise between the best possible design for
diving and the bare minimum needed for flying. This varies by subfamily, the Uria guillemots
(including the Razorbill) and murrelets being the most efficient under the water, whereas the puffins and
auklets are better adapted for flying and walking. This reflects the type of prey taken; murres hunt faster
schooling fish, whereas auklets take slower moving krill. Time depth recorders on auks have shown that
they can dive as deep as 100 m in the case of Uria guillemots, 40 m for the Cepphus guillemots and
between 30 m for the auklets.
Social behaviour and breeding
Marbled Murrelets breed singly and have

brown breed plumage to blend into their
nesting sites.
The majority of auk species are colonial, nesting in anything between small groups to large thousand
strong colonies. As well as possible advantages for defence against predators, there is a benefit in terms
of foraging to being colonial; birds that see a neighbour returning with food will set off to forage in the
direction it came from. Two species, the Marbled Murrelet and the Kittlitz's Murrelet are solitary
nesters, choosing old growth forest and high mountains respectively. In these areas the benefits of
colonial nesting would be outweighed by the presence of terrestrial predators (foxes and raccoons, for
example) which island and cliff breeding auks do not have to deal with.
Nesting sites in colonies can vary from nothing more than a patch on a cliff face, to natural crevices in
the rocks and boulders, to burrows dug by the bird. Many nesting sites are attended nocturnally, in some
cases as the adults are likely to fall victim to kleptoparasitism (such as the Rhinoceros Auklet) or
because the adults themselves are likely prey items (like the Cassin's Auklet). Mating itself can happen
both on the colony, as happens with the Razorbill and Little Auk, or at sea, as is the case for puffins and
auklets.
Systematics
Common (centre) and
Brunnich's Guillemots
Black Guillemot in summer

and winter plumages
ORDER CHARADRIIFORMES
Suborder Lari
Family Alcidae
● Hydrotherikornis (fossil, disputed)
● Subfamily Petralcinae (fossil, disputed)

❍ Petralca
● Subfamily Mancallinae (fossil)

❍ Alcodes
❍ Praemancalla
❍ Mancalla
● Subfamily Alcinae
❍ Miocepphus (fossil)
❍ Tribe Alcini - Auks and murres
■ Uria
■ Common Guillemot or Common Murre, Uria aalge
■ Brunnich's Guillemot or Thick-billed Murre, Uria lomvia
■ Little Auk or Dovekie, Alle alle
■ Great Auk, Pinguinus impennis (extinct, c.1844)
■ Razorbill, Alca torda
❍ Tribe Synthliboramphini - Synthliboramphine murrelets

■ Synthliboramphus
■ Xantus's Murrelet, Synthliboramphus hypoleucus - sometimes separated in
Endomychura
■ Craveri's Murrelet, Synthliboramphus craveri - sometimes separated in
Endomychura
■ Ancient Murrelet, Synthliboramphus antiquus
■ Japanese Murrelet, Synthliboramphus wumizusume
❍ Tribe Cepphini - True guillemots

■ Cepphus
■ Black Guillemot or Tystie, Cepphus grylle
■ Pigeon Guillemot, Cepphus columba
■ Kurile Guillemot, Cepphus (columba) snowi
■ Spectacled Guillemot, Cepphus carbo
❍ Tribe Brachyramphini - Brachyramphine murrelets

■ Brachyramphus
■ Marbled Murrelet, Brachyramphus marmoratus
■ Long-billed Murrelet Brachyramphus (marmoratus) perdix
■ Kittlitz's Murrelet, Brachyramphus brevirostris
❍ Tribe Aethiini - Auklets

■ Cassin's Auklet, Ptychoramphus aleuticus
■ Aethia
■ Parakeet Auklet, Aethia psittacula
■ Crested Auklet, Aethia cristatella
■ Whiskered Auklet, Aethia pygmaea
■ Least Auklet, Aethia pusilla
❍ Tribe Fraterculini - Puffins

■ Rhinoceros Auklet, Cerorhinca monocerata
■ Fratercula
■ Atlantic Puffin, Fratercula arctica
■ Horned Puffin, Fratercula corniculata
■ Tufted Puffin, Fratercula cirrhata
Biodiversity of auks seems to have been markedly higher during the Pliocene (Konyukhov, 2002). See
the genus accounts for prehistoric species.
References
● Collinson, Martin (2006): Splitting headaches? Recent taxonomic changes affecting the British
and Western Palaearctic lists. Brit. Birds 99(6): 306-323. HTML abstract
● Friesen, V. L.; Baker, A. J. & Piatt, J. F. (1996): Phylogenetic Relationships Within the Alcidae
(Charadriiformes: Aves) Inferred from Total Molecular Evidence. Molecular Biology and
Evolution 13(2): 359-367. PDF fulltext
● Gaston, Anthony & Jones, Ian (1998): The Auks, Alcidae. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
ISBN 0-19-854032-9
● Konyukhov, N. B. (2002): Possible Ways of Spreading and Evolution of Alcids. Izvestiya

Akademii Nauk, Seriya Biologicheskaya 5: 552–560 [Russian version]; Biology Bulletin 29(5):
447–454 [English version]. DOI:10.1023/A:1020457508769 (Biology Bulletin HTML abstract)
● Moum, Truls; Arnason, Ulfur & Árnason, Einar (2002): Mitochondrial DNA Sequence
Evolution and Phylogeny of the Atlantic Alcidae, Including the Extinct Great Auk (Pinguinus
impennis). Molecular Biology and Evolution 19(9): 1434–1439. PDF fulltext
● Paton, T. A.; Baker, A. J.; Groth, J. G. & Barrowclough, G. F. (2003): RAG-1 sequences resolve
phylogenetic relationships within charadriiform birds. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
29: 268-278. DOI:10.1016/S1055-7903(03)00098-8 (HTML abstract)
● Thomas, Gavin H.; Wills, Matthew A. & Székely, Tamás (2004): A supertree approach to
shorebird phylogeny. BMC Evol. Biol. 4: 28. DOI:10.1186/1471-2148-4-28 PDF fulltext
Supplementary Material

Albatrosses
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Albatross
Albatrosses, of the biological family Diomedeidae, are large
seabirds allied to the procellariids, storm-petrels and diving-
petrels in the order Procellariiformes (the tubenoses). They
range widely in the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific.
They are absent from the North Atlantic, although fossil
remains show they once occurred there too. Albatrosses are
amongst the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses
(genus Diomedea) have the largest wingspans of any extant
birds. The albatrosses are usually regarded as falling into
four genera, but there is disagreement over the number of
species.
Albatrosses are highly efficient in the air, using dynamic

soaring and slope soaring to cover great distances with little
exertion. They feed on squid, fish and krill by either
scavenging, surface seizing or diving. Albatrosses are
colonial, nesting for the most part on remote oceanic islands,
often with several species nesting together. Pair bonds
between males and females form over several years, with the
use of ritualised dances, and will last for the life of the pair.
A breeding season can take over a year from laying to
fledging, with a single egg laid in each breeding attempt. Short-tailed Albatross (Phoebastria albatrus)
Of the 21 species of albatrosses recognised by the IUCN, 19
are threatened with extinction. Numbers of albatrosses have Kingdom: Animalia
declined in the past due to harvesting for feathers, but today
the albatrosses are threatened by introduced species such as Phylum: Chordata
rats and feral cats that attack eggs, chicks and nesting adults;
by pollution; by a serious decline in fish stocks in many
Class: Aves
regions largely due to overfishing; and by long-line fishing.
Long-line fisheries pose the greatest threat, as feeding birds
are attracted to the bait and become hooked on the lines and Order: Procellariiformes
drown. Governments, conservation organisations and
fishermen are all working towards reducing this by-catch. Family: Diomedeidae
G.R. Gray, 1840
Contents Genera
Diomedea
● 1 Albatross biology Thalassarche
❍ 1.1 Taxonomy and evolution
Phoebastria
Phoebetria
❍ 1.2 Morphology and flight
❍ 1.3 Distribution and range at sea
❍ 1.4 Diet
❍ 1.5 Breeding
● 2 Albatrosses and humans

❍ 2.1 Etymology
❍ 2.2 Albatrosses and culture
❍ 2.3 Threats and conservation
● 3 Species
● 4 Notes and references
Albatross biology
Taxonomy and evolution
The albatrosses comprise between 13 and 24 species (the number of species is still a matter of some
debate, 21 being the most commonly accepted number) in 4 genera. The four genera are the great
albatrosses (Diomedea), the mollymawks (Thalassarche), the North Pacific albatrosses (Phoebastria),
and the sooty albatrosses or sooties (Phoebetria). Of the four genera, the North Pacific albatrosses are
considered to be a sister taxon to the great albatrosses, while the sooty albatrosses are considered closer
to the mollymawks.
The taxonomy of the albatross group has been a source of a great deal of debate. The Sibley-Ahlquist
taxonomy places seabirds, birds of prey and many others in a greatly enlarged order Ciconiiformes,
whereas the ornithological organisations in North America, Europe, South Africa, Australia and New
Zealand retain the more traditional order Procellariiformes. The albatrosses can be separated from the
other Procellariiformes both genetically and through morphological characteristics, size, their legs and
the arrangement of their nasal tubes (see Morphology and flight).
Within the family the assignment of genera has been debated for over a hundred years. Originally placed
into a single genus, Diomedea, they were rearranged by Reichenbach into four different genera in 1852,
then lumped back together and split apart again several times, acquiring 12 different genus names in
total (though never more than eight at one time) by 1965 (Diomedea, Phoebastria, Thalassarche,
Phoebetria, Thalassageron, Diomedella, Nealbutrus, Rhothonia, Julietata, Galapagornis, Laysanornis,
and Penthirenia).
By 1965, in an attempt to bring some order back to the classification of albatrosses, they were lumped
into two genera, Phoebetria (the sooty albatrosses which most closely seemed to resemble the
[1]
procellarids and were at the time considered "primitive" ) and Diomedea (the rest). Though there was
a case for the simplification of the family (particularly the nomenclature), the classification was based
on the morphological analysis of Elliott Coues in 1866, and paid little attention to more recent studies
and even ignored some of Coues's suggestions.
Phylogenetic relationships of the 4 albatross

genera. Based on Nunn et al 1996.
More recent research by Gary Nunn of the American Museum of Natural History (1996) and other
researchers around the world studied the mitochondrial DNA of all 14 accepted species, finding that
there were four, not two, monophyletic groups within the albatrosses.[2] They proposed the resurrection
of two of the old genus names, Phoebastria for the North Pacific albatrosses and Thalassarche for the
mollymawks, with the great albatrosses retaining Diomedea and the sooty albatrosses staying in
Phoebetria. Both the British Ornithologists' Union and the South African authorities split the albatrosses
into four genera as Nunn suggested, and the change has been accepted by the majority of researchers.
Black-browed Albatross, a mollymawk.
While there is some agreement on the number of genera, there is less agreement on the number of
species. Historically, up to 80 different taxa have been described by different researchers; most of these
[3]
were incorrectly identified juvenile birds. Based on the work on albatross genera, Robertson and Nunn
[4]
went on in 1998 to propose a revised taxonomy with 24 different species, compared to the 14 then
accepted. This interim taxonomy elevated many established subspecies to full species, but was criticised
for not using, in every case, peer reviewed information to justify the splits. Since then further studies
have in some instances supported or disproved the splits; a 2004 paper analysing the mitochondrial DNA
and microsatellites agreed with the conclusion that the Antipodean Albatross and the Tristan Albatross
were distinct from the Wandering Albatross, per Robertson and Nunn, but found that the suggested
Gibson's Albatross, Diomedea gibsoni, was not distinct from the Antipodean Albatross.[5] For the most
part, an interim taxonomy of 21 species is accepted by the IUCN and many other researchers, though by
no means all — in 2004 Penhallurick and Wink called for the number of species to be reduced to 13
[6]
(including the lumping of the Amsterdam Albatross with the Wandering Albatross), although this
[3] [7]
paper was itself controversial . On all sides, there is the widespread agreement on the need for
further research to clarify the issue.
Sibley and Ahlquist's molecular study of the evolution of the bird families has put the radiation of the
Procellariiformes in the Oligocene period (35–30 million years ago), though this group probably
originated earlier, with a fossil sometimes attributed to the order, a seabird known as Tytthostonyx,
being found in late Cretaceous rocks (70 mya). The molecular evidence suggests that the storm-petrels
were the first to diverge from the ancestral stock, and the albatrosses next, with the procellarids and
diving petrels separating later. The earliest fossil albatrosses were found in Eocene to Oligocene rocks,
although some of these are only tentatively assigned to the faimly and none appear to be particularly
close to the living forms. They are Murunkus (Middle Eocene of Uzbekistan), Manu (early Oligocene of
New Zealand), and an undescribed from from the Late Oligocene of South Carolina. Similar to the last
was Plotornis, formerly often considered a petrel but now accepted as an albatross. It is from the Middle
Miocene of France, a time when the split between the four modern genera was already underway as
evidenced by Phoebastria californica and Diomedea milleri, both being mid-Miocene species from
Sharktooth Hill, California. These show that the split between the great albatrosses and the North Pacific
albatrosses occurred by 15 mya. Similar fossil finds in the southern hemisphere put the split between the
sooties and mollymawks at 10 mya.[8] The fossil record of the albatrosses in the northern hemisphere is
more complete than that of the southern, and many fossil forms of albatross have been found in the
North Atlantic, which today has no albatrosses. The remains of a colony of Short-tailed Albatrosses have
been uncovered on the island of Bermuda,[9] and the majority of fossil albatrosses from the North
Atlantic have been of the genus Phoebastria (the North Pacific albatrosses); one, Phoebastria anglica,
has been found in deposits in both North Carolina and England. See the genus accounts for more data on
fossil species.
Morphology and flight
Unlike most Procellariiformes,

albatrosses, like this Black-footed
Albatross, can walk well on land.
The albatrosses are a group of large to very large birds; they are the largest of the procellariiformes. The
bill is large, strong and sharp-edged, the upper mandible terminating in a large hook. This bill is
composed of several horny plates, and along the sides are the two "tubes", long nostrils that give the
order its name. The tubes of all albatrosses are along the sides of the bill, unlike the rest of the
Procellariiformes where the tubes run along the top of the bill. These tubes allow the albatrosses to have
an acute sense of smell, an unusual ability for birds. Like other Procellariiformes they use this olfactory
ability while foraging in order to locate potential food sources.[10] The feet have no hind toe and the
three anterior toes are completely webbed. The legs are strong for Procellariiformes, in fact, almost
uniquely amongst the order in that they and the giant petrels are able to walk well on land.
The adult plumage of most of the albatrosses is usually some variation of dark upper-wing and back,
white undersides, often compared to that of a gull. Of these, the species range from the Southern Royal
Albatross which is almost completely white except for the ends of the wings, to the Amsterdam
Albatross which has an almost juvenile-like breeding plumage with a great deal of brown, particularly a
strong brown band around the chest. Several species of mollymawks and North Pacific albatrosses have
face markings like eye patches or have grey or yellow on the head and nape. Three albatross species, the
Black-footed Albatross and the two sooty albatrosses, vary completely from the usual patterns and are
almost entirely black (or dark grey in the case of the Light-mantled Sooty Albatross). Albatrosses take
several years to get their full adult breeding plumage.
The wingspans of the largest great albatrosses (genus Diomedea) are the largest of any bird, exceeding
340 cm (over 11 feet), although the other species' wingspans are considerably smaller. The wings are
stiff and cambered, with thickened streamlined leading edges. Albatrosses travel huge distances with
two techniques used by many long-winged seabirds, dynamic soaring and slope soaring. Dynamic
soaring enables them to minimise the effort needed by gliding across wave fronts gaining energy from
the vertical wind gradient. Slope soaring is more straightforward: the albatross turns to the wind, gaining
height, from where it can then glide back down to the sea. Albatross have high glide ratios, around 1:22
to 1:23, meaning that for every metre they drop, they can travel forward 22 metres. They are aided in
soaring by a shoulder-lock, a sheet of tendon that locks the wing when fully extended, allowing the wing
to be kept up and out without any muscle expenditure, a morphological adaptation they share with the
[11]
giant petrels.
Taking off is one of the few times

albatrosses use flapping in order to fly, and
is the most energetically demanding part of
a journey.
Albatrosses combine these soaring techniques with the use of predictable weather systems; albatrosses in
the southern hemisphere flying north from their colonies will take a clockwise route, and those flying
south will fly counterclockwise.[12] Albatrosses are so well adapted to this lifestyle that their heart rates
while flying are close to their basal heart rate when resting. This efficiency is such that the most
energetically demanding aspect of a foraging trip is not the distance covered, but the landings, take-offs
[13]
and hunting they undertake having found a food source. This efficient long-distance travelling
underlies the albatross's success as a long-distance forager, covering great distances and expending little
energy looking for patchily distributed food sources. Their adaptation to gliding flight makes them
dependent on wind and waves, however, as their long wings are ill-suited to powered flight and most
species lack the muscles and energy to undertake sustained flapping flight. Albatrosses in calm seas are
forced to rest on the ocean's surface until the wind picks up again. They also sleep while resting on the
surface (and not while on the wing as is sometimes thought). The North Pacific albatrosses can use a
flight style known as flap-gliding, where the bird progresses by bursts of flapping followed by gliding.
[14]
When taking off, albatrosses need to take a run up to allow enough air to move under the wing to
provide lift.
Distribution and range at sea
The distribution of albatrosses

across the world.
Most albatrosses range in the southern hemisphere from Antarctica to Australia, South Africa and South
America. The exceptions to this are the four North Pacific albatrosses, of which three occur exclusively
in the North Pacific, from Hawaii to Japan, California and Alaska; and one, the Waved Albatross, breeds
in the Galapagos Islands and feeds off the coast of South America. The need for wind in order to glide is
the reason albatrosses are for the most part confined to higher latitudes; being unsuited to sustained
flapping flight makes crossing the doldrums extremely difficult. The exception, the Waved Albatross, is
able to live in the equatorial waters around the Galapagos Islands because of the cool waters of the
Humboldt Current and the resulting winds.
Albatrosses range over huge areas
of ocean and regularly circle the
globe.
It is not known for certain why the albatrosses became extinct in the North Atlantic, although rising sea
levels due to an interglacial warming period are thought to have submerged the site of a Short-tailed
Albatross colony that has been excavated in Bermuda.[9] Some southern species have occasionally
turned up as vagrants in the North Atlantic and can become exiled, remaining there for decades. One of
these exiles, a Black-browed Albatross, returned to gannet colonies in Scotland for many years in a
[15]
lonely attempt to breed.
The use of satellite tracking is teaching scientists a great deal about the way albatrosses forage across the
ocean in order to find food. They undertake no annual migration, but disperse widely after breeding, in
the case of southern hemisphere species, often undertaking circumpolar trips.[16] There is also evidence
that there is separation of the ranges of different species at sea. A comparison of the foraging niches of
two related species that breed on Campbell Island, the Campbell Albatross and the Grey-headed
Albatross, showed the Campbell Albatross primarily fed over the Campbell Plateau whereas the Grey-
Headed Albatross fed in more pelagic, oceanic waters. Wandering Albatrosses also react strongly to
bathymetry, feeding only in waters deeper than 1000 m (3281 feet); so rigidly did the satellite plots
match this contour that one scientist remarked, "It almost appears as if the birds notice and obey a 'No
Entry' sign where the water shallows to less than 1000 m".[8] There is also evidence of different ranges
for the two sexes of the same species; a study of Tristan Albatrosses breeding on Gough Island showed
that males foraged to the west of Gough and females to the east.
Diet
The albatross diet is dominated by cephalopods, fish and crustaceans, although they will also scavenge
carrion and feed on other zooplankton.[12] It should be noted that for most species, a comprehensive
understanding of diet is only known for the breeding season, when the albatrosses regularly return to
land and study is possible. The importance of each of these food sources varies from species to species,
and even from population to population; some concentrate on squid alone, others take more krill or fish.
Of the two albatross species found in Hawaii, one, the Black-footed Albatross, takes mostly fish while
the Laysan feeds on squid.
Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses regularly

dive in order to feed and can dive to below
12m.
The use of dataloggers at sea that record ingestion of water against time (providing a likely time of
feeding) suggest that albatross predominantly feed during the day. Analysis of the squid beaks
regurgitated by albatrosses has shown that many of the squid eaten are too large to have been caught
[17]
alive, and include mid-water species likely to be beyond the reach of albatross, suggesting that, for
some species (like the Wandering Albatross), scavenged squid may be an important part of the diet. The
source of these dead squid is a matter of debate; some certainly comes from squid fisheries, but in nature
it primarily comes from the die-off that occurs after squid spawning and the vomit of squid-eating
whales (sperm whales, pilot whales and Southern Bottlenose Whales). The diet of other species, like the
Black-browed Albatross or the Grey-headed Albatross, is rich with smaller species of squid that tend to
sink after death, and scavenging is not assumed to play a large role in their diet.
Until recently it was thought that albatross were predominantly surface feeders, swimming at the surface
and snapping up squid and fish pushed to the surface by currents, predators or death. The deployment of
capillary depth recorders, which record the maximum dive depth undertaken by a bird (between
attaching it to a bird and recovering it when it returns to land), has shown that while some species, like
the Wandering Albatross, do not dive deeper than a metre, some species, like the Light-mantled Sooty
[18]
Albatross, have a mean diving depth of almost 5 m and can dive as deep as 12.5 m. In addition to
surface feeding and diving, they have now also been observed plunge diving from the air to snatch prey.
[19]
Breeding
Wandering Albatrosses are colonial but have large

widely spaced territories. Here a pair performs their
famous breeding dance.
Albatrosses are colonial, usually nesting on isolated islands; where colonies are on larger landmasses,
they are found on exposed headlands with good approaches from the sea in several directions, like the
colony on the Otago Peninsula in Dunedin, New Zealand. Colonies vary from the very dense
aggregations favoured by the mollymawks (Black-browed Albatross colonies on the Falkland Islands
have densities of 70 nests per 100 m²) to the much looser groups and widely spaced individual nests
favoured by the sooty and great albatrosses. All albatross colonies are on islands that historically were
free of land mammals. Albatrosses are highly philopatric, meaning they will usually return to their natal
colony to breed. This tendency to return is so strong that a study of Laysan Albatross showed that the
average distance between hatching site and the site where a bird established its own territory was 22
[20]
metres.
Like most seabirds, albatrosses are K-selected with regard to their life history, meaning they live much
longer than other birds, they delay breeding for longer, and invest more effort into fewer young.
Albatrosses are very long lived; most species survive upwards of 50 years, the oldest recorded being a
Northern Royal Albatross that was ringed as an adult and survived for another 51 years, giving it an
[21]
estimated age of 61. Given that most albatross ringing projects are considerably younger than that, it
is thought likely that other species will prove to live that long and even longer.
Sky-pointing is one of the stereotyped
actions of Laysan Albatross breeding
dances.
Albatrosses reach sexual maturity slowly, after about five years, but even once they have reached
maturity, they will not begin to breed for another couple of years (even up to 10 years for some species).
Young non-breeders will attend a colony prior to beginning to breed, spending many years practicing the
elaborate breeding rituals and "dances" that the family is famous for.[22] Birds arriving back at the
colony for the first time already have the stereotyped behaviours that compose albatross language, but
can neither "read" that behaviour as exhibited by other birds nor respond appropriately.[12] After a
period of trial and error learning, the young birds learn the syntax and perfect the dances. This language
is mastered more rapidly if the younger birds are around older birds.
The repertoire of behaviour involves synchronised performances of various actions such as preening,
pointing, calling, bill clacking, staring, and combinations of such behaviours (like the sky-call).[23]
When a bird first returns to the colony it will dance with many partners, but after a number of years the
number of birds an individual will interact with drops, until one partner is chosen and a pair is formed.
They then continue to perfect an individual language that will eventually be unique to that one pair.
Having established a pair bond that will last for life, however, most of that dance will never be used ever
again.
Albatrosses are thought to undertake these elaborate and painstaking rituals to ensure that the correct
partner has been chosen and to perfect recognition of their partner, as egg laying and chick rearing is a
huge investment. Even species that can complete an egg-laying cycle in under a year seldom lay eggs in
[8]
consecutive years. The great albatrosses (like the Wandering Albatross) take over a year to raise a
chick from laying to fledging. Albatrosses lay a single egg in a breeding season; if the egg is lost to
predators or accidentally broken, then no further breeding attempts are made that year. The "divorce" of
a pair is a rare occurrence, usually only happening after several years of breeding failure.
All the southern albatrosses create large nests for their egg, whereas the three species in the north Pacific
make more rudimentary nests. The Waved Albatross, on the other hand, makes no nest and will even
move its egg around the pair's territory, as much as 50 m, sometimes causing it to lose the egg.[24] In all
albatross species, both parents incubate the egg in stints that last between one day and three weeks.
Incubation lasts around 70 to 80 days (longer for the larger albatrosses), the longest incubation period of
any bird. It can be an energetically demanding process, with the adult losing as much as 83 g of body
[25]
weight a day.
Albatrosses brood young chicks

until they are large enough to
defend themselves and
thermoregulate.
After hatching, the chick is brooded and guarded for three weeks until it is large enough to defend and
thermoregulate itself. During this period the parents feed the chick small meals when they relieve each
other from duty. After the brooding period is over, the chick is fed in regular intervals by both parents.
The parents adopt alternative patterns of short and long foraging trips, providing meals that weigh
around 12% of their body weight (around 600 g). The meals are composed of both fresh squid, fish and
[26]
krill, as well as stomach oil, an energy-rich food that is lighter to carry than undigested prey items.
This oil is created in a stomach organ known as a proventriculus from digested prey items by most
tubenoses, and gives them their distinctive musty smell.
Albatross chicks take a long time to fledge. In the case of the great albatrosses, it can take up to 280
[27]
days; even for the smaller albatrosses, it takes anywhere between 140 and 170 days. Like many
seabirds, albatross chicks will gain enough weight to be heavier than their parents, and prior to fledging
they use these reserves to build up body condition (particularly growing all their flight feathers), usually
fledging at the same weight as their parents. Albatross chicks fledge on their own and receive no further
help from their parents, who return to the nest after fledging, unaware their chick has left. Studies of
juveniles dispersing at sea have suggested an innate migration behaviour, a genetically coded navigation
[28]
route, which helps young birds when they are first out at sea.
Albatrosses and humans
Etymology
The name albatross is derived from the Arabic al-câdous or al-ġaţţās (a pelican; literally, "the diver"),
which travelled to English via the Portuguese form alcatraz ("gannet"). The OED notes that the word
alcatraz was originally applied to the frigatebird; the modification to albatross was perhaps influenced
[12]
by Latin albus, meaning "white", in contrast to frigatebirds which are black. The Portuguese word
albatroz is of English origin.
They were once commonly known as Goonie birds or Gooney birds, particularly those of the North
Pacific. In the southern hemisphere, the name mollymawk is still well established in some areas, which
is a corrupted form of malle-mugge, an old Dutch name for the Northern Fulmar. The name Diomedea,
assigned to the albatrosses by Linnaeus, references the mythical metamorphosis of the companions of
the Greek warrior Diomedes into birds.
Albatrosses and culture

A Northern Royal
Albatross in flight at the
colony in Taiaroa Head,
New Zealand.
[27]
Albatrosses have been described as "the most legendary of all birds". An albatross is a central
emblem in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge; a captive albatross is also a
metaphor for the poète maudit in a poem of Charles Baudelaire. It is from the former poem that the
usage of albatross as a metaphor is derived; someone with a burden or obstacle is said to have 'an
albatross around their neck', the punishment given in the poem to the mariner who killed the albatross.
In part due to the poem, there is a widespread myth that sailors believe it disastrous to shoot or harm an
albatross; in truth, however, sailors regularly killed and ate them,[15] but they were often regarded as the
souls of lost sailors. More recently, they have become part of popular culture, for example, in a Monty
Python sketch, or the song "Echoes" by Pink Floyd. In the movie Serenity, the character River was
referred to as an albatross by The Operative, reflecting the widespread adoption of the word as a
metaphor.
Albatrosses are popular birds for birdwatchers and their colonies popular destinations for ecotourists.
Regular birdwatching trips are taken out of many costal towns and cities, like Monterey, Kaikoura,
Wollongong and Sydney, to see pelagic seabirds, and albatrosses are easily attracted to these sightseeing
boats by the deployment of fish oil into the sea. Visits to colonies can be very popular; the Northern
[8]
Royal Albatross colony at Taiaroa Head in New Zealand attracts 40,000 visitors a year, and more
isolated colonies are regular attractions on cruises to sub-Antarctic islands.
Threats and conservation
In spite of often being accorded legendary status, albatrosses have not escaped either indirect or direct
pressure from humans. Early encounters with albatrosses by Polynesians and Aleut Indians resulted in
hunting and in some cases extirpation from some islands (such as Easter Island). As Europeans began
sailing the world, they too began to hunt albatross, "fishing" for them from boats to serve at the table or
blasting them for sport.[29] This sport reached its peak on emigration lines bound for Australia, and only
died down when ships became too fast to fish from, and regulations stopped the discharge of weapons
for safety reasons. In the 19th century, albatross colonies, particularly those in the North Pacific, were
harvested for the feather trade, leading to the near extinction of the Short-tailed Albatross.
This Black-browed Albatross has been

hooked on a long-line.
Of the 21 albatross species recognised by IUCN on their Red List, 19 are threatened, and the other two
are near threatened.[30] Two species (as recognised by the IUCN) are considered critically endangered:
the Amsterdam Albatross and the Chatham Albatross. One of the main threats is commercial long-line
fishing,[31] as the albatrosses and other seabirds which will readily feed on offal are attracted to the set
bait become hooked on the lines and drown. An estimated 100,000 albatross per year are killed in this
fashion. Unregulated pirate fisheries exacerbate the problem.
Another threat to albatrosses is introduced species, such as rats or feral cats, which directly attack the
albatross or its chicks and eggs. Albatrosses have evolved to breed on islands where land mammals are
absent and have not evolved defences against them. Even species as small as mice can be detrimental;
on Gough Island the chicks of Tristan Albatrosses are attacked and eaten alive by introduced house mice
that are almost 300 times smaller than they are.[32] Introduced species can have other indirect effects:
cattle overgrazed essential cover on Amsterdam Island threatening the Amsterdam Albatross; on other
islands introduced plants reduce potential nesting habitat.
The remains of this Laysan Albatross chick
show the plastic ingested prior to death,
including a bottle cap and lighter.
Ingestion of plastic flotsam is another problem, one faced by many seabirds. The amount of plastic in the
seas has increased dramatically since the first record in the 1960s, coming from waste discarded by
ships, offshore dumping, litter on beaches and waste washed to sea by rivers. It is impossible to digest
and takes up space in the stomach or gizzard that should be used for food, or can cause an obstruction
that starves the bird directly. Studies of birds in the North Pacific have shown that ingestion of plastics
results in declining body weight and body condition.[33] This plastic is sometimes regurgitated and fed
to chicks; a study of Laysan Albatross chicks on Midway Atoll showed large amounts of ingested plastic
[34]
in naturally dead chicks compared to healthy chicks killed in accidents. While not the direct cause of
death, this plastic causes physiological stress and causes the chick to feel full during feedings, reducing
its food intake and the chances of survival.
Scientists and conservationists (most importantly BirdLife International and their partners, who run the
Save the Albatross campaign) are working with governments and fishermen to find solutions to the
threats albatrosses face. Techniques such as setting long-line bait at night, dying the bait blue, setting the
bait underwater, increasing the amount of weight on lines and using bird scarers can all reduce the
seabird by-catch.[35] For example, a collaborative study between scientists and fishermen in New
Zealand successfully tested an underwater setting device for long-liners which set the lines below the
reach of vulnerable albatross species.[36] The use of some of these techniques in the Patagonian
Toothfish fishery in the Falkland Islands is thought to have reduced the number of Black-browed
Albatross taken by the fleet in the last 10 years.[37] Conservationists have also worked on the field of
island restoration, removing introduced species that threaten native wildlife, which protects albatrosses
from introduced predators.
One important step towards protecting albatrosses and other seabirds is the 2001 treaty the Agreement
on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, which came into force in 2004 and has been ratified by
eight countries, Australia, Ecuador, New Zealand, Spain, South Africa, France, Peru and the United
Kingdom. The treaty requires these countries to take specific actions to reduce by-catch, pollution and to
remove introduced species from nesting islands. The treaty has also been signed but not ratified by
another three countries, Argentina, Brazil and Chile.
Species
Current thinking divides the albatrosses into four genera. The number of species is a matter of some
debate. The IUCN and BirdLife International among others recognise the interim taxonomy of 21 extant
species, other authorities retain the more traditional 14 species, and one recent paper proposed a
reduction to 13:
● Great albatrosses (Diomedea)

❍ Wandering Albatross D. exulans
Antipodean Albatross D. (exulans) antipodensis

Amsterdam Albatross D. (exulans) amsterdamensis
Tristan Albatross D. (exulans) dabbenena
Northern Royal Albatross D. (epomorpha) sanfordi
Southern Royal Albatross D. epomophora
● North Pacific albatrosses (Phoebastria)
❍ Waved Albatross P. irrorata
Short-tailed Albatross P. albatrus

Black-footed Albatross P. nigripes
Laysan Albatross P. immutabilis
● Mollymawks (Thalassarche)
❍ Black-browed Albatross T. melanophris
Campbell Albatross T. (melanophris) impavida

Shy Albatross T. cauta
Chatham Albatross T. (cauta) eremita
Salvin's Albatross T. (cauta) salvini
Grey-headed Albatross T. chrysostoma
Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross T. chlororhynchos
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross T. (chlororhynchos) carteri
Buller's Albatross T. bulleri
● Sooty albatrosses (Phoebetria)
❍ Dark-mantled Sooty Albatross P. fusca
Light-mantled Sooty Albatross P. palpebrata.
Notes and references

1. ^ Alexander, W. B., Fleming C. A., Falla R. A., Kuroda N. H., Jouanin C., Rowan M. K.,
Murphy R. C., Serventy D. L., Salomonsen F., Ticknell W. L. N., Voous K. H., Warham J.,
Watson G. E., Winterbottom J. M., and Bourne W. R. P. 1965. "Correspondence: The families
and genera of the petrels and their names." Ibis 107: 401-5.
2. ^ Nunn, G. B., Cooper, J., Jouventin, P., Robertson, C. J. R. and Robertson G. G. (1996)
"Evolutionary relationships among extant albatrosses (Procellariiformes: Diomedeidae)
established from complete cytochrome-b gene sequences". Auk 113: 784-801. [1]
ab
3. ^ Double, M.C. & Chambers, G.K., (2004). "The need for the parties to the Agreement on
Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) to establish a robust, defendable and transparent decision-
making process for the construction and maintenance of their species lists ". Proceedings of the
Scientific Meeting of Agreement on Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), Hobart, Australia, 8-9
November 2004[2]
4. ^ Robertson, C. J. R. and Nunn, G. B. (1998) "Towards a new taxonomy for albatrosses" in:
Proceedings First International Conference on the Biology and Conservation of Albatrosses, G.
Robertson & R.Gales (Eds), Chipping Norton:Surrey Beatty & Sons, 13-19,
5. ^ Burg, T.M., & Croxall, J.P., (2004) "Global population structure and taxonomy of the
wandering albatross species complex". Molecular Ecology 13: 2345-2355. [3]
6. ^ Penhallurick, J. and Wink, M. (2004). "Analysis of the taxonomy and nomenclature of the
Procellariformes based on complete nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b
gene." Emu 104: 125-147.
7. ^ Rheindt, F. E. & Austin, J., (2005) "Major analytical and conceptual shortcomings in a recent
taxonomic revision of the Procellariiformes - A reply to Penhallurick and Wink (2004), Emu 105:
181-186 [4]
abcd
8. ^ Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses And Petrels Across The World Oxford University Press,
Oxford, UK ISBN 0-19-850125-0
ab
9. ^ Olson, S.L., Hearty, P.J. (2003) "Probable extirpation of a breeding colony of Short-tailed
Albatross (Phoebastria albatrus) on Bermuda by Pleistocene sea-level rise." Proceedings of the
National Academy of Science 100: (22) 12825-12829.
10. ^ Lequette, B., Verheyden, C., Jowentin, P. (1989) "Olfaction in Subantarctic seabirds: Its
phylogenetic and ecological significance" The Condor 91: 732-135. [5]
300: 75–106.
abcd
12. ^ Tickell, W.L.N. (2000). Albatrosses. Sussex:Pica Press, ISBN 1-873403-94-1
13. ^ Weimerskirch H, Guionnet T, Martin J, Shaffer SA, Costa DP. (2000) "Fast and fuel efficient?
Optimal use of wind by flying albatrosses." Proc Biol Sci 267: (1455) 1869-74.
14. ^ Warham, J. (1996). The Behaviour, Population, Biology and Physiology of the Petrels. London:
Academic Press, ISBN 0-12-735415-8
ab
15. ^ Cocker, M., & Mabey, R., (2005) Birds Britannica London:Chatto & Windus, ISBN 0-7011-
6907-9
16. ^ Croxall, J. P., Silk, J.R.D., Phillips, R.A., Afanasyev, V., Briggs, D.R., (2005) "Global
Circumnaviagtions: Tracking year-round ranges of nonbreeding Albatrosses" Science 307: 249-
250.
17. ^ Croxall, J.P. & Prince, P.A. (1994). "Dead or alive, night or day: how do albatrosses catch
squid?" Antarctic Science 6: 155–162.
18. ^ Prince, P.A., Huin, N., Weimerskirch, H., (1994) "Diving depths of albatrosses" Antarctic
Science 6: (3) 353-354.
19. ^ Cobley, N.D., (1996) "An observation of live prey capture by a Black-browed Albatross
Diomedea melanophrys " Marine Ornithology 24: 45-46.[6]
20. ^ Fisher, H.I., (1976) "Some dynamics of a breeding colony of Laysan Albatrosses. Wilson
Bulletin 88: 121-142.
21. ^ Robertson, C.J.R. (1993). "Survival and longevity of the Northern Royal Albatross Diomedea
epomophora sanfordi at Taiaroa Head" 1937-93. Emu 93: 269-276.
22. ^ Jouventin, P., Monicault, G. de & Blosseville, J.M. (1981) "La danse de l'albatros, Phoebetria
fusca". Behaviour 78: 43-80.
23. ^ Pickering, S.P.C., & Berrow, S.D., (2001) "Courtship behaviour of the Wandering Albatross
Diomedea exulans at Bird Island, South Georgia" Marine Ornithology 29: 29-37 [7]
24. ^ Anderson, D.J. & Cruz, F. (1998) "Biology and management of the Waved Albatross at the
Galapagos Islands. Pp.105-109 in Albatross Biology and Conservation (Roberston , G. & Gales,
R. eds) Chipping Norton:Surrey Beatty and & Sons ISBN 0-949324-82-5
25. ^ Warham, J. (1990) The Petrels - Their Ecology and Breeding Systems London:Academic Press.
26. ^ Warham, J. (1976) "The incidence, function and ecological significance of petrel stomach oils."
Proceedings of the New Zealand Ecological Society 24: 84-93 [8]
ab
27. ^ Carboneras, C. (1992) "Family Diomedeidae (Albatross)" in Handbook of Birds of the
World Vol 1. Barcelona:Lynx Edicions, ISBN 84-87334-10-5
28. ^ Åkesson, S., & Weimerskirch, H., (2005) "Albatross Long-Distance Navigation: Comparing
Adults And Juveniles" Journal of Navigation 58: 365-373.
29. ^ Safina, C. (2002) Eye of the Albatross: Visions of Hope and Survival New York:Henry Holt &
Company ISBN 0-8050-6229-7
30. ^ IUCN, 2004. Red List: Albatross Species. Retrieved September 13, 2005.
31. ^ Brothers NP. 1991. "Albatross mortality and associated bait loss in the Japanese longline
fishery in the southern ocean." Biological Conservation 55: 255-268.
32. ^ BBC News, 2005. Albatross chicks attacked by mice. Retrieved March 6, 2006.
33. ^ Spear, L.B., Ainley, D.G. & Ribic, C.A. (1995). "Incidence of plastic in seabirds from the
tropical Pacific, 1984–91: relation with distribution of species, sex, age, season, year and body
weight." Marine Environmental Research 40: 123–146.
34. ^ Auman, H.J., Ludwig, J.P., Giesy, J.P., Colborn, T., (1997) "Plastic ingestion by Laysan
Albatross chicks on Sand Island, Midway Atoll, in 1994 and 1995." in Albatross Biology and
Conservation, (ed by G. Robinson and R. Gales). Surrey Beatty & Sons:Chipping Norton. Pp.
239-44 [9]
35. ^ Food and Agriculture Organisation (1999) "The incidental catch of seabirds by longline
fisheries: worldwide review and technical guidelines for mitigation. FAO Fisheries Circular
No.937. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. [10]
36. ^ O'Toole, Decland & Molloy, Janice (2000) "Preliminary performance assessment of an
underwater line setting device for pelagic longline fishing" New Zealand Journal of Marine and
Freshwater Research 34: 455-461. [11]
37. ^ Reid, A.T., Sullivan, B.J., Pompert,J., Enticott, J.W., Black, A.D., (2004) "Seabird mortality
associated with Patagonian Toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) longliners in Falkland Islands
waters." Emu 104: (4) 317-325.
External links
● Diomedeidae (TSN 174514). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 4 May
2006.
● Roberts' VII Bird Species List (South Africa.)
● HANZAB complete species list (Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds.)
● BirdLife International Save the Albatross campaign
● The Agreement for the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP)
● Albatross: Don Roberson's family page
● Tracking Ocean Wanderers The global distribution of albatrosses and petrels: Results from the
Global Procellariiform Tracking Workshop, 1–5 September, 2003, Gordon’s Bay, South Africa.
BirdLife International
● Albatros videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Canada Goose
Canada Goose
The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) belongs to the Branta genus of geese, which contains species Conservation status Least concern
with largely black plumage, distinguishing them from the grey species of the Anser genus.
The species name, canadensis, is a New Latin word meaning "of Canada".
Contents
● 1 Appearance
● 2 Behaviour and habitat
● 3 Other locations
● 4 Taxonomy
● 5 See also Scientific classification
● 6 Notes
● 7 References Kingdom: Animalia
● 9 Gallery Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Appearance
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Branta
Species: B. canadensis
Yellow plumage of gosling Binomial name

Branta canadensis
The black head and neck with white "chinstrap" distinguish this goose from all except the Barnacle (Linnaeus, 1758)
Goose, but the latter has a black breast, and grey, rather than brownish, body plumage. There are seven Subspecies
subspecies of this bird, of varying sizes and plumage details, but all are recognizable as Canada Geese.
Some are hard to distinguish from the Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii), with which the Canada B. c. occidentalis (Dusky Canada Goose)
Goose was long assumed to form one species; the name Lesser Canada Goose is, confusingly, often B. c. fulva (Vancouver Canada Goose)
applied to B. hutchinsii. B. c. parvipes (Lesser Canada Goose)
B. c. moffitti (Moffitt's Canada Goose)
B. c. maxima (Giant Canada Goose)
This species is 90-100 cm long with a 160-175 cm wing span. Males weigh 3.5–6.5 kg, (8–14 pounds),
B. c. interior (Interior Canada Goose)
and can be very aggressive in defending territory. The female looks virtually identical but is slightly
B. c. canadensis (Atlantic Canada Goose)
lighter at 3–5.5 kg (7–12 pounds), and has a different honk.
Behaviour and habitat

Specialized for plant feeding
Example of a creche
Example of a parade
These birds feed mainly on plant material. When feeding in water, they submerge their heads and necks to reach aquatic
plants, sometimes tipping forward like a dabbling duck. Flocks of these birds often feed on leftover cultivated grains in
fields, especially during migration or in winter.
During the second year of their lives, Canada Geese find themselves a mate. Most couples stay together all of their lives. If
[1]
one is killed, the other may find a new mate, and divorce also occurs, though rarely. The female lays 4-8 eggs and
both parents protect the nest while the eggs incubate, but the female spends more time at the nest than the male. During
that time, they lose their flight feathers, so that they cannot fly until after their eggs hatch. This period lasts for 25-28 days.
In some populations, up to 12% of the pairs are ‎homosexual. Both males and females may form same-sex pairs. One study
has observed that 18% of the males formed same-sex pair bonds, while for females the ratios varied between 6 and
[2]
12%. Courtship behavior is associated with such couples, though copulation is not a prominent feature of same-sex pairs.
Adult geese are often seen leading their goslings in a line with one parent at the front, and the other at the back of the
"parade". While protecting their young, parents often violently chase away nearby creatures, from small blackbirds to
other geese, to humans that approach. However, geese may form groups of a number of goslings and a few adults,
called crèches. The young do not leave their parents until after the spring migration, when they return to their birthplace.
This well-known species is native to North America. It breeds in Canada and the northern United States in a variety of
habitats. However, the nest is usually located in an elevated area near water, sometimes on a beaver lodge. The eggs are laid
in a shallow depression lined with plant material and down. The Great Lakes region maintains a very large population
of Canada Geese.
Like most geese, it is naturally migratory, the wintering range being most of the US. The calls overhead from large groups
of Canada Geese flying in V-shaped formation signal the transitions into spring and autumn. In some areas, migration
routes have changed due to changes in habitat and food sources. In mild climates, such as the Pacific Northwest, due to a
lack of former predators, some of the population has become non-migratory.
If a goose feels threatened by another creature it will usually warn the creature by giving off a hissing sound.
Other locations
Branta canadensis Canada Goose
distribution: yellow:summer; blue:
winter; green:year-round
Canada Geese have reached western Europe naturally, as has been proved by ringing recoveries. The birds are of at least
the subspecies parvipes, and possibly others. Canada Geese are also found naturally on the Kamchatka Peninsula in
eastern Siberia, eastern China, and throughout Japan.
Branta canadensis, by John

James Audubon
Greater Canada Geese have also been widely introduced in Europe, and have established feral populations in Great Britain,
the Netherlands, and Scandinavia. Semi-tame feral birds are common in parks, and have become a pest in some areas. It is
now proven that most Scandinavian and some British birds have established a migration pattern. The geese were
first introduced in the Britain in the late 17th century as an addition to King James II's waterfowl collection in St. James's
Park. Finally, Canada Geese were introduced as a game bird into New Zealand, but they have also become a problem in
some areas there.
By the early 20th century, over-hunting and loss of habitat in the late 1800s and early 1900s had resulted in a serious decline
in the numbers of this bird in its native range. The Giant Canada Goose subspecies was believed to be extinct in the 1950s
until, in 1962, a small flock was discovered wintering in Rochester, Minnesota by Harold Hanson of the Illinois
Natural History Survey. With improved game laws and habitat recreation and preservation programs, their populations
have recovered in most of their range, although some local populations, especially of the subspecies occidentalis, may still
be declining. They have adapted well to urban environments, especially those with well-trimmed lawns and large ponds,
such as golf courses and city parks.
Taxonomy
Canada Goose in mid-flight
The Cackling Goose was originally considered to be the same species or a subspecies of the Canada Goose, but in July
2004 the American Ornithologists' Union's Committee on Classification and Nomenclature split the two into two
species, making Cackling Goose into a full species with the scientific name Branta hutchinsii. The British Ornithologists
Union followed suit in June 2005.
The AOU has divided the many associated subspecies of both animals:
● Canada Goose (also known as Greater Canada Goose)

❍ Atlantic Canada Goose (Branta canadensis canadensis)
❍ Interior Canada Goose (Branta canadensis interior)

❍ Giant Canada Goose (Branta canadensis maxima)
❍ Moffit's Canada Goose (Branta canadensis moffitti)
❍ Vancouver Canada Goose (Branta canadensis fulva)
❍ Dusky Canada Goose (Branta canadensis occidentalis)
❍ part of "Lesser complex" (Branta canadensis parvipes)
● Cackling Goose (also known as Lesser Canada Goose or Small Canada Goose)
❍ Richardson's Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii hutchinsii)
❍ Bering Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii asiatica) Conservation status: Extinct (c.1929)
❍ Aleutian Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii leucopareia)
❍ Small Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii minima)
❍ part of "Lesser complex" (Branta hutchinsii taverneri)
The distinctions between the two geese have led to a great deal of confusion and debate among ornithologists. This has
been aggravated by the overlap between the small types of Canada Goose and larger types of Cackling Goose. The old
"Lesser Canada Goose" was believed to be a partly hybrid population, with the birds named taverneri considered a mixture
of minima, occidentalis and parvipes. In addition, it has been determined that the Barnacle Goose is a derivative of
the Cackling Goose lineage, whereas the Hawaiian Goose is an insular representative of the Canada Goose.
See also
● The Canada Goose was depicted on the 1986 series Canadian $100 note.
● The 1996 movie Fly Away Home was about a young girl who finds and raises a brood of orphaned Canada Goslings
and attempts to get them to migrate after the birds reach adulthood.
● A Canada Goose was used as the logo for the tail section of Canadian Airlines last livery before the airline merged with
Air Canada.
Notes
1. ^ Bruce Bagemihl, Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity, St. Martin's Press, 1999; p.485
2. ^ Bruce Bagemihl, Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity, St. Martin's Press, 1999; pp.483-485
References
● BirdLife International (2006). Branta canadensis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on
11 May 2006.
External links
● ARKive - images and movies of the Canada goose (Branta canadensis)
● Stackhouse, Mark. "The New Goose." [1]
● Angus, Wilson. "Identification and range of subspecies within the Canada and Cackling Goose Complex (Branta canadensis
& B. hutchinsii)." [2]
● Moser, Timothy J., Craven, Scott R. and Miller, Brian K. "Canada Geese in the Mississippi Flyway: A Guide for
Goose Hunters and Goose Watchers" [3]
● RSPB A to Z of UK Birds
Gallery
Spring Goslings, Thames Ditton, UKAdult and gosling
Flock on the water. Breeding pair and goslings, Canada.
Home | Up | Albatross | American Robin | Andean Condor | Blue Jay | Bluebird | Caladrius | Canada Goose | Canary | Cardinal
| Cassowary | Cockatoo | Condor | Cormorant | Crow | Domesticated turkey | Double-headed eagle | Dove | Duck | Eagle | Emu
| Falcon | Goose | Gull | Hawk | Heron | Hornbill | Hummingbird | Ibis | Kingfisher | Kiwi | Kookaburra | Macaw | Martlet
| Osprey | Ostrich | Owl | Partridge | Peafowl | Pelican | Pheasant | Puffin | Quail | Raven | Rooster | Secretary Bird | Snipe
Supercilium
Back | Home | Up
A Whinchat has a prominent white

supercilium
The term supercilium is a name for a plumage feature present on the heads of many bird species. It is a
stripe which starts above the bird's loral area, continuing above the eye, and finishing somewhere
towards the rear of the bird's head. It is distinct from the eyestripe which is a line which runs across the
lores, and continues behind the eye. Informally, the supercilium is often known as the "eyebrow". Where
a stripe is present only above the lores, and does not continue behind the eye, it is called a supraloral
stripe or simply supraloral.
On most species which display a supercilium, it is paler than the adjacent feather tracts.
The colour, shape or other features of the supercilium can be useful in bird identification. For example,
one way to tell Dusky and Radde's Warblers apart is to look at their supercilium. On Dusky it is sharply
demarcated in front of the eye, a bright cream colour here, but becoming duller to the rear, whereas on
Radde's, it is loosely-demarcated in front of the eye, buff-orange here and bright to the rear.
A split supercilium is a feature present on some shorebirds (e.g. Broad-billed Sandpiper). This term is
used to describe a plumage pattern where the supercilium has an extra stripe branching off of it above
the lores, and extending up into the crown.
A supercilium drop is a feature found on some pipits; it is a pale spot on the rear of the ear-coverts
which, although separated from the supercilium by an eyestripe, can appear at some angles to be a
downward continuation of the supercilium.
Home | Up | Beak | Supercilium
Suborders of birds
Corvida | Passeri | Passerida | Tyranni
Corvida
Passeri
Passerida
Tyranni
Parvorders of birds
Corvida | Passerida | Tyranni
Corvida
Passerida
Tyranni
Superfamilies of birds
Anatoidea | Meliphagoidea
Anatoidea
Meliphagoidea
Subfamilies of birds
Bucorvinae | Buphaginae | Pseudochelidoninae | Anatinae | Anserinae | Buteoninae | Chordeilinae
| Drongo | Euphoniinae | Fantail | Ground-hornbill | Mancallinae | Merginae | Monarchinae
| Palaeeudyptinae | Phaethornithinae | Pseudochelidoninae | Rhipidurinae | Saxicolinae | Tadorninae
| Vanellinae | Woodcreeper
Bucorvinae
Buphaginae
Pseudochelidoninae
Anatinae
Anserinae
Buteoninae
Chordeilinae
Drongo
Euphoniinae
Fantail
Ground-hornbill
Mancallinae
Merginae
Monarchinae
Palaeeudyptinae
Phaethornithinae
Pseudochelidoninae
Rhipidurinae
Saxicolinae
Tadorninae
Vanellinae
Woodcreeper
Tribes of birds
Darwin's finches | Nestorini | Platycercini
Darwin's finches
Nestorini
Platycercini
Anatoidea
Home | Up | Next
Ducks
Anatidae is the biological family that includes the ducks and most
duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swan. The Magpie-goose
is no longer considered to be part of the Anatidae, but is placed in
its own family Anseranatidae. These are birds that are modified
for swimming, floating on the water surface, and in some cases
diving in at least shallow water.
They have webbed feet and bills which are flattened to a greater or
lesser extent. Their feathers are excellent at shedding water due to
special oils. Anatidae are remarkable for being one of the few
families of birds that possess a penis; they are adapted for
copulation on the water only and care must be taken when
White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)
breeding ducks or geese that a pool is provided for this purpose as
attempts to copulate on dry land will often lead to injury of the Scientific classification
drake's penis. Duck, eider and goose feathers and down have long Kingdom: Animalia
been popular for bedspreads, pillows, sleeping bags and coats. The
members of this family also have long been used for food. Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
While the status of the Anatidae as a family is straightforward, and Order: Anseriformes
there is little debate about which species properly belong to it, the
relationships of the different tribes and subfamilies within it are Family: Anatidae
Vigors, 1825
poorly understood. The listing in the box at right should be
regarded simply one of several possible ways of organising the Subfamilies
many species within the Anatidae. Dendrocygninae
Thalassorninae
Anserinae
Stictonettinae
Plectropterinae
Tadorninae
Anatinae
Merginae
Oxyurinae
Contents
● 1 Classification
❍ 1.1 Dendrocygninae: whistling ducks
❍ 1.2 Thalassorninae: White-backed Duck
❍ 1.3 Anserinae: swans and geese
❍ 1.4 Stictonettinae: Freckled Duck
❍ 1.5 Plectropterinae: Spur-winged Goose
❍ 1.6 Tadorninae: shelducks, sheldgeese and steamer-
ducks
❍ 1.7 Anatinae: dabbling and diving ducks and moa-
nalos
❍ 1.8 Merginae: eiders, scoters, sawbills and other
sea-ducks
❍ 1.9 Oxyurinae: stiff-tail ducks
● 2 References
Classification
Previously divided into six subfamilies, recent anatomical studies by Livezey (1986; A phylogenetic
analysis of recent Anseriform genera, Auk 103: 737-754) showed that the Anatidae are better treated in
nine subfamilies. This classification has been followed by Madge & Burn:
Dendrocygninae: whistling ducks
● One pantropical genus, of distinctive long-legged goose-like birds:

❍ Dendrocygna (whistling ducks, 9 species)
Thalassorninae: White-backed Duck
● One genus in Africa, most closely related to the subfamily Dendrocygninae, though also showing
convergent similarities to the subfamily Oxyurinae:
❍ Thalassornis (White-backed Duck, 1 species)
Mute Swan
Anserinae: swans and geese
● Five to seven extant genera with 27 living species, mainly cool temperate Northern Hemisphere
but also some Southern Hemisphere species, with the swans in two genera (three genera in some
treatments), and the geese in four genera (three genera in some treatments):
❍ Coscoroba (Coscoroba Swan, 1 species)
Cygnus (swans, 7 species, 4 sometimes separated in Olor)

Sarcidiornis (Mascarene Swan, extinct[1]).
Anser (grey geese, 7 species)
❍ Chen (white geese, 3 species)
❍ Branta (black geese, 8 living species)
❍ Cereopsis (Cape Barren Goose, 1 species, sometimes transferred to Tadorninae)
Cnemiornis (New Zealand Geese, extinct)
Stictonettinae: Freckled Duck
● One genus in Australia, formerly included in the Oxyurinae, but with anatomy suggesting a
distinct ancient lineage perhaps closest to the Anserinae:
❍ Stictonetta (Freckled Duck, 1 species)
Plectropterinae: Spur-winged Goose
● One genus in Africa, formerly included in the 'perching ducks', but closer to the Tadorninae:
❍ Plectropterus (Spur-winged Goose, 1 species)
Coscoroba Swan. The hump beyond is a second
individual.
Tadorninae: shelducks, sheldgeese and steamer-ducks
● This group of larger, often semi-terrestrial waterfowl can be seen as intermediate between
Anserinae and Anatinae. Recent revision has resulted in the inclusion of 10 extant genera with 23
living species (one probably extinct) in this subfamily, mostly from the Southern Hemisphere but
a few in the Northern Hemisphere:
❍ Sarkidiornis (Comb Duck, 1 species)
Pachyanas (Chatham Island Duck, extinct)

Tadorna (shelducks, 7 species, one probably extinct)
Malacorhynchus (Pink-eared Ducks, 1 living species)
Centrornis (Madagascar Sheldgoose, extinct)
Alopochen (Egyptian Goose and Mascarene Shelducks, 1 living species)
Neochen (Orinoco Goose, 1 species)
Chloephaga (sheldgeese, 5 species)
Cyanochen (Blue-winged Goose, 1 species)
Hymenolaimus (Blue Duck, 1 species)
Merganetta (Torrent Duck, 1 species)
Tachyeres (steamer ducks, 4 species)
Anatinae: dabbling and diving ducks and moa-nalos

A Mallard duck
● The dabbling duck group, of worldwide distribution, were previously restricted to just one or two
genera, but has now been extended to include 8 extant genera and about 55 living species,
including several genera formerly known as the "perching ducks":
❍ Pteronetta (Hartlaub's Duck, 1 species)
Cairina (Muscovy Duck and White-winged Wood Duck, 2 species)

Aix (Mandarin Duck and Wood Duck, 2 species)
Nettapus (pygmy geese, 3 species)
Anas (wigeons, gadwalls, teals, pintails, mallards, shovelers, etc, 40-45 living species)
Callonetta (Ringed Teal, 1 species)
Chenonetta (Maned Duck, 1 living species)
Amazonetta (Brazilian Duck, 1 species)
● The moa-nalos, of which 4 species in 3 genera are known to date, are a peculiar group of
flightless, extinct Anatidae from the Hawaiian Islands. Gigantic in size and with massive bills,
they were believed to be geese, but have been shown to be in reality very closely related to the
genus Anas. They evolved to fill the ecological niche of turtles, ungulates and other
megaherbivores.
❍ Chelychelynechen (Turtle-jawed Moa-nalo, extinct)
Thambetochen (Large-billed Moa-nalos, 2 species, extinct)

Ptaiochen (Small-billed Moa-nalo, extinct)
● The 16 species of diving ducks, of worldwide distribution, in 3 genera; Marmaronetta was
formerly included with the dabbling ducks but is now treated here, and phylogenetic analysis of
the probably extinct Pink-headed Duck of India, previously treated separately in Rhodonessa, has
shown that it is possibly better placed in Netta:
❍ Marmaronetta (Marbled Duck, 1 species)
Netta (Red-crested Pochard and allies, 4 species, one probably extinct)
Aythya (pochards, scaups, etc, 12 species, one probably extinct)
Red-crested Pochard
Merginae: eiders, scoters, sawbills and other sea-ducks
● There are 10 extant genera and 20 living species (one or two extinct); most of this group occur in
the Northern Hemisphere, but two Mergus in the Southern Hemisphere:
❍ Chendytes (Diving-geese, extinct)
Polysticta (Steller's Eider, 1 species)

Somateria (eiders, 3 species)
Histrionicus (Harlequin Duck, 1 species)
Camptorhynchus (Labrador Duck, extinct)
Melanitta (scoters, 3 species)
Clangula (Long-tailed Duck, 1 species)
Bucephala (goldeneyes, 3 species)
Mergellus (Smew, 1 species)
Lophodytes (Hooded Merganser, 1 species)
Mergus (mergansers, 5 species, one extinct).
Oxyurinae: stiff-tail ducks
● A small group of 4 genera, 3 of them monotypic, with 8 living species:

❍ Oxyura (stiff-tailed ducks, 5 living species)
Nomonyx (Masked Duck, 1 living species)

Biziura (Musk Ducks, 1 living species)
Heteronetta (Black-headed Duck, 1 species)
References
● Madge and Burn, Wildfowl 1998 ISBN 0-7470-2201-1
External links
● Anatidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Anatoidea | Meliphagoidea
Falconidae
Falconids
The family Falconidae includes about 60 species of diurnal
birds of prey, notably the falcons and caracaras. They differ
from other Falconiformes in killing with their beaks instead of
their feet. They have a "tooth" on the side of their beak for the
purpose.
Species
● Genus Daptrius
Nankeen Kestrel
❍ Black Caracara, Daptrius ater
Red-throated Caracara, Daptrius americanus Scientific classification

● Genus Phalcoboenus Kingdom: Animalia
❍ Carunculated Caracara, Phalcoboenus
carunculatus
Mountain Caracara, Phalcoboenus megalopterus Phylum: Chordata
White-throated Caracara, Phalcoboenus
albogularis Class: Aves
Striated Caracara, Phalcoboenus australis
● Genus Polyborus
❍ Crested Caracara, Polyborus plancus
● Genus Milvago
❍ Yellow-headed Caracara, Milvago chimachima Family: Falconidae
❍ Chimango Caracara, Milvago chimango
Vigors, 1824
❍ Milvago alexandri (extinct) Genera
❍ Milvago readei (extinct)
Daptrius
● Genus Herpetotheres Phalcoboenus
❍ Laughing Falcon, Herpetotheres cachinnans
Polyborus
● Genus Micrastur (Forest falcons -- see list in that page) Milvago
● Genus Spiziapteryx Herpetotheres
❍ Spot-winged Falconet, Spiziapteryx
Micrastur
circumcinctus Spiziapteryx
● Genus Polihierax Polihierax
❍ African Pygmy Falcon, Polihierax
Microhierax
semitorquatus Falco
❍ White-rumped Pygmy Falcon, Polihierax
insignis
● Genus Microhierax
❍ Collared Falconet, Microhierax caerulescens
Black-thighed Falconet, Microhierax fringillarius

White-fronted Falconet, Microhierax latifrons
Philippine Falconet, Microhierax erythrogenys
Pied Falconet, Microhierax melanoleucus
● Genus Falco (Falcons -- see list in that page)
● Genus Pediohierax
❍ Pediohierax ramenta (extinct)
● Genus Badiostes
❍ Badiostes patagonicus (extinct)
External links
● http://www.soarinhawk.org/educate.html
as of 2002-06-22
● Falconidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Fairy-bluebird | Falconidae | Finch | Formicariidae | Fregatidae | Furnariidae
Birds of Africa
This list of African birds is a listing of all the bird species known from the continent of Africa.
Contents
● 1 Notes
● 2 Ostrich
● 3 Penguins
● 4 Loons
● 5 Grebes
● 6 Albatrosses
● 7 Shearwaters and petrels
● 8 Storm-petrels
● 9 Tropicbirds
● 10 Pelicans
● 11 Gannets and boobies
● 12 Cormorants
● 13 Darter
● 14 Frigatebirds
● 15 Herons, egrets, and bitterns
● 16 Hamerkop
● 17 Storks
● 18 Shoebill
● 19 Ibises and spoonbills
● 20 Flamingos
● 21 Ducks, geese, and swans
● 22 Osprey
● 23 Hawks, eagles, and kites
● 24 Secretary-bird
● 25 Falcons
● 26 Pheasants and partridges
● 27 Guineafowl
● 28 Buttonquails
● 29 Cranes
● 30 Rails, gallinules, and coots
● 31 Finfoot
● 32 Bustards
● 33 Jacanas
● 34 Painted Snipe
● 35 Crab Plover
● 36 Oystercatchers
● 37 Avocets and stilts
● 38 Thick-knees
● 39 Pratincoles and coursers
● 40 Lapwings and plovers
● 41 Sandpipers
● 42 Sheathbill
● 43 Skuas and jaegers
● 44 Gulls
● 45 Terns
● 46 Skimmer
● 47 Auks, murres, and puffins
● 48 Sandgrouse
● 49 Pigeons and doves
● 50 Parrots
● 51 Turacos
● 52 Cuckoos
● 53 Barn-Owls
● 54 Owls
● 55 Nightjars
● 56 Swifts
● 57 Mousebirds
● 58 Trogons
● 59 Kingfishers
● 60 Bee-eaters
● 61 Rollers
● 62 Hoopoe
● 63 Woodhoopoes
● 64 Hornbills
● 65 Barbets
● 66 Honeyguides
● 67 Woodpeckers and allies
● 68 Broadbills
● 69 Pittas
● 70 Larks
● 71 Swallows
● 72 Wagtails and pipits
● 73 Cuckoo-shrikes
● 74 Bulbuls
● 75 Kinglets
● 76 Waxwing
● 77 Hypocolius
● 78 Dipper
● 79 Wren
● 80 Accentors
● 81 Thrushes
● 82 Cisticolas and allies
● 83 Old World warblers
● 84 Old World flycatchers
● 85 Wattle-eyes
● 86 Monarch flycatchers
● 87 Rockfowl
● 88 Babblers
● 89 Parrotbill
● 90 Long-tailed tit
● 91 Tits
● 92 Nuthatches
● 93 Wallcreeper
● 94 Creepers
● 95 Penduline tits
● 96 Sunbirds
● 97 White-eyes
● 98 Sugarbirds
● 99 Old World orioles
● 100 Shrikes
● 101 Bushshrikes
● 102 Helmetshrikes
● 103 Drongos
● 104 Crows, jays, and magpies
● 105 Starlings
● 106 Old World sparrows
● 107 Weavers
● 108 Waxbills
● 109 Indigobirds
● 110 Finches
● 111 Buntings and sparrows
● 112 See also
● 113 References
Notes
The taxonomy of this list adheres to James Clements' Birds of the World: A Checklist, and reflects all
changes to that work until July, 2005. Taxonomic changes are on-going. As more research is gathered
from studies of distribution, behavior, and DNA, the order and number of families and species may
change. Furthermore, different approaches to ornithological nomenclature have led to concurrent
systems of classification (see Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy).
The area covered by this list is the same as the Africa region defined by the American Birding
Association's listing rules[1]. It includes Socotra in the Arabian Sea, Sao Tome and Annobon in the Gulf
of Guinea, and the Canary Islands, but excludes Madeira. The region does not include Madagascar or the
Comoro Islands.
Ostrich
Order: Struthioniformes Family: Struthionidae
● Ostrich, Struthio camelus
Penguins
Order: Sphenisciformes Family: Spheniscidae
● King Penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus

Gentoo Penguin, Pygoscelis papua
Rockhopper Penguin, Eudyptes chrysocome
Macaroni Penguin, Eudyptes chrysolophus
Jackass Penguin, Spheniscus demersus
Loons
Order: Gaviiformes Family: Gaviidae
● Red-throated Loon, Gavia stellata

Arctic Loon, Gavia arctica
Common Loon, Gavia immer
Grebes
Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
● Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis

Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
Red-necked Grebe, Podiceps grisegena
Horned Grebe, Podiceps auritus
Eared Grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
Albatrosses
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Diomedeidae
● Wandering Albatross, Diomedea exulans

Royal Albatross, Diomedea epomophora
Laysan Albatross, Phoebastria immutabilis
Grey-headed Albatross, Thalassarche chrysostoma
Black-browed Albatross, Thalassarche melanophris
Buller's Albatross, Thalassarche bulleri
Shy Albatross, Thalassarche cauta
Yellow-nosed Albatross, Thalassarche chlororhynchos
Sooty Albatross, Phoebetria fusca
Light-mantled Albatross, Phoebetria palpebrata
Shearwaters and petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae
● Antarctic Giant Petrel, Macronectes giganteus

Hall's Giant Petrel, Macronectes halli
Northern Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis
Southern Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialoides
Antarctic Petrel, Thalassoica antarctica
Cape Petrel, Daption capense
Great-winged Petrel, Pterodroma macroptera
White-headed Petrel, Pterodroma lessonii
Atlantic Petrel, Pterodroma incerta
Soft-plumaged Petrel, Pterodroma mollis
Cape Verde Petrel, Pterodroma feae
Blue Petrel, Halobaena caerulea
Broad-billed Prion, Pachyptila vittata
Salvin's Prion, Pachyptila salvini
Antarctic Prion, Pachyptila desolata
Slender-billed Prion, Pachyptila belcheri
Fairy Prion, Pachyptila turtur
Bulwer's Petrel, Bulweria bulwerii
Jouanin's Petrel, Bulweria fallax
Grey Petrel, Procellaria cinerea
White-chinned Petrel, Procellaria aequinoctialis
Kerguelen Petrel, Aphrodroma brevirostris
Streaked Shearwater, Calonectris leucomelas
Cory's Shearwater, Calonectris diomedea
Cape Verde Shearwater, Calonectris edwardsii
Flesh-footed Shearwater, Puffinus carneipes
Greater Shearwater, Puffinus gravis
Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus pacificus
Sooty Shearwater, Puffinus griseus
Manx Shearwater, Puffinus puffinus
Balearic Shearwater, Puffinus mauretanicus
Levantine Shearwater, Puffinus yelkouan
Little Shearwater, Puffinus assimilis
Audubon's Shearwater, Puffinus lherminieri
Persian Shearwater, Puffinus persicus
Mascarene Shearwater, Puffinus atrodorsalis
Storm-petrels
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae
● Wilson's Storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus

White-faced Storm-petrel, Pelagodroma marina
Black-bellied Storm-petrel, Fregetta tropica
White-bellied Storm-petrel, Fregetta grallaria
European Storm-petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus
Band-rumped Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma castro
Leach's Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa
Swinhoe's Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma monorhis
Matsudaira's Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma matsudairae
Tropicbirds
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phaethontidae
● Red-billed Tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus

Red-tailed Tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda
White-tailed Tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus
Pelicans
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
● Great White Pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus

Pink-backed Pelican, Pelecanus rufescens
Dalmatian Pelican, Pelecanus crispus
Gannets and boobies
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Sulidae
● Northern Gannet, Morus bassanus

Cape Gannet, Morus capensis
Australian Gannet, Morus serrator
Masked Booby, Sula dactylatra
Red-footed Booby, Sula sula
Brown Booby, Sula leucogaster
Cormorants
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
● Great Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo

Cape Cormorant, Phalacrocorax capensis
Socotra Cormorant, Phalacrocorax nigrogularis
Bank Cormorant, Phalacrocorax neglectus
European Shag, Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Long-tailed Cormorant, Phalacrocorax africanus
Crowned Cormorant, Phalacrocorax coronatus
Darter
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Anhingidae
● Darter, Anhinga melanogaster
Frigatebirds
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Fregatidae
● Magnificent Frigatebird, Fregata magnificens

Great Frigatebird, Fregata minor
Lesser Frigatebird, Fregata ariel
Herons, egrets, and bitterns

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ardeidae
● Grey Heron, Ardea cinerea

Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias
Black-headed Heron, Ardea melanocephala
Goliath Heron, Ardea goliath
Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea
Great Egret, Ardea alba
Slaty Egret, Egretta vinaceigula
Black Heron, Egretta ardesiaca
Intermediate Egret, Egretta intermedia
Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea
Little Egret, Egretta garzetta
Western Reef Heron, Egretta gularis
Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides
Indian Pond Heron, Ardeola grayii
Madagascar Pond Heron, Ardeola idae
Rufous-bellied Heron, Ardeola rufiventris
Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis
Striated Heron, Butorides striata
Black-crowned Night Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
White-backed Night Heron, Gorsachius leuconotus
White-crested Bittern, Tigriornis leucolopha
Little Bittern, Ixobrychus minutus
Dwarf Bittern, Ixobrychus sturmii
American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus
Great Bittern, Botaurus stellaris
Hamerkop
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Scopidae
● Hamerkop, Scopus umbretta
Storks
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae
● Yellow-billed Stork, Mycteria ibis

African Openbill, Anastomus lamelligerus
Black Stork, Ciconia nigra
Abdim's Stork, Ciconia abdimii
White Stork, Ciconia ciconia
Saddle-billed Stork, Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
Shoebill
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Balaenicipitidae
● Shoebill, Balaeniceps rex
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Threskiornithidae
● Sacred Ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus

Waldrapp, Geronticus eremita
Bald Ibis, Geronticus calvus
Olive Ibis, Bostrychia olivacea
Spot-breasted Ibis, Bostrychia rara
Hadada Ibis, Bostrychia hagedash
Wattled Ibis, Bostrychia carunculata
Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
Eurasian Spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia
African Spoonbill, Platalea alba
Flamingos
Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae
● Greater Flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus

Lesser Flamingo, Phoenicopterus minor
Ducks, geese, and swans
Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
● Fulvous Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna bicolor

White-faced Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna viduata
White-backed Duck, Thalassornis leuconotus
Mute Swan, Cygnus olor
Whooper Swan, Cygnus cygnus
Tundra Swan, Cygnus columbianus
Bean Goose, Anser fabalis
Pink-footed Goose, Anser brachyrhynchus
Greater White-fronted Goose, Anser albifrons
Lesser White-fronted Goose, Anser erythropus
Greylag Goose, Anser anser
Snow Goose, Chen caerulescens
Barnacle Goose, Branta leucopsis
Brent Goose, Branta bernicla
Red-breasted Goose, Branta ruficollis
Blue-winged Goose, Cyanochen cyanoptera
Egyptian Goose, Alopochen aegyptiaca
Ruddy Shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea
South African Shelduck, Tadorna cana
Common Shelduck, Tadorna tadorna
Spur-winged Goose, Plectropterus gambensis
Comb Duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos
Hartlaub's Duck, Pteronetta hartlaubii
Cotton Pygmy-goose, Nettapus coromandelianus
African Pygmy-goose, Nettapus auritus
Wood Duck, Aix sponsa
Mandarin Duck, Aix galericulata
African Black Duck, Anas sparsa
Eurasian Wigeon, Anas penelope
American Wigeon, Anas americana
Gadwall, Anas strepera
Green-winged Teal, Anas carolinensis
Eurasian Teal, Anas crecca
Cape Teal, Anas capensis
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
Yellow-billed Duck, Anas undulata
Northern Pintail, Anas acuta
Red-billed Duck, Anas erythrorhyncha
Hottentot Teal, Anas hottentota
Garganey, Anas querquedula
Blue-winged Teal, Anas discors
Cape Shoveler, Anas smithii
Northern Shoveler, Anas clypeata
Marbled Teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris
Red-crested Pochard, Netta rufina
Southern Pochard, Netta erythrophthalma
Common Pochard, Aythya ferina
Ring-necked Duck, Aythya collaris
Ferruginous Pochard, Aythya nyroca
Tufted Duck, Aythya fuligula
Greater Scaup, Aythya marila
Lesser Scaup, Aythya affinis
Black Scoter, Melanitta nigra
White-winged Scoter, Melanitta fusca
Common Goldeneye, Bucephala clangula
Smew, Mergellus albellus
Red-breasted Merganser, Mergus serrator
Common Merganser, Mergus merganser
Ruddy Duck, Oxyura jamaicensis
White-headed Duck, Oxyura leucocephala
Maccoa Duck, Oxyura maccoa
Osprey
Order: Falconiformes Family: Pandionidae
● Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Hawks, eagles, and kites
Order: Falconiformes Family: Accipitridae
● African Cuckoo Hawk, Aviceda cuculoides

European Honey Buzzard, Pernis apivorus
Oriental Honey Buzzard, Pernis ptilorhynchus
Bat Hawk, Macheiramphus alcinus
Black-shouldered Kite, Elanus caeruleus
Scissor-tailed Kite, Chelictinia riocourii
Red Kite, Milvus milvus
Black Kite, Milvus migrans
African Fish Eagle, Haliaeetus vocifer
White-tailed Eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla
Palm-nut Vulture, Gypohierax angolensis
Hooded Vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus
Lammergeier, Gypaetus barbatus
Egyptian Vulture, Neophron percnopterus
White-backed Vulture, Gyps africanus
Rueppell's Griffon, Gyps rueppellii
Eurasian Griffon, Gyps fulvus
Cape Griffon, Gyps coprotheres
Cinereous Vulture, Aegypius monachus
Lappet-faced Vulture, Torgos tracheliotus
White-headed Vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis
Short-toed Eagle, Circaetus gallicus
Beaudouin's Snake Eagle, Circaetus beaudouini
Black-breasted Snake Eagle, Circaetus pectoralis
Brown Snake Eagle, Circaetus cinereus
Fasciated Snake Eagle, Circaetus fasciolatus
Banded Snake Eagle, Circaetus cinerascens
Bateleur, Terathopius ecaudatus
Congo Serpent Eagle, Dryotriorchis spectabilis
Western Marsh Harrier, Circus aeruginosus
African Marsh Harrier, Circus ranivorus
Black Harrier, Circus maurus
Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus
Pallid Harrier, Circus macrourus
Montagu's Harrier, Circus pygargus
African Harrier Hawk, Polyboroides typus
Lizard Buzzard, Kaupifalco monogrammicus
Dark Chanting Goshawk, Melierax metabates
Eastern Chanting Goshawk, Melierax poliopterus
Pale Chanting Goshawk, Melierax canorus
Gabar Goshawk, Micronisus gabar
Red-chested Goshawk, Accipiter toussenelii
African Goshawk, Accipiter tachiro
Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk, Accipiter castanilius
Shikra, Accipiter badius
Levant Sparrowhawk, Accipiter brevipes
Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Accipiter erythropus
Little Sparrowhawk, Accipiter minullus
Ovampo Sparrowhawk, Accipiter ovampensis
Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus
Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk, Accipiter rufiventris
Black Goshawk, Accipiter melanoleucus
Northern Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis
Long-tailed Hawk, Urotriorchis macrourus
Grasshopper Buzzard, Butastur rufipennis
Eurasian Buzzard, Buteo buteo
Mountain Buzzard, Buteo oreophilus
Long-legged Buzzard, Buteo rufinus
Rough-legged Hawk, Buteo lagopus
Red-necked Buzzard, Buteo auguralis
Augur Buzzard, Buteo augur
Archer's Buzzard, Buteo archeri
Jackal Buzzard, Buteo rufofuscus
Lesser Spotted Eagle, Aquila pomarina
Greater Spotted Eagle, Aquila clanga
Spanish Eagle, Aquila adalberti
Imperial Eagle, Aquila heliaca
Bonelli's Eagle, Aquila fasciatus
African Hawk Eagle, Aquila spilogaster
Booted Eagle, Aquila pennatus
Ayres' Hawk Eagle, Aquila ayresii
Martial Eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus
Long-crested Eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis
Cassin's Hawk Eagle, Spizaetus africanus
Crowned Hawk Eagle, Stephanoaetus coronatus
Secretary-bird
Order: Falconiformes Family: Sagittariidae
● Secretary-bird, Sagittarius serpentarius
Falcons
Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
● Pygmy Falcon, Polihierax semitorquatus

Lesser Kestrel, Falco naumanni
Eurasian Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
Greater Kestrel, Falco rupicoloides
Fox Kestrel, Falco alopex
Grey Kestrel, Falco ardosiaceus
Dickinson's Kestrel, Falco dickinsoni
Merlin, Falco columbarius
African Hobby, Falco cuvierii
Barbary Falcon, Falco pelegrinoides
Taita Falcon, Falco fasciinucha
Pheasants and partridges
Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae

● Chukar, Alectoris chukar
Barbary Partridge, Alectoris barbara
Red-legged Partridge, Alectoris rufa
Sand Partridge, Ammoperdix heyi
Coqui Francolin, Francolinus coqui
White-throated Francolin, Francolinus albogularis
Schlegel's Francolin, Francolinus schlegelii
Forest Francolin, Francolinus lathami
Crested Francolin, Francolinus sephaena
Ring-necked Francolin, Francolinus streptophorus
Finsch's Francolin, Francolinus finschi
Red-winged Francolin, Francolinus levaillantii
Grey-winged Francolin, Francolinus africanus
Moorland Francolin, Francolinus psilolaemus
Shelley's Francolin, Francolinus shelleyi
Orange River Francolin, Francolinus levaillantoides
Scaly Francolin, Francolinus squamatus
Ahanta Francolin, Francolinus ahantensis
Grey-striped Francolin, Francolinus griseostriatus
Nahan's Francolin, Francolinus nahani
Hartlaub's Francolin, Francolinus hartlaubi
Double-spurred Francolin, Francolinus bicalcaratus
Heuglin's Francolin, Francolinus icterorhynchus
Clapperton's Francolin, Francolinus clappertoni
Harwood's Francolin, Francolinus harwoodi
Red-billed Francolin, Francolinus adspersus
Cape Francolin, Francolinus capensis
Natal Francolin, Francolinus natalensis
Hildebrandt's Francolin, Francolinus hildebrandti
Yellow-necked Francolin, Francolinus leucoscepus
Grey-breasted Francolin, Francolinus rufopictus
Red-necked Francolin, Francolinus afer
Swainson's Francolin, Francolinus swainsonii
Jackson's Francolin, Francolinus jacksoni
Handsome Francolin, Francolinus nobilis
Cameroon Francolin, Francolinus camerunensis
Swierstra's Francolin, Francolinus swierstrai
Chestnut-naped Francolin, Francolinus castaneicollis
Erckel's Francolin, Francolinus erckelii
Djibouti Francolin, Francolinus ochropectus
Common Quail, Coturnix coturnix
Harlequin Quail, Coturnix delegorguei
Blue Quail, Coturnix adansonii
Udzungwa Partridge, Xenoperdix udzungwensis
Stone Partridge, Ptilopachus petrosus
Ring-necked Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus
Congo Peacock, Afropavo congensis
Guineafowl
Order: Galliformes Family: Numididae
● White-breasted Guineafowl, Agelastes meleagrides

Black Guineafowl, Agelastes niger
Helmeted Guineafowl, Numida meleagris
Plumed Guineafowl, Guttera plumifera
Crested Guineafowl, Guttera pucherani
Vulturine Guineafowl, Acryllium vulturinum
Buttonquails
Order: Gruiformes Family: Turnicidae
● Small Buttonquail, Turnix sylvaticus

Hottentot Buttonquail, Turnix hottentottus
Quail-plover, Ortyxelos meiffrenii
Cranes
Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae
● Grey Crowned Crane, Balearica regulorum

Black Crowned Crane, Balearica pavonina
Demoiselle Crane, Anthropoides virgo
Blue Crane, Anthropoides paradiseus
Wattled Crane, Bugeranus carunculatus
Common Crane, Grus grus
Rails, gallinules, and coots
Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
● White-spotted Flufftail, Sarothrura pulchra

Buff-spotted Flufftail, Sarothrura elegans
Red-chested Flufftail, Sarothrura rufa
Chestnut-headed Flufftail, Sarothrura lugens
Streaky-breasted Flufftail, Sarothrura boehmi
Striped Flufftail, Sarothrura affinis
White-winged Flufftail, Sarothrura ayresi
Nkulengu Rail, Himantornis haematopus
Grey-throated Rail, Canirallus oculeus
African Rail, Rallus caerulescens
African Crake, Crecopsis egregia
Corn Crake, Crex crex
Rouget's Rail, Rougetius rougetii
Black Crake, Amaurornis flavirostra
Sora, Porzana carolina
Striped Crake, Aenigmatolimnas marginalis
Allen's Gallinule, Porphyrio alleni
Purple Gallinule, Porphyrio martinica
Eurasian Coot, Fulica atra
Finfoot
Order: Gruiformes Family: Heliornithidae
● African Finfoot, Podica senegalensis
Bustards
Order: Gruiformes Family: Otididae
● Great Bustard, Otis tarda

Arabian Bustard, Ardeotis arabs
Kori Bustard, Ardeotis kori
Houbara Bustard, Chlamydotis undulata
Macqueen's Bustard, Chlamydotis macqueenii
Ludwig's Bustard, Neotis ludwigii
Stanley Bustard, Neotis denhami
Heuglin's Bustard, Neotis heuglinii
Nubian Bustard, Neotis nuba
White-bellied Bustard, Eupodotis senegalensis
Blue Bustard, Eupodotis caerulescens
Karoo Bustard, Eupodotis vigorsii
Rueppell's Bustard, Eupodotis rueppellii
Little Brown Bustard, Eupodotis humilis
Savile's Bustard, Eupodotis savilei
Buff-crested Bustard, Eupodotis gindiana
Red-crested Bustard, Eupodotis ruficrista
Black Bustard, Eupodotis afra
White-quilled Bustard, Eupodotis afraoides
Black-bellied Bustard, Lissotis melanogaster
Hartlaub's Bustard, Lissotis hartlaubii
Little Bustard, Tetrax tetrax
Jacanas
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Jacanidae
● Lesser Jacana, Microparra capensis

African Jacana, Actophilornis africanus
Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Hydrophasianus chirurgus
Painted Snipe
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rostratulidae
● Greater Painted Snipe, Rostratula benghalensis
Crab Plover
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Dromadidae
● Crab Plover, Dromas ardeola
Oystercatchers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae
● African Oystercatcher, Haematopus moquini

Eurasian Oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus
Avocets and stilts
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
● Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus

Pied Avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
Thick-knees
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae
● Water Thick-knee, Burhinus vermiculatus

Eurasian Thick-knee, Burhinus oedicnemus
Senegal Thick-knee, Burhinus senegalensis
Spotted Thick-knee, Burhinus capensis
Pratincoles and coursers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Glareolidae
● Egyptian Plover, Pluvianus aegyptius

Cream-colored Courser, Cursorius cursor
Burchell's Courser, Cursorius rufus
Temminck's Courser, Cursorius temminckii
Double-banded Courser, Smutsornis africanus
Three-banded Courser, Rhinoptilus cinctus
Bronze-winged Courser, Rhinoptilus chalcopterus
Collared Pratincole, Glareola pratincola
Oriental Pratincole, Glareola maldivarum
Black-winged Pratincole, Glareola nordmanni
Madagascar Pratincole, Glareola ocularis
Rock Pratincole, Glareola nuchalis
Grey Pratincole, Glareola cinerea
Lapwings and plovers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae
● Northern Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus

Long-toed Lapwing, Vanellus crassirostris
Blacksmith Plover, Vanellus armatus
Spur-winged Plover, Vanellus spinosus
Black-headed Lapwing, Vanellus tectus
White-headed Lapwing, Vanellus albiceps
Senegal Lapwing, Vanellus lugubris
Black-winged Lapwing, Vanellus melanopterus
Crowned Lapwing, Vanellus coronatus
Wattled Lapwing, Vanellus senegallus
Spot-breasted Lapwing, Vanellus melanocephalus
Brown-chested Lapwing, Vanellus superciliosus
Sociable Lapwing, Vanellus gregarius
White-tailed Lapwing, Vanellus leucurus
Pacific Golden Plover, Pluvialis fulva
American Golden Plover, Pluvialis dominica
Eurasian Golden Plover, Pluvialis apricaria
Black-bellied Plover, Pluvialis squatarola
Common Ringed Plover, Charadrius hiaticula
Little Ringed Plover, Charadrius dubius
Kittlitz's Plover, Charadrius pecuarius
Three-banded Plover, Charadrius tricollaris
Forbes' Plover, Charadrius forbesi
White-fronted Plover, Charadrius marginatus
Chestnut-banded Plover, Charadrius pallidus
Snowy Plover, Charadrius alexandrinus
Lesser Sandplover, Charadrius mongolus
Greater Sandplover, Charadrius leschenaultii
Caspian Plover, Charadrius asiaticus
Eurasian Dotterel, Charadrius morinellus
Sandpipers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae
● Eurasian Woodcock, Scolopax rusticola

Jack Snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
Pintail Snipe, Gallinago stenura
African Snipe, Gallinago nigripennis
Great Snipe, Gallinago media
Common Snipe, Gallinago gallinago
Short-billed Dowitcher, Limnodromus griseus
Long-billed Dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus
Black-tailed Godwit, Limosa limosa
Hudsonian Godwit, Limosa haemastica
Bar-tailed Godwit, Limosa lapponica
Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
Slender-billed Curlew, Numenius tenuirostris
Eurasian Curlew, Numenius arquata
Upland Sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda
Spotted Redshank, Tringa erythropus
Common Redshank, Tringa totanus
Marsh Sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
Common Greenshank, Tringa nebularia
Lesser Yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes
Green Sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
Solitary Sandpiper, Tringa solitaria
Wood Sandpiper, Tringa glareola
Terek Sandpiper, Xenus cinereus
Common Sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularius
Ruddy Turnstone, Arenaria interpres
Great Knot, Calidris tenuirostris
Red Knot, Calidris canutus
Sanderling, Calidris alba
Semipalmated Sandpiper, Calidris pusilla
Western Sandpiper, Calidris mauri
Red-necked Stint, Calidris ruficollis
Little Stint, Calidris minuta
Temminck's Stint, Calidris temminckii
Long-toed Stint, Calidris subminuta
White-rumped Sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis
Baird's Sandpiper, Calidris bairdii
Pectoral Sandpiper, Calidris melanotos
Curlew Sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
Dunlin, Calidris alpina
Purple Sandpiper, Calidris maritima
Stilt Sandpiper, Calidris himantopus
Broad-billed Sandpiper, Limicola falcinellus
Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Tryngites subruficollis
Ruff, Philomachus pugnax
Wilson's Phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor
Red-necked Phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
Red Phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius
Sheathbill
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Chionididae
● Snowy Sheathbill, Chionis albus
Skuas and jaegers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae
● South Polar Skua, Stercorarius maccormicki

Brown Skua, Stercorarius antarcticus
Great Skua, Stercorarius skua
Pomarine Jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus (Pomarine Skua)
Parasitic Jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus (Arctic Skua)
Long-tailed Jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (Long-tailed Skua)
Gulls
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
● White-eyed Gull, Larus leucophthalmus

Mew Gull, Larus canus
European Herring Gull, Larus argentatus
Caspian Gull, Larus cachinnans
Steppe Gull, Larus barabensis
Sabine's Gull, Xema sabini
Black-legged Kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla
Terns
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Sternidae
● Gull-billed Tern, Gelochelidon nilotica

Caspian Tern, Hydroprogne caspia
Lesser Crested Tern, Sterna bengalensis
Sandwich Tern, Sterna sandvicensis
Royal Tern, Sterna maxima
Great Crested Tern, Sterna bergii
Roseate Tern, Sterna dougallii
Black-naped Tern, Sterna sumatrana
Common Tern, Sterna hirundo
Arctic Tern, Sterna paradisaea
Antarctic Tern, Sterna vittata
Damara Tern, Sterna balaenarum
White-cheeked Tern, Sterna repressa
Little Tern, Sternula albifrons
Saunders' Tern, Sternula saundersi
Bridled Tern, Onychoprion anaethetus
Sooty Tern, Onychoprion fuscata
Whiskered Tern, Chlidonias hybrida
White-winged Tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
Black Tern, Chlidonias niger
Lesser Noddy, Anous tenuirostris
Black Noddy, Anous minutus
Brown Noddy, Anous stolidus
Skimmer
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rynchopidae
● African Skimmer, Rynchops flavirostris
Auks, murres, and puffins
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Alcidae
● Dovekie, Alle alle

Common Murre, Uria aalge
Razorbill, Alca torda
Atlantic Puffin, Fratercula arctica
Sandgrouse
Order: Pterocliformes Family: Pteroclididae
● Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Pterocles alchata

Namaqua Sandgrouse, Pterocles namaqua
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus
Spotted Sandgrouse, Pterocles senegallus
Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Pterocles orientalis
Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Pterocles gutturalis
Crowned Sandgrouse, Pterocles coronatus
Black-faced Sandgrouse, Pterocles decoratus
Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse, Pterocles lichtensteinii
Double-banded Sandgrouse, Pterocles bicinctus
Four-banded Sandgrouse, Pterocles quadricinctus
Burchell's Sandgrouse, Pterocles burchelli
Pigeons and doves
Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae

Speckled Pigeon, Columba guinea
White-collared Pigeon, Columba albitorques
Stock Dove, Columba oenas
Somali Pigeon, Columba oliviae
Common Wood Pigeon, Columba palumbus
Bolle's Pigeon, Columba bollii
Afep Pigeon, Columba unicincta
Laurel Pigeon, Columba junoniae
Rameron Pigeon, Columba arquatrix
Cameroon Pigeon, Columba sjostedti
Maroon Pigeon, Columba thomensis
White-naped Pigeon, Columba albinucha
Delegorgue's Pigeon, Columba delegorguei
Bronze-naped Pigeon, Columba iriditorques
Sao Tome Pigeon, Columba malherbii
Lemon Dove, Columba larvata
Forest Dove, Columba simplex
Eurasian Turtle Dove, Streptopelia turtur
Adamawa Turtle Dove, Streptopelia hypopyrrha
Eurasian Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto
White-winged Collared Dove, Streptopelia reichenowi
African Mourning Dove, Streptopelia decipiens
Ring-necked Dove, Streptopelia capicola
Vinaceous Dove, Streptopelia vinacea
Laughing Dove, Streptopelia senegalensis
Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Turtur chalcospilos
Black-billed Wood Dove, Turtur abyssinicus
Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Turtur afer
Tambourine Dove, Turtur tympanistria
Blue-headed Wood Dove, Turtur brehmeri
Namaqua Dove, Oena capensis
Pemba Green Pigeon, Treron pembaensis
Sao Tome Green Pigeon, Treron sanctithomae
African Green Pigeon, Treron calvus
Parrots
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae
● Rose-ringed Parakeet, Psittacula krameri

Red-headed Lovebird, Agapornis pullarius
Black-winged Lovebird, Agapornis taranta
Black-collared Lovebird, Agapornis swindernianus
Rosy-faced Lovebird, Agapornis roseicollis
Fischer's Lovebird, Agapornis fischeri
Yellow-collared Lovebird, Agapornis personatus
Lilian's Lovebird, Agapornis lilianae
Black-cheeked Lovebird, Agapornis nigrigenis
Grey Parrot, Psittacus erithacus
Brown-necked Parrot, Poicephalus robustus
Red-fronted Parrot, Poicephalus gulielmi
Meyer's Parrot, Poicephalus meyeri
Rueppell's Parrot, Poicephalus rueppellii
Brown-headed Parrot, Poicephalus cryptoxanthus
Niam-Niam Parrot, Poicephalus crassus
Red-bellied Parrot, Poicephalus rufiventris
Senegal Parrot, Poicephalus senegalus
Yellow-fronted Parrot, Poicephalus flavifrons
Turacos
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Musophagidae
● Great Blue Turaco, Corythaeola cristata

Guinea Turaco, Tauraco persa
Livingstone's Turaco, Tauraco livingstonii
Schalow's Turaco, Tauraco schalowi
Knysna Turaco, Tauraco corythaix
Black-billed Turaco, Tauraco schuettii
White-crested Turaco, Tauraco leucolophus
Fischer's Turaco, Tauraco fischeri
Yellow-billed Turaco, Tauraco macrorhynchus
Bannerman's Turaco, Tauraco bannermani
Red-crested Turaco, Tauraco erythrolophus
Hartlaub's Turaco, Tauraco hartlaubi
White-cheeked Turaco, Tauraco leucotis
Prince Ruspoli's Turaco, Tauraco ruspolii
Purple-crested Turaco, Tauraco porphyreolophus
Ruwenzori Turaco, Ruwenzorornis johnstoni
Violet Turaco, Musophaga violacea
Ross' Turaco, Musophaga rossae
Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Corythaixoides personatus
Grey Go-away-bird, Corythaixoides concolor
White-bellied Go-away-bird, Corythaixoides leucogaster
Western Plantain-eater, Crinifer piscator
Eastern Plantain-eater, Crinifer zonurus
Cuckoos
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
● Pied Cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus

Levaillant's Cuckoo, Clamator levaillantii
Great Spotted Cuckoo, Clamator glandarius
Thick-billed Cuckoo, Pachycoccyx audeberti
Red-chested Cuckoo, Cuculus solitarius
Black Cuckoo, Cuculus clamosus
Common Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
African Cuckoo, Cuculus gularis
Lesser Cuckoo, Cuculus poliocephalus
Madagascar Cuckoo, Cuculus rochii
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Cercococcyx mechowi
Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, Cercococcyx olivinus
Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Cercococcyx montanus
Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx flavigularis
Klaas' Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx klaas
African Emerald Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx cupreus
Dideric Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius
Yellowbill, Ceuthmochares aereus
Black Coucal, Centropus grillii
Black-throated Coucal, Centropus leucogaster
Gabon Coucal, Centropus anselli
Blue-headed Coucal, Centropus monachus
Coppery-tailed Coucal, Centropus cupreicaudus
Senegal Coucal, Centropus senegalensis
White-browed Coucal, Centropus superciliosus
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus
Barn-Owls
Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
● African Grass Owl, Tyto capensis

Barn Owl, Tyto alba
Owls
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
● Congo Bay Owl, Phodilus prigoginei

Sandy Scops Owl, Otus icterorhynchus
Sokoke Scops Owl, Otus ireneae
Pallid Scops Owl, Otus brucei
African Scops Owl, Otus senegalensis
European Scops Owl, Otus scops
Pemba Scops Owl, Otus pembaensis
Sao Tome Scops Owl, Otus hartlaubi
Northern White-faced Owl, Ptilopsis leucotis
Southern White-faced Owl, Ptilopsis granti
Eurasian Eagle Owl, Bubo bubo
Pharaoh Eagle Owl, Bubo ascalaphus
Cape Eagle Owl, Bubo capensis
Spotted Eagle Owl, Bubo africanus
Greyish Eagle Owl, Bubo cinerascens
Fraser's Eagle Owl, Bubo poensis
Usambara Eagle Owl, Bubo vosseleri
Shelley's Eagle Owl, Bubo shelleyi
Verreaux's Eagle Owl, Bubo lacteus
Akun Eagle Owl, Bubo leucostictus
Pel's Fishing Owl, Scotopelia peli
Rufous Fishing Owl, Scotopelia ussheri
Vermiculated Fishing Owl, Scotopelia bouvieri
Tawny Owl, Strix aluco
Hume's Owl, Strix butleri
African Wood Owl, Strix woodfordii
Maned Owl, Jubula lettii
Northern Hawk Owl, Surnia ulula
Pearl-spotted Owlet, Glaucidium perlatum
Red-chested Owlet, Glaucidium tephronotum
Sjostedt's Owlet, Glaucidium sjostedti
African Barred Owlet, Glaucidium capense
Chestnut Owlet, Glaucidium castaneum
Albertine Owlet, Glaucidium albertinum
Little Owl, Athene noctua
Northern Long-eared Owl, Asio otus
African Long-eared Owl, Asio abyssinicus
Short-eared Owl, Asio flammeus
Marsh Owl, Asio capensis
Nightjars
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
● Brown Nightjar, Caprimulgus binotatus

Red-necked Nightjar, Caprimulgus ruficollis
Eurasian Nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
Sombre Nightjar, Caprimulgus fraenatus
Rufous-cheeked Nightjar, Caprimulgus rufigena
Egyptian Nightjar, Caprimulgus aegyptius
Golden Nightjar, Caprimulgus eximius
Donaldson-Smith's Nightjar, Caprimulgus donaldsoni
Black-shouldered Nightjar, Caprimulgus nigriscapularis
Fiery-necked Nightjar, Caprimulgus pectoralis
Abyssinian Nightjar, Caprimulgus poliocephalus
Montane Nightjar, Caprimulgus ruwenzorii
Swamp Nightjar, Caprimulgus natalensis
Star-spotted Nightjar, Caprimulgus stellatus
Nechisar Nightjar, Caprimulgus solala
Freckled Nightjar, Caprimulgus tristigma
Itombwe Nightjar, Caprimulgus prigoginei
Bates' Nightjar, Caprimulgus batesi
Long-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus climacurus
Slender-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus clarus
Square-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus fossii
Pennant-winged Nightjar, Macrodipteryx vexillarius
Standard-winged Nightjar, Macrodipteryx longipennis
Swifts
Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae
● Scarce Swift, Schoutedenapus myoptilus

Schouteden's Swift, Schoutedenapus schoutedeni
Sao Tome Spinetail, Zoonavena thomensis
Mottled Spinetail, Telacanthura ussheri
Black Spinetail, Telacanthura melanopygia
Sabine's Spinetail, Rhaphidura sabini
Cassin's Spinetail, Neafrapus cassini
Bat-like Spinetail, Neafrapus boehmi
Chimney Swift, Chaetura pelagica
Alpine Swift, Tachymarptis melba
Mottled Swift, Tachymarptis aequatorialis
Plain Swift, Apus unicolor
Nyanza Swift, Apus niansae
African Swift, Apus barbatus
Forbes-Watson's Swift, Apus berliozi
Bradfield's Swift, Apus bradfieldi
Horus Swift, Apus horus
Bates' Swift, Apus batesi
Mousebirds
Order: Coliiformes Family: Coliidae
● Speckled Mousebird, Colius striatus

White-headed Mousebird, Colius leucocephalus
Red-backed Mousebird, Colius castanotus
White-backed Mousebird, Colius colius
Blue-naped Mousebird, Urocolius macrourus
Red-faced Mousebird, Urocolius indicus
Trogons
Order: Trogoniformes Family: Trogonidae
● Narina Trogon, Apaloderma narina

Bare-cheeked Trogon, Apaloderma aequatoriale
Bar-tailed Trogon, Apaloderma vittatum
Kingfishers
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae

● Common Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis
Half-collared Kingfisher, Alcedo semitorquata
Shining-blue Kingfisher, Alcedo quadribrachys
Malachite Kingfisher, Alcedo cristata
White-bellied Kingfisher, Alcedo leucogaster
African Pygmy Kingfisher, Ispidina picta
Dwarf Kingfisher, Ispidina lecontei
Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Halcyon badia
White-throated Kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis
Grey-headed Kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala
Woodland Kingfisher, Halcyon senegalensis
Mangrove Kingfisher, Halcyon senegaloides
Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Halcyon malimbica
Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Halcyon albiventris
Striped Kingfisher, Halcyon chelicuti
Collared Kingfisher, Todiramphus chloris
Giant Kingfisher, Megaceryle maximus
Pied Kingfisher, Ceryle rudis
Bee-eaters
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Meropidae
● Black Bee-eater, Merops gularis

Blue-headed Bee-eater, Merops muelleri
Red-throated Bee-eater, Merops bulocki
White-fronted Bee-eater, Merops bullockoides
Little Bee-eater, Merops pusillus
Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Merops variegatus
Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Merops oreobates
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Merops hirundineus
Black-headed Bee-eater, Merops breweri
Somali Bee-eater, Merops revoilii
White-throated Bee-eater, Merops albicollis
Green Bee-eater, Merops orientalis
Boehm's Bee-eater, Merops boehmi
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Merops persicus
Madagascar Bee-eater, Merops superciliosus
European Bee-eater, Merops apiaster
Rosy Bee-eater, Merops malimbicus
Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Merops nubicus
Southern Carmine Bee-eater, Merops nubicoides
Rollers
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae
● European Roller, Coracias garrulus

Abyssinian Roller, Coracias abyssinicus
Lilac-breasted Roller, Coracias caudatus
Racket-tailed Roller, Coracias spatulatus
Rufous-crowned Roller, Coracias noevius
Indian Roller, Coracias benghalensis
Blue-bellied Roller, Coracias cyanogaster
Broad-billed Roller, Eurystomus glaucurus
Blue-throated Roller, Eurystomus gularis
Hoopoe
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Upupidae
● Eurasian Hoopoe, Upupa epops
Woodhoopoes
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Phoeniculidae
● Green Woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus purpureus

Violet Woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus damarensis
Black-billed Woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus somaliensis
White-headed Woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus bollei
Forest Woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus castaneiceps
Black Scimitar-bill, Rhinopomastus aterrimus
Common Scimitar-bill, Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
Abyssinian Scimitar-bill, Rhinopomastus minor
Hornbills
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Bucerotidae
● White-crested Hornbill, Tockus albocristatus

Black Dwarf Hornbill, Tockus hartlaubi
Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Tockus camurus
Monteiro's Hornbill, Tockus monteiri
Red-billed Hornbill, Tockus erythrorhynchus
Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Tockus flavirostris
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Tockus leucomelas
Jackson's Hornbill, Tockus jacksoni
Von der Decken's Hornbill, Tockus deckeni
Crowned Hornbill, Tockus alboterminatus
Bradfield's Hornbill, Tockus bradfieldi
African Pied Hornbill, Tockus fasciatus
Hemprich's Hornbill, Tockus hemprichii
African Grey Hornbill, Tockus nasutus
Pale-billed Hornbill, Tockus pallidirostris
Trumpeter Hornbill, Ceratogymna bucinator
Piping Hornbill, Ceratogymna fistulator
Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Ceratogymna brevis
Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Ceratogymna subcylindrica
Brown-cheeked Hornbill, Ceratogymna cylindrica
White-thighed Hornbill, Ceratogymna albotibialis
Black-casqued Hornbill, Ceratogymna atrata
Yellow-casqued Hornbill, Ceratogymna elata
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Bucorvus abyssinicus
Southern Ground Hornbill, Bucorvus leadbeateri
Barbets
Order: Piciformes Family: Capitonidae
● Naked-faced Barbet, Gymnobucco calvus

Bristle-nosed Barbet, Gymnobucco peli
Sladen's Barbet, Gymnobucco sladeni
Grey-throated Barbet, Gymnobucco bonapartei
White-eared Barbet, Stactolaema leucotis
Anchieta's Barbet, Stactolaema anchietae
Whyte's Barbet, Stactolaema whytii
Green Barbet, Stactolaema olivacea
Speckled Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus scolopaceus
Western Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus coryphaeus
Moustached Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus leucomystax
Green Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus simplex
Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus atroflavus
Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus subsulphureus
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus bilineatus
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus chrysoconus
Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus pusillus
Yellow-spotted Barbet, Buccanodon duchaillui
Hairy-breasted Barbet, Tricholaema hirsuta
Red-fronted Barbet, Tricholaema diademata
Miombo Barbet, Tricholaema frontata
Pied Barbet, Tricholaema leucomelas
Spot-flanked Barbet, Tricholaema lachrymosa
Black-throated Barbet, Tricholaema melanocephala
Banded Barbet, Lybius undatus
Vieillot's Barbet, Lybius vieilloti
White-headed Barbet, Lybius leucocephalus
Chaplin's Barbet, Lybius chaplini
Red-faced Barbet, Lybius rubrifacies
Black-billed Barbet, Lybius guifsobalito
Black-collared Barbet, Lybius torquatus
Brown-breasted Barbet, Lybius melanopterus
Black-backed Barbet, Lybius minor
Double-toothed Barbet, Lybius bidentatus
Bearded Barbet, Lybius dubius
Black-breasted Barbet, Lybius rolleti
Yellow-billed Barbet, Trachyphonus purpuratus
Crested Barbet, Trachyphonus vaillantii
Yellow-breasted Barbet, Trachyphonus margaritatus
Red-and-yellow Barbet, Trachyphonus erythrocephalus
D'Arnaud's Barbet, Trachyphonus darnaudii
Honeyguides
Order: Piciformes Family: Indicatoridae
● Spotted Honeyguide, Indicator maculatus

Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Indicator variegatus
Greater Honeyguide, Indicator indicator
Lesser Honeyguide, Indicator minor
Thick-billed Honeyguide, Indicator conirostris
Willcock's Honeyguide, Indicator willcocksi
Least Honeyguide, Indicator exilis
Dwarf Honeyguide, Indicator pumilio
Pallid Honeyguide, Indicator meliphilus
Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, Melichneutes robustus
Yellow-footed Honeyguide, Melignomon eisentrauti
Zenker's Honeyguide, Melignomon zenkeri
Cassin's Honeyguide, Prodotiscus insignis
Green-backed Honeyguide, Prodotiscus zambesiae
Wahlberg's Honeyguide, Prodotiscus regulus
Woodpeckers and allies

Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae
● Eurasian Wryneck, Jynx torquilla

Rufous-necked Wryneck, Jynx ruficollis
African Piculet, Sasia africana
Fine-spotted Woodpecker, Campethera punctuligera
Nubian Woodpecker, Campethera nubica
Bennett's Woodpecker, Campethera bennettii
Reichenow's Woodpecker, Campethera scriptoricauda
Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Campethera abingoni
Mombasa Woodpecker, Campethera mombassica
Knysna Woodpecker, Campethera notata
Little Green Woodpecker, Campethera maculosa
Green-backed Woodpecker, Campethera cailliautii
Tullberg's Woodpecker, Campethera tullbergi
Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Campethera nivosa
Brown-eared Woodpecker, Campethera caroli
Ground Woodpecker, Geocolaptes olivaceus
Little Grey Woodpecker, Dendropicos elachus
Speckle-breasted Woodpecker, Dendropicos poecilolaemus
Abyssinian Woodpecker, Dendropicos abyssinicus
Cardinal Woodpecker, Dendropicos fuscescens
Gabon Woodpecker, Dendropicos gabonensis
Melancholy Woodpecker, Dendropicos lugubris
Stierling's Woodpecker, Dendropicos stierlingi
Bearded Woodpecker, Dendropicos namaquus
Fire-bellied Woodpecker, Dendropicos pyrrhogaster
Golden-crowned Woodpecker, Dendropicos xantholophus
Elliot's Woodpecker, Dendropicos elliotii
Grey Woodpecker, Dendropicos goertae
Grey-headed Woodpecker, Dendropicos spodocephalus
Olive Woodpecker, Dendropicos griseocephalus
Brown-backed Woodpecker, Dendropicos obsoletus
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos minor
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos major
Syrian Woodpecker, Dendrocopos syriacus
Levaillant's Woodpecker, Picus vaillantii
Broadbills
Order: Passeriformes Family: Eurylaimidae
● African Broadbill, Smithornis capensis

Grey-headed Broadbill, Smithornis sharpei
Rufous-sided Broadbill, Smithornis rufolateralis
Grauer's Broadbill, Pseudocalyptomena graueri
Pittas
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pittidae
● African Pitta, Pitta angolensis

Green-breasted Pitta, Pitta reichenowi
Larks
Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae
● Monotonous Lark, Mirafra passerina

Singing Bushlark, Mirafra cantillans
Latakoo Lark, Mirafra cheniana
White-tailed Lark, Mirafra albicauda
Kordofan Lark, Mirafra cordofanica
Williams' Lark, Mirafra williamsi
Friedmann's Lark, Mirafra pulpa
Red-winged Lark, Mirafra hypermetra
Somali Long-billed Lark, Mirafra somalica
Ash's Lark, Mirafra ashi
Angola Lark, Mirafra angolensis
Rufous-naped Lark, Mirafra africana
Flappet Lark, Mirafra rufocinnamomea
Cape Clapper Lark, Mirafra apiata
Eastern Clapper Lark, Mirafra fasciolata
Collared Lark, Mirafra collaris
Gillett's Lark, Mirafra gilletti
Degodi Lark, Mirafra degodiensis
Rusty Lark, Mirafra rufa
Fawn-colored Lark, Calendulauda africanoides
Foxy Lark, Calendulauda alopex
Pink-breasted Lark, Calendulauda poecilosterna
Dune Lark, Calendulauda erythrochlamys
Karoo Lark, Calendulauda albescens
Barlow's Lark, Calendulauda barlowi
Ferruginous Lark, Calendulauda burra
Sabota Lark, Calendulauda sabota
Rufous-rumped Lark, Pinarocorys erythropygia
Dusky Lark, Pinarocorys nigricans
Archer's Lark, Heteromirafra archeri
Sidamo Lark, Heteromirafra sidamoensis
Rudd's Lark, Heteromirafra ruddi
Cape Lark, Certhilauda curvirostris
Algulhas Lark, Certhilauda brevirostris
Eastern Long-billed Lark, Certhilauda semitorquata
Karoo Long-billed Lark, Certhilauda subcoronata
Benguela Lark, Certhilauda benguelensis
Short-clawed Lark, Certhilauda chuana
Spike-heeled Lark, Chersomanes albofasciata
Beesley's Lark, Chersomanes beesleyi
Black-eared Sparrow Lark, Eremopterix australis
Chestnut-backed Sparrow Lark, Eremopterix leucotis
Black-crowned Sparrow Lark, Eremopterix nigriceps
Grey-backed Sparrow Lark, Eremopterix verticalis
Chestnut-headed Sparrow Lark, Eremopterix signatus
Fischer's Sparrow Lark, Eremopterix leucopareia
Bar-tailed Lark, Ammomanes cinctura
Desert Lark, Ammomanes deserti
Gray's Lark, Ammomanopsis grayi
Greater Hoopoe Lark, Alaemon alaudipes
Lesser Hoopoe Lark, Alaemon hamertoni
Thick-billed Lark, Ramphocoris clotbey
Calandra Lark, Melanocorypha calandra
Bimaculated Lark, Melanocorypha bimaculata
Greater Short-toed Lark, Calandrella brachydactyla
Blanford's Lark, Calandrella blanfordi
Erlanger's Lark, Calandrella erlangeri
Lesser Short-toed Lark, Calandrella rufescens
Red-capped Lark, Calandrella cinerea
Somali Short-toed Lark, Calandrella somalica
Pink-billed Lark, Spizocorys conirostris
Stark's Lark, Spizocorys starki
Botha's Lark, Spizocorys fringillaris
Sclater's Lark, Spizocorys sclateri
Obbia Lark, Spizocorys obbiensis
Masked Lark, Spizocorys personata
Dunn's Lark, Eremalauda dunni
Dupont's Lark, Chersophilus duponti
Crested Lark, Galerida cristata
Thekla Lark, Galerida theklae
Sun Lark, Galerida modesta
Large-billed Lark, Galerida magnirostris
Short-tailed Lark, Pseudalaemon fremantlii
Wood Lark, Lullula arborea
Sky Lark, Alauda arvensis
Oriental Skylark, Alauda gulgula
Horned Lark, Eremophila alpestris
Temminck's Lark, Eremophila bilopha
Swallows
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
● African River Martin, Pseudochelidon eurystomina

Bank Swallow, Riparia riparia
Plain Martin, Riparia paludicola
Congo Martin, Riparia congica
Banded Martin, Riparia cincta
Mascarene Martin, Phedina borbonica
Brazza's Martin, Phedina brazzae
Red Sea Swallow, Petrochelidon perdita
Preuss' Swallow, Petrochelidon preussi
Red-throated Swallow, Petrochelidon rufigula
South African Swallow, Petrochelidon spilodera
Forest Swallow, Petrochelidon fuliginosa
Grey-rumped Swallow, Pseudhirundo griseopyga
Eurasian Crag Martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris
Rock Martin, Ptyonoprogne fuligula
Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica
Red-chested Swallow, Hirundo lucida
Ethiopian Swallow, Hirundo aethiopica
Angola Swallow, Hirundo angolensis
White-throated Swallow, Hirundo albigularis
Wire-tailed Swallow, Hirundo smithii
White-throated Blue Swallow, Hirundo nigrita
Black-and-rufous Swallow, Hirundo nigrorufa
Blue Swallow, Hirundo atrocaerulea
Pied-winged Swallow, Hirundo leucosoma
White-tailed Swallow, Hirundo megaensis
Pearl-breasted Swallow, Hirundo dimidiata
Greater Striped Swallow, Cecropis cucullata
Lesser Striped Swallow, Cecropis abyssinica
Rufous-chested Swallow, Cecropis semirufa
Mosque Swallow, Cecropis senegalensis
Red-rumped Swallow, Cecropis daurica
House Martin, Delichon urbicum
Square-tailed Sawwing, Psalidoprocne nitens
Mountain Sawwing, Psalidoprocne fuliginosa
White-headed Sawwing, Psalidoprocne albiceps
Black Sawwing, Psalidoprocne pristoptera
Fanti Sawwing, Psalidoprocne obscura
Wagtails and pipits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae
● White Wagtail, Motacilla alba

African Pied Wagtail, Motacilla aguimp
Cape Wagtail, Motacilla capensis
Citrine Wagtail, Motacilla citreola
Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla flava
Grey Wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
Mountain Wagtail, Motacilla clara
Golden Pipit, Tmetothylacus tenellus
Yellow-throated Longclaw, Macronyx croceus
Fuelleborn's Longclaw, Macronyx fuelleborni
Abyssinian Longclaw, Macronyx flavicollis
Orange-throated Longclaw, Macronyx capensis
Rosy-throated Longclaw, Macronyx ameliae
Pangani Longclaw, Macronyx aurantiigula
Grimwood's Longclaw, Macronyx grimwoodi
Sharpe's Longclaw, Hemimacronyx sharpei
Yellow-breasted Pipit, Hemimacronyx chloris
Striped Pipit, Anthus lineiventris
Yellow-tufted Pipit, Anthus crenatus
Mountain Pipit, Anthus hoeschi
Jackson's Pipit, Anthus latistriatus
Plain-backed Pipit, Anthus leucophrys
Long-tailed Pipit, Anthus longicaudatus
Richard's Pipit, Anthus richardi
Buffy Pipit, Anthus vaalensis
African Pipit, Anthus cinnamomeus
Long-legged Pipit, Anthus pallidiventris
Malindi Pipit, Anthus melindae
Kimberley Pipit, Anthus pseudosimilis
Tawny Pipit, Anthus campestris
Long-billed Pipit, Anthus similis
Woodland Pipit, Anthus nyassae
Berthelot's Pipit, Anthus berthelotii
Short-tailed Pipit, Anthus brachyurus
Bush Pipit, Anthus caffer
Sokoke Pipit, Anthus sokokensis
Tree Pipit, Anthus trivialis
Olive-backed Pipit, Anthus hodgsoni
Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis
Red-throated Pipit, Anthus cervinus
Rock Pipit, Anthus petrosus
Water Pipit, Anthus spinoletta
American Pipit, Anthus rubescens
Cuckoo-shrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Campephagidae
● White-breasted Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina pectoralis

Blue Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina azurea
Grey Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina caesia
Grauer's Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina graueri
Petit's Cuckoo-shrike, Campephaga petiti
Black Cuckoo-shrike, Campephaga flava
Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike, Campephaga phoenicea
Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike, Campephaga quiscalina
Ghana Cuckoo-shrike, Campephaga lobata
Oriole Cuckoo-shrike, Campephaga oriolina
Bulbuls
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pycnonotidae
● Common Bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus

Black-fronted Bulbul, Pycnonotus nigricans
Cape Bulbul, Pycnonotus capensis
White-spectacled Bulbul, Pycnonotus xanthopygos
Cameroon Mountain Greenbul, Andropadus montanus
Shelley's Greenbul, Andropadus masukuensis
Little Greenbul, Andropadus virens
Grey Greenbul, Andropadus gracilis
Ansorge's Greenbul, Andropadus ansorgei
Plain Greenbul, Andropadus curvirostris
Slender-billed Greenbul, Andropadus gracilirostris
Sombre Greenbul, Andropadus importunus
Yellow-whiskered Bulbul, Andropadus latirostris
Western Mountain Greenbul, Andropadus tephrolaemus
Eastern Mountain Greenbul, Andropadus nigriceps
Stripe-cheeked Bulbul, Andropadus milanjensis
Golden Greenbul, Calyptocichla serina
Honeyguide Greenbul, Baeopogon indicator
Sjostedt's Greenbul, Baeopogon clamans
Spotted Greenbul, Ixonotus guttatus
Simple Greenbul, Chlorocichla simplex
Yellow-throated Greenbul, Chlorocichla flavicollis
Yellow-necked Greenbul, Chlorocichla falkensteini
Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Chlorocichla flaviventris
Joyful Greenbul, Chlorocichla laetissima
Prigogine's Greenbul, Chlorocichla prigoginei
Swamp Greenbul, Thescelocichla leucopleura
Leaf-love, Phyllastrephus scandens
Cabanis' Greenbul, Phyllastrephus cabanisi
Fischer's Greenbul, Phyllastrephus fischeri
Terrestrial Brownbul, Phyllastrephus terrestris
Northern Brownbul, Phyllastrephus strepitans
Pale-olive Greenbul, Phyllastrephus fulviventris
Grey-olive Greenbul, Phyllastrephus cerviniventris
Baumann's Greenbul, Phyllastrephus baumanni
Toro Olive Greenbul, Phyllastrephus hypochloris
Cameroon Olive Greenbul, Phyllastrephus poensis
Sassi's Greenbul, Phyllastrephus lorenzi
Yellow-streaked Bulbul, Phyllastrephus flavostriatus
Grey-headed Greenbul, Phyllastrephus poliocephalus
Tiny Greenbul, Phyllastrephus debilis
White-throated Greenbul, Phyllastrephus albigularis
Icterine Greenbul, Phyllastrephus icterinus
Liberian Greenbul, Phyllastrephus leucolepis
Xavier's Greenbul, Phyllastrephus xavieri
Common Bristlebill, Bleda syndactylus
Green-tailed Bristlebill, Bleda eximius
Lesser Bristlebill, Bleda notatus
Grey-headed Bristlebill, Bleda canicapillus
Yellow-spotted Nicator, Nicator chloris
Eastern Nicator, Nicator gularis
Yellow-throated Nicator, Nicator vireo
Red-tailed Greenbul, Criniger calurus
Western Bearded Greenbul, Criniger barbatus
Eastern Bearded Greenbul, Criniger chloronotus
Yellow-bearded Greenbul, Criniger olivaceus
White-bearded Greenbul, Criniger ndussumensis
Black-collared Bulbul, Neolestes torquatus
Kinglets
Order: Passeriformes Family: Regulidae
● Goldcrest, Regulus regulus

Canary Islands Kinglet, Regulus teneriffae
Firecrest, Regulus ignicapilla
Waxwing
Order: Passeriformes Family: Bombycillidae
● Bohemian Waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus
Hypocolius
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hypocoliidae
● Hypocolius, Hypocolius ampelinus

Dipper
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cinclidae
● White-throated Dipper, Cinclus cinclus
Wren
Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae
● Winter Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes
Accentors
Order: Passeriformes Family: Prunellidae
● Alpine Accentor, Prunella collaris

● Dunnock, Prunella modularis
Thrushes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
● Rufous Flycatcher Thrush, Neocossyphus fraseri

Finsch's Flycatcher Thrush, Neocossyphus finschii
Red-tailed Ant Thrush, Neocossyphus rufus
White-tailed Ant Thrush, Neocossyphus poensis
Cape Rock Thrush, Monticola rupestris
Sentinel Rock Thrush, Monticola explorator
Short-toed Rock Thrush, Monticola brevipes
Miombo Rock Thrush, Monticola angolensis
Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Monticola saxatilis
Little Rock Thrush, Monticola rufocinereus
Blue Rock Thrush, Monticola solitarius
Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Zoothera piaggiae
Kivu Ground Thrush, Zoothera tanganjicae
Crossley's Ground Thrush, Zoothera crossleyi
Orange Ground Thrush, Zoothera gurneyi
Black-eared Ground Thrush, Zoothera cameronensis
Grey Ground Thrush, Zoothera princei
Oberlaender's Ground Thrush, Zoothera oberlaenderi
Spotted Ground Thrush, Zoothera guttata
Groundscraper Thrush, Psophocichla litsipsirupa
Olive Thrush, Turdus olivaceus
Olivaceous Thrush, Turdus olivaceofuscus
Kurrichane Thrush, Turdus libonyanus
African Thrush, Turdus pelios
African Bare-eyed Thrush, Turdus tephronotus
Ring Ouzel, Turdus torquatus
Eurasian Blackbird, Turdus merula
Dark-throated Thrush, Turdus ruficollis
Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris
Redwing, Turdus iliacus
Song Thrush, Turdus philomelos
Mistle Thrush, Turdus viscivorus
Brown-chested Alethe, Alethe poliocephala
Red-throated Alethe, Alethe poliophrys
Cholo Alethe, Alethe choloensis
White-chested Alethe, Alethe fuelleborni
Fire-crested Alethe, Alethe diademata
Cisticolas and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Cisticolidae
● Red-faced Cisticola, Cisticola erythrops

Singing Cisticola, Cisticola cantans
Whistling Cisticola, Cisticola lateralis
Chattering Cisticola, Cisticola anonymus
Trilling Cisticola, Cisticola woosnami
Bubbling Cisticola, Cisticola bulliens
Chubb's Cisticola, Cisticola chubbi
Hunter's Cisticola, Cisticola hunteri
Black-lored Cisticola, Cisticola nigriloris
Rock-loving Cisticola, Cisticola aberrans
Boran Cisticola, Cisticola bodessa
Rattling Cisticola, Cisticola chiniana
Ashy Cisticola, Cisticola cinereolus
Red-pate Cisticola, Cisticola ruficeps
Dorst's Cisticola, Cisticola dorsti
Grey Cisticola, Cisticola rufilatus
Red-headed Cisticola, Cisticola subruficapilla
Wailing Cisticola, Cisticola lais
Tana River Cisticola, Cisticola restrictus
Churring Cisticola, Cisticola njombe
Winding Cisticola, Cisticola galactotes
Chirping Cisticola, Cisticola pipiens
Carruthers' Cisticola, Cisticola carruthersi
Tinkling Cisticola, Cisticola tinniens
Stout Cisticola, Cisticola robustus
Croaking Cisticola, Cisticola natalensis
Piping Cisticola, Cisticola fulvicapilla
Aberdare Cisticola, Cisticola aberdare
Tabora Cisticola, Cisticola angusticauda
Slender-tailed Cisticola, Cisticola melanurus
Siffling Cisticola, Cisticola brachypterus
Rufous Cisticola, Cisticola rufus
Foxy Cisticola, Cisticola troglodytes
Tiny Cisticola, Cisticola nanus
Zitting Cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
Socotra Cisticola, Cisticola haesitatus
Desert Cisticola, Cisticola aridulus
Cloud Cisticola, Cisticola textrix
Black-necked Cisticola, Cisticola eximius
Cloud-scraping Cisticola, Cisticola dambo
Pectoral-patch Cisticola, Cisticola brunnescens
Pale-crowned Cisticola, Cisticola cinnamomeus
Wing-snapping Cisticola, Cisticola ayresii
Socotra Warbler, Incana incanus
Streaked Scrub Warbler, Scotocerca inquieta
Graceful Prinia, Prinia gracilis
Tawny-flanked Prinia, Prinia subflava
Pale Prinia, Prinia somalica
River Prinia, Prinia fluviatilis
Black-chested Prinia, Prinia flavicans
Karoo Prinia, Prinia maculosa
Drakensberg Prinia, Prinia hypoxantha
Namaqua Prinia, Prinia substriata
Sao Tome Prinia, Prinia molleri
Roberts' Prinia, Prinia robertsi
Banded Prinia, Prinia bairdii
Red-winged Prinia, Prinia erythroptera
Sierra Leone Prinia, Schistolais leontica
White-chinned Prinia, Schistolais leucopogon
Rufous-eared Warbler, Malcorus pectoralis
Red-winged Grey Warbler, Drymocichla incana
Green Longtail, Urolais epichlorus
Cricket Longtail, Spiloptila clamans
Black-collared Apalis, Apalis pulchra
Ruwenzori Apalis, Apalis ruwenzorii
Bar-throated Apalis, Apalis thoracica
Black-capped Apalis, Apalis nigriceps
Black-throated Apalis, Apalis jacksoni
White-winged Apalis, Apalis chariessa
Masked Apalis, Apalis binotata
Black-faced Apalis, Apalis personata
Yellow-breasted Apalis, Apalis flavida
Rudd's Apalis, Apalis ruddi
Sharpe's Apalis, Apalis sharpii
Buff-throated Apalis, Apalis rufogularis
Bamenda Apalis, Apalis bamendae
Gosling's Apalis, Apalis goslingi
Chestnut-throated Apalis, Apalis porphyrolaema
Chapin's Apalis, Apalis chapini
Black-headed Apalis, Apalis melanocephala
Chirinda Apalis, Apalis chirindensis
Grey Apalis, Apalis cinerea
Brown-headed Apalis, Apalis alticola
Karamoja Apalis, Apalis karamojae
Red-fronted Warbler, Urorhipis rufifrons
Oriole Warbler, Hypergerus atriceps
Grey-capped Warbler, Eminia lepida
Green-backed Camaroptera, Camaroptera brachyura
Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Camaroptera superciliaris
Olive-green Camaroptera, Camaroptera chloronota
Miombo Wren Warbler, Calamonastes undosus
Grey Wren Warbler, Calamonastes simplex
Barred Wren Warbler, Calamonastes fasciolatus
Kopje Warbler, Euryptila subcinnamomea
Old World warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae
● Cetti's Warbler, Cettia cetti

African Bush Warbler, Bradypterus baboecala
Ja River Scrub Warbler, Bradypterus grandis
White-winged Scrub Warbler, Bradypterus carpalis
Grauer's Scrub Warbler, Bradypterus graueri
Bamboo Scrub Warbler, Bradypterus alfredi
Knysna Scrub Warbler, Bradypterus sylvaticus
Cameroon Scrub Warbler, Bradypterus lopezi
African Scrub Warbler, Bradypterus barratti
Bangwa Scrub Warbler, Bradypterus bangwaensis
Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Bradypterus cinnamomeus
Victorin's Scrub Warbler, Bradypterus victorini
Black-capped Rufous Warbler, Bathmocercus cerviniventris
Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Bathmocercus rufus
Mrs. Moreau's Warbler, Sceptomycter winifredae
Moustached Grass Warbler, Melocichla mentalis
Cape Grassbird, Sphenoeacus afer
Grasshopper Warbler, Locustella naevia
Eurasian River Warbler, Locustella fluviatilis
Savi's Warbler, Locustella luscinioides
Moustached Warbler, Acrocephalus melanopogon
Aquatic Warbler, Acrocephalus paludicola
Sedge Warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Eurasian Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
African Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus baeticatus
Marsh Warbler, Acrocephalus palustris
Great Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Clamorous Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus stentoreus
Basra Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus griseldis
Greater Swamp Warbler, Acrocephalus rufescens
Lesser Swamp Warbler, Acrocephalus gracilirostris
Thick-billed Warbler, Acrocephalus aedon
Booted Warbler, Hippolais caligata
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Hippolais pallida
Western Olivaceous Warbler, Hippolais opaca
Upcher's Warbler, Hippolais languida
Olive-tree Warbler, Hippolais olivetorum
Melodious Warbler, Hippolais polyglotta
Icterine Warbler, Hippolais icterina
African Yellow Warbler, Chloropeta natalensis
Mountain Yellow Warbler, Chloropeta similis
Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Chloropeta gracilirostris
Buff-bellied Warbler, Phyllolais pulchella
African Tailorbird, Orthotomus metopias
Long-billed Tailorbird, Orthotomus moreaui
White-tailed Warbler, Poliolais lopezi
Grauer's Warbler, Graueria vittata
Salvadori's Eremomela, Eremomela salvadorii
Yellow-vented Eremomela, Eremomela flavicrissalis
Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Eremomela icteropygialis
Senegal Eremomela, Eremomela pusilla
Green-backed Eremomela, Eremomela canescens
Greencap Eremomela, Eremomela scotops
Yellow-rumped Eremomela, Eremomela gregalis
Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Eremomela badiceps
Turner's Eremomela, Eremomela turneri
Black-necked Eremomela, Eremomela atricollis
Burnt-neck Eremomela, Eremomela usticollis
Green Crombec, Sylvietta virens
Lemon-bellied Crombec, Sylvietta denti
White-browed Crombec, Sylvietta leucophrys
Northern Crombec, Sylvietta brachyura
Short-billed Crombec, Sylvietta philippae
Red-capped Crombec, Sylvietta ruficapilla
Red-faced Crombec, Sylvietta whytii
Somali Crombec, Sylvietta isabellina
Cape Crombec, Sylvietta rufescens
Neumann's Warbler, Hemitesia neumanni
Kemp's Longbill, Macrosphenus kempi
Yellow Longbill, Macrosphenus flavicans
Grey Longbill, Macrosphenus concolor
Pulitzer's Longbill, Macrosphenus pulitzeri
Kretschmer's Longbill, Macrosphenus kretschmeri
Bocage's Longbill or São Tomé Short-tail, Amaurocichla bocagei
Green Hylia, Hylia prasina
Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Phylloscopus laetus
Laura's Wood Warbler, Phylloscopus laurae
Yellow-throated Wood Warbler, Phylloscopus ruficapilla
Uganda Wood Warbler, Phylloscopus budongoensis
Brown Woodland Warbler, Phylloscopus umbrovirens
Black-capped Woodland Warbler, Phylloscopus herberti
Willow Warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus
Canary Islands Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus canariensis
Common Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita
Iberian Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus ibericus
Western Bonelli's Warbler, Phylloscopus bonelli
Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, Phylloscopus orientalis
Wood Warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix
Dusky Warbler, Phylloscopus fuscatus
Lemon-rumped Warbler, Phylloscopus proregulus
Yellow-browed Warbler, Phylloscopus inornatus
Hume's Warbler, Phylloscopus humei
Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Hyliota flavigaster
Southern Hyliota, Hyliota australis
Usambara Hyliota, Hyliota usambarae
Violet-backed Hyliota, Hyliota violacea
Fan-tailed Grassbird, Schoenicola brevirostris
Blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla
Garden Warbler, Sylvia borin
Greater Whitethroat, Sylvia communis
Lesser Whitethroat, Sylvia curruca
Asian Desert Warbler, Sylvia nana
African Desert Warbler, Sylvia deserti
Barred Warbler, Sylvia nisoria
Western Orphean Warbler, Sylvia hortensis
Eastern Orphean Warbler, Sylvia crassirostris
Red Sea Warbler, Sylvia leucomelaena
Rueppell's Warbler, Sylvia rueppelli
Subalpine Warbler, Sylvia cantillans
Sardinian Warbler, Sylvia melanocephala
Cyprus Warbler, Sylvia melanothorax
Menetries' Warbler, Sylvia mystacea
Spectacled Warbler, Sylvia conspicillata
Tristram's Warbler, Sylvia deserticola
Dartford Warbler, Sylvia undata
Marmora's Warbler, Sylvia sarda
Layard's Warbler, Parisoma layardi
Rufous-vented Warbler, Parisoma subcaeruleum
Brown Warbler, Parisoma lugens
Banded Warbler, Parisoma boehmi
Old World flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae
● Silverbird, Empidornis semipartitus

Pale Flycatcher, Bradornis pallidus
Chat Flycatcher, Bradornis infuscatus
Mariqua Flycatcher, Bradornis mariquensis
African Grey Flycatcher, Bradornis microrhynchus
Angola Slaty Flycatcher, Melaenornis brunneus
White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, Melaenornis fischeri
Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, Melaenornis chocolatinus
Northern Black Flycatcher, Melaenornis edolioides
Southern Black Flycatcher, Melaenornis pammelaina
Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Melaenornis ardesiacus
Nimba Flycatcher, Melaenornis annamarulae
African Forest Flycatcher, Fraseria ocreata
White-browed Forest Flycatcher, Fraseria cinerascens
Fiscal Flycatcher, Sigelus silens
Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
Gambaga Flycatcher, Muscicapa gambagae
Ussher's Flycatcher, Muscicapa ussheri
Sooty Flycatcher, Muscicapa infuscata
Boehm's Flycatcher, Muscicapa boehmi
Swamp Flycatcher, Muscicapa aquatica
Olivaceous Flycatcher, Muscicapa olivascens
Chapin's Flycatcher, Muscicapa lendu
African Dusky Flycatcher, Muscicapa adusta
Little Grey Flycatcher, Muscicapa epulata
Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Muscicapa sethsmithi
Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Muscicapa comitata
Tessmann's Flycatcher, Muscicapa tessmanni
Cassin's Flycatcher, Muscicapa cassini
Ashy Flycatcher, Muscicapa caerulescens
Grey-throated Tit Flycatcher, Myioparus griseigularis
Grey Tit Flycatcher, Myioparus plumbeus
Fairy Flycatcher, Stenostira scita
European Pied Flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca
Atlas Flycatcher, Ficedula speculigera
Collared Flycatcher, Ficedula albicollis
Semicollared Flycatcher, Ficedula semitorquata
Red-breasted Flycatcher, Ficedula parva
Taiga Flycatcher, Ficedula albicilla
Dohrn's Flycatcher, Horizorhinus dohrni
White-starred Robin, Pogonocichla stellata
Swynnerton's Robin, Swynnertonia swynnertoni
Forest Robin, Stiphrornis erythrothorax
Bocage's Akalat, Sheppardia bocagei
Lowland Akalat, Sheppardia cyornithopsis
Equatorial Akalat, Sheppardia aequatorialis
Sharpe's Akalat, Sheppardia sharpei
East Coast Akalat, Sheppardia gunningi
Gabela Akalat, Sheppardia gabela
Usambara Akalat, Sheppardia montana
Iringa Akalat, Sheppardia lowei
Rubeho Akalat, Sheppardia aurantiithorax
European Robin, Erithacus rubecula
Thrush Nightingale, Luscinia luscinia
Common Nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos
Siberian Rubythroat, Luscinia calliope
Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica
White-throated Robin, Irania gutturalis
White-bellied Robin Chat, Cossyphicula roberti
Mountain Robin Chat, Cossypha isabellae
Archer's Robin Chat, Cossypha archeri
Olive-flanked Robin Chat, Cossypha anomala
Cape Robin Chat, Cossypha caffra
White-throated Robin Chat, Cossypha humeralis
Blue-shouldered Robin Chat, Cossypha cyanocampter
Grey-winged Robin Chat, Cossypha polioptera
Rueppell's Robin Chat, Cossypha semirufa
White-browed Robin Chat, Cossypha heuglini
Red-capped Robin Chat, Cossypha natalensis
Chorister Robin Chat, Cossypha dichroa
White-headed Robin Chat, Cossypha heinrichi
Snowy-crowned Robin Chat, Cossypha niveicapilla
White-crowned Robin Chat, Cossypha albicapilla
Angola Cave Chat, Xenocopsychus ansorgei
Collared Palm Thrush, Cichladusa arquata
Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush, Cichladusa ruficauda
Spotted Morning Thrush, Cichladusa guttata
Forest Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas leucosticta
Bearded Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas quadrivirgata
Miombo Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas barbata
Brown Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas signata
Brown-backed Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas hartlaubi
Red-backed Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas leucophrys
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas galactotes
Kalahari Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas paena
African Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas minor
Karoo Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas coryphaeus
Black Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas podobe
Herero Chat, Namibornis herero
Black Redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros
Common Redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Moussier's Redstart, Phoenicurus moussieri
White-winged Redstart, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus
Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
Canary Island Stonechat, Saxicola dacotiae
European Stonechat, Saxicola rubicola
African Stonechat, Saxicola torquatus
Buff-streaked Bushchat, Saxicola bifasciatus
White-tailed Wheatear, Oenanthe leucopyga
Hooded Wheatear, Oenanthe monacha
Black Wheatear, Oenanthe leucura
Mountain Wheatear, Oenanthe monticola
Somali Wheatear, Oenanthe phillipsi
Northern Wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
Mourning Wheatear, Oenanthe lugens
Finsch's Wheatear, Oenanthe finschii
Red-rumped Wheatear, Oenanthe moesta
Pied Wheatear, Oenanthe pleschanka
Cyprus Wheatear, Oenanthe cypriaca
Black-eared Wheatear, Oenanthe hispanica
Red-tailed Wheatear, Oenanthe xanthoprymna
Desert Wheatear, Oenanthe deserti
Capped Wheatear, Oenanthe pileata
Isabelline Wheatear, Oenanthe isabellina
Red-breasted Wheatear, Oenanthe bottae
Heuglin's Wheatear, Oenanthe heuglini
Sicklewing Chat, Cercomela sinuata
Karoo Chat, Cercomela schlegelii
Tractrac Chat, Cercomela tractrac
Familiar Chat, Cercomela familiaris
Brown-tailed Chat, Cercomela scotocerca
Sombre Chat, Cercomela dubia
Blackstart, Cercomela melanura
Moorland Chat, Cercomela sordida
Congo Moorchat, Myrmecocichla tholloni
Northern Anteater Chat, Myrmecocichla aethiops
Southern Anteater Chat, Myrmecocichla formicivora
Sooty Chat, Myrmecocichla nigra
Rueppell's Chat, Myrmecocichla melaena
White-fronted Black Chat, Myrmecocichla albifrons
White-headed Black Chat, Myrmecocichla arnotti
Mocking Cliff Chat, Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris
White-winged Cliff Chat, Thamnolaea semirufa
Boulder Chat, Pinarornis plumosus
Wattle-eyes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Platysteiridae
● African Shrike-flycatcher, Megabyas flammulatus

Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Bias musicus
Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Platysteira cyanea
White-fronted Wattle-eye, Platysteira albifrons
Black-throated Wattle-eye, Platysteira peltata
Banded Wattle-eye, Platysteira laticincta
Chestnut Wattle-eye, Platysteira castanea
White-spotted Wattle-eye, Platysteira tonsa
Red-cheeked Wattle-eye, Platysteira blissetti
Black-necked Wattle-eye, Platysteira chalybea
Jameson's Wattle-eye, Platysteira jamesoni
Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye, Platysteira concreta
Boulton's Batis, Batis margaritae
Short-tailed Batis, Batis mixta
Ruwenzori Batis, Batis diops
Cape Batis, Batis capensis
Woodward's Batis, Batis fratrum
Chinspot Batis, Batis molitor
Pale Batis, Batis soror
Pririt Batis, Batis pririt
Senegal Batis, Batis senegalensis
Grey-headed Batis, Batis orientalis
Black-headed Batis, Batis minor
Pygmy Batis, Batis perkeo
Verreaux's Batis, Batis minima
Ituri Batis, Batis ituriensis
Fernando Po Batis, Batis poensis
West African Batis, Batis occulta
Angola Batis, Batis minulla
White-tailed Shrike, Lanioturdus torquatus
Monarch flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Monarchidae
● Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Erythrocercus mccallii
Yellow Flycatcher, Erythrocercus holochlorus
Livingstone's Flycatcher, Erythrocercus livingstonei
African Blue Flycatcher, Elminia longicauda
White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Elminia albicauda
Dusky Crested Flycatcher, Elminia nigromitrata
White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Elminia albiventris
White-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Elminia albonotata
Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, Trochocercus nitens
African Crested Flycatcher, Trochocercus cyanomelas
Black-headed Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone rufiventer
Bedford's Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone bedfordi
Rufous-vented Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone rufocinerea
Bates' Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone batesi
African Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis
Sao Tome Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone atrochalybeia
Rockfowl
Order: Passeriformes Family: Picathartidae
● White-necked Rockfowl, Picathartes gymnocephalus

Grey-necked Rockfowl, Picathartes oreas
Babblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Timaliidae
● Spot-throat, Modulatrix stictigula

Dapple-throat, Arcanator orostruthus
Damara Rockjumper, Chaetops pycnopygius
Rufous Rockjumper, Chaetops frenatus
Orange-breasted Rockjumper, Chaetops aurantius
Blackcap Illadopsis, Illadopsis cleaveri
Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Illadopsis albipectus
Rufous-winged Illadopsis, Illadopsis rufescens
Puvel's Illadopsis, Illadopsis puveli
Pale-breasted Illadopsis, Illadopsis rufipennis
Brown Illadopsis, Illadopsis fulvescens
Mountain Illadopsis, Illadopsis pyrrhoptera
African Hill Babbler, Pseudoalcippe abyssinica
Grey-chested Illadopsis, Kakamega poliothorax
Thrush Babbler, Ptyrticus turdinus
Arabian Babbler, Turdoides squamiceps
Fulvous Chatterer, Turdoides fulva
Scaly Chatterer, Turdoides aylmeri
Rufous Chatterer, Turdoides rubiginosa
Blackcap Babbler, Turdoides reinwardtii
Dusky Babbler, Turdoides tenebrosa
Black-faced Babbler, Turdoides melanops
Black-lored Babbler, Turdoides sharpei
Scaly Babbler, Turdoides squamulata
White-rumped Babbler, Turdoides leucopygia
Hartlaub's Babbler, Turdoides hartlaubii
Southern Pied Babbler, Turdoides bicolor
Northern Pied Babbler, Turdoides hypoleuca
Hinde's Pied Babbler, Turdoides hindei
Cretzschmar's Babbler, Turdoides leucocephala
Brown Babbler, Turdoides plebejus
Arrow-marked Babbler, Turdoides jardineii
Bare-cheeked Babbler, Turdoides gymnogenys
Bush Blackcap, Lioptilus nigricapillus
White-throated Mountain Babbler, Kupeornis gilberti
Red-collared Mountain Babbler, Kupeornis rufocinctus
Chapin's Mountain Babbler, Kupeornis chapini
Abyssinian Catbird, Parophasma galinieri
Capuchin Babbler, Phyllanthus atripennis
Parrotbill
Order: Passeriformes Family: Paradoxornithidae
● Bearded Reedling, Panurus biarmicus
Long-tailed tit
Order: Passeriformes Family: Aegithalidae
● Long-tailed Tit, Aegithalos caudatus
Tits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae
● Coal Tit, Periparus ater

Crested Tit, Lophophanes cristatus
White-winged Black Tit, Melaniparus leucomelas
White-shouldered Black Tit, Melaniparus guineensis
Southern Black Tit, Melaniparus niger
Carp's Tit, Melaniparus carpi
White-bellied Tit, Melaniparus albiventris
White-backed Black Tit, Melaniparus leuconotus
Rufous-bellied Tit, Melaniparus rufiventris
Dusky Tit, Melaniparus funereus
Red-throated Tit, Melaniparus fringillinus
Stripe-breasted Tit, Melaniparus fasciiventer
Somali Tit, Melaniparus thruppi
Miombo Tit, Melaniparus griseiventris
Ashy Tit, Melaniparus cinerascens
Grey Tit, Melaniparus afer
Great Tit, Parus major
African Blue Tit, Cyanistes teneriffae
Nuthatches
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sittidae
● Eurasian Nuthatch, Sitta europaea

Algerian Nuthatch, Sitta ledanti
Wallcreeper
Order: Passeriformes Family: Tichodromidae
● Wallcreeper, Tichodroma muraria
Creepers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae
● Short-toed Treecreeper, Certhia brachydactyla

Spotted Creeper, Salpornis spilonotus
Penduline tits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Remizidae
● Eurasian Penduline Tit, Remiz pendulinus

Sennar Penduline Tit, Anthoscopus punctifrons
Mouse-colored Penduline Tit, Anthoscopus musculus
Yellow Penduline Tit, Anthoscopus parvulus
Forest Penduline Tit, Anthoscopus flavifrons
African Penduline Tit, Anthoscopus caroli
Southern Penduline Tit, Anthoscopus minutus
Tit-hylia, Pholidornis rushiae
Sunbirds
Order: Passeriformes Family: Nectarinidae
● Scarlet-tufted Sunbird, Deleornis fraseri

Grey-headed Sunbird, Deleornis axillaris
Plain-backed Sunbird, Anthreptes reichenowi
Anchieta's Sunbird, Anthreptes anchietae
Mouse-brown Sunbird, Anthreptes gabonicus
Western Violet-backed Sunbird, Anthreptes longuemarei
Kenya Violet-backed Sunbird, Anthreptes orientalis
Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird, Anthreptes neglectus
Violet-tailed Sunbird, Anthreptes aurantium
Little Green Sunbird, Anthreptes seimundi
Green Sunbird, Anthreptes rectirostris
Banded Sunbird, Anthreptes rubritorques
Collared Sunbird, Hedydipna collaris
Pygmy Sunbird, Hedydipna platura
Nile Valley Sunbird, Hedydipna metallica
Amani Sunbird, Hedydipna pallidigaster
Reichenbach's Sunbird, Anabathmis reichenbachii
Principe Sunbird, Anabathmis hartlaubii
Newton's Sunbird, Anabathmis newtonii
Sao Tome Sunbird, Dreptes thomensis
Orange-breasted Sunbird, Anthobaphes violacea
Green-headed Sunbird, Cyanomitra verticalis
Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Cyanomitra cyanolaema
Blue-headed Sunbird, Cyanomitra alinae
Cameroon Sunbird, Cyanomitra oritis
Bannerman's Sunbird, Cyanomitra bannermani
Eastern Olive Sunbird, Cyanomitra olivacea
Western Olive Sunbird, Cyanomitra obscura
Mouse-colored Sunbird, Cyanomitra veroxii
Buff-throated Sunbird, Chalcomitra adelberti
Carmelite Sunbird, Chalcomitra fuliginosa
Green-throated Sunbird, Chalcomitra rubescens
Amethyst Sunbird, Chalcomitra amethystina
Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis
Hunter's Sunbird, Chalcomitra hunteri
Socotra Sunbird, Chalcomitra balfouri
Bocage's Sunbird, Nectarinia bocagii
Purple-breasted Sunbird, Nectarinia purpureiventris
Tacazze Sunbird, Nectarinia tacazze
Bronze Sunbird, Nectarinia kilimensis
Red-tufted Sunbird, Nectarinia johnstoni
Malachite Sunbird, Nectarinia famosa
Golden-winged Sunbird, Drepanorhynchus reichenowi
Olive-bellied Sunbird, Cinnyris chloropygius
Tiny Sunbird, Cinnyris minullus
Miombo Sunbird, Cinnyris manoensis
Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Cinnyris chalybeus
Neergaard's Sunbird, Cinnyris neergaardi
Stuhlmann's Sunbird, Cinnyris stuhlmanni
Prigogine's Sunbird, Cinnyris prigoginei
Montane Double-collared Sunbird, Cinnyris ludovicensis
Northern Double-collared Sunbird, Cinnyris reichenowi
Greater Double-collared Sunbird, Cinnyris afer
Regal Sunbird, Cinnyris regius
Rockefeller's Sunbird, Cinnyris rockefelleri
Eastern Double-collared Sunbird, Cinnyris mediocris
Moreau's Sunbird, Cinnyris moreaui
Beautiful Sunbird, Cinnyris pulchellus
Loveridge's Sunbird, Cinnyris loveridgei
Mariqua Sunbird, Cinnyris mariquensis
Shelley's Sunbird, Cinnyris shelleyi
Congo Sunbird, Cinnyris congensis
Red-chested Sunbird, Cinnyris erythrocercus
Black-bellied Sunbird, Cinnyris nectarinioides
Purple-banded Sunbird, Cinnyris bifasciatus
Tsavo Sunbird, Cinnyris tsavoensis
Violet-breasted Sunbird, Cinnyris chalcomelas
Pemba Sunbird, Cinnyris pembae
Orange-tufted Sunbird, Cinnyris bouvieri
Palestine Sunbird, Cinnyris osea
Shining Sunbird, Cinnyris habessinicus
Splendid Sunbird, Cinnyris coccinigastrus
Johanna's Sunbird, Cinnyris johannae
Superb Sunbird, Cinnyris superbus
Rufous-winged Sunbird, Cinnyris rufipennis
Oustalet's Sunbird, Cinnyris oustaleti
White-breasted Sunbird, Cinnyris talatala
Variable Sunbird, Cinnyris venustus
Dusky Sunbird, Cinnyris fuscus
Ursula's Sunbird, Cinnyris ursulae
Bates' Sunbird, Cinnyris batesi
Copper Sunbird, Cinnyris cupreus
White-eyes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Zosteropidae
● Black-capped Speirops, Speirops lugubris

Cameroon Speirops, Speirops melanocephalus
Fernando Po Speirops, Speirops brunneus
Principe Speirops, Speirops leucophoeus
African Yellow White-eye, Zosterops senegalensis
Broad-ringed White-eye, Zosterops poliogastrus
White-breasted White-eye, Zosterops abyssinicus
Cape White-eye, Zosterops pallidus
Pemba White-eye, Zosterops vaughani
Sao Tome White-eye, Zosterops ficedulinus
Annobon White-eye, Zosterops griseovirescens
Sugarbirds
Order: Passeriformes Family: Promeropidae
● Gurney's Sugarbird, Promerops gurneyi

Cape Sugarbird, Promerops cafer
Old World orioles

Order: Passeriformes Family: Oriolidae
● Eurasian Golden Oriole, Oriolus oriolus

African Golden Oriole, Oriolus auratus
Green-headed Oriole, Oriolus chlorocephalus
Sao Tome Oriole, Oriolus crassirostris
Western Black-headed Oriole, Oriolus brachyrhynchus
Dark-headed Oriole, Oriolus monacha
African Black-headed Oriole, Oriolus larvatus
Black-tailed Oriole, Oriolus percivali
Black-winged Oriole, Oriolus nigripennis
Shrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae
● Red-backed Shrike, Lanius collurio

Rufous-tailed Shrike, Lanius isabellinus
Emin's Shrike, Lanius gubernator
Souza's Shrike, Lanius souzae
Northern Shrike, Lanius excubitor
Southern Grey Shrike, Lanius meridionalis
Lesser Grey Shrike, Lanius minor
Grey-backed Fiscal, Lanius excubitoroides
Long-tailed Fiscal, Lanius cabanisi
Taita Fiscal, Lanius dorsalis
Somali Fiscal, Lanius somalicus
Mackinnon's Shrike, Lanius mackinnoni
Common Fiscal, Lanius collaris
Newton's Fiscal, Lanius newtoni
Masked Shrike, Lanius nubicus
Woodchat Shrike, Lanius senator
Yellow-billed Shrike, Corvinella corvina
Magpie Shrike, Corvinella melanoleuca
White-rumped Shrike, Eurocephalus rueppelli
White-crowned Shrike, Eurocephalus anguitimens
Bushshrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Malaconotidae

● Brubru, Nilaus afer
Northern Puffback, Dryoscopus gambensis
Pringle's Puffback, Dryoscopus pringlii
Black-backed Puffback, Dryoscopus cubla
Red-eyed Puffback, Dryoscopus senegalensis
Pink-footed Puffback, Dryoscopus angolensis
Large-billed Puffback, Dryoscopus sabini
Marsh Tchagra, Tchagra minutus
Black-crowned Tchagra, Tchagra senegalus
Brown-crowned Tchagra, Tchagra australis
Three-streaked Tchagra, Tchagra jamesi
Southern Tchagra, Tchagra tchagra
Red-naped Bushshrike, Laniarius ruficeps
Luehder's Bushshrike, Laniarius luehderi
Braun's Bushshrike, Laniarius brauni
Gabela Bushshrike, Laniarius amboimensis
Bulo Burti Boubou, Laniarius liberatus
Turati's Boubou, Laniarius turatii
Tropical Boubou, Laniarius aethiopicus
Gabon Boubou, Laniarius bicolor
Southern Boubou, Laniarius ferrugineus
Common Gonolek, Laniarius barbarus
Black-headed Gonolek, Laniarius erythrogaster
Crimson-breasted Gonolek, Laniarius atrococcineus
Papyrus Gonolek, Laniarius mufumbiri
Yellow-breasted Boubou, Laniarius atroflavus
Slate-colored Boubou, Laniarius funebris
Sooty Boubou, Laniarius leucorhynchus
Fuelleborn's Boubou, Laniarius fuelleborni
Mountain Sooty Boubou, Laniarius poensis
Rosy-patched Bushshrike, Rhodophoneus cruentus
Bokmakierie, Telophorus zeylonus
Grey-green Bushshrike, Telophorus bocagei
Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike, Telophorus sulfureopectus
Olive Bushshrike, Telophorus olivaceus
Many-colored Bushshrike, Telophorus multicolor
Black-fronted Bushshrike, Telophorus nigrifrons
Mt. Kupe Bushshrike, Telophorus kupeensis
Four-colored Bushshrike, Telophorus viridis
Doherty's Bushshrike, Telophorus dohertyi
Fiery-breasted Bushshrike, Malaconotus cruentus
Lagden's Bushshrike, Malaconotus lagdeni
Green-breasted Bushshrike, Malaconotus gladiator
Grey-headed Bushshrike, Malaconotus blanchoti
Monteiro's Bushshrike, Malaconotus monteiri
Uluguru Bushshrike, Malaconotus alius
Helmetshrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Prionopidae
● White Helmetshrike, Prionops plumatus

Grey-crested Helmetshrike, Prionops poliolophus
Yellow-crested Helmetshrike, Prionops alberti
Chestnut-bellied Helmetshrike, Prionops caniceps
Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike, Prionops rufiventris
Retz's Helmetshrike, Prionops retzii
Angola Helmetshrike, Prionops gabela
Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike, Prionops scopifrons
Drongos
Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicruridae
● Square-tailed Drongo, Dicrurus ludwigii

Shining Drongo, Dicrurus atripennis
Fork-tailed Drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis
Velvet-mantled Drongo, Dicrurus modestus
Crows, jays, and magpies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
● Eurasian Jay, Garrulus glandarius

Eurasian Magpie, Pica pica
Stresemann's Bush Crow, Zavattariornis stresemanni
Red-billed Chough, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
Yellow-billed Chough, Pyrrhocorax graculus
Piapiac, Ptilostomus afer
Eurasian Jackdaw, Corvus monedula
House Crow, Corvus splendens
Cape Crow, Corvus capensis
Rook, Corvus frugilegus
Carrion Crow, Corvus corone
Hooded Crow, Corvus cornix
Pied Crow, Corvus albus
Brown-necked Raven, Corvus ruficollis
Somali Crow, Corvus edithae
Fan-tailed Raven, Corvus rhipidurus
White-necked Raven, Corvus albicollis
Thick-billed Raven, Corvus crassirostris
Common Raven, Corvus corax
Starlings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae
● Common Myna, Acridotheres tristis

Rosy Starling, Pastor roseus
European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris
Spotless Starling, Sturnus unicolor
Wattled Starling, Creatophora cinerea
Cape Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis nitens
Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis chalybaeus
Lesser Blue-eared Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis chloropterus
Bronze-tailed Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis chalcurus
Splendid Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis splendidus
Principe Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis ornatus
Emerald Starling, Lamprotornis iris
Purple Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis purpureus
Rueppell's Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis purpuroptera
Long-tailed Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis caudatus
Golden-breasted Starling, Lamprotornis regius
Meves' Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis mevesii
Burchell's Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis australis
Sharp-tailed Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis acuticaudus
Black-bellied Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis corruscus
Superb Starling, Lamprotornis superbus
Hildebrandt's Starling, Lamprotornis hildebrandti
Shelley's Starling, Lamprotornis shelleyi
Chestnut-bellied Starling, Lamprotornis pulcher
Purple-headed Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis purpureiceps
Copper-tailed Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis cupreocauda
Violet-backed Starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
African Pied Starling, Spreo bicolor
Fischer's Starling, Spreo fischeri
Ashy Starling, Spreo unicolor
White-crowned Starling, Spreo albicapillus
Red-winged Starling, Onychognathus morio
Slender-billed Starling, Onychognathus tenuirostris
Chestnut-winged Starling, Onychognathus fulgidus
Waller's Starling, Onychognathus walleri
Somali Starling, Onychognathus blythii
Socotra Starling, Onychognathus frater
Tristram's Starling, Onychognathus tristramii
Pale-winged Starling, Onychognathus nabouroup
Bristle-crowned Starling, Onychognathus salvadorii
White-billed Starling, Onychognathus albirostris
Neumann's Starling, Onychognathus neumanni
Narrow-tailed Starling, Poeoptera lugubris
Stuhlmann's Starling, Poeoptera stuhlmanni
Kenrick's Starling, Poeoptera kenricki
Sharpe's Starling, Pholia sharpii
Abbott's Starling, Pholia femoralis
White-collared Starling, Grafisia torquata
Magpie Starling, Speculipastor bicolor
Babbling Starling, Neocichla gutturalis
Red-billed Oxpecker, Buphagus erythrorhynchus
Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Buphagus africanus
Old World sparrows
Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae
● House Sparrow, Passer domesticus

Spanish Sparrow, Passer hispaniolensis
Somali Sparrow, Passer castanopterus
Dead Sea Sparrow, Passer moabiticus
Cape Verde Sparrow, Passer iagoensis
Socotra Sparrow, Passer insularis
Great Rufous Sparrow, Passer motitensis
Kenya Rufous Sparrow, Passer rufocinctus
Shelley's Rufous Sparrow, Passer shelleyi
Kordofan Rufous Sparrow, Passer cordofanicus
Cape Sparrow, Passer melanurus
Grey-headed Sparrow, Passer griseus
Swainson's Sparrow, Passer swainsonii
Parrot-billed Sparrow, Passer gongonensis
Swahili Sparrow, Passer suahelicus
Southern Grey-headed Sparrow, Passer diffusus
Desert Sparrow, Passer simplex
Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus
Sudan Golden Sparrow, Passer luteus
Arabian Golden Sparrow, Passer euchlorus
Chestnut Sparrow, Passer eminibey
Yellow-spotted Petronia, Petronia pyrgita
Yellow-throated Petronia, Petronia superciliaris
Bush Petronia, Petronia dentata
Rock Petronia, Petronia petronia
Pale Rockfinch, Carpospiza brachydactyla
White-winged Snowfinch, Montifringilla nivalis
Weavers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Ploceidae
● White-billed Buffalo Weaver, Bubalornis albirostris

Red-billed Buffalo Weaver, Bubalornis niger
White-headed Buffalo Weaver, Dinemellia dinemelli
Speckle-fronted Weaver, Sporopipes frontalis
Scaly Weaver, Sporopipes squamifrons
White-browed Sparrow Weaver, Plocepasser mahali
Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver, Plocepasser superciliosus
Chestnut-backed Sparrow Weaver, Plocepasser rufoscapulatus
Donaldson-Smith's Sparrow Weaver, Plocepasser donaldsoni
Rufous-tailed Weaver, Histurgops ruficauda
Grey-headed Social Weaver, Pseudonigrita arnaudi
Black-capped Social Weaver, Pseudonigrita cabanisi
Social Weaver, Philetairus socius
Bannerman's Weaver, Ploceus bannermani
Bates' Weaver, Ploceus batesi
Black-chinned Weaver, Ploceus nigrimentus
Baglafecht Weaver, Ploceus baglafecht
Bertram's Weaver, Ploceus bertrandi
Slender-billed Weaver, Ploceus pelzelni
Loango Weaver, Ploceus subpersonatus
Little Weaver, Ploceus luteolus
Lesser Masked Weaver, Ploceus intermedius
Spectacled Weaver, Ploceus ocularis
Black-necked Weaver, Ploceus nigricollis
Black-billed Weaver, Ploceus melanogaster
Strange Weaver, Ploceus alienus
Bocage's Weaver, Ploceus temporalis
Cape Weaver, Ploceus capensis
African Golden Weaver, Ploceus subaureus
Holub's Golden Weaver, Ploceus xanthops
Principe Golden Weaver, Ploceus princeps
Orange Weaver, Ploceus aurantius
Golden Palm Weaver, Ploceus bojeri
Taveta Golden Weaver, Ploceus castaneiceps
Southern Brown-throated Weaver, Ploceus xanthopterus
Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Ploceus castanops
Kilombero Weaver, Ploceus burnieri
Rueppell's Weaver, Ploceus galbula
Heuglin's Masked Weaver, Ploceus heuglini
Northern Masked Weaver, Ploceus taeniopterus
Southern Masked Weaver, Ploceus velatus
Vitelline Masked Weaver, Ploceus vitellinus
Tanganyika Masked Weaver, Ploceus reichardi
Katanga Masked Weaver, Ploceus katangae
Lake Lufira Weaver, Ploceus ruweti
Village Weaver, Ploceus cucullatus
Giant Weaver, Ploceus grandis
Speke's Weaver, Ploceus spekei
Fox's Weaver, Ploceus spekeoides
Vieillot's Weaver, Ploceus nigerrimus
Weyns' Weaver, Ploceus weynsi
Clarke's Weaver, Ploceus golandi
Black-headed Weaver, Ploceus melanocephalus
Salvadori's Weaver, Ploceus dichrocephalus
Golden-backed Weaver, Ploceus jacksoni
Cinnamon Weaver, Ploceus badius
Chestnut Weaver, Ploceus rubiginosus
Golden-naped Weaver, Ploceus aureonucha
Yellow-mantled Weaver, Ploceus tricolor
Maxwell's Black Weaver, Ploceus albinucha
Forest Weaver, Ploceus bicolor
Preuss' Weaver, Ploceus preussi
Yellow-capped Weaver, Ploceus dorsomaculatus
Usambara Weaver, Ploceus nicolli
Olive-headed Weaver, Ploceus olivaceiceps
Brown-capped Weaver, Ploceus insignis
Bar-winged Weaver, Ploceus angolensis
Sao Tome Weaver, Ploceus sanctithomae
Yellow-legged Weaver, Ploceus flavipes
Compact Weaver, Pachyphantes superciliosus
Red-crowned Malimbe, Malimbus coronatus
Black-throated Malimbe, Malimbus cassini
Ballman's Malimbe, Malimbus ballmanni
Rachel's Malimbe, Malimbus racheliae
Red-vented Malimbe, Malimbus scutatus
Ibadan Malimbe, Malimbus ibadanensis
Red-bellied Malimbe, Malimbus erythrogaster
Grey's Malimbe, Malimbus nitens
Crested Malimbe, Malimbus malimbicus
Red-headed Malimbe, Malimbus rubricollis
Red-headed Weaver, Anaplectes rubriceps
Bob-tailed Weaver, Brachycope anomala
Cardinal Quelea, Quelea cardinalis
Red-headed Quelea, Quelea erythrops
Red-billed Quelea, Quelea quelea
Yellow-crowned Bishop, Euplectes afer
Fire-fronted Bishop, Euplectes diadematus
Black Bishop, Euplectes gierowii
Black-winged Bishop, Euplectes hordeaceus
Orange Bishop, Euplectes franciscanus
Red Bishop, Euplectes orix
Zanzibar Bishop, Euplectes nigroventris
Golden-backed Bishop, Euplectes aureus
Yellow Bishop, Euplectes capensis
Fan-tailed Widowbird, Euplectes axillaris
Yellow-shouldered Widowbird, Euplectes macroura
White-winged Widowbird, Euplectes albonotatus
Red-collared Widowbird, Euplectes ardens
Marsh Widowbird, Euplectes hartlaubi
Buff-shouldered Widowbird, Euplectes psammocromius
Long-tailed Widowbird, Euplectes progne
Jackson's Widowbird, Euplectes jacksoni
Grosbeak Weaver, Amblyospiza albifrons
Waxbills
Order: Passeriformes Family: Estrildidae
● Red-fronted Antpecker, Parmoptila rubrifrons
Jameson's Antpecker, Parmoptila jamesoni
Woodhouse's Antpecker, Parmoptila woodhousei
White-breasted Negrofinch, Nigrita fusconotus
Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Nigrita bicolor
Pale-fronted Negrofinch, Nigrita luteifrons
Grey-headed Negrofinch, Nigrita canicapillus
White-collared Oliveback, Nesocharis ansorgei
Fernando Po Oliveback, Nesocharis shelleyi
Grey-headed Oliveback, Nesocharis capistrata
Orange-winged Pytilia, Pytilia afra
Red-winged Pytilia, Pytilia phoenicoptera
Red-billed Pytilia, Pytilia lineata
Green-winged Pytilia, Pytilia melba
Red-faced Pytilia, Pytilia hypogrammica
Green-backed Twinspot, Mandingoa nitidula
Red-faced Crimson-wing, Cryptospiza reichenovii
Abyssinian Crimson-wing, Cryptospiza salvadorii
Dusky Crimson-wing, Cryptospiza jacksoni
Shelley's Crimson-wing, Cryptospiza shelleyi
Crimson Seedcracker, Pyrenestes sanguineus
Black-bellied Seedcracker, Pyrenestes ostrinus
Lesser Seedcracker, Pyrenestes minor
Grant's Bluebill, Spermophaga poliogenys
Western Bluebill, Spermophaga haematina
Red-headed Bluebill, Spermophaga ruficapilla
Brown Twinspot, Clytospiza monteiri
Peters' Twinspot, Hypargos niveoguttatus
Pink-throated Twinspot, Hypargos margaritatus
Dybowski's Twinspot, Euschistospiza dybowskii
Dusky Twinspot, Euschistospiza cinereovinacea
Bar-breasted Firefinch, Lagonosticta rufopicta
Brown Firefinch, Lagonosticta nitidula
Red-billed Firefinch, Lagonosticta senegala
Black-bellied Firefinch, Lagonosticta rara
African Firefinch, Lagonosticta rubricata
Pale-billed Firefinch, Lagonosticta landanae
Jameson's Firefinch, Lagonosticta rhodopareia
Mali Firefinch, Lagonosticta virata
Rock Firefinch, Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis
Black-faced Firefinch, Lagonosticta larvata
Reichenow's Firefinch, Lagonosticta umbrinodorsalis
African Quailfinch, Lagonosticta fuscocrissa
Black-faced Quailfinch, Lagonosticta atricollis
Blue-breasted Cordonbleu, Uraeginthus angolensis
Red-cheeked Cordonbleu, Uraeginthus bengalus
Blue-capped Cordonbleu, Uraeginthus cyanocephalus
Purple Grenadier, Granatina ianthinogaster
Violet-eared Waxbill, Granatina granatinus
Lavender Waxbill, Estrilda caerulescens
Black-tailed Waxbill, Estrilda perreini
Cinderella Waxbill, Estrilda thomensis
Fawn-breasted Waxbill, Estrilda paludicola
Anambra Waxbill, Estrilda poliopareia
Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Estrilda melpoda
Crimson-rumped Waxbill, Estrilda rhodopyga
Black-rumped Waxbill, Estrilda troglodytes
Common Waxbill, Estrilda astrild
Black-faced Waxbill, Estrilda nigriloris
Black-crowned Waxbill, Estrilda nonnula
Black-headed Waxbill, Estrilda atricapilla
Kandt's Waxbill, Estrilda kandti
Black-cheeked Waxbill, Estrilda erythronotos
Red-rumped Waxbill, Estrilda charmosyna
Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Coccopygia quartinia
Swee Waxbill, Coccopygia melanotis
Red Avadavat, Amandava amandava
Zebra Waxbill, Sporaeginthus subflavus
Red-billed Quailfinch, Ortygospiza gabonensis
Locustfinch, Paludipasser locustella
African Silverbill, Euodice cantans
Bronze Mannikin, Spermestes cucullatus
Black-and-white Mannikin, Spermestes bicolor
Magpie Mannikin, Spermestes fringilloides
Grey-headed Silverbill, Odontospiza griseicapilla
Java Sparrow, Padda oryzivora
Cut-throat, Amadina fasciata
Red-headed Finch, Amadina erythrocephala
Indigobirds
Order: Passeriformes Family: Viduidae
● Village Indigobird, Vidua chalybeata

Jambandu Indigobird, Vidua raricola
Baka Indigobird, Vidua larvaticola
Jos Plateau Indigobird, Vidua maryae
Quailfinch Indigobird, Vidua nigeriae
Variable Indigobird, Vidua funerea
Green Indigobird, Vidua codringtoni
Purple Indigobird, Vidua purpurascens
Pale-winged Indigobird, Vidua wilsoni
Cameroon Indigobird, Vidua camerunensis
Steel-blue Whydah, Vidua hypocherina
Straw-tailed Whydah, Vidua fischeri
Shaft-tailed Whydah, Vidua regia
Pin-tailed Whydah, Vidua macroura
Togo Paradise Whydah, Vidua togoensis
Long-tailed Paradise Whydah, Vidua interjecta
Eastern Paradise Whydah, Vidua paradisaea
Northern Paradise Whydah, Vidua orientalis
Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah, Vidua obtusa
Parasitic Weaver, Anomalospiza imberbis
Finches
Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae
● Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs

Blue Chaffinch, Fringilla teydea
Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla
Sao Tome Grosbeak, Neospiza concolor
Oriole Finch, Linurgus olivaceus
Golden-winged Grosbeak, Rhynchostruthus socotranus
Somali Grosbeak, Rhynchostruthus louisae
Common Rosefinch, Carpodacus erythrinus
Pale Rosefinch, Carpodacus synoicus
Red Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
European Greenfinch, Carduelis chloris
Common Redpoll, Carduelis flammea
Eurasian Siskin, Carduelis spinus
European Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis
Eurasian Linnet, Carduelis cannabina
Warsangli Linnet, Carduelis johannis
Ankober Serin, Carduelis ankoberensis
Fire-fronted Serin, Serinus pusillus
European Serin, Serinus serinus
Syrian Serin, Serinus syriacus
Island Canary, Serinus canaria
Citril Finch, Serinus citrinella
Cape Canary, Serinus canicollis
Yellow-crowned Canary, Serinus flavivertex
Abyssinian Siskin, Serinus nigriceps
African Citril, Serinus citrinelloides
Western Citril, Serinus frontalis
Southern Citril, Serinus hyposticutus
Black-faced Canary, Serinus capistratus
Papyrus Canary, Serinus koliensis
Forest Canary, Serinus scotops
White-rumped Seedeater, Serinus leucopygius
Yellow-throated Serin, Serinus flavigula
Salvadori's Serin, Serinus xantholaemus
Black-throated Canary, Serinus atrogularis
Reichenow's Seedeater, Serinus reichenowi
Yellow-rumped Serin, Serinus xanthopygius
Lemon-breasted Seedeater, Serinus citrinipectus
Yellow-fronted Canary, Serinus mozambicus
Northern Grosbeak Canary, Serinus donaldsoni
Southern Grosbeak Canary, Serinus buchanani
White-bellied Canary, Serinus dorsostriatus
Yellow Canary, Serinus flaviventris
Brimstone Canary, Serinus sulphuratus
Reichard's Seedeater, Serinus reichardi
White-throated Canary, Serinus albogularis
Streaky-headed Seedeater, Serinus gularis
Black-eared Seedeater, Serinus mennelli
Brown-rumped Seedeater, Serinus tristriatus
Streaky Seedeater, Serinus striolatus
Yellow-browed Seedeater, Serinus whytii
Thick-billed Seedeater, Serinus burtoni
Tanzania Seedeater, Serinus melanochrous
Principe Seedeater, Serinus rufobrunneus
Protea Canary, Serinus leucopterus
Black-headed Canary, Alario alario
Damara Canary, Alario leucolaemus
Cape Siskin, Pseudochloroptila totta
Drakensberg Siskin, Pseudochloroptila symonsi
Eurasian Bullfinch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Hawfinch, Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Crimson-winged Finch, Rhodopechys sanguineus
Trumpeter Finch, Bucanetes githagineus
Desert Finch, Rhodospiza obsoletus
Buntings and sparrows
Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae
● Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella

Cirl Bunting, Emberiza cirlus
Rock Bunting, Emberiza cia
Cinereous Bunting, Emberiza cineracea
Ortolan Bunting, Emberiza hortulana
Cretzschmar's Bunting, Emberiza caesia
House Bunting, Emberiza striolata
Lark-like Bunting, Emberiza impetuani
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, Emberiza tahapisi
Socotra Bunting, Emberiza socotrana
Cape Bunting, Emberiza capensis
Vincent's Bunting, Emberiza vincenti
Little Bunting, Emberiza pusilla
Rustic Bunting, Emberiza rustica
Yellow-breasted Bunting, Emberiza aureola
Golden-breasted Bunting, Emberiza flaviventris
Somali Bunting, Emberiza poliopleura
Brown-rumped Bunting, Emberiza affinis
Cabanis' Bunting, Emberiza cabanisi
Black-headed Bunting, Emberiza melanocephala
Reed Bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus
Corn Bunting, Emberiza calandra
See also
● List of birds
References
● Birds of the World: A Checklist, fifth edition and supplements, by James F. Clements, ISBN 0-
934797-16-1, Ibis Publishing, 2000 (supplements up to July, 2005).
● ↑ Description of the ABA Listing Areas and Regions from the American Birding Association.
Home | Up | Endemism in birds | Birds of Africa | Birds of Asia | Birds of Australia | Birds of Europe
Birds of Asia
This list of Asian birds is a listing of all the bird species known from the continent of Asia.
Contents
● 1 Notes
● 2 Ostrich
● 3 Loons
● 4 Grebes
● 5 Albatrosses
● 6 Shearwaters and petrels
● 7 Storm-petrels
● 8 Tropicbirds
● 9 Pelicans
● 10 Gannets and boobies
● 11 Cormorants
● 12 Darter
● 13 Frigatebirds
● 14 Herons, egrets, and bitterns
● 15 Hamerkop
● 16 Storks
● 17 Ibises and spoonbills
● 18 Flamingos
● 19 Ducks, geese, and swans
● 20 Osprey
● 21 Hawks, eagles, and kites
● 22 Falcons
● 23 Megapodes
● 24 Grouse
● 25 Pheasants and partridges
● 26 Guineafowl
● 27 Buttonquails
● 28 Cranes
● 29 Rails, gallinules, and coots
● 30 Finfoot
● 31 Bustards
● 32 Jacanas
● 33 Painted Snipe
● 34 Crab Plover
● 35 Oystercatchers
● 36 Ibisbill
● 37 Avocets and stilts
● 38 Thick-knees
● 39 Pratincoles and coursers
● 40 Lapwings and plovers
● 41 Sandpipers
● 42 Skuas and jaegers
● 43 Gulls
● 44 Terns
● 45 Skimmers
● 46 Auks, murres, and puffins
● 47 Sandgrouse
● 48 Pigeons and doves
● 49 Cockatoos
● 50 Parrots
● 51 Cuckoos
● 52 Barn-Owls
● 53 Owls
● 54 Frogmouths
● 55 Nightjars
● 56 Swifts
● 57 Treeswifts
● 58 Trogons
● 59 Kingfishers
● 60 Bee-eaters
● 61 Rollers
● 62 Hoopoe
● 63 Hornbills
● 64 Barbets
● 65 Honeyguides
● 66 Woodpeckers and allies
● 67 Broadbills
● 68 Pittas
● 69 Larks
● 70 Swallows
● 71 Wagtails and pipits
● 72 Cuckoo-shrikes
● 73 Bulbuls
● 74 Kinglets
● 75 Leafbirds
● 76 Ioras
● 77 Waxwings
● 78 Hypocolius
● 79 Dippers
● 80 Wrens
● 81 Accentors
● 82 Thrushes
● 83 Cisticolas and allies
● 84 Old World warblers
● 85 Old World flycatchers
● 86 Fantails
● 87 Monarch flycatchers
● 88 Whistlers
● 89 Babblers
● 90 Parrotbills
● 91 Rail-babbler
● 92 Long-tailed tits
● 93 Gerygones
● 94 Tits
● 95 Nuthatches
● 96 Wallcreeper
● 97 Creepers
● 98 Philippine creepers
● 99 Penduline tits
● 100 Sunbirds
● 101 Flowerpeckers
● 102 White-eyes
● 103 Honeyeaters
● 104 Old World orioles
● 105 Fairy-bluebirds
● 106 Shrikes
● 107 Bushshrikes
● 108 Helmetshrikes
● 109 Drongos
● 110 Magpie-lark
● 111 Woodswallows
● 112 Bristlehead
● 113 Crows, jays, and magpies
● 114 Starlings
● 115 Old World sparrows
● 116 Weavers
● 117 Waxbills
● 118 Finches
● 119 Buntings and sparrows
● 120 See also
● 121 References
Notes
The taxonomy of this list adheres to James Clements' Birds of the World: A Checklist, and reflects all
changes to that work until July, 2005. Taxonomic changes are on-going. As more research is gathered
from studies of distribution, behavior, and DNA, the order and number of families and species may
change. Furthermore, different approaches to ornithological nomenclature have led to concurrent
systems of classification (see Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy).
The area covered by this list corresponds with the Asian listing area as defined by the American Birding
Association[1]. The area includes Russia east of the Ural River and Ural Mountains and the Russian
Arctic islands east of but not including Novaya Zemlya, as well as Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan,
Turkey (except for the portion north of the Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles), and
Cyprus. The area is separated from Africa by the Suez Canal. In the Indian Ocean it includes Sri Lanka,
Lakshadweep (the Laccadive Islands), the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, but does not include Socotra
(Africa), the Maldives, the Chagos Archipelago, and Christmas Island (all Indian Ocean). It includes the
Russian islands in the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Japan, the Izu Islands (except Nampo Shoto and the
Daito Islands), the Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and most of Indonesia. In
Indonesia the dividing line between Asia and Australasia runs through the Banda and Molucca Seas with
Sulawesi, Banggai and Talaud on the Asian side, and the islands of Kai, Ceram, Buru, the Sula Group,
and Morotai on the Australasian side.
Ostrich
Order: Struthioniformes Family: Struthionidae
● Ostrich, Struthio camelus
Loons
Order: Gaviiformes Family: Gaviidae
● Red-throated Loon, Gavia stellata

Arctic Loon, Gavia arctica
Pacific Loon, Gavia pacifica
Common Loon, Gavia immer
Yellow-billed Loon, Gavia adamsii
Grebes
Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
● Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis

Australasian Grebe, Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
Red-necked Grebe, Podiceps grisegena
Horned Grebe, Podiceps auritus
Eared Grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
Albatrosses
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Diomedeidae

Short-tailed Albatross, Phoebastria albatrus
Black-footed Albatross, Phoebastria nigripes
Shearwaters and petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae
● Northern Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis
Cape Petrel, Daption capense
Tahiti Petrel, Pterodroma rostrata
Mottled Petrel, Pterodroma inexpectata
Providence Petrel, Pterodroma solandri
Kermadec Petrel, Pterodroma neglecta
Barau's Petrel, Pterodroma baraui
Galapagos Petrel, Pterodroma phaeopygia
Hawaiian Petrel, Pterodroma sandwichensis
Juan Fernandez Petrel, Pterodroma externa
Bonin Petrel, Pterodroma hypoleuca
Black-winged Petrel, Pterodroma nigripennis
Stejneger's Petrel, Pterodroma longirostris
Jouanin's Petrel, Bulweria fallax
Cory's Shearwater, Calonectris diomedea
Greater Shearwater, Puffinus gravis
Buller's Shearwater, Puffinus bulleri
Short-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris
Balearic Shearwater, Puffinus mauretanicus
Levantine Shearwater, Puffinus yelkouan
Persian Shearwater, Puffinus persicus
Mascarene Shearwater, Puffinus atrodorsalis
Storm-petrels
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae
● Wilson's Storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus

Black-bellied Storm-petrel, Fregetta tropica
European Storm-petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus
Band-rumped Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma castro
Leach's Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa
Tristram's Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma tristrami
Matsudaira's Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma matsudairae
Fork-tailed Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma furcata
Tropicbirds
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phaethontidae
● Red-billed Tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus

Red-tailed Tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda
Pelicans
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
● Great White Pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus

Pink-backed Pelican, Pelecanus rufescens
Spot-billed Pelican, Pelecanus philippensis
Dalmatian Pelican, Pelecanus crispus
Australian Pelican, Pelecanus conspicillatus
Gannets and boobies
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Sulidae
● Northern Gannet, Morus bassanus

Abbott's Booby, Sula abbotti
Cormorants
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
● Little Black Cormorant, Phalacrocorax sulcirostris

Indian Cormorant, Phalacrocorax fuscicollis
Socotra Cormorant, Phalacrocorax nigrogularis
Japanese Cormorant, Phalacrocorax capillatus
European Shag, Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Pelagic Cormorant, Phalacrocorax pelagicus
Red-faced Cormorant, Phalacrocorax urile
Little Pied Cormorant, Phalacrocorax melanoleucos
Little Cormorant, Phalacrocorax niger
Darter
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Anhingidae
Frigatebirds
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Fregatidae
● Christmas Island Frigatebird, Fregata andrewsi

Great Frigatebird, Fregata minor
Herons, egrets, and bitterns

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ardeidae

White-bellied Heron, Ardea insignis
Great-billed Heron, Ardea sumatrana
Pied Heron, Egretta picata
Intermediate Egret, Egretta intermedia
White-faced Heron, Egretta novaehollandiae
Chinese Egret, Egretta eulophotes
Pacific Reef Heron, Egretta sacra
Indian Pond Heron, Ardeola grayii
Chinese Pond Heron, Ardeola bacchus
Javan Pond Heron, Ardeola speciosa
Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis
Striated Heron, Butorides striata
Rufous Night Heron, Nycticorax caledonicus
White-eared Night Heron, Gorsachius magnificus
Japanese Night Heron, Gorsachius goisagi
Malayan Night Heron, Gorsachius melanolophus
Yellow Bittern, Ixobrychus sinensis
Schrenck's Bittern, Ixobrychus eurhythmus
Cinnamon Bittern, Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
Black Bittern, Ixobrychus flavicollis
Great Bittern, Botaurus stellaris
Hamerkop
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Scopidae
● Hamerkop, Scopus umbretta
Storks
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae
● Milky Stork, Mycteria cinerea

Yellow-billed Stork, Mycteria ibis
Painted Stork, Mycteria leucocephala
Asian Openbill, Anastomus oscitans
Black Stork, Ciconia nigra
Abdim's Stork, Ciconia abdimii
Storm's Stork, Ciconia stormi
White Stork, Ciconia ciconia
Oriental Stork, Ciconia boyciana
Black-necked Stork, Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
Lesser Adjutant, Leptoptilos javanicus
Greater Adjutant, Leptoptilos dubius
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Threskiornithidae
● Sacred Ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus

Black-headed Ibis, Threskiornis melanocephalus
Red-naped Ibis, Pseudibis papillosa
White-shouldered Ibis, Pseudibis davisoni
Giant Ibis, Pseudibis gigantea
Waldrapp, Geronticus eremita
Crested Ibis, Nipponia nippon
Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
Eurasian Spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia
Royal Spoonbill, Platalea regia
African Spoonbill, Platalea alba
Black-faced Spoonbill, Platalea minor
Flamingos
Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae
● Greater Flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus

Lesser Flamingo, Phoenicopterus minor
Ducks, geese, and swans
Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
● Spotted Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna guttata

Fulvous Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna bicolor
Wandering Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna arcuata
Lesser Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna javanica
Mute Swan, Cygnus olor
Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator
Whooper Swan, Cygnus cygnus
Tundra Swan, Cygnus columbianus
Swan Goose, Anser cygnoides
Bean Goose, Anser fabalis
Greater White-fronted Goose, Anser albifrons
Lesser White-fronted Goose, Anser erythropus
Greylag Goose, Anser anser
Bar-headed Goose, Anser indicus
Snow Goose, Chen caerulescens
Emperor Goose, Chen canagica
Canada Goose, Branta canadensis
Cackling Goose, Branta hutchinsii
Brent Goose, Branta bernicla
Red-breasted Goose, Branta ruficollis
Egyptian Goose, Alopochen aegyptiaca
Ruddy Shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea
Common Shelduck, Tadorna tadorna
Radjah Shelduck, Tadorna radjah
White-winged Duck, Cairina scutulata
Comb Duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos
Mandarin Duck, Aix galericulata
Eurasian Wigeon, Anas penelope
American Wigeon, Anas americana
Falcated Duck, Anas falcata
Gadwall, Anas strepera
Baikal Teal, Anas formosa
Green-winged Teal, Anas carolinensis
Common Teal, Anas crecca
Cape Teal, Anas capensis
Sunda Teal, Anas gibberifrons
Andaman Teal, Anas albogularis
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
Spot-billed Duck, Anas poecilorhyncha
Pacific Black Duck, Anas superciliosa
Philippine Duck, Anas luzonica
Red-billed Duck, Anas erythrorhyncha
Garganey, Anas querquedula
Northern Shoveler, Anas clypeata
Marbled Teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris
Red-crested Pochard, Netta rufina
Southern Pochard, Netta erythrophthalma
Common Pochard, Aythya ferina
Canvasback, Aythya valisineria
Redhead (duck), Aythya americana
Ring-necked Duck, Aythya collaris
Ferruginous Pochard, Aythya nyroca
Baer's Pochard, Aythya baeri
White-eyed Duck, Aythya australis
Tufted Duck, Aythya fuligula
Greater Scaup, Aythya marila
Lesser Scaup, Aythya affinis
Common Eider, Somateria mollissima
King Eider, Somateria spectabilis
Spectacled Eider, Somateria fischeri
Steller's Eider, Polysticta stelleri
Harlequin Duck, Histrionicus histrionicus
Long-tailed Duck, Clangula hyemalis
Black Scoter, Melanitta nigra
Surf Scoter, Melanitta perspicillata
White-winged Scoter, Melanitta fusca
Common Goldeneye, Bucephala clangula
Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola
Smew, Mergellus albellus
Red-breasted Merganser, Mergus serrator
Common Merganser, Mergus merganser
Scaly-sided Merganser, Mergus squamatus
White-headed Duck, Oxyura leucocephala
Osprey
Order: Falconiformes Family: Pandionidae
Hawks, eagles, and kites
Order: Falconiformes Family: Accipitridae
● Jerdon's Baza, Aviceda jerdoni

Pacific Baza, Aviceda subcristata
Black Baza, Aviceda leuphotes
Barred Honey Buzzard, Pernis celebensis
Bat Hawk, Macheiramphus alcinus
Black-shouldered Kite, Elanus caeruleus
Brahminy Kite, Haliastur indus
White-bellied Sea Eagle, Haliaeetus leucogaster
Pallas' Fish Eagle, Haliaeetus leucoryphus
Steller's Sea Eagle, Haliaeetus pelagicus
Lesser Fish Eagle, Ichthyophaga humilis
Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus
Lammergeier, Gypaetus barbatus
White-rumped Vulture, Gyps bengalensis
Indian Vulture, Gyps indicus
Slender-billed Vulture, Gyps tenuirostris
Rüppell's Vulture, Gyps rueppellii
Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Gyps himalayensis
Griffon Vulture, Gyps fulvus
Cinereous Vulture, Aegypius monachus
Red-headed Vulture, Sarcogyps calvus
Bateleur, Terathopius ecaudatus
Nicobar Serpent Eagle, Spilornis klossi
Sulawesi Serpent Eagle, Spilornis rufipectus
Mountain Serpent Eagle, Spilornis kinabaluensis
Crested Serpent Eagle, Spilornis cheela
Philippine Serpent Eagle, Spilornis holospilus
Andaman Serpent Eagle, Spilornis elgini
Eastern Marsh Harrier, Circus spilonotus
Spotted Harrier, Circus assimilis
Pied Harrier, Circus melanoleucos
Montagu's Harrier, Circus pygargus
Crested Goshawk, Accipiter trivirgatus
Sulawesi Goshawk, Accipiter griseiceps
Nicobar Sparrowhawk, Accipiter butleri
Chinese Goshawk, Accipiter soloensis
Spot-tailed Goshawk, Accipiter trinotatus
Brown Goshawk, Accipiter fasciatus
Japanese Sparrowhawk, Accipiter gularis
Small Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nanus
Besra, Accipiter virgatus
Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk, Accipiter rhodogaster
Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus
Northern Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis
White-eyed Buzzard, Butastur teesa
Rufous-winged Buzzard, Butastur liventer
Grey-faced Buzzard, Butastur indicus
Eurasian Buzzard, Buteo buteo
Upland Buzzard, Buteo hemilasius
Rough-legged Hawk, Buteo lagopus
Great Philippine Eagle, Pithecophaga jefferyi
Black Eagle, Ictinaetus malayensis
Lesser Spotted Eagle, Aquila pomarina
Indian Spotted Eagle, Aquila hastata
Greater Spotted Eagle, Aquila clanga
Imperial Eagle, Aquila heliaca
Bonelli's Eagle, Aquila fasciatus
Booted Eagle, Aquila pennatus
Rufous-bellied Eagle, Aquila kienerii
Changeable Hawk Eagle, Spizaetus cirrhatus
Mountain Hawk Eagle, Spizaetus nipalensis
Blyth's Hawk Eagle, Spizaetus alboniger
Javan Hawk Eagle, Spizaetus bartelsi
Sulawesi Hawk Eagle, Spizaetus lanceolatus
Philippine Hawk Eagle, Spizaetus philippensis
Wallace's Hawk Eagle, Spizaetus nanus
Falcons
Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
● White-rumped Falcon, Polihierax insignis

Collared Falconet, Microhierax caerulescens
Black-thighed Falconet, Microhierax fringillarius
White-fronted Falconet, Microhierax latifrons
Philippine Falconet, Microhierax erythrogenys
Pied Falconet, Microhierax melanoleucos
Lesser Kestrel, Falco naumanni
Eurasian Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
Spotted Kestrel, Falco moluccensis
Australian Kestrel, Falco cenchroides
Merlin, Falco columbarius
Oriental Hobby, Falco severus
Laggar Falcon, Falco jugger
Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus
Barbary Falcon, Falco pelegrinoides
Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus (State bird and Millitary ensign of Pakistan Air Force)
Megapodes
Order: Galliformes Family: Megapodiidae
● Maleo, Macrocephalon maleo

Nicobar Scrubfowl, Megapodius nicobariensis
Tabon Scrubfowl, Megapodius cumingii
Sula Scrubfowl, Megapodius bernsteinii
Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Megapodius reinwardt
Grouse
Order: Galliformes Family: Tetraonidae
● Siberian Grouse, Dendragapus falcipennis

Willow Ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus
Rock Ptarmigan, Lagopus muta
Black-billed Capercaillie, Tetrao parvirostris
Capercaillie, Tetrao urogallus
Black Grouse, Tetrao tetrix
Caucasian Grouse, Tetrao mlokosiewiczi
Hazel Grouse, Bonasa bonasia
Severtzov's Grouse, Bonasa sewerzowi
Pheasants and partridges
Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
● Snow Partridge, Lerwa lerwa

Verreaux's Partridge, Tetraophasis obscurus
Szechenyi's Partridge, Tetraophasis szechenyii
Caucasian Snowcock, Tetraogallus caucasicus
Caspian Snowcock, Tetraogallus caspius
Altai Snowcock, Tetraogallus altaicus
Tibetan Snowcock, Tetraogallus tibetanus
Himalayan Snowcock, Tetraogallus himalayensis
Chukar, Alectoris chukar (National bird of Pakistan)
Philby's Partridge, Alectoris philbyi
Przevalski's Partridge, Alectoris magna
Arabian Partridge, Alectoris melanocephala
See-see Partridge, Ammoperdix griseogularis
Black Francolin, Francolinus francolinus
Painted Francolin, Francolinus pictus
Chinese Francolin, Francolinus pintadeanus
Grey Francolin, Francolinus pondicerianus
Swamp Francolin, Francolinus gularis
Grey Partridge, Perdix perdix
Daurian Partridge, Perdix dauurica
Tibetan Partridge, Perdix hodgsoniae
Long-billed Partridge, Rhizothera longirostris
Black Partridge, Melanoperdix niger
Japanese Quail, Coturnix japonica
Common Quail, Coturnix coturnix
Harlequin Quail, Coturnix delegorguei
Rain Quail, Coturnix coromandelica
Brown Quail, Coturnix ypsilophora
Blue-breasted Quail, Coturnix chinensis
Jungle Bush Quail, Perdicula asiatica
Rock Bush Quail, Perdicula argoondah
Painted Bush Quail, Perdicula erythrorhyncha
Manipur Bush Quail, Perdicula manipurensis
Hill Partridge, Arborophila torqueola
Sichuan Partridge, Arborophila rufipectus
Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Arborophila mandellii
White-necklaced Partridge, Arborophila gingica
Rufous-throated Partridge, Arborophila rufogularis
White-cheeked Partridge, Arborophila atrogularis
Taiwan Partridge, Arborophila crudigularis
Hainan Partridge, Arborophila ardens
Chestnut-bellied Partridge, Arborophila javanica
Grey-breasted Partridge, Arborophila orientalis
Bar-backed Partridge, Arborophila brunneopectus
Orange-necked Partridge, Arborophila davidi
Chestnut-headed Partridge, Arborophila cambodiana
Red-breasted Partridge, Arborophila hyperythra
Red-billed Partridge, Arborophila rubrirostris
Scaly-breasted Partridge, Arborophila chloropus
Vietnam Partridge, Arborophila merlini
Chestnut-necklaced Partridge, Arborophila charltonii
Ferruginous Partridge, Caloperdix oculeus
Crimson-headed Partridge, Haematortyx sanguiniceps
Crested Partridge, Rollulus rouloul
Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Bambusicola fytchii
Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Bambusicola thoracicus
Red Spurfowl, Galloperdix spadicea
Painted Spurfowl, Galloperdix lunulata
Ceylon Spurfowl, Galloperdix bicalcarata
Blood Pheasant, Ithaginis cruentus
Western Tragopan, Tragopan melanocephalus
Satyr Tragopan, Tragopan satyra
Blyth's Tragopan, Tragopan blythii
Temminck's Tragopan, Tragopan temminckii
Cabot's Tragopan, Tragopan caboti
Koklass Pheasant, Pucrasia macrolopha
Himalayan Monal, Lophophorus impejanus
Sclater's Monal, Lophophorus sclateri
Chinese Monal, Lophophorus lhuysii
Red Junglefowl, Gallus gallus
Grey Junglefowl, Gallus sonneratii
Ceylon Junglefowl, Gallus lafayetii
Green Junglefowl, Gallus varius
Kalij Pheasant, Lophura leucomelanos
Imperial Pheasant, Lophura imperialis
Edwards' Pheasant, Lophura edwardsi
Vietnamese Fireback, Lophura hatinhensis
Swinhoe's Pheasant, Lophura swinhoii
Salvadori's Pheasant, Lophura inornata
Silver Pheasant, Lophura nycthemera
Crestless Fireback, Lophura erythrophthalma
Crested Fireback, Lophura ignita
Siamese Fireback, Lophura diardi
Bulwer's Pheasant, Lophura bulweri
White Eared Pheasant, Crossoptilon crossoptilon
Brown Eared Pheasant, Crossoptilon mantchuricum
Blue Eared Pheasant, Crossoptilon auritum
Cheer Pheasant, Catreus wallichi
Elliot's Pheasant, Syrmaticus ellioti
Hume's Pheasant, Syrmaticus humiae
Mikado Pheasant, Syrmaticus mikado
Copper Pheasant, Syrmaticus soemmerringii
Reeves' Pheasant, Syrmaticus reevesii
Ring-necked Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus
Green Pheasant, Phasianus versicolor
Golden Pheasant, Chrysolophus pictus
Lady Amherst's Pheasant, Chrysolophus amherstiae
Bronze-tailed Peacock Pheasant, Polyplectron chalcurum
Mountain Peacock Pheasant, Polyplectron inopinatum
Germain's Peacock Pheasant, Polyplectron germaini
Grey Peacock Pheasant, Polyplectron bicalcaratum
Malayan Peacock Pheasant, Polyplectron malacense
Bornean Peacock Pheasant, Polyplectron schleiermacheri
Palawan Peacock Pheasant, Polyplectron napoleonis
Crested Argus, Rheinardia ocellata
Great Argus, Argusianus argus
Indian Peafowl, Pavo cristatus
Green Peafowl, Pavo muticus
Guineafowl
Order: Galliformes Family: Numididae
● Helmeted Guineafowl, Numida meleagris
Buttonquails
Order: Gruiformes Family: Turnicidae
● Small Buttonquail, Turnix sylvaticus

Red-backed Buttonquail, Turnix maculosus
Yellow-legged Buttonquail, Turnix tanki
Spotted Buttonquail, Turnix ocellatus
Barred Buttonquail, Turnix suscitator
Luzon Buttonquail, Turnix worcesteri
Cranes
Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae
● Demoiselle Crane, Anthropoides virgo

Siberian Crane, Grus leucogeranus
Sandhill Crane, Grus canadensis
Sarus Crane, Grus antigone
White-naped Crane, Grus vipio
Common Crane, Grus grus
Hooded Crane, Grus monacha
Black-necked Crane, Grus nigricollis
Red-crowned Crane, Grus japonensis
Rails, gallinules, and coots
Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
● Swinhoe's Rail, Coturnicops exquisitus

Andaman Crake, Rallina canningi
Slaty-legged Crake, Rallina eurizonoides
Okinawa Rail, Gallirallus okinawae
Barred Rail, Gallirallus torquatus
Calayan Rail, Gallirallus calayanensis
Slaty-breasted Rail, Gallirallus striatus
Virginia Rail, Rallus limicola
Luzon Rail, Lewinia mirificus
Corn Crake, Crex crex
Platen's Rail, Aramidopsis plateni
Bare-faced Rail, Gymnocrex rosenbergii
Talaud Rail, Gymnocrex talaudensis
Brown Crake, Amaurornis akool
Isabelline Bush-hen, Amaurornis isabellina
Plain Bush-hen, Amaurornis olivacea
Rufous-tailed Bush-hen, Amaurornis moluccana
Black-tailed Crake, Amaurornis bicolor
Band-bellied Crake, Porzana paykullii
Watercock, Gallicrex cinerea
Allen's Gallinule, Porphyrio alleni
Finfoot
Order: Gruiformes Family: Heliornithidae
● Masked Finfoot, Heliopais personatus
Bustards
Order: Gruiformes Family: Otididae
● Great Bustard, Otis tarda

Arabian Bustard, Ardeotis arabs
Indian Bustard, Ardeotis nigriceps
Houbara Bustard, Chlamydotis undulata
Macqueen's Bustard, Chlamydotis macqueenii
Bengal Florican, Houbaropsis bengalensis
Lesser Florican, Sypheotides indicus
Little Bustard, Tetrax tetrax
Jacanas
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Jacanidae
● Comb-crested Jacana, Irediparra gallinacea

Bronze-winged Jacana, Metopidius indicus
Painted Snipe
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rostratulidae
● Greater Painted Snipe, Rostratula benghalensis
Crab Plover
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Dromadidae
● Crab Plover, Dromas ardeola
Oystercatchers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae
● Eurasian Oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus

Sooty Oystercatcher, Haematopus fuliginosus
Ibisbill
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Ibidorhynchidae
● Ibisbill, Ibidorhyncha struthersii
Avocets and stilts
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae

Pied Stilt, Himantopus leucocephalus
Pied Avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
Thick-knees
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae
● Eurasian Thick-knee, Burhinus oedicnemus

Senegal Thick-knee, Burhinus senegalensis
Spotted Thick-knee, Burhinus capensis
Great Thick-knee, Burhinus recurvirostris
Beach Thick-knee, Burhinus magnirostris
Pratincoles and coursers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Glareolidae
● Cream-colored Courser, Cursorius cursor

Indian Courser, Cursorius coromandelicus
Jerdon's Courser, Rhinoptilus bitorquatus
Australian Pratincole, Stiltia isabella
Collared Pratincole, Glareola pratincola
Oriental Pratincole, Glareola maldivarum
Black-winged Pratincole, Glareola nordmanni
Small Pratincole, Glareola lactea
Lapwings and plovers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae

● Northern Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus
Spur-winged Plover, Vanellus spinosus
River Lapwing, Vanellus duvaucelii
Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Vanellus malabaricus
Grey-headed Lapwing, Vanellus cinereus
Red-wattled Lapwing, Vanellus indicus
Sunda Lapwing, Vanellus macropterus
Pacific Golden Plover, Pluvialis fulva
Eurasian Golden Plover, Pluvialis apricaria
Black-bellied Plover, Pluvialis squatarola
Common Ringed Plover, Charadrius hiaticula
Long-billed Plover, Charadrius placidus
Kittlitz's Plover, Charadrius pecuarius
Snowy Plover, Charadrius alexandrinus
Javan Plover, Charadrius javanicus
Red-capped Plover, Charadrius ruficapillus
Malaysian Plover, Charadrius peronii
Lesser Sandplover, Charadrius mongolus
Greater Sandplover, Charadrius leschenaultii
Oriental Plover, Charadrius veredus
Eurasian Dotterel, Charadrius morinellus
Black-fronted Dotterel, Elseyornis melanops
Sandpipers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae
● Eurasian Woodcock, Scolopax rusticola

Amami Woodcock, Scolopax mira
Bukidnon Woodcock, Scolopax bukidnonensis
Dusky Woodcock, Scolopax saturata
Sulawesi Woodcock, Scolopax celebensis
Solitary Snipe, Gallinago solitaria
Latham's Snipe, Gallinago hardwickii
Wood Snipe, Gallinago nemoricola
Swinhoe's Snipe, Gallinago megala
Long-billed Dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus
Asian Dowitcher, Limnodromus semipalmatus
Eskimo Curlew, Numenius borealis
Little Curlew, Numenius minutus
Bristle-thighed Curlew, Numenius tahitiensis
Slender-billed Curlew, Numenius tenuirostris
Eurasian Curlew, Numenius arquata
Far Eastern Curlew, Numenius madagascariensis
Nordmann's Greenshank, Tringa guttifer
Greater Yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca
Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularius
Grey-tailed Tattler, Heterosceles brevipes
Wandering Tattler, Heterosceles incanus
Black Turnstone, Arenaria melanocephala
Semipalmated Sandpiper, Calidris pusilla
Temminck's Stint, Calidris temminckii
Least Sandpiper, Calidris minutilla
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Calidris acuminata
Purple Sandpiper, Calidris maritima
Rock Sandpiper, Calidris ptilocnemis
Stilt Sandpiper, Calidris himantopus
Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Eurynorhynchus pygmeus
Red Phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius
Skuas and jaegers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae
● South Polar Skua, Stercorarius maccormicki

Brown Skua, Stercorarius antarcticus
Great Skua, Stercorarius skua
Pomarine Jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus (Pomarine Skua)
Parasitic Jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus (Arctic Skua)
Long-tailed Jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (Long-tailed Skua)
Gulls
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
● Black-tailed Gull, Larus crassirostris

Mew Gull, Larus canus
East Siberian Gull, Larus vegae
Steppe Gull, Larus barabensis
Ivory Gull, Pagophila eburnea
Ross's Gull, Rhodostethia rosea
Sabine's Gull, Xema sabini
Red-legged Kittiwake, Rissa brevirostris
Black-legged Kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla
Terns
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Sternidae
● Gull-billed Tern, Gelochelidon nilotica

Caspian Tern, Hydroprogne caspia
Sandwich Tern, Sterna sandvicensis
Chinese Crested Tern, Sterna bernsteini
Great Crested Tern, Sterna bergii
River Tern, Sterna aurantia
White-cheeked Tern, Sterna repressa
Black-bellied Tern, Sterna acuticauda
Little Tern, Sternula albifrons
Saunders' Tern, Sternula saundersi
Yellow-billed Tern, Sternula superciliaris
Aleutian Tern, Onychoprion aleutica
Grey-backed Tern, Onychoprion lunata
Bridled Tern, Onychoprion anaethetus
Sooty Tern, Onychoprion fuscata
Whiskered Tern, Chlidonias hybrida
White-winged Tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
Brown Noddy, Anous stolidus
Blue Noddy, Procelsterna cerulea
White Tern, Gygis alba
Skimmers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rynchopidae
● African Skimmer, Rynchops flavirostris

Indian Skimmer, Rynchops albicollis
Auks, murres, and puffins
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Alcidae
● Dovekie, Alle alle

Common Murre, Uria aalge
Thick-billed Murre, Uria lomvia
Black Guillemot, Cepphus grylle
Pigeon Guillemot, Cepphus columba
Spectacled Guillemot, Cepphus carbo
Marbled Murrelet, Brachyramphus marmoratus
Long-billed Murrelet, Brachyramphus perdix
Kittlitz's Murrelet, Brachyramphus brevirostris
Ancient Murrelet, Synthliboramphus antiquus
Japanese Murrelet, Synthliboramphus wumizusume
Parakeet Auklet, Aethia psittacula
Crested Auklet, Aethia cristatella
Whiskered Auklet, Aethia pygmaea
Least Auklet, Aethia pusilla
Rhinoceros Auklet, Cerorhinca monocerata
Horned Puffin, Fratercula corniculata
Tufted Puffin, Fratercula cirrhata
Sandgrouse
Order: Pterocliformes Family: Pteroclididae
● Tibetan Sandgrouse, Syrrhaptes tibetanus

Pallas's Sandgrouse, Syrrhaptes paradoxus
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Pterocles alchata
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus
Spotted Sandgrouse, Pterocles senegallus
Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Pterocles orientalis
Crowned Sandgrouse, Pterocles coronatus
Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse, Pterocles lichtensteinii
Painted Sandgrouse, Pterocles indicus
Pigeons and doves
Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae

Hill Pigeon, Columba rupestris
Snow Pigeon, Columba leuconota
Stock Dove, Columba oenas
Pale-backed Pigeon, Columba eversmanni
Common Wood Pigeon, Columba palumbus
Rameron Pigeon, Columba arquatrix
Speckled Wood Pigeon, Columba hodgsonii
Ashy Wood Pigeon, Columba pulchricollis
Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Columba elphinstonii
Ceylon Wood Pigeon, Columba torringtoni
Pale-capped Pigeon, Columba punicea
Silvery Wood Pigeon, Columba argentina
Andaman Wood Pigeon, Columba palumboides
Japanese Wood Pigeon, Columba janthina
Metallic Pigeon, Columba vitiensis
Eurasian Turtle Dove, Streptopelia turtur
Oriental Turtle Dove, Streptopelia orientalis
Island Collared Dove, Streptopelia bitorquata
Eurasian Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto
Red Collared Dove, Streptopelia tranquebarica
Spotted Dove, Streptopelia chinensis
Laughing Dove, Streptopelia senegalensis
Barred Cuckoo Dove, Macropygia unchall
Dusky Cuckoo Dove, Macropygia magna
Slender-billed Cuckoo Dove, Macropygia amboinensis
Andaman Cuckoo Dove, Macropygia rufipennis
Philippine Cuckoo Dove, Macropygia tenuirostris
Ruddy Cuckoo Dove, Macropygia emiliana
Little Cuckoo Dove, Macropygia ruficeps
White-faced Cuckoo Dove, Turacoena manadensis
Slaty Cuckoo Dove, Turacoena modesta
Namaqua Dove, Oena capensis
Emerald Dove, Chalcophaps indica
Stephan's Dove, Chalcophaps stephani
Zebra Dove, Geopelia striata
Barred Dove, Geopelia maugei
Nicobar Pigeon, Caloenas nicobarica
Luzon Bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba luzonica
Mindanao Bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba crinigera
Mindoro Bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba platenae
Negros Bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba keayi
Sulu Bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba menagei
Sulawesi Ground Dove, Gallicolumba tristigmata
Wetar Ground Dove, Gallicolumba hoedtii
White-eared Dove, Phapitreron leucotis
Amethyst Dove, Phapitreron amethystinus
Dark-eared Dove, Phapitreron cinereiceps
Little Green Pigeon, Treron olax
Pink-necked Pigeon, Treron vernans
Cinnamon-headed Pigeon, Treron fulvicollis
Orange-breasted Pigeon, Treron bicinctus
Pompadour Green Pigeon, Treron pompadora
Thick-billed Pigeon, Treron curvirostra
Grey-cheeked Pigeon, Treron griseicauda
Timor Green Pigeon, Treron psittaceus
Large Green Pigeon, Treron capellei
Yellow-footed Pigeon, Treron phoenicopterus
Yellow-vented Pigeon, Treron seimundi
Pin-tailed Pigeon, Treron apicauda
Green-spectacled Pigeon, Treron oxyurus
Wedge-tailed Pigeon, Treron sphenurus
White-bellied Pigeon, Treron sieboldii
Whistling Green Pigeon, Treron formosae
Black-backed Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus cinctus
Pink-headed Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus porphyreus
Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus occipitalis
Flame-breasted Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus marchei
Cream-breasted Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus merrilli
Red-eared Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus fischeri
Jambu Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus jambu
Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus subgularis
Black-chinned Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus leclancheri
Superb Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus superbus
Rose-crowned Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus regina
Black-naped Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus melanospilus
Negros Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus arcanus
Pink-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Ducula poliocephala
White-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Ducula forsteni
Mindoro Imperial Pigeon, Ducula mindorensis
Grey-headed Imperial Pigeon, Ducula radiata
Spotted Imperial Pigeon, Ducula carola
Green Imperial Pigeon, Ducula aenea
Elegant Imperial Pigeon, Ducula concinna
Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon, Ducula rosacea
Grey Imperial Pigeon, Ducula pickeringii
Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Ducula badia
Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon, Ducula lacernulata
Timor Imperial Pigeon, Ducula cineracea
Pied Imperial Pigeon, Ducula bicolor
White Imperial Pigeon, Ducula luctuosa
Sombre Pigeon, Cryptophaps poecilorrhoa
Cockatoos
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Cacatuidae

● Tanimbar Corella, Cacatua goffiniana
Philippine Cockatoo, Cacatua haematuropygia
Yellow-crested Cockatoo, Cacatua sulphurea
Parrots
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae
● Red-and-blue Lory, Eos histrio

Ornate Lorikeet, Trichoglossus ornatus
Rainbow Lorikeet, Trichoglossus haematodus
Olive-headed Lorikeet, Trichoglossus euteles
Yellow-and-green Lorikeet, Trichoglossus flavoviridis
Mindanao Lorikeet, Trichoglossus johnstoniae
Iris Lorikeet, Psitteuteles iris
Guaiabero, Bolbopsittacus lunulatus
Blue-rumped Parrot, Psittinus cyanurus
Red-cheeked Parrot, Geoffroyus geoffroyi
Luzon Racquet-tail, Prioniturus montanus
Mindanao Racquet-tail, Prioniturus waterstradti
Blue-headed Racquet-tail, Prioniturus platenae
Green Racquet-tail, Prioniturus luconensis
Blue-crowned Racquet-tail, Prioniturus discurus
Blue-winged Racquet-tail, Prioniturus verticalis
Yellowish-breasted Racquet-tail, Prioniturus flavicans
Golden-mantled Racquet-tail, Prioniturus platurus
Great-billed Parrot, Tanygnathus megalorynchos
Blue-naped Parrot, Tanygnathus lucionensis
Azure-rumped Parrot, Tanygnathus sumatranus
Moluccan King Parrot, Alisterus amboinensis
Olive-shouldered Parrot, Aprosmictus jonquillaceus
Alexandrine Parakeet, Psittacula eupatria
Rose-ringed Parakeet, Psittacula krameri
Slaty-headed Parakeet, Psittacula himalayana
Grey-headed Parakeet, Psittacula finschii
Plum-headed Parakeet, Psittacula cyanocephala
Blossom-headed Parakeet, Psittacula roseata
Malabar Parakeet, Psittacula columboides
Layard's Parakeet, Psittacula calthropae
Derbyan Parakeet, Psittacula derbiana
Red-breasted Parakeet, Psittacula alexandri
Nicobar Parakeet, Psittacula caniceps
Long-tailed Parakeet, Psittacula longicauda
Vernal Hanging Parrot, Loriculus vernalis
Ceylon Hanging Parrot, Loriculus beryllinus
Philippine Hanging Parrot, Loriculus philippensis
Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Loriculus galgulus
Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Loriculus stigmatus
Sula Hanging Parrot, Loriculus sclateri
Sangihe Hanging Parrot, Loriculus catamene
Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Loriculus exilis
Yellow-throated Hanging Parrot, Loriculus pusillus
Cuckoos
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
● Pied Cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Clamator coromandus
Great Spotted Cuckoo, Clamator glandarius
Sulawesi Hawk Cuckoo, Cuculus crassirostris
Large Hawk Cuckoo, Cuculus sparverioides
Common Hawk Cuckoo, Cuculus varius
Moustached Hawk Cuckoo, Cuculus vagans
Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo, Cuculus nisicolor
Northern Hawk Cuckoo, Cuculus hyperythrus
Malaysian Hawk Cuckoo, Cuculus fugax
Philippine Hawk Cuckoo, Cuculus pectoralis
Indian Cuckoo, Cuculus micropterus
Common Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
Oriental Cuckoo, Cuculus saturatus
Horsfield's Cuckoo, Cuculus horsfieldi
Lesser Cuckoo, Cuculus poliocephalus
Pallid Cuckoo, Cuculus pallidus
Banded Bay Cuckoo, Cacomantis sonneratii
Plaintive Cuckoo, Cacomantis merulinus
Brush Cuckoo, Cacomantis variolosus
Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx basalis
Little Bronze Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx minutillus
Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx maculatus
Violet Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus
Klaas' Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx klaas
Dideric Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius
Asian Drongo Cuckoo, Surniculus lugubris
Philippine Drongo Cuckoo, Surniculus velutinus
Black-billed Koel, Eudynamys melanorhynchus
Asian Koel, Eudynamys scolopaceus
Australian Koel, Eudynamys cyanocephalus
Channel-billed Cuckoo, Scythrops novaehollandiae
Black-bellied Malkoha, Phaenicophaeus diardi
Chestnut-bellied Malkoha, Phaenicophaeus sumatranus
Blue-faced Malkoha, Phaenicophaeus viridirostris
Green-billed Malkoha, Phaenicophaeus tristis
Sirkeer Malkoha, Phaenicophaeus leschenaultii
Raffles' Malkoha, Phaenicophaeus chlorophaeus
Red-billed Malkoha, Phaenicophaeus javanicus
Yellow-billed Malkoha, Phaenicophaeus calyorhynchus
Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Phaenicophaeus curvirostris
Red-faced Malkoha, Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus
Red-crested Malkoha, Phaenicophaeus superciliosus
Scale-feathered Malkoha, Phaenicophaeus cumingi
Sumatran Ground Cuckoo, Carpococcyx viridis
Bornean Ground Cuckoo, Carpococcyx radiatus
Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo, Carpococcyx renauldi
Bay Coucal, Centropus celebensis
Rufous Coucal, Centropus unirufus
Black-faced Coucal, Centropus melanops
Sunda Coucal, Centropus nigrorufus
Pheasant Coucal, Centropus phasianinus
Short-toed Coucal, Centropus rectunguis
Black-hooded Coucal, Centropus steerii
Greater Coucal, Centropus sinensis
Andaman Coucal, Centropus andamanensis
Philippine Coucal, Centropus viridis
Green-billed Coucal, Centropus chlororhynchus
Lesser Coucal, Centropus bengalensis
White-browed Coucal, Centropus superciliosus
Barn-Owls
Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
● Minahassa Owl, Tyto inexspectata

Sulawesi Owl, Tyto rosenbergii
Australasian Grass Owl, Tyto longimembris
Barn Owl, Tyto alba
Owls
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
● Oriental Bay Owl, Phodilus badius

White-fronted Scops Owl, Otus sagittatus
Andaman Scops Owl, Otus balli
Reddish Scops Owl, Otus rufescens
Serendib Scops Owl, Otus thilohoffmanni
Mountain Scops Owl, Otus spilocephalus
Rajah Scops Owl, Otus brookii
Javan Scops Owl, Otus angelinae
Mentawai Scops Owl, Otus mentawi
Indian Scops Owl, Otus bakkamoena
Collared Scops Owl, Otus lettia
Sunda Scops Owl, Otus lempiji
Japanese Scops Owl, Otus semitorques
Palawan Scops Owl, Otus fuliginosus
Philippine Scops Owl, Otus megalotis
Mindanao Scops Owl, Otus mirus
Luzon Scops Owl, Otus longicornis
Mindoro Scops Owl, Otus mindorensis
Pallid Scops Owl, Otus brucei
Oriental Scops Owl, Otus sunia
Moluccan Scops Owl, Otus magicus
Mantanani Scops Owl, Otus mantananensis
Ryukyu Scops Owl, Otus elegans
Sulawesi Scops Owl, Otus manadensis
Sangihe Scops Owl, Otus collari
Simeulue Scops Owl, Otus umbra
Enggano Scops Owl, Otus enganensis
Nicobar Scops Owl, Otus alius
Mindanao Eagle Owl, Mimizuku gurneyi
Rock Eagle Owl, Bubo bengalensis
Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, Bubo nipalensis
Barred Eagle Owl, Bubo sumatranus
Dusky Eagle Owl, Bubo coromandus
Philippine Eagle Owl, Bubo philippensis
Snowy Owl, Bubo scandiacus
Blakiston's Fish Owl, Ketupa blakistoni
Brown Fish Owl, Ketupa zeylonensis
Tawny Fish Owl, Ketupa flavipes
Buffy Fish Owl, Ketupa ketupu
Spotted Wood Owl, Strix seloputo
Mottled Wood Owl, Strix ocellata
Brown Wood Owl, Strix leptogrammica
Ural Owl, Strix uralensis
Pere David's Owl, Strix davidi
Great Grey Owl, Strix nebulosa
Eurasian Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium passerinum
Collared Owlet, Glaucidium brodiei
Asian Barred Owlet, Glaucidium cuculoides
Javan Owlet, Glaucidium castanopterum
Jungle Owlet, Glaucidium radiatum
Chestnut-backed Owlet, Glaucidium castanonotum
Spotted Owlet, Athene brama
Forest Owlet, Athene blewitti
Boreal Owl, Aegolius funereus
Morepork, Ninox novaeseelandiae
Andaman Hawk Owl, Ninox affinis
Brown Hawk Owl, Ninox scutulata
Northern Boobook, Ninox japonica
Chocolate Boobook, Ninox randi
Philippine Hawk Owl, Ninox philippensis
Ochre-bellied Hawk Owl, Ninox ochracea
Togian Hawk Owl, Ninox burhani
Cinnabar Hawk Owl, Ninox ios
Speckled Hawk Owl, Ninox punctulata
Northern Long-eared Owl, Asio otus
Frogmouths
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Podargidae
● Large Frogmouth, Batrachostomus auritus
Dulit Frogmouth, Batrachostomus harterti
Philippine Frogmouth, Batrachostomus septimus
Gould's Frogmouth, Batrachostomus stellatus
Ceylon Frogmouth, Batrachostomus moniliger
Hodgson's Frogmouth, Batrachostomus hodgsoni
Short-tailed Frogmouth, Batrachostomus poliolophus
Javan Frogmouth, Batrachostomus javensis
Sunda Frogmouth, Batrachostomus cornutus
Nightjars
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
● Diabolical Nightjar, Eurostopodus diabolicus

Malaysian Nightjar, Eurostopodus temminckii
Great Eared Nightjar, Eurostopodus macrotis
Grey Nightjar, Caprimulgus indicus
Eurasian Nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
Egyptian Nightjar, Caprimulgus aegyptius
Sykes' Nightjar, Caprimulgus mahrattensis
Vaurie's Nightjar, Caprimulgus centralasicus
Andaman Nightjar, Caprimulgus andamanicus
Jerdon's Nightjar, Caprimulgus atripennis
Philippine Nightjar, Caprimulgus manillensis
Sulawesi Nightjar, Caprimulgus celebensis
Indian Nightjar, Caprimulgus asiaticus
Bonaparte's Nightjar, Caprimulgus concretus
Salvadori's Nightjar, Caprimulgus pulchellus
Swifts
Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae
● Waterfall Swift, Hydrochous gigas

Glossy Swiftlet, Collocalia esculenta
Cave Swiftlet, Collocalia linchi
Pygmy Swiftlet, Collocalia troglodytes
Indian Swiftlet, Aerodramus unicolor
Moluccan Swiftlet, Aerodramus infuscatus
Philippine Swiftlet, Aerodramus mearnsi
Himalayan Swiftlet, Aerodramus brevirostris
Indochinese Swiftlet, Aerodramus rogersi
Volcano Swiftlet, Aerodramus vulcanorum
Whitehead's Swiftlet, Aerodramus whiteheadi
Palawan Swiftlet, Aerodramus palawanensis
Uniform Swiftlet, Aerodramus vanikorensis
Mossy-nest Swiftlet, Aerodramus salangana
Black-nest Swiftlet, Aerodramus maximus
Edible-nest Swiftlet, Aerodramus fuciphagus
German's Swiftlet, Aerodramus germani
Philippine Needletail, Mearnsia picina
White-rumped Needletail, Zoonavena sylvatica
Silver-rumped Needletail, Rhaphidura leucopygialis
White-throated Needletail, Hirundapus caudacutus
Silver-backed Needletail, Hirundapus cochinchinensis
Brown-backed Needletail, Hirundapus giganteus
Purple Needletail, Hirundapus celebensis
Asian Palm Swift, Cypsiurus balasiensis
Alpine Swift, Tachymarptis melba
Fork-tailed Swift, Apus pacificus
Dark-rumped Swift, Apus acuticauda
House Swift, Apus nipalensis
Treeswifts
Order: Apodiformes Family: Hemiprocnidae
● Crested Treeswift, Hemiprocne coronata

Grey-rumped Treeswift, Hemiprocne longipennis
Whiskered Treeswift, Hemiprocne comata
Trogons
Order: Trogoniformes Family: Trogonidae
● Javan Trogon, Harpactes reinwardtii

Sumatran Trogon, Harpactes mackloti
Malabar Trogon, Harpactes fasciatus
Red-naped Trogon, Harpactes kasumba
Diard's Trogon, Harpactes diardii
Philippine Trogon, Harpactes ardens
Whitehead's Trogon, Harpactes whiteheadi
Cinnamon-rumped Trogon, Harpactes orrhophaeus
Scarlet-rumped Trogon, Harpactes duvaucelii
Red-headed Trogon, Harpactes erythrocephalus
Orange-breasted Trogon, Harpactes oreskios
Ward's Trogon, Harpactes wardi
Kingfishers
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
● Blyth's Kingfisher, Alcedo hercules

Common Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis
Blue-eared Kingfisher, Alcedo meninting
Blue-banded Kingfisher, Alcedo euryzona
Indigo-banded Kingfisher, Alcedo cyanopectus
Silvery Kingfisher, Alcedo argentata
Small Blue Kingfisher, Alcedo coerulescens
Black-backed Kingfisher, Ceyx erithaca
Philippine Kingfisher, Ceyx melanurus
Sulawesi Kingfisher, Ceyx fallax
Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Ceyx rufidorsa
Variable Kingfisher, Ceyx lepidus
Banded Kingfisher, Lacedo pulchella
Lilac Kingfisher, Cittura cyanotis
Brown-winged Kingfisher, Pelargopsis amauroptera
Stork-billed Kingfisher, Pelargopsis capensis
Black-billed Kingfisher, Pelargopsis melanorhyncha
Ruddy Kingfisher, Halcyon coromanda
White-throated Kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis
Grey-headed Kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala
Black-capped Kingfisher, Halcyon pileata
Javan Kingfisher, Halcyon cyanoventris
Rufous-lored Kingfisher, Todiramphus winchelli
Talaud Kingfisher, Todiramphus enigma
Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher, Todiramphus australasia
Sacred Kingfisher, Todiramphus sanctus
Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Actenoides concretus
Spotted Kingfisher, Actenoides lindsayi
Blue-capped Kingfisher, Actenoides hombroni
Green-backed Kingfisher, Actenoides monachus
Scaly Kingfisher, Actenoides princeps
Crested Kingfisher, Megaceryle lugubris
Pied Kingfisher, Ceryle rudis
Bee-eaters
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Meropidae
● Red-bearded Bee-eater, Nyctyornis amictus

Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Nyctyornis athertoni
Purple-bearded Bee-eater, Meropogon forsteni
Little Bee-eater, Merops pusillus
Somali Bee-eater, Merops revoilii
White-throated Bee-eater, Merops albicollis
Green Bee-eater, Merops orientalis
Blue-throated Bee-eater, Merops viridis
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Merops persicus
Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Merops philippinus
Rainbow Bee-eater, Merops ornatus
European Bee-eater, Merops apiaster
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Merops leschenaulti
Rollers
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae
● European Roller, Coracias garrulus

Abyssinian Roller, Coracias abyssinicus
Rufous-crowned Roller, Coracias noevius
Indian Roller, Coracias benghalensis
Purple-winged Roller, Coracias temminckii
Dollarbird, Eurystomus orientalis
Hoopoe
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Upupidae
● Eurasian Hoopoe, Upupa epops
Hornbills
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Bucerotidae
● African Grey Hornbill, Tockus nasutus

Malabar Grey Hornbill, Ocyceros griseus
Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Ocyceros gingalensis
Indian Grey Hornbill, Ocyceros birostris
Malabar Pied Hornbill, Anthracoceros coronatus
Oriental Pied Hornbill, Anthracoceros albirostris
Black Hornbill, Anthracoceros malayanus
Palawan Hornbill, Anthracoceros marchei
Sulu Hornbill, Anthracoceros montani
Rhinoceros Hornbill, Buceros rhinoceros
Great Hornbill, Buceros bicornis
Rufous Hornbill, Buceros hydrocorax
Helmeted Hornbill, Buceros vigil
Brown Hornbill, Anorrhinus austeni
Rusty-cheeked Hornbill, Anorrhinus tickelli
Bushy-crested Hornbill, Anorrhinus galeritus
Luzon Hornbill, Penelopides manillae
Mindoro Hornbill, Penelopides mindorensis
Tarictic Hornbill, Penelopides panini
Samar Hornbill, Penelopides samarensis
Mindanao Hornbill, Penelopides affinis
Sulawesi Hornbill, Penelopides exarhatus
White-crowned Hornbill, Aceros comatus
Rufous-necked Hornbill, Aceros nipalensis
Wrinkled Hornbill, Aceros corrugatus
Writhe-billed Hornbill, Aceros waldeni
Writhed Hornbill, Aceros leucocephalus
Knobbed Hornbill, Aceros cassidix
Wreathed Hornbill, Aceros undulatus
Narcondam Hornbill, Aceros narcondami
Plain-pouched Hornbill, Aceros subruficollis
Barbets
Order: Piciformes Family: Capitonidae
● Fire-tufted Barbet, Psilopogon pyrolophus

Great Barbet, Megalaima virens
Red-vented Barbet, Megalaima lagrandieri
Brown-headed Barbet, Megalaima zeylanica
Lineated Barbet, Megalaima lineata
White-cheeked Barbet, Megalaima viridis
Green-eared Barbet, Megalaima faiostricta
Brown-throated Barbet, Megalaima corvina
Gold-whiskered Barbet, Megalaima chrysopogon
Red-crowned Barbet, Megalaima rafflesii
Red-throated Barbet, Megalaima mystacophanos
Black-banded Barbet, Megalaima javensis
Yellow-fronted Barbet, Megalaima flavifrons
Golden-throated Barbet, Megalaima franklinii
Black-browed Barbet, Megalaima oorti
Blue-throated Barbet, Megalaima asiatica
Mountain Barbet, Megalaima monticola
Moustached Barbet, Megalaima incognita
Yellow-crowned Barbet, Megalaima henricii
Flame-fronted Barbet, Megalaima armillaris
Golden-naped Barbet, Megalaima pulcherrima
Blue-eared Barbet, Megalaima australis
Bornean Barbet, Megalaima eximia
Crimson-fronted Barbet, Megalaima rubricapillus
Coppersmith Barbet, Megalaima haemacephala
Brown Barbet, Calorhamphus fuliginosus
Honeyguides
Order: Piciformes Family: Indicatoridae
● Malaysian Honeyguide, Indicator archipelagicus

Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Indicator xanthonotus
Woodpeckers and allies

Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae
● Eurasian Wryneck, Jynx torquilla
Speckled Piculet, Picumnus innominatus
Rufous Piculet, Sasia abnormis
White-browed Piculet, Sasia ochracea
Sulawesi Woodpecker, Dendrocopos temminckii
Philippine Woodpecker, Dendrocopos maculatus
Brown-capped Woodpecker, Dendrocopos moluccensis
Grey-capped Woodpecker, Dendrocopos canicapillus
Pygmy Woodpecker, Dendrocopos kizuki
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos minor
Brown-fronted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos auriceps
Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos macei
Stripe-breasted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos atratus
Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Dendrocopos mahrattensis
Arabian Woodpecker, Dendrocopos dorae
Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Dendrocopos hyperythrus
Darjeeling Woodpecker, Dendrocopos darjellensis
Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos cathpharius
Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos medius
White-backed Woodpecker, Dendrocopos leucotos
White-winged Woodpecker, Dendrocopos leucopterus
Sind Woodpecker, Dendrocopos assimilis
Himalayan Woodpecker, Dendrocopos himalayensis
Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker, Picoides tridactylus
Rufous Woodpecker, Celeus brachyurus
White-bellied Woodpecker, Dryocopus javensis
Andaman Woodpecker, Dryocopus hodgei
Black Woodpecker, Dryocopus martius
Banded Woodpecker, Picus mineaceus
Lesser Yellownape, Picus chlorolophus
Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Picus puniceus
Greater Yellownape, Picus flavinucha
Checker-throated Woodpecker, Picus mentalis
Streak-breasted Woodpecker, Picus viridanus
Laced Woodpecker, Picus vittatus
Streak-throated Woodpecker, Picus xanthopygaeus
Scaly-bellied Woodpecker, Picus squamatus
Japanese Woodpecker, Picus awokera
Green Woodpecker, Picus viridis
Red-collared Woodpecker, Picus rabieri
Black-headed Woodpecker, Picus erythropygius
Grey-faced Woodpecker, Picus canus
Olive-backed Woodpecker, Dinopium rafflesii
Himalayan Flameback, Dinopium shorii
Common Flameback, Dinopium javanense
Black-rumped Flameback, Dinopium benghalense
White-naped Woodpecker, Chrysocolaptes festivus
Greater Flameback, Chrysocolaptes lucidus
Pale-headed Woodpecker, Gecinulus grantia
Bamboo Woodpecker, Gecinulus viridis
Okinawa Woodpecker, Sapheopipo noguchii
Maroon Woodpecker, Blythipicus rubiginosus
Bay Woodpecker, Blythipicus pyrrhotis
Orange-backed Woodpecker, Reinwardtipicus validus
Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Meiglyptes tristis
Black-and-buff Woodpecker, Meiglyptes jugularis
Buff-necked Woodpecker, Meiglyptes tukki
Grey-and-buff Woodpecker, Hemicircus concretus
Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Hemicircus canente
Ashy Woodpecker, Mulleripicus fulvus
Sooty Woodpecker, Mulleripicus funebris
Great Slaty Woodpecker, Mulleripicus pulverulentus
Broadbills
Order: Passeriformes Family: Eurylaimidae
● Dusky Broadbill, Corydon sumatranus

Black-and-red Broadbill, Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos
Banded Broadbill, Eurylaimus javanicus
Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Eurylaimus ochromalus
Wattled Broadbill, Eurylaimus steerii
Visayan Broadbill, Eurylaimus samarensis
Long-tailed Broadbill, Psarisomus dalhousiae
Silver-breasted Broadbill, Serilophus lunatus
Green Broadbill, Calyptomena viridis
Hose's Broadbill, Calyptomena hosii
Whitehead's Broadbill, Calyptomena whiteheadi
Pittas
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pittidae
● Eared Pitta, Pitta phayrei

Blue-naped Pitta, Pitta nipalensis
Blue-rumped Pitta, Pitta soror
Rusty-naped Pitta, Pitta oatesi
Schneider's Pitta, Pitta schneideri
Giant Pitta, Pitta caerulea
Blue Pitta, Pitta cyanea
Banded Pitta, Pitta guajana
Bar-bellied Pitta, Pitta elliotii
Gurney's Pitta, Pitta gurneyi
Blue-headed Pitta, Pitta baudii
Hooded Pitta, Pitta sordida
Azure-breasted Pitta, Pitta steerii
Whiskered Pitta, Pitta kochi
Red-bellied Pitta, Pitta erythrogaster
Sula Pitta, Pitta dohertyi
Blue-banded Pitta, Pitta arcuata
Garnet Pitta, Pitta granatina
Black-headed Pitta, Pitta ussheri
Black-crowned Pitta, Pitta venusta
Indian Pitta, Pitta brachyura
Fairy Pitta, Pitta nympha
Blue-winged Pitta, Pitta moluccensis
Mangrove Pitta, Pitta megarhyncha
Elegant Pitta, Pitta elegans
Larks
Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae
● Singing Bushlark, Mirafra cantillans

Australasian Bushlark, Mirafra javanica
Indian Bushlark, Mirafra erythroptera
Bengal Bushlark, Mirafra assamica
Jerdon's Bushlark, Mirafra affinis
Indochinese Bushlark, Mirafra erythrocephala
Burmese Bushlark, Mirafra microptera
Black-crowned Sparrow Lark, Eremopterix nigriceps
Chestnut-headed Sparrow Lark, Eremopterix signatus
Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark, Eremopterix griseus
Bar-tailed Lark, Ammomanes cinctura
Rufous-tailed Lark, Ammomanes phoenicura
Desert Lark, Ammomanes deserti
Greater Hoopoe Lark, Alaemon alaudipes
Thick-billed Lark, Ramphocoris clotbey
Calandra Lark, Melanocorypha calandra
Bimaculated Lark, Melanocorypha bimaculata
Tibetan Lark, Melanocorypha maxima
Mongolian Lark, Melanocorypha mongolica
White-winged Lark, Melanocorypha leucoptera
Black Lark, Melanocorypha yeltoniensis
Greater Short-toed Lark, Calandrella brachydactyla
Blanford's Lark, Calandrella blanfordi
Hume's Lark, Calandrella acutirostris
Lesser Short-toed Lark, Calandrella rufescens
Red-capped Lark, Calandrella cinerea
Sand Lark, Calandrella raytal
Dunn's Lark, Eremalauda dunni
Dupont's Lark, Chersophilus duponti
Crested Lark, Galerida cristata
Malabar Lark, Galerida malabarica
Tawny Lark, Galerida deva
Wood Lark, Lullula arborea
Sky Lark, Alauda arvensis
Horned Lark, Eremophila alpestris
Temminck's Lark, Eremophila bilopha
Swallows
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
● White-eyed River Martin, Pseudochelidon sirintarae

Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor
Bank Swallow, Riparia riparia
Pale Sand Martin, Riparia diluta
Plain Martin, Riparia paludicola
Banded Martin, Riparia cincta
Cliff Swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Tree Martin, Petrochelidon nigricans
Streak-throated Swallow, Petrochelidon fluvicola
Fairy Martin, Petrochelidon ariel
Eurasian Crag Martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris
Rock Martin, Ptyonoprogne fuligula
Dusky Crag Martin, Ptyonoprogne concolor
Ethiopian Swallow, Hirundo aethiopica
Pacific Swallow, Hirundo tahitica
Wire-tailed Swallow, Hirundo smithii
Lesser Striped Swallow, Cecropis abyssinica
Red-rumped Swallow, Cecropis daurica
Striated Swallow, Cecropis striolata
Rufous-bellied Swallow, Cecropis badia
House Martin, Delichon urbicum
Asian Martin, Delichon dasypus
Nepal Martin, Delichon nipalense
Wagtails and pipits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae
● Forest Wagtail, Dendronanthus indicus

White Wagtail, Motacilla alba
Mekong Wagtail, Motacilla samveasnae
Black-backed Wagtail, Motacilla lugens
Japanese Wagtail, Motacilla grandis
White-browed Wagtail, Motacilla madaraspatensis
Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla tschutschensis
Golden Pipit, Tmetothylacus tenellus
Oriental Pipit, Anthus rufulus
Richard's Pipit, Anthus richardi
Tawny Pipit, Anthus campestris
Blyth's Pipit, Anthus godlewskii
Long-billed Pipit, Anthus similis
Tree Pipit, Anthus trivialis
Olive-backed Pipit, Anthus hodgsoni
Pechora Pipit, Anthus gustavi
Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis
Rosy Pipit, Anthus roseatus
Rock Pipit, Anthus petrosus
Water Pipit, Anthus spinoletta
Upland Pipit, Anthus sylvanus
American Pipit, Anthus rubescens
Nilgiri Pipit, Anthus nilghiriensis
Cuckoo-shrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Campephagidae
● Large Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina macei

Sunda Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina larvata
Javan Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina javensis
Slaty Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina schistacea
Wallacean Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina personata
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina novaehollandiae
Bar-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina striata
Pied Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina bicolor
Cerulean Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina temminckii
White-rumped Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina leucopygia
Pygmy Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina abbotti
Cicadabird, Coracina tenuirostris
Blackish Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina coerulescens
Sula Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina sula
Black-bibbed Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina mindanensis
Sulawesi Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina morio
McGregor's Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina mcgregori
Indochinese Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina polioptera
White-winged Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina ostenta
Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina melaschistos
Lesser Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina fimbriata
Black-headed Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina melanoptera
Black-and-white Triller, Lalage melanoleuca
Pied Triller, Lalage nigra
White-rumped Triller, Lalage leucopygialis
White-shouldered Triller, Lalage sueurii
Rosy Minivet, Pericrocotus roseus
Brown-rumped Minivet, Pericrocotus cantonensis
Ashy Minivet, Pericrocotus divaricatus
Small Minivet, Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
Ryukyu Minivet, Pericrocotus tegimae
Fiery Minivet, Pericrocotus igneus
White-bellied Minivet, Pericrocotus erythropygius
Long-tailed Minivet, Pericrocotus ethologus
Short-billed Minivet, Pericrocotus brevirostris
Sunda Minivet, Pericrocotus miniatus
Scarlet Minivet, Pericrocotus flammeus
Grey-chinned Minivet, Pericrocotus solaris
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Hemipus picatus
Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Hemipus hirundinaceus
Bulbuls
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pycnonotidae
● Crested Finchbill, Spizixos canifrons

Collared Finchbill, Spizixos semitorques
Straw-headed Bulbul, Pycnonotus zeylanicus
Striated Bulbul, Pycnonotus striatus
Cream-striped Bulbul, Pycnonotus leucogrammicus
Spot-necked Bulbul, Pycnonotus tympanistrigus
Black-and-white Bulbul, Pycnonotus melanoleucos
Grey-headed Bulbul, Pycnonotus priocephalus
Black-headed Bulbul, Pycnonotus atriceps
Black-crested Bulbul, Pycnonotus melanicterus
Styan's Bulbul, Pycnonotus taivanus
Scaly-breasted Bulbul, Pycnonotus squamatus
Grey-bellied Bulbul, Pycnonotus cyaniventris
Red-whiskered Bulbul, Pycnonotus jocosus
Brown-breasted Bulbul, Pycnonotus xanthorrhous
Light-vented Bulbul, Pycnonotus sinensis
White-eared Bulbul, Pycnonotus leucotis
White-cheeked Bulbul, Pycnonotus leucogenys
Red-vented Bulbul, Pycnonotus cafer
Sooty-headed Bulbul, Pycnonotus aurigaster
Puff-backed Bulbul, Pycnonotus eutilotus
Blue-wattled Bulbul, Pycnonotus nieuwenhuisii
Yellow-wattled Bulbul, Pycnonotus urostictus
Orange-spotted Bulbul, Pycnonotus bimaculatus
Stripe-throated Bulbul, Pycnonotus finlaysoni
Yellow-throated Bulbul, Pycnonotus xantholaemus
Yellow-eared Bulbul, Pycnonotus penicillatus
Flavescent Bulbul, Pycnonotus flavescens
White-browed Bulbul, Pycnonotus luteolus
Yellow-vented Bulbul, Pycnonotus goiavier
Olive-winged Bulbul, Pycnonotus plumosus
Streak-eared Bulbul, Pycnonotus blanfordi
Cream-vented Bulbul, Pycnonotus simplex
Red-eyed Bulbul, Pycnonotus brunneus
Spectacled Bulbul, Pycnonotus erythropthalmos
Finsch's Bulbul, Alophoixus finschii
White-throated Bulbul, Alophoixus flaveolus
Puff-throated Bulbul, Alophoixus pallidus
Ochraceous Bulbul, Alophoixus ochraceus
Grey-cheeked Bulbul, Alophoixus bres
Yellow-bellied Bulbul, Alophoixus phaeocephalus
Golden Bulbul, Alophoixus affinis
Hook-billed Bulbul, Setornis criniger
Hairy-backed Bulbul, Tricholestes criniger
Olive Bulbul, Iole virescens
Grey-eyed Bulbul, Iole propinqua
Buff-vented Bulbul, Iole olivacea
Yellow-browed Bulbul, Iole indica
Sulphur-bellied Bulbul, Ixos palawanensis
Philippine Bulbul, Ixos philippinus
Streak-breasted Bulbul, Ixos siquijorensis
Brown-eared Bulbul, Ixos amaurotis
Yellowish Bulbul, Ixos everetti
Zamboanga Bulbul, Ixos rufigularis
Streaked Bulbul, Ixos malaccensis
Mountain Bulbul, Ixos mcclellandii
Sunda Bulbul, Ixos virescens
Ashy Bulbul, Hemixos flavala
Chestnut Bulbul, Hemixos castanonotus
Black Bulbul, Hypsipetes leucocephalus
Nicobar Bulbul, Hypsipetes virescens
White-headed Bulbul, Hypsipetes thompsoni
Kinglets
Order: Passeriformes Family: Regulidae
● Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula

Goldcrest, Regulus regulus
Flamecrest, Regulus goodfellowi
Firecrest, Regulus ignicapilla
Leafbirds
Order: Passeriformes Family: Chloropseidae
● Philippine Leafbird, Chloropsis flavipennis

Yellow-throated Leafbird, Chloropsis palawanensis
Greater Green Leafbird, Chloropsis sonnerati
Lesser Green Leafbird, Chloropsis cyanopogon
Blue-winged Leafbird, Chloropsis cochinchinensis
Golden-fronted Leafbird, Chloropsis aurifrons
Orange-bellied Leafbird, Chloropsis hardwickii
Blue-masked Leafbird, Chloropsis venusta
Ioras
Order: Passeriformes Family: Aegithinidae
● Common Iora, Aegithina tiphia

White-tailed Iora, Aegithina nigrolutea
Green Iora, Aegithina viridissima
Great Iora, Aegithina lafresnayei
Waxwings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Bombycillidae
● Bohemian Waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus

Japanese Waxwing, Bombycilla japonica
Hypocolius
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hypocoliidae
● Hypocolius, Hypocolius ampelinus
Dippers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cinclidae

● White-throated Dipper, Cinclus cinclus
Brown Dipper, Cinclus pallasii
Wrens
Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae
● Winter Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes
Accentors
Order: Passeriformes Family: Prunellidae

Himalayan Accentor, Prunella himalayana
Robin Accentor, Prunella rubeculoides
Rufous-breasted Accentor, Prunella strophiata
Siberian Accentor, Prunella montanella
Radde's Accentor, Prunella ocularis
Yemen Accentor, Prunella fagani
Brown Accentor, Prunella fulvescens
Black-throated Accentor, Prunella atrogularis
Mongolian Accentor, Prunella koslowi
Dunnock, Prunella modularis
Japanese Accentor, Prunella rubida
Maroon-backed Accentor, Prunella immaculata
Thrushes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
● Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Monticola saxatilis

Blue-capped Rock Thrush, Monticola cinclorhynchus
White-throated Rock Thrush, Monticola gularis
Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Monticola rufiventris
Ceylon Whistling Thrush, Myophonus blighi
Shiny Whistling Thrush, Myophonus melanurus
Javan Whistling Thrush, Myophonus glaucinus
Chestnut-winged Whistling Thrush, Myophonus castaneus
Bornean Whistling Thrush, Myophonus borneensis
Malayan Whistling Thrush, Myophonus robinsoni
Malabar Whistling Thrush, Myophonus horsfieldii
Formosan Whistling Thrush, Myophonus insularis
Blue Whistling Thrush, Myophonus caeruleus
Geomalia, Geomalia heinrichi
Chestnut-capped Thrush, Zoothera interpres
Enggano Thrush, Zoothera leucolaema
Chestnut-backed Thrush, Zoothera dohertyi
Rusty-backed Thrush, Zoothera erythronota
Red-and-black Thrush, Zoothera mendeni
Pied Thrush, Zoothera wardii
Ashy Thrush, Zoothera cinerea
Orange-banded Thrush, Zoothera peronii
Orange-headed Thrush, Zoothera citrina
Everett's Thrush, Zoothera everetti
Siberian Thrush, Zoothera sibirica
Spot-winged Thrush, Zoothera spiloptera
Sunda Thrush, Zoothera andromedae
Plain-backed Thrush, Zoothera mollissima
Long-tailed Thrush, Zoothera dixoni
Scaly Thrush, Zoothera dauma
Long-billed Thrush, Zoothera monticola
Dark-sided Thrush, Zoothera marginata
Bonin Thrush, Zoothera terrestris (extinct)
Sulawesi Thrush, Cataponera turdoides
Grey-cheeked Thrush, Catharus minimus
Yemen Thrush, Turdus menachensis
Grey-backed Thrush, Turdus hortulorum
Tickell's Thrush, Turdus unicolor
Black-breasted Thrush, Turdus dissimilis
Japanese Thrush, Turdus cardis
White-collared Blackbird, Turdus albocinctus
Grey-winged Blackbird, Turdus boulboul
Eurasian Blackbird, Turdus merula
Island Thrush, Turdus poliocephalus
Chestnut Thrush, Turdus rubrocanus
White-backed Thrush, Turdus kessleri
Grey-sided Thrush, Turdus feae
Eyebrowed Thrush, Turdus obscurus
Pale Thrush, Turdus pallidus
Brown-headed Thrush, Turdus chrysolaus
Izu Thrush, Turdus celaenops
Dark-throated Thrush, Turdus ruficollis
Dusky Thrush, Turdus naumanni
Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris
Chinese Thrush, Turdus mupinensis
Fruit-hunter, Chlamydochaera jefferyi
Rusty-bellied Shortwing, Brachypteryx hyperythra
Gould's Shortwing, Brachypteryx stellata
White-bellied Shortwing, Brachypteryx major
Lesser Shortwing, Brachypteryx leucophrys
White-browed Shortwing, Brachypteryx montana
Great Shortwing, Heinrichia calligyna
Cisticolas and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Cisticolidae
● Zitting Cisticola, Cisticola juncidis

Golden-headed Cisticola, Cisticola exilis
White-browed Chinese Warbler, Rhopophilus pekinensis
Streaked Scrub Warbler, Scotocerca inquieta
Rufous-vented Prinia, Prinia burnesii
Swamp Prinia, Prinia cinerascens
Striated Prinia, Prinia crinigera
Brown Prinia, Prinia polychroa
Hill Prinia, Prinia atrogularis
Grey-crowned Prinia, Prinia cinereocapilla
Rufous-fronted Prinia, Prinia buchanani
Rufescent Prinia, Prinia rufescens
Grey-breasted Prinia, Prinia hodgsonii
Bar-winged Prinia, Prinia familiaris
Jungle Prinia, Prinia sylvatica
Yellow-bellied Prinia, Prinia flaviventris
Ashy Prinia, Prinia socialis
Plain Prinia, Prinia inornata
Old World warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae
● Chestnut-headed Tesia, Tesia castaneocoronata

Javan Tesia, Tesia superciliaris
Slaty-bellied Tesia, Tesia olivea
Grey-bellied Tesia, Tesia cyaniventer
Timor Stubtail, Urosphena subulata
Bornean Stubtail, Urosphena whiteheadi
Asian Stubtail, Urosphena squameiceps
Manchurian Bush Warbler, Cettia canturians
Pale-footed Bush Warbler, Cettia pallidipes
Japanese Bush Warbler, Cettia diphone
Philippine Bush Warbler, Cettia seebohmi
Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler, Cettia fortipes
Sunda Bush Warbler, Cettia vulcania
Chestnut-crowned Bush Warbler, Cettia major
Aberrant Bush Warbler, Cettia flavolivacea
Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler, Cettia acanthizoides
Grey-sided Bush Warbler, Cettia brunnifrons
Cetti's Warbler, Cettia cetti
Spotted Bush Warbler, Bradypterus thoracicus
Long-billed Bush Warbler, Bradypterus major
Chinese Bush Warbler, Bradypterus tacsanowskius
Russet Bush Warbler, Bradypterus seebohmi
Brown Bush Warbler, Bradypterus luteoventris
Taiwan Bush Warbler, Bradypterus alishanensis
Ceylon Bush Warbler, Bradypterus palliseri
Friendly Bush Warbler, Bradypterus accentor
Long-tailed Bush Warbler, Bradypterus caudatus
Chestnut-backed Bush Warbler, Bradypterus castaneus
Lanceolated Warbler, Locustella lanceolata
Grasshopper Warbler, Locustella naevia
Pallas's Warbler, Locustella certhiola
Middendorff's Warbler, Locustella ochotensis
Pleske's Warbler, Locustella pleskei
Eurasian River Warbler, Locustella fluviatilis
Savi's Warbler, Locustella luscinioides
Grey's Warbler, Locustella fasciolata
Sakhalin Warbler, Locustella amnicola
Moustached Warbler, Acrocephalus melanopogon
Sedge Warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Streaked Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus sorghophilus
Black-browed Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus bistrigiceps
Paddyfield Warbler, Acrocephalus agricola
Blunt-winged Warbler, Acrocephalus concinens
Eurasian Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Blyth's Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus dumetorum
Great Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Oriental Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus orientalis
Large-billed Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus orinus
Basra Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus griseldis
Booted Warbler, Hippolais caligata
Sykes' Warbler, Hippolais rama
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Hippolais pallida
Melodious Warbler, Hippolais polyglotta
Mountain Tailorbird, Orthotomus cuculatus
Common Tailorbird, Orthotomus sutorius
Rufous-headed Tailorbird, Orthotomus heterolaemus
Dark-necked Tailorbird, Orthotomus atrogularis
Philippine Tailorbird, Orthotomus castaneiceps
Rufous-fronted Tailorbird, Orthotomus frontalis
Grey-backed Tailorbird, Orthotomus derbianus
Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, Orthotomus sericeus
Ashy Tailorbird, Orthotomus ruficeps
Olive-backed Tailorbird, Orthotomus sepium
Yellow-breasted Tailorbird, Orthotomus samarensis
White-browed Tailorbird, Orthotomus nigriceps
White-eared Tailorbird, Orthotomus cinereiceps
White-browed Tit Warbler, Leptopoecile sophiae
Crested Tit Warbler, Leptopoecile elegans
Brown Woodland Warbler, Phylloscopus umbrovirens
Mountain Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus sindianus
Plain Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus neglectus
Smoky Warbler, Phylloscopus fuligiventer
Tickell's Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus affinis
Buff-throated Warbler, Phylloscopus subaffinis
Sulphur-bellied Warbler, Phylloscopus griseolus
Yellow-streaked Warbler, Phylloscopus armandii
Radde's Warbler, Phylloscopus schwarzi
Buff-barred Warbler, Phylloscopus pulcher
Ashy-throated Warbler, Phylloscopus maculipennis
Pale-rumped Warbler, Phylloscopus chloronotus
Lemon-rumped Warbler, Phylloscopus proregulus
Sichuan Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus forresti
Gansu Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus kansuensis
Chinese Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus yunnanensis
Brooks' Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus subviridis
Arctic Warbler, Phylloscopus borealis
Greenish Warbler, Phylloscopus trochiloides
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus tenellipes
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus borealoides
Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus magnirostris
Tytler's Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus tytleri
Western Crowned Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus occipitalis
Eastern Crowned Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus coronatus
Ijima's Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus ijimae
Blyth's Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus reguloides
Hainan Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus hainanus
Emei Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus emeiensis
White-tailed Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus davisoni
Yellow-vented Warbler, Phylloscopus cantator
Sulphur-breasted Warbler, Phylloscopus ricketti
Lemon-throated Warbler, Phylloscopus cebuensis
Mountain Warbler, Phylloscopus trivirgatus
Sulawesi Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus sarasinorum
Timor Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus presbytes
Philippine Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus olivaceus
Golden-spectacled Warbler, Seicercus burkii
Grey-crowned Warbler, Seicercus tephrocephalus
Plain-tailed Warbler, Seicercus soror
Whistler's Warbler, Seicercus whistleri
Bianchi's Warbler, Seicercus valentini
Grey-hooded Warbler, Seicercus xanthoschistos
White-spectacled Warbler, Seicercus affinis
Grey-cheeked Warbler, Seicercus poliogenys
Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Seicercus castaniceps
Yellow-breasted Warbler, Seicercus montis
Sunda Warbler, Seicercus grammiceps
Rufous-faced Warbler, Abroscopus albogularis
Yellow-bellied Warbler, Abroscopus superciliaris
Black-faced Warbler, Abroscopus schisticeps
Broad-billed Warbler, Tickellia hodgsoni
Marsh Grassbird, Megalurus pryeri
Tawny Grassbird, Megalurus timoriensis
Striated Grassbird, Megalurus palustris
Buff-banded Bushbird, Buettikoferella bivittata
Bristled Grassbird, Chaetornis striata
Rufous-rumped Grassbird, Graminicola bengalensis
Broad-tailed Grassbird, Schoenicola platyurus
Yemen Warbler, Sylvia buryi
Blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla
Garden Warbler, Sylvia borin
Greater Whitethroat, Sylvia communis
Lesser Whitethroat, Sylvia curruca
Small Whitethroat, Sylvia minula
Margelanic Whitethroat, Sylvia margelanica
Hume's Whitethroat, Sylvia althaea
Western Orphean Warbler, Sylvia hortensis
Eastern Orphean Warbler, Sylvia crassirostris
Red Sea Warbler, Sylvia leucomelaena
Rueppell's Warbler, Sylvia rueppelli
Subalpine Warbler, Sylvia cantillans
Menetries' Warbler, Sylvia mystacea
Spectacled Warbler, Sylvia conspicillata
Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae

● Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias brunneatus
Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias umbratilis
Fulvous-chested Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias olivaceus
Chestnut-tailed Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias ruficauda
Henna-tailed Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias colonus
Eyebrowed Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias gularis
Rusty-flanked Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias insignis
Negros Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias albigularis
Mindanao Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias goodfellowi
Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Muscicapa griseisticta
Siberian Flycatcher, Muscicapa sibirica
Asian Brown Flycatcher, Muscicapa dauurica
Brown-streaked Flycatcher, Muscicapa williamsoni
Ash-breasted Flycatcher, Muscicapa randi
Rusty-tailed Flycatcher, Muscicapa ruficauda
Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Muscicapa muttui
Ferruginous Flycatcher, Muscicapa ferruginea
European Pied Flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca
Semicollared Flycatcher, Ficedula semitorquata
Korean Flycatcher, Ficedula zanthopygia
Narcissus Flycatcher, Ficedula narcissina
Beijing Flycatcher, Ficedula beijingnica
Mugimaki Flycatcher, Ficedula mugimaki
Slaty-backed Flycatcher, Ficedula hodgsonii
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Ficedula strophiata
Kashmir Flycatcher, Ficedula subrubra
Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Ficedula hyperythra
White-gorgeted Flycatcher, Ficedula monileger
Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Ficedula solitaris
Rufous-chested Flycatcher, Ficedula dumetoria
Rufous-throated Flycatcher, Ficedula rufigula
Little Slaty Flycatcher, Ficedula basilanica
Palawan Flycatcher, Ficedula platenae
Russet-tailed Flycatcher, Ficedula crypta
Furtive Flycatcher, Ficedula disposita
Lompobattang Flycatcher, Ficedula bonthaina
Little Pied Flycatcher, Ficedula westermanni
Ultramarine Flycatcher, Ficedula superciliaris
Slaty-blue Flycatcher, Ficedula tricolor
Black-and-rufous Flycatcher, Ficedula nigrorufa
Sapphire Flycatcher, Ficedula sapphira
Black-banded Flycatcher, Ficedula timorensis
Blue-and-white Flycatcher, Cyanoptila cyanomelana
Verditer Flycatcher, Eumyias thalassinus
Dull-blue Flycatcher, Eumyias sordidus
Island Flycatcher, Eumyias panayensis
Nilgiri Flycatcher, Eumyias albicaudatus
Indigo Flycatcher, Eumyias indigo
Large Niltava, Niltava grandis
Small Niltava, Niltava macgrigoriae
Fujian Niltava, Niltava davidi
Rufous-bellied Niltava, Niltava sundara
Rufous-vented Niltava, Niltava sumatrana
Vivid Niltava, Niltava vivida
Matinan Flycatcher, Cyornis sanfordi
Blue-fronted Flycatcher, Cyornis hoevelli
Timor Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis hyacinthinus
White-tailed Flycatcher, Cyornis concretus
Rueck's Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis ruckii
Blue-breasted Flycatcher, Cyornis herioti
Hainan Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis hainanus
White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis pallipes
Pale-chinned Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis poliogenys
Pale Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis unicolor
Blue-throated Flycatcher, Cyornis rubeculoides
Hill Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis banyumas
Long-billed Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis caerulatus
Malaysian Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis turcosus
Palawan Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis lemprieri
Bornean Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis superbus
Tickell's Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis tickelliae
Mangrove Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis rufigastra
Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis omissus
Pygmy Blue Flycatcher, Muscicapella hodgsoni
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Culicicapa ceylonensis
Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Culicicapa helianthea
Japanese Robin, Erithacus akahige
Ryukyu Robin, Erithacus komadori
Rufous-tailed Robin, Luscinia sibilans
Common Nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos
White-tailed Rubythroat, Luscinia pectoralis
Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica
Rufous-headed Robin, Luscinia ruficeps
Black-throated Blue Robin, Luscinia obscura
Firethroat, Luscinia pectardens
Indian Blue Robin, Luscinia brunnea
Siberian Blue Robin, Luscinia cyane
Red-flanked Bluetail, Tarsiger cyanurus
Golden Bush Robin, Tarsiger chrysaeus
White-browed Bush Robin, Tarsiger indicus
Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Tarsiger hyperythrus
Collared Bush Robin, Tarsiger johnstoniae
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas galactotes
Oriental Magpie Robin, Copsychus saularis
White-rumped Shama, Copsychus malabaricus
White-browed Shama, Copsychus luzoniensis
White-vented Shama, Copsychus niger
Black Shama, Copsychus cebuensis
Rufous-tailed Shama, Trichixos pyrropygus
Indian Robin, Saxicoloides fulicatus
Ala Shan Redstart, Phoenicurus alaschanicus
Rufous-backed Redstart, Phoenicurus erythronotus
Blue-capped Redstart, Phoenicurus caeruleocephala
Hodgson's Redstart, Phoenicurus hodgsoni
White-throated Redstart, Phoenicurus schisticeps
Daurian Redstart, Phoenicurus auroreus
White-winged Redstart, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus
Blue-fronted Redstart, Phoenicurus frontalis
White-capped Redstart, Chaimarrornis leucocephalus
Plumbeous Redstart, Rhyacornis fuliginosa
Luzon Redstart, Rhyacornis bicolor
White-bellied Redstart, Hodgsonius phaenicuroides
White-tailed Robin, Cinclidium leucurum
Sunda Robin, Cinclidium diana
Blue-fronted Robin, Cinclidium frontale
Grandala, Grandala coelicolor
Little Forktail, Enicurus scouleri
Sunda Forktail, Enicurus velatus
Chestnut-naped Forktail, Enicurus ruficapillus
Black-backed Forktail, Enicurus immaculatus
Slaty-backed Forktail, Enicurus schistaceus
White-crowned Forktail, Enicurus leschenaulti
Spotted Forktail, Enicurus maculatus
Purple Cochoa, Cochoa purpurea
Green Cochoa, Cochoa viridis
Sumatran Cochoa, Cochoa beccarii
Javan Cochoa, Cochoa azurea
White-browed Bushchat, Saxicola macrorhynchus
White-throated Bushchat, Saxicola insignis
European Stonechat, Saxicola rubicola
Siberian Stonechat, Saxicola maurus
African Stonechat, Saxicola torquatus
White-tailed Stonechat, Saxicola leucurus
Pied Bushchat, Saxicola caprata
Jerdon's Bushchat, Saxicola jerdoni
Grey Bushchat, Saxicola ferreus
Timor Bushchat, Saxicola gutturalis
White-tailed Wheatear, Oenanthe leucopyga
Hume's Wheatear, Oenanthe albonigra
Northern Wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
Variable Wheatear, Oenanthe picata
Indian Chat, Cercomela fusca
Fantails
Order: Passeriformes Family: Rhipiduridae
● Yellow-bellied Fantail, Rhipidura hypoxantha

Blue Fantail, Rhipidura superciliaris
Blue-headed Fantail, Rhipidura cyaniceps
Rufous-tailed Fantail, Rhipidura phoenicura
Black-and-cinnamon Fantail, Rhipidura nigrocinnamomea
White-throated Fantail, Rhipidura albicollis
Spot-breasted Fantail, Rhipidura albogularis
White-bellied Fantail, Rhipidura euryura
White-browed Fantail, Rhipidura aureola
Northern Fantail, Rhipidura rufiventris
Pied Fantail, Rhipidura javanica
Spotted Fantail, Rhipidura perlata
Rusty-flanked Fantail, Rhipidura teysmanni
Rufous Fantail, Rhipidura rufifrons
Monarch flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Monarchidae
● Short-crested Monarch, Hypothymis helenae

Black-naped Monarch, Hypothymis azurea
Pale-blue Monarch, Hypothymis puella
Celestial Monarch, Hypothymis coelestis
Cerulean Paradise Flycatcher, Eutrichomyias rowleyi
African Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone atrocaudata
Blue Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone cyanescens
Rufous Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone cinnamomea
Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone paradisi
Island Monarch, Monarcha cinerascens
Spectacled Monarch, Monarcha trivirgatus
White-tipped Monarch, Monarcha everetti
Broad-billed Flycatcher, Myiagra ruficollis
Whistlers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pachycephalidae
● Olive-flanked Whistler, Hylocitrea bonensis

Maroon-backed Whistler, Coracornis raveni
Mangrove Whistler, Pachycephala grisola
Green-backed Whistler, Pachycephala albiventris
White-vented Whistler, Pachycephala homeyeri
Bornean Whistler, Pachycephala hypoxantha
Sulphur-bellied Whistler, Pachycephala sulfuriventer
Yellow-bellied Whistler, Pachycephala philippinensis
Fawn-breasted Whistler, Pachycephala orpheus
Golden Whistler, Pachycephala pectoralis
Drab Whistler, Pachycephala griseonota
Sangihe Shrike Thrush, Colluricincla sanghirensis
Babblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Timaliidae
● Malia, Malia grata

Ashy-headed Laughingthrush, Garrulax cinereifrons
Sunda Laughingthrush, Garrulax palliatus
Rufous-fronted Laughingthrush, Garrulax rufifrons
Masked Laughingthrush, Garrulax perspicillatus
White-throated Laughingthrush, Garrulax albogularis
White-crested Laughingthrush, Garrulax leucolophus
Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, Garrulax monileger
Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, Garrulax pectoralis
Black Laughingthrush, Garrulax lugubris
Striated Laughingthrush, Garrulax striatus
White-necked Laughingthrush, Garrulax strepitans
Black-hooded Laughingthrush, Garrulax milleti
Grey Laughingthrush, Garrulax maesi
Rufous-necked Laughingthrush, Garrulax ruficollis
Chestnut-backed Laughingthrush, Garrulax nuchalis
Black-throated Laughingthrush, Garrulax chinensis
White-cheeked Laughingthrush, Garrulax vassali
Yellow-throated Laughingthrush, Garrulax galbanus
Wynaad Laughingthrush, Garrulax delesserti
Rufous-vented Laughingthrush, Garrulax gularis
Pere David's Laughingthrush, Garrulax davidi
Sukatschev's Laughingthrush, Garrulax sukatschewi
Moustached Laughingthrush, Garrulax cineraceus
Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Garrulax rufogularis
Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush, Garrulax konkakinhensis
Spotted Laughingthrush, Garrulax ocellatus
Barred Laughingthrush, Garrulax lunulatus
Biet's Laughingthrush, Garrulax bieti
Giant Laughingthrush, Garrulax maximus
Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Garrulax caerulatus
Rusty Laughingthrush, Garrulax poecilorhynchus
Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush, Garrulax mitratus
Spot-breasted Laughingthrush, Garrulax merulinus
Hwamei, Garrulax canorus
White-browed Laughingthrush, Garrulax sannio
Rufous-breasted Laughingthrush, Garrulax cachinnans
Grey-breasted Laughingthrush, Garrulax jerdoni
Streaked Laughingthrush, Garrulax lineatus
Striped Laughingthrush, Garrulax virgatus
Scaly Laughingthrush, Garrulax subunicolor
Brown-capped Laughingthrush, Garrulax austeni
Blue-winged Laughingthrush, Garrulax squamatus
Elliot's Laughingthrush, Garrulax elliotii
Variegated Laughingthrush, Garrulax variegatus
Prince Henry's Laughingthrush, Garrulax henrici
Black-faced Laughingthrush, Garrulax affinis
White-whiskered Laughingthrush, Garrulax morrisonianus
Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Garrulax erythrocephalus
Golden-winged Laughingthrush, Garrulax ngoclinhensis
Collared Laughingthrush, Garrulax yersini
Red-winged Laughingthrush, Garrulax formosus
Red-tailed Laughingthrush, Garrulax milnei
Grey-faced Liocichla, Liocichla omeiensis
Steere's Liocichla, Liocichla steerii
Red-faced Liocichla, Liocichla phoenicea
White-chested Babbler, Trichastoma rostratum
Sulawesi Babbler, Trichastoma celebense
Ferruginous Babbler, Trichastoma bicolor
Bagobo Babbler, Trichastoma woodi
Abbott's Babbler, Malacocincla abbotti
Horsfield's Babbler, Malacocincla sepiaria
Short-tailed Babbler, Malacocincla malaccensis
Ashy-headed Babbler, Malacocincla cinereiceps
Brown-capped Babbler, Pellorneum fuscocapillus
Marsh Babbler, Pellorneum palustre
Buff-breasted Babbler, Pellorneum tickelli
Temminck's Babbler, Pellorneum pyrrogenys
Spot-throated Babbler, Pellorneum albiventre
Puff-throated Babbler, Pellorneum ruficeps
Black-capped Babbler, Pellorneum capistratum
Palawan Babbler, Malacopteron palawanense
Moustached Babbler, Malacopteron magnirostre
Sooty-capped Babbler, Malacopteron affine
Scaly-crowned Babbler, Malacopteron cinereum
Rufous-crowned Babbler, Malacopteron magnum
Grey-breasted Babbler, Malacopteron albogulare
Large Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus hypoleucos
Spot-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus erythrocnemis
Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus erythrogenys
Indian Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus horsfieldii
White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus schisticeps
Chestnut-backed Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus montanus
Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus ruficollis
Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps
Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus ferruginosus
Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Xiphirhynchus superciliaris
Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler, Jabouilleia danjoui
Long-billed Wren Babbler, Rimator malacoptilus
Bornean Wren Babbler, Ptilocichla leucogrammica
Striated Wren Babbler, Ptilocichla mindanensis
Falcated Wren Babbler, Ptilocichla falcata
Striped Wren Babbler, Kenopia striata
Large Wren Babbler, Napothera macrodactyla
Rusty-breasted Wren Babbler, Napothera rufipectus
Black-throated Wren Babbler, Napothera atrigularis
Marbled Wren Babbler, Napothera marmorata
Limestone Wren Babbler, Napothera crispifrons
Streaked Wren Babbler, Napothera brevicaudata
Mountain Wren Babbler, Napothera crassa
Luzon Wren Babbler, Napothera rabori
Eyebrowed Wren Babbler, Napothera epilepidota
Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Pnoepyga albiventer
Immaculate Wren Babbler, Pnoepyga immaculata
Pygmy Wren Babbler, Pnoepyga pusilla
Rufous-throated Wren Babbler, Spelaeornis caudatus
Mishmi Wren Babbler, Spelaeornis badeigularis
Bar-winged Wren Babbler, Spelaeornis troglodytoides
Spotted Wren Babbler, Spelaeornis formosus
Long-tailed Wren Babbler, Spelaeornis chocolatinus
Tawny-breasted Wren Babbler, Spelaeornis longicaudatus
Wedge-billed Wren Babbler, Sphenocichla humei
Deignan's Babbler, Stachyris rodolphei
Buff-chested Babbler, Stachyris ambigua
Rufous-fronted Babbler, Stachyris rufifrons
Rufous-capped Babbler, Stachyris ruficeps
Black-chinned Babbler, Stachyris pyrrhops
Golden Babbler, Stachyris chrysaea
Pygmy Babbler, Stachyris plateni
Golden-crowned Babbler, Stachyris dennistouni
Black-crowned Babbler, Stachyris nigrocapitata
Rusty-crowned Babbler, Stachyris capitalis
Flame-templed Babbler, Stachyris speciosa
Chestnut-faced Babbler, Stachyris whiteheadi
Luzon Striped Babbler, Stachyris striata
Panay Striped Babbler, Stachyris latistriata
Negros Striped Babbler, Stachyris nigrorum
Palawan Striped Babbler, Stachyris hypogrammica
White-breasted Babbler, Stachyris grammiceps
Sooty Babbler, Stachyris herberti
Grey-throated Babbler, Stachyris nigriceps
Grey-headed Babbler, Stachyris poliocephala
Snowy-throated Babbler, Stachyris oglei
Spot-necked Babbler, Stachyris striolata
White-necked Babbler, Stachyris leucotis
Black-throated Babbler, Stachyris nigricollis
White-bibbed Babbler, Stachyris thoracica
Chestnut-rumped Babbler, Stachyris maculata
Chestnut-winged Babbler, Stachyris erythroptera
Crescent-chested Babbler, Stachyris melanothorax
Tawny-bellied Babbler, Dumetia hyperythra
Dark-fronted Babbler, Rhopocichla atriceps
Striped Tit Babbler, Macronous gularis
Grey-cheeked Tit Babbler, Macronous flavicollis
Grey-faced Tit Babbler, Macronous kelleyi
Brown Tit Babbler, Macronous striaticeps
Fluffy-backed Tit Babbler, Macronous ptilosus
Miniature Tit Babbler, Micromacronus leytensis
Chestnut-capped Babbler, Timalia pileata
Yellow-eyed Babbler, Chrysomma sinense
Jerdon's Babbler, Chrysomma altirostre
Rufous-tailed Babbler, Chrysomma poecilotis
Spiny Babbler, Turdoides nipalensis
Iraq Babbler, Turdoides altirostris
Common Babbler, Turdoides caudata
Striated Babbler, Turdoides earlei
White-throated Babbler, Turdoides gularis
Slender-billed Babbler, Turdoides longirostris
Large Grey Babbler, Turdoides malcolmi
Rufous Babbler, Turdoides subrufa
Jungle Babbler, Turdoides striata
Orange-billed Babbler, Turdoides rufescens
Yellow-billed Babbler, Turdoides affinis
Chinese Babax, Babax lanceolatus
Giant Babax, Babax waddelli
Tibetan Babax, Babax koslowi
Silver-eared Mesia, Leiothrix argentauris
Red-billed Leiothrix, Leiothrix lutea
Cutia, Cutia nipalensis
Black-headed Shrike Babbler, Pteruthius rufiventer
White-browed Shrike Babbler, Pteruthius flaviscapis
Green Shrike Babbler, Pteruthius xanthochlorus
Black-eared Shrike Babbler, Pteruthius melanotis
Chestnut-fronted Shrike Babbler, Pteruthius aenobarbus
White-hooded Babbler, Gampsorhynchus rufulus
Rusty-fronted Barwing, Actinodura egertoni
Spectacled Barwing, Actinodura ramsayi
Black-crowned Barwing, Actinodura sodangorum
Hoary-throated Barwing, Actinodura nipalensis
Streak-throated Barwing, Actinodura waldeni
Streaked Barwing, Actinodura souliei
Taiwan Barwing, Actinodura morrisoniana
Blue-winged Minla, Minla cyanouroptera
Chestnut-tailed Minla, Minla strigula
Red-tailed Minla, Minla ignotincta
Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Alcippe chrysotis
Gold-fronted Fulvetta, Alcippe variegaticeps
Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Alcippe cinerea
Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Alcippe castaneceps
White-browed Fulvetta, Alcippe vinipectus
Chinese Fulvetta, Alcippe striaticollis
Spectacled Fulvetta, Alcippe ruficapilla
Streak-throated Fulvetta, Alcippe cinereiceps
Ludlow's Fulvetta, Alcippe ludlowi
Rufous-throated Fulvetta, Alcippe rufogularis
Dusky Fulvetta, Alcippe brunnea
Rusty-capped Fulvetta, Alcippe dubia
Brown Fulvetta, Alcippe brunneicauda
Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, Alcippe poioicephala
Grey-cheeked Fulvetta, Alcippe morrisonia
Javan Fulvetta, Alcippe pyrrhoptera
Mountain Fulvetta, Alcippe peracensis
Nepal Fulvetta, Alcippe nipalensis
Grey-crowned Crocias, Crocias langbianis
Spotted Crocias, Crocias albonotatus
Rufous-backed Sibia, Heterophasia annectens
Rufous Sibia, Heterophasia capistrata
Grey Sibia, Heterophasia gracilis
Black-backed Sibia, Heterophasia melanoleuca
Black-headed Sibia, Heterophasia desgodinsi
White-eared Sibia, Heterophasia auricularis
Beautiful Sibia, Heterophasia pulchella
Long-tailed Sibia, Heterophasia picaoides
Striated Yuhina, Yuhina castaniceps
Chestnut-crested Yuhina, Yuhina everetti
White-naped Yuhina, Yuhina bakeri
Whiskered Yuhina, Yuhina flavicollis
Burmese Yuhina, Yuhina humilis
Stripe-throated Yuhina, Yuhina gularis
White-collared Yuhina, Yuhina diademata
Rufous-vented Yuhina, Yuhina occipitalis
Taiwan Yuhina, Yuhina brunneiceps
Black-chinned Yuhina, Yuhina nigrimenta
White-bellied Yuhina, Yuhina zantholeuca
Fire-tailed Myzornis, Myzornis pyrrhoura
Parrotbills
Order: Passeriformes Family: Paradoxornithidae
● Bearded Reedling, Panurus biarmicus

Great Parrotbill, Conostoma oemodium
Brown Parrotbill, Paradoxornis unicolor
Grey-headed Parrotbill, Paradoxornis gularis
Three-toed Parrotbill, Paradoxornis paradoxus
Black-breasted Parrotbill, Paradoxornis flavirostris
Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Paradoxornis guttaticollis
Spectacled Parrotbill, Paradoxornis conspicillatus
Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Paradoxornis webbianus
Brown-winged Parrotbill, Paradoxornis brunneus
Ashy-throated Parrotbill, Paradoxornis alphonsianus
Grey-hooded Parrotbill, Paradoxornis zappeyi
Rusty-throated Parrotbill, Paradoxornis przewalskii
Fulvous Parrotbill, Paradoxornis fulvifrons
Black-throated Parrotbill, Paradoxornis nipalensis
Golden Parrotbill, Paradoxornis verreauxi
Short-tailed Parrotbill, Paradoxornis davidianus
Black-browed Parrotbill, Paradoxornis atrosuperciliaris
Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Paradoxornis ruficeps
Reed Parrotbill, Paradoxornis heudei
Rail-babbler
Order: Passeriformes Family: Eupetidae
● Malaysian Rail-babbler, Eupetes macrocerus
Long-tailed tits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Aegithalidae

White-cheeked Tit, Aegithalos leucogenys
Black-throated Tit, Aegithalos concinnus
White-throated Tit, Aegithalos niveogularis
Black-browed Tit, Aegithalos iouschistos
Sooty Tit, Aegithalos fuliginosus
Pygmy Tit, Psaltria exilis
Gerygones
Order: Passeriformes Family: Acanthizidae
● Golden-bellied Gerygone, Gerygone sulphurea

Plain Gerygone, Gerygone inornata
Rufous-sided Gerygone, Gerygone dorsalis
Tits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae
● Sombre Tit, Poecile lugubris

Marsh Tit, Poecile palustris
Black-bibbed Tit, Poecile hypermelaenus
Caspian Tit, Poecile hyrcana
Willow Tit, Poecile montana
Songar Tit, Poecile songara
White-browed Tit, Poecile superciliosa
Pere David's Tit, Poecile davidi
Grey-headed Chickadee, Poecile cincta
Coal Tit, Periparus ater
Black-breasted Tit, Periparus rufonuchalis
Rufous-vented Tit, Periparus rubidiventris
Black-crested Tit, Periparus melanolophus
Yellow-bellied Tit, Pardaliparus venustulus
Elegant Tit, Pardaliparus elegans
Palawan Tit, Pardaliparus amabilis
Crested Tit, Lophophanes cristatus
Grey-crested Tit, Lophophanes dichrous
Turkestan Tit, Parus bokharensis
Green-backed Tit, Parus monticolus
White-winged Tit, Parus nuchalis
Black-lored Tit, Parus xanthogenys
Yellow-cheeked Tit, Parus spilonotus
Yellow Tit, Macholophus holsti
Eurasian Blue Tit, Cyanistes caeruleus
Azure Tit, Cyanistes cyanus
Yellow-breasted Tit, Cyanistes flavipectus
White-fronted Tit, Sittiparus semilarvatus
Varied Tit, Sittiparus varius
Yellow-browed Tit, Sylviparus modestus
Sultan Tit, Melanochlora sultanea
Ground Tit, Pseudopodoces humilis
Nuthatches
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sittidae
● Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Sitta castanea

Eurasian Nuthatch, Sitta europaea
Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Sitta nagaensis
Kashmir Nuthatch, Sitta cashmirensis
White-tailed Nuthatch, Sitta himalayensis
White-browed Nuthatch, Sitta victoriae
Krueper's Nuthatch, Sitta krueperi
Snowy-browed Nuthatch, Sitta villosa
Yunnan Nuthatch, Sitta yunnanensis
White-cheeked Nuthatch, Sitta leucopsis
Rock Nuthatch, Sitta neumayer
Persian Nuthatch, Sitta tephronota
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Sitta frontalis
Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Sitta solangiae
Sulphur-billed Nuthatch, Sitta oenochlamys
Blue Nuthatch, Sitta azurea
Giant Nuthatch, Sitta magna
Beautiful Nuthatch, Sitta formosa
Wallcreeper
Order: Passeriformes Family: Tichodromidae
● Wallcreeper, Tichodroma muraria
Creepers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae
● Eurasian Treecreeper, Certhia familiaris

Sichuan Treecreeper, Certhia tianquanensis
Short-toed Treecreeper, Certhia brachydactyla
Bar-tailed Treecreeper, Certhia himalayana
Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, Certhia nipalensis
Brown-throated Treecreeper, Certhia discolor
Spotted Creeper, Salpornis spilonotus
Philippine creepers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Rhabdornithidae
● Stripe-sided Rhabdornis, Rhabdornis mysticalis

Long-billed Rhabdornis, Rhabdornis grandis
Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis, Rhabdornis inornatus
Penduline tits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Remizidae
● Eurasian Penduline Tit, Remiz pendulinus

Black-headed Penduline Tit, Remiz macronyx
White-crowned Penduline Tit, Remiz coronatus
Chinese Penduline Tit, Remiz consobrinus
Fire-capped Tit, Cephalopyrus flammiceps
Sunbirds
Order: Passeriformes Family: Nectarinidae
● Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Chalcoparia singalensis

Plain Sunbird, Anthreptes simplex
Plain-throated Sunbird, Anthreptes malacensis
Red-throated Sunbird, Anthreptes rhodolaemus
Nile Valley Sunbird, Hedydipna metallica
Purple-naped Sunbird, Hypogramma hypogrammicum
Purple-rumped Sunbird, Leptocoma zeylonica
Crimson-backed Sunbird, Leptocoma minima
Copper-throated Sunbird, Leptocoma calcostetha
Purple-throated Sunbird, Leptocoma sperata
Black Sunbird, Leptocoma sericea
Palestine Sunbird, Cinnyris osea
Shining Sunbird, Cinnyris habessinicus
Purple Sunbird, Cinnyris asiaticus
Olive-backed Sunbird, Cinnyris jugularis
Flame-breasted Sunbird, Cinnyris solaris
Long-billed Sunbird, Cinnyris lotenius
Grey-hooded Sunbird, Aethopyga primigenia
Mount Apo Sunbird, Aethopyga boltoni
Lina's Sunbird, Aethopyga linaraborae
Flaming Sunbird, Aethopyga flagrans
Metallic-winged Sunbird, Aethopyga pulcherrima
Elegant Sunbird, Aethopyga duyvenbodei
Lovely Sunbird, Aethopyga shelleyi
Handsome Sunbird, Aethopyga bella
Gould's Sunbird, Aethopyga gouldiae
White-flanked Sunbird, Aethopyga eximia
Green-tailed Sunbird, Aethopyga nipalensis
Fork-tailed Sunbird, Aethopyga christinae
Black-throated Sunbird, Aethopyga saturata
Western Crimson Sunbird, Aethopyga vigorsii
Eastern Crimson Sunbird, Aethopyga siparaja
Scarlet Sunbird, Aethopyga mystacalis
Temminck's Sunbird, Aethopyga temminckii
Fire-tailed Sunbird, Aethopyga ignicauda
Thick-billed Spiderhunter, Arachnothera crassirostris
Spectacled Spiderhunter, Arachnothera flavigaster
Long-billed Spiderhunter, Arachnothera robusta
Little Spiderhunter, Arachnothera longirostra
Yellow-eared Spiderhunter, Arachnothera chrysogenys
Naked-faced Spiderhunter, Arachnothera clarae
Grey-breasted Spiderhunter, Arachnothera modesta
Streaky-breasted Spiderhunter, Arachnothera affinis
Streaked Spiderhunter, Arachnothera magna
Whitehead's Spiderhunter, Arachnothera juliae
Flowerpeckers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicaeidae
● Olive-backed Flowerpecker, Prionochilus olivaceus

Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker, Prionochilus maculatus
Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker, Prionochilus percussus
Palawan Flowerpecker, Prionochilus plateni
Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker, Prionochilus xanthopygius
Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker, Prionochilus thoracicus
Thick-billed Flowerpecker, Dicaeum agile
Brown-backed Flowerpecker, Dicaeum everetti
Whiskered Flowerpecker, Dicaeum proprium
Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Dicaeum chrysorrheum
Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker, Dicaeum melanoxanthum
White-throated Flowerpecker, Dicaeum vincens
Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Dicaeum aureolimbatum
Olive-capped Flowerpecker, Dicaeum nigrilore
Flame-crowned Flowerpecker, Dicaeum anthonyi
Bicolored Flowerpecker, Dicaeum bicolor
Cebu Flowerpecker, Dicaeum quadricolor
Red-striped Flowerpecker, Dicaeum australe
Red-keeled Flowerpecker, Dicaeum haematostictum
Scarlet-collared Flowerpecker, Dicaeum retrocinctum
Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Dicaeum trigonostigma
Pale-billed Flowerpecker, Dicaeum erythrorhynchos
Plain Flowerpecker, Dicaeum concolor
White-bellied Flowerpecker, Dicaeum hypoleucum
Pygmy Flowerpecker, Dicaeum pygmaeum
Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Dicaeum nehrkorni
Red-chested Flowerpecker, Dicaeum maugei
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Dicaeum ignipectus
Black-sided Flowerpecker, Dicaeum monticolum
Grey-sided Flowerpecker, Dicaeum celebicum
Blood-breasted Flowerpecker, Dicaeum sanguinolentum
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Dicaeum cruentatum
Scarlet-headed Flowerpecker, Dicaeum trochileum
White-eyes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Zosteropidae
● White-breasted White-eye, Zosterops abyssinicus

Ceylon White-eye, Zosterops ceylonensis
Chestnut-flanked White-eye, Zosterops erythropleurus
Oriental White-eye, Zosterops palpebrosus
Japanese White-eye, Zosterops japonicus
Lowland White-eye, Zosterops meyeni
Enggano White-eye, Zosterops salvadorii
Black-capped White-eye, Zosterops atricapilla
Everett's White-eye, Zosterops everetti
Yellowish White-eye, Zosterops nigrorum
Mountain White-eye, Zosterops montanus
Javan White-eye, Zosterops flavus
Yellow-bellied White-eye, Zosterops chloris
Ashy-bellied White-eye, Zosterops citrinella
Sulawesi White-eye, Zosterops consobrinorum
Black-ringed White-eye, Zosterops anomalus
Black-crowned White-eye, Zosterops atrifrons
Sangihe White-eye, Zosterops nehrkorni
Javan Grey-throated White-eye, Lophozosterops javanicus
Streak-headed White-eye, Lophozosterops squamiceps
Mindanao White-eye, Lophozosterops goodfellowi
Pygmy White-eye, Oculocincta squamifrons
Timor White-eye, Heleia muelleri
Mountain Black-eye, Chlorocharis emiliae
Cinnamon White-eye, Hypocryptadius cinnamomeus
Honeyeaters
Order: Passeriformes Family: Meliphagidae
● Indonesian Honeyeater, Lichmera limbata

Yellow-eared Honeyeater, Lichmera flavicans
Sulawesi Myzomela, Myzomela chloroptera
Black-breasted Myzomela, Myzomela vulnerata
Streak-breasted Honeyeater, Meliphaga reticulata
Bonin Honeyeater, Apalopteron familiare
Timor Friarbird, Philemon inornatus
Helmeted Friarbird, Philemon buceroides
Dark-eared Honeyeater, Myza celebensis
Greater Streaked Honeyeater, Myza sarasinorum
Old World orioles

Order: Passeriformes Family: Oriolidae
● Timor Oriole, Oriolus melanotis

Dark-throated Oriole, Oriolus xanthonotus
White-lored Oriole, Oriolus albiloris
Philippine Oriole, Oriolus steerii
Isabela Oriole, Oriolus isabellae
Eurasian Golden Oriole, Oriolus oriolus
Black-naped Oriole, Oriolus chinensis
Slender-billed Oriole, Oriolus tenuirostris
Black-hooded Oriole, Oriolus xanthornus
Black Oriole, Oriolus hosii
Black-and-crimson Oriole, Oriolus cruentus
Maroon Oriole, Oriolus traillii
Silver Oriole, Oriolus mellianus
Green Figbird, Sphecotheres viridis
Fairy-bluebirds
Order: Passeriformes Family: Irenidae
● Asian Fairy-bluebird, Irena puella

Philippine Fairy-bluebird, Irena cyanogastra
Shrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae
● Tiger Shrike, Lanius tigrinus

Bull-headed Shrike, Lanius bucephalus
Red-backed Shrike, Lanius collurio
Rufous-tailed Shrike, Lanius isabellinus
Brown Shrike, Lanius cristatus
Burmese Shrike, Lanius collurioides
Bay-backed Shrike, Lanius vittatus
Long-tailed Shrike, Lanius schach
Grey-backed Shrike, Lanius tephronotus
Grey-capped Shrike, Lanius validirostris
Northern Shrike, Lanius excubitor
Southern Grey Shrike, Lanius meridionalis
Lesser Grey Shrike, Lanius minor
Chinese Grey Shrike, Lanius sphenocercus
Bushshrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Malaconotidae
● Black-crowned Tchagra, Tchagra senegalus

Large Woodshrike, Tephrodornis gularis
Common Woodshrike, Tephrodornis pondicerianus
Helmetshrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Prionopidea
● Rufous-winged Philentoma, Philentoma pyrhoptera

Maroon-breasted Philentoma, Philentoma velata
Drongos
Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicruridae
● Black Drongo, Dicrurus macrocercus

Ashy Drongo, Dicrurus leucophaeus
White-bellied Drongo, Dicrurus caerulescens
Crow-billed Drongo, Dicrurus annectans
Bronzed Drongo, Dicrurus aeneus
Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Dicrurus remifer
Hair-crested Drongo, Dicrurus hottentottus
Balicassiao, Dicrurus balicassius
Sulawesi Drongo, Dicrurus montanus
Sumatran Drongo, Dicrurus sumatranus
Wallacean Drongo, Dicrurus densus
Spangled Drongo, Dicrurus bracteatus
Andaman Drongo, Dicrurus andamanensis
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Dicrurus paradiseus
Magpie-lark
Order: Passeriformes Family: Grallinidae
● Magpie-lark, Grallina cyanoleuca
Woodswallows
Order: Passeriformes Family: Artamidae
● Ashy Woodswallow, Artamus fuscus

White-backed Woodswallow, Artamus monachus
White-breasted Woodswallow, Artamus leucorynchus
Black-faced Woodswallow, Artamus cinereus
Bristlehead
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pityriaseidae
● Bornean Bristlehead, Pityriasis gymnocephala
Crows, jays, and magpies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
● Crested Jay, Platylophus galericulatus

Black Magpie, Platysmurus leucopterus
Siberian Jay, Perisoreus infaustus
Sichuan Jay, Perisoreus internigrans
Eurasian Jay, Garrulus glandarius
Black-headed Jay, Garrulus lanceolatus
Lidth's Jay, Garrulus lidthi
Azure-winged Magpie, Cyanopica cyanus
Ceylon Magpie, Urocissa ornata
Formosan Magpie, Urocissa caerulea
Gold-billed Magpie, Urocissa flavirostris
Blue Magpie, Urocissa erythrorhyncha
White-winged Magpie, Urocissa whiteheadi
Green Magpie, Cissa chinensis
Yellow-breasted Magpie, Cissa hypoleuca
Short-tailed Magpie, Cissa thalassina
Rufous Treepie, Dendrocitta vagabunda
Grey Treepie, Dendrocitta formosae
Sumatran Treepie, Dendrocitta occipitalis
Bornean Treepie, Dendrocitta cinerascens
White-bellied Treepie, Dendrocitta leucogastra
Collared Treepie, Dendrocitta frontalis
Andaman Treepie, Dendrocitta bayleyi
Racket-tailed Treepie, Crypsirina temia
Hooded Treepie, Crypsirina cucullata
Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Temnurus temnurus
Eurasian Magpie, Pica pica
Mongolian Ground Jay, Podoces hendersoni
Xinjiang Ground Jay, Podoces biddulphi
Turkestan Ground Jay, Podoces panderi
Iranian Ground Jay, Podoces pleskei
Eurasian Nutcracker, Nucifraga caryocatactes
Red-billed Chough, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
Yellow-billed Chough, Pyrrhocorax graculus
Eurasian Jackdaw, Corvus monedula
Daurian Jackdaw, Corvus dauuricus
House Crow, Corvus splendens
Slender-billed Crow, Corvus enca
Piping Crow, Corvus typicus
Rook, Corvus frugilegus
Carrion Crow, Corvus corone
Hooded Crow, Corvus cornix
Large-billed Crow, Corvus macrorhynchos
Torresian Crow, Corvus orru
Collared Crow, Corvus torquatus
Brown-necked Raven, Corvus ruficollis
Fan-tailed Raven, Corvus rhipidurus
Common Raven, Corvus corax
Starlings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae
● Metallic Starling, Aplonis metallica

Asian Glossy Starling, Aplonis panayensis
Moluccan Starling, Aplonis mysolensis
Short-tailed Starling, Aplonis minor
Sulawesi Myna, Basilornis celebensis
Helmeted Myna, Basilornis galeatus
Apo Myna, Basilornis mirandus
Coleto, Sarcops calvus
White-necked Myna, Streptocitta albicollis
Bare-eyed Myna, Streptocitta albertinae
Fiery-browed Myna, Enodes erythrophris
Finch-billed Myna, Scissirostrum dubium
Spot-winged Starling, Saroglossa spiloptera
Golden-crested Myna, Ampeliceps coronatus
Common Hill Myna, Gracula religiosa
Southern Hill Myna, Gracula indica
Enggano Myna, Gracula enganensis
Nias Myna, Gracula robusta
Ceylon Myna, Gracula ptilogenys
White-vented Myna, Acridotheres grandis
Crested Myna, Acridotheres cristatellus
Javan Myna, Acridotheres javanicus
Pale-bellied Myna, Acridotheres cinereus
Jungle Myna, Acridotheres fuscus
Collared Myna, Acridotheres albocinctus
Bank Myna, Acridotheres ginginianus
Common Myna, Acridotheres tristis
Vinous-breasted Starling, Acridotheres burmannicus
Black-winged Starling, Acridotheres melanopterus
Bali Myna, Leucopsar rothschildi
Black-collared Starling, Gracupica nigricollis
Asian Pied Starling, Gracupica contra
Daurian Starling, Sturnia sturnina
Chestnut-cheeked Starling, Sturnia philippensis
White-shouldered Starling, Sturnia sinensis
Chestnut-tailed Starling, Sturnia malabarica
White-headed Starling, Sturnia erythropygia
White-faced Starling, Sturnia albofrontata
Brahminy Starling, Temenuchus pagodarum
Rosy Starling, Pastor roseus
Red-billed Starling, Sturnus sericeus
White-cheeked Starling, Sturnus cineraceus
Wattled Starling, Creatophora cinerea
Violet-backed Starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Old World sparrows
Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae
● Saxaul Sparrow, Passer ammodendri

House Sparrow, Passer domesticus
Sind Sparrow, Passer pyrrhonotus
Russet Sparrow, Passer rutilans
Plain-backed Sparrow, Passer flaveolus
Chestnut-shouldered Petronia, Petronia xanthocollis
Rock Petronia, Petronia petronia
Pale Rockfinch, Carpospiza brachydactyla
White-winged Snowfinch, Montifringilla nivalis
Black-winged Snowfinch, Montifringilla adamsi
White-rumped Snowfinch, Montifringilla taczanowskii
Pere David's Snowfinch, Montifringilla davidiana
Rufous-necked Snowfinch, Montifringilla ruficollis
Blanford's Snowfinch, Montifringilla blanfordi
Afghan Snowfinch, Montifringilla theresae
Weavers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Ploceidae
● Rueppell's Weaver, Ploceus galbula

Streaked Weaver, Ploceus manyar
Baya Weaver, Ploceus philippinus
Asian Golden Weaver, Ploceus hypoxanthus
Yellow Weaver, Ploceus megarhynchus
Bengal Weaver, Ploceus benghalensis
Red Fody, Foudia madagascariensis
Waxbills
Order: Passeriformes Family: Estrildidae
● Arabian Waxbill, Estrilda rufibarba

Red Avadavat, Amandava amandava
Green Avadavat, Sporaeginthus formosus
Zebra Waxbill, Sporaeginthus subflavus
Zebra Finch, Taeniopygia guttata
Tawny-breasted Parrotfinch, Erythrura hyperythra
Pin-tailed Parrotfinch, Erythrura prasina
Green-faced Parrotfinch, Erythrura viridifacies
Tricolored Parrotfinch, Erythrura tricolor
Blue-faced Parrotfinch, Erythrura trichroa
Red-eared Parrotfinch, Erythrura coloria
African Silverbill, Euodice cantans
White-throated Munia, Euodice malabarica
White-rumped Munia, Lonchura striata
Javan Munia, Lonchura leucogastroides
Dusky Munia, Lonchura fuscans
Black-faced Munia, Lonchura molucca
Black-throated Munia, Lonchura kelaarti
Nutmeg Mannikin, Lonchura punctulata
White-bellied Munia, Lonchura leucogastra
Black-headed Munia, Lonchura malacca
Chestnut Munia, Lonchura atricapilla
White-capped Munia, Lonchura ferruginosa
Five-colored Munia, Lonchura quinticolor
White-headed Munia, Lonchura maja
Pale-headed Munia, Lonchura pallida
Java Sparrow, Padda oryzivora
Timor Sparrow, Padda fuscata
Finches
Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae
● Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs

Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla
Golden-winged Grosbeak, Rhynchostruthus socotranus
Plain Mountain Finch, Leucosticte nemoricola
Black-headed Mountain Finch, Leucosticte brandti
Tawny-headed Mountain Finch, Leucosticte sillemi
Asian Rosy Finch, Leucosticte arctoa
Pine Grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator
Crimson-browed Finch, Pinicola subhimachala
Blanford's Rosefinch, Carpodacus rubescens
Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Carpodacus nipalensis
Common Rosefinch, Carpodacus erythrinus
Beautiful Rosefinch, Carpodacus pulcherrimus
Pink-rumped Rosefinch, Carpodacus eos
Pink-browed Rosefinch, Carpodacus rodochroa
Vinaceous Rosefinch, Carpodacus vinaceus
Dark-rumped Rosefinch, Carpodacus edwardsii
Pallas' Rosefinch, Carpodacus roseus
Three-banded Rosefinch, Carpodacus trifasciatus
Spot-winged Rosefinch, Carpodacus rhodopeplus
White-browed Rosefinch, Carpodacus thura
Tibetan Rosefinch, Carpodacus roborowskii
Red-mantled Rosefinch, Carpodacus rhodochlamys
Streaked Rosefinch, Carpodacus rubicilloides
Great Rosefinch, Carpodacus rubicilla
Red-fronted Rosefinch, Carpodacus puniceus
Parrot Crossbill, Loxia pytyopsittacus
Red Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
White-winged Crossbill, Loxia leucoptera
Yellow-breasted Greenfinch, Carduelis spinoides
Vietnamese Greenfinch, Carduelis monguilloti
Black-headed Greenfinch, Carduelis ambigua
Hoary Redpoll, Carduelis hornemanni
Eurasian Siskin, Carduelis spinus
Oriental Greenfinch, Carduelis sinica
Twite, Carduelis flavirostris
Eurasian Linnet, Carduelis cannabina
Yemen Linnet, Carduelis yemenensis
Fire-fronted Serin, Serinus pusillus
Tibetan Serin, Serinus thibetanus
Olive-rumped Serin, Serinus rothschildi
Yemen Serin, Serinus menachensis
Mountain Serin, Serinus estherae
Brown Bullfinch, Pyrrhula nipalensis
White-cheeked Bullfinch, Pyrrhula leucogenis
Orange Bullfinch, Pyrrhula aurantiaca
Red-headed Bullfinch, Pyrrhula erythrocephala
Grey-headed Bullfinch, Pyrrhula erythaca
Eurasian Bullfinch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Hawfinch, Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Yellow-billed Grosbeak, Eophona migratoria
Japanese Grosbeak, Eophona personata
Black-and-yellow Grosbeak, Mycerobas icterioides
Collared Grosbeak, Mycerobas affinis
Spot-winged Grosbeak, Mycerobas melanozanthos
White-winged Grosbeak, Mycerobas carnipes
Gold-naped Finch, Pyrrhoplectes epauletta
Spectacled Finch, Callacanthis burtoni
Crimson-winged Finch, Rhodopechys sanguineus
Mongolian Finch, Bucanetes mongolicus
Trumpeter Finch, Bucanetes githagineus
Desert Finch, Rhodospiza obsoletus
Long-tailed Rosefinch, Uragus sibiricus
Scarlet Finch, Haematospiza sipahi
Buntings and sparrows
Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae
● Przewalski's Rosefinch, Urocynchramus pylzowi

Crested Bunting, Melophus lathami
Slaty Bunting, Latoucheornis siemsseni
Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella
Pine Bunting, Emberiza leucocephalos
Cirl Bunting, Emberiza cirlus
Tibetan Bunting, Emberiza koslowi
Godlewski's Bunting, Emberiza godlewskii
Meadow Bunting, Emberiza cioides
Rufous-backed Bunting, Emberiza jankowskii
Grey-hooded Bunting, Emberiza buchanani
Chestnut-breasted Bunting, Emberiza stewarti
Ochre-rumped Bunting, Emberiza yessoensis
Tristram's Bunting, Emberiza tristrami
Chestnut-eared Bunting, Emberiza fucata
Yellow-browed Bunting, Emberiza chrysophrys
Yellow-throated Bunting, Emberiza elegans
Chestnut Bunting, Emberiza rutila
Red-headed Bunting, Emberiza bruniceps
Yellow Bunting, Emberiza sulphurata
Black-faced Bunting, Emberiza spodocephala
Grey Bunting, Emberiza variabilis
Pallas' Bunting, Emberiza pallasi
American Tree Sparrow, Spizella arborea
Savannah Sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis
Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca
White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys
Golden-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla
Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis
Lapland Longspur, Calcarius lapponicus
Snow Bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis
See also
● List of birds
References
● Birds of the World: A Checklist, fifth edition and supplements, by James F. Clements, ISBN 0-
934797-16-1, Ibis Publishing, 2000 (supplements up to July, 2005).
● ↑ Description of the ABA Listing Areas and Regions from the American Birding Association.
List of Australian birds
Back | Home | Up
Contents
The Birds Australia list is considered unofficial. It is based
on Christidis and Boles, The Taxonomy and Species of
● 1 Struthioniiformes
Birds of Australia and its Territories, RAOU,
❍ 1.1 Struthionidae
Melbourne, 1994, but incorporates suggested changes in
taxonomy such as new species accepted by the Birds ❍ 1.2 Casuariidae
Australia Rarities Committee. ● 2 Galliformes

❍ 2.1 Megapodiidae
❍ 2.2 Phasianidae
Struthioniiformes
❍ 2.3 Odontophoridae
Struthionidae ● 3 Anseriformes
❍ 3.1 Anseranatidae
❍ 3.2 Anatidae
● Ostrich, Struthio camelus - introduced, now
considered locally extinct ● 4 Podicipediformes
❍ 4.1 Podicipedidae
Casuariidae ● 5 Sphenisciformes
❍ 5.1 Spheniscidae
● Southern Cassowary, Casuarius casuarius ● 6 Procellariiformes

❍ 6.1 Procellariidae
Emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae
King Island Emu, Dromaius ater - extinct ❍ 6.2 Diomedeidae
Kangaroo Island Emu, Dromaius baudinianus - ❍ 6.3 Hydrobatidae
extinct ● 7 Pelecaniformes
❍ 7.1 Phaethontidae
Galliformes ❍ 7.2 Sulidae
❍ 7.3 Anhingidae
Megapodiidae ❍ 7.4 Phalacrocoracidae
❍ 7.5 Pelecanidae
● Australian Brush-turkey, Alectura lathami ❍ 7.6 Fregatidae
Malleefowl, Leipoa ocellata ● 8 Ciconiiformes

Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Megapodius reinwardt ❍ 8.1 Ardeidae
❍ 8.2 Threskiornithidae
Phasianidae ❍ 8.3 Ciconiidae
● 9 Phoenicopteriformes
● Stubble Quail, Coturnix pectoralis ❍ 9.1 Phoenicopteridae
Brown Quail, Coturnix ypsilophora ● 10 Falconiformes
King Quail, Coturnix chinensis ❍ 10.1 Accipitridae
Red Junglefowl, Gallus gallus ❍ 10.2 Falconidae

Common Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus ● 11 Gruiformes
Indian Peafowl, Pavo cristatus
❍ 11.1 Gruidae
Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo
❍ 11.2 Rallidae
❍ 11.3 Otididae
Odontophoridae
● 12 Turniciformes
❍ 12.1 Turnicidae
● California Quail, Callipepla californica
● 13 Charadriiformes
❍ 13.1 Pedionomidae
Anseriformes ❍ 13.2 Scolopacidae
❍ 13.3 Rostratulidae
Anseranatidae ❍ 13.4 Jacanidae
❍ 13.5 Chionididae
● Magpie Goose, Anseranas semipalmata
❍ 13.6 Burhinidae
❍ 13.7 Haematopodidae
Anatidae ❍ 13.8 Recurvirostridae
❍ 13.9 Charadriidae
● Plumed Whistling-Duck, Dendrocygna eytoni ❍ 13.10 Glareolidae
Wandering Whistling-Duck, Dendrocygna arcuata
❍ 13.11 Laridae
Blue-billed Duck, Oxyura australis
Musk Duck, Biziura lobata ● 14 Columbiformes
❍ 14.1 Columbidae
Freckled Duck, Stictonetta naevosa
Mute Swan, Cygnus olor ● 15 Psittaciformes
Black Swan, Cygnus atratus ❍ 15.1 Cacatuidae
Canada Goose, Branta canadensis ❍ 15.2 Psittacidae
Cape Barren Goose, Cereopsis novaehollandiae ● 16 Cuculiformes

Australian Shelduck, Tadorna tadornoides ❍ 16.1 Cuculidae
Paradise Shelduck, Tadorna variegata
❍ 16.2 Centropodidae
Radjah Shelduck, Tadorna radjah
● 17 Strigiformes
Australian Wood Duck, Chenonetta jubata
❍ 17.1 Strigidae
Green Pygmy-goose, Nettapus pulchellus ❍ 17.2 Tytonidae
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos ● 18 Caprimulgiformes

Pacific Black Duck, Anas superciliosa ❍ 18.1 Podargidae
Australasian Shoveler, Anas rhynchotis ❍ 18.2 Caprimulgidae
Northern Shoveler, Anas clypeata ❍ 18.3 Aegothelidae

Grey Teal, Anas gracilis ● 19 Apodiformes
Chestnut Teal, Anas castanea
❍ 19.1 Apodidae
Garganey, Anas querquedula ● 20 Coraciiformes
Pink-eared Duck, Malacorhynchus membranaceus ❍ 20.1 Alcedinidae
Hardhead, Aythya australis ❍ 20.2 Halcyonidae
❍ 20.3 Meropidae
Podicipediformes ❍ 20.4 Coraciidae
● 21 Passeriformes
Podicipedidae ❍ 21.1 Pittidae
❍ 21.2 Menuridae
● Australasian Grebe, Tachybaptus novaehollandiae ❍ 21.3 Atrichornithidae
Hoary-headed Grebe, Poliocephalus poliocephalus ❍ 21.4 Climacteridae
Great Crested Grebe, Podiceps cristatus ❍ 21.5 Maluridae
❍ 21.6 Pardalotidae
Sphenisciformes ❍ 21.7 Meliphagidae
❍ 21.8 Petroicidae
Spheniscidae ❍ 21.9 Orthonychidae
❍ 21.10 Pomatostomidae
● King Penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus ❍ 21.11 Cinclosomatidae
Emperor Penguin, Aptenodytes forsteri ❍ 21.12 Neosittidae
Gentoo Penguin, Pygoscelis papua ❍ 21.13 Pachycephalidae

Adelie Penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae ❍ 21.14 Dicruridae
Chinstrap Penguin, Pygoscelis antarctica
❍ 21.15 Campephagidae
Rockhopper Penguin, Eudyptes chrysocome
❍ 21.16 Oriolidae
Fiordland Penguin, Eudyptes pachyrhynchus
❍ 21.17 Artamidae
Snares Penguin, Eudyptes robustus
Erect-crested Penguin, Eudyptes sclateri ❍ 21.18 Paradisaeidae
Macaroni Penguin, Eudyptes chrysolophus ❍ 21.19 Corvidae
Royal Penguin, Eudyptes schlegeli ❍ 21.20 Corcoracidae
Little Penguin, Eudyptula minor ❍ 21.21 Laniidae

Magellanic Penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus ❍ 21.22 Ptilonorhynchidae
❍ 21.23 Alaudidae
Procellariiformes ❍ 21.24 Motacillidae
❍ 21.25 Passeridae
Procellariidae ❍ 21.26 Fringillidae
❍ 21.27 Emberizidae
● Common Diving-Petrel, Pelecanoides urinatrix ❍ 21.28 Nectariniidae
South Georgian Diving-Petrel, Pelecanoides ❍ 21.29 Dicaeidae

georgicus ❍ 21.30 Hirundinidae
Southern Giant-Petrel, Macronectes giganteus
❍ 21.31 Pycnonotidae
Northern Giant-Petrel, Macronectes halli
❍ 21.32 Sylviidae
Southern Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialoides
Antarctic Petrel, Thalassoica antarctica ❍ 21.33 Zosteropidae
Cape Petrel, Daption capense ❍ 21.34 Muscicapidae
Snow Petrel, Pagodroma nivea ❍ 21.35 Sturnidae

Kerguelen Petrel, Lugensa brevirostris ● 22 See also
Tahiti Petrel, Pseudobulweria rostrata
Herald Petrel, Pterodroma arminjoniana
White-necked Petrel, Pterodroma cervicalis
Barau's Petrel, Pterodroma baraui
Cook's Petrel, Pterodroma cookii
Gould's Petrel, Pterodroma leucoptera
Blue Petrel, Halobaena caerulea
Broad-billed Prion, Pachyptila vittata
Salvin's Prion, Pachyptila salvini
Slender-billed Prion, Pachyptila belcheri
Fairy Prion, Pachyptila turtur
Fulmar Prion, Pachyptila crassirostris
White-chinned Petrel, Procellaria aequinoctialis
Westland Petrel, Procellaria westlandica
Black Petrel, Procellaria parkinsoni
Grey Petrel, Procellaria cinerea
Buller's Shearwater, Puffinus bulleri
Pink-footed Shearwater, Puffinus creatopus
Great Shearwater, Puffinus gravis
Short-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris
Fluttering Shearwater, Puffinis gavia
Hutton's Shearwater, Puffinus huttoni
Newell's Shearwater, Puffinus auricularis
Diomedeidae

Tristan Albatross, Diomedea dabbenena
Antipodean Albatross, Diomedea antipodensis
Gibson's Albatross, Diomedea gibsoni
Southern Royal Albatross, Diomedea epomophora
Northern Royal Albatross, Diomedea sanfordi
Amsterdam Albatross, Diomedea amsterdamensis
Black-browed Albatross, Thalassarche melanophrys
Campbell Albatross, Thalassarche impavida
Buller's Albatross, Thalassarche bulleri
Pacific Albatross, Thalassarche platei
White-capped Albatross, Thalassarche steadi
Salvin's Albatross, Thalassarche salvini
Chatham Albatross, Thalassarche eremita
Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross, Thalassarche chlororhynchos
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Thalassarche carteri
Grey-headed Albatross, Thalassarche chrysostoma
Sooty Albatross, Phoebetria fusca
Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Phoebetria palpebrata
Hydrobatidae
● Wilson's Storm-Petrel, Oceanites oceanicus

Grey-backed Storm-Petrel, Garrodia nereis
White-faced Storm-Petrel, Pelagodroma marina
Black-bellied Storm-Petrel, Fregetta tropica
White-bellied Storm-Petrel, Fregetta grallaria
Leach's Storm-Petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa
Matsudaira's Storm-Petrel, Oceanodroma matsudairae
Pelecaniformes
Phaethontidae
● Red-tailed Tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda

Sulidae
● Abbott's Booby, Papasula abbotti

Cape Gannet, Morus capensis
Australasian Gannet, Morus serrator
Tasman Booby, Sula tasmani - extinct
Anhingidae
Phalacrocoracidae
● Little Pied Cormorant, Phalacrocorax melanoleucos

Black-faced Cormorant, Phalacrocorax fuscescens
Pied Cormorant, Phalacrocorax varius
Little Black Cormorant, Phalacrocorax sulcirostris
Imperial Shag, Leucocarbo atriceps
Pelecanidae
● Australian Pelican, Pelecanus conspicillatus
Fregatidae
● Great Frigatebird, Fregata minor

Christmas Frigatebird, Fregata andrewsi
Ciconiiformes
Ardeidae
● White-faced Heron, Egretta novaehollandiae

Eastern Reef Egret, Egretta sacra
White-necked Heron, Ardea pacifica
Pied Heron, Ardea picata
Intermediate Egret, Ardea intermedia
Cattle Egret, Ardea ibis
Striated Heron, Butorides striatus
Nankeen Night Heron, Nycticorax caledonicus
Australasian Bittern, Botaurus poiciloptilus
Threskiornithidae
● Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus

Australian White Ibis, Threskiornis molucca
Straw-necked Ibis, Threskiornis spinicollis
Royal Spoonbill, Platalea regia
Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Platalea flavipes
Ciconiidae
● Black-necked Stork, Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
Phoenicopteriformes
Phoenicopteridae
● Greater Flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber
Falconiformes
Accipitridae

Pacific Baza, Aviceda subcristata
Black-shouldered Kite, Elanus axillaris
Letter-winged Kite, Elanus scriptus
Square-tailed Kite, Lophoictinia isura
Black-breasted Buzzard, Hamirostra melanosternon
Whistling Kite, Haliastur sphenurus
White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Haliaeetus leucogaster
Swamp Harrier, Circus approximans
Grey Goshawk, Accipiter novaehollandiae
Collared Sparrowhawk, Accipiter cirrhocephalus
Red Goshawk, Erythrotriorchis radiatus
Little Eagle, Hieraaetus morphnoides
Falconidae
● Brown Falcon, Falco berigora

Grey Falcon, Falco hypoleucos
Black Falcon, Falco subniger
Nankeen Kestrel, Falco cenchroides
Gruiformes
Gruidae
● Sarus Crane, Grus antigone

Brolga, Grus rubicunda
Rallidae
● Red-necked Crake, Rallina tricolor

Lord Howe Woodhen, Gallirallus sylvestris
Lewin's Rail, Rallus pectoralis
Bush-hen, Amaurornis olivaceus
Australian Spotted Crake, Porzana fluminea
Chestnut Rail, Eulabeornis castaneoventris
Watercock, Gallicrex cinerea
White Gallinule, Porphyrio albus - extinct
Black-tailed Native-hen, Gallinula ventralis
Tasmanian Native-hen, Gallinula mortierii
Otididae
● Australian Bustard, Ardeotis australis
Turniciformes
Turnicidae
● Red-backed Button-quail, Turnix maculosa

Little Button-quail, Turnix velox
Red-chested Button-quail, Turnix pyrrhothorax
Chestnut-backed Button-quail, Turnix castanota
Buff-breasted Button-quail, Turnix olivii
Painted Button-quail, Turnix varia
Black-breasted Button-quail, Turnix melanogaster
Charadriiformes
Pedionomidae
● Plains Wanderer, Pedionomus torquatus
Scolopacidae
● Latham's Snipe, Gallinago hardwickii
Pin-tailed Snipe, Gallinago stenura
Hudsonian Godwit, Limosa haemastica
Little Curlew, Numenius minutus
Eastern Curlew, Numenius madagascariensis
Upland Sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda
Grey-tailed Tattler, Heteroscelus brevipes
Wandering Tattler, Heteroscelus incana
Asian Dowitcher, Limnodromus semipalmatus
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Calidris acuminata
Stilt Sandpiper, Micropalama himantopus
Grey Phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius
Rostratulidae
● Australian Painted Snipe, Rostratula australis
Jacanidae
● Comb-crested Jacana, Irediparra gallinacea

Chionididae
● Black-faced Sheathbill, Chionis minor
Burhinidae
● Bush Stone-curlew, Burhinus grallarius

Beach Stone-curlew, Esacus neglectus
Haematopodidae
● Pied Oystercatcher, Haematopus longirostris

Sooty Oystercatcher, Haematopus fuliginosus
South Island Pied Oystercatcher, Haematopus finschi
Recurvirostridae

Banded Stilt, Cladorhynchus leucocephalus
Red-necked Avocet, Recurvirostra novaehollandiae
Charadriidae
● Pacific Golden Plover, Pluvialis fulva

Grey Plover, Pluvialis squatarola
Ringed Plover, Charadrius hiaticula
Kentish Plover, Charadrius alexandrinus
Red-capped Plover, Charadrius ruficapillus
Double-banded Plover, Charadrius bicinctus
Lesser Sand Plover, Charadrius mongolus
Greater Sand Plover, Charadrius leschenaultii
Oriental Plover, Charadrius veredus
Inland Dotterel, Charadrius australis
Black-fronted Dotterel, Elseyornis melanops
Hooded Plover, Thinornis rubricollis
Red-kneed Dotterel, Erythrogonys cinctus
Banded Lapwing, Vanellus tricolor
Masked Lapwing, Vanellus miles
Glareolidae
● Oriental Pratincole, Glareola maldivarum

Australian Pratincole, Stiltia isabella
Laridae
● Brown Skua, Catharacta lonnbergi

South Polar Skua, Catharacta maccormicki
Pomarine Jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
Arctic Jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
Long-tailed Jaeger, Stercorarius longicauda
Black-tailed Gull, Larus crassirostris
Sabine's Gull, Larus sabini
Gull-billed Tern, Sterna nilotica
Caspian Tern, Sterna caspia
Crested Tern, Sterna bergii
White-fronted Tern, Sterna striata
Antarctic Tern, Sterna vittata
Little Tern, Sterna albifrons
Fairy Tern, Sterna nereis
Bridled Tern, Sterna anaethetus
Sooty Tern, Sterna fuscata
Whiskered Tern, Chlidonias hybridus
White-winged Black Tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
Common Noddy, Anous stolidus
Grey Ternlet, Procelsterna albivittata
White Tern, Gygis alba
Columbiformes
Columbidae
● New Zealand Pigeon, Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae - extinct

Norfolk Island Ground-dove, Gallicolumba norfolciensis
White-throated Pigeon, Columba vitiensis - extinct
Rock Dove, Columba livia
White-headed Pigeon, Columba leucomela
Laughing Turtle-Dove, Streptopelia senegalensis
Spotted Turtle-Dove, Streptopelia chinensis
Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Macropygia amboinensis
Emerald Dove, Chalcophaps indica
Common Bronzewing, Phaps chalcoptera
Brush Bronzewing, Phaps elegans
Flock Bronzewing, Phaps histrionica
Crested Pigeon, Ocyphaps lophotes
Spinifex Pigeon, Geophaps plumifera
Partridge Pigeon, Geophaps smithii
Squatter Pigeon, Geophaps scripta
White-quilled Rock-Pigeon, Petrophassa albipennis
Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon, Petrophassa rufipennis
Diamond Dove, Geopelia cuneata
Peaceful Dove, Geopelia striata
Bar-shouldered Dove, Geopelia humeralis
Wonga Pigeon, Leucosarcia melanoleuca
Banded Fruit-Dove, Ptilinopus cinctus
Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Ptilinopus magnificus
Superb Fruit-Dove, Ptilinopus superbus
Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, Ptilinopus regina
Elegant Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula concinna
Christmas Island Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula whartoni
Collared Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula mullerii
Pied Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula bicolor
Topknot Pigeon, Lopholaimus antarcticus
Psittaciformes
Cacatuidae
● Palm Cockatoo, Probosciger aterrimus

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus banksii
Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus lathami
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus funereus
Short-billed Black-Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus latirostris
Long-billed Black-Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus baudinii
Gang-gang Cockatoo, Callocephalon fimbriatum
Galah, Eolophus roseicapilla
Long-billed Corella, Cacatua tenuirostris
Western Corella, Cacatua pastinator
Little Corella, Cacatua sanguinea
Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, Cacatua leadbeateri
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Cacatua galerita
Cockatiel, Nymphicus hollandicus
Psittacidae
● Rainbow Lorikeet, Trichoglossus haematodus

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus
Varied Lorikeet, Psitteuteles versicolor
Musk Lorikeet, Glossopsitta concinna
Little Lorikeet, Glossopsitta pusilla
Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Glossopsitta porphyrocephala
Eclectus Parrot, Eclectus roratus
Red-cheeked Parrot, Geoffroyus geoffroyi
Double-eyed Fig-Parrot, Cyclopsitta diophthalma
Australian King-Parrot, Alisterus scapularis
Red-winged Parrot, Aprosmictus erythropterus
Superb Parrot, Polytelis swainsonii
Regent Parrot, Polytelis anthopeplus
Princess Parrot, Polytelis alexandrae
Green Rosella, Platycercus caledonicus
Crimson Rosella, Platycercus elegans
Eastern Rosella, Platycercus eximius
Pale-headed Rosella, Platycercus adscitus
Northern Rosella, Platycercus venustus
Western Rosella, Platycercus icterotis
Australian Ringneck, Barnardius zonarius
Red-capped Parrot, Purpureicephalus spurius
Blue Bonnet, Northiella haematogaster
Swift Parrot, Lathamus discolor
Red-rumped Parrot, Psephotus haematonotus
Mulga Parrot, Psephotus varius
Golden-shouldered Parrot, Psephotus chrysopterygius
Hooded Parrot, Psephotus dissimilis
Red-crowned Parakeet, Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae
Budgerigar, Melopsittacus undulatus
Bourke's Parrot, Neopsephotus bourkii
Blue-winged Parrot, Neophema chrysostoma
Elegant Parrot, Neophema elegans
Rock Parrot, Neophema petrophila
Orange-bellied Parrot, Neophema chrysogaster
Turquoise Parrot, Neophema pulchella
Scarlet-chested Parrot, Neophema splendida
Ground Parrot, Pezoporus wallicus
Night Parrot, Pezoporus occidentalis
Norfolk Island Kaka, Nestor productus - extinct
Paradise Parrot, Psephotus pulcherrimus - extinct
Cuculiformes
Cuculidae
● Oriental Cuckoo, Cuculus saturatus

Pallid Cuckoo, Cuculus pallidus
Brush Cuckoo, Cacomantis variolosus
Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo, Cacomantis castaneiventris
Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Cacomantis flabelliformis
Black-eared Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx osculans
Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx basalis
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx lucidus
Little Bronze-Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx minutillus
Gould's Bronze-Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx russatus
Common Koel, Eudynamys scolopacea
Long-tailed Cuckoo, Eudynamys taitensis
Channel-billed Cuckoo, Scythrops novaehollandiae
Centropodidae
● Pheasant Coucal, Centropus phasianinus
Strigiformes
Strigidae
● Powerful Owl, Ninox strenua

Rufous Owl, Ninox rufa
Barking Owl, Ninox connivens
Southern Boobook, Ninox novaeseelandiae
Brown Hawk-Owl, Ninox scutulata
Christmas Island Hawk-Owl, Ninox natalis
Tytonidae
● Sooty Owl, Tyto tenebricosa

Lesser Sooty Owl, Tyto multipunctata
Masked Owl, Tyto novaehollandiae
Barn Owl, Tyto alba
Grass Owl, Tyto capensis
Caprimulgiformes
Podargidae
● Tawny Frogmouth, Podargus strigoides

Papuan Frogmouth, Podargus papuensis
Marbled Frogmouth, Podargus ocellatus
Caprimulgidae
● White-throated Nightjar, Eurostopodus mystacalis

Spotted Nightjar, Eurostopodus argus
Aegothelidae
● Australian Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles cristatus
Apodiformes
Apodidae
● Glossy Swiftlet, Collocalia esculenta

White-rumped Swiftlet, Collocalia spodiopygius
Uniform Swiftlet, Collocalia vanikorensis
White-throated Needletail, Hirundapus caudacutus
Fork-tailed Swift, Apus pacificus
House Swift, Apus affinis
Coraciiformes
Alcedinidae
● Azure Kingfisher, Ceyx azurea

Little Kingfisher, Ceyx pusilla
Halcyonidae
● Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher, Tanysiptera sylvia

Laughing Kookaburra, Dacelo novaeguineae
Blue-winged Kookaburra, Dacelo leachii
Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Syma torotoro
Forest Kingfisher, Todiramphus macleayii
Red-backed Kingfisher, Todiramphus pyrrhopygia
Sacred Kingfisher, Todiramphus sanctus
Meropidae
● Rainbow Bee-eater, Merops ornatus
Coraciidae
● Dollarbird, Eurystomus orientalis
Passeriformes
Pittidae
● Red-bellied Pitta, Pitta erythrogaster

Noisy Pitta, Pitta versicolor
Rainbow Pitta, Pitta iris
Menuridae
● Albert's Lyrebird, Menura alberti

Superb Lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae
Atrichornithidae
● Rufous Scrub-bird, Atrichornis rufescens

Noisy Scrub-bird, Atrichornis clamosus
Climacteridae
● White-throated Treecreeper, Cormobates leucophaeus

White-browed Treecreeper, Climacteris affinis
Red-browed Treecreeper, Climacteris erythrops
Brown Treecreeper, Climacteris picumnus
Black-tailed Treecreeper, Climacteris melanura
Rufous Treecreeper, Climacteris rufa
Maluridae
● Purple-crowned Fairy-wren, Malurus coronatus

Superb Fairy-wren, Malurus cyaneus
Splendid Fairy-wren, Malurus splendens
Variegated Fairy-wren, Malurus lamberti
Lovely Fairy-wren, Malurus amabilis
Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Malurus pulcherrimus
Red-winged Fairy-wren, Malurus elegans
White-winged Fairy-wren, Malurus leucopterus
Red-backed Fairy-wren, Malurus melanocephalus
Southern Emu-wren, Stipiturus malachurus
Mallee Emu-wren, Stipiturus mallee
Rufous-crowned Emu-wren, Stipiturus ruficeps
Grey Grasswren, Amytornis barbatus
Black Grasswren, Amytornis housei
White-throated Grasswren, Amytornis woodwardi
Carpentarian Grasswren, Amytornis dorotheae
Striated Grasswren, Amytornis striatus
Short-tailed Grasswren, Amytornis merrotsyi
Eyrean Grasswren, Amytornis goyderi
Thick-billed Grasswren, Amytornis textilis
Dusky Grasswren, Amytornis purnelli
Kalkadoon Grasswren, Amytornis ballarae
Pardalotidae
● Spotted Pardalote, Pardalotus punctatus

Forty-spotted Pardalote, Pardalotus quadragintus
Red-browed Pardalote, Pardalotus rubricatus
Striated Pardalote, Pardalotus striatus
Eastern Bristlebird, Dasyornis brachypterus
Western Bristlebird, Dasyornis longirostris
Rufous Bristlebird, Dasyornis broadbenti
Pilotbird, Pycnoptilus floccosus
Rockwarbler, Origma solitaria
Fernwren, Oreoscopus gutturalis
Yellow-throated Scrubwren, Sericornis citreogularis
White-browed Scrubwren, Sericornis frontalis
Tasmanian Scrubwren, Sericornis humilis
Atherton Scrubwren, Sericornis keri
Large-billed Scrubwren, Sericornis magnirostris
Tropical Scrubwren, Sericornis beccarii
Scrubtit, Acanthornis magnus
Chestnut-rumped Heathwren, Hylacola pyrrhopygia
Shy Heathwren, Hylacota cauta
Striated Fieldwren, Calamanthus fuliginosus
Rufous Fieldwren, Calamanthus campestris
Redthroat, Pyrrholaemus brunneus
Speckled Warbler, Chthonicola sagittata
Weebill, Smicrornis brevirostris
Brown Gerygone, Gerygone mouki
Norfolk Island Gerygone, Gerygone modesta
Dusky Gerygone, Gerygone tenebrosa
Mangrove Gerygone, Gerygone laevigaster
Lord Howe Gerygone, Gerygone insularis - extinct
Western Gerygone, Gerygone fusca
Large-billed Gerygone, Gerygone magnirostris
Green-backed Gerygone, Gerygone chloronota
Fairy Gerygone, Gerygone palpebrosa
White-throated Gerygone, Gerygone olivacea
Mountain Thornbill, Acanthiza katherina
Brown Thornbill, Acanthiza pusilla
Inland Thornbill, Acanthiza apicalis
Tasmanian Thornbill, Acanthiza ewingii
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, Acanthiza uropygialis
Slaty-backed Thornbill, Acanthiza robustirostris
Western Thornbill, Acanthiza inornata
Buff-rumped Thornbill, Acanthiza reguloides
Slender-billed Thornbill, Acanthiza iredalei
Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Acanthiza chrysorrhoa
Yellow Thornbill, Acanthiza nana
Striated Thornbill, Acanthiza lineata
Southern Whiteface, Aphelocephala leucopsis
Chestnut-breasted Whiteface, Aphelocephala pectoralis
Banded Whiteface, Aphelocephala nigricincta
Meliphagidae
● Red Wattlebird, Anthochaera carunculata

Yellow Wattlebird, Anthochaera paradoxa
Little Wattlebird, Anthochaera chrysoptera
Western Wattlebird, Anthochaera lunulata
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Acanthagenys rufogularis
Striped Honeyeater, Plectorhyncha lanceolata
Silver-crowned Friarbird, Philemon argenticeps
Noisy Friarbird, Philemon corniculatus
Little Friarbird, Philemon citreogularis
Regent Honeyeater, Xanthomyza phrygia
Blue-faced Honeyeater, Entomyzon cyanotis
Bell Miner, Manorina melanophrys
Noisy Miner, Manorina melanocephala
Yellow-throated Miner, Manorina flavigula
Black-eared Miner, Manorina melanotis
Macleay's Honeyeater, Xanthotis macleayana
Tawny-breasted Honeyeater, Xanthotis flaviventer
Lewin's Honeyeater, Meliphaga lewinii
Yellow-spotted Honeyeater, Meliphaga notata
Graceful Honeyeater, Meliphaga gracilis
White-lined Honeyeater, Meliphaga albilineata
Bridled Honeyeater, Lichenostomus frenatus
Eungella Honeyeater, Lichenostomus hindwoodi
Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Lichenostomus chrysops
Singing Honeyeater, Lichenostomus virescens
Varied Honeyeater, Lichenostomus versicolor
Mangrove Honeyeater, Lichenostomus fasciogularis
White-gaped Honeyeater, Lichenostomus unicolor
Yellow Honeyeater, Lichenostomus flavus
White-eared Honeyeater, Lichenostomus leucotis
Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Lichenostomus flavicollis
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Lichenostomus melanops
Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Lichenostomus cratitius
Grey-headed Honeyeater, Lichenostomus keartlandi
Yellow-plumed Honeyeater, Lichenostomus ornatus
Grey-fronted Honeyeater, Lichenostomus plumulus
Fuscous Honeyeater, Lichenostomus fuscus
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater, Lichenostomus flavescens
White-plumed Honeyeater, Lichenostomus penicillatus
Black-chinned Honeyeater, Melithreptus gularis
Strong-billed Honeyeater, Melithreptus validirostris
Brown-headed Honeyeater, Melithreptus brevirostris
White-throated Honeyeater, Melithreptus albogularis
White-naped Honeyeater, Melithreptus lunatus
Black-headed Honeyeater, Melithreptus affinis
Green-backed Honeyeater, Glycichaera fallax
Brown Honeyeater, Lichmera indistincta
White-streaked Honeyeater, Trichodere cockerelli
Painted Honeyeater, Grantiella picta
Crescent Honeyeater, Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera
New Holland Honeyeater, Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
White-cheeked Honeyeater, Phylidonyris nigra
White-fronted Honeyeater, Phylidonyris albifrons
Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Phylidonyris melanops
Brown-backed Honeyeater, Ramsayornis modestus
Bar-breasted Honeyeater, Ramsayornis fasciatus
Rufous-banded Honeyeater, Conopophila albogularis
Rufous-throated Honeyeater, Conopophila rufogularis
Grey Honeyeater, Conopophila whitei
Eastern Spinebill, Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
Western Spinebill, Acanthorhynchus superciliosus
Banded Honeyeater, Certhionyx pectoralis
Black Honeyeater, Certhionyx niger
Pied Honeyeater, Certhionyx variegatus
Dusky Honeyeater, Myzomela obscura
Red-headed Honeyeater, Myzomela erythrocephala
Scarlet Honeyeater, Myzomela sanguinolenta
Crimson Chat, Epthianura tricolor
Orange Chat, Epthianura aurifrons
Yellow Chat, Epthianura crocea
White-fronted Chat, Epthianura albifrons
Gibberbird, Ashbyia lovensis
Petroicidae
● Jacky Winter, Microeca leucophaea

Lemon-bellied Flycatcher, Microeca flavigaster
Yellow-legged Flycatcher, Microeca griseoceps
Scarlet Robin, Petroica multicolor
Red-capped Robin, Petroica goodenovii
Flame Robin, Petroica phoenicea
Rose Robin, Petroica rosea
Pink Robin, Petroica rodinogaster
Hooded Robin, Melanodryas cucullata
Dusky Robin, Melanodryas vittata
Pale-yellow Robin, Tregellasia capito
White-faced Robin, Tregellasia leucops
Eastern Yellow Robin, Eopsaltria australis
Western Yellow Robin, Eopsaltria griseogularis
White-breasted Robin, Eopsaltria georgiana
Mangrove Robin, Eopsaltria pulverulenta
White-browed Robin, Poecilodryas superciliosa
Grey-headed Robin, Heteromyias albispecularis
Northern Scrub-robin, Drymodes superciliaris
Southern Scrub-robin, Drymodes brunneopygia
Orthonychidae
● Logrunner, Orthonyx temminckii

Chowchilla, Orthonyx spaldingii
Pomatostomidae
● Grey-crowned Babbler, Pomatostomus temporalis

White-browed Babbler, Pomatostomus superciliosus
Hall's Babbler, Pomatostomus halli
Chestnut-crowned Babbler, Pomatostomus ruficeps
Cinclosomatidae
● Eastern Whipbird, Psophodes olivaceus

Western Whipbird, Psophodes nigrogularis
Chirruping Wedgebill, Psophodes cristatus
Chiming Wedgebill, Psophodes occidentalis
Spotted Quail-thrush, Cinclosoma punctatum
Chestnut Quail-thrush, Cinclosoma castanotum
Cinnamon Quail-thrush, Cinclosoma cinnamomeum
Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush, Cinclosoma castaneothorax
Neosittidae
● Varied Sittella, Daphoenositta chrysoptera
Pachycephalidae
● Crested Shrike-tit, Falcunculus frontatus

Crested Bellbird, Oreoica gutturalis
Olive Whistler, Pachycephala olivacea
Red-lored Whistler, Pachycephala rufogularis
Gilbert's Whistler, Pachycephala inornata
Mangrove Golden Whistler, Pachycephala melanura
Grey Whistler, Pachycephala simplex
Rufous Whistler, Pachycephala rufiventris
White-breasted Whistler, Pachycephala lanioides
Little Shrike-thrush, Colluricincla megarhyncha
Bower's Shrike-thrush, Colluricincla boweri
Sandstone Shrike-thrush, Colluricincla woodwardi
Grey Shrike-thrush, Colluricincla harmonica
Dicruridae
● Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Machaerirhynchus flaviventer
Black-faced Monarch, Monarcha melanopsis
Black-winged Monarch, Monarcha frater
Spectacled Monarch, Monarcha trivirgatus
White-eared Monarch, Monarcha leucotis
Frilled Monarch, Arses telescophthalmus
Pied Monarch, Arses kaupi
Broad-billed Flycatcher, Myiagra ruficollis
Leaden Flycatcher, Myiagra rubecula
Satin Flycatcher, Myiagra cyanoleuca
Shining Flycatcher, Myiagra alecto
Restless Flycatcher, Myiagra inquieta
Magpie-Lark, Grallina cyanoleuca
Rufous Fantail, Rhipidura rufifrons
Grey Fantail, Rhipidura fuliginosa
Lord Howe Fantail, Rhipidura cervina - extinct
Mangrove Grey Fantail, Rhipidura phasiana
Northern Fantail, Rhipidura rufiventris
Willie Wagtail, Rhipidura leucophrys
Spangled Drongo, Dicrurus bracteatus
Campephagidae
● Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike, Coracina novaehollandiae

Barred Cuckoo-Shrike, Coracina lineata
White-bellied Cuckoo-Shrike, Coracina papuensis
Ground Cuckoo-Shrike, Coracina maxima
White-winged Triller, Lalage sueurii
Varied Triller, Lalage leucomela
Long-tailed Triller, Lalage leucopyga
Oriolidae
● Yellow Oriole, Oriolus flavocinctus

Olive-backed Oriole, Oriolus sagittatus
Figbird, Sphecotheres viridis
Artamidae
● White-breasted Woodswallow, Artamus leucorynchus

Masked Woodswallow, Artamus personatus
White-browed Woodswallow, Artamus superciliosus
Dusky Woodswallow, Artamus cyanopterus
Little Woodswallow, Artamus minor
Black Butcherbird, Cracticus quoyi
Grey Butcherbird, Cracticus torquatus
Black-backed Butcherbird, Cracticus mentalis
Pied Butcherbird, Cracticus nigrogularis
Australian Magpie, Gymnorhina tibicen
Pied Currawong, Strepera graculina
Black Currawong, Strepera fuliginosa
Grey Currawong, Strepera versicolor
Paradisaeidae
● Paradise Riflebird, Ptiloris paradiseus

Victoria's Riflebird, Ptiloris victoriae
Magnificent Riflebird, Ptiloris magnificus
Trumpet Manucode, Manucodia keraudrenii
Corvidae
● Australian Raven, Corvus coronoides

Forest Raven, Corvus tasmanicus
Little Raven, Corvus mellori
Little Crow, Corvus bennetti
Torresian Crow, Corvus orru
Corcoracidae
● White-winged Chough, Corcorax melanorhamphos

Apostlebird, Struthidea cinerea
Laniidae
● Brown Shrike, Lanius cristatus
Ptilonorhynchidae
● Spotted Catbird, Ailuroedus melanotis

Green Catbird, Ailuroedus crassirostris
Tooth-billed Catbird, Scenopoeetes dentirostris
Golden Bowerbird, Prionodura newtoniana
Regent Bowerbird, Sericulus chrysocephalus
Satin Bowerbird, Ptilonorhynchus violaceus
Spotted Bowerbird, Chlamydera maculata
Western Bowerbird, Chlamydera guttata
Great Bowerbird, Chlamydera nuchalis
Fawn-breasted Bowerbird, Chlamydera cerviniventris
Alaudidae
● Singing Bushlark, Mirafra javanica

Skylark, Alauda arvensis
Motacillidae
● Australasian Pipit, Anthus novaeseelandiae

White Wagtail, Motacilla alba
Black-backed Wagtail, Motacilla lugens
Passeridae
● House Sparrow, Passer domesticus

Zebra Finch, Taeniopygia guttata
Double-barred Finch, Taeniopygia bichenovii
Long-tailed Finch, Poephila acuticauda
Black-throated Finch, Poephila cincta
Masked Finch, Poephila personata
Crimson Finch, Neochmia phaeton
Star Finch, Neochmia ruficauda
Plum-headed Finch, Neochmia modesta
Red-browed Finch, Neochmia temporalis
Diamond Firetail, Stagonopleura guttata
Beautiful Firetail, Stagonopleura bella
Red-eared Firetail, Stagonopleura oculata
Painted Finch, Emblema picta
Nutmeg Mannikin, Lonchura punctulata
Yellow-rumped Mannikin, Lonchura flaviprymna
Chestnut-breasted Mannikin, Lonchura castaneothorax
Java Sparrow, Lonchura oryzivora
Pictorella Mannikin, Heteromunia pectoralis
Blue-faced Parrot-Finch, Erythrura trichroa
Gouldian Finch, Erythrura gouldiae
Fringillidae
● Common Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs

Emberizidae
● Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella
Nectariniidae
● Yellow-bellied Sunbird, Nectarinia jugularis
Dicaeidae
● Mistletoebird, Dicaeum hirundinaceum

Red-capped Flowerpecker, Dicaeum geelvinkianum
Hirundinidae
● White-backed Swallow, Cheramoeca leucosternum

Welcome Swallow, Hirundo neoxena
Red-rumped Swallow, Hirundo daurica
Tree Martin, Hirundo nigricans
Fairy Martin, Hirundo ariel
Asian House Martin, Hirundo dasypus
Pycnonotidae
● Red-whiskered Bulbul, Pycnonotus jocosus
Sylviidae
● Clamorous Reed-Warbler, Acrocephalus stentoreus

Oriental Reed-Warbler, Acrocephalus orientalis
Little Grassbird, Megalurus gramineus
Spinifexbird, Eremiornis carteri
Rufous Songlark, Cinclorhamphus mathewsi
Brown Songlark, Cinclorhamphus cruralis
Zosteropidae
● Christmas Island White-eye, Zosterops natalis

Pale White-eye, Zosterops citrinella
Yellow White-eye, Zosterops lutea
Silvereye, Zosterops lateralis
Robust White-eye, Zosterops strenuus - extinct
Slender-billed White-eye, Zosterops tenuirostris - extinct
White-chested White-eye, Zosterops albogularis
Muscicapidae
● Bassian Thrush, Zoothera lunulata

Russet-tailed Thrush, Zoothera heinei
Common Blackbird, Turdus merula
Blue-and-white Flycatcher, Cyanoptila cyanomelana
Blue Rock-Thrush, Monticola solitarius
Sturnidae
● Tasman Starling, Aplonis fusca - extinct

Metallic Starling, Aplonis metallica
Singing Starling, Aplonis cantoroides
Common Starling, Sturnus vulgaris
Purple-backed Starling Sturnus philippensis
See also
● List of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds
Home | Up | List of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds | List of Australian birds
Birds of Europe
Back | Home | Up
In this article, Europe refers to the geographical continent, not the somewhat larger Western Palearctic,
which includes parts of the Middle East and north Africa.
There are about 700 species of bird in the area, and in general the avifauna is similar to Asia north of the
Himalayas, which shares the same ecozone. There are also many groups shared with North America.
Conversely, many of the southern hemisphere groups, including the ancient flightless Struthioniformes
(ostrich family), and their relatives the tinamous are not represented at all.
The order follows the Voous Order, with the revision of the Anseriformes and Galliformes brought to
the start of the list, adopted by all European countries.
European birds include the following families:
Anseriformes
● Anatidae swans, geese and ducks
Galliformes
● Tetraonidae grouse
● Phasianidae partridges, pheasants, quails etc.
Gaviiformes
● Gaviidae divers
Podicipediformes
● Podicepidae grebes
Procellariiformes
● Diomedeidae albatross rare vagrant

● Procellariidae fulmars, shearwaters, gadfly and other petrels.
● Hydrobatidae storm-petrels
Pelecaniformes
● Phaethontidae tropicbirds very rare vagrant

● Sulidae gannets
● Phalacrocoracidae cormorants
● Pelecanidae pelicans
● Fregatidae frigatebirds very rare vagrant
Ciconiiformes (American taxonomists often include all the raptors in this family.)
● Ardeidae herons and bitterns

● Ciconiidae: storks
● Threskiomithidae ibises and spoonbills
● Phoenicopteridae flamingos
Accipitriformes (Some classifications also include the Falconidae.)
● Accipitridae hawks, eagles, buzzards and Old World vultures, harriers, kites and allies
● Pandionidae Osprey
Falconiformes (Sometimes included in the Accipitriformes.)
● Falconidae falcons
Gruiformes
● Rallidae rails and crakes

Turnicidae buttonquails very marginal in Europe
Gruidae cranes
Otidae bustards
Charadriformes
● Haematopodidae oystercatchers
● Recurvirostridae avocets and stilts
● Burhinidae thick-knees
● Glareolidae coursers and pratincoles
● Charadrfidae plovers
● Scolopacidae typical waders or shorebirds
● Stercoraracidae skuas
● Laridae gulls
● Sternidae terns
● Alcidae auks
Pterocliformes
● Pteroclidae sandgrouse
Columbiformes
● Columbidae pigeons and doves
Psittaciformes
● Psittacidae parrots introduced only
Cuculiformes
● Cuculidae cuckoos
Strigiformes
● Tytonidae barn owls

● Strigidae owls
Caprimulgiformes
● Caprimulgidae nightjars
Apodiformes
● Apodidae swifts
Coraciiformes
● Alcedinidae kingfishers
● Meropidae bee-eaters
● Coraciidae rollers
● Upupidae Hoopoe
Piciformes
● Picidae woodpeckers
Passeriformes perching birds
● Alaudidae larks
Hirundinidae swallows and martins
Motacillidae wagtails and pipits
Bombycillidae waxwings
Cinclidae dippers
Troglodytidae wrens
Prunellidae accentors
Turdidae thrushes and chats
Sylviidae Old World warblers
Regulidae kinglets
Muscicapidae Old World flycatchers
Timaliidae Bearded Tit (and babblers, not in Europe)
Aegithalidae long-tailed tits
Paridae tits
Sittidae nuthatches
Tichodromadidae Wallcreeper
Certhiidae treecreepers
Remizidae penduline tits
Oriolidae orioles
Laniidae shrikes
Corvidae crows and jays
Sturnidae starlings
Passeridae sparrows
Estrildidae waxbills etc introduced
Vireonidae vireos very rare vagrant
Fringillidae finches
Parulidae New World warblers very rare vagrant
Thraupidae tanagers very rare vagrant
Emberizidae buntings and American sparrows
Icteridae icterids very rare vagrant
The links above lead to family accounts and hence to individual species. Taxonomy is very fluid in the
age of DNA analysis, so other arrangements may be found.
See also
● List of Australian birds
Endemism in birds
Home | Up | Next
This article is a parent page for a series of articles providing information about endemism among birds
in the World's various zoogeographic zones.
The term endemic, in the context of bird endemism, refers to any species found only in a specific area.
There is no upper size limit for the geographical area. It would not be incorrect to refer to all bird species
as endemic to Earth; in practice, however, the largest areas for which the term is in common use are
countries (e.g. New Zealand endemics) or zoogeographical regions and subregions (West Indies
endemics).
Birdlife International has defined the term restricted-range endemic as any species whose historical
range is less than 50,000km².
Patterns of endemism
Endemism is particularly notable when not just a particular species is confined to given areas, but a
whole higher-level taxon (e.g. genus, family or even order).
Almost all orders are represented on at least two continents. The orders with the most-restricted range
are the mousebirds (Coliiformes), found only in sub-Saharan Africa and the tinamous, found only in
South and Central America.
At the level of family, endemism is exhibited widely. Examples include:
● The Kagu, a monotypic family found only on New Caledonia in the south Pacific Ocean
The Palmchat, another monotypic family, found only on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean
The kiwis, a family of five species found only in New Zealand
The todies, a family of five species found only on the Greater Antilles
The Hawaiian honeycreepers, a family found only on the Hawaian islands - see Endemism in the
Hawaiian Islands and Endemic birds of Hawaii
Australia has many endemic families - see Endemic birds of Australia
Madagascar has a number of endemic families (plus others found only on Madagascar and nearby
island groups) - see Endemic birds of Madagascar and western Indian Ocean islands
Endemic Bird Areas

Birdlife International has defined the concept of an Endemic Bird Area (EBA). This is a region of the
world which contains two or more restricted range species.
To support this, they have also introduced the Secondary Area concept, for areas which contain one or
more restricted-range species.
Publications in Bird Endemism

Birdlife International has produced two publications on endemism in birds:
● Putting biodiversity on the map: priority areas for global conservation C. J. Bibby, N. J. Collar,
M. J. Crosby, M.F. Heath, Ch. Imboden, T. H. Johnson, A. J. Long, A. J. Stattersfield and S. J.
Thirgood (1992) ISBN 0-946888-24-8
● Endemic Bird Areas of the World: Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation Alison J. Stattersfield,
Michael J. Crosby, Adrian J. Long and David C. Wege (1998) ISBN 0-946888-33-7
Birds of Australia
List of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds | List of Australian birds
A flock of Galahs
A Cockatiel
Australia has about 800 species of bird, ranging from the tiny 8 cm Weebill to the huge, flightless Emu.
Many species will immediately seem familiar to visitors from the northern hemisphere - Australian
wrens look and act much like northern hemisphere wrens and Australian robins seem to be close
relatives of the northern hemisphere robins, but in fact the majority of Australian passerines are
descended from the ancestors of the crow family, and the close resemblance is misleading: the cause is
not genetic relatedness but convergent evolution.
For example, almost any land habitat offers a niche for a small bird that specialises in finding small
insects: the form best fitted to that task is one with long legs for agility and obstacle clearance,
moderately-sized wings optimised for quick, short flight, and a large, upright tail for rapid changes of
direction. In consequence, the unrelated birds that fill that niche in the Americas and in Australia look
and act as though they are close relatives.
Contents
● 1 Kinds of Birds
● 2 Regional Lists
● 3 Organisations
● 4 Regional References and Guides
Kinds of Birds
Australian birds can be classified into six broad categories:
● Old endemics: long-established non-passerines of ultimately Gondwanan origin, notably emus,

cassowaries and the huge parrot group
● Corvid radiation: Passerines peculiar to Australasia, descended from the corvid family, and now
occupying a vast range of roles and sizes; examples include wrens, robins, magpies, thornbills,
pardalotes, the huge honeyeater family, treecreepers, lyrebirds, birds of paradise and bowerbirds
● Eurasian colonists: later colonists from Eurasia, including plovers, swallows, larks, thrushes,
cisticolas, sunbirds and some raptors
● Recent introductions: birds recently introduced by humans; some, such as the European
Goldfinch and Greenfinch, appear to coexist with native fauna; others, such as the Common
Starling, Blackbird, House and Tree Sparrows, and the Common Myna, are more destructive
● Migratory shorebirds: a suite of waders in the Scolopacidae and Charadriidae which breed in
northern Asia and Alaska and spend the non-breeding season in Australasia
● Seabirds: a large and cosmopolitan group of petrels, albatrosses, sulids, gulls, terns and
cormorants, many of which either breed on islands within Australian teritory or frequent its coast
and territorial waters
The Australian Wood Duck

Regional Lists
For comprehensive regional lists, see:
● Australian Birds, covering Australia and its territories

● Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, the HANZAB list for Australia, New Zealand,
Antarctica and the surrounding ocean and islands.
A Kookaburra
Organisations
National organisations include:
● Birds Australia, also known as the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, the leading
Australian NGO for birds, birding, ornithology and conservation
Australian Bird Study Association, for banders and other field ornithologists
Birding-Aus - an Internet mailing list about Australian birds
Bird Observers Club of Australia, a major birdwatcher's organisation with 40 branches and
affiliate groups
A young Australian Magpie
Regional References and Guides

Important regional references include:
● The Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds (HANZAB), the pre-eminent
scientific reference, a seven-volume encyclopedia.
The Atlas of Australian Birds, an extensive detailed survey of Australian bird distributions.
The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000, Garnett, Stephen T.; & Crowley, Gabriel M.,
Environment Australia, Canberra, 2000 ISBN 0-642-54683-5, a comprehensive survey of the
conservation status of Australian species, with costed conservation and recovery strategies.
Full-coverage field guides in print are as follows, (grouped in rough order of authority):
● Pizzey: Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, Pizzey, G and Menkhorst, P (ed), 7th edition, 2003
● Slater: The Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds, Slater P, Slater P and Slater R, 2003 revised
edition
● Simpson and Day: Field Guide to Australian Birds, Simpson K and Day N, 7th edition, 2004
ISBN 0-670-04180-7
● Morcombe: Field Guide to Australian Birds, Morcombe, M, 2nd edition 2003, and complete
compact edition 2004
● Flegg: Photographic Field Guide: Birds of Australia, Flegg, J, 2nd edition, 2002
● Trounson: Australian Birds: A Concise Photographic Field Guide, Trounson D and Trounson
M, 2005 reprint
● Caley: What Bird is That?, Caley, N, 2000 edition
External links
● Birds Australia.
● Bird Observers Club of Australia.
● Australian raptors
● The Birds of Australia: in seven volumes by John Gould - all volumes fully digitised
Falconry
Contents
● 1 History
❍ 1.1 Timeline
❍ 1.2 The Boke of St Albans
● 2 Birds
❍ 2.1 Osprey (Pandion)
❍ 2.2 Sea Eagles (Haliaëtus)
❍ 2.3 True Eagles (Aquila)
❍ 2.4 Buzzards (Buteo)

Flying a Saker Falcon
❍ 2.5 The Harris' Hawk (Parabuteo)
❍ 2.6 The True Hawks (Accipiter)

Falconry or hawking is the art or sport involving raptors (birds of prey) to hunt or pursue game. There
❍ 2.7 The Falcons (Falco)
are two traditional terms used to describe a person involved in falconry. A Falconer, who flies a falcon.
An Austringer is one who flies a "true" hawk (accipiter). In modern falconry, buteos are now ❍ 2.8 The Owl (Strigidae)
commonly used so a more loosely used term of falconer now applies to all people involved in falconry, ● 3 Falconry Around the World
because the words hawking and hawker have become so much used to mean petty travelling traders in ❍ 3.1 U.S. Regulations on Falconry
goods. ❍ 3.2 Clubs & organizations in the U.S.
❍ 3.3 Raptor conservation in the U.S.
History ❍ 3.4 Current practices in Great Britain
■ 3.4.1 Species used
Traditional views of falconry state that the art started in East Asia; however, archaeologists have found ■ 3.4.2 Escaped or released species breeding in the wild
evidence of falconry in the Middle East dating back to the 1st century BC. Historically, falconry was a ■ 3.4.3 Species to start with?
popular sport, and status symbol, among the nobles of both medieval Europe and feudal Japan, where it ■ 3.4.4 Falconry today
is called takagari. Eggs and chicks of birds of prey were quite rare and expensive, and since the process ■ 3.4.5 Hybrid falcons
of raising and training a hawk or falcon takes a lot of time and money and space, it was more or less ❍ 3.5 Artificial selection
restricted to the noble classes. In Japan, there were even strict restrictions on who could hunt which
❍ 3.6 Falconry elsewhere
sorts of animals, and where, based on one's ranking within the samurai class. In art, and in other aspects
of culture, such as literature, falconry remained a status symbol long after falconry was no longer ● 5 Literature
popularly practiced. Eagles and hawks displayed on the wall could represent the noble himself, ● 6 External links
metaphorically, as noble and fierce. Woodblock prints or paintings of falcons or falconry scenes could ● 7 References
be bought by wealthy commoners, and displayed as the next best thing to partaking in the sport, again
representing a certain degree of nobility.
Timeline
● 722-705 BC - An Assyrian bas-relief found in the ruins at Khorsabad during the excavation of the palace of Sargon II
(or Saragon II) has been claimed to depict falconry. In fact, it depicts an archer shooting at raptors and an attendant capturing
a raptor. A. H. Layard's statement in his 1853 book Discoveries in the Ruins of Nineveh and Babylon is "A falconer bearing
a hawk on his wrist appeared to be represented in a bas-relief which I saw on my last visit to those ruins."
● 680 BC - Chinese records describe falconry. E. W. Jameson suggests that evidence of falconry in Japan surfaces.
● 4th Century BC - It is assumed that the Romans learned falconry from the Greeks.
● 384 BC - Aristotle and other Greeks made references to falconry
● 70-44 BC - Caesar is reported to have trained falcons to kill carrier pigeons.
● 355 AD - Nihon-shoki, a historical narrative, records first hawking in Japan as of 43rd reign of Nintoku.
● 500 - E. W. Jameson says that the earliest reliable evidence of falconry in Europe is a Roman floor mosaic of a falconer and
his hawk hunting ducks.
● 600 - Germanic tribes practiced falconry
● 8th and 9th century and continuing today - Falconry flourished in the Middle East.
● 818 - The Japanese Emperor Saga ordered someone to edit a falconry text named "Shinshuu Youkyou".
● 875 - Western Europe and Saxon England practiced falconry widely.
● 991 - The Battle of Maldon. A poem describing it says that before the battle, the Anglo-Saxons' leader Byrhtnoth "let
his beloved hawk fly from his hand towards the woodland".
● 1066 - Normans wrote of the practice of falconry; following the Norman conquest of England, falconry became even
more popular. The word "falconry" is descended from the Norman-French word fauconnerie.
● c.1100 - Crusaders are credited with bringing falconry to England and making it popular in the courts.
● c.1240s, Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, commissions a translation of the treatise De arte venandi cum avibus, by the
Arab Moamyn, and is said to have corrected and rewritten it on the basis of his own extensive experience with falconry.
● 1390s - In his Libro de la caza de las aves, Castilian poet and chronicler Pero López de Ayala attempts to compile all
the correct and available knowledge concerning falconry.
● early 16th Century - Japanese warlord Asakura Norikage (1476-1555) succeeded in captive breeding of goshawks.
● 1600's - Dutch records of falconry; the Dutch willage of Valkenswaard was almost entirely dependent on falconry for
its economy.
● 1660s - Tsar Alexis of Russia writes a treatise which celebrates aesthetic pleasures derived from falconry.
● 1801 - James Strutt of England writes, "the ladies not only accompanied the gentlemen in pursuit of the diversion
[falconry], but often practiced it by themselves; and even excelled the men in knowledge and exercise of the art."
● 1934 - The first US falconry club, The Peregrine Club, is formed; it died out during World War II
● 1961 - NAFA formed
● 1970 - The Peregrine Fund is founded mostly by falconers to conserve raptors, but focusing on Peregrines.
The Boke of St Albans
The often-quoted Boke of St Albans, first printed in 1486, often attributed to Dame Juliana Berners, provides this hierarchy
of hawks and the social ranks for which each bird was supposedly appropriate. The line numbers are not in the original.
1) Emperor: The Eagle, Vulture, and Merloun
2) King: The Ger Falcon and the Tercel of the Ger Falcon
3) Prince: The Falcon Gentle and the Tercel Gentle
4) Duke: The Falcon of the Loch
5) Earl: The Falcon Peregrine
6) Baron: The Bustard
7) Knight: The Sacre and the Sacret
8) Esquire: The Lanere and the Laneret
9) Lady: The Marlyon
10) Young Man: The Hobby
11) Yeoman: The Goshawk
12) Poor Man: The Jercel
13) Priest: The Sparrowhawk
14) Holy Water Clerk: The Musket
15) Knave or Servant: The Kestrel
This list, however, was mistaken in several respects.

1) Vultures are not used for falconry.
3) 4) 5) These are usually said to be different names for the Peregrine Falcon. But there is an opinion that renders 4) as
"rock falcon" = a peregrine from remote rocky areas, which would be bigger and stronger than other peregrines.
6) The bustard is not a bird of prey, but a game species that was commonly hunted by falconers; this entry may have been
a mistake for buzzard, or for busard which is French for "harrier"; but any of these would be a poor deal for barons; some
treat this entry as "bastard hawk", whatever that may be.
7) 8) Sakers and Lanners were imported from abroad and very expensive, and ordinary knights and squires would be
unlikely to have them.
10) 15) Hobbies and kestrels are of little use for serious falconry.
12) If "Jercel" is a handwriting misread for "tercel" (= tiercel), a poor man would not be able to afford one of those. Or
"jercel" might have been an old portmanteau of names of two sorts of hawk, used as slang for a non-existent species of
hawk, and thus to mean "no hawk", similar to modern expressions such as "a reel of chalk line" and "skyhook".
Birds
There are several categories of raptor that could possibly be used in falconry. They are also classed by falconers as:-
● Broadwings: eagles, buzzards, Harris hawk.

● Longwings: falcons.
● Shortwings: Accipiters.
Osprey (Pandion)
The Osprey is a medium large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution. Generally speaking it
does not lend itself to falconry. However the possibility of using a raptor to obtain fish remains an intriguing idea.
(Some references to "ospreys" in old records mean a mechanical fish-catching device and not the bird.)
Sea Eagles (Haliaëtus)
Most species of this genus, to some extent, catch and eat fish, some almost exclusively. However, in countries where they
are not protected, some have been effectively used in hunting for ground quarry.
True Eagles (Aquila)
This genus has a worldwide distribution. The more powerful types are used in falconry, for example golden eagles
and subspecies have reportedly been used to hunt wolves in Kazakhstan, and are now used by the Kazakh eagle hunters to
hunt foxes and other large prey. Most are primarily ground oriented but will occasionally take birds. Eagles are not used
as widely in falconry as other birds of prey, due to the lack of versatility in the larger species (they primarily hunt over
large, open ground), the greater potential danger to other people if hunted in a widely populated area, and the difficulty
of training and managing an eagle.
Buzzards (Buteo)
This genus has worldwide distribution but is particularly well represented in North America. The Red-tailed
Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, and Red-shouldered Hawk are all examples of species from this genus that are used in
falconry today. The Red-tailed Hawk is hardy and versatile, taking rabbits, hares, and tree squirrels, and given the
right conditions can be trained to take geese, ducks, and pheasants. The Eurasian or Common Buzzard is also used,
although this species requires more perseverance if rabbits are to be hunted. These birds are mainly ground prey oriented,
and since carrion is a large part of the diet in the wild they often require more perseverance to hunt than the hawks or falcons.
The Harris' Hawk (Parabuteo)
This is the sole representative of the Parabuteo genus worldwide. This is arguably the very best rabbit or hare raptor
available anywhere. The Harris' Hawk is also adept at catching birds. The Harris' Hawk is remarkably popular in the
UK because of its temperament and ability. They are gregarious birds: they are the only semi-social raptor; all others are
not social except with their mate, so they can hunt in groups, a behavior that is trademark for family groups in the wild.
This genus is native to the Americas in areas with a warm climate.
The True Hawks (Accipiter)
This genus of raptor is also found worldwide. Hawk expert Mike McDermott once said, "The attack of the accipiters
is extremely swift, rapid and violent in every way." They are well known in falconry use both in Europe and North America.
The Falcons (Falco)
This genus is found worldwide. Much falconry is concerned with species of this group of birds. True falcons are
generally oriented towards birds as prey.
The Owl (Strigidae)
Owls are not closely related to hawks or falcons. There is little written in classic falconry that discusses the use of Owls
in falconry. However, there are at least two species that have successfully been used, the Eurasian Eagle Owl and the
Great Horned Owl. As in Yeats' Second Coming "the falcon cannot hear the falconer" establishes the belief that once a
falcon is lost from the falconer mutiny may break loose. Successful training of owls is very much different from the training
of hawks and falcons, as they are hearing rather than sight-oriented (owls can only see black and white, and are long-
sighted). This often leads falconers to believe that they are less intelligent, as they are distracted easily by new or
unnatural noises and they don't respond as readily to food cues. However, if trained successfully, owls show intelligence on
the same level as that of hawks and falcons.
Falconry Around the World

Falconry, defined as the use of a raptor to take game, is currently practiced in many countries around the world.
Tangent aspects, such as bird abatement and raptor rehabilitation also employ falconry techniques to accomplish their
goals, but are not falconry in the proper sense of the word.
U.S. Regulations on Falconry
In the United States, falconry is legal in all states except Hawaii and the District of Columbia. A falconer must have state
and federal licenses to practice the sport. Acquiring a falconry license in the US requires an aspiring falconer to a pass a
written test, have his equipment and facilities inspected, and serve a minimum of two years as an apprentice under a
licensed falconer. There are three classes of the falconry license, which is a permit issued jointly by the falconer's state
of residence and the federal government. The aforementioned Apprentice license matriculates to a General Class license,
which allows the falconer to possess no more than two raptors at a time. After a minimum of 5 years at General level,
the falconer may apply for his Master Class license, which allows him to keep 3 raptors for falconry. It should be noted
that, within the U.S., a state's regulations may be more, but not less, restrictive than the federal guidelines. Both state
and federal regulations (as well as state hunting laws) must be complied with by the falconer.
Owing to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA,) a federal legislation created to enforce the Migratory Bird Treaty (which
is an international agreement between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Japan and England,) no one may possess, kill, or harass
any bird appearing on the Migratory Bird list without specific license to do so. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)
and the individual states both claim ownership of raptors which appear on the Migratory Bird list. They extend their claim
of ownership to include captive-bred raptors (which may legally be bought, sold, traded or bartered by licensed individuals
and companies.) Many feel captive-bred raptors should reasonably be considered Livestock, personal property. This
becomes an especially important issue to falconers in the U.S. because the MBTA allows government officials to
confiscate raptors without specific cause. Confiscated raptors very often die within a short period of time, and so
falconers, who have put hundreds of hours and hundreds or thousands of dollars invested in these birds are
understandably upset by the practice. Recent studies show that less than half of one percent of all falconers are ever
even investigated, (let alone tried or convicted,) for violations of state or falconry regulations.
The Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) also has a say in
matters pertaining to the import and export of certain animals. CITES assign plants and animals to a certain Appendix,
and imposes standards amongst the member nations (over 160 at this time). In practice, each nation has its own policies
and procedures for issuing the required CITES import/export permits. In nearly all nations, the process takes from a few
hours to a worst-case scenario of two weeks, but in the U.S acquiring a CITES permit often takes months.
The Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA), a unilateral legislation put into action circa 1993, prohibits importation of any
non-native species of bird into the U.S. Originally intended to lessen the impact of wild parrots being trapped for sale to the
pet trade, a supposed oversight leaves raptors under this law as well. While the WBCA does have provision for importation,
the process requires membership in a CITES-recognized breeding co-op, and renders importation prohibitively exhaustive
and expensive.
Clubs & organizations in the U.S.
The North American Falconers' Association(NAFA), founded in 1961, is the premier national club for falconry in the
US, Canada and Mexico, and has members worldwide.
The Falconry Alliance(FA)is a newcomer to the scene, a proactive advocacy organization with no social aspect,
focusing exclusively on protecting falconry in the US and the improving regulations falconers must abide by.
Both NAFA and the FA now work to protect this venerable art/sport from an increasing anti-hunting sentiment and what is,
by international comparisons, heavyhanded regulation.
Additionally, most of the states have their own falconry clubs. Although these clubs are primarily social in nature, the
state clubs also serve to represent falconers within the state in regards to that state's wildlife regulations.
Raptor conservation in the U.S.
Among North American raptors, some of the most popular birds used in falconry are the Red-tailed hawk, the
Peregrine Falcon, the Prairie Falcon, the Goshawk, and the Harris's Hawk. Artificial insemination techniques have
allowed hybrid raptors to be made in captive breeding projects. These crosses have become popular both in the U.S. and abroad.
Until recently, all Peregrines used for falconry in the U. S. were captive-bred from the progeny of falcons taken before the U.
S. Endangered Species Act was enacted. Peregrine Falcons were removed from the United States' endangered species list
in 1999 due largely to the effort and knowledge of falconers. Finally, after years of close work with the US Fish and
Wildlife Service, a limited take of wild Peregrines was allowed in 2004, the first wild Peregrines taken specifically for
falconry in over 30 years.
An Environmental Impact report prepared by the US Fish & Wildlife service's Brian Milsap and George Allen is expected to
be officially released during 2006. This report confirms that falconry has literally no measurable impact on wild populations.
Current practices in Great Britain
In sharp contrast to the US, in the UK, falconry is permitted without a special license, but only using captive-bred birds.
All raptors native to the UK are ringed and registered, and can be DNA tested to verify their origins. Anyone may
possess captive-bred raptors, though this is not necessarily considered falconry. Falconry is hunting with a trained bird; a
bird kept as a pet is not considered a falconer's bird. Birds may be used for breeding or kept after their hunting days are
done, but a young, fit bird should be flown at quarry.
Species used
Most practical falconry in the UK is done with the Harris Hawk (found from the southwestern USA, through Central
America and into the northern regions of South America), or the Red-tailed Hawk (native to North America). The Harris
Hawk, which is the singular exception within the otherwise non-social raptor family, naturally hunts in family units,
social packs with rabbits as its main quarry).
Goshawks are excellent hunters, and were once called the 'cook's hawk', but can be willful and unpredictable. Rabbits
are bolted from their warrens with ferrets, or approached as they lay out. The acceleration of a short-wing, especially
the Goshawk, is astonishing and a rabbit surprised any distance from its burrow has little hope of escape. Short-wings will
dive into cover after their quarry, where the tinkling of the bells is vital for locating the bird. In many cases, modern
falconers use radio telemetry to track their birds. Game birds in season and a wide range of other quarry can be taken.
Sparrowhawks were formerly used to take a range of small birds, but are really too delicate for serious falconry and have
fallen out of favour now that American species are available.
The long-winged falcon usually flies only after birds. Classical game hawking saw a brace of peregrines flown against
grouse, or merlins in 'ringing' flights after skylarks. Rooks and crows are classic game for the large falcon, and the
magpie, making up in cunning what it lacks in flying ability, is another common target. Short-wings can be flown in
wooded country, but falcons need large open tracts where the falconer can follow the flight with ease. Medieval falconers
often rode horses but this is now rare.
Escaped or released species breeding in the wild
Birds are inevitably lost on occasion, though most are found again. Of records of species becoming established in Britain
after escapes, there are:-
● There has been a report of escaped Harris hawks breeding in the wild in Britain.
● The return of the Goshawk as a breeding bird to Britain since 1945 is due in some part to falconers' escapes: its earlier
British population was wiped out by gamekeepers and egg collectors in the late 19th century.
● A pair of European Eagle Owls bred in the wild in Yorkshire for several years. The pair may have been natural migrants
or captive escapes. It is not yet known if this will lead to a population being established.
After raptors were mercilessly wiped out by gamekeepers, shooters, egg collectors, and DDT, the numbers of most
British species have recovered well in recent times. The Red Kite, the Goshawk and the White Tailed Sea Eagle have
all returned as breeding birds, and the techniques perfected in breeding birds of prey for falconry have proved their worth.
Species to start with?
Falconers used to start with a kestrel, but this little falcon is really too delicate for a beginner's hands, and the
European Buzzard is similarly useless for taking quarry. The first bird of choice is either the equable Harris Hawk or
the slightly more demanding Red-tailed Hawk. The beauty of these birds, easily bred in captivity, is that they can be used
to take quarry and can easily satisfy a falconer's demand for a capable bird in themselves. The Lanner falcon makes a good
first long-wing, with a Peregrine, or a hybrid containing Peregrine or Gyr genes being the ultimate step.
Falconry today
Falconry is not the preserve of the past, or the lord of the manor. If its simple but inviolable precepts are followed, a
well trained bird is a delight for many years. Falcons can live into their mid teens, with larger hawks living longer and
eagles likely to see out their middle aged owners. The captive breeding of birds rescued a dying sport in the seventies and
has ensured its good health today. It has largely escaped the attention of the anti-blood-sports lobby and its popularity,
through lure flying displays at country houses and game fairs, has probably not been higher for 300 years. Flying a raptor is
a delight, but entails a great responsibility. A bird cannot be loaned out to a next-door neighbour while the falconer
holidays, nor hung up in a cupboard like a gun. One mistake can lose the bird, but the hours of care and attention in training
is repaid in full by the thrill of a perfect flight.
Falconry is always associated with the Middle Ages, and many of its terms and practices seem archaic. However, the last
30 years has seen a great rebirth of the sport, with a host of innovations. One of these, stemming from the captive breeding
of birds which has rejuvenated the sport, is the creation of 'hybrid' falcons. Falcons are more closely related than
many suspected, the heavy northern Gyrfalcon and Asiatic Saker being especially closely related, and they may
interbreed naturally to create the so called 'Altay' falcon.
Hybrid falcons
Hybrid falcons have been available since the late 1970s, and enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity in the UK in the
1990s. Originally 'created' to remove suspicions of having nest-robbed peregrines (by demonstrating without doubt that
they were captive-bred), hybrids have assumed an important, if controversial role in falconry worldwide. Some
combinations appear to lend themselves to certain styles of flight, for example:-
● The gyr/peregrine is well-suited to game-hawking.

● The peregrine/lanner has proved useful in keeping birds off airport runways to prevent birdstrikes: peregrines fly too far for
this job, and lanners do not fly far enough for this job.
But hybrids falcon are not the panacea that some breeders would have you believe. Proponents of hybrids often cite
'hybrid vigour' as the reason that these birds seem to do so well, despite the fact that crossing two non-inbred lines is
more likely to lead to outbreeding depression (i.e., a negative effect), and could never prompt hybrid vigour, a
phenomenon that boosts genetic integrity and heterogeneity in lines that have been too heavily inbred by judicious selection.
Artificial selection
No species of raptor have been in captivity long enough to have undergone successful selective breeding for desired traits,
thus hybrid vigour is an irrelevance when applied to falcons.
However, several generations of captive breeding of gyrfalcons have resulted in selection for feather color[1] and for
better disease resistance, and probably for better ability to breed in captivity.
Falconry elsewhere
In Australia, although falconry is not specifically illegal, it is illegal to keep any type of bird of prey in captivity. The
only exemption is when the birds are kept for purposes of rehabilitation (for which a licence must still be held),
circumstances under which the practice can be an effective tool used in returning a bird to health.
Most of Europe practices falconry under varying degrees of regulation.
Owls and Eagles are sometimes used in North American and European falconry.
In Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia (among Kazakh population), the golden eagle is used extensively, hunting game
as large as fox and wolf. It has been reported that a pair (called a cast) of Bergut Golden Eagles (an exceptionally
large variation of the Golden Eagle) equipped with steel sheathings over their talons, has historically been used to hunt tigers. .
South Korea allows a small number of people (4 in 2005) to own raptors and practise falconry as a cultural asset.
Literature
In Virginia Henley's historical romance books, "The Falcon and the Flower", "The Dragon and the Jewel", "The
Marriage Prize", "The Border Hostage" and "Infamous", there are numerous mentions to the art of Falconry, as these books
are set at dates ranging from the 1150's to the 1500's.
External links
● The Hawk Board (UK)
● International Festival of Falconry
● Video of flying Harris Hawks being exhibited by Spanish falconers in the middle of a plaza filled with spectators
● Good bibliography
● British Falconers' Club
● North American Falconers' Association
● Mexican falconry site (In Spanish)
● Falconry Alliance
● History of Falconry
● http://www.mosquitonet.com/~akfalconer/
References
● Modern Apprentice: Site for North Americans interested in falconry by Lydia Ash. (Much information for this entry was due
to her research)
● F.L. Beebe, H.M. Webster, North American Falconry and Hunting Hawks; 8th edition, 2000, ISBN 0-685-66290-X,
Harrier
Harriers
A Harrier is any of several species of diurnal birds of prey which
fly low over meadows and marshes and hunt or harry small
animals or birds (hence their common name). Most are in the
genus Circus, the scientific name also arising from the circling
movements male and female make when mating.
Species list
● Montagu's Harrier, Circus pygargus
Northern or Hen Harrier, Circus cyaneus
Madagascar Marsh Harrier, Circus maillardi Montagu's Harrier
Long-winged Harrier, Circus buffoni Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Cinereous Harrier, Circus cinereus
Pallid Harrier, Circus macrourus Phylum: Chordata
Madagascar Harrier-hawk, Polyboroides radiatus Class: Aves
African Harrier-hawk, Polyboroides typus
Crane Hawk, Geranospiza caerulescens
External links
Family: Accipitridae
● Harrier videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Subfamily: Circinae
Genera
Home | Up | Eagles | Falconry | Falcon | Harrier | Kites Circus
| Old World vulture | Owls | True hawks Geranospiza
Polyboroides
Kites
Kites
Kites are raptors with long wings and weak legs which spend
a great deal of time soaring. In general they will take live prey
but mostly feed on carrion.
They are birds of prey which along with hawks, eagles, Old
World vultures and many others are in the family Accipitridae.
Together with less closely related groups such as New World

vultures and Osprey, they make up the diurnal bird of prey
order Falconiformes.
Species list
● Subfamily Elaninae
❍ Black-winged Kite, Elanus caeruleus Black Kite
Black-shouldered Kite, Elanus axillaris Scientific classification
White-tailed Kite, Elanus leucurus
Letter-winged Kite, Elanus scriptus Kingdom: Animalia
Bat Hawk, Machaerhamphus alcinus Phylum: Chordata
Pearl Kite, Gampsonyx swainsonii
Swallow-tailed Kite, Elanoides forficatus Class: Aves
● Subfamily Milvinae
❍ Double-toothed Kite, Harpagus bidentatus
Rufous-thighed Kite, Harpagus diodon Order: Falconiformes

Mississippi Kite, Ictinia mississippiensis
Plumbeous Kite, Ictinia plumbea Family: Accipitridae
Snail Kite, Rostrhamus sociabilis
Slender-billed Kite, Rostrhamus hamatus
Whistling Kite, Haliastur sphenurus Genera
Black-eared Kite, Milvus lineatus
Black-breasted Buzzard, Hamirostra ● Milvinae
melanosternon ❍ Harpagus
Chinese Kite, Milvus korshun ❍ Ictinia
❍ Rostrhamus
A few of the Perninae are also called kites. ❍ Haliastur
❍ Milvus
● Grey-headed Kite, Leptodon cayanensis ❍ Lophoictinia
White-collared Kite, Leptodon forbesi ❍ Hamirostra
Hook-billed Kite, Chondrohierax uncinatus ● Elaninae

❍ Elanus
❍ Chelictinia
External links ❍ Machaerhamphus
❍ Gampsonyx
● Kite videos on the Internet Bird Collection ❍ Elanoides
Old World vulture
Old World vultures

Old World vultures belong to the family Accipitridae,
which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks.
They are not at all closely related to the superficially

similar New World vultures and condors, and do not share
that group's good sense of smell. The similarities between
the two groups are due to convergent evolution rather than
a close relationship. They were widespread in both the Old
World and North America, during the Neogene.
Vultures are scavenging birds, feeding mostly from

carcasses of dead animals. Old World vultures find
carcasses exclusively by sight.
Nubian Vulture or Lappet-faced Vulture
A particular characteristic of many vultures is a bald head, Scientific classification

devoid of feathers. This is because a feathered head would Kingdom: Animalia
become spattered with blood and other fluids, and thus be
difficult to keep clean.
Phylum: Chordata
Species Class: Aves
● Genus Aegypius
❍ Eurasian Black Vulture or Monk Vulture,
Aegypius monachus
● Genus Gypaetus Family: Accipitridae
❍ Lämmergeier or Bearded Vulture, Gypaetus
barbatus
Genera
● Genus Gypohierax
❍ Palm-nut Vulture, Gypohierax angolensis
Gypaetus
● Genus Gyps Gyps
❍ Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus
Torgos
Indian White-rumped Vulture, Gyps Aegypius
bengalensis Neophron
Rüppell's Vulture, Gyps rueppelli Gypohierax
Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus Necrosyrtes
Himalayan Griffon Vulture Gyps
himalayensis
● Genus Necrosyrtes
❍ Hooded Vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus
● Genus Neophron
❍ Egyptian Vulture, Neophron percnopterus
● Genus Sarcogyps
❍ Red-headed Vulture, Sarcogyps calvus
● Genus Torgos
❍ Lappet-faced Vulture, Torgos tracheliotus
● Genus Trigonoceps
❍ White-headed Vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis
True hawks
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Hawks
The term hawk refers to birds of prey in any of three senses:
● Strictly, to mean any of the species in the bird sub-family

Accipitrinae in the genera Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax,
Urotriorchis, and Megatriorchis. The large and widespread
Accipiter genus includes goshawks, sparrowhawks, the
Sharp-shinned Hawk and others. They are mainly woodland
birds that hunt by sudden dashes from a concealed perch.
They usually have long tails and high visual acuity.
● More generally, to mean small to medium-sized birds that are

members of the Accipitridae, the family which includes the
true hawks (Accipiters) and also eagles, kites, harriers,
buzzards, and Old World vultures.
● Loosely, to mean almost any bird of prey.
The common names of birds in various parts of the world often use
hawk loosely. For example, in North America, the Buteos are often Sharp-shinned Hawk
called "hawks". Scientific classification
In February 2005 the Canadian scientist Dr Louis Lefebvre Kingdom: Animalia

announced a method of measuring avian IQ in terms of their
innovation in feeding habits. Hawks were named among the most Phylum: Chordata
intelligent birds based on this scale.
Class: Aves
Hawks are believed to have vision as good as 20/2, about eight
times more acute than humans with good eyesight. This is because
of many photoreceptors in the retina (Up to 1,000,000 per square Order: Accipitriformes
mm, against 200,000 for humans), a very high number of nerves
connecting the receptors to the brain, a second set of eye muscles Family: Accipitridae
not found in other animals, and an indented fovea which magnifies
the central part of the visual field.
Subfamily: Accipitrinae
Species list
This list is in taxonomic order to show the relationships between species.
● Subfamily Accipitrinae
❍ Genus Accipiter
■ Goshawk, A. gentilis
Sparrowhawk, A. nisus
Grey-bellied Goshawk, A. poliogaster
Crested Goshawk, A. trivirgatus
Sulawesi Goshawk, A. griseiceps
Red-chested Goshawk, A. toussenelii
African Goshawk, A. tachiro
Chinese Goshawk, A. soloensis
Frances' Goshawk, A. francesii
Spot-tailed Goshawk, A. trinotatus
Grey Goshawk, A. novaehollandiae
Brown Goshawk, A. fasciatus
Black-mantled Goshawk, A. melanochlamys
Pied Goshawk, A. albogularis
Fiji Goshawk, A. rufitorques
White-bellied Goshawk, A. haplochrous
Moluccan Goshawk, A. henicogrammus
Grey-headed Goshawk, A. poliocephalus
New Britain Goshawk, A. princeps
Black Goshawk, A. melanoleucus
Henst's Goshawk, A. henstii
Meyer's Goshawk, A. meyerianus
Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk, A. castanilius
Nicobar Sparrowhawk, A. butleri
Levant Sparrowhawk, A. brevipes
Slaty-mantled Sparrowhawk, A. luteoschistaceus
Imitator Sparrowhawk, A. imitator
Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, A. erythropus
Little Sparrowhawk, A. minullus
Japanese Sparrowhawk, A. gularis
Small Sparrowhawk, A. nanus
Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk, A. erythrauchen
Collared Sparrowhawk, A. cirrocephalus
New Britain Sparrowhawk, A. brachyurus
Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk, A. rhodogaster
Madagascar Sparrowhawk, A. madagascariensis
Ovampo Sparrowhawk, A. ovampensis
Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk, A. rufiventris
Shikra, A. badius
Tiny Hawk, A. superciliosus
Semicollared Hawk, A. collaris
Sharp-shinned Hawk, A. striatus
White-breasted Hawk, A. chionogaster
Plain-breasted Hawk, A. ventralis
Rufous-thighed Hawk, A. erythronemius
Cooper's Hawk, A. cooperii
Gundlach's Hawk, A. gundlachi
Bicoloured Hawk, A. bicolor
Besra, A. virgatus
❍ Genus Micronisus
■ Gabar Goshawk, M. gabar
❍ Genus Melierax
■ Dark Chanting Goshawk, M. metabates
Eastern Chanting Goshawk, M. poliopterus

Pale Chanting Goshawk, M. canorus
❍ Genus Urotriorchis
■ Long-tailed Hawk, U. macrourus
❍ Genus Erythrotriorchis
■ Red Goshawk, E. radiatus
Chestnut-shouldered Goshawk, E. buergersi

❍ Genus Megatriorchis
Hawks and humans

● Hawks are sometimes used in falconry, a sport in which trained hawks, eagles or falcons, are
used to pursue and catch small game.
● In the US, hawks are sometimes shot for sport or by ranchers who believe the birds may
depredate livestock. This makes hawk conservation an issue in some areas. In other parts of the
world, most hawk species are protected by law
External links
● Hawk videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Accipitridae
Accipitridae
The Accipitridae is one of the two major families within the order
Falconiformes (the diurnal birds of prey). Many well-known birds
like hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures are
included in this group. Most, but not all, other raptors belong to
the Falconidae, or falcon family, which is often considered a
distinct order, in which case the present group would belong to the
order Accipitriformes.)
The Osprey is usually placed in a separate family (Pandionidae),

as is the Secretary bird (Sagittariidae), and the New World
vultures are also usually now regarded as a separate family or
order. Karyotype data (Amaral & Jorge, 2003) indicated that the
accipitrids hitherto analyzed are indeed a distinct monophyletic
group, but whether this group should be considered a family of the
Falconiformes or an order on its own is a matter of taste.
Swallow-tailed Kite
Species
Kingdom: Animalia
● Subfamily Elaninae Phylum: Chordata
❍ Black-winged Kite, Elanus caeruleus
Class: Aves
Black-shouldered Kite, Elanus axillaris
White-tailed Kite, Elanus leucurus Order: Falconiformes
Letter-winged Kite, Elanus scriptus Family: Accipitridae
Scissor-tailed Kite, Chelictinia riocourii Vieillot, 1816
Bat Hawk, Machaerhamphus alcinus
Subfamilies
Pearl Kite, Gampsonyx swainsonii
Swallow-tailed Kite, Elanoides forficatus ● Elaninae
● Subfamily Perninae Perninae
❍ African Baza, Aviceda cuculoides
Milvinae
Madagascar Baza, Aviceda madagascariensis Accipitrinae
Jerdon's Baza, Aviceda jerdoni Buteoninae
Pacific Baza, Aviceda subcristata ● Aegypiinae
Black Baza, Aviceda leuphotes Circinae
Long-tailed Honey Buzzard, Hernicopernis Circaetinae
longicauda
Black Honey Buzzard, Hernicopernis infuscatus
Barred Honey-buzzard, Pernis celebensis
Grey-headed Kite, Leptodon cayanensis
White-collared Kite, Leptodon forbesi
Hook-billed Kite, Chondrohierax uncinatus
● Subfamily Milvinae
❍ Double-toothed Kite, Harpagus bidentatus
Rufous-thighed Kite, Harpagus diodon

Mississippi Kite, Ictinia mississippiensis
Plumbeous Kite, Ictinia plumbea
Snail Kite, Rostrhamus sociabilis
Slender-billed Kite, Rostrhamus hamatus
Whistling Kite, Haliastur sphenurus
Black-eared Kite, Milvus lineatus
Black-breasted Buzzard, Hamirostra melanosternon
● Subfamily Accipitrinae
❍ Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis
Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus

Grey-bellied Goshawk, Accipiter poliogaster
Crested Goshawk, Accipiter trivirgatus
Sulawesi Goshawk, Accipiter griseiceps
Red-chested Goshawk, Accipiter toussenelii
African Goshawk, Accipiter tachiro
Chinese Goshawk, Accipiter soloensis
Frances' Goshawk, Accipiter francesii
Spot-tailed Goshawk, Accipiter trinotatus
Grey Goshawk, Accipiter novaehollandiae
Black-mantled Goshawk, Accipiter melanochlamys
Pied Goshawk, Accipiter albogularis
Fiji Goshawk, Accipiter rufitorques
White-bellied Goshawk, Accipiter haplochrous
Moluccan Goshawk, Accipiter henicogrammus
Grey-headed Goshawk, Accipiter poliocephalus
New Britain Goshawk, Accipiter princeps
Black Goshawk, Accipiter melanoleucus
Henst's Goshawk, Accipiter henstii
Meyer's Goshawk, Accipiter meyerianus
Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk, Accipiter castanilius
Nicobar Sparrowhawk, Accipiter butleri
Slaty-mantled Sparrowhawk, Accipiter luteoschistaceus
Imitator Sparrowhawk, Accipiter imitator
Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Accipiter erythropus
Little Sparrowhawk, Accipiter minullus
Japanese Sparrowhawk, Accipiter gularis
Small Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nanus
Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk, Accipiter erythrauchen
Collared Sparrowhawk, Accipiter cirrocephalus
New Britain Sparrowhawk, Accipiter brachyurus
Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk, Accipiter rhodogaster
Madagascar Sparrowhawk, Accipiter madagascariensis
Ovampo Sparrowhawk, Accipiter ovampensis
Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk, Accipiter rufiventris
Tiny Hawk, Accipiter superciliosus
Semicollared Hawk, Accipiter collaris
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Accipiter striatus
White-breasted Hawk, Accipiter chionogaster
Plain-breasted Hawk, Accipiter ventralis
Rufous-thighed Hawk, Accipiter erythronemius
Cooper's Hawk, Accipiter cooperii
Gundlach's Hawk, Accipiter gundlachi
Bicoloured Hawk, Accipiter bicolor
Besra, Accipiter virgatus
Eastern Chanting Goshawk, Melierax poliopterus
Pale Chanting Goshawk, Melierax canorus
Long-tailed Hawk, Urotriorchis macrourus
Red Goshawk, Erythrotriorchis radiatus
Chestnut-shouldered Goshawk, Erythrotriorchis buergersi
Doria's Goshawk, Megatriorchis doriae
● Subfamily Buteoninae
❍ Black-chested Buzzard-eagle, Geranoaetus melanoleucus
Common Buzzard, Buteo buteo

Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
Rough-legged Buzzard, Buteo lagopus
Ferruginous Hawk, Buteo regalis
Red-shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus
Broad-winged Hawk, Buteo platypterus
Swainson's Hawk, Buteo swainsoni
Roadside Hawk, Buteo magnirostris
Ridgway's Hawk, Buteo ridgwayi
White-rumped Hawk, Buteo leucorrhous
Short-tailed Hawk, Buteo brachyurus
White-throated Hawk, Buteo albigula
White-tailed Hawk, Buteo albicaudatus
Galápagos Hawk, Buteo galapagoensis
Red-backed Hawk, Buteo polyosoma
Puna Hawk, Buteo poecilochrous
Gray Hawk, Buteo nitidus
Zone-tailed Hawk, Buteo albonotatus
Hawaiian Hawk, Buteo solitarius
Rufous-tailed Hawk, Buteo ventralis
Madagascar Buzzard, Buteo brachypterus
Harris' Hawk, Parabuteo unicinctus
Common Black Hawk, Buteogallus anthracinus
Mangrove Black Hawk, Buteogallus subtilis
Great Black Hawk, Buteogallus urubitinga
Rufous Crab Hawk, Buteogallus aequinoctialis
Savanna Hawk, Buteogallus meridionalis
Black-collared Hawk, Busarellus nigricollis
Plumbeous Hawk, Leucopternis plumbea
Slate-coloured Hawk, Leucopternis schistacea
Barred Hawk, Leucopternis princeps
Black-faced Hawk, Leucopternis melanops
White-browed Hawk, Leucopternis kuhli
White-necked Hawk, Leucopternis lacernulata
Semiplumbeous Hawk, Leucopternis semiplumbea
White Hawk, Leucopternis albicollis
Grey-backed Hawk, Leucopternis occidentalis
Mantled Hawk, Leucopternis polionota
Lizard Buzzard, Kaupifalco monogrammicus
Crowned Solitary Eagle, Harpyhaliaetus coronatus
Crested Eagle, Morphnus guianensis
Harpy Eagle, Harpia harpyja
Philippine Eagle, Pithecophaga jefferyi
New Guinea Eagle, Harpyopsis novaeguineae
Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Oroaetus isidori
Black-and-white Hawk Eagle, Spizastur melanoleucus
Cassin's Hawk Eagle, Spizaetus africanus
Changeable Hawk Eagle, Spizaetus cirrhatus
Mountain Hawk Eagle, Spizaetus nipalensis
Blyth's Hawk Eagle, Spizaetus alboniger
Javan Hawk Eagle, Spizaetus bartelsi
Sulawesi Hawk Eagle, Spizaetus lanceolatus
Philippine Hawk Eagle, Spizaetus philippensis
Wallace's Hawk Eagle, Spizaetus nanus
Black Hawk Eagle, Spizaetus tyrannus
Ornate Hawk Eagle, Spizaetus ornatus
Long-crested Eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis - possibly belongs into Ictinaetus
Crowned Hawk Eagle, Stephanoaetus coronatus
Martial Eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus
Little Eagle, Hieraaetus morphnoides
Bonelli's Eagle, Aquila fasciata - formerly Hieraaetus fasciatus
Spanish Imperial Eagle, Aquila adalberti
Black Eagle, Ictinaetus malayensis
Lesser Fish-eagle, Ichthyophaga humilis
● Subfamily Aegypiinae: old world vultures
❍ Red-headed Vulture, Sarcogyps calvus
Eurasian Black Vulture or Monk Vulture, Aegypius monachus

White-headed Vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis
Common Griffon Vulture, Gyps fulvus
Rüppell's Vulture or Rüppell's Griffon, Gyps rueppellii
Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Gyps himalayensis
Indian White-rumped Vulture, Gyps bengalensis
Long-billed Vulture, Gyps indicus
Hooded Vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus
Palm Nut Vulture, Gypohierax angolensis
Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture, Gypaetus barbatus
● Subfamily Circinae: harriers
❍ Montagu's Harrier, Circus pygargus

Madagascar Marsh Harrier, Circus maillardi
Long-winged Harrier, Circus buffoni
Cinereous Harrier, Circus cinereus
Madagascar Harrier-hawk, Polyboroides radiatus
African Harrier-hawk, Polyboroides typus
Crane Hawk, Geranospiza caerulescens
● Subfamily Circaetinae: snake-eagles
❍ Bateleur, Terathopius ecaudatus
Black-chested Snake-eagle, Circaetus pectoralis
Brown Snake-eagle, Circaetus cinereus
Fasciated Snake-eagle, Circaetus fasciolatus
Banded Snake-eagle, Circaetus cinerascens
Crested Serpent-eagle, Spilornis cheela
Nicobar Serpent-eagle, Spilornis minimus
Mountain Serpent-eagle,Spilornis kinabaluensis
Sulawesi Serpent-eagle, Spilornis rufipectus
Philippine Serpent-eagle, Spilornis holospilus
Andaman Serpent-eagle, Spilornis elgini
Madagascar Serpent-eagle, Eutriorchis astur
See also list of birds.
References
● Amaral, Karina Felipe & Jorge, Wilham (2003): The chromosomes of the Order Falconiformes:
a review. Ararajuba 11(1): 65-73. PDF fulltext
External links
● Accipitridae videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Accipitridae sounds in the xeno-canto collection

Angel Wing
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Angel Wing or Slipped Wing is a disease that affects waterfowl, primarily geese and ducks. There are
two basic theories concerning the cause of angel wing, both of which may be correct and both suppose
the root cause to be overfeeding waterfowl. The first involves too much protein and the second involves
too many sugars. Angel wing is not generally observed in waterfowl not residing near humans, and the
disease can often be observed in areas where geese or ducks are excessively fed bread. To prevent angel
wing, waterfowl should not be fed bread, popcorn or other human foodstuffs.
The disease manifests as an incurable anatomical condition which is acquired in young birds. Due to a
high-calorie diet, especially one high in proteins and/or low in vitamin D, vitamin E and manganese, one
or both carpus (wrist) joints are retarded in their development relative to the rest of the wing; for reasons
unknown, if only one wing is affected it is usually the left one. The result is a wrist which is twisted
outwards and unable to perform its usual function.
Angel wing symptoms include stripped remiges (flight feathers) in the wrist area, or remiges protruding
from wings at odd angles. In extreme cases, the stripped feathers may resemble sickly blue straw
protruding from wings. In adult birds the disease is incurable and usually leads to an early death as
affected birds are rendered effectively or totally flightless. In young birds wrapping the wing and
binding it against the bird's flank, together with feeding the bird a more natural diet, can reverse the
damage.
External links
● Wildcare Oklahoma Information
● Wildlife Information
Home | Up | Angel Wing | Avian adenovirus | Avian flu | Bumblefoot | Gallid herpesvirus 1 | Scaly leg
Avian adenovirus
Aviadenovirus are viruses that affect birds; they represent one of four genera of the family
Adenoviridae, the others being Mastadenovirus, Atadenovirus and Siadenovirus.
They are class I, non-enveloped, icosahedral viruses that are 74 – 80nm in diameter, having a double
stranded DNA genome of approximately 26 – 45 kilo-base pairs (kbp) and a guanine/cytosine content of
53 – 59%.
Naturally acquired aviadenovirus diseases include enteritis, splenitis, inclusion body hepatitis,
bronchitis, pulmonary congestion ventriculitis, pancreatitis, oedema and abnormal reproduction (Egg
Drop Syndrome), depending on the species of bird infected.
Diagnosis of Aviadenovirus is the same as for all Adenoviruses, by viral isolation and serotyping also
ELISA assay.
External links
● Adenovirus Taxonomy 2005
● Diagnosis of Adenovirus Infections in Psittacine Birds by DNA in situ Hybridization
Avian flu
Flu
● For the current concern about the transmission of an avian flu to humans see Transmission and
infection of H5N1.
Avian flu (also "bird flu", "avian influenza", "bird influenza"), means "flu from viruses adapted to
birds", but is sometimes mistakenly used to refer to both other flu subsets (such as H5N1 flu) or the
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
viruses that cause them (such as H5N1).
"Bird flu" is a phrase similar to "Pig flu", "Dog flu", "Horse flu", or "Human flu" in that it refers to an
illness caused by any of many different strains of flu viruses such that the strain in question has adapted
to the host. "Avian flu" differs in being named after an entire vertebrate class with 8,800–10,200 species.
All known avian flu viruses belong to the species of virus called Influenza A virus. All subtypes (but not
all strains of all subtypes) of Influenza A virus are adapted to birds, which is why for many purposes
avian flu virus is the Influenza A virus (note that the "A" does not stand for "avian").
Adaptation is sometimes partial or multiple so a flu virus strain can be partially adapted to a species or
adapted to more than one species. Flu pandemic viruses are human adapted and also bird adapted. Being
adapted to one species does not mean another species can not catch it; nor does it mean it can not adapt
to another species.
Genetic factors in distinguishing between "human flu viruses" and "avian flu viruses" include:
PB2: (RNA polymerase): Amino acid (or residue) position 627 in the PB2 protein encoded by the
PB2 RNA gene. Until H5N1, all known avian influenza viruses had a Glu at position 627, while
all human influenza viruses had a lysine.
HA: (hemagglutinin): Avian influenza HA bind alpha 2-3 sialic acid receptors while human
influenza HA bind alpha 2-6 sialic acid receptors. Swine influenza viruses have the ability to bind
both types of sialic acid receptors.
The HA changes have not yet occurred in any sequenced H5N1 virus - even ones from humans that died
from it and the PB2 changes don't stop it from being a flu virus adapted to birds (the definition of "avian
flu virus").
Pandemic flu viruses have some avian flu virus genes and usually some human flu virus genes. Both the
H2N2 and H3N2 pandemic strains contained genes from avian influenza viruses. The new subtypes
arose in pigs coinfected with avian and human viruses and were soon transferred to humans. Swine were
considered the original "intermediate host" for influenza, because they supported reassortment of
divergent subtypes. However, other hosts appear capable of similar coinfection (e.g., many poultry
species), and direct transmission of avian viruses to humans is possible. The Spanish flu virus strain may
[8]
have been transmitted directly from birds to humans.
In spite of their pandemic connection, avian flu viruses are noninfectious for most species. When they
are infectious they are usually asymptomatic, so the carrier does not have any disease from it. Thus
while infected with an avian flu virus, the animal doesn't have a "flu". Typically, when illness (called
"flu") from an avian flu virus does occur, it is the result of an avian flu virus strain adapted to one
species spreading to another species (usually from one bird species to another bird species). So far as is
known, the most common result of this is an illness so minor as to be not worth noticing (and thus little
studied). But with the domestication of chickens and turkeys, humans have created species subtypes
(domesticated poultry) that can catch an avian flu virus adapted to waterfowl and have it rapidly mutate
into a form that kills in days over 90% of an entire flock and spread to other flocks and kill 90% of them
and can only be stopped by killing every domestic bird in the area. Until H5N1 infected humans in the
1990s, this was all that was considered important about avian flu (outside of the poultry industry). Since
then, avian flu viruses have been intensively studied; resulting in changes in what is believed about flu
pandemics, changes in poultry farming, changes in flu vaccination research, and changes in flu
pandemic planning.
H5N1 has evolved into a flu virus strain that inflects more species than any previously known flu virus
strain, is deadlier than any previously known flu virus strain, and continues to evolve becoming both
more widespread and more deadly causing the world's number one expert on avian flu to publish an
article titled "The world is teetering on the edge of a pandemic that could kill a large fraction of the
human population" in American Scientist. He called for adequate resources to fight what he sees as a
[9]
major world threat to possibly billions of lives. Since the article was written, the world community has
spent billions of dollars fighting this threat with limited success. It is a race between an exceptionally
fast mutating virus and modern scientific research capabilities, with the winner of the race still in doubt.
Cumulate Human Cases of and Deaths from H5N1

As of October 31, 2006
Contents
● 1 H5N1
● 2 Illustrative examples of
correct usage
● 3 Illustrative examples of
imprecise usage
● 4 See also
● 5 Sources and notes
● 6 Further reading
H5N1
As of 2006, "avian flu" is being
commonly used to refer to
infection from a particular subtype
of Influenza A virus, H5N1, which
Notes:
can cause severe illness in humans
who are infected. Currently, this
strain is transmitted by contact ● Source WHO Confirmed Human Cases of H5N1
● "[T]he incidence of human cases peaked, in each of the three years in
with infected birds, and has been
which cases have occurred, during the period roughly corresponding
transmitted from one person to to winter and spring in the northern hemisphere. If this pattern
another only in a few cases. H5N1 continues, an upsurge in cases could be anticipated starting in late
flu is therefore not pandemic now 2006 or early 2007." Avian influenza – epidemiology of human
and is not currently capable of H5N1 cases reported to WHO
causing a pandemic. Only if H5N1 ●
kx
The regression curve for deaths is y = a + e , and is shown extended
mutates into a form that can be through the end of November, 2006.
readily transmitted from one
person to another could it cause a
pandemic.
Illustrative examples of correct usage

H5N1
WHO pandemic phases
1. Low risk
2. New virus
3. Self limiting
4. Person to person
5. Epidemic exists
6. Pandemic exists
Swans can carry highly

pathogenic avian H5N1 and
other avian flu viruses
In technical contexts, correct usage of terms is necessary because precise distinctions are the essence of
the communication.
[1]
● "Avian influenza strains are those well adapted to birds"
● "An outbreak of influenza A (H5N1), also known as 'avian flu' or 'bird flu,' has been reported in
[10]
several countries throughout Asia."
● "Avian influenza virus usually refers to influenza A viruses found chiefly in birds, but infections
[11]
can occur in humans."
● "Of the few avian influenza viruses that have crossed the species barrier to infect humans, H5N1
has caused the largest number of cases of severe disease and death in humans. Unlike normal
seasonal influenza, where infection causes only mild respiratory symptoms in most people, the
disease caused by H5N1 follows an unusually aggressive clinical course, with rapid deterioration
[12]
and high fatality." Seasonal influenza is human flu.
● "avian influenza HA bind alpha 2-3 sialic acid receptors while human influenza HA bind alpha 2-
6 sialic acid receptors. Swine influenza viruses have the ability to bind both types of sialic acid
[13]
receptors."
● Sometimes a virus contains both avian adapted genes and human adapted genes. Both the H2N2
and H3N2 pandemic strains contained avian flu virus RNA segments. "While the pandemic
human influenza viruses of 1957 (H2N2) and 1968 (H3N2) clearly arose through reassortment
between human and avian viruses, the influenza virus causing the 'Spanish flu' in 1918 appears to
[2]
be entirely derived from an avian source (Belshe 2005)."
Illustrative examples of imprecise usage

In nontechnical contexts, imprecise usage of terms is typical when discussing complex things.
● "A 1,000 square mile quarantine zone to combat an outbreak of bird flu was lifted in Scotland
today - despite the spread of a similar disease south of the border." Here "bird flu" is used to
mean "Asian lineage HPAI A(H5N1) flu" (which is a bird flu) and contrasted with flu from an
[14]
avian adapted strain of H7N3 (which is also a bird flu).
See also
Timeline data on avian flu
● Timeline data on avian flu can be found at the article on the causative agent species called
Influenza A virus.
● Timeline data on the global spread of the strain that is the current pandemic concern (called
Asian lineage HPAI A(H5N1)) can be found at Global spread of H5N1.
● Timeline data on creation of a flu vaccine for H5N1 can be found at H5N1 clinical trials.
Subtypes of the causative agent species of avian flu include
● H1N1
H1N2
H2N2
H3N2
H3N8
H5N1
H5N2
H5N3
H5N8
H5N9
H7N1
H7N2
H7N3
H7N4
H7N7
H9N2
H10N7
Information concerning research about it can be found at
● Transmission and infection of H5N1
Sources and notes

ab
1. ^ "Avian influenza strains are those well adapted to birds"EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR
DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL.
ab
2. ^ Chapter Two : Avian Influenza by Timm C. Harder and Ortrud Werner from excellent free
on-line Book called Influenza Report 2006 which is a medical textbook that provides a
comprehensive overview of epidemic and pandemic influenza.
3. ^ Large-scale sequencing of human influenza reveals the dynamic nature of viral genome
evolution Nature magazine presents a summary of what has been discovered in the Influenza
Genome Sequencing Project.
4. ^ Full HTML text of Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Infection in Humans by The Writing Committee
of the World Health Organization (WHO) Consultation on Human Influenza A/H5 in the
September 29, 2005 New England Journal of Medicine
5. ^ The Threat of Pandemic Influenza: Are We Ready? Workshop Summary (2005) Full text of
online book by INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
6. ^ Here is the tree showing evolution by antigenic drift since 2002 that created dozens of highly
pathogenic varieties of the Z genotype of avian flu virus H5N1, some of which are increasingly
adapted to mammals.
7. ^ Evolutionary characterization of the six internal genes of H5N1 human influenza A virus
8. ^ Chapter Two : Avian Influenza by Timm C. Harder and Ortrud Werner from excellent free on-
line Book called Influenza Report 2006 which is a medical textbook that provides a
comprehensive overview of epidemic and pandemic influenza.
9. ^ Webster, R. G. and Walker, E. J. (2003). "The world is teetering on the edge of a pandemic that
could kill a large fraction of the human population". American Scientist 91 (2): 122.
DOI:10.1511/2003.2.122.
10. ^ OSHA
11. ^ CDC Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
12. ^ WHO Avian influenza frequently asked questions
13. ^ Greninger Paper (PDF)
14. ^ News Avian flu quarantine zone lifted published May 1, 2006.
Further reading
Official - international
● UN United Nations
❍ WHO World Health Organization
■ The United Nation's World Health Organization's Avian Flu Facts Sheet for 2006
■ Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response Guide to WHO's H5N1 pages
■ Avian Influenza Resources (updated) - tracks human cases and deaths
■ National Influenza Pandemic Plans
■ WHO Collaborating Centres and Reference Laboratories Centers, names,
locations, and phone numbers

❍ FAO Avian Influenza portal Information resources, animations, videos, photos
■ FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation - Bi-weekly Avian Influenza Maps -
tracks animal cases and deaths

■ FAO Bird Flu disease card
■ FAO Socio-Economic impact of AI Projects, Information resources
● OIE World Organisation for Animal Health - tracks animal cases and deaths
❍ Official outbreak reports by country
❍ Official outbreak reports by week
❍ Chart of outbreaks by country
Official - United States
● PandemicFlu.Gov U.S. Government's avian flu information site

● USAID U.S. Agency for International Development - Avian Influenza Response
● CDC Centers for Disease Control - responsible agency for avian influenza in humans in US -
Facts About Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus
● USGS - NWHC National Wildlife Health Center - responsible agency for avian influenza in
animals in US
● HHS U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - Pandemic Influenza Plan
Official - United Kingdom

● Exotic Animal Disease Generic Contingency Plan — DEFRA generic contingency plan for
controlling and eradicating an outbreak of an exotic animal disease. PDF hosted by BBC (a
government entity).
● UK Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan — NHS (a government entity). Contingency planning
for an influenza pandemic. PDF hosted by BBC
Technical
● Influenza Report 2006 Online book. Research level quality information. Highly recommended.
● Large-scale sequencing of human influenza reveals the dynamic nature of viral genome evolution
Nature magazine presents a summary of what has been discovered in the Influenza Genome
Sequencing Project.
● Links and descriptions to abstracts and full texts This bibliography of avian influenza
publications was complied through the cooperative effort of the USGS National Wildlife Health
Center and the Wildlife Disease Information Node.
● Search for research publications about H5N1: Entez PubMed
● Latest publications on H5N1
● Full HTML text of Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Infection in Humans by The Writing Committee
of the World Health Organization (WHO) Consultation on Human Influenza A/H5 in the
September 29, 2005 New England Journal of Medicine
● Evolutionary "Tree of Life" for H5N1:
❍ Here is the phylogenetic tree of the influenza virus hemagglutinin gene segment. Amino
acid changes in three lineages (bird, pig, human) of the influenza virus hemagglutinin
protein segment HA1.
❍ Here is the tree showing the evolution by reassortment of H5N1 from 1999 to 2004 that
created the Z genotype in 2002.

❍ Here is the tree showing evolution by antigenic drift since 2002 that created dozens of
highly pathogenic varieties of the Z genotype of avian flu virus H5N1, some of which are
increasingly adapted to mammals.
❍ WHO (PDF} contains latest Evolutionary "Tree of Life" for H5N1 article Antigenic and
genetic characteristics of H5N1 viruses and candidate H5N1 vaccine viruses developed
for potential use as pre-pandemic vaccines published August 18, 2006
● Evolutionary characterization of the six internal genes of H5N1 human influenza A virus
● Genome database Page links to the complete sequence of the Influenza A virus (A/Goose/
Guangdong/1/96(H5N1)) genome.
General information
● Avian influenza disease and control strategies site sponsored by Intervet International
● CIDRAP-Avian Flu
● Nature Magazine focus on the global spread of H5N1
● Bird Flu Fears: Is There a Better Way to Develop Drugs? (Center for Economic and Policy
Research) October 2005 (PDF)
● Q&A: What is Bird Flu and Who's At Risk?
● Nature Magazine: Avian flu special: The flu pandemic: were we ready!? - Fictional account of
flu epidemic from Nature magazine
● The Threat of Pandemic Influenza: Are We Ready? Workshop Summary (2005) - Online book by
Board on Global Health (BGH) from the Institute of Medicine of The National Academies
● Flu Wiki
● FAO's map of overlapping flyways for migratory waterfowl worldwide

● Google Earth updated maps of avian flu spread in poultry and humans
● Department of Health and Human Services Pandemic Planning Update A Report from Secretary
Michael O. Leavitt March 13, 2006This report outlines how the 3.3 billon dollar funding is being
used to help achieve HHS’s five primary objectives around Pandemic Response.
● WHO Avian influenza resource (updated)
● CDC Facts About Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus
● FAO information on Avian Influenza - Latest news, Disease Card, Maps, Animations
● Avian Influenza (Bird Flu): Agricultural and Wildlife Considerations
● Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (text and video)
❍ Emerging Pandemic: Costs and Consequences of an Avian Influenza Outbreak
❍ Critical Dialogues on Avian InfluenzaBringing Together the Public Health, Animal
Health, and Wildlife Management Communities

❍ The Avian Flu Challenge in Southeast Asia: the Potential of Public-Private Partnerships
News
● Blauer's Bird Flu and H5N1 News Overview using Reuters and Yahoo News
● Current status (Google news of "H5N1")
● Bird Flu news updates
● Bird Flu News Focus from SciDev.Net, regularly updated with the latest news stories
Bumblefoot
Bumblefoot (ulcerative pododermatitis) is a bacterial infection and inflammatory reaction on the foot of
birds of prey and rodents. This infection is much more likely to occur in captive animals than in those in
the wild.
Bumblefoot on Birds of Prey

Bumblefoot is, perhaps, the largest cause of referral of birds of prey to a verterinary surgeon.
Bumblefoot on birds of prey can be put into three broad types of the infection;
In the first type, a small reddened area, or sometimes a small shiny patch, can be seen on the foot. This is
mostly caused by inappropriate perching (or perching for too long), or, less likely, by badly fitted
furniture, such as jesses that are too small. To treat this type, one must change the fault in the husbandry,
fly the bird regularly, and apply haemorrhoid cream to the effected foot.
The second type is more serious, where there has been some penetration has occurred. While treatment
for the first type will help, it is likely that the bird will require antibiotics as well.
The third type involves the bird having severe distortion of the contours of the foot and/or the toes,
resulting from the Bumblefoot causing considerable damage in the foot.
Bumblefoot in rodents
Bumblefoot in rodents is not necessarily associated with wire-floor cages, but more commonly with
[1]
genetic factors, and/or an unsanitary living environment , although no conclusive evidence yet exists
that would directly link this infection to these factors. Bumblefoot is so named because of the
characteristic "bumbles" or lesions as well as swelling of the foot pad symptomatic of an infection.
Topical antiseptics such as Blue-Kote in addition to oral or injected antibiotics may be used to combat
[2]
the infection, which if left untreated may be fatal.

1. ^ Maverick Manual. Maverick Manual.. Retrieved on July 29, 2006.
2. ^ rmca.org. rmca article on bumblefoot.. Retrieved on July 29, 2006.
● Ford, Emma. Falconry; Art and Practice. Cassell & Co 1992. Page 39/40.
Gallid herpesvirus 1 ?
Gallid herpesvirus 1 (GaHV-1) (also known as Avian Virus classification
herpesvirus 1)is a virus of the family Herpesviridae that
causes avian infectious laryngotracheitis. It was Group: Group I (dsDNA)
originally recognized as a disease of chickens in the United Family: Herpesviridae
[1] [2]
States in 1926. The disease also occurs in pheasants. Genus: Iltovirus
GaHV-1 is shed in respiratory secretions and transmitted by Species: Gallid herpesvirus 1 (GaHV-1)
droplet inhalation. A previously unexposed flock will
develop cases for two to eight weeks following introduction. The incubation period is two to eight days.
[1] Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, head shaking, lethargy, discharge from the eyes and nostrils
(sometimes bloody), and difficulty breathing. The name comes from the severe inflammation of the
larynx and trachea. A diphtheritic membrane may form in the trachea, causing obstruction. Mortality is
[2]
typically less than 15 percent. A vaccine is available, but it does not prevent latent infections.
The disease is usually referred to as Infectious laryngotracheitis or simply LT in the poultry industry. It
is widely viewed as one of the most contagious viruses that affect the poultry industry. A confirmed case
will usually result in the establishment of a quarantine zone around the farm. Inside this quarantine zone,
poultry workers will avoid poultry farms to prevent the spread of the virus.
References
ab
1. ^ Fenner, Frank J.; Gibbs, E. Paul J.; Murphy, Frederick A.; Rott, Rudolph; Studdert, Michael
J.; White, David O. (1993). Veterinary Virology (2nd ed.). Academic Press, Inc. ISBN 0-12-
253056-X.
ab
2. ^ Carter, G.R.; Flores, E.F.; Wise, D.J. (2006). Herpesviridae. A Concise Review of Veterinary
Virology. Retrieved on 2006-06-10.
Scaly leg
Back | Home | Up
Scaly leg is a disease of chickens and other birds. It is caused by a parasitic mite, Knemidocoptes
mutans. The mite burrows under the scales in the bird's legs, but may also infect other areas, including
the comb or wattles. The mite spends its entire lifecycle on the birds and is usually spread by direct
contact.
Birds infected with scaly leg have raised or protuding scales, sometimes with a white crusty appearance.
Scaly leg is extremely irritating to the infected bird, and in extreme cases can result in lameness.
The disease can be treated by soaking the afflicted bird's legs in soapy water mixed with diluted
ammonia, and the encrusted areas scrubbed gently with a soft brush, followed by the application of an
insecticide to kill the mites, usually oil based. Petroleum jelly (mixed with sulphur if available), or a
commercial chest rub can be used — the mites are unable to breathe beneath the jelly.
Multiple treatments may be required to completely eliminate the mite, and pen, perches, and nesting
areas should be sprayed. Ideally birds should be moved to a new area for at least a month to avoid re-
infection from dropped scales that may remain infectious for up to 30 days.
References
● Poultry parasitic diseases, Mississippi State University
● Moore, Alanna (1998). Backyard Poultry — Naturally, 2nd Ed. Bolwarrah Press, Bolwarrah Vic
Australia. ISBN 0-9585590-1-5.
(Probably) Extinct birds
Home | Up | Next
(Probably) Extinct subspecies of birds

Extinction of subspecies is a subject very dependent on guesswork. National and international
conservation projects and research publications such as redlists usually focus on species as a whole.
Reliable information on the status of threatened subspecies usually has to be assembled piecemeal from
published observations such as regional checklists. Therefore, the following listing contains a high
proportion of taxa that may just as well still exist, but are listed here due to any combination of absence
of recent records, a known threat such as habitat destruction, or an observed decline.
Contents
● 1 (Probably) Extinct subspecies of birds
❍ 2.4 Galliformes
❍ 2.6 Gruiformes
❍ 2.9 Pteroclidiformes
❍ 2.18 Piciformes
● 2 See also
● 3 External links and references
Struthioniformes
● Arabian Ostrich, Struthio camelus syriacus (Arabia, 1966) - Ostrich subspecies

Tasmanian Emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae diemenensis (Tasmania, mid-19th century) - Emu
subspecies
North Island Little Spotted Kiwi, Apteryx owenii iredalei (North Island, New Zealand, late 19th
century) - Little Spotted Kiwi subspecies
Tinamiformes
Tinamous
● Pernambuco Solitary Tinamou, Tinamus solitarius pernambucensis (E Brazil, c.1970s)
A subspecies of the Solitary Tinamou which may not be valid but probably is.
● Huila Black Tinamou, Tinamus osgoodi hershkovitzi (Colombia, 1980s?)
A Black Tinamou subspecies or possibly a distinct species; not seen since 1976 but might persist
in Cueva de los Guácharos National Park.
Anseriformes
Ducks, geese and swans.
● Bering Cackling Goose, Branta hutchinsii asiatica (Komandorskie and Kurile Islands, N Pacific,
c.1914 or 1929)
A subspecies of the Cackling Goose (formerly "Lesser Canada Geese") which is doubtfully
distinct from the Aleutian one.
● Washington Island Gadwall, Anas strepera couesi (Teraina, Kiribati, late 19th century) - Gadwall
subspecies. Controversial species, as many scientists think that it just might be a immature of the
Common Gadwall Anas strepera strepera which was drifted to Teraina.
● Rennell Island Teal, Anas gibberifrons remissa (Rennell, Solomon Islands, c.1959)
A subspecies of the Sunda Teal which disappeared due to predation on young birds by the
introduced tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus.
● Niceforo's Pintail, Anas georgica niceforoi (Colombia, 1950s) - Yellow-billed Pintail subspecies
● Borrero's Cinnamon Teal, Anas cyanoptera borreroi (Colombia, late 20th century?)
A subspecies of the Cinnamon Teal known only from a restricted area in the Cordillera
Occidental of Colombia. It is either very rare or already extinct.
Galliformes
Quails and relatives.
● Italian Grey Partridge, Perdix perdix italica (Italy, c.1990)
A subspecies of the Grey Partridge whose validity has been questioned; the last purebred
individuals disappeared during the late 1980s due to hybridization with introduced birds.
● Amik Gölü Black Francolin, Francolinus francolinus billypayni (S Turkey, possibly Lebanon,
1960s)
A doubtfully distinct subspecies of the Black Francolin.
● Sicilian Black Francolin, Francolinus francolinus ssp. (Sicily, Mediterranean, c.1869)
Another doubtfully distinct Black Francolin subspecies.
● Heath Hen, Tympanuchus cupido cupido, (New England, North America, 1932)
A subspecies of the Greater Prairie-Chicken or possibly a distinct species.
● New Mexico Sharp-tailed Grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus hueyi (New Mexico, North
America, 1954) - Sharp-tailed Grouse subspecies
● Moroccan Guineafowl, Numida meleagris sabyi (Morocco, mid-20th century or early 1980s)
A subspecies of the Helmeted Guineafowl. Reportedly still kept in captivity in Morocco in late
1990s. Possibly extinct by 1950, the 3 1970s records may refer to feral domestic hybrids.
Charadriiformes
Shorebirds, gulls and auks.
● North Island Snipe, Coenocorypha aucklandica barrierensis (North Island, New Zealand, 1870s) -
New Zealand Snipe subspecies
South Island Snipe, Coenocorypha aucklandica iredalei (South and Stewart Islands, New
Zealand, 1964) - New Zealand Snipe subspecies
Tawitawi Small Buttonquail, Turnix sylvatica suluensis (Tawitawi, Philippines, mid-20th
century) - Small Buttonquail subspecies
New Caledonia Painted Buttonquail, Turnix varia novaecaledoniae (New Caledonia, Melanesia,
early 20th century)
A subspecies of the Painted Buttonquail of somewhat unclear status, it is variously considered

anything between a hybrid between introduced species to a full species. Plentiful subfossil bones
indicate that it was indeed a good endemic form.
● Kiritimati Sandpiper, Prosobonia cancellata cancellata (Kiritimati, Kiribati, 19th century?)
The doubtfully distinct nominate subspecies of the Tuamotu Sandpiper, sometimes considered a
distinct species, but only known from a painting.
Gruiformes
Rails and allies.
● Goldman's Yellow Rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis goldmani (Mexico, late 1960s) - Yellow
Rail subspecies
Macquarie Island Buff-banded Rail, Gallirallus philippensis macquariensis (Macquarie Islands,
SW Pacific, 1880s) - Buff-banded Rail subspecies
Raoul Island Banded Rail, Gallirallus philippensis ssp. (Raoul, Kermadec Islands, SW Pacific,
late 19th century?)
Reports of the former occurrence of the species on Raoul seem plausible enough, but they may
relate to vagrant individuals of another Buff-banded Rail subspecies.
● Peruvian Rail, Rallus semiplumbeus peruvianus (Peru, 20th century?)
A subspecies of the Bogota Rail which is known from a single specimen collected in the 1880s. It
may still be extant.
● Western Australian Lewin's Rail, Lewinia pectoralis cleleandi (SW Australia, late 1930s) -
Lewin's Rail subspecies
● Flores Lewin's Rail, Lewinia pectoralis exsul (Flores, Indonesia, late 19th century?)
A Lewin's Rail subspecies known only form 4 specimens. Not seen since 1959 despite attempts
to find it, it is apparently extinct.
● Assumption White-throated Rail, Dryolimnas cuvieri abbotti (Assumption, Astove and

Cosmoledo, Aldabra Islands, early 20th century) - White-throated Rail subspecies.
● Jamaican Uniform Crake, Amaurolimnas concolor concolor (Jamaica, West Indies, 1890) -
Uniform Crake nominate subspecies
● Intact Rail, Gymnocrex plumbeiventris intactus (Melanesia, 20th century?)
A subspecies of the Bare-eyed Rail which is known from a single specimen, c. mid-19th century,
from the Solomon Islands or New Ireland. The taxon may be extant.
● Bornean Baillon's Crake, Porzana pusilla mira (Borneo, 20th century?)
A subspecies of Baillon's Crake known from a single 1912 specimen and not found since; may be
extinct, but species is hard to find.
● Iwo Jima White-browed Crake, Porzana cinerea brevipes (Iwo Jima and Minami Iōjima,
Ogasawara Islands, early 20th century).
A subspecies of the White-browed Crake that is often considered synonymous with the nominate.
● Moroccan Bustard, Ardeotis arabs lynesi (Morocco, 1990s)
A subspecies of the Arabian Bustard. Last observed in 1993 at Lac Merzouga/Lac Tamezguidat.
● Luzon Sarus Crane, Grus antigone luzonica (Luzon, Philippines, late 1960s)
A subspecies of the Sarus Crane which is not always accepted as valid, probably mainly because
the specimens have never been thoroughly studied since the subspecies' description.
Ciconiiformes
Herons and related birds.
● Bonin Nankeen Night Heron, Nycticorax caledonicus crassirostris (Nakoudo-jima and Chichi-
jima, Ogasawara Islands, c.1890) - Nankeen Night Heron subspecies
Principe Olive Ibis, Bostrychia olivacea rothschildi (Principe, Gulf of Guinea, 1900s) - Olive Ibis
subspecies
Pelecaniformes
Cormorants and related birds.
● Tasman Booby, Sula dactylatra tasmani fide van Tets et al., 1988 (Lord Howe and Norfolk
Islands, SW Pacific, c.1790?)
This is often regarded as a distinct species, but at best it is a subspecies of the Masked Booby.
Probably identical to the extant Lord Howe Island population described as S. d. fullagari, which
would in this case be named S. d. tasmani fide Holdaway & Anderson, 2001.
● Levant Darter, Anhinga rufa chantrei (Middle East, early 1990s?)
A questionable subspecies of the African Darter (Anhinga melanogaster chantrei if all Old World
darters are considered one species) which ultimately seems to have become a victim of war and
habitat destruction in Iraq.
Pteroclidiformes
Sandgrouse.
● Fayyum Sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus floweri (Egypt, c.1940)
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse subspecies, may have survived until early 1980s.
Columbiformes
Pigeons, doves and dodos.
● Madeiran Wood Pigeon, Columba palumbus maderensis (Madeira, East Atlantic, early 20th
century) - Wood Pigeon subspecies
Ogasawara Japanese Wood-pigeon, Columba janthina nitens (Ogasawara Islands, Northwest
Pacific, 1980s) - Japanese Wood-pigeon subspecies
Lord Howe Metallic Pigeon, Columba vitiensis godmanae (Lord Howe Island, Southwest Pacific,
1853)- Metallic Pigeon subspecies
Tongan Metallic Pigeon, Columba vitiensis ssp. (Vava'u, Tonga, late 18th century?)
This subspecies of the Metallic Pigeon is only known from a footnote in John Latham's
"General History of Birds", and seems to have died out some time before 1800; possibly, the
location is erroneous and the note really refers to the extant population of Fiji.
● Catanduanes Bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba luzonica rubiventris (Catanduanes, Philippines, late
20th century?)
A subspecies of the Luzon Bleeding-heart known from a single specimen collected in 1971. It is
either near extinction or already extinct.
● Basilan Bleeding-heart, Gallicolumba crinigera bartletti (Basilan, Philippines, mid-20th

century?)
A subspecies of the Mindanao Bleeding-heart, it was last reported in 1925 and given the massive
habitat destruction is likely extinct.
● Vella Lavella Ground Dove, Gallicolumba jobiensis chalconota (Vella Lavella, Makira and
Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, late 20th century?)
A subspecies of the White-bibbed Ground Dove or possibly a distinct species. Known from only
4 specimens, there are no recent records and the local population report it has disappeared.
● White-headed Polynesian Ground-dove, Gallicolumba erythroptera albicollis (Central Tuamotu

Islands, 20th century)
The Central Tuamotu subspecies of the Polynesian Ground-dove, often referred to as G. e.

pectoralis, disappeared at an undetermined date, but might still exist on some unsurveyed atolls.
The identity of Northern Tuamotu populations, possibly still extant, is undetermined.
● Ebon Purple-capped Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus porphyraceus marshallianus (Ebon, Marshall

Islands?, late 19th century?)
Known from a single specimen collected in 1859, it is not certain whether this bird actually
occurred on Ebon. All that can be said is that this subspecies is no longer found anywhere.
● Mauke Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus rarotongensis "byronensis" (Mauke, Cook Islands, mid-/late 19th
century)
A subspecies of the Rarotonga Fruit Dove, known only from the description of a now-lost
specimen. the prehistorically extinct population on Mangaia is likely to belong to another distinct
subspecies too.
● Negros Grey-necked Imperial-pigeon, Ducula carola nigrorum (Negros and probably Siquijor,
late 20th century) - Grey-necked Imperial Pigeon subspecies
● Norfolk Island Kererū, Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae spadicea (Norfolk Island, Southwest Pacific,
mid-19th century)
A subspecies of the Kererū or New Zealand Pigeon. Similar birds were reported from Lord Howe
Island; these seem to represent another extinct subspecies but are undescribed to date.
● Raoul Island Kererū, Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae ssp. nov. (Raoul, Kermadec Islands, 19th
century)
Another undescribed subspecies (or possibly species) of the Kererū, known from bones and a
brief report.
Psittaciformes
Parrots.
● Sangir Red and Blue Lory, Eos histrio histrio (Sangir Archipelago, Indonesia, c.1997)
The nominate subspecies of the Red and Blue Lory was hybridized out of existence by escaped
trade individuals of the subspecies talautensis, the last purebred individuals disappearing in the
1990s or even much earlier.
● Challenger's Lory, Eos histrio challengeri (Nenusa Islands, Talaud Archipelago, early 20th
century?)
A supposed subspecies of the Red and Blue Lory, but probably invalid.
● Macquarie Island Red-crowned Parakeet, Cyanoramphus erythrotis erythrotis (Macquarie

Islands, SW Pacific, c.1891) - Subantarctic Red-crowned Parakeet nominate subspecies
Lord Howe Island Red-fronted Parakeet, Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae subflavescens (Lord
Howe Island, SW Pacific, c.1870) - Red-crowned Parakeet subspecies
Westerman's Eclectus Parrot, Eclectus roratus westermani (Indonesia, 20th century?)
Known only from 16 captive birds specimens and last recorded in 1899, this enigmatic
subspecies of the Eclectus Parrot is often considered an aviary hybrid. However, it may has well
have occurred on islands at the northern or eastern end of the Banda Sea, becoming extinct some
time in the 20th century - or might even still exist in a little-surveyed location.
● Réunion Parakeet, Psittacula eques eques (Réunion, Mascarenes, mid-18th century)
Known only from a painting and descriptions; if it is accepted as valid, it would become the
nominate subspecies of the Echo Parakeet, extant on Mauritius, which would then have to be
called P. eques echo.
● Siquijor Colasisi, Loriculus philippensis siquijorensis (Siquijor, Philippines, 1990s)
A subspecies of the Colasisi or Philippine Hanging Parrot, either very rare or already extinct.
● Puerto Rican Parakeet, Aratinga chloroptera maugei (Mona and possibly Puerto Rico, West
Indies, 1890s)
A weakly differentiated subspecies of the Hispaniolan Parakeet.
● Sinú Brown-throated Parakeet, Aratinga pertinax griseipecta (Colombia, mid-/late 20th century?)
A subspecies of the Brown-throated Parakeet known from only 2 specimens collected in 1949
and of unclear taxonomical and conservation status.
● Culebra Island Parrot, Amazona vittata gracilipes (Culebra, West Indies, 1900s)
A weakly differentiated subspecies of the Puerto Rican Parrot which is itself highly endangered.
Cuculiformes
Cuckoos.
● Greater Crested Coua, Coua cristata maxima (SE Madagascar, late 20th century)
Crested Coua subspecies, known only from a single specimen taken in 1950
● Timor Pheasant Coucal, Centropus phasianinus mui (Timor, Indonesia, late 20th century?)
A very distinctive Pheasant Coucal subspecies or possibly a distinct species which is

mysteriously only known from one specimen.
● Assumption Island Coucal, Centropus toulou assumptionis (Assumption Island, Seychelles,

c.1920s)
A Madagascar Coucal subspecies often considered synonymous with the Aldabra form insularis,
which has recolonized Assumption Island at a later date.
● Cabo San Lucas Groove-billed Ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris pallidula (Mexico, c.1940)
A weakly differentiated and probably invalid subspecies of the Groove-billed Ani
● Bahía Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo, Neomorphus geoffroyi maximiliani (E Brazil, mid-20th

century) - Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo subspecies
Falconiformes
Birds of prey.
● Cape Verde Kite, Milvus milvus fasciicauda (Cape Verde Islands, E Atlantic, 2000)
Considered either a subspecies of the Red Kite, a distinct species, the validity of this taxon has
recently being questioned based on molecular analysis. However, hybridization and a confusing
molecular phylogeny of Red Kite populations coupled with the distinct phenotype of the Cape
Verde birds suggest that the taxonomic status of this form is far from resolved.
● Anjouan Island Sparrow Hawk, Accipiter francesii pusillus
This subspecies of Frances' Goshawk from Ndzouani (Anjouan), Comoros, was last seen in 1978;
given that few habitat remains, it is probably extinct.
● Car Nicobar Sparrowhawk, Accipiter butleri butleri (Car Nicobar, Nicobar Islands, 20th
century?)
The nominate subspecies of the Nicobar Sparrowhawk - which is currently listed as

Vulnerable - is possibly extinct. It was last reliably recorded in 1901 and despite searches, has
not been sighted after an unconfirmed record in 1977.
● Korean Sea Eagle, Haliaeetus pelagicus niger (Korea, 1950s) - Steller's Sea Eagle subspecies
Strigiformes
Owls.
● Sulu Reddish Scops Owl, Otus rufescens burbidgei (Sulu, Philippines, mid-20th century)
A subspecies of the Reddish Scops Owl. Known from a single questionable specimen and may
not be valid.
● Virgin Islands Screech Owl, Otus nudipes newtoni

A subspecies of the Puerto Rican Screech Owl of somewhat doubtful validity which occurred on
several of the Virgin Islands, West Indies. The last reliable records are in 1860; it was not found
in thorough surveys in 1995.
● Socorro Elf Owl, Micrathene whitneyi graysoni (Socorro, Revillagigedo Islands, c.1970)
A subspecies of the Elf Owl; the last specimen was taken in 1932, but there apparently still was a
large population in 1958.
● Antiguan Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia amaura (Antigua, St Kitts and Nevis, West Indies,
c.1905) - Burrowing Owl subspecies
● Bahaman Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia guadeloupensis (Guadeloupe and Marie-Galante,
West Indies, c.1890) - Burrowing Owl subspecies
● Lord Howe Island Morepork, Ninox novaeseelandiae albaria (Lord Howe Island, Southwest
Pacific, 1950s) - Southern Boobook subspecies
● Norfolk Island Morepork, Ninox novaeseelandiae undulata (Norfolk Island, Southwest Pacific,
1996)
Individuals of the nominate subspecies were introduced in a last-ditch effort to save the local owl
population. There now exists a hybrid population of a few dozen birds; the last individual of N. n.
undulata, a female named Miamiti died in 1996.
● Cave-nesting Masked Owl, Tyto novaehollandiae troughtoni (Nullarbor Plain, Australia, 1960s)
Doubtfully distinct from nominate subspecies, but differed behaviorally.
● Buru Masked Owl, Tyto sororcula cayelii (Buru, Indonesia, mid-20th century)
Subspecies of Lesser Masked Owl. Last seen in 1921; the identity of a similar bird found on
Seram remains to be determined.
● Peleng Masked Owl, Tyto rosenbergii pelengensis (Peleng, Banggai Islands, mid-20th century)
Subspecies of Sulawesi Owl or separate species. Possibly extant, but only specimen known taken
in 1938 and no further records.
● Samar Bay Owl, Phodilus badius riverae (Samar, Philippines, mid-20th century)
Subspecies of Oriental Bay Owl or possibly distinct species. Taxonomy doubtful but only
specimen lost in 1945 bombing raid so validity cannot be verified; no population exists on Samar
today.
Caprimulgiformes
Nightjars and allies.
● New Caledonian White-throated Eared-Nightjar, Eurostopodus mystacalis exsul (New Caledonia,

Melanesia, mid-20th century)
This distinct subspecies of the White-throated Eared-Nightjar is possibly a separate species. It

was found only once; due to its cryptic habits, it possibly still exists, but this is now considered
unlikely.
Apodiformes
● Alejandro Selkirk Firecrown, Sephanoides fernandensis leyboldi (Alejandro Selkirk Island, Juan
Fernandez Islands, Southeast Pacific, 1908) - Juan Fernandez Firecrown subspecies
● Luzon Whitehead's Swiftlet, Collocalia whiteheadi whiteheadi (Luzon, Philippines, 20th
century?)
The nominate subspecies of Whitehead's Swiftlet is only known from four specimens collected at
Mount Data in 1895 and from the lack of further records and the massive habitat destruction, it is
usually considered extinct. Given the size of the island, it might still exist though.
Coraciiformes
Kingfishers and related birds.
● Sangihe Dwarf-kingfisher, Ceyx fallax sangirensis (Sangihe, Indonesia, 1998?)
This subspecies of the Sulawesi Kingfisher was last seen in 1997 but not during a thorough
survey one year later; it is either close to extinction or already extinct. Sometimes it is said to
occur on Talaud Islands also, but this is erroneous.
● Rarotonga Kingfisher, Todiramphus cf. tuta (Rarotonga, Cook Islands, mid-1980s?)
There exist reports of locals that kingfishers - probably a subspecies of the Chattering Kingfisher
which is found on neighboring islands, but possibly vagrants from there - were found until
around 1979, and there is a last record from 1984. Presently, no kingfishers are known to exist on
Rarotonga.
● Mangareva Kingfisher, Todiramphus gambieri gambieri (Mangareva, Gambier Islands, late 19th
century)
Only known from a single 1844 specimen, the nominate subspecies of the Tuamotu Kingfisher
was not found anymore when it was next searched for in 1922.
● Javan Blue-banded Kingfisher, Alcedo euryzona euryzona (Java, Indonesia, mid-20th century)
The nominate subspecies of the Blue-banded Kingfischer; the last specimen was taken in 1937
and the last unconfirmed records are from the 1950s.
● Guadalcanal Little Kingfisher, Alcedo pusilla aolae (Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands) - Little
Kingfisher subspecies
Malaita Variable Kingfisher, Ceyx lepidus malaitae (Malaita, Solomon Islands) - Variable
Kingfisher subspecies
Sakarha Pygmy Kingfisher, Ispidina madagascariensis dilutus (Southwest Madagascar, late 20th
century?)
This subspecies of the Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher is only known from one specimen taken in
1974 in an area where most habitat had already been lost.
● Ticao Tarictic Hornbill, Penelopides panini ticaensis (Ticao, Philippines, 1970s)
A subspecies of the Tarictic Hornbill of somewhat uncertain status - possibly a distinct species,
possibly a color morph -; the last confirmed report was in 1971 and it became extinct shortly
thereafter.
Piciformes
Woodpeckers and related birds.
● Guadalupe Flicker, Colaptes cafer rufipileus (Guadalupe, East Pacific, c.1910)
A subspecies of the Red-shafted Flicker (or the Northern Flicker, as C. auratus rufipileus), it was
last recorded in 1906 and not found anymore in 1911 and 1922. Recently, vagrant birds of a
mainland subspecies have begun recolonizing the island as the habitat improves after the removal
of feral goats.
● Javan Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Meiglyptes tristis tristis (Java, Indonesia, c.1920)

The nominate subspecies of the Buff-rumped Woodpecker became rare during the 19th century
due to destruction of habitat. The last confirmed record was in 1880, and it obviously became
extinct in the early 20th century.
● Northern White-mantled Barbet, Capito hypoleucus hypoleucus (Colombia, mid-20th century)
The nominate subspecies of the White-mantled Barbet has not been seen since the late 1940s and
its habitat has been almost completely destroyed.
● Botero White-mantled Barbet, Capito hypoleucus carrikeri (Colombia, mid-20th century)
Another subspecies of the White-mantled Barbet, last seen in 1950.
● Todd's Jacamar, Brachygalba lugubris phaeonota (Brazil, late 20th century?)
A subspecies of the Brown Jacamar, or possibly a hybrid, color morph or full species. Might
survive as it is only known from a remote and seldom visited area.
Passeriformes
Perching birds.
Tyrannidae - Tyrant flycatchers
● Bogotá Bearded Tachuri, Polystictus pectoralis bogotensis (C Colombia, late 20th century?)
A Bearded Tachuri subspecies or possibly a distinct species that has not been recorded for some
time and is probably extinct.
● Grenadan Euler's Flycatcher - Lathrotriccus euleri flaviventris (Grenada, West Indies, early
1950s)
A subspecies of Euler's Flycatcher, formerly known as Empidonax euleri johnstonei.
Pittidae - Pittas
● Bougainville Black-faced Pitta, Pitta anerythra pallida (Bougainville, Solomon Islands, mid-20th
century)
A subspecies of the Black-faced Pitta. Once common on Bougainville, but not recorded since
1938.
● Choiseul Black-faced Pitta, Pitta anerythra nigrifrons (Choiseul, Solomon Islands, late 20th
century?)
Another subspecies of the Black-faced Pitta. Not found anymore during recent searches; doubtful
records from nearby islands.
Furnariidae - Ovenbirds
● Peruvian Scale-throated Earthcreeper, Upucerthia dumetaria peruana (Peru, late 20th century?)
A subspecies of the Scale-throated Earthcreeper, it is only known from 2 specimens taken in the
early 1950s at Puno, Peru, and has never been found since. It might still exist, or have become
extinct due to habitat destruction in the meantime.
● Northern Stripe-crowned Spinetail, Cranioleuca pyrrhophia rufipennis (N Bolivia, late 20th

century?)
A Stripe-crowned Spinetail subspecies known from a few specimens and not recorded since the
1950s; may be endangered or even extinct.
Formicariidae - Antpittas and antthrushes
● Northern Giant Antpitta, Grallaria gigantea lehmanni (Colombia, late 20th century?)
A Giant Antpitta (or possibly Great Antpitta) subspecies apparently not recorded since the 1940s.
Might still survive in Puracé National Park.
● Nariño Giant Antpitta, Grallaria gigantea hylodroma (Colombia, c.1990?)
Another Giant Antpitta subspecies, or possibly a distinct species, probably last recorded in 1989,
but not anymore some years later. might still persist in La Planada Nature Reserve, but searches
were unsuccessful.
Pardalotidae - Pardalotes, scrubwrens, thornbills, and gerygones
● Western Rufous Bristlebird, Dasyornis broadbenti littoralis (Australia, 20th century) - Rufous
Bristlebird subspecies
● King Island Brown Thornbill, Acanthiza pusilla archibaldi (King Island, Australia, early 1970s) -
Brown Thornbill subspecies
Cinclosomatidae - Whipbirds and allies
● Mount Lofty Spotted Quail-thrush, Cinclosoma punctatum anachoreta (Australia, mid-1980s)
A subspecies of the Spotted Quail-thrush, last recorded in 1984.
Dicruridae - Monarch flycatchers and allies
● Negros Celestial Monarch, Hypothymis coelestis rabori (Negros and possibly Sibuyan,
Philippines, late 20th century?)
A subspecies of the Celestial Monarch, not uncommon on Negros in 1959, but never recorded
afterwards. A single Sibuyan specimen from a unspecified locality taken in the 19th century is
the only record for this island.
● Hiva Oa Monarch, Pomarea mendozae mendozae (Hiva Oa and Tahuata, Marquesas, late 1970s)
- Marquesas Monarch nominate subspecies
● Manu'a Shrikebill, Clytorhynchus vitiensis powelli (Manu'a Islands, Samoa, 1990s?)
Usually treated as a subspecies of the Fiji Shrikebill but probably a distinct species, the American
Samoan population declined due to habitat destruction and may have become extinct following
the cyclones Ofa and Val.
● Nendo Shrikebill, Clytorhynchus nigrogularis sanctaecrucis (Nendo, Santa Cruz Islands, mid-
20th century?)
A subspecies of the Black-throated Shrikebill or more probably a distinct species that was only
once found, in 1927. Due to lack of research it is not known whether this bird still exists; it was
not found during the single thorough survey in recent times and it can be presumed to be affected
by habitat destruction and typhoons.
● Lord Howe Fantail, Rhipidura fuliginosa cervina (Lord Howe Island, Southwest Pacific, c.1925)
- Grey Fantail subspecies
● Guam Rufous Fantail, Rhipidura rufifrons uraniae (Guam, Marianas, 1984) - Rufous Fantail
subspecies
Campephagidae - Cuckoo-shrikes and trillers
● Cebu Bar-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina striata cebuensis (Cebu, Philippines, early 20th
century) - Bar-bellied Cuckoo-shrike subspecies
● Maros Cicadabird, Coracina tenuirostris edithae (Sulawesi, mid-20th century)
A subspecies of the Cicadabird known from a single specimen collected in 1931; quite possibly
just a vagrant individual.
● Cebu Blackish Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina coerulescens altera (Cebu, Philippines, early 20th
century)
A Blackish Cuckoo-shrike subspecies; possibly extant as the birds are rather unmistakable and a
1999 record therefore likely to be valid.
● Marinduque Blackish Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina coerulescens deschauenseei (Marinduque,

Philippines, late 20th century?)
Another Blackish Cuckoo-shrike subspecies, described from specimens collected in 1971, but
apparently not seen since.
● Norfolk Island Long-tailed Triller, Lalage leucopyga leucopyga (Norfolk Island, Southwest
Pacific, 1942)
A subspecies of the Long-tailed Triller, possibly a distinct species.
Oriolidae - Orioles and Figbird
● Cebu Dark-throated Oriole, Oriolus xanthonotus assimilis (Cebu, Philippines, early 20th century)
- Dark-throated Oriole subspecies
Corvidae - Crows, ravens, magpies and jays
● Pied Raven, Corvus corax varius morpha leucophaeus (Faroe Islands, 1948)
A distinct local variety of the Icelandic subspecies of the Common Raven.
Callaeidae - New Zealand wattlebirds
● South Island Kōkako, Callaeas cinerea cinerea (South Island, New Zealand, 1960s?)
The nominate subspecies of the Kōkako is usually considered extinct, as it has not been reliably
recorded for decades. However, there are recent reports from Fiordland suggesting a population
still exists.
Cinclidae - Dippers
● Cyprus Dipper, Cinclus cinclus olympicus (Cyprus, Northeast Mediterranean, 1950s)
A subspecies of the White-throated Dipper of questionable validity.
Ploceidae - Weavers
● Ruwet's Masked-Weaver, Ploceus reichardi ruweti (D.R. Congo, late 20th century?)
A subspecies of the Tanzania Masked-weaver, formerly considered a distinct species. No recent

information on its status, and it may be a hybrid.
Estrildidae - Estrildid finches (waxbills, munias, etc)
● Southern Star Finch, Neochmia ruficauda ruficauda (Australia, c.2000)
A subspecies of the Star Finch; officially critically endangered but probably recently extinct. Not
known to survive in captivity.
Thraupidae - Tanagers
● Gonâve Western Chat-tanager, Calyptophilus tertius abbotti (Gonâve, West Indies, c.1980?)
A Western Chat-tanager subspecies last recorded in 1977 and probably extinct.
● Samaná Eastern Chat-tanager, Calyptophilus frugivorus frugivorus (E Hispaniola, West Indies,

1980s?)
An Eastern Chat-tanager; the last (unconfirmed?) record was in 1982.
Icteridae - Grackles
● Grand Cayman Oriole, Icterus leucopteryx bairdi (Grand Cayman, West Indies, mid-20th
century)
A subspecies of the Jamaican Oriole, last reliably recorded in 1938.
Fringillidae - True finches
● San Benito House Finch, Carpodacus mexicanus mcgregori (San Benito, East Pacific, c.1940s) -
House Finch subspecies
Drepanididae - Hawaiian honeycreepers
● Lana‘i 'Alauahio, Paroreomyza montana montana (Lana‘i, Hawaiian Islands, 1937)
A subspecies of the Maui ‘Alauahio (or properly Maui Nui ‘Alauahio).
● Maui Akepa, Loxops coccineus ochraceus (Maui, Hawaiian Islands, 1988) - Akepa subspecies
● O‘ahu Akepa, Loxops coccineus wolstenholmei (O‘ahu, Hawaiian Islands, 1990s) - Akepa
subspecies
● Laysan ‘Apapane, Himatione sanguinea freethi (Laysan Island, Hawaiian Islands, 1923)
The last individuals of this subspecies of the ‘Apapane, possibly a distinct species, disappeared in
a sandstorm, probably on the night of April 23/April 24, 1923.
Emberizidae - Buntings and American sparrows
Dusky Seaside Sparrow

● Saint Kitts Bullfinch, Loxigilla portoricensis grandis (Saint Kitts and prehistorically Barbuda,
West Indies, 1930) - Puerto Rican Bullfinch subspecies
Todos Santos Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Aimophila ruficeps sanctorum (Islas Todos Santos, E
Pacific, 1970s) - Rufous-crowned Sparrow subspecies
Dusky Seaside Sparrow, Ammodramus maritimus nigrescens (Florida, 1987) - Seaside Sparrow
subspecies
Guadalupe Spotted Towhee, Pipilo maculatus consobrinus (Guadalupe Island, East Pacific,
c.1900) - Spotted Towhee subspecies
Darwin's Large Ground Finch, Geospiza magnirostris magnirostris (Floreana?, Galapagos
Islands, 1957?)
The subspecies of the Large Ground Finch collected by Charles Darwin in 1835; he gave no
precise locality. A similar bird was found in 1957, but no others have ever been seen.
Mimidae - Mockingbirds and thrashers
● Barbados Scaly-breasted Thrasher, Allenia fusca atlantica (Barbados, West Indies, c.1990) -
Scaly-breasted Thrasher subspecies
Troglodytidae - Wrens
● San Benedicto Rock Wren, Salpinctes obsoletus exsul (San Benedicto, Revillagigedo Islands,
1952)
A subspecies of the Rock Wren which became extinct around 9 AM, August 1, 1952, when its
island habitat was devastated by a massive volcanic eruption.
● Guadalupe Bewick's Wren, Thyromanes bewickii brevicauda (Guadalupe, East Pacific, 1900s) -
Bewick's Wren subspecies
San Clemente Bewick's Wren, Thryomanes bewickii leucophrys (San Clemente, East Pacific,
1940s) - Bewick's Wren subspecies
Daito Winter Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes orii (Daito Islands, Northwest Pacific, c.1940)
A disputed Winter Wren subspecies; as it is known from a single specimen that may have been a
vagrant individual, it is possibly invalid.
● Guadeloupe House Wren, Troglodytes aedon guadeloupensis (Guadeloupe, Caribbean, after

1914)
A subspecies of the House Wren (or, if that species is split, the Southern House Wren, as T.
musculus guadeloupensis).
● Martinique House Wren, Troglodytes aedon martinicensis (Martinique, Caribbean, c.1890)
Another subspecies of the (Southern, as T. musculus martinicensis) House Wren.
Paridae - Tits, chickadees and titmice
● Daito Varied Tit, Sittiparus varius orii (Daito Islands, Northwest Pacific, c.1940) - Varied Tit
subspecies
Hirundinidae - Swallows and martins
● Jamaican Golden Swallow, Tachycineta euchrysea euchrysea (Jamaica, West Indies, c.1990?)
The nominate subspecies of the Golden Swallow, endemic to Jamaica. The last major roost-site
was destroyed in 1987, and the last confirmed sighting was in 1989. May still exist in the Cockpit
Country, but probably extinct.
Regulidae - Kinglets
● Guadalupe Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula obscurus (Guadalupe, East Pacific, 20th
century?)
A subspecies of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet that has not been found in recent times.
Pycnonotidae - Bulbuls
● Sumatra Blue-wattled Bulbul, Pycnonotus nieuwenhuisii inexspectatus (Sumatra, Indonesia, late

20th century?)
A subspecies of the Blue-wattled Bulbul known from a single 1937 specimen. The entire
"species" may be a hybrid.
● Cebu Streak-breasted Bulbul, Ixos siquijorensis monticola (Cebu, Philippines, early 20th century)
- Streak-breasted Bulbul subspecies
Sylviidae - Old World warblers

Eastern Canary Islands Chiffchaff
● Babar Stubtail, Urosphena subulata advena (Babar, Indonesia, mid-20th century) - Timor
Stubtail subspecies
● Aguiguan Nightingale Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus luscinia nijoi (Aguiguan, Marianas, c.1997)
A subspecies of the Nightingale Reed Warbler of uncertain validity.
● Astrolabe Nightingale Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus luscinia astrolabii (Marianas?, mid-19th

century?)
A valid taxon, probably a subspecies of the Nightingale Reed Warbler, known from just 2
specimens found at an unknown location in the western Pacific.
● Pagan Nightingale Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus luscinia yamashinae (Pagan, Marianas, 1970s)
Another doubtful subspecies of the Nightingale Reed Warbler.
● Laysan Millerbird, Acrocephalus familiaris familiaris (Laysan Island, Hawaiian Islands, late
1910s) - Millerbird subspecies
● Huahine Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus caffer garretti (Huahine, Society Islands, 19th century?)
A poorly known subspecies of the Tahiti Reed Warbler.
● Raiatea Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus caffer musae (Raiatea, Society Islands, 19th century?)
Another subspecies of the Tahiti Reed Warbler, known only from a drawing.
● Western Turner's Eremomela, Eremomela turneri kalindei (Congo Basin, early 1980s)
The West African subspecies of Turner's Eremomela has not been recorded since the end of the
1970s and habitat at the locations where it was once found is much reduced or destroyed.
● Vanua Levu Long-legged Warbler, Trichocichla rufa clunei (Vanua Levu, Fiji, late 20th
century?)
A subspecies of the Long-legged Warbler; it was only found once, but there was an unconfirmed
sighting in 1990.
● Eastern Canary Islands Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus canariensis exsul (Lanzarote and possibly
Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, 1986) - Canary Islands Chiffchaff subspecies
Fayyum Warbler, Sylvia melanocephala norissae (Egypt, c.1940) - Sardinian Warbler subspecies
Cisticolidae - Cisticolas and allies
● Northern White-winged Apalis, Apalis chariessa chariessa (Kenya, 1960s?)
The nominate subspecies of the White-winged Apalis remains known only from the Tana River,
a center of endemism. It was last recorded in 1961.
Zosteropidae - White-eyes
● Guam Bridled White-eye, Zosterops conspicillatus conspicillatus (Guam, Marianas, 1983) -

Bridled White-eye nominate subspecies or possibly monotypic species.
Mukojima White-eye, Apalopteron familiare familiare (Mukojima Group, Bonin Islands, 1930s)
- Bonin White-eye ("Bonin Honeyeater") subspecies
Paradoxornithidae - Parrotbills
● Amik Gölü Bearded Tit, Panurus biarmicus kosswigi (S Turkey, 1970s) - Bearded Tit subspecies
Timaliidae - Old World babblers
● Vanderbilt's Babbler, Malacocincla sepiarium vanderbilti (Sumatra, Indonesia, late 20th

century?)
An enigmatic subspecies of the Horsfield's Babbler, known from a single specimen. Not seen
since the 1940s at least.
● Javan Large Wren-babbler, Napothera macrodactyla lepidopleura (Java, Indonesia, mid-20th

century?)
A Large Wren-babbler subspecies that is either very rare or already extinct.

● Burmese Jerdon's Babbler, Chrysomma altirostre altirostre (Myanmar, 1940s)
The nominate subspecies of Jerdon's Babbler was last seen in 1941, but due to the lack of recent
fieldwork, it might still exist.
Muscicapidae - Old World Flycatchers and chats
● Tonkean Henna-tailed Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias colonus subsolanus (Sulawesi, Indonesia,

late 20th century?)
A Henna-tailed Jungle Flycatcher subspecies that is known from a single specimen; it may not be
valid.
● Chinijo Chat, Saxicola dacotiae murielae (Chinijo Archipelago, Canary Islands, early 20th
century) - Fuerteventura Chat subspecies
Turdidae - Thrushes and allies
● Norfolk Island Thrush, Turdus poliocephalus poliocephalus (Norfolk Island, Southwest Pacific,
c.1975) - Island Thrush subspecies
● Maré Island Thrush, Turdus poliocephalus mareensis (Maré, Melanesia, early 20th century)
A subspecies of the Island Thrush, last collected in 1911 or 1912 and not found anymore in 1939.
● Lord Howe Island Thrush, Turdus poliocephalus vinitinctus (Lord Howe Island, Southwest
Pacific, 1920s) - Island Thrush subspecies
● Lifou Island Thrush, Turdus poliocephalus pritzbueri (Lifou, Melanesia, early 20th century)
Yet another subspecies of the Island Thrush. Similar birds still exist on Tanna, New Hebrides, but
given the fact that the species readily differentiates into subspecies and that the distance between
Tanna and Lifou is considerable, it is far from certain that the Tanna birds belong to this
subspecies.
● Cauca Black-hooded Thrush, Turdus olivater caucae (Colombia, late 20th century?)
A subspecies of the Black-hooded Thrush or possibly a distinct species. Not recorded for decades
and at least highly threatened by deforestation.
● Peleng Red-and-black Thrush, Zoothera mendeni mendeni (Peleng, Indonesia, mid-20th century)
- Red-and-black Thrush nominate subspecies
● Kibale Black-eared Ground Thrush, Zoothera cameronensis kibalensis (SW Uganda, late 20th
century?)
A Black-eared Ground Thrush subspecies known only from 2 1966 specimens. Rare or possibly
already extinct.
● Choiseul Russet-tailed Thrush, Zoothera heinei choiseuli (Choiseul, Solomon Islands, mid-20th
century?)
A subspecies of the Russet-tailed Thrush known from a single specimen found in 1924 and
probably killed off by introduced cats, most likely in the 1940s.
● St Lucia Forest Thrush, Cichlherminia lherminieri sanctaeluciae (St Lucia, West Indies, 1980s)
A subspecies of the Forest Thrush, last seen in 1980.
● Pines Solitaire, Myadestes elisabeth retrusus (Isla de la Juventud, West Indies, late 1930s?)
A subspecies of the Cuban Solitaire. Unconfirmed records suggest it did still exist in the early
1970s.
See also
● Bird
● Fossil birds
External links and references

● The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
● Extinct Birds Stock Photography
● Extinct Birds from John James Audubon's Birds of America
● Utrotade faaglar (in Swedish)
● Extinct bird forum
● The Extinction Website
List adapted, expanded and updated from that in Extinct Birds, Fuller, ISBN 0-19-850837-9 (Extinct
Birds is an absorbing study of the world's recently extinct bird species, the first complete survey since
Walter Rothschild's classic work of 1907)
Home | Up | (Probably) Extinct birds | Late Quaternary prehistoric birds
Aepyornithidae
Elephant birds
Elephant birds are an extinct family of flightless birds made up of the genera Aepyornis and Conservation status Extinct (16th
Mullerornis. These large birds, which were native to Madagascar, have been extinct since at least the century)
16th century. Aepyornis was the world's largest bird, believed to have been over three metres (10 feet)
tall and weighing more than half a tonne (500 kilograms, or 1,100 pounds), until being dethroned by
Phorusrhacidae in October 2006. [1] Remains of Aepyornis adults and eggs have been found; in some
cases the eggs have a circumference of over one metre (three feet). Four species are usually accepted in
the genus Aepyornis today; A. hildebrandti, A. gracilis, A. medius and A. maximus (Brodkorb, 1963),
but the validity of some is disputed, with numerous authors treating them all in just one species, A.
maximus. Aepyornis was a ratite, related to the ostrich; it could not fly, and its breast bone had no keel.
The National Geographic Society in Washington holds a specimen of an Aepyornis egg which was
discovered by Luis Marden in 1967. The specimen is intact and contains an embryonic skeleton of the
unborn bird.
Whilst it is often believed that the extinction of the Aepyornis was an effect of human actions, a study
in 2000, by a team of archaeologists from Sheffield University and Royal Holloway University in the
UK, suggests otherwise. Their study in Madagascar aimed to investigate human relationships with this
bird. Research reports from Sheffield University stated that there was no evidence for the suggestion
that the bird had been hunted to extinction. The archaeologists also believe that the killing of the bird
may have been taboo, or "fady," as no evidence was found that it had been killed for food.
The modern Malagasy name for the bird is Vorompatra, meaning "marsh bird". They are commonly
known as the 'elephant bird', a term that originated from Marco Polo. It has also been suggested,
(compare text on the Fra Mauro map of 1467-69) that the legend of the roc may have originated from Kingdom: Animalia
this bird.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Superorder: Paleognathae
Order: Struthioniformes
Family: Aepyornithidae
Genera
Aepyornis
Mullerornis
Reconstruction of Elephant Bird

Egg, Ipswich Museum, England
Contents
● 1 Elephant Bird Species
● 2 In literature
● 3 References
● 4 Gallery
Elephant Bird Species

● Aepyornis gracilis (Monnier, 1913)
Aepyornis hildebrandti (Burckhardt, 1893)
Aepyornis maximus (Geoffroy-Saint Hilaire, 1851)
Aepyornis medius (Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, 1866)
Mullerornis betsilei (Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, 1894)
Mullerornis agilis (Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, 1894)
Mullerornis rudis (Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, 1894)
In literature
● H.G. Wells wrote a short story entitled Aepyornis Island about the bird. It was published in The Complete Short Stories of H.
G. Wells (ISBN 0-7538-0872-2). Full text.
References
● Brodkorb, Pierce (1963): Catalogue of Fossil Birds Part 1 (Archaeopterygiformes through Ardeiformes). Bulletin of the
Florida State Museum, Biological Sciences 7(4): 179-293. PDF fulltext
● http://digimorph.org/specimens/Aepyornis_maximus/
● http://www.geocities.com/vorompatra/index.html
● Fossil Aepyornithidae
Gallery
Aepyornis
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Kingfisher
Kingfishers
Kingfishers are birds of the three families Alcedinidae (river
kingfishers), Halcyonidae (tree kingfishers), and Cerylidae (water
kingfishers). There are about 90 species of kingfisher. All have
large heads, long, sharp, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails.
They are found throughout the world.
The taxonomy of the three families is complex and rather

controversial. Although commonly assigned to the order
Coraciiformes, from this level down confusion sets in.
The kingfishers were traditionally treated as one family,

Alcedinidae with three subfamilies, but following the 1990s
revolution in bird taxonomy, the three former subfamilies are now
usually elevated to familial level; a move supported by Belted Kingfisher
chromosome and DNA-DNA hybridisation studies, but challenged (Ceryle alcyon)
on the grounds that all three groups are monophyletic with respect Scientific classification
to the other Coraciiformes; which leads to them being grouped as Kingdom: Animalia
the suborder Alcedines.
The tree kingfishers have been previously given the familial name Phylum: Chordata
Dacelonidae but Halcyonidae has priority. This group derives from
a very ancient divergence from the ancestral stock. Class: Aves
Kingfishers live in both woodland and wetland habitats. The Order: Coraciiformes
Laughing Kookaburra, at 45 cm the world's largest kingfisher, is a
woodland bird, while the European Kingfisher Alcedo atthis is
always found near fresh water. Suborder: Alcedines
Kingfishers that live near water hunt small fish by diving. They Families
also eat crayfish, frogs, and insects. Wood kingfishers eat reptiles. Alcedinidae
Kingfishers of all three families beat their prey to death, either by Halcyonidae
whipping it against a tree or by dropping it on a stone. Cerylidae
They are able to see well both in air and under water. To do this, their eyes have evolved an egg-shaped
lens able to focus in the two different environments.
The Old World tropics and Australasia are the core area for this group. Europe and North America north
of Mexico are very poorly represented with only one common kingfisher (European and Belted
Kingfishers respectively), and a couple of uncommon or very local species each: (Ringed Kingfisher and
Green Kingfisher in south Texas, Pied Kingfisher and White-breasted Kingfisher in SE Europe).
Even tropical South America has only five species plus wintering Belted Kingfisher. In comparison, the
tiny African country of The Gambia has eight resident species in its 120 by 20 mile area.
The six species occurring in the Americas are four closely related green kingfishers in the genus
Chloroceryle and two large crested kingfishers in the genus Megaceryle, suggesting that the sparse
representation in the western hemisphere evolved from just one or two original colonising species.
External links
● ARKive - images and movies of the kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
● Kingfisher videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Formicariidae
Antthrushes and Antpittas

The Formicariidae are a family of smallish passerine bird species
of subtropical and tropical Central and South America. They are
between 10 and 15 cm in length, and are related to the antbirds,
Thamnophilidae. Kingdom: Animalia
These are forest birds that tend to feed on insects at or near the Phylum: Chordata
ground since many are specialist ant eaters. Most are drab in
appearance with shades of brown, black, and white being their Class: Aves
dominant tones.
They are conventionally divided into two groups. The antthrushes Order: Passeriformes
in genera Formicarius and Chamaeza are similar in appearance to
the rails. They have sexes alike in plumage, and walk like starlings. Family: Formicariidae
The thrush part of the name refers only to the similarity in size to
true thrushes.
Genera
Formicarius
The antpittas in the genera Pittasoma, Grallaria, Hylopezus,
Chamaeza
Myrmothera and Grallaricula are also sexually monomorphic; they
Pittasoma
resemble the true pittas in that they are virtually tailess; they hop
Grallaria
like thrushes, and are much easier to hear than see.
Hylopezus
Myrmothera
They lay two or three eggs in a nest in a tree, both sexes incubating. Grallaricula
Species
● Genus Formicarius
❍ Rufous-capped Antthrush, Formicarius colma
❍ Black-headed Antthrush, Formicarius nigricapillus
❍ Black-faced Antthrush, Formicarius analis
❍ Rufous-fronted Antthrush, Formicarius rufifrons
❍ Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Formicarius rufipectus
● Genus Chamaeza
❍ Striated Antthrush, Chamaeza nobilis
❍ Short-tailed Antthrush, Chamaeza campanisona

❍ Brazilian Antthrush, Chamaeza ruficauda
❍ Schwartz's Antthrush, Chamaeza turdina
❍ Such's Antthrush, Chamaeza meruloides
❍ Barred Antthrush, Chamaeza mollissima
● Genus Pittasoma
❍ Black-crowned Antpitta, Pittasoma michleri
❍ Rufous-crowned Antpitta, Pittasoma rufopileatum
● Genus Grallaria
❍ Undulated Antpitta, Grallaria squamigera
❍ Giant Antpitta, Grallaria gigantea
❍ Great Antpitta, Grallaria excelsa
❍ Variegated Antpitta, Grallaria varia
❍ Scaled Antpitta, Grallaria guatimalensis
❍ Moustached Antpitta, Grallaria alleni
❍ Táchira Antpitta, Grallaria chthonia
❍ Plain-backed Antpitta, Grallaria haplonota
❍ Ochre-striped Antpitta, Grallaria dignissima
❍ Elusive Antpitta, Grallaria eludens
❍ Santa Marta Antpitta, Grallaria bangsi
❍ Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Grallaria ruficapilla
❍ Cundinamarca Antpitta, Grallaria kaestneri
❍ Watkins' Antpitta, Grallaria watkinsi
❍ Stripe-headed Antpitta, Grallaria andicola
❍ Bicolored Antpitta, Grallaria rufocinerea
❍ Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Grallaria nuchalis
❍ Jocotoco Antpitta, Grallaria ridgelyi
❍ Pale-billed Antpitta, Grallaria carrikeri
❍ Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Grallaria flavotincta
❍ White-bellied Antpitta, Grallaria hypoleuca
❍ Rusty-tinged Antpitta, Grallaria przewalskii
❍ Bay Antpitta, Grallaria capitalis
❍ Red-and-white Antpitta, Grallaria erythroleuca
❍ White-throated Antpitta, Grallaria albigula
❍ Gray-naped Antpitta, Grallaria griseonucha
❍ Rufous Antpitta, Grallaria rufula
❍ Chestnut Antpitta, Grallaria blakei
❍ Rufous-faced Antpitta, Grallaria erythrotis
❍ Tawny Antpitta, Grallaria quitensis
❍ Brown-banded Antpitta, Grallaria milleri
● Genus Hylopezus
❍ Spotted Antpitta, Hylopezus macularius
❍ Streak-chested Antpitta, Hylopezus perspicillatus
❍ Masked Antpitta, Hylopezus auricularis

❍ Fulvous-bellied Antpitta, Hylopezus dives
❍ White-lored Antpitta, Hylopezus fulviventris
❍ Amazonian Antpitta, Hylopezus berlepschi
❍ White-browed Antpitta, Hylopezus ochroleucus
❍ Speckle-breasted Antpitta, Hylopezus nattereri
● Genus Myrmothera
❍ Thrush-like Antpitta, Myrmothera campanisona
❍ Tepui Antpitta, Myrmothera simplex
● Genus Grallaricula
❍ Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Grallaricula flavirostris
❍ Rusty-breasted Antpitta, Grallaricula ferrugineipectus
❍ Scallop-breasted Antpitta, Grallaricula loricata
❍ Hooded Antpitta, Grallaricula cucullata
❍ Peruvian Antpitta, Grallaricula peruviana
❍ Ochre-fronted Antpitta, Grallaricula ochraceifrons
❍ Slate-crowned Antpitta, Grallaricula nana
❍ Crescent-faced Antpitta Grallaricula lineifrons
External links
● Formicariidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection
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Acanthisittidae
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Acanthisittidae
The New Zealand "wrens", family Acanthisittidae, are tiny
passerines restricted to New Zealand.
They are understood to form a distinct lineage within the

passerines, but authorities differ on their assignment to the oscines
or suboscines (the two suborders that between them make up the
passeriformes). DNA-DNA hybridisation studies suggest that they
may, in fact, form a third suborder and have no living close
relatives at all. They are called "wrens" due to their similar
appearance and behavior, but are not related to true wrens.
Species
● Titipounamu or Rifleman, Acanthisitta chloris
Bush Wren, Xenicus longipes (possibly extinct)
Piwauwau or New Zealand Rock Wren, Xenicus Xenicus lyalli
gilviventris Scientific classification
Stephens Island Wren, Xenicus lyalli (extinct)
North Island Stout-legged Wren, Pachyplichas yaldwyni Kingdom: Animalia
(extinct in prehistoric times)
South Island Stout-legged Wren, Pachyplichas jagmi Phylum: Chordata
(extinct in prehistoric times)
Long-legged Wren, Dendroscansor decurvirostris (extinct Class: Aves
in prehistoric times)
Home | Up | Acanthisittidae | Conopophagidae | Cotingidae Family: Acanthisittidae

| Eurylaimidae | Formicariidae | Furnariidae | Philepittidae
| Pipridae | Pitta | Rhinocryptidae | Thamnophilidae | Tyrannidae Genera

License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.
● Acanthisitta
● Xenicus
● Pachyplichas
● Dendroscansor
Meliphagidae
Acanthorhynchus | Anthochaera | Manorina | Moho | Philemon | Phylidonyris
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Honeyeaters
The honeyeaters are a large and diverse family of small to
medium sized birds most common in Australia and New Guinea,
but also found in New Zealand, the Pacific islands as far east as
Hawaii, and the islands to the north and west of New Guinea
known as Wallacea. Bali, on the other side of the Wallace Line,
has a single species.
Honeyeaters and the closely related Australian chats make up the

family Meliphagidae. In total there are 182 species in 42 genera,
roughly half of them native to Australia, many of the remainder
occupying New Guinea. Like their closest relatives, the Maluridae
(Australian wrens), Pardalotidae (pardalotes and thornbills), and
Petroicidae (Australian robins), they originated as part of the great
corvid radiation in Australia-New Guinea (which were joined in a Eastern Spinebill, Acanthorhynchus
tenuirostris
single landmass until quite recent geological times).
Although honeyeaters look and behave very much like other Kingdom: Animalia
nectar-feeding passerines around the world (such as the sunbirds
and flowerpeckers), they are unrelated, and the similarities are the Phylum: Chordata
consequence of convergent evolution.
Class: Aves
Unlike the hummingbirds of America, honeyeaters do not have
extensive adaptations for hovering flight, though smaller members
of the family do hover hummingbird-style to collect nectar from Order: Passeriformes
time to time. In general, honeyeaters prefer to flit quickly from
perch to perch in the outer foliage, stretching up or sideways or Family: Meliphagidae
hanging upside down at need. All genera have a highly developed Vigors, 1825
brush-tipped tongue, longer in some species than others, frayed
Genera
and fringed with bristles which soak up liquids readily. The tongue
is flicked rapidly and repeatedly into a flower, the upper mandible
then compressing any liquid out when the bill is closed.
The extent of the evolutionary partnership between honeyeaters

and Australasian flowering plants is unknown, but probably Anthochaera
substantial. A great many Australian plants are fertilised by Acanthagenys
honeyeaters, particularly the Proteacae, Myrtaceae, and Plectorhyncha
Epacridacae. It is known that the honeyeaters are important in Philemon
New Zealand as well, and assumed that the same applies in other Xanthomyzma
areas. Entomyzon
Manorina
In addition to nectar, all or nearly all honeyeaters take insects and Xanthotis
other small creatures, usually by hawking, sometimes by gleaning. Meliphaga
A few of the larger species, notably the White-eared Honeyeater, Lichenostomus
and the Strong-billed Honeyeater of Tasmania, probe under bark Melithreptus
for insects and other morsels. Many species supplement their diets Notiomystis
with a little fruit, and a small number eat considerable amounts of Glycichaera
fruit, particularly in tropical rainforests and, oddly, in semi-arid Lichmera
scrubland. The Painted Honeyeater is a mistletoe specialist. Most, Trichodere
however, exist on a diet of nectar supplemented by varing Grantiella
quantities of insects. In general, the honeyeaters with long, fine Phylidonyris
bills are more nectarivous, the shorter-billed species less so, but Ramsayornis
even specialised nectar eaters like the spinebills take extra insects Conopophila
to add protein to their diet when they are breeding. Acanthorhynchus
Certhionyx
The movements of honeyeaters are poorly understood. Most are at Myzomela
least partially mobile but many movements seem to be local, Anthornis
possibly between favourite haunts as the conditions change. Prosthemadera
Fluctuations in local abundance are common, but the small Epthianura
number of definitely migratory honeyeater species aside, the Ashbyia
reasons are yet to be discovered. Many follow the flowering of Moho
favourite food plants. Arid zone species appear to travel further
and less predictably than those of the more fertile areas. It seems probable that no single explanation will
emerge: the general rule for honeyeater movements is that there is no general rule.
The genus Apalopteron (Bonin Honeyeater), formerly treated in the Meliphagidae, has recently been
transferred to the Zosteropidae on genetic evidence.
A new species of honeyeater, not yet described but previously called "Smoky Honeyeater", has been
discovered in December 2005 in the Foja Mountains of Papua, Indonesia.
Species of Meliphagidae (Part of the Meliphagoidea superfamily)

● Red Wattlebird, Anthochaera carunculata
Yellow Wattlebird, Anthochaera paradoxa
Little Wattlebird, Anthochaera chrysoptera
Western Wattlebird, Anthochaera lunulata
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Acanthagenys rufogularis
Striped Honeyeater, Plectorhyncha lanceolata
Regent Honeyeater, Xanthomyza phrygia
Blue-faced Honeyeater, Entomyzon cyanotis
Bell Miner, Manorina melanophrys
Noisy Miner, Manorina melanocephala
Yellow-throated Miner, Manorina flavigula
Black-eared Miner, Manorina melanotis
Macleay's Honeyeater, Xanthotis macleayana
Tawny-breasted Honeyeater, Xanthotis flaviventer
Lewin's Honeyeater, Meliphaga lewinii
Yellow-spotted Honeyeater, Meliphaga notata
Graceful Honeyeater, Meliphaga gracilis
White-lined Honeyeater, Meliphaga albilineata
Bridled Honeyeater, Lichenostomus frenatus
Eungella Honeyeater, Lichenostomus hindwoodi
Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Lichenostomus chrysops
Singing Honeyeater, Lichenostomus virescens
Varied Honeyeater, Lichenostomus versicolor
Mangrove Honeyeater, Lichenostomus fasciogularis
White-gaped Honeyeater, Lichenostomus unicolor
Yellow Honeyeater, Lichenostomus flavus
White-eared Honeyeater, Lichenostomus leucotis
Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Lichenostomus flavicollis
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Lichenostomus melanops
Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Lichenostomus cratitius
Grey-headed Honeyeater, Lichenostomus keartlandi
Yellow-plumed Honeyeater, Lichenostomus ornatus
Grey-fronted Honeyeater, Lichenostomus plumulus
Fuscous Honeyeater, Lichenostomus fuscus
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater, Lichenostomus flavescens
White-plumed Honeyeater, Lichenostomus penicillatus
Smoky Honeyeater, Melipotes fumigatus [1]
Black-chinned Honeyeater, Melithreptus gularis
Strong-billed Honeyeater, Melithreptus validirostris
Brown-headed Honeyeater, Melithreptus brevirostris
White-throated Honeyeater, Melithreptus albogularis
White-naped Honeyeater, Melithreptus lunatus
Black-headed Honeyeater, Melithreptus affinis
Stitchbird, Notiomystis cincta
Green-backed Honeyeater, Glycichaera fallax
Brown Honeyeater, Lichmera indistincta
White-streaked Honeyeater, Trichodere cockerelli
Painted Honeyeater, Grantiella picta
Giant Honeyeater, Gymnomyza viridis
Mao, Gymnomyza samoensis
Crow Honeyeater, Gymnomyza aubryana
Crescent Honeyeater, Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera
New Holland Honeyeater, Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
White-cheeked Honeyeater, Phylidonyris nigra
White-fronted Honeyeater, Phylidonyris albifrons
Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Phylidonyris melanops
Brown-backed Honeyeater, Ramsayornis modestus
Bar-breasted Honeyeater, Ramsayornis fasciatus
Rufous-banded Honeyeater, Conopophila albogularis
Rufous-throated Honeyeater, Conopophila rufogularis
Grey Honeyeater, Conopophila whitei
Eastern Spinebill, Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
Western Spinebill, Acanthorhynchus superciliosus
Banded Honeyeater, Certhionyx pectoralis
Black Honeyeater, Certhionyx niger
Pied Honeyeater, Certhionyx variegatus
Dusky Honeyeater, Myzomela obscura
Red-headed Honeyeater, Myzomela erythrocephala
Cardinal Honeyeater, Myzomela cardinalis
Scarlet Honeyeater, Myzomela sanguinolenta
New Zealand Bellbird, Anthornis melanura
Tui, Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
Crimson Chat, Epthianura tricolor
Orange Chat, Epthianura aurifrons
Yellow Chat, Epthianura crocea
White-fronted Chat, Epthianura albifrons
Gibberbird, Ashbyia lovensis
External links
● Honeyeater videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up
Pardalotidae
Pardalote
Pardalotidae
The large and diverse passerine bird family Pardalotidae includes
the pardalotes, scrubwrens, thornbills, gerygones and allies. The
family originated in Australasia and now includes about 70 species
in 15 or 16 genera. Nearly all are confined to Australia (48 species) Kingdom: Animalia
or New Guinea (about 20 species, including 6 found in both
Australia and New Guinea). Only the gerygones extend further Phylum: Chordata
afield, with representatives in South-east Asia, New Zealand, and
islands of the South Pacific.
Class: Aves
All members are small to medium in size—some are very small—
the majority are drab, inconspicuous, and often difficult to identify. Order: Passeriformes
All are mainly insectivorous, have 10 primaries (the tenth is
vestigial in the pardalotes) and 9 secondaries (most having a vestigal Family: Pardalotidae
tenth secondary).
One species, the Lord Howe Gerygone Gerygone insularis, is Subfamilies

extinct; and 25 taxa in 17 species are considered endangered, three Pardalotinae
of them critically so. The primary threats are land clearing, Dasyornithinae
overgrazing, degradation and fragmentation of habitat, and changing Acanthizinae
fire regimes.
The taxonomy of the Pardalotidae is complex and its classification has changed a great deal over the
years. Recent microbiological work has made it clear that it is part of the Australasian corvid lineage,
and it is most closely related to the honeyeaters and the fairy-wrens, all three families being regarded as
part of the superfamily Meliphagoidea. (The Pardalotidae form the second-largest family of birds in
Australasia, after the honeyeaters.)
At various times the Pardalotidae have been classified as Old World warblers, Old World babblers, and
Old World flycatchers. The pardalotes themselves have been placed alone in their own family and
grouped with the flowerpeckers. DNA studies suggest that the pardalotes may diverge sufficienty from
the others in the group to justify regarding them as a separate family, in which case the remaining genera
would be placed in the family Acanthizidae.
Species of Pardalotidae (part of the super-family Meliphagoidea)
● Subfamily Pardalotinae: pardalotes
❍ Spotted Pardalote, Pardalotus punctatus
Forty-spotted Pardalote, Pardalotus quadragintus

Red-browed Pardalote, Pardalotus rubricatus
Striated Pardalote, Pardalotus striatus
● Subfamily Dasyornithinae
❍ Eastern Bristlebird, Dasyornis brachypterus
Rufous Bristlebird, Dasyornis broadbenti

Western Bristlebird, Dasyornis longirostris
Pilotbird, Pcynoptilus floccosus
● Subfamily Acanthizinae
❍ Rockwarbler, Origma solitaria
Fernwren, Oreoscopus gutturalis

Yellow-throated Scrubwren, Sericornis citreogularis
White-browed Scrubwren, Sericornis frontalis
Tasmanian Scrubwren, Sericornis humilis
Atherton Scrubwren, Sericornis keri
Large-billed Scrubwren, Sericornis magnirostris
Tropical Scrubwren, Sericornis beccarii
Scrubtit, Acanthornis magnus
Chestnut-rumped Heathwren, Hylacola pyrrhopygia
Shy Heathwren or Shy Hylacola, Hylacola cauta
Striated Fieldwren, Calamanthus fuliginosus
Rufous Fieldwren, Calamanthus campestris
Redthroat, Pyrrholaemus brunneus
Speckled Warbler, Chthonicola sagittata
Weebill, Smicrornis brevirostris
Brown Gerygone, Gerygone mouki
Grey Warbler, Gerygone igata
Chatham Island Warbler, Gerygone albofrontata
Norfolk Island Gerygone, Gerygone modesta
Dusky Gerygone, Gerygone tenebrosa
Mangrove Gerygone, Gerygone levigaster
Western Gerygone, Gerygone fusca
Lord Howe Gerygone, Gerygone insularis Conservation status: Extinct (c.1930)
Large-billed Gerygone, Gerygone magnirostris
Green-backed Gerygone, Gerygone chloronotus
Fairy Gerygone, Gerygone palpebrosa
White-throated Gerygone, Gerygone olivacea
Mountain Thornbill, Acanthiza katherina
Brown Thornbill, Acanthiza pusilla
Inland Thornbill, Acanthiza apicalis
Tasmanian Thornbill, Acanthiza ewingii
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, Acanthiza uropygialis
Slaty-backed Thornbill, Acanthiza robustirostris
Western Thornbill, Acanthiza inornata
Buff-rumped Thornbill, Acanthiza reguloides
Slender-billed Thornbill, Acanthiza iredalei
Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Acanthiza chrysorrhoa
Yellow Thornbill, Acanthiza nana
Striated Thornbill, Acanthiza lineata
Southern Whiteface, Aphelocephala leucopsis
Chestnut-breasted Whiteface, Aphelocephala pectoralis
Banded Whiteface, Aphelocephala nigricincta
Further reading
● PJ Higgins & JM Peter (Eds.), Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds, Volume
6: Pardalotes to shrike-thrushes. Oxford, Melbourne, 2002: ISBN 0-19-553762-9
Home | Up | Artamidae | Atrichornithidae | Callaeidae | Campephagidae | Cinclosomatidae

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Pachycephalidae
Pitohui
Pachycephalidae
The family Pachycephalidae includes the whistlers, shrike-
thrushes, shrike-tits, pitohuis and Crested Bellbird, and is
part of the Australo-Papuan corvid lineage. Its members
range from small to medium in size, and occupy most of
Australasia: Australia in particular, but also New Guinea,
New Zealand, and in the case of the whistlers, the South
Pacific islands and parts of Indonesia.
Several species belonging to this family are outstanding

songsters: the whistlers produce an astonishing volume for
their size, and the lyrebirds aside, the Grey Shrike-thrush is
often regarded as the finest, most inventive songbird of
them all.
Some authorities list thickhead as an alternative common

name to whistler. Colluricincla harmonica
Species of Pachycephalidae Kingdom: Animalia
● Subfamily Falcunculinae Phylum: Chordata

❍ Whitehead, Mohoua albicilla
Yellowhead, Mohoua ochrocephala

Pipipi, Mohoua novaeseelandiae Class: Aves
Crested Shrike-tit, Falcunculus frontatus
Crested Bellbird, Oreoica gutturalis Order: Passeriformes
Mottled Whistler, Rhagologus leucostigma
● Subfamily Pachycephalinae
❍ Dwarf Whistler, Pachycare flavogrisea
Family: Pachycephalidae
Swainson, 1831
Olive-flanked Whistler, Hylocitrea bonensis
Maroon-backed Whistler, Coracornis raveni Subfamilies
Rufous-naped Whistler, Aleadryas rufinucha Falcunculinae
Olive Whistler, Pachycephala olivacea Pachycephalinae
Red-lored Whistler, Pachycephala
rufogularis
Gilbert's Whistler, Pachycephala inornata
Mangrove Whistler, Pachycephala grisola
Green-backed Whistler, Pachycephala albiventris
White-vented Whistler, Pachycephala homeyeri
Island Whistler, Pachycephala phaionotus
Rusty Whistler, Pachycephala hyperythra
Brown-backed Whistler, Pachycephala modesta
Bornean Whistler, Pachycephala hypoxantha
Sulphur-bellied Whistler, Pachycephala sulfuriventer
Vogelkop Whistler, Pachycephala meyeri
Yellow-bellied Whistler, Pachycephala philippinensis
Gray-headed Whistler, Pachycephala griseiceps
Fawn-breasted Whistler, Pachycephala orpheus
Gray Whistler, Pachycephala simplex
Sclater's Whistler, Pachycephala soror
Lorentz's Whistler, Pachycephala lorentzi
Black-tailed Whistler, Pachycephala melanura
New Caledonian Whistler, Pachycephala caledonica
Samoan Whistler, Pachycephala flavifrons
Tongan Whistler, Pachycephala jacquinoti
Regent Whistler, Pachycephala schlegelii
Bare-throated Whistler, Pachycephala nudigula
Hooded Whistler, Pachycephala implicata
Golden-backed Whistler, Pachycephala aurea
Drab Whistler, Pachycephala griseonota
Wallacean Whistler, Pachycephala arctitorquis
Black-headed Whistler, Pachycephala monacha
White-bellied Whistler, Pachycephala leucogastra
Rufous Whistler, Pachycephala rufiventris
White-breasted Whistler, Pachycephala lanioides
Sooty Shrike-thrush, Colluricincla umbrina
Rufous Shrike-thrush, Colluricincla megarhyncha
Sangihe Shrike-thrush, Colluricincla sanghirensis
Bower's Shrike-thrush, Colluricincla boweri
Sandstone Shrike-thrush, Colluricincla woodwardi
Grey Shrike-thrush, Colluricincla harmonica
Morningbird, Colluricincla tenebrosa
Hooded Pitohui, Pitohui dichrous
White-bellied Pitohui, Pitohui incertus
Rusty Pitohui, Pitohui ferrugineus
Crested Pitohui, Pitohui cristatus
Variable Pitohui, Pitohui kirhocephalus
Black Pitohui, Pitohui nigrescens
Wattled Ploughbill, Eulacestoma nigropectus
External links
● Pachycephalidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Dicruridae
Drongos | Monarchinae | Rhipidurinae | Tersiphone
Dicruridae
The family Dicruridae is a relatively recent grouping of a number
of seemingly very different birds, mostly from the southern
hemisphere, which are more closely related than they at first
appear.
Many of the 139 species making up the family were previously

assigned to other groups, largely on the basis of general
morphology or behaviour. The Magpie-lark, for example, was
assigned to the same family as the White-winged Chough: both
build unusual nests from mud rather than vegetable matter. The
Australasian fantails were thought to be allied with the fantails of
the northern hemisphere (both groups share a similar diet and
Restless Flycatcher
behaviour), and so on.
With the new insights generated by the DNA-DNA hybridisation Kingdom: Animalia
studies of Sibley and his co-workers toward the end of the 20th
century, however, it became clear that these apparently unrelated
Phylum: Chordata
birds were all descended from a common ancestor: the same crow-
like ancestor that gave rise to the drongos.
Class: Aves
Subfamilies of Dicruridae
● Subfamily Monarchinae: boatbills, monarch flycatchers,
Magpie-lark Family: Dicruridae
Subfamily Rhipidurinae:fantails
Subfamily Dicrurinae:drongos
Subfamilies
Monarchinae
External links Rhipidurinae
Dicrurinae
● Dicruridae videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Corvidae
Aphelocoma | Cissa | Corvus | Crypsirina | Cyanocitta | Cyanocorax | Cyanolyca | Cyanopica
| Dendrocitta | Garrulus | Nucifraga | Perisoreus | Pica | Podoces | Pyrrhocorax | Urocissa
Corvidae
Corvidae is a family of oscine passerine birds that contains
the crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws, jays, magpies, treepies
and nutcrackers (Clayton and Emery 2005, [1]).
Collectively its members are called corvids and there are
over 120 species.
They are medium to large birds with strong feet and bills,
rictal bristles and a single moult each year (most passerines
moult twice).
Common Raven
Corvids are found worldwide except for the tip of South Scientific classification
America and the polar ice caps (Clayton and Emery 2005).
Recently the Corvus genus has re-entered Australia, Kingdom: Animalia
resulting in five new species and one new subspecies (see Phylum: Chordata
crows). The majority of the species are found in tropical
Class: Aves
South and Central America, southern Asia and Eurasia,
with fewer than 10 species each in Africa, Australasia and Order: Passeriformes
North America Family: Corvidae
Vigors, 1825
Contents Genera
many, see article text
● 1 Systematics, taxonomy and evolution
● 2 Typical size and appearance
● 3 Social interaction
● 4 Food and foraging habits
● 5 Migration
● 6 Reproduction
● 7 Nest predation
● 8 Myths
● 9 Corvid intelligence
● 10 Threatened species
● 11 Songs/calls:
● 12 Citations
Systematics, taxonomy and evolution

The earliest corvid fossils date to the mid-Miocene (about 17 MYA) [2]. The genus Corvus, including
the crows and ravens, makes up over a third of the entire family. The name Corvus was given to these
birds is onomatopoetic, from their raucous “croaking” calls [3]. Corvids are derived from Australasian
ancestors and from there, spread throughout the world. Other lineages derived from these ancestors
evolved into ecologically diverse, but often Australasian groups. Over the years there has been much
disagreement on the exact evolutionary relationships of the corvid family and their relatives. Sibley and
Ahlquist have united the corvids with other taxa in the Corvida, but current research favors the theory
that this grouping is partly artificial.
Clarification of the interrelationships of the corvids has been researched by Ericson et al. (2005), based
on comparison of several DNA sequences. The Crested Jay (Platylophus galericulatus) is traditionally
included in the Corvidae, but seems not to be a member of this family. Likewise, the Hume's Ground
"Jay" (Pseudopodoces humilis) is in fact a member of the family (Paridae) (titmice). The jays and
magpies do not constitute monophyletic lineages, but rather seem to split up in a American and Old
World, and a Holarctic and a Oriental lineage, respectively, which are not closely related inter se. The
position of the Azure-winged Magpie, which has always been a major enigma, is even more unclear than
it was before.
● Choughs
❍ Pyrrhocorax
● Treepies
❍ Dendrocitta
Crypsirina
Temnurus
Platysmurus
● Oriental Magpies
❍ Urocissa
Cissa
● Old World and Ground Jays

❍ Garrulus
Podoces
Ptilostomus
● Stresemann's Bush Crow, Zavattariornis stresemanni
● Nutcrackers
❍ Nucifraga
● Holarctic Magpies
❍ Pica
● Crows and Ravens

❍ Corvus
● Azure-winged Magpie, Cyanopica cyana
● Grey Jays
❍ Perisoreus
● New World Jays

❍ Aphelocoma
Calocitta
Cyanocitta
Cyanocorax
Cyanolyca
Gymnorhinus
● Prehistoric corvid genera (probably mainly New World and Old World Jays and Holarctic
Magpies)
❍ Miocitta
❍ Miocorvus
❍ Henocitta (Arredondo Early Pleistocene of Williston, USA)
❍ Protocitta (Early Pleistocene of Reddick, USA)
❍ Corvidae gen. et sp. indet. (Sicily) - probably belongs into extant genus.
In addition, there are numerous fossil species of extant genera (mainly European Corvus). See the genus
accounts for more.
Typical size and appearance

Corvids have feathered rounded nostrils, strong tails and wings and similar sexes. Many corvids of
temperate zones are mainly black or blue; however, some are pied black and white, some have a blue-
purple iridescence and many tropical species are highly coloured. Corvids have strong, stout bills, large
wingspans and are between 23 and 71 cm long. [4]
Members of the genus Corvus are the largest members of the passerine order reaching 50-71 cm (20-27
inches). Species can be identified based on size, shape and geography; however, some, especially the
Australian crows, are best identified by their raucous calls. [5]
Social interaction
Some corvids have strong organization and community groups. Jackdaws, for example, have a strong
social hierarchy, and are facultatively colonial during breeding (Verhulst and Salomons 2004).
Providing mutual aid has also been recorded within many of the corvid species. [6]
Young corvids have been known to play and take part in elaborate social games. The games resemble
“king of the mountain” and “follow the leader” along with games that manipulate, pass and balance
sticks. Corvids also take part in other activities, such as sliding down smooth surfaces, and these games
are understood to play a large role in the adaptive and survival value of the birds (Gill 2003).
Some corvids can be aggressive birds. Blue Jays, for example, are well known to attack anything that
threatens their nest. Crows have been known to attack dogs, cats, ravens, and birds of prey. Most of the
time these assaults take place as a distraction long enough to allow the crow to steal food.[7]
Food and foraging habits

The natural diet of many corvid species is omnivorous, consisting of invertebrates, nestlings, small
mammals, berries, fruits, seeds, and carrion. However, some corvids, especially the crows, have adapted
well to human conditions and have come to rely on anthropogenic foods. In a US study of American
Crows, Common Ravens and Steller's Jays around campgrounds and human settlements, the crows
appeared to have the most diverse diet of all, taking anthropogenic foods such as bread, spaghetti, fried
potatoes, dog food, sandwiches, and livestock feed. The increase in available anthropogenic food
sources is contributing to population increase in some corvid species. (Marzluff and Neatherlin 2006).
Some corvids are predators of other birds. During the wintering months, corvids typically form foraging
flocks [8]. However, some crows also eat many agricultural pests including cutworms, wireworms,
grasshoppers and harmful weeds [9]. Some corvid will eat carrion, and since they lack a specialized
beak for tearing into flesh, they must wait until animals are opened by other predators or as roadkill.
Migration
Corvids occur in most climatic zones. Most are sedentary and do not migrate significantly. However,
during a shortage of food, eruptive migration can occur [10]. When species are migratory, they will form
large flocks in the fall (around August) and travel south [11].
Reproduction
Some corvids are well known communal roosters. Some groups of roosting corvids have been as large as
2,000 birds (Everding and Jones 2006). The partner bond in corvids is extremely strong and even
lifelong in some species. This monogamous lifestyle, however, can still contain extra pair copulations.
Males and females build large nests together in trees or on ledges. The male will also feed the female
during incubation [12]. The nests are constructed of a mass of bulky twigs lined with grass and bark.
Corvids can lay between 3 and 10 eggs, typically ranging between 4 and 7. The eggs are usually
greenish in colour with brown blotches. Once hatched, the young remain in the nests for up to 6–10
weeks depending on the species. As expected, corvids provide biparental care.
Sexual selection is also quite complex in the Corvidae family. Young corvid members undergo a series
of tests, including aerobatic feats, before being accepted as a mate by the opposite sex [13].
Unlike most other species, corvid fitness and reproduction, especially with the crows, has increased due
to human development. The survival and reproductive success of crows and ravens, according to
Marzluff and Neatherlin’s 2006 study, was positively associated with their intimacy of human
populations.
Human development provides additional resources by clearing land, creating shrublands rich in berries
and insects. When the cleared land naturally replenishes, the young dense trees are used by jays and
crows for nesting sites. Ravens typically use larger trees in denser forests (Marzluff and Neatherlin
2006).
One reason for the success of crows, compared to ravens, is their ability to overlap breeding territory.
During breeding season, crows were shown to overlap breeding territory six times the overlap of ravens.
This invasion of breeding ranges allowed a related increase in local density (Marzluff and Neatherlin
2006). In the US the American Crow population has definitely grown over the years. It is possible, that
the American Crow, due to humans increasing suitable habitat, will drive out the Northwestern and Fish
Crows (Marzluff and Angell 2005).
Jackdaws can breed in buildings or in rabbit warrens (Verhulst and Salomons 2004). White-throated
Magpie-jays are cooperatively breeding corvids where the helpers are mostly female. Cooperative
breeding takes place when additional adults help raise the nestlings. These adults are often called
“helpers” and in most cooperatively breeding birds the males take on the “helper” role while females
join other groups (Berg 2005).
Nest predation
Since crows do not seem to mind human development, it was suggested that the crow population
increase would cause increased rates of nest predation. However, the Steller’s Jays, which were
successful independent of human development, were the more frequent nest predator. Therefore, the
human relationship with crows and ravens did not increase nest predation since jays accounted for the
most nest predation by corvids (Marzluff and Neatherlin 2006).
Myths
Since some corvids, especially in the temperate Northern Hemisphere have black feathers and eat
carrion, humans have long associated members of Corvidae with death and extreme injustice (Marzluff
and Angell 2005). Throughout history, corvids have been perceived as dark messengers, bearing ill will
and other demonic associations. This dark connection is reflected by the literary terms coined to describe
groups of crows (a murder), ravens (unkindness, constable or conspiracy), and jays (scold). [14].
Despite the well-known demonic association, folklore also represents corvids as wise animals. Native
Americans believed that a raven created the earth, the Norse god Odin constantly sought the advice of
ravens, and even Aesop featured corvids as smart heroes in many fables (Clayton and Emery 2005).
According to native cultures, despite being a trickster spirit, ravens were popular on totems, were
credited with creating man and were responsible for placing the Sun in the sky. In western literature,
popularized by E.A. Poe, the Common Raven was a symbol of darkness, depression and death.
However, in mediaeval times the raven stood for virility. Legends report that a raven’s favourite food is
dead animals, and that they sometimes hunt with wolves [15]. For more myths and legends see crow and
raven pages.
Corvid intelligence
Corvids contain the largest brain, relative to their body size, of any bird. Based on a brain-to-body ratio,
the corvid brain equals the size of a chimpanzee, is almost the same as a dolphin, and is only slightly
lower than a human [16]. Their intelligence is evident due to the long developmental period of the
young. By remaining with the parents, the young have more opportunities to learn necessary skills.
Since most corvids are cooperative breeders, their young can learn from different members of the group
(Clayton and Emery 2005). Some naturalists argue that the Corvidae family contains intelligence
superior to that of all other bird species [17]. When compared to other carnivorous mammals
(specifically dogs and cats) in one laboratory test, corvid birds outshone their components,
demonstrating operational abilities almost as excellent as monkeys (Krushinskii et al 1979). Dr. Louis
Lefebvre’s avian IQ test declared Corvidae the most intelligent bird based on the scale [18].
The corvid ingenuity is represented through their feeding skills, memorization abilities, use of tools, and
group behaviour. Living in large social groups has long been connected with high cognitive ability. To
live in a large group, a member must be able to recognize individuals and track the social position and
foraging of other members over time. Members must also be able to distinguish between sex, age,
reproductive status, dominance and be able to update the information constantly. Therefore, social
complexity directly corresponds to high cognition (Bond et al 2003).
There are also specific examples of corvid cleverness. One crow was documented to crack nuts by
placing them on a crosswalk, letting the passing cars crack the shell, waiting for the light to turn red, and
then safely retrieving the contents. A group of crows in England took turns lifting garbage bin lids while
their companions collected food. Members of the corvid family have been known to watch other birds,
remember where they hide their food, then return once the owner leaves. Corvids also move their food
around between hiding places to avoid thievery, but only if they have previously been thieves
themselves. The ability to hide food requires highly accurate spatial memories. Corvids have been
recorded to recall their food’s hiding place up to nine months later. It is suggested that vertical
landmarks (like trees) are used to remember locations. There has also been evidence that western scrub-
jays, who store perishable foods, not only remember where they stored their food, but for how long. This
is compared to human episodic memory, which was previously thought unique to humans (Clayton and
Emery 2005).
Looking at the act of thievery in the corvid family, it has been suggested that birds will take their
experience as a thief and use it to predict other bird actions of thievery. This explains why, if a corvid
has committed thievery, they will take extra precautions (such as moving hiding places) to avoid being a
future victim. Being able to predict others behaviour based on your own experiences is another trait
previously thought unique to humans. Laboratory experiments have confirmed that specifically crows,
can sometimes use a past experience to approach a new obstacle (Clayton and Emery 2005).
Caledonian Crows have been observed to make tools of twigs trimmed into hooks. They then use to
hooks to pull insect larvae from tree holes. Caledonian crows are not the only corvids to use tools, and
diversity in tool design among corvids suggest cultural variation. Again, apes are the only other animals
known to use tools in such a fashion (Clayton and Emery 2005). Nutcrackers and jackdaws were
compared in a 2002 study based on geometric rule learning. The corvids, along with a pigeon, had to
locate a target between two landmarks, during which distances and landmarks were altered. The
nutcrackers resulted in searching more accurately than the jackdaw and pigeon (Jones et al 2002).
A very popular crow scare tactic in the agricultural business is the scarecrow. However, due to the
corvid’s quick wit, scarecrows are soon ignored and used as perches. Despite farmers efforts to rid
themselves of corvid pests, their attempts have only expanded corvid territories and strengthened their
numbers [19]. Recent taxonomy places corvids, based on their evolutionary progress, in the middle of
the passerines, despite efforts to promote them to the most advanced of the birds [20].
Threatened species
Despite the fact that most corvids are not threatened (but are most likely secured by human interaction) a
few species are in danger. For example, the destruction of the Southeast Asian rainforests is endangering
mixed-species feeding flocks with members from the family Corvidae (Lee et al 2005). Also, since scrub
is an endangered ecosystem, the Florida Scrub-jays are threatened with extinction (Breiniger, et al 2006).
Songs/calls:
For all corvid calls.[21]
Citations
● Berg, Elena C. (2005): Parentage and reproductive success in the white-throated magpie-jay,
Calocitta formosa, a cooperative breeder with female helpers. Animal Behavior 70(2): 375-385.
DOI:10.1016/j.anbehav.2004.11.008 (HTML abstract)
● Breininger, D. R.; Toland, B.; Oddy, D. M. & Legare, M. L. (2006): Landcover

characterizations and Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) population dynamics.
Biological Conservation 128: 169-181. PDF fulltext
● Bond, Alan B.; Kamil, Alan C. & Balda, Russell P. (2003): Social complexity and transitive
inference in corvids. Animal Behaviour 65(3): 479-487. DOI:10.1006/anbe.2003.2101 (HTML
abstract)
● Clayton, Nicola & Emery, Nathan (2005): Corvid cognition. Current Biology 15(3): R80-R81.
PDF fulltext
● Ericson, Per G. P.; Jansén, Anna-Lee; Johansson, Ulf S. & Ekman, Jan (2005): Inter-generic
relationships of the crows, jays, magpies and allied groups (Aves: Corvidae) based on nucleotide
sequence data. Journal of Avian Biology 36: 222-234. PDF fulltext
● Everding, Susanne E. & Jones, Darryl N. (2006): Communal roosting in a suburban population
of Torresian crows (Corvus orru). Landscape and Urban Planning 74(1): 21-33. PDF fulltext
● Gill, F. B. (2003) Ornithology (2nd edition). W.H. Freeman and Company, New York. ISBN
0716724154
● Jones, Juli E,; Antoniadis, Elena; Shettleworth, Sara J. & Kamil, Alan C. (2002): A Comparative
Study of Geometric Rule Learning by Nutcrackers (Nucifraga columbiana), Pigeons (Columba
livia), and Jackdaws (Corvus monedula). Journal of Comparative Psychology 116(4): 350-356.
HTML abstract
● Krushinskii, L. V.; Zorina, Z. A. & Dashevskii, B. A. (1979): [Ability of birds of the Corvidae
family to operate by the empirical dimensions of figures]. Zhurnal vysshe nervno deiatelnosti
imeni IP Pavlova 29(3): 590-597. [Article in Russian]
● Lee, T. M.; Soh, M. C. K.; Sodhi, N.; Koh, L. P. & Lim, S. L. H. (2005): Effects of habitat
disturbance on mixed species bird flocks in a tropical sub-montane rainforest. Biological
Conservation 122(2): 193-204. DOI:10.1016/j.biocon.2004.07.005 (HTML abstract)
● Marzluff, John M. & Angell, T. (2005): In the Company of Crows and Ravens. Yale University
Press, New Haven, Connecticut. ISBN 0300100760
● Marzluff, John M. & Neatherlin, Eric (2006): Corvid response to human settlements and
campgrounds: Causes, consequences, and challengers for conversation. Biological Conservation
130(2): 301-314. DOI:10.1016/j.biocon.2005.12.026 (HTML abstract)
● Verhulst, Sion & Salomons, H. Martijn (2004): Why fight? Socially dominant jackdaws, Corvus
monedula, have low fitness. Animal Behaviour 68: 777-783. DOI:10.1016/j.anbehav.2003.12.020
(HTML abstract)
External links
● Corvidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Turnagridae
Turnagridae
The family Turnagridae consisted of two species of Piopio, Conservation status: Extinct (early
passerine birds native to New Zealand, both of which are now 1900s)
considered extinct.
Sometimes described as New Zealand Thrushes, the piopios had Kingdom: Animalia
only a coincidental passing resemblance to the Thrush family.
Piopios are actually believed to have more in common with the
Bowerbird families of Australia. Phylum: Chordata
The main reasons believed to have caused the extinction of the Class: Aves
piopios was the destruction of their forested habitat and the
introduction of new invasive alien species, mostly mammalian Order: Passeriformes
predators, to the island.
Family: Turnagridae
Species of Turnagridae
Genus: Turnagra
● South Island Piopio or New Zealand Thrush, Turnagra
Lesson, 1837
capensis
North Island Piopio, Turnagra tanagra Species
Turnagra capensis
External link Turnagra tanagra
Synonyms
● Piopio Keropia Gray, 1840
Otagon Bonaparte, 1850

Callaeidae
Callaeidae
The small bird family Callaeidae (also named in some sources as
Callaeatidae) is restricted to New Zealand. Only two species
survive, one of them critically endangered. A third, the Huia
became extinct early in the 20th century.
The Callaeidae are often known as wattlebirds, a term that leads to

confusion, as there are other, unrelated species with this same
name, notably the large Australian wattlebirds of the family
Meliphagidae, which are honeyeaters.
These birds seem to be remnants of an early expansion of

passerines to New Zealand. They have no close relatives expect
the stitchbird, and their more distant relationship is likewise still
unknown (Ewen et al., 2006).
Huia (Heteralocha acutirostris)
● ORDER PASSERIFORMES
❍ (many other families)
❍ Family Callaeidae Kingdom: Animalia

■ Kokako, Callaeas cinerea
Tieke, Philesturnus carunculatus (formerly Phylum: Chordata

Creadion carunculatus)
Huia, Heteralocha acuitirostris (extinct)
Class: Aves
References
● Ewen, John G.; Flux, Ian & Ericson, Per G. P. (2006):
Systematic affinities of two enigmatic New Zealand Family: Callaeidae
passerines of high conservation priority, the hihi or Sundevall, 1836
stitchbird Notiomystis cincta and the kokako Callaeas Genera
cinerea. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 40(1):
281–284. DOI:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.01.026 PDF fulltext Callaeas
Philesturnus
Heteralocha

Estrildidae
Padda
Estrildid Finches
The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old
World tropics and Australasia. They can be classified as the
family Estrildidae (weaver-finch) or as a sub-group within
the family Passeridae, which also includes the true
sparrows.
They are gregarious and often colonial seed-eaters with

short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in
structure and habits, but have a wide variation in plumage
colours and pattern.
All the estrildids build large domed nests and lay 5-10 Zebra Finches
white eggs. Many species build roost nests Some of the fire-
finches and pytilias are hosts to the brood parasitic
indigobirds and whydahs respectively. Kingdom: Animalia
Most are sensitive to cold and require a warm, usually Phylum: Chordata
tropical, habitat, although a few have become adapted to
the cooler climates of southern Australia.
Class: Aves
Species list
● Antpeckers, genus Parmoptila
❍ Jameson's Antpecker, Parmoptila rubrifrons Family: Estrildidae
Woodhouse's Antpecker, Parmoptila Bonaparte, 1850
woodhousei
Genera
● Negrofinches, genus Nigrita
❍ White-breasted Negrofinch, Nigrita
Many:see text
fusconota
Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Nigrita bicolor
Pale-fronted Negrofinch, Nigrita luteifrons
Grey-headed Negrofinch, Nigrita canicapilla
● Olivebacks, genus Nesocharis
❍ White-collared Oliveback, Nesocharis ansorgei
Fernando Po Oliveback, Nesocharis shelleyi
Grey-headed Oliveback, Nesocharis capistrata
● Pytilias, genus Pytilia
❍ Orange-winged Pytilia, Pytilia afra
Red-winged Pytilia, Pytilia phoenicoptera

Green-winged Pytilia, Pytilia melba
Red-faced Pytilia, Pytilia hypogrammica
● Green-backed Twinspot, Mandingoa nitidula
● Crimson-wings, genus Cryptospiza
❍ Red-faced Crimson-wing, Cryptospiza reichenovii
Abyssinian Crimson-wing, Cryptospiza salvadorii

Dusky Crimson-wing, Cryptospiza jacksoni
Shelley's Crimson-wing, Cryptospiza shelleyi
● Seedcrackers, genus Pyrenestes
❍ Crimson Seedcracker, Pyrenestes sanguineus
Black-bellied Seedcracker, Pyrenestes ostrinus

Lesser Seedcracker, Pyrenestes minor
● Bluebills, genus Spermophaga
❍ Grant's Bluebill, Spermophaga poliogenys
Western Bluebill, Spermophaga haematina

Red-headed Bluebill, Spermophaga ruficapilla
● Twinspots, genera Clytospiza, Hypargos, Euschistospiza
❍ Brown Twinspot, Clytospiza monteiri
Peters' Twinspot, Hypargos niveoguttatus

Pink-throated Twinspot, Hypargos margaritatus
Dybowski's Twinspot, Euschistospiza dybowskii
Dusky Twinspot, Euschistospiza cinereovinacea
● Firefinches, genus Lagonosticta
❍ Bar-breasted Firefinch, Lagonosticta rufopicta
Brown Firefinch, Lagonosticta nitidula

Red-billed Firefinch, Lagonosticta senegala
Black-bellied Firefinch, Lagonosticta rara
African Firefinch, Lagonosticta rubricata
Pale-billed Firefinch, Lagonosticta landanae
Jameson's Firefinch, Lagonosticta rhodopareia
Mali Firefinch, Lagonosticta virata
Rock Firefinch, Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis
Black-faced Firefinch, Lagonosticta larvata
Reichenow's Firefinch, Lagonosticta umbrinodorsalis
● Cordon-bleus, genus Uraeginthus
❍ Blue-breasted Cordon-bleu, Uraeginthus angolensis
Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, Uraeginthus bengalus

Blue-capped Cordon-bleu, Uraeginthus cyanocephalus
Purple Grenadier, Uraeginthus ianthinogaster
Violet-eared Waxbill, Uraeginthus granatina
● Waxbills, genus Estrilda
❍ Lavender Waxbill, Estrilda caerulescens
Black-tailed Waxbill, Estrilda perreini

Cinderella Waxbill, Estrilda thomensis
Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Estrilda quartinia
Swee Waxbill, Estrilda melanotis
Fawn-breasted Waxbill, Estrilda paludicola
Anambra Waxbill, Estrilda poliopareia
Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Estrilda melpoda
Arabian Waxbill, Estrilda rufibarba
Crimson-rumped Waxbill, Estrilda rhodopyga
Black-rumped Waxbill, Estrilda troglodytes
Common Waxbill, Estrilda astrild
Black-lored Waxbill, Estrilda nigriloris
Black-crowned Waxbill, Estrilda nonnula
Black-headed Waxbill, Estrilda atricapilla
Black-cheeked Waxbill, Estrilda erythronotos
Red-rumped Waxbill, Estrilda charmosyna
● Avadavats, genus Amandava
❍ Red Avadavat, Amandava amandava
Green Avadavat, Amandava formosa

Zebra Waxbill, Amandava subflava
● Quailfinches, genus Ortygospiza
❍ Red-billed Quailfinch, Ortygospiza gabonensis
African Quailfinch, Ortygospiza atricollis

Locustfinch, Ortygospiza locustella
● Firetails, genera Emblema, Stagonopleura, Oreostruthus, Neochmia
❍ Painted Firetail, Emblema pictum
Beautiful Firetail, Stagonopleura bella

Red-eared Firetail, Stagonopleura oculata
Diamond Firetail, Stagonopleura guttata
Mountain Firetail, Oreostruthus fuliginosus
Red-browed Firetail, Neochmia temporalis
Crimson Finch, Neochmia phaeton
Star Finch, Neochmia ruficauda
Plum-headed Finch, Neochmia modesta
● Zebra finches, genera Taeniopygia, Poephila
❍ Zebra Finch, Taeniopygia guttata
Chestnut-eared Finch, Taeniopygia castanotis

Double-barred Finch, Taeniopygia bichenovii
Masked Finch, Poephila personata
Long-tailed Finch, Poephila acuticauda
Black-throated Finch, Poephila cincta
● Parrotfinches, genus Erythrura
❍ Tawny-breasted Parrotfinch, Erythrura hyperythra
Pin-tailed Parrotfinch, Erythrura prasina

Green-faced Parrotfinch, Erythrura viridifacies
Tricolored Parrotfinch, Erythrura tricolor
Blue-faced Parrotfinch, Erythrura trichroa
Red-eared Parrotfinch, Erythrura coloria
Papuan Parrotfinch, Erythrura papuana
Red-throated Parrotfinch, Erythrura psittacea
Fiji Parrotfinch, Erythrura pealii
Red-headed Parrotfinch, Erythrura cyaneovirens
Royal Parrotfinch, Erythrura regia
Pink-billed Parrotfinch, Erythrura kleinschmidti
● Gouldian Finch, Chloebia gouldiae
● Munias and Silverbills, genus Lonchura
❍ Madagascar Munia, Lonchura nana
African Silverbill, Lonchura cantans

Indian Silverbill, Lonchura malabarica
Grey-headed Silverbill, Lonchura griseicapilla
Bronze Mannikin, Lonchura cucullata
Black-and-white Mannikin, Lonchura bicolor
Brown-backed Mannikin, Lonchura nigriceps
Magpie Mannikin, Lonchura fringilloides
White-rumped Munia, Lonchura striata
Javan Munia, Lonchura leucogastroides
Dusky Munia, Lonchura fuscans
Black-faced Munia, Lonchura molucca
Black-throated Munia, Lonchura kelaarti
Scaly-breasted Munia, Lonchura punctulata
White-bellied Munia, Lonchura leucogastra
Streak-headed Munia, Lonchura tristissima
Black-headed Munia, Lonchura malacca
Chestnut Munia, Lonchura atricapilla
White-capped Munia, Lonchura ferruginosa
Cream-bellied Munia, Lonchura pallidiventer
Five-colored Munia, Lonchura quinticolor
White-headed Munia, Lonchura maja
Grand Munia, Lonchura grandis
Grey-banded Munia, Lonchura vana
Grey-crowned Munia, Lonchura nevermanni
Hooded Munia, Lonchura spectabilis
Grey-headed Munia, Lonchura caniceps
Mottled Munia, Lonchura hunsteini
New Ireland Munia, Lonchura forbesi
New Hanover Munia, Lonchura nigerrima
Yellow-rumped Munia, Lonchura flaviprymna
Chestnut-breasted Munia, Lonchura castaneothorax
Black Munia, Lonchura stygia
Black-breasted Munia, Lonchura teerinki
Snow Mountain Munia, Lonchura montana
Alpine Munia, Lonchura monticola
Bismarck Munia, Lonchura melaena
● Pictorella Munia, Heteromunia pectoralis
● Java Sparrows, genus Padda
❍ Java Sparrow, Padda oryzivora
Timor Dusky Sparrow, Padda fuscata

● Cut-throats, genus Amadina
❍ Cut-throat finch, Amadina fasciata
Red-headed Finch Amadina erythrocephala
External links
● Estrildid Finch videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Drepanididae
Grosbeak | Melamprosops | Psittirostra | Vestiaria
Hawaiian Honeycreeper
Hawaiian honeycreepers are small passerine birds endemic to
Hawai i. Some authorities categorize this group as the subfamily
Drepanidinae of the finch family Fringillidae, to which they are
closely related, but they are usually given full family status as the
Drepanididae.
The family is divided into three tribes
● Psittirostrini (Hawaiian finches), seedeaters with thick

finch-like bills and songs like those of cardueline finches.
● Hemignathini (Hawaiian creepers and allies, including
nukupu us). These are generally green-plumaged birds with Maui Parrotbill, Pseudonestor
thin bills which feed on nectar and insects xanthophrys
● Drepanidini (Mamos, ‘I‘iwi and allies). These are birds Scientific classification
often with red plumage. They are nectar-feeders and their
Kingdom: Animalia
songs contain nasal squeaks and whistles.
Some unusual forms extinct in earlier times, like Xestospiza or Phylum: Chordata
Vangulifer, cannot easily be placed into these tribes.
Class: Aves
The male Hawaiian Honeycreepers are often more brightly
coloured than the females, but in the Hemignathini, they often
look very similar. The flowers of the native plant Metrosideros
polymorpha (‘ohi‘a lehua) are favoured by a number of nectar-
eating honeycreepers. Family: Drepanididae
Cabanis, 1847
The wide range of bills in this group, from thick finch-like bills to Genera
slender downcurved bills for probing flowers have arisen through
adaptive radiation, where an ancestral finch has evolved to fill a
large number of ecological niches. Some 15 forms of Hawaiian
Honeycreeper have become extinct in the recent past, many more
since the arrival of the Polynesians who introduced the first rats.
The recent extinctions are due to the introduction of other rodent
species and the mongoose, habitat destruction and avian malaria Telespiza
and fowlpox. Psittirostra (extinct?)
Dysmorodrepanis (extinct)
Species Loxioides
Rhodacanthis (extinct)
Chloridops (extinct)
● Family: Drepanididae (or: Drepaniidae)
Orthiospiza (extinct)
❍ Genus: Telespiza - finch-like, granivores,
Xestospiza (extinct)
opportunistic scavengers
Pseudonestor
■ Nihoa Finch, Telespiza ultima
Hemignathus
Laysan Finch, Telespiza cantans
Magumma (disputed)
Kaua‘i Finch, Telespiza persecutrix
Akialoa (disputed; extinct)
Conservation status: Prehistoric
Heterorhynchus (disputed)
Maui Nui Finch, Telespiza ypsilon
Oreomystis
Paroreomyza
❍ Genus: Psittirostra - slightly hooked bill, ‘Ie‘ie
Vangulifer (extinct)
fruit specialist
Aidemedia (extinct)
■ ‘O‘u, Psittirostra psittacea Conservation
Loxops
status: Critical, probably extinct late 1990s
Ciridops (extinct)
❍ Genus: Dysmorodrepanis - pincer-like bill,
Vestiaria
possibly snail specialist Drepanis (extinct)
■ Lana‘i Hookbill, Dysmorodrepanis munroi
Palmeria
Conservation status: Extinct (1918) Himatione
❍ Genus: Loxioides - finch-like, Mamane seed
Melamprosops (extinct?)
specialist (L. bailleui)
■ Palila, Loxioides bailleui
■ Kaua i Palila, Loxioides kikuichi Conservation status: Prehistoric
❍ Genus: Rhodacanthis - finch-like, Koa seed specialists
■ Lesser Koa Finch, Rhodacanthis flaviceps Conservation status: Extinct (1891)
■ Greater Koa Finch, Rhodacanthis palmeri Conservation status: Extinct (1896)
■ Scissor-billed Koa Finch, Rhodacanthis forfex Conservation status: Prehistoric
■ Primitive Koa Finch, Rhodacanthis litotes Conservation status: Prehistoric
❍ Genus: Chloridops - thick-billed, Naio and other hard seed specialist
■ Kona Grosbeak Finch, Chloridops kona Conservation status: Extinct (1894)
■ O‘ahu Grosbeak Finch, Chloridops wahi Conservation status: Prehistoric
■ Giant ("King Kong") Grosbeak Finch, Chloridops regiskongi Conservation status:
Prehistoric
❍ Genus: Orthiospiza - large weak bill, possibly soft seed or fruit specialist?
■ Highland Finch, Orthiospiza howarthi Conservation status: Prehistoric
❍ Genus: Xestospiza - cone-shaped bills, possibly insectivores

■ Cone-billed Finch, Xestospiza conica Conservation status: Prehistoric
■ Ridge-billed Finch, Xestospiza fastigialis Conservation status: Prehistoric

❍ Genus: Peseudonestor - parrot-like bill, probes rotting wood for insect larvae
■ Maui Parrotbill, Pseudonestor xanthophrys
❍ Genus: Hemignathus - pointed or long and decurved bills, insectivores or nectarivores

■ Hawai‘i ‘Amakihi, Hemignathus virens
■ O‘ahu ‘Amakihi, Hemignathus flavus
■ Kaua‘i ‘Amakihi, Hemignathus kauaiensis
■ Nukupu‘u, Hemignathus lucidus
■ ‘Anianiau, Hemignathus parvus or Magumma parva
■ Greater ‘Amakihi, Hemignathus sagittirostris Conservation status: Extinct (1901)
■ Giant ‘Amakihi, Hemignathus vorpalis Conservation status: Prehistoric
■ Hawai‘i ‘Akialoa, Hemignathus obscurus or Akialoa obscura Conservation status:
Extinct (1940)
■ Maui Nui ‘Akialoa, Hemignathus lanaiensis or Akialoa lanaiensis
Conservation status: Extinct (1892)
■ O‘ahu ‘Akialoa, Hemignathus ellisianus or Akialoa ellisiana Conservation status:
Extinct (1940)
■ Kaua‘i ‘Akialoa, Hemignathus stejnegeri or Akialoa stejnegeri Conservation status:
Extinct (1969)
■ Hoopoe-billed ‘Akialoa, Hemignathus upupirostris or Akialoa upupirostris
‘Akiapola‘au, Hemignathus munroi or Heterorhynchus wilsoni
■
❍ Genus: Oreomystis - short pointed bills, browsers

■ ‘Akikiki, Oreomystis bairdi
■ Hawai‘i "Creeper", Oreomystis mana
❍ Genus: Paroreomyza - similar to Oreomystis

■ Maui ‘Alauahio, Paroreomyza montana (more properly called Maui Nui
‘Alauahio, but today occurs on Maui only)

■ Kakawahie, Paroreomyza flammea Conservation status: Extinct (1963)
■ O‘ahu ‘Alauahio, Paroreomyza maculata
❍ Genus: Vangulifer - flat rounded bills, possibly caught flying insects

■ Strange-billed Finch, Vangulifer mirandus Conservation status: Prehistoric
■ Thin-billed Finch, Vangulifer neophasis Conservation status: Prehistoric
❍ Genus: Aidemedia - straight thin bills, insectivores

■ O‘ahu Icterid-like Gaper, Aidemedia chascax Conservation status: Prehistoric
■ Sickle-billed Gaper, Aidemedia zanclops Conservation status: Prehistoric
■ Maui Nui Icterid-like Gaper, Aidemedia lutetiae Conservation status: Prehistoric
❍ Genus: Loxops - small pointed bills with the tips offset a little horizontally, insectivores
■ ‘Akeke‘e, Loxops caeruleirostris
■ Akepa, Loxops coccineus
❍ Genus: Ciridops - finch-like, fed on Loulu fruits etc.

■ ‘Ula-‘ai-Hawane, Ciridops anna Conservation status: Extinct (1892 or 1937)
■ Stout-legged Finch, Ciridops tenax Conservation status: Prehistoric

❍ Genus: Vestiaria - decurved bill, nectarivore
■ ‘I‘iwi, Vestiaria coccinea
❍ Genus: Drepanis - decurved bills, nectarivores

■ Hawai‘i Mamo, Drepanis pacifica Conservation status: Extinct (1898)
■ Black Mamo, Drepanis funerea Conservation status: Extinct (1907)
❍ Genus: Palmeria - thin bill, nectarivore, especially Ohi a

■ ‘Akohekohe, Palmeria dolei
❍ Genus: Himatione - thin bill, nectarivore

■ ‘Apapane, Himatione sanguinea
❍ Genus: Melamprosops - short pointed bill, browser and snail specialist

■ Po‘o-uli, Melamprosops phaeosoma Conservation status: Critical, probably extinct
November 28, 2004
Several other known species are undescribed, as they are known only from very fragmentary fossil
remains insufficient to deterine taxonomic affiliation. The term "prehistoric" above indicates birds that
went extinct between first human settlement of Hawai‘i around 400 AD and European contact in 1778.
External links
● Hawaiian Honeycreeper videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Emberizidae
Ammodramus | Calamospiza | Calcarius | Chondestes | Emberiza | Geospizini | Juncos | Passerculus
| Passerella | Pipilo | Pooecetes | Seedeater | Spizella | Zonotrichia
Emberizidae
The Emberizidae are a large family of passerine birds.
They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In

Europe, most species are named as buntings.
The Emberizidae family probably originated in South America

and spread first into North America before crossing into eastern
Asia and continuing to move west. This explains the paucity of
emberizid species in Europe and Africa when compared to the
Americas.
In North America, most of the species in this family are known as

Sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World
sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. The family also Scientific classification
includes the North American birds known as juncos and towhees. Kingdom: Animalia
Their habits are similar to those of finches, with which they Phylum: Chordata
sometimes used to be grouped. Older sources may place some
emberizids in the Fringillidae, and the common names of some Class: Aves
emberizids still refer to them as finches. Many emberizid species
have distinctive head patterns.
Family: Emberizidae
Vigors, 1831
Contents
● 1 Species in taxonomic order
❍ 1.1 The buntings
❍ 1.2 The sierra finches
❍ 1.3 The Inca finches
❍ 1.4 The warbling finches
❍ 1.5 The seedeaters
❍ 1.6 The Flowerpiercers
❍ 1.7 The yellow finches
❍ 1.8 The brush finches
❍ 1.9 The American sparrows, including juncos and
towhees
❍ 1.10 Longspurs
❍ 1.11 The ground finches
❍ 1.12 The tree finches
The buntings
● Crested Bunting, Melophus lathami

Slaty Bunting, Latoucheornis siemsseni
Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella
Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus
Godlewski's Bunting, Emberiza godlewskii
Meadow Bunting, Emberiza cioides
Rufous-backed Bunting, Emberiza jankowskii
Grey-hooded Bunting, Emberiza buchanani
Pallas' Reed Bunting, Emberiza pallasi
Snow Bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis
McKay's Bunting, Plectrophenax hyperboreus
Przevalski's Rosefinch, Urocynchramus pylzowi
Coal-crested Finch, Charitospiza eucosma
Black-masked Finch, Coryphaspiza melanotis
Many-colored Chaco Finch, Saltatricula multicolor
Pileated Finch, Coryphospingus pileatus
Red-crested Finch, Coryphospingus cucullatus
Crimson-breasted Finch, Rhodospingus cruentus
The sierra finches
● Black-hooded Sierra Finch, Phrygilus atriceps

Peruvian Sierra Finch, Phrygilus punensis
Gray-hooded Sierra Finch, Phrygilus gayi
Patagonian Sierra Finch, Phrygilus patagonicus
Mourning Sierra Finch, Phrygilus fruticeti
Plumbeous Sierra Finch, Phrygilus unicolor
Red-backed Sierra Finch, Phrygilus dorsalis
White-throated Sierra Finch, Phrygilus erythronotus
Carbonated Sierra Finch, Phrygilus carbonarius
Band-tailed Sierra Finch, Phrygilus alaudinus
Ash-breasted Sierra Finch, Phrygilus plebejus
Canary-winged Finch, Melanodera melanodera
Yellow-bridled Finch, Melanodera xanthogramma
Black-crested Finch, Lophospingus pusillus
Gray-crested Finch, Lophospingus griseocristatus
Long-tailed Reed Finch, Donacospiza albifrons
Gough Island Finch, Rowettia goughensis
Nightingale Finch, Nesospiza acunhae
Wilkins' Finch, Nesospiza wilkinsi
White-winged Diuca Finch, Diuca speculifera
Common Diuca Finch, Diuca diuca
Short-tailed Finch, Idiopsar brachyurus
Cinereous Finch, Piezorhina cinerea
Slender-billed Finch, Xenospingus concolor
The Inca finches
● Great Inca Finch, Incaspiza pulchra

Rufous-backed Inca Finch, Incaspiza personata
Gray-winged Inca Finch, Incaspiza ortizi
Buff-bridled Inca Finch, Incaspiza laeta
Little Inca Finch, Incaspiza watkinsi
The warbling finches
● Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Poospiza thoracica

Bolivian Warbling Finch, Poospiza boliviana
Plain-tailed Warbling Finch, Poospiza alticola
Rufous-sided Warbling Finch, Poospiza hypochondria
Cinnamon Warbling Finch, Poospiza ornata
Rusty-browed Warbling Finch, Poospiza erythrophrys
Black-and-rufous Warbling Finch, Poospiza nigrorufa
Black-and-chestnut Warbling Finch, Poospiza whitii
Red-rumped Warbling Finch, Poospiza lateralis
Rufous-breasted Warbling Finch, Poospiza rubecula
Cochabamba Mountain Finch, Poospiza garleppi
Tucuman Mountain Finch, Poospiza baeri
Chestnut-breasted Mountain Finch, Poospiza caesar
Collared Warbling Finch, Poospiza hispaniolensis
Ringed Warbling Finch, Poospiza torquata
Black-capped Warbling Finch, Poospiza melanoleuca
Cinereous Warbling Finch, Poospiza cinerea
Blue-black Grassquit, Volatinia jacarina
The seedeaters
● Buffy-fronted Seedeater, Sporophila frontalis

Temminck's Seedeater, Sporophila falcirostris
Slate-colored Seedeater, Sporophila schistacea
Plumbeous Seedeater, Sporophila plumbea
Caqueta Seedeater, Sporophila murallae
Gray Seedeater, Sporophila intermedia
Wing-barred Seedeater, Sporophila americana
Variable Seedeater, Sporophila corvina
White-collared Seedeater, Sporophila torqueola
Rusty-collared Seedeater, Sporophila collaris
Lesson's Seedeater, Sporophila bouvronides
Lined Seedeater, Sporophila lineola
Black-and-white Seedeater, Sporophila luctuosa
Yellow-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila nigricollis
Dubois' Seedeater, Sporophila ardesiaca
Hooded Seedeater, Sporophila melanops
Double-collared Seedeater, Sporophila caerulescens
White-throated Seedeater, Sporophila albogularis
Drab Seedeater, Sporophila simplex
White-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila leucoptera
Parrot-billed Seedeater, Sporophila peruviana
Black-and-tawny Seedeater, Sporophila nigrorufa
Capped Seedeater, Sporophila bouvreuil
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater, Sporophila minuta
Tawny-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila hypoxantha
Dark-throated Seedeater, Sporophila ruficollis
Marsh Seedeater, Sporophila palustris
Chestnut-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila castaneiventris
Gray-and-chestnut Seedeater, Sporophila hypochroma
Chestnut Seedeater, Sporophila cinnamomea
Narosky's Seedeater, Sporophila zelichi
Black-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila melanogaster
Chestnut-throated Seedeater, Sporophila telasco
Tumaco Seedeater, Sporophila insulata
Band-tailed Seedeater, Catamenia analis
Plain-colored Seedeater, Catamenia inornata
Paramo Seedeater, Catamenia homochroa
Blackish-blue Seedeater, Amaurospiza moesta
Blue Seedeater, Amaurospiza concolor
Slate-blue Seedeater, Amaurospiza relicta
Carrizal Seedeater, Amaurospiza carrizalensis
Nicaraguan Seed Finch, Oryzoborus nuttingi
Large-billed Seed Finch, Oryzoborus crassirostris
Black-billed Seed Finch, Oryzoborus atrirostris
Great-billed Seed Finch, Oryzoborus maximiliani
Chestnut-bellied Seed Finch, Oryzoborus angolensis
Thick-billed Seed Finch, Oryzoborus funereus
White-naped Seedeater, Dolospingus fringilloides
Cuban Bullfinch, Melopyrrha nigra
Dull-colored Grassquit, Tiaris obscura
Cuban Grassquit, Tiaris canora
Yellow-faced Grassquit, Tiaris olivacea
Black-faced Grassquit, Tiaris bicolor
Sooty Grassquit, Tiaris fuliginosa
Yellow-shouldered Grassquit, Loxipasser anoxanthus
Orangequit, Euneornis campestris
St. Lucia Black Finch, Melanospiza richardsoni
Puerto Rican Bullfinch, Loxigilla portoricensis
Greater Antillean Bullfinch, Loxigilla violacea
Lesser Antillean Bullfinch, Loxigilla noctis
Cocos Island Finch, Pinaroloxias inornata
Slaty Finch, Haplospiza rustica
Uniform Finch, Haplospiza unicolor
Peg-billed Finch, Acanthidops bairdii
The Flowerpiercers
● Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer, Diglossa baritula

Slaty Flowerpiercer, Diglossa plumbea
Rusty Flowerpiercer, Diglossa sittoides
Venezuelan Flowerpiercer, Diglossa venezuelensis
Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer, Diglossa gloriosissima
White-sided Flowerpiercer, Diglossa albilatera
Glossy Flowerpiercer, Diglossa lafresnayii
Moustached Flowerpiercer, Diglossa mystacalis
Merida Flowerpiercer, Diglossa gloriosa
Black Flowerpiercer, Diglossa humeralis
Black-throated Flowerpiercer, Diglossa brunneiventris
Gray-bellied Flowerpiercer, Diglossa carbonaria
Scaled Flowerpiercer, Diglossa duidae
Greater Flowerpiercer, Diglossa major
Indigo Flowerpiercer, Diglossopis indigotica
Deep-blue Flowerpiercer, Diglossopis glauca
Bluish Flowerpiercer, Diglossopis caerulescens
Masked Flowerpiercer, Diglossopis cyanea
The yellow finches
● Puna Yellow Finch, Sicalis lutea

Saffron Finch, Sicalis flaveola
Grassland Yellow Finch, Sicalis luteola
Stripe-tailed Yellow Finch, Sicalis citrina
Bright-rumped Yellow Finch, Sicalis uropygialis
Citron-headed Yellow Finch, Sicalis luteocephala
Greater Yellow Finch, Sicalis auriventris
Greenish Yellow Finch, Sicalis olivascens
Patagonian Yellow Finch, Sicalis lebruni
Orange-fronted Yellow Finch, Sicalis columbiana
Raimondi's Yellow Finch, Sicalis raimondii
Sulphur-throated Finch, Sicalis taczanowskii
Wedge-tailed Grass Finch, Emberizoides herbicola
Duida Grass Finch, Emberizoides duidae
Lesser Grass Finch, Emberizoides ypiranganus
Pale-throated Serra Finch, Embernagra longicauda
Great Pampa Finch, Embernagra platensis
Yellow Cardinal, Gubernatrix cristata
Red-crested Cardinal, Paroaria coronata
Red-cowled Cardinal, Paroaria dominicana
Red-capped Cardinal, Paroaria gularis
Crimson-fronted Cardinal, Paroaria baeri
Yellow-billed Cardinal, Paroaria capitata
Sooty-faced Finch, Lysurus crassirostris
Olive Finch, Lysurus castaneiceps
Yellow-thighed Finch, Pselliophorus tibialis
Yellow-green Finch, Pselliophorus luteoviridis
Large-footed Finch, Pezopetes capitalis
The brush finches
● White-naped Brush Finch, Atlapetes albinucha

Pale-naped Brush Finch, Atlapetes pallidinucha
Rufous-naped Brush Finch, Atlapetes rufinucha
Yellow-breasted Brush Finch, Atlapetes latinuchus
Yariguies Brush Finch, Atlapetes latinuchus yariguierum
White-rimmed Brush Finch, Atlapetes leucopis
Rufous-capped Brush Finch, Atlapetes pileatus
Santa Marta Brush Finch, Atlapetes melanocephalus
Olive-headed Brush Finch, Atlapetes flaviceps
Dusky-headed Brush Finch, Atlapetes fuscoolivaceus
Tricolored Brush Finch, Atlapetes tricolor
Moustached Brush Finch, Atlapetes albofrenatus
Slaty Brush Finch, Atlapetes schistaceus
Bay-crowned Brush Finch, Atlapetes seebohmi
Rusty-bellied Brush Finch, Atlapetes nationi
White-winged Brush Finch, Atlapetes leucopterus
White-headed Brush Finch, Atlapetes albiceps
Pale-headed Brush Finch, Atlapetes pallidiceps
Rufous-eared Brush Finch, Atlapetes rufigenis
Black-spectacled Brush Finch, Atlapetes melanops
Ochre-breasted Brush Finch, Atlapetes semirufus
Fulvous-headed Brush Finch, Atlapetes fulviceps
Tepui Brush Finch, Atlapetes personatus
Yellow-striped Brush Finch, Atlapetes citrinellus
Chestnut-capped Brush Finch, Buarremon brunneinucha
Green-striped Brush Finch, Buarremon virenticeps
Stripe-headed Brush Finch, Buarremon torquatus
The American sparrows, including juncos and towhees
● Orange-billed Sparrow, Arremon aurantiirostris

Pectoral Sparrow, Arremon taciturnus
Half-collared Sparrow, Arremon semitorquatus
Golden-winged Sparrow, Arremon schlegeli
Black-capped Sparrow, Arremon abeillei
Saffron-billed Sparrow, Arremon flavirostris
Olive Sparrow, Arremonops rufivirgatus
Tocuyo Sparrow, Arremonops tocuyensis
Green-backed Sparrow, Arremonops chloronotus
Black-striped Sparrow, Arremonops conirostris
Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow, Melozone kieneri
Prevost's Ground-Sparrow, Melozone biarcuatum
White-eared Ground-Sparrow, Melozone leucotis
Green-tailed Towhee, Pipilo chlorurus
Collared Towhee, Pipilo ocai
Socorro Towhee, Pipilo socorroensis
Eastern Towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Spotted Towhee, Pipilo maculatus
California Towhee, Pipilo crissalis
Canyon Towhee, Pipilo fuscus
Abert's Towhee, Pipilo aberti
White-throated Towhee, Pipilo albicollis
Bridled Sparrow, Aimophila mystacalis
Black-chested Sparrow, Aimophila humeralis
Stripe-headed Sparrow, Aimophila ruficauda
Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow, Aimophila sumichrasti
Stripe-capped Sparrow, Aimophila strigiceps
Tumbes Sparrow, Aimophila stolzmanni
Bachman's Sparrow, Aimophila aestivalis
Botteri's Sparrow, Aimophila botterii
Cassin's Sparrow, Aimophila cassinii
Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Aimophila ruficeps
Rufous-winged Sparrow, Aimophila carpalis
Five-striped Sparrow, Aimophila quinquestriata
Oaxaca Sparrow, Aimophila notosticta
Rusty Sparrow, Aimophila rufescens
Striped Sparrow, Oriturus superciliosus
Zapata Sparrow, Torreornis inexpectata
Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina
Clay-colored Sparrow, Spizella pallida
Brewer's Sparrow, Spizella breweri
Field Sparrow, Spizella pusilla
Worthen's Sparrow, Spizella wortheni
Black-chinned Sparrow, Spizella atrogularis
Vesper Sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus
Lark Sparrow, Chondestes grammacus
Black-throated Sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata
Sage Sparrow, Amphispiza belli
Lark Bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys
Savannah Sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis
Seaside Sparrow, Ammodramus maritimus
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Ammodramus nelsoni
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Ammodramus caudacutus
Le Conte's Sparrow, Ammodramus leconteii
Henslow's Sparrow, Ammodramus henslowii
Baird's Sparrow, Ammodramus bairdii
Grasshopper Sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum
Grassland Sparrow, Ammodramus humeralis
Yellow-browed Sparrow, Ammodramus aurifrons
Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca
Sierra Madre Sparrow, Xenospiza baileyi
Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia
Lincoln's Sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii
Swamp Sparrow, Melospiza georgiana
White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys
White-throated Sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis
Rufous-collared Sparrow, Zonotrichia capensis
Harris's Sparrow, Zonotrichia querula
Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis
Yellow-eyed Junco, Junco phaeonotus
Guadalupe Junco, Junco insularis
Volcano Junco, Junco vulcani
Longspurs
● McCown's Longspur, Calcarius mccownii

Lapland Longspur, or Lapland Bunting,
Calcarius lapponicus
Smith's Longspur, Calcarius pictus
Chestnut-collared Longspur, Calcarius
ornatus
The ground finches
● Large Ground Finch, Geospiza

magnirostris
Medium Ground Finch, Geospiza fortis
Small Ground Finch, Geospiza fuliginosa
Sharp-beaked Ground Finch, Geospiza
difficilis
Common Cactus Finch, Geospiza Lapland Bunting
scandens
Large Cactus Finch, Geospiza conirostris
The tree finches
● Vegetarian Finch, Camarhynchus crassirostris

Mangrove Finch, Camarhynchus heliobates
Large Tree Finch, Camarhynchus psittacula
Small Tree Finch, Camarhynchus parvulus
Medium Tree Finch, Camarhynchus pauper
Woodpecker Finch, Camarhynchus pallidus
Warbler Finch, Certhidea olivacea
External links
● Emberizidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Sylviidae
Acrocephalus | Bradypterus | Cettia | Chamaea | Hippolais | Locustella | Orthotomus | Phylloscopus
| Sylvia
Old World warblers

The Old World Warblers, family Sylviidae, are a group of more
than 280 small insectivorous passerine bird species. The largely
southern warbler family Cisticolidae is traditionally often included
in the Sylviidae. The Kinglets, genus Regulus, family Regulidae,
are also frequently placed in this family. The American
Ornithologists' Union includes the gnatcatchers, family
Polioptilidae, in the Sylviidae. Pallas's Warbler
The American Wood warblers, Parulidae, and the Australian
warblers, Acanthizidae, are unrelated to the Sylviidae. Kingdom: Animalia
The Sylviidae mainly occur as breeding species, as the name Phylum: Chordata
implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent Africa. However,
most birds of temperate regions are strongly migratory, and winter Class: Aves
in the latter continent or tropical Asia.
Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have Order: Passeriformes
distinctive songs.
Family: Sylviidae
In the following list, for those groups which do not yet have Vigors, 1825
articles, the species are included to be moved at the appropriate Genus
time:
Many: see text
● Family: Sylviidae
❍ Ground warblers, genus Tesia
■ Chestnut-headed Tesia, Tesia castaneocoronata
Javan Tesia, Tesia superciliaris

Slaty-bellied Tesia, Tesia olivea
Grey-bellied Tesia, Tesia cyaniventer
Russet-capped Tesia, Tesia everetti
❍ Stubtails, genus Urosphena
■ Timor Stubtail, Urosphena subulata

Bornean Stubtail, Urosphena whiteheadi
Asian Stubtail, Urosphena squameiceps
❍ Bush warblers, genera Cettia and Bradypterus
❍ Emu-tails, genus Dromaeocercus
■ Brown Emu-tail, Dromaeocercus brunneus
Grey Emu-tail, Dromaeocercus seebohmi

❍ Rufous-warblers, genus Bathmocercus
■ Black-capped Rufous Warbler, Bathmocercus cerviniventris
Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Bathmocercus rufus

❍ Mrs Moreau's Warbler, Sceptomycter winifredae
❍ Brush warblers, genus Nesillas
■ Aldabra Brush Warbler, Nesillas aldabrana - extinct
Anjouan Brush Warbler, Nesillas longicaudata

Madagascar Brush Warbler, Nesillas typica
Grand Comoro Brush Warbler, Nesillas brevicaudata
Moheli Brush Warbler, Nesillas mariae
❍ Thamnornis, Thamnornis chloropetoides
Moustached Grass Warbler, Melocichla mentalis
Damara Rock-jumper, Achaetops pycnopygius
Cape Grassbird, Sphenoeacus afer
❍ Grass warblers, genus Locustella
❍ Marsh warblers, genus Acrocephalus
❍ Tree warblers, genus Hippolais
❍ Chloropeta warblers, genus Chloropeta
■ African Yellow Warbler, Chloropeta natalensis
Mountain Yellow Warbler, Chloropeta similis

Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Chloropeta gracilirostris
❍ Fairy Warbler, Stenostira scita
Buff-bellied Warbler, Phyllolais pulchella
❍ Tailorbirds, genus Orthotomus
❍ White-tailed Warbler, Poliolais lopezi
Grauer's Warbler, Graueria vittata
❍ Eremomelas, genus Eremomela
■ Salvadori's Eremomela, Eremomela salvadorii
Yellow-vented Eremomela, Eremomela flavicrissalis

Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Eremomela icteropygialis
Senegal Eremomela, Eremomela canescens
Green-backed Eremomela, Eremomela pusilla
Greencap Eremomela, Eremomela scotops
Yellow-rumped Eremomela, Eremomela gregalis
Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Eremomela badiceps
Turner's Eremomela, Eremomela turneri
Black-necked Eremomela, Eremomela atricollis
Burnt-neck Eremomela, Eremomela usticollis
❍ Rand's Warbler, Randia pseudozosterops
Cryptic Warbler, Cryptosylvicola randriansoloi
❍ Crombecs, genus Sylvietta
■ Green Crombec, Sylvietta virens
Lemon-bellied Crombec, Sylvietta denti

White-browed Crombec, Sylvietta leucophrys
Northern Crombec, Sylvietta brachyura
Short-billed Crombec, Sylvietta philippae
Red-capped Crombec, Sylvietta ruficapilla
Red-faced Crombec, Sylvietta whytii
Somali Crombec, Sylvietta isabellina
Cape Crombec, Sylvietta rufescens
❍ Neumann's Warbler, Hemitesia neumanni
❍ Longbills, genera Macrosphenus and Amaurocichla
■ Kemp's Longbill, Macrosphenus kempi
Yellow Longbill, Macrosphenus flavicans

Grey Longbill, Macrosphenus concolor
Pulitzer's Longbill, Macrosphenus pulitzeri
Kretschmer's Longbill, Macrosphenus kretschmeri
Bocage's Longbill or São Tomé Short-tail, Amaurocichla bocagei
❍ Green Hylia, Hylia prasina
❍ Tit-warblers, genus Leptopoecile
■ White-browed Tit-warbler, Leptopoecile sophiae
Crested Tit-warbler, Leptopoecile elegans

❍ Flycatcher warblers, genus Seicercus
■ Golden-spectacled Warbler, Seicercus burkii
Grey-hooded Warbler, Seicercus xanthoschistos

White-spectacled Warbler, Seicercus affinis
Grey-cheeked Warbler, Seicercus poliogenys
Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Seicercus castaniceps
Yellow-breasted Warbler, Seicercus montis
Sunda Warbler, Seicercus grammiceps
❍ Leaf warblers, genus Phylloscopus
❍ Abroscopus warblers, genus Abroscopus
■ Rufous-faced Warbler, Abroscopus albogularis
Yellow-bellied Warbler, Abroscopus superciliaris

Black-faced Warbler, Abroscopus schisticeps
❍ Broad-billed Warbler, Tickellia hodgsoni
❍ Hyliotas, genus Hyliota
■ Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Hyliota flavigaster
Southern Hyliota, Hyliota australis

Usambara Hyliota, Hyliota usambarae
Violet-backed Hyliota, Hyliota violacea
❍ Grassbirds, genera Chaetornis, Graminicola Megalurus and Schoenicola
■ Marsh Grassbird, Megalurus pryeri

Little Grassbird, Megalurus gramineus
Striated Grassbird, Megalurus palustris
Fly River Grassbird, Megalurus albolimbatus
Fernbird, Megalurus punctatus
Chatham Islands Fernbird, Megalurus rufescens - extinct
Bristled Grassbird, Chaetornis striatus
Rufous-rumped Grassbird, Graminicola bengalensis
Broad-tailed Grassbird, Schoenicola platyura
Fan-tailed Grassbird, Schoenicola brevirostris
❍ Songlarks, genus Cincloramphus
■ Brown Songlark, Cincloramphus cruralis
Rufous Songlark, Cincloramphus mathewsi

❍ Spinifex-bird, Eremiornis carteri
Buff-banded Bushbird, Buettikoferella bivittata
❍ Thicketbirds, genus Megalurulus
■ New Caledonian Grassbird, Megalurulus mariei
Bismarck Thicketbird, Megalurulus grosvenori

Bougainville Thicketbird, Megalurulus llaneae
Guadalcanal Thicketbird, Megalurulus whitneyi
Rusty Thicketbird, Megalurulus rubiginosus
❍ Long-legged Warbler, Trichocichla rufa
Wrentit, Chamaea fasciata
Typical warblers, genus Sylvia
❍ Parisoma warblers, genus Parisoma
■ Layard's Warbler, Parisoma layardi
Rufous-vented Warbler, Parisoma subcaeruleum

Brown Warbler, Parisoma lugens
Banded Warbler, Parisoma boehmi
Yemen Warbler, Parisoma buryi
The Newtonias are now considered vangas.
External links
● Old World warblers videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Cisticolidae
Cisticolidae
The Cisticolidae family of small passerine birds is a group of
about 110 warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of
the Old World. They are often included within the Old World
warbler family Sylviidae.
This family probably originated in Africa, which has the majority

of species, but there are representatives of the family across
tropical Asia into Australasia, and one species, the Zitting
Cisticola, even breeds in Europe.
These are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey

appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub.
They are often difficult to see and many species are similar in
Bright-headed Cisticola
appearance, so the song is often the best identification guide.
These are insectivorous birds which nest low in vegetation. Kingdom: Animalia
Species list in taxonomic order Phylum: Chordata
● Genus Cisticola, the cisticolas Class: Aves

❍ Red-faced Cisticola, Cisticola erythrops
Singing Cisticola, Cisticola cantans

Whistling Cisticola, Cisticola lateralis
Chattering Cisticola, Cisticola anonymus
Trilling Cisticola, Cisticola woosnami Family: Cisticolidae
Bubbling Cisticola, Cisticola bulliens
Chubb's Cisticola, Cisticola chubbi
Genera
Hunter's Cisticola, Cisticola hunteri
Black-lored Cisticola, Cisticola nigriloris Many: see text
Rock-loving Cisticola, Cisticola aberrans
Boran Cisticola, Cisticola bodessa
Rattling Cisticola, Cisticola chiniana
Ashy Cisticola, Cisticola cinereolus
Red-pate Cisticola, Cisticola ruficeps
Dorst's Cisticola, Cisticola dorsti
Grey Cisticola, Cisticola rufilatus
Red-headed Cisticola, Cisticola subruficapillus
Wailing Cisticola, Cisticola lais
Tana River Cisticola, Cisticola restrictus
Churring Cisticola, Cisticola njombe
Winding Cisticola, Cisticola galactotes
Chirping Cisticola, Cisticola pipiens
Carruthers' Cisticola, Cisticola carruthersi
Tinkling Cisticola, Cisticola tinniens
Stout Cisticola, Cisticola robustus
Croaking Cisticola, Cisticola natalensis
Piping Cisticola, Cisticola fulvicapillus
Aberdare Cisticola, Cisticola aberdare
Tabora Cisticola, Cisticola angusticaudus
Slender-tailed Cisticola, Cisticola melanurus
Siffling Cisticola, Cisticola brachypterus
Rufous Cisticola, Cisticola rufus
Foxy Cisticola, Cisticola troglodytes
Tiny Cisticola, Cisticola nanus
Socotra Cisticola, Cisticola haesitatus
Madagascar Cisticola, Cisticola cherinus
Desert Cisticola, Cisticola aridulus
Cloud Cisticola, Cisticola textrix
Black-necked Cisticola, Cisticola eximius
Cloud-scraping Cisticola, Cisticola dambo
Pectoral-patch Cisticola, Cisticola brunnescens
Pale-crowned Cisticola, Cisticola cinnamomeus
Wing-snapping Cisticola, Cisticola ayresii
● Genus Rhopophilus
❍ White-browed Chinese Warbler, Rhopophilus pekinensis
● Genus Incana
❍ Socotra Warbler, Incana incanus
● Genus Scotocerca
❍ Scrub Warbler or Streaked Scrub Warbler, Scotocerca inquieta
● Genus Prinia, the prinias

❍ Rufous-vented Prinia, Prinia burnesii
Swamp Prinia, Prinia cinerascens

Striated Prinia, Prinia criniger
Brown Prinia, Prinia polychroa
Hill Prinia, Prinia atrogularis
Grey-crowned Prinia, Prinia cinereocapilla
Rufous-fronted Prinia, Prinia buchanani
Rufescent Prinia, Prinia rufescens
Grey-breasted Prinia, Prinia hodgsonii
Bar-winged Prinia, Prinia familiaris
Jungle Prinia, Prinia sylvatica
Yellow-bellied Prinia, Prinia flaviventris
Ashy Prinia, Prinia socialis
Tawny-flanked Prinia, Prinia subflava
Plain Prinia, Prinia inornata
Pale Prinia, Prinia somalica
River Prinia, Prinia fluviatilis
Black-chested Prinia, Prinia flavicans
Karoo Prinia, Prinia maculosa
Drakensberg Prinia, Prinia hypoxantha
Namaqua Prinia, Prinia substriata
Sao Tome Prinia, Prinia molleri
Roberts' Prinia, Prinia robertsi
Sierra Leone Prinia, Prinia leontica
White-chinned Prinia, Prinia leucopogon
Banded Prinia, Prinia bairdii
Red-winged Prinia, Prinia erythroptera
● Genus Malcorus
❍ Rufous-eared Warbler, Malcorus pectoralis
● Genus Drymocichla
❍ Red-winged Grey Warbler, Drymocichla incana
● Genus Urolais
❍ Green Longtail, Urolais epichlora
● Genus Spiloptila
❍ Cricket Longtail, Spiloptila clamans
● Genus Apalis, the apalises

❍ Black-collared Apalis, Apalis pulchra
Ruwenzori Apalis or Collared Apalis, Apalis ruwenzorii

Bar-throated Apalis, Apalis thoracica
Taita Apalis, Apalis fuscigularis
Namuli Apalis, Apalis lynesi
Yellow-throated Apalis, Apalis flavigularis
Black-capped Apalis, Apalis nigriceps
Black-throated Apalis, Apalis jacksoni
White-winged Apalis, Apalis chariessa
Masked Apalis, Apalis binotata
Black-faced Apalis, Apalis personata
Yellow-breasted Apalis, Apalis flavida
Rudd's Apalis, Apalis ruddi
Sharpe's Apalis, Apalis sharpii
Buff-throated Apalis, Apalis rufogularis
Bamenda Apalis, Apalis bamendae
Gosling's Apalis, Apalis goslingi
Chestnut-throated Apalis, Apalis porphyrolaema
Kabobo Apalis, Apalis kaboboensis
Chapin's Apalis, Apalis chapini
Black-headed Apalis, Apalis melanocephala
Chirinda Apalis, Apalis chirindensis
Grey Apalis, Apalis cinerea
Brown-headed Apalis, Apalis alticola
Karamoja Apalis, Apalis karamojae
Kungwe Apalis, Apalis argentea
● Genus Urorhipis
❍ Red-fronted Warbler, Urorhipis rufifrons
● Genus Hypergerus
❍ Oriole Warbler, Hypergerus atriceps
● Genus Eminia
❍ Grey-capped Warbler, Eminia lepida
● Genus Camaroptera
❍ Grey-backed Camaroptera, Camaroptera brachyura
Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Camaroptera superciliaris

Olive-green Camaroptera, Camaroptera chloronota
● Genus Calamonastes
❍ Miombo Camaroptera, Calamonastes undosus
Grey Wren-Warbler, Calamonastes simplex

Barred Camaroptera, Calamonastes fasciolatus
● Genus Euryptila
❍ Kopje Warbler Euryptila subcinnamomea
External links
● Cisticolidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Muscicapidae
Ficedula | Saxicolinae

The Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae is a large family
of small passerine birds restricted to the Old World. These are
mainly small arboreal insectivores, many of which, as the name
implies, take their prey on the wing.
This article follows Handbook of Birds of the World in including

the small chat-like ground feeders previously classed with the
Turdidae thrushes in this group.
The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have
weak songs and harsh calls. The nest of most is a well-constructed Nilgiri Flycatcher, Eumyias albicaudata
cup in a tree or hedge.
● Family: Muscicapidae Kingdom: Animalia

❍ Genus Empidornis
■ Silverbird, Empidornis semipartitus Phylum: Chordata

❍ Genus Bradornis
■ Pale Flycatcher, Bradornis pallidus

Class: Aves
Chat Flycatcher, Bradornis infuscatus
Mariqua Flycatcher, Bradornis mariquensis
African Grey Flycatcher, Bradornis Order: Passeriformes
microrhynchus
❍ Genus Melaenornis
Family: Muscicapidae
■ Angola Slaty Flycatcher, Melaenornis
Vigors, 1825
brunneus
White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, Melaenornis Genera
fischeri See text.
Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, Melaenornis
chocolatinus
Northern Black Flycatcher, Melaenornis edolioides
Southern Black Flycatcher, Melaenornis pammelaina
Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Melaenornis ardesiacus
Nimba Flycatcher, Melaenornis annamarulae
❍ Genus Fraseria
■ African Forest Flycatcher, Fraseria ocreata
White-browed Forest Flycatcher, Fraseria cinerascens

❍ Genus Sigelus
■ Fiscal Flycatcher, Sigelus silens
❍ Genus Rhinomyias
■ Buru Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias addita
Flores Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias oscillans

Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias brunneata
Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias umbratilis
Fulvous-chested Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias olivacea
Chestnut-tailed Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias ruficauda
Henna-tailed Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias colonus
Eyebrowed Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias gularis
Rusty-flanked Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias insignis
Negros Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias albigularis
Mindanao Jungle Flycatcher, Rhinomyias goodfellowi
❍ Genus Muscicapa
■ Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata

Grey-spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa griseisticta
Siberian Flycatcher, Muscicapa sibirica
Asian Brown Flycatcher, Muscicapa dauurica
Brown-streaked Flycatcher, Muscicapa williamsoni
Ash-breasted Flycatcher, Muscicapa randi
Sumba Brown Flycatcher, Muscicapa segregata
Rusty-tailed Flycatcher, Muscicapa ruficauda
Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Muscicapa muttui
Ferruginous Flycatcher, Muscicapa ferruginea
Ussher's Flycatcher, Muscicapa ussheri
Sooty Flycatcher, Muscicapa infuscata
Boehm's Flycatcher, Muscicapa boehmi
Swamp Flycatcher, Muscicapa aquatica
Olivaceous Flycatcher, Muscicapa olivascens
Chapins' Flycatcher, Muscicapa lendu
African Dusky Flycatcher, Muscicapa adusta
Little Grey Flycatcher, Muscicapa epulata
Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Muscicapa sethsmithi
Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Muscicapa comitata
Tessmann's Flycatcher, Muscicapa tessmanni
Cassin's Flycatcher, Muscicapa cassini
Ashy Flycatcher, Muscicapa caerulescens
❍ Genus Myioparus
■ Grey-throated Tit-flycatcher, Myioparus griseigularis
Grey Tit-flycatcher, Myioparus plumbeus
❍ Genus Humblotia
■ Grand Comoro Flycatcher, Humblotia flavirostris
❍ Genus Ficedula
■ European Pied Flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca

Semi-collared Flycatcher, Ficedula semitorquata
Beijing Flycatcher, Ficedula beijingnica
Red-throated Flycatcher, Ficedula albicilla
Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Ficedula hyperythra
Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Ficedula solitaris
Rufous-chested Flycatcher, Ficedula dumetoria
Cinnamon-chested Flycatcher, Ficedula buruensis
Little Slaty Flycatcher, Ficedula basilanica
Sumba Flycatcher, Ficedula harterti
Palawan Flycatcher, Ficedula platenae
Ultramarine Flycatcher, Ficedula superciliaris
❍ Genus Cyanoptila
■ Blue-and-white Flycatcher, Cyanoptila cyanomelana
❍ Genus Eumyias
■ Verditer Flycatcher, Eumyias thalassina
Dull-blue Flycatcher, Eumyias sordida

Island Flycatcher, Eumyias panayensis
Nilgiri Flycatcher, Eumyias albicaudata
Indigo Flycatcher, Eumyias indigo
❍ Genus Niltava
■ Large Niltava, Niltava grandis
Small Niltava, Niltava macgrigoriae

Fujian Niltava, Niltava davidi
Rufous-bellied Niltava, Niltava sundara
Rufous-vented Niltava, Niltava sumatrana
Vivid Niltava, Niltava vivida
❍ Genus Cyornis
■ Matinan Flycatcher, Cyornis sanfordi
Blue-fronted Flycatcher, Cyornis hoevelli

Timor Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis hyacinthinus
White-tailed Flycatcher, Cyornis concretus
Rueck's Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis ruckii
Blue-breasted Flycatcher, Cyornis herioti
Hainan Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis hainanus
White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis pallipes
Pale-chinned Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis poliogenys
Pale Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis unicolor
Blue-throated Flycatcher, Cyornis rubeculoides
Hill Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis banyumas
Long-billed Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis caerulatus
Malaysian Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis turcosus
Palawan Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis lemprieri
Bornean Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis superbus
Tickell's Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis tickelliae
Mangrove Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis rufigastra
Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis omissus
❍ Genus Muscicapella
■ Pygmy Blue Flycatcher, Muscicapella hodgsoni
❍ Genus Culicicapa
■ Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher, Culicicapa ceylonensis
Citrine Canary-flycatcher, Culicicapa helianthea

❍ Genus Horizorhinus
■ Dohrn's Flycatcher, Horizorhinus dohrni
❍ Genus Tarsiger
■ Red-flanked Bluetail, Tarsiger cyanurus
Golden Bush Robin, Tarsiger chrysaeus

White-browed Bush Robin, Tarsiger indicus
Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Tarsiger hyperythrus
Collared Bush Robin, Tarsiger johnstoniae
❍ Genus Luscinia
■ Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica
Rufous-tailed Robin or Swinhoe's Nightingale , Luscinia sibilans
Nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos
Indian Blue Robin or Indian Blue Chat, Luscinia brunneus
Firethroat, Luscinia pectardens
❍ Genus Erithacus
■ European Robin, Erithacus rubecula

❍ Genus Irania
■ White-throated Robin, Irania gutturalis
❍ Genus Saxicola
■ Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
Stoliczka's Bushchat or White-browed Bushchat, Saxicola macrorhyncha

Hodgson's Bushchat or White-throated Bushchat, Saxicola insignis
Fuerteventura Chat or Canary Island Stonechat, Saxicola dacotiae
European Stonechat, Saxicola rubicola (previously S. torquata rubicola)
Siberian Stonechat or Asian Stonechat, Saxicola maura (previously S. torquata
maura)
African Stonechat, Saxicola torquata
Réunion Stonechat, Saxicola tectes
White-tailed Stonechat, Saxicola leucura
Grey Bushchat, Saxicola ferrea
White-bellied Bushchat or Timor Bushchat, Saxicola gutturalis
Buff-streaked Bushchat, Saxicola bifasciata
❍ Genus Pogonocichla
■ White-starred Robin, Pogonocichla stellata
❍ Genus Swynnertonia
■ Swynnerton's Robin, Swynnertonia swynnertoni
❍ Genus Stiphrornis
■ Forest Robin, Stiphrornis erythrothorax
❍ Genus Xenocopsychus
■ Angola Cave Chat, Xenocopsychus ansorgei
❍ Genus Saxicoloides
■ Indian Robin, Saxicoloides fulicata
❍ Genus Cinclidium
■ White-tailed Robin, Cinclidium leucurum
❍ Genus Grandala
■ Grandala, Grandala coelicolor
❍ Genus Namibornis
■ Herero Chat, Namibornis herero
❍ Genus Cercomela
■ Sicklewing Chat, Cercomela sinuata

❍ Genus Myrmecocichla
■ Congo Moorchat, Myrmecocichla tholloni
Northern Anteater Chat, Myrmecocichla aethiops

Southern Anteater Chat, Myrmecocichla formicivora
White-fronted Black Chat, Myrmecocichla albifrons
White-headed Black Chat, Myrmecocichla arnotti
❍ Genus Thamnolaea
■ Mocking Cliff Chat, Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris
White-winged Cliff Chat, Thamnolaea semirufa

❍ Genus Pinarornis
■ Boulder Chat Pinarornis plumosus
❍ Genus Sheppardia, akalats

■ Bocage's Akalat, Sheppardia bocagei

Sharpe's Akalat, Sheppardia sharpei
Gabela Akalat, Sheppardia gabela
Usambara Akalat, Sheppardia montana
❍ Genus Cossyphicula, robin-chats
■ White-bellied Robin Chat, Cossyphicula roberti
Mountain Robin Chat, Cossypha isabellae

Archer's Robin Chat, Cossypha archeri
Olive-flanked Robin Chat, Cossypha anomala
Cape Robin Chat, Cossypha caffra
White-throated Robin Chat, Cossypha humeralis
Blue-shouldered Robin Chat, Cossypha cyanocampter
Grey-winged Robin Chat, Cossypha polioptera
Rueppell's Robin Chat, Cossypha semirufa
White-browed Robin Chat, Cossypha heuglini
Red-capped Robin Chat, Cossypha natalensis
Chorister Robin Chat, Cossypha dichroa
White-headed Robin Chat, Cossypha heinrichi
Snowy-crowned Robin Chat, Cossypha niveicapilla
White-crowned Robin Chat, Cossypha albicapilla
❍ Genus Cichladusa, palm-thrushes
■ Collared Palm Thrush, Cichladusa arquata
Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush, Cichladusa ruficauda

Spotted Morning Thrush, Cichladusa guttata
❍ Genus Cercotrichas, the scrub-robins or bush-chats
■ Forest Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas leucosticta
Bearded Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas quadrivirgata

Brown-backed Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas hartlaubi
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin or Rufous Bush Chat, Cercotrichas galactotes
❍ Genus Copsychus, magpie-robins or shamas
■ Madagascar Magpie-robin, Copsychus albospecularis
Oriental Magpie-robin, Copsychus saularis

Seychelles Magpie-robin, Copsychus sechellarum
Black Shama, Copsychus cebuensis
❍ Genus Trichixos, shamas
■ Rufous-tailed Shama, Trichixos pyrropyga
❍ Genus Phoenicurus, redstarts

■ Ala Shan Redstart, Phoenicurus alaschanicus
Rufous-backed Redstart, Phoenicurus erythronota

Blue-capped Redstart, Phoenicurus caeruleocephalus
Hodgson's Redstart, Phoenicurus hodgsoni
White-throated Redstart, Phoenicurus schisticeps
Daurian Redstart, Phoenicurus auroreus
Moussier's Redstart, Phoenicurus moussieri
White-winged Redstart, Phoenicurus erythrogaster
Blue-fronted Redstart, Phoenicurus frontalis
❍ Genus Chaimarrornis, redstarts
■ White-capped Redstart, Chaimarrornis leucocephalus
❍ Genus Rhyacornis, redstarts

■ Plumbeous Redstart, Rhyacornis fuliginosus
Luzon Redstart, Rhyacornis bicolor

❍ Genus Hodgsonius, redstarts
■ White-bellied Redstart, Hodgsonius phaenicuroides
❍ Genus Enicurus, forktails

■ Little Forktail, Enicurus scouleri

Slaty-backed Forktail, Enicurus schistaceus
❍ Genus Cochoa, cochoas
■ Purple Cochoa, Cochoa purpurea

❍ Genus Oenanthe, wheatears
■ Northern Wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe

White-crowned Wheatear, Oenanthe leucopyga
Persian Wheatear, Oenanthe xanthoprymna
Hume's Wheatear, Oenanthe alboniger
External links
● Old World flycatcher videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Turdidae
Alethes | Bluebirds | Catharus thrushes | Myadestes | Rock thrushes | Zoothera
Thrushes
See also other birds with Thrush in their name: Waterthrush,
Shrike-thrush, Thrush Nightingale
The Thrushes, family Turdidae, are a group of passerine birds

that occur mainly but not exclusively in the Old World.
They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium sized

insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground.
Many have attractive songs.
The taxonomic treatment of this large family has varied

significantly in recent years. Traditionally it included the small
Hermit Thrush
Old World species, like the Nightingale and European Robin in
the subfamily Saxicolini, but now often either that group or the Scientific classification
whole family is now placed in the Old World flycatcher family Kingdom: Animalia
Muscicapidae.
Phylum: Chordata
This article follows Handbook of the Birds of the World with edits
from Clement & Hathaway, Thrushes (2000), and retains the large
Class: Aves
thrushes in Turdidae.
● Family Turdidae Order: Passeriformes

❍ Genus Turdus, true thrushes
■ Blackbird, Turdus merula

Family: Turdidae
Yemen Thrush, Turdus menachensis
Olive Thrush, Turdus olivaceus
Olivaceous Thrush, Turdus olivaceofuscus Genera
Comoro Thrush, Turdus bewsheri 22 genera, see text
Kurrichane Thrush, Turdus libonyanus
African Thrush, Turdus pelios
African Bare-eyed Thrush, Turdus tephronotus
Grey-backed Thrush, Turdus hortulorum
Tickell's Thrush, Turdus unicolor
Black-breasted Thrush, Turdus dissimilis
Japanese Thrush, Turdus cardis
White-collared Blackbird, Turdus albocinctus
Grey-winged Blackbird, Turdus boulboul
Chestnut Thrush, Turdus rubrocanus
White-backed Thrush, Turdus kessleri
Grey-sided Thrush, Turdus feae
Eyebrowed Thrush, Turdus obscurus
Pale Thrush, Turdus pallidus
Brown-headed Thrush, Turdus chrysolaus
Izu Thrush, Turdus celaenops
■ Dark-throated Thrush, Turdus atrogularis
■ Black-throated Thrush, T. a. atrogularis
■ Red-throated Thrush, T.a. ruficollis
■ Dusky Thrush, Turdus naumanni

■ Naumann's Thrush, T. n. naumanni
■ Dusky Thrush, T. n. eunomus
■ Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris

Chinese Thrush, Turdus mupinensis
Red-legged Thrush, Turdus plumbeus
Chiguanco Thrush, Turdus chiguanco
Sooty Robin, Turdus nigrescens
Great Thrush, Turdus fuscater
Black Robin, Turdus infuscatus
Glossy-black Thrush, Turdus serranus
Andean Slaty Thrush, Turdus nigriceps
Eastern Slaty Thrush, Turdus subalaris
Black-hooded Thrush, Turdus olivater
Plumbeous-backed Thrush, Turdus reevei
Maranon Thrush, Turdus maranonicus
Chestnut-bellied Thrush, Turdus fulviventris
Rufous-bellied Thrush, Turdus rufiventris
Austral Thrush, Turdus falcklandii
Pale-breasted Thrush, Turdus leucomelas
Creamy-bellied Thrush, Turdus amaurochalinus
Mountain Robin, Turdus plebejus
Black-billed Thrush, Turdus ignobilis
Lawrence's Thrush, Turdus lawrencii
Cocoa Thrush, Turdus fumigatus
Pale-vented Thrush, Turdus obsoletus
Hauxwell's Thrush, Turdus hauxwelli
Clay-colored Robin, Turdus grayi
Bare-eyed Thrush, Turdus nudigenis
Ecuadorian Thrush, Turdus maculirostris
Unicolored Thrush, Turdus haplochrous
White-eyed Thrush, Turdus jamaicensis
White-throated Thrush, Turdus assimilis
White-necked Thrush, Turdus albicollis
Rufous-backed Robin, Turdus rufopalliatus
Rufous-collared Robin, Turdus rufitorques
American Robin, Turdus migratorius
La Selle Thrush, Turdus swalesi
White-chinned Thrush, Turdus aurantius
❍ Genus Zoothera, Asian thrushes
■ Slaty-backed Thrush, Zoothera schistacea
Moluccan Thrush, Zoothera dumasi

Red-and-black Thrush, Zoothera mendeni
Ashy Thrush, Zoothera cinerea
Orange-banded Thrush, Zoothera peronii
Everett's Thrush, Zoothera everetti
Varied Thrush, Zoothera naevia
Aztec Thrush, Zoothera pinicola
Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Zoothera piaggiae
Orange Ground Thrush, Zoothera gurneyi
Oberlaender's Ground Thrush, Zoothera oberlaenderi
Grey Ground Thrush, Zoothera princei
Spotted Ground Thrush, Zoothera guttata
Spot-winged Thrush, Zoothera spiloptera
Sunda Thrush, Zoothera andromedae
Plain-backed Thrush, Zoothera mollissima
White's Thrush or Scaly Thrush, Zoothera dauma
Amami Thrush, Zoothera major
Horsfield's Thrush, Zoothera horsfieldi
Fawn-breasted Thrush, Zoothera machiki
Olive-tailed Thrush, Zoothera lunulata
New Britain Thrush, Zoothera talaseae
San Cristobal Thrush, Zoothera margaretae
Guadalcanal Thrush, Zoothera turipavae
†Bonin Islands Thrush, Zoothera terrestris Conservation status: Extinct
❍ Genus Catharus, typical American thrushes
■ Veery, Catharus fuscescens
Gray-cheeked Thrush, Catharus minimus

Bicknell's Thrush, Catharus bicknelli
Swainson's Thrush, Catharus ustulatus
Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus
Orange-billed Nightingale-thrush, Catharus aurantiirostris
Slaty-backed Nightingale-thrush, Catharus fuscater
Russet Nightingale-thrush, Catharus occidentalis
Black-billed Nightingale-thrush, Catharus gracilirostris
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-thrush, Catharus frantzii
Black-headed Nightingale-thrush, Catharus mexicanus
Spotted Nightingale-thrush, Catharus dryas
❍ Genus Hylocichla
■ Wood Thrush, Hylocichla mustelina
❍ Genus Monticola, rock thrushes

■ Forest Rock Thrush, Monticola sharpei
Benson's Rock Thrush, Monticola bensoni

Littoral Rock Thrush, Monticola imerinus
Cape Rock Thrush, Monticola rupestris
Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Monticola saxatilis
Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Monticola rufiventris
❍ Genus Neocossyphus, flycatcher thrushes and ant thrushes
■ Rufous Flycatcher-thrush, Neocossyphus fraseri
Finsch's Flycatcher-thrush, Neocossyphus finschii

Red-tailed Ant-thrush, Neocossyphus rufus
White-tailed Ant-thrush, Neocossyphus poensis
❍ Genus Myophonus, whistling thrushes
■ Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, Myophonus blighi
Shiny Whistling Thrush, Myophonus melanurus

Sunda Whistling Thrush, Myophonus glaucinus
Malayan Whistling Thrush, Myophonus robinsoni
Malabar Whistling Thrush, Myophonus horsfieldii
Formosan Whistling Thrush, Myophonus insularis
Blue Whistling Thrush, Myophonus caeruleus
❍ Genus Geomalia
■ Geomalia Geomalia heinrichi
❍ Genus Cataponera
■ Sulawesi Thrush, Cataponera turdoides
❍ Genus Nesocichla
■ Tristan Thrush, Nesocichla eremita
❍ Genus Cichlherminia
■ Forest Thrush, Cichlherminia lherminieri
❍ Genus Sialia, bluebirds

■ Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis
Western Bluebird, Sialia mexicana

Mountain Bluebird, Sialia currucoides
❍ Genus Myadestes, solitaires
■ Townsend's Solitaire, Myadestes townsendi
Brown-backed Solitaire, Myadestes occidentalis

Cuban Solitaire, Myadestes elisabeth
Rufous-throated Solitaire, Myadestes genibarbis
Black-faced Solitaire, Myadestes melanops
Varied Solitaire, Myadestes coloratus
Slate-colored Solitaire, Myadestes unicolor
Andean Solitaire, Myadestes ralloides
† Āmaui, Myadestes woahensis Conservation status: Extinct (mid-19th century)
†Kāma o, Myadestes myadestinus Conservation status: Extinct (mid-1990s)
Oloma o, Myadestes lanaiensis - probably extinct (1980s)
Ōma o, Myadestes obscurus
Puaiohi, Myadestes palmeri
❍ Genus Cichlopsis, solitaires
■ Rufous-brown Solitaire, Cichlopsis leucogenys
❍ Genus Entomodestes, solitaires

■ White-eared Solitaire, Entomodestes leucotis
Black Solitaire, Entomodestes coracinus

❍ Genus Platycichla
■ Pale-eyed Thrush, Platycichla leucops
Yellow-legged Thrush, Platycichla flavipes
❍ Genus Psophocichla
■ Groundscraper Thrush, Psophocichla litsipsirupa
❍ Genus Chlamydochaera
■ Fruit-hunter, Chlamydochaera jefferyi
❍ Genus Brachypteryx, shortwings

■ Rusty-bellied Shortwing, Brachypteryx hyperythra
Gould's Shortwing, Brachypteryx stellata

White-bellied Shortwing, Brachypteryx major
Lesser Shortwing, Brachypteryx leucophrys
White-browed Shortwing, Brachypteryx montana
❍ Genus Heinrichia, shortwings
■ Great Shortwing, Heinrichia calligyna
❍ Genus Chaetops, rock-jumpers

■ Rufous Rock-jumper, Chaetops frenatus
Orange-breasted Rock-jumper, Chaetops aurantius,

❍ Genus Alethe alethes
■ Brown-chested Alethe, Alethe poliocephala

Cholo Alethe, Alethe choloensis
Fire-crested Alethe, Alethe diademata
For species previously in Turdidae, see Muscicapidae and chats.
External links
● Thrush videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Raven
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Raven
Raven is the common name given to several large black birds of
the genus Corvus. Other birds in the same genus are the smaller
crows, jackdaws, and rooks.
In much of Europe and North America, raven is used as a

synonym for the widespread Common Raven, and much of the
literature and culture surrounding ravens refers to that species.
Raven species include:
● Common Raven (C. corax)

Australian Raven (C. coronoides)
Forest Raven (C. tasmanicus)
Little Raven (C. mellori)
Common Raven
Thick-billed Raven (C. crassirostris)
White-necked Raven (C. albicollis) Scientific classification
Brown-necked Raven (C. ruficollis) Kingdom: Animalia
Chihuahuan Raven (C. cryptoleucos)
Phylum: Chordata
External links
Class: Aves
● Raven videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up Family: Corvidae
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation Genus: Corvus
Species
See text.
Plumage
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The differences in plumage of a Blue Grosbeak, from top to

bottom, between a breeding male (alternate plumage) a non-
breeding male (basic plumage), a female and a related Indigo
Bunting
Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of
those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage vary between species and subspecies and can also
vary between different age classes, sexes, and season. Within species there can also be a number of
different colour morphs. Differences in plumage are used by ornithologists and birdwatchers in order to
distinguish between species and collect other species specific information.
Basic and alternate plumage

Almost all species of birds moult at least annually, usually after the breeding season. This resulting
covering of feathers, which will last either until the next breeding season or until the next annual moult,
is known as the basic plumage. Many species undertake another moult prior to the breeding season
known as the prealternate moult, the resilting breeding plumage being known as the alternate plumage.
The alternate plumage is often brighter than the basic plumage, for the purposes of sexual display, but
may also be cryptic in order to hide incubating birds that might be vulnerable on the nest.
Home | Up
Fictional ducks
Home | Up
Contents
● 1 Disney cartoon ducks
❍ 1.1 Residents of Disney's Duckburg and the Donald Duck/Scrooge McDuck universes
❍ 1.2 Residents of Disney's St. Canard exclusive to Darkwing Duck
❍ 1.3 Other characters
● 2 Warner Brothers ducks

● 3 Other cartoon ducks
● 4 Krazy Kat
● 5 Pokemon
● 6 Live or costumed ducks on television and film
● 7 Ducks in literature and song
● 8 Duck mascots
● 9 Other media
● 10 See also
Disney cartoon ducks

Disney animators have created an entire universe of ducks; most are modeled after the Pekin duck.
Residents of Disney's Duckburg and the Donald Duck/Scrooge McDuck universes
● Bubba the Caveduck

Daisy Duck
Daphne Duck
Della Thelma Duck
Donald Duck
Downy O'Drake
Eider Duck
Fenton Crackshell
Huey, Dewey and Louie and their lost brother Phooey Duck
April, May and June Duck
Humperdink Duck
Pintail Duck
Quackmore Duck
Gladstone Gander
Flintheart Glomgold
● Clan McDuck
❍ Angus McDuck
Dingus McDuck
Fergus McDuck
Hortense McDuck
Hugh McDuck
Jake McDuck
Malcolm McDuck
Matilda McDuck
Quagmire McDuck
Scrooge McDuck
Sir Eider McDuck
Sir Quackly McDuck
Sir Roast McDuck
Sir Stuft McDuck
Sir Swamphole McDuck
● Launchpad McQuack
Pah-Peh-Rheo
Paperinik
Howard Rockerduck
John Rockerduck
Residents of Disney's St. Canard exclusive to Darkwing Duck
● Darkwing Duck/Drake Mallard

Gosalyn Mallard
Stegmutt
NegaDuck
Morgana Macawber
Bushroot
Quackerjack
Other characters
● Abby Mallard 'The Ugly Duckling'

Moby Duck
Warner Brothers ducks
Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny in the

famous 1952 Merrie Melodies cartoon
Rabbit Seasoning.
● Daffy Duck
Danger Duck (Loonatics Unleashed)
Duck Dodgers
Melissa Duck
Plucky Duck
Shirley the Loon- technically a loon, not a duck.
Other cartoon ducks

● Arima Ahiru, a duck transformed into a girl in Princess Tutu.
Baby Huey, no relation to Disney's Huey
Bill from Sitting Ducks TV series by Canadian artist Michael Bedard
Yakky Doodle, a Hanna-Barbera character
Wade Duck from U.S. Acres
Count Duckula, a vampire duck originally from the British television series Dangermouse. Count
Duckula later starred in a cartoon series of his own.
Duckman, a former USA Network animated character known for his raunchy behavior and foul
mouth.
Alfred J. Kwak, Dutch cartoon character
Mousse from the popular manga Ranma ½ transforms into a duck when doused with cold water.
Turtle Ducks of Avatar: The Last Airbender
[[1]Throwback the Duck] Classic video game journalist.
Krazy Kat
● Gooseberry Sprig the duck duke, comic-strip character created by George Herriman, later
appeared in Herriman's Krazy Kat
Mock Duck, a fowl of Chinese descent who resembles a coolie and operates a cleaning
establishment
Mrs. Katalpa Kwakk Wakk, a duck in a pillbox hat, is a scold who frequently notices Ignatz in
the course of his plotting and then informs Officer Pupp.
Pokemon
● Psyduck
Golduck
Farfetch'd
Live or costumed ducks on television and film

● Plucka Duck from the Australian television show "Hey Hey it's Saturday"
The Chick and The Duck from American sitcom Friends
The ducks in Star Wars
The Aflac duck
Howard the Duck
Doobie Duck (and his disco bus)
Orville the Duck
Edd the Duck
Tom Holden
Ducks in literature and song

● The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen (In the end not actually a duckling, but a
Cygnet)
Jemima Puddle-Duck and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Rebeccah Puddle-Duck, in The Tale of Tom
Kitten and The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck by Beatrix Potter
The duck in the traditional song "Froggy would a-wooing go"; at the end it swallowed the frog
Ping from The Story of Ping.
Sasha from Peter and the Wolf.
Mr. and Mrs. Mallad and their children from Robert McCloskey's Make Way for Ducklings.
The titular ducks from Angus and the Ducks by Marjorie Flack.
The Llama Song, even though most of it is about llamas, ducks are in it too.
Duck mascots
Wildwing, the mascot of the

Anaheim Ducks.
● University of Oregon Ducks

Stevens Institute of Technology's Attila the Duck, mascot of the Stevens Ducks
Long Island Ducks minor league baseball team,
National Hockey League's Anaheim Ducks (originally the Mighty Ducks, named after the Mighty
Ducks movies, where a youth hockey team named themselves the Mighty Ducks)
United Hockey League's Quad City Mallards.
Millard the Mallard of WRVA Richmond, Virginia.
The duck from Duck Products' adhesives.
Other media
● Derwin, Mallary, Pate and Scoot from the Animal Crossing video-games
Dirty Duck from the comic strip of the same name by Bobby London
Destroyer Duck comic book
Duckman Drake, a humanoid shotgun-wielding duck from the Timesplitters video games
Jonathin Quackup
Montague, a steam engine from The Railway Series by Rev. W. Awdry is better known as Duck.
Ernie's rubber ducky from Sesame Street.
Ty characters Jake, Quackers, Allegro, Splash, Flip Flop, Gemma, Duck-e, Puddles, and
Huggyducky.
The animated short series on Showtime titled and staring Queer Duck.
See also
● List of fictional birds
Home | Up
Cassowary
Cassowaries
Cassowaries (genus Casuarius) are very large flightless birds
native to the tropical forests of New Guinea and northeastern
Australia. Some nearby islands also have small cassowary
populations, but it is not known if these are natural or the result of
the New Guinea trade in young birds. They are frugivorous; fallen
fruit and fruit on low branches is the mainstay of their diet. They
also eat fungi, snails, insects, frogs, snakes and other small
animals. Recently, they have also been observed to attack humans,
though this usually only occurs in self-defense when humans
intrude upon the birds' territory or cause them to feel threatened.
Southern Cassowary
Cassowaries (from the Indonesian name kasuari) are part of the Scientific classification
ratite group, which also includes the emu, rhea, ostrich, moa, and
Kingdom: Animalia
kiwi. There are three species recognized today:
● Southern Cassowary or double-wattled cassowary C. Phylum: Chordata

casuarius of Australia and New Guinea.
● Dwarf Cassowary C. bennetti of New Guinea and New Class: Aves
Britain.
● Northern Cassowary C. unappendiculatus of New
Guinea.
The Northern and Dwarf Cassowaries are not well known. All Family: Casuariidae
cassowaries are usually shy, secretive birds of the deep forest,
adept at disappearing long before a human knows they are there. Genus: Casuarius
Even the more accessible Southern Cassowary of the far north Brisson, 1760
Queensland rain forests is not well understood.
Species
Casuarius casuarius
The evolutionary history of cassowaries, as all ratites, is not well
Casuarius unappendiculatus
known. A fossil species was reported from Australia, but for
Casuarius bennetti
reasons of biogeography this assignment is not certain and it might
belong to the prehistoric "emuwaries", Emuarius, which were cassowary-like primitive emus.
Detail of Cassowary head
The Southern Cassowary is the second-largest bird in Australia and the third-largest remaining bird in
the world (after the ostrich and emu). Adult Southern Cassowaries are 1.5 to 1.8 m (5 to 6 feet) tall,
although some may reach 2m (6 feet 8 inches), and weigh about 60 kilograms (130 pounds). They have
a bony casque on the head that is used to batter through underbrush, making them the only armoured
bird in the world. Females are bigger and more brightly coloured.
A cassowary's three-toed feet have sharp claws; the dagger-like middle claw is 120 mm (5 inches) long.
This claw is particularly dangerous since the Cassowary can use it to kill an enemy, disemboweling it
with a single kick. They can run up to 50 km/h (32 mph) through the dense forest, pushing aside small
trees and brush with their bony casques. They can jump up to 1.5 m (5 feet) and they are good swimmers.
The 2004 edition of the Guinness World Records lists the cassowary as the world's most dangerous bird.
Normally cassowaries are very shy but when disturbed can lash out dangerously with their powerful
legs. During World War II American and Australian troops stationed in New Guinea were warned to
steer clear of the birds. They are capable of inflicting fatal injuries to an adult human. Usually, attacks
are the result of provocation. Wounded or cornered birds are particularly dangerous. Cassowaries, deftly
using their surroundings to conceal their movements, have been known to out-flank organized groups of
human predators. Cassowaries are considered to be one of the most dangerous animals to keep in zoos,
based on the frequency and severity of injuries incurred by zookeepers.
More recently, Cassowaries have been known to lose their natural fear of people. As a result, large areas
of Australian National Parks have been temporarily closed to avoid human contact with the bird.
Females lay three to eight large, pale green-blue eggs in each clutch. These eggs measure about 9 by 14
cm (3½ by 5½ inches) — only ostrich and emu eggs are larger. The female does not care for the eggs or
the chicks; the male incubates the eggs for two months, then cares for the brown-striped chicks for nine
months.
Southern and Northern Cassowaries are threatened species because of habitat loss; estimates of their
current population range from 1500 to 10,000 individuals. About 40 are kept in captivity in Australia.
Habitat loss has caused some cassowaries to venture out of the rainforest into human communities. This
has caused conflict particularly with fruit growers. However, in some locations such as Mission Beach,
Queensland, tourism involving the birds has been launched.
Distribution of Casuarius Distribution of Casuarius Distribution of Casuarius

bennetti casuarius unappendiculatus
References
● Stay in Touch, Philip Clark (ed), The Sydney Morning Herald, 5 November 1990. Cites
"authorities" for the death claim.
● Underhill D (1993) Australia's Dangerous Creatures, Reader's Digest, Sydney, New South
Wales, ISBN 0-86438-018-6
● Readers' Digest, June 2006 issue.
External links
● C4 - Cassowary Conservation based in Mission Beach
● The Cassowary Bird
● ARKive - images and movies of the southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius)
● Cassowary videos on the Internet Bird Collection
American Robin
American Robin
The American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is a migratory Conservation status Least concern
songbird of the thrush family.
Contents
● 1 Overview
● 2 Song and calls
● 3 Trivia
● 4 Photo gallery
● 5 References
Overview
The American Robin is 25–28 cm (10–11 in) long. It has gray
upperparts and head, and orange underparts, usually brighter in the
male; the similarity between this coloring and that of the smaller
and unrelated European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) led to its
common name. There are seven races, but only T. m. confinus in Kingdom: Animalia
the southwest is particularly distinctive, with pale gray-brown Phylum: Chordata
underparts.
Class: Aves
During the breeding season, the adult males grow distinctive black Order: Passeriformes
feathers on their heads; after the breeding season they lose this eye-
Family: Turdidae
catching plumage.
Genus: Turdus
This bird breeds throughout Canada and the United States. While Species: T. migratorius
Robins occasionally overwinter in the northern part of the United
Binomial name
States and southern Canada, most winter in the southern parts of
the breeding range and beyond, from the southern U.S.A. to Turdus migratorius
Guatemala. Most depart south by the end of August and begin to Linnaeus, 1766
return north in February and March. (Exact dates vary with latitude and climate, of course.)
This species is a very rare vagrant to western Europe. In autumn 2003, migration was displaced
eastwards leading to massive movements through the eastern USA. Presumably this is what led to no
fewer than three American Robins being found in Great Britain, with two attempting to overwinter in
2003–4, one eventually being taken by a Sparrowhawk.
As with many migratory birds, the males return to the summer breeding grounds before the females and
compete with each other for nesting sites. The females then select mates based on the males' songs,
plumage, and territory quality. The females build the nest and lay three or four blue eggs in the lined
cup. Incubation, almost entirely by the female is 11-14 days to hatching, with another 15–16 days to
fledging. Two broods in a season are common. The adult male looks after the fledged chicks while
female incubates her second clutch. Some people enjoy the Robin's presence, and want to protect the
chicks; they do this by building nesting shelves for the Robin's use. Bird banders found that only 25% of
young robins survive the first year.
The American Robin's habitat is all sorts of woodland and more open farmland and urban areas. Food is
the typical thrush mixture consisting largely of insects and earthworms. Robins are also fond of some
berries, including those of the black cherry tree; they will fly in especially to feed on them during the
period when they ripen.
Robins are frequently seen running across lawns, picking up earthworms by sight. In fact, the running
and stopping behavior is a distinguishing characteristic. When stopping, they are believed to be listening
for the movement of prey.
Without showing symptoms, the American Robin is sometimes a carrier of the West Nile virus in the
Western hemisphere.
This is the state bird of Connecticut, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Song and calls

The American Robin, like many thrushes, has a beautiful and complex song, and in contrast to other
thrushes, its song is almost continuous. Its song is commonly described as a cheerily carol song. The
song is made of discrete units, often repeated, and spliced together into a string with brief pauses in
between. The song varies regionally, and its style varies by time of day. American Robins will often be
among the last songbirds singing as the evening sets in.
In addition to its song, the American Robin has a number of calls used for communicating specific
information. When a ground predator approaches but does not directly threaten, Robins will make a
PEEK!! tut tut tut tut... warning call. When a nest or Robin is being directly threatened, another call is
used, which sounds like a horse's whinny. Even during nesting season, when Robins exhibit mostly
competitive and territorial behaviour, they may still band together to drive away a predator. Robins also
make a very high-pitched sound when a hawk or other bird of prey is seen; other robins will repeat the
sound, seek cover, and stop moving. During the colder parts of the year, the American Robin gathers in
flocks around food sources, and there is yet another call that is heard in such flocks.
Trivia
● Crayola has a crayon color, robin's egg blue named after the color of the eggs.
● The American Robin was depicted on the 1986 series Canadian $2 note.
● The Disney film Mary Poppins, set in London, incorrectly portrayed American Robins singing by
an open window, despite the fact that the European Robin is the only bird named as a robin to be
commonly found in the United Kingdom. Additionally, both robins building the nest in that film
are males.
Photo gallery
Same nest with four chicks.

Nest, approximately 5 inches The pink "runt" in the center
Male, front view A single egg in a nest.
(13 cm) across,with four eggs hatched two days later than its
nest mates
Chicks
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Turdus migratorius. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
● Thrushes by Clement and Hathaway, ISBN 0-7136-3940-7
● Design for human-built nesting shelves
External links
● Albinism in Robins
● American Robin Facts - natural history, maps, and photos
● American Robin Nesting Behavior - photos and observations
● American Robin Photos - male, female, nestling, and fledgling photos
● American Robin Vocalizations
● American Robin videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● American_Robin.wav - .wav file of the bird's song.
● Burroughs Observes a Gourmet Robin. The naturalist John Burroughs marvels over a robin with
a curious menu item.
● Getting Sturdy with the American Robin - Informative but non-scholarly essay on the American
Robin.
Andean Condor
Andean Condor
The Andean Condor, Vultur gryphus, is a species of bird Conservation status Near threatened
in one of the vulture families. It is in many regards the
largest flying land bird in the Western Hemisphere and is
the heaviest, but not the lengthiest, member of the order
Ciconiiformes.
This condor inhabits the Andes mountains. Although it is

primarily a scavenger, feeding on carrion, this species
belongs to the New World vulture family Cathartidae,
related to storks and not closely related to Old World
vultures, which are in the family Accipitridae along with
hawks, eagles and kites.
Contents
● 1 Appearance
● 2 Behavior
● 3 Human influence
● 5 References
● 6 External links Condor in Nuremburg Zoo
Kingdom: Animalia
Appearance Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Although about 5 cm shorter (beak to tail) on average
than the California Condor, the Andean Condor is Order: Ciconiiformes
undoubtedly larger in wingspan: Ferguson-Lees gives Family: New_World_vulture.html
274–310 cm (108–122 in). It is also heavier: up to 11–15
kg (24–33 lb) for males and 7.5–11 kg (16–24 lb) for Genus: Vultur
females. Measurements are usually taken from specimens Lesson, 1842
reared in captivity. Species: V. gryphus
Binomial name
The adult plumage is of a uniform black, with the Vultur gryphus
exception of a frill of white feathers nearly surrounding (Linnaeus, 1758)
the base of the neck and, especially in the male, large Synonyms
patches or bands of white on the wings which do not ● Vultur fossilis Moreno & Mercerat, 1891
appear until the completion of the first moulting. As an ● Vultur patruus Lönnberg, 1902
adaptation for hygiene, the head and neck have few ● Vultur pratruus Emslie, 1988 (lapsus)
feathers, exposing the skin to the sterilizing effects of
dehydration and ultraviolet light at high altitudes, and are
meticulously kept clean by the bird. The head is much flattened above. In the male it is crowned with a
caruncle or comb, while the skin of the neck in the male lies in folds, forming a wattle. The skin of the
head and neck is capable of flushing noticeably in response to emotional state, which serves to
communicate between individuals.
The middle toe is greatly elongated, and the hinder one but slightly developed, while the talons of all the
toes are comparatively straight and blunt. The feet are thus more adapted to walking as in their relatives
the storks, and of little use as weapons or organs of prehension as in birds of prey and Old World
vultures. The female, contrary to the usual rule among birds of prey, is smaller than the male.
An Andean condor soars over southern

Peru's Colca Canyon
Behavior
Sexual maturity and breeding behavior do not appear in the condor until 5 or 6 years of age. They may
live for 50 years or more, and mate for life. The Andean condor prefers roosting and breeding at
elevations of 3,000 to 5,000 m (10,000–16,000 ft). There on inaccessible ledges of rock, its nest
consisting merely of a few sticks placed around the eggs, it deposits one or two bluish-white eggs,
weighing about 10 ounces (280 g) and from 3 to 4 inches (75 to 100 mm) in length, during the months of
February and March every second year. The egg hatches after 54–58 days of incubation by both parents.
If the chick or egg is lost or removed, another egg is laid to take its place. Researchers and breeders take
advantage of this behavior to double the reproductive rate by taking the first egg away for hand-rearing,
causing the parents to lay a second egg which they are generally allowed to raise.
The young are covered with a grayish down until almost as large as their parents. They are able to fly
after six months, but continue to roost and hunt with their parents until age two, when they are displaced
by a new clutch. There is a well developed social structure within large groups of condors, with
competition to determine a 'pecking order' by body language, competitive play behavior, and a wide
variety of vocalizations, even though the condor has no voice box.
On wing the movements of the condor, as it wheels in majestic circles, are remarkably graceful. The
lack of a large sternum to anchor correspondingly large flight muscles identifies them physiologically as
primarily soarers. The birds flap their wings on rising from the ground, but after attaining a moderate
elevation they seem to sail on the air. Charles Darwin commented on having watched them for half an
hour without once observing a flap of their wings. They prefer to roost on high places from where they
can launch without major wing-flapping effort. Oftentimes, these birds are seen soaring near rock cliffs,
using the heat thermals to aid them with rising in the air.
Wild condors inhabit large territories, often traveling 250 km (150 miles) a day in search of carrion.
They prefer large carcasses such as deer or cattle which they spot by looking for other scavengers, who
cannot rip through the tougher hides of these larger animals with the efficiency of the larger condor. In
the wild they are intermittent eaters, often going for a few days without eating, then gorging themselves
on several pounds at once, sometimes to the point of being unable to lift off the ground.
Human influence
Andean Condors, depicted in the

1851 Illustrated London Reading
Book
The Andean Condor is the national symbol of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, and Chile.
It plays an important role in the folklore and mythology of the South American Andean regions, similar
to the role the Bald Eagle plays in North America. As such, condors are depicted in the national coats of
arms of Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile, and can also be seen in the state flag of Ecuador.
One of best known Peruvian songs is El Cóndor Pasa (The condor passes), composed by Peruvian
musician Daniel Alomía Robles. The melody attained world fame years later, in Paul Simon's "If I
Could". Tourists can see the condors flying freely at the Colca Canyon in Peru, which is a natural habitat
of the great Andean Condor.
The Andean Condor is becoming more common in bird shows, and these large birds can prove very
powerful and aggressive, so a well-trained Andean Condor appearing free in a public show is an
impressive feat.

See Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy for a radically different approach to ciconiiform classification, quite
popular in the late 20th century but is increasingly falling out of favor, being superseded by more current
research.
The Andean Condor is the only accepted species of its genus, living or extinct. Unlike the California
Condor, which is known from extensive fossil remains and some additional ones of congeners, the fossil
record of the Andean Condor recovered to date is scant. Some prehistoric genera of New World vultures
seem to be closely related to Vultur; the Argentine Early to Middle Pliocene Dryornis pampeanus may
actually belong into this genus. Presumed Plio-/Pleistocene species of South American condors were
later recognized to be not different from the present species, although one known only from a few rather
small bones found in a Pliocene deposit of Tarija Department, Bolivia, may have been a smaller
palaeosubspecies, V. gryphus patruus (Fisher, 1944).
References
● Fisher, Harvey L. (1944): The skulls of the Cathartid vultures. Condor 46: 272-296. PDF fulltext
External links
● ARKive - images and movies of the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
● IUCN Red List
● Proyecto Conservación Cóndor Andino de Argentina, Organizado por la Fundación Bioandina
Argentina.
Blue Jay
Blue Jay
The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a North American jay, a Conservation status Least concern
handsome bird with predominantly lavender-blue to mid-blue
feathering from the top of the head to midway down the back.
There is a pronounced crest on the head. The colour changes to
black, sky-blue and white barring on the wing primaries and the
tail. The bird has an off-white underside, with a black collar
around the neck and sides of the head and a white face.
Blue Jays reside over a very large area of the eastern side of North
America from Newfoundland in the northeast to Florida in the
southeast and westward to Texas and the mid-west and eastern
Colorado in the north. It is mainly a bird of mixed woodland, Scientific classification
including American beech and various oak species, but also of
parks and gardens in some towns and cities. West of the Rockies, Kingdom: Animalia
it is replaced by the closely related Steller's Jay.
Phylum: Chordata
Its food is sought both on the ground and in trees and includes
virtually all known types of plant and animal sources, such as Class: Aves
acorns and beech mast, weed seeds, grain, fruits and other berries,
peanuts, bread, meat, eggs and nestlings, small invertebrates of
many types, scraps in town parks and bird-table food. Order: Passeriformes
Its occasionally aggressive behavior at feeding stations, plus a Family: Corvidae

reputation for occasionally destroying the nests and eggs of other
birds, has made the Blue Jay unwelcome at some bird feeders. Genus: Cyanocitta
However, these are clever and adaptable birds who are good
survivors and have adapted well to human presence. They are
particularly fond of peanuts and sunflower seeds. Species: C. cristata
Any suitable tree or large bush may be used for nesting and both Binomial name
sexes build the nest and rear the young, though only the female Cyanocitta cristata
broods them. There are usually 4–5 eggs laid and incubated over Linnaeus, 1758
16–18 days. The young are fledged usually between 17–21 days.
Blue Jays typically form monogamous pair bonds for life.
Although this bird is generally found year round through most of

its range, some northern birds do move into the southern parts of
the range. These birds migrate during the day.
The voice is typical of most jays in being varied, but the most
commonly recognized sound is the alarm call, which is a loud,
almost gull-like scream. There is also a high-pitched jayer-jayer
call that increases in speed as the bird becomes more agitated.
Blue Jays will use these calls to band together to drive a predator Blue Jay range
such as a hawk away from their nest.
Blue Jays also have a quiet, almost subliminal call which they use among themselves in close proximity.
In fact, they can make a large variety of sounds, and individuals may vary perceptibly in their calling
style.
As with other blue-hued birds, the Blue Jay's coloration is not derived by pigments, but is the result of
light refraction due to the internal structure of the feathers; if a Blue Jay feather is crushed, the blue
disappears as the structure is destroyed. This is referred to as structural coloration.
The Blue Jay is the provincial bird of Prince Edward Island and gave its name to the Toronto Blue Jays
baseball team.
Blue Jays in captivity are generally aggressive toward other birds. They tend to bond to one or two
people and attack all others.
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Cyanocitta cristata. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
● Goodwin, D. 1976. Crows of the World. Seattle, University of Washington Press.
● Madge, S. and H. Burn. 1994. Crows and Jays: A Guide to the Crows, Jays and Magpies of the
World. Boston, Houghton Mifflin.
● Tarvin, K. A., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1999. Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata). In The Birds of North
America. No. 469.
External links
Blue Jay surveys its surroundings
Bluebirds
Bluebirds
Eastern Bluebird
Kingdom: Animalia
Mountain Bluebird
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Family: Turdidae
Genus: Sialia
Western Bluebird
Species
The bluebirds are medium-sized, mostly insectivorous or omnivorous birds in the genus Sialia of the Sialia sialis
thrush family Turdidae. Sialia mexicana
Sialia currucoides
These are one of the relatively few thrush genera to be restricted to the Americas. As the name implies, these are
attractive birds with blue, or blue and red, plumage. Female birds are less brightly colored than males, although color
patterns are similar and there is no noticeable difference in size between genders.
Species:
● Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis

Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana
Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides
Behavior
Bluebirds are territorial, prefer open grassland with scattered trees and are cavity nesters (similar to many species
of woodpecker). Bluebirds can typically produce between two to four broods during the spring and summer (March
through August in the Northeastern United States). Males identify potential nest sites and try to attract prospective
female mates to those nesting sites with special behaviors that include singing and flapping wings, and then placing
some material in a nesting box or cavity. If the female accepts the male and the nesting site she and she alone builds the
nest and incubates the eggs.
Predators of young in the nests can include snakes, cats and raccoons. Non-native bird species competing with bluebirds
for nesting locations include the Common Starling and House Sparrow, both of which have been known to kill young bluebirds.
Bluebirds are attracted to platform bird feeders, filled with grubs of the darkling beetle, sold by many online bird
product wholesalers as mealworms. Bluebirds will also eat raisins soaked in water. In addition, in winter bluebirds
use backyard heated birdbaths.
Bluebird numbers declined by estimates ranging to 70% in the 1970s due to a decline in habitat. However, in late 2005
Cornell University's Lab of Ornithology reported bluebird sightings at many locations in the southern U.S. as part of its
yearly Backyard Bird Count, a strong indication of the bluebird's return to the region.
External links
● Cornell BLUEBIRD-L email list - Caution: this is a high traffic list. However, users are welcoming and eager to
provide information on a range of subjects to bluebird enthusiasts with diverse levels of birding experience.
● Eastern Bluebird Cornell descriptions, including range, calls and physical description
● Western Bluebird Cornell descriptions, including range, calls and physical description
● Mountain Bluebird Cornell descriptions, including range, calls and physical description
● Bluebird videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Alethes | Bluebirds | Catharus thrushes | Myadestes | Rock thrushes | Zoothera
Caladrius
An illustration of the Caladrius' prophecies from the 1588

edition of The Physiologus. Copperplate by Pieter van der
Borcht.
According to the Aberdeen Bestiary (as well earlier texts such as The Physiologus), the Caladrius is a
snow-white bird that lives in kings' houses. Supposedly, the bird refuses to look at any patient that is not
going to make a full recovery.
It is said to also be able to take the sickness into itself and then fly away, dispersing the sickness and
healing both itself and the sick person.
This is said to be analogous to Jesus Christ, whose crucifixion is said to have drawn out "the
sickness" (sin, see Biblical sin-sickness analogy) and, through his "flight" from the grave, saved the
sinner.
Basis of Origination
There are numerous theories as to where the legend of the Caladrius was started. One of them would be
that it is merely the product of some overactive imaginations or that it was created purely as an analogy.
Another is that the Caladrius is based on a real bird. According to the descriptions of its being
completely white with no black on it, it is possible that it was based on the dove, or possibly some sort
of water bird such as the heron.
Other
Caladrius Computing is also the name of an Australian data backup company.
External links
● Caladrius at the Aberdeen Bestiary
● Another Page about the Caladrius
Cardinalidae
Grosbeak
Cardinalidae
The Cardinals or Cardinalidae are a family of passerine birds
living in North and South America.
These are robust, seed-eating birds, with strong bills. They are
typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have
distinct plumages; the family is named for the red colour (like that
of a Catholic cardinal's vestments) of males of the type species,
the Northern Cardinal.
The "buntings" in this family are sometimes generically known as

"tropical buntings" (though not all live in the tropics) or "North
American buntings" (though there are other buntings in North
America) to distinguish them from the true buntings. Likewise the
grosbeaks in this family are sometimes called "cardinal-
grosbeaks" to distinguish them from other grosbeaks. The name
"cardinal-grosbeak" can also apply to this family as a whole.
Species list
Family: Cardinalidae
● Genus Periporphyrus
❍ Red-and-black Grosbeak, Periporphyrus
erythromelas
● Genus Saltator, the saltators
Male Northern Cardinal
❍ Lesser Antillean Saltator, Saltator albicollis
Streaked Saltator, Saltator striatipectus Scientific classification

Grayish Saltator, Saltator coerulescens
Buff-throated Saltator, Saltator maximus
Black-headed Saltator, Saltator atriceps
Slate-colored Grosbeak, Saltator grossus
Black-throated Grosbeak, Saltator fuliginosus
Black-uuu, Saltator similis
Orinocan Saltator, Saltator orenocensis Kingdom: Animalia
Black-cowled Saltator, Saltator nigriceps
Golden-billed Saltator, Saltator aurantiirostris
Thick-billed Saltator, Saltator maxillosus Phylum: Chordata
Masked Saltator, Saltator cinctus
Black-throated Saltator, Saltator atricollis Class: Aves
Rufous-bellied Saltator, Saltator rufiventris
● Genus Caryothraustes
❍ Black-faced Grosbeak, Caryothraustes poliogaster
Yellow-green Grosbeak, Caryothraustes canadensis
● Genus Parkerthraustes Family: Cardinalidae
❍ Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak, Parkerthraustes
humeralis
Genera
● Genus Rhodothraupis
❍ Crimson-collared Grosbeak, Rhodothraupis celaeno
Periporphyrus
● Genus Cardinalis Saltator
❍ Vermilion Cardinal, Cardinalis phoeniceus
Caryothraustes
Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis Parkerthraustes
Pyrrhuloxia, Cardinalis sinuatus Rhodothraupis
● Genus Pheucticus Cardinalis
❍ Yellow Grosbeak, Pheucticus chrysopeplus
Pheucticus
Golden-bellied Grosbeak, Pheucticus chrysogaster Cyanocompsa
Black-thighed Grosbeak, Pheucticus tibialis Guiraca
Black-backed Grosbeak, Pheucticus aureoventris Passerina
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus Spiza
Black-headed Grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus
● Genus Cyanocompsa
❍ Ultramarine Grosbeak, Cyanocompsa brissonii
Blue Bunting, Cyanocompsa parellina

Blue-black Grosbeak, Cyanocompsa cyanoides
● Genus Cyanoloxia
❍ Glaucous-blue Grosbeak, Cyanoloxia glaucocaerulea
● Genus Passerina, North American buntings

❍ Blue Grosbeak, Passerina caerulea
Lazuli Bunting, Passerina amoena

Indigo Bunting, Passerina cyanea
Varied Bunting, Passerina versicolor
Painted Bunting, Passerina ciris
Rose-bellied Bunting, Passerina rositae
Orange-breasted Bunting, Passerina leclancherii
● Genus Porphyrospiza
❍ Yellow-billed Blue Finch, Porphyrospiza caerulescens
● Genus Spiza
❍ Dickcissel, Spiza americana
● Look it up on Wikispecies.
External links
● Buntings, Saltators and Cardinals—page of photographs.
● Cardinalidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Cockatoo
Cockatoos
A cockatoo is any of the 21 bird species belonging to the family
Cacatuidae. Along with the Psittacidae family (the true parrots),
they make up the order Psittaciformes. The name cockatoo
originated from the Malay name for these birds, kakaktua, which
translates literally as older sister (from kakak, "sister," and tua,
"old").
Cockatoos share many features with other parrots including the

characteristic curved beak shape and a zygodactyl foot, with two
forward toes and two backwards toes. They differ, however in a
number of characteristics, including the often spectacular movable
headcrest, the presence of a gall bladder and some other
anatomical details, and their lack of the Dyck texture feather
composition which causes the bright blues and greens seen in true
parrots. Cockatoo species are also, on average, larger than the true
parrots (however, the cockatiel is a small cockatoo and the very
large parrots include the Hyacinth Macaw by length and the
Kakapo by weight.)
Cockatoos have a much more restricted range than the true parrots,
occurring naturally only in Australia and nearby islands. Eleven of
the 21 species exist in the wild only in Australia, while seven Moluccan Cockatoo (Cacatua (Cacatua)
moluccensis)
species occur in Indonesia, New Guinea, and other south Pacific
islands. Three species occur in both New Guinea and Australia. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Contents
Phylum: Chordata
● 1 Cockatoos as endangered or vulnerable species
● 2 Systematics Class: Aves
● 3 References
● 4 External links Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Cacatuidae
GR Gray, 1840
Cockatoos as endangered or vulnerable
species Subfamily
Microglossinae
All of the species of cockatoo are protected by the CITES Calyptorhynchinae
international agreement, which makes the trade of wild-caught Cacatuinae
specimens of endangered or vulnerable species illegal.
The following cockatoo species are classified as endangered species (on CITES appendix 1 list).
● Goffin's cockatoo, Cacatua goffini

Red-vented Cockatoo, Cacatua haematuropygia
Moluccan Cockatoo, Cacatua moluccensis
Yellow-crested Cockatoo, Cacatua sulphurea
Palm Cockatoo, Probosciger aterrimus
All of the other cockatoo species are classified at vulnerable (on CITES appendex 2 list).
Systematics
Phylogeny of the family Cacatuidae based on Brown & Toft (1999)
Brown & Toft (1999) reviewed the existing evidence and additional mitochondrial 12S rRNA sequence
data to arrive at a well-supported phylogeny of the cockatoos. They could distinguish 3 subfamilies:
1. The all-black Palm Cockatoo represents an early divergence; it was previousöly sometimes
grouped with the other black species but this is incorrect.
2. The dark cockatoos; sexually dichromatic species which have ample melanin in their plumage
and some red, yellow or orange on wing, tail and face, barred feathers on wing, tail and/or body
as well as contrasting ear area spotting in females, while males have the corresponding feathers
unbarred and may lack the ear spotting. This group includes the remaining black cockatoos, the
Gang-gang Cockatoo and, interestingly, the cockatiel which had previously been placed in a
subfamily of its own (Nymphicinae) or even as a broad-tailed parrot.
3. The remaining species, which are all hypomelanistic and not sexually dimorphic.
The genera Calyptorhynchus and Cacatua can be further resolved into two subgenera each, and in the
latter case as a distinct third lineage the white-and-pink Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, which is
intermediate in coloration between the grey-and-pink Galah and the white Cacatua. It is best recognized
as a monotypic genus Lophocroa. Indeed, pending further research, all subgenera could conceivably be
raised to species rank.
FAMILY CACATUIDAE
● Subfamily Microglossinae
❍ Genus Probosciger
■ Palm Cockatoo, Probosciger aterrimus
● Subfamily Calyptorhynchinae - dark cockatoos

❍ Genus Callocephalon
■ Gang-gang Cockatoo, Callocephalon fimbriatum
❍ Genus Nymphicus
■ Cockatiel, Nymphicus hollandicus
❍ Genus Calyptorhynchus
■ Subgenus Calyptorhynchus - black-and-red cockatoos
■ Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus (Calyptorhynchus) banksii
Glossy Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus (Calyptorhynchus) lathami

■ Subgenus Zanda - black-and-yellow/white cockatoos
■ Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus (Zanda) funereus
Short-billed Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus (Zanda) latirostris

Long-billed Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus (Zanda) baudinii
● Subfamily Cacatuinae - white cockatoos

❍ Genus Eolophus
■ Galah, Eolophus roseicapilla
❍ Genus Lophocroa
■ Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, Lophocroa leadbeateri
❍ Genus Cacatua
■ Subgenus Licmetis - corellas
■ Long-billed Corella, Cacatua (Licmetis) tenuirostris
Western Corella, Cacatua (Licmetis) pastinator

Little Corella, Cacatua (Licmetis) sanguinea
Red-vented Cockatoo, Cacatua (Licmetis) haematuropygia
Goffin's Cockatoo, Cacatua (Licmetis) goffini
Ducorps' Cockatoo, Cacatua (Licmetis) ducorpsii
■ Subgenus Cacatua - true white cockatoos
■ Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Cacatua (Cacatua) galerita
■ Yellow-crested Cockatoo, Cacatua (Cacatua) sulphurea
■ Citron-crested Cockatoo, Cacatua (Cacatua) sulphurea
citrinocristata
■ Blue-eyed Cockatoo, Cacatua (Cacatua) ophthalmica
Moluccan Cockatoo or Salmon-crested Cockatoo, Cacatua (Cacatua)

moluccensis
■ Umbrella Cockatoo, Cacatua (Cacatua) alba
References
● Brown, D.M. & Toft, C.A. (1999): Molecular systematics and biogeography of the cockatoos
(Psittaciformes: Cacatuidae). Auk 116(1): 141-157.
External links
● Lexicon of Parrots
● ParrotScience - cockatoo heavy information site
● The Palm Cockatoo Research project - a collaborative wiki style site about Palm Cockatoos
● Notes on Brown & Toft's phylogenetic study
● Brown & Toft's article
● All About Cockatoos - MyToos.com, comprehensive site with discussion forum and warning
about their care requirements.
● Wings n' Whiskers Major Mitchell Cockatoo Page
Condor
Condors
Condor is the name for the largest species of New World vultures. They are the largest flying land
birds in the Western Hemisphere.
There are two species, each in its own monotypic genus:
● The Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) which inhabits the Andes mountains.
● The California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) nowadays restricted to western coastal
mountains of the United States.
Taxonomy
Immature California Condor
Although they are primarily scavengers, feeding on carrion, these species belong to the New World Scientific classification
vulture family Cathartidae, most likely closer related to the storks instead of Old World vultures. The Kingdom: Animalia
latter are in the diurnal raptor family Accipitridae along with hawks, eagles and kites.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Family: New_World_vulture.html
Genera
California Condor in high speed Vultur
flight - note tip feathers faired to Gymnogyps
reduce drag.
Appearance
Both condors are very large broad-winged soaring birds, the Andean Condor being 5 cm shorter (beak to tail) on average
than the northern species, but larger in wingspan.
Measurements are usually taken from specimens reared in captivity.
An Andean Condor soars over southern

Peru's Colca Canyon
The adult plumage is of a uniform black, with the exception of a frill of white feathers nearly surrounding the base of the
neck and, especially in the male, large patches or bands of white on the wings which do not appear until the completion of
the first moulting. As an adaptation for hygiene, the head and neck have few feathers (see below photo), exposing the skin
to the sterilizing effects of dehydration and ultraviolet light at high altitudes, and are meticulously kept clean by the bird.
The head is much flattened above. In the male it is crowned with a caruncle or comb, while the skin of the neck in the male
lies in folds, forming a wattle. The skin of the head and neck is capable of flushing noticeably in response to emotional
state, which serves to communicate between individuals.
The middle toe is greatly elongated, and the hinder one but slightly developed, while the talons of all the toes are
comparatively straight and blunt. The feet are thus more adapted to walking as in their relatives the storks, and of little use
as weapons or organs of prehension as in birds of prey and Old World vultures. The female, contrary to the usual rule
among birds of prey, is smaller than the male.
California Condor's head (adult)
Behavior
Sexual maturity and breeding behavior do not appear in the condor until 5 or 6 years of age. They may live for 50 years
or more, and mate for life.
The young are covered with a grayish down until almost as large as their parents. They are able to fly after six months,
but continue to roost and hunt with their parents until age two, when they are displaced by a new clutch. There is a
well developed social structure within large groups of condors, with competition to determine a 'pecking order' by
body language, competitive play behavior, and a wide variety of vocalizations, even though the condor has no voice box.
On the wing the movements of the condor, as it wheels in majestic circles, are remarkably graceful. The lack of a large
sternum to anchor correspondingly large flight muscles identifies it physiologically as a primarily soarer. The birds flap
their wings on rising from the ground, but after attaining a moderate elevation they seem to sail on the air.
Wild condors inhabit large territories, often traveling 250 km (150 miles ) a day in search of carrion. They prefer
large carcasses such as deer or cattle which they spot by looking for other scavengers, which cannot rip through the
tougher hides of these larger animals with the efficiency of the larger condor. In the wild they are intermittent eaters,
often going for a few days without eating, then gorging themselves on several kilograms at once, sometimes to the point
of being unable to lift off the ground.
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Corvus
Raven
Crow
The true crows are in the genus Corvus. They are large passerine
birds. All temperate continents (except South America) and
several offshore and oceanic islands (including Hawai‘i) have
representatives of the 40 or so members of this genus.
Crows in the genus Corvus appear to have evolved in central Asia

and radiated out into North America, Africa, Europe, and
Australia.
Carrion Crow
The latest evidence appears to point towards an Australasian
origin for the early family (Corvidae) though the branch that Kingdom: Animalia
would produce the modern groups such as jays, magpies and large
predominantly black Corvus Crows had left Australasia and were Phylum: Chordata
now developing in Asia. Corvus has since re-entered Australia
(relatively recently) and produced five species with one
recognized sub-species. Class: Aves
They range in size from the relatively small pigeon-sized jackdaws Order: Passeriformes
(Eurasian and Daurian) to the Common Raven of the Holarctic
region and Thick-billed Raven of the highlands of Ethiopia.
Family: Corvidae
In literary and fanciful usage, the collective noun for a group of

crows is a murder. However, in practice most people, and Genus: Corvus
especially scientists, use the more generic term flock. Linnaeus, 1758
Species
See text.
Contents
● 1 Systematics
❍ 1.1 Species
● 2 Behavior
❍ 2.1 Calls
❍ 2.2 Intelligence
❍ 2.3 Color and society
● 3 Mythology and folklore

❍ 3.1 Gods and goddesses associated or identified
with crows and ravens

● 4 Interesting Crow Facts
● 5 See also
● 6 References
Systematics
Crow on a branch, Maruyama
Kyo (1733-1795)
There is no good systematic approach to the genus at present. Generally, it is assumed that the species
from a geographical area are more closely related to each other than to other lineages, but this is not
necessarily correct. For example, while the Carrion/Collared/House Crow complex is certainly closely
related to each other, the situation is not at all clear regarding the Australian/Melanesian species.
The Neogene fossil record of crows is rather dense in Europe, but the relationships among most
prehistoric species is not clear. Jackdaw-, crow- and raven-sized forms seem to have existed since long
ago and crows were regularly hunted by humans up to the Iron Age, documenting the evolution of the
modern taxa. American crows are not as well-documented.
A surprisingly high number of species have gone extinct after human colonization; the loss of one
prehistoric Caribbean crow could also have been related to the last ice age's climate changes.
Species
Australian and Melanesian species
● Australian Raven C. coronoides

● Forest Raven C. tasmanicus
❍ Relict Raven C. (t.) boreus
● Little Crow C. bennetti

Little Raven C. mellori
Torresian Crow C. orru
New Caledonian Crow C. moneduloides
Long-billed Crow C. validus
White-billed Crow C. woodfordi
Bougainville Crow C. meeki
Brown-headed Crow C. fuscicapillus
Grey Crow C. tristis
New Ireland Crow, Corvus sp. (prehistoric)
New Zealand species
● Chatham Islands Raven, C. moriorum (prehistoric)

New Zealand Raven, C. antipodum (prehistoric)
Pacific island species
● Mariana Crow, C. kubaryi

Hawaiian Crow or ‘Alala C. hawaiiensis (extinct in the wild, formerly C. tropicus)
High-billed Crow, C. impluviatus (prehistoric)
Robust Crow, C. viriosus (prehistoric)
Tropical Asian species
● Slender-billed Crow C. enca

Piping Crow C. typicus
Banggai Crow C. unicolor (possibly extinct)
Flores Crow C. florensis
Collared Crow C. torquatus
Daurian Jackdaw C. dauricus
House Crow C. splendens
● Large-billed Crow C. macrorhynchos
❍ Jungle Crow C. (m.) levaillantii
Eurasian and North African species
● Brown-necked Raven C. ruficollis

Fan-tailed Raven C. rhipidurus
Jackdaw C. monedula
Rook C. frugilegus
● Hooded Crow C. cornix
❍ Mesopotamian Crow, C. (c.) capellanus
● Carrion Crow C. corone

Corvus larteti (fossil: Late Miocene of France)
Corvus antecorax (fossil: Early - Late Pleistocene of Europe; may be subspecies of Corvus corax
Corvus betfianus (fossil)
Corvus praecorax (fossil)
Corvus simionescui (fossil)
Corvus pliocaenus (fossil)
Corvus fossilis (fossil)
Corvus moravicus (fossil)
Corvus hungaricus (fossil)
Holarctic species
● Common Raven C. corax

❍ Pied Raven, C. c. varius morpha leucophaeus (an extinct color variant)
North and Central American species
● American Crow C. brachyrhynchos

Chihuahuan Raven C. cryptoleucus
Fish Crow C. ossifragus
Northwestern Crow C. caurinus
Tamaulipas Crow C. imparatus
Sinaloan Crow C. sinaloae
Jamaican Crow C. jamaicensis
White-necked Crow C. leucognaphalus
Hispaniolan Palm Crow C. palmarum
Cuban Palm Crow C. minutus
Cuban Crow C. nasicus
Puerto Rican Crow C. pumilis (prehistoric; possibly a subspecies of C. nasicus/palmarum)
Corvus galushai (fossil: Big Sandy Late Miocene of Wickieup, USA)
Corvus neomexicanus (fossil: Late Pleistocene of Dry Cave, USA)
Tropical African species
● Cape Crow C. capensis

Pied Crow C. albus
Somali Crow or Dwarf Raven C. edithae
Thick-billed Raven C. crassirostris
White-necked Raven C. albicollis
In addition to the prehistoric forms listed above, some extinct chronosubspecies have been described.
These are featured under the respective species accounts.
For more information regarding relatives of the crows, such as magpies and jays, see Corvidae.
Behavior
Calls
Crows make a wide variety of calls or vocalizations. Whether the crows' system of communication
constitutes a language is a topic of debate and study. Crows have also been observed to respond to calls
of other species; this behavior is presumably learned because it varies regionally. Crows' vocalizations
are complex and poorly understood. Some of the many vocalizations that crows make are a "caw",
usually echoed back and forth between birds, a series of "caws" in discrete units, counting out numbers,
a long caw followed by a series of short caws (usually made when a bird takes off from a perch), an
echo-like "eh-aw" sound, and more. These vocalizations vary by species, and within each species vary
regionally. In many species, the pattern and number of the numerical vocalizations have been observed
to change in response to events in the surroundings (i.e. arrival or departure of crows). Crows can hear
sound frequencies lower than those that humans can hear, which complicates the study of their
vocalizations.
Intelligence
Crow searching food from punctured
wastebag
As a group, the crows show remarkable examples of intelligence. They top the avian IQ scale[1]. Crows
and ravens often score very highly on intelligence tests. Crows in the northwestern U.S. (a blend of
Corvus brachyrhynchos and Corvus caurinus) show modest linguistic capabilities and the ability to relay
information over great distances, live in complex, hierarchic societies involving hundreds of individuals
with various "occupations", and have an intense rivalry with the area's less socially advanced ravens.
One species, the New Caledonian Crow, has recently been intensively studied because of its ability to
manufacture and use its own tools in the day-to-day search for food. Wild hooded crows in Israel have
learned to use bread crumbs for bait-fishing. Crows will engage in a kind of midair jousting, or
air-"chicken" to establish pecking order.
Crows have shown to use traffic to crack nuts so they can collect their food.
Color and society
Extra-specific uses of color in crow societies

Many crow species are all black. Most of their natural enemies, the raptors or "falconiformes", soar high
above the trees, and hunt primarily on bright, sunny days when contrast between light and shadow is
greatest. Crows take advantage of this by maneuvering themselves through the dappled shades of the
trees, where their black color renders them effectively invisible to their enemies above, in order to set up
complex ambush attacks. Thus, their black coloring is of great strategic importance to their societies. It
is perhaps here where we find the greatest difference between ravens and crows; ravens tend to soar high
in the air as raptors do, and like raptors, are usually the target of ambushes by crows. Crows do not
appear to perceive ravens as their own kind, but instead treat them as raptors.
While hawks tend to be the primary daytime predators of crows, their most deadly predators, in many
areas, are the owls that hunt by night, preying upon crows sleeping helplessly in their roosts. Presumably
their dark color is particularly helpful in blending into nighttime shadows. Crows also will often mob
owls much more fiercely when they find them in daylight than they do hawks and other raptors.
Frequently crows appear to "play" with hawks, taking turns "counting coup" while escorting the raptor
out of their territory. Their attacks on owls, on the other hand, possess a definite serious quality.
Intra-specific uses of color in crow societies

Even in species characterized by being all black, one will still occasionally find variations, most of
which appear to result from varying degrees of albinism, such as:
● an otherwise all-black crow stunningly contrasted by a full set of brilliant, pure-white primary
feathers.
● complete covering in varying shades of grey (generally tending toward the darker side)
● blue or red, rather than swarthy eyes (blue being more common than red).
● Some combination of the above
The treatment of these rare individuals may vary from group to group, even within the same species. For
example, one such individual may receive special treatment, attention, or care from the others in its
group, while another group of the same species might exile such individuals, forcing them to fend for
themselves. The reason for such behaviors, and why these behaviors vary as they do, has yet to be
studied.
Mythology and folklore
The Twa Corbies by Arthur

Rackham
Crows, and especially ravens, often feature in legends or mythology as portents or harbingers of doom
or death, because of their dark plumage, unnerving calls, and tendency to eat carrion. They are
commonly thought to circle above scenes of death such as battles. The Child ballad The Three Ravens
depicts three ravens discussing whether they can eat a dead knight, but finds that his hawk, his hound,
and his true love prevent them; in the parody version The Twa Corbies, these guards have already
forgotten the dead man, and the ravens can eat their full. Their depiction of evil has also led to some
exaggeration of their appetite. In Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, The Omen II and Exorcist:
The Beginning, crows are shown tearing out people's eyes while they are still alive. This, of course, does
not happen as crows can distinguish between carrion and living people.
In Native American folklore, Crow is often seen as a similar trickster to Coyote. However, Crow's tricks
tend to be more out of malice and they rarely (if ever) are portrayed as a hero. One possible explanation
for this is that crows are often considered a pest to crops, which the tribes who came up with the stories
featuring Crow needed to survive.
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Chaldean myth, the character Utnapishtim releases a dove and a raven to
find land, similar to what Noah does in the book of Genesis. However, in the Epic of Gilgamesh, the
dove merely circles and returns. Only then does Utnapishtim send forth the raven, who does not return.
Utnapishtim extrapolates from this that the raven has found land, which is why it hasn't returned. This
would seem to indicate some acknowledgement of crow intelligence, which may have been apparent
even in ancient times, and to some might imply that the higher intelligence of crows, when compared to
other birds, is striking enough that it was known even then.
In occult circles, distinctions are sometimes made between crows and ravens. In mythology and folklore
as a whole, crows tend to be symbolic more of the spiritual aspect of death, or the transition of the spirit
into the afterlife, whereas ravens tend more often to be associated with the negative (physical) aspect of
death. However, few if any individual mythologies or folklores make such a distinction, and there are
ample exceptions. Another reason for this distinction is that while crows are typically highly social
animals, ravens don't seem to congregate in large numbers anywhere but a) near carrion where they meet
seemingly by chance, or b) at cemeteries, where large numbers sometimes live together, even though
carrion there is no more available (and probably less attainable) than any road or field.
Amongst Neopagans, crows are often thought to be highly psychic and are associated with the element
of ether or spirit, rather than the element of air as with most other birds. This may in part be due to the
long-standing occult tradition of associating the color black with "the abyss" of infinite knowledge (see
akasha), or perhaps also to the more modern occult belief that wearing the "color" black aids in psychic
ability, as it absorbs more electromagnetic energy, since surfaces appear black by absorbing all
frequencies in the visible spectrum, reflecting no color.
Gods and goddesses associated or identified with crows and ravens
A very incomplete list includes the eponymous Pacific Northwest Native figures Raven and Crow, the
ravens Hugin and Munin, who accompany the Norse god Odin, the Celtic goddesses the Mórrígan and/
or the Badb (sometimes considered separate from Mórrígan), and Shani, a Hindu god who travels astride
a crow. In Greek mythology, it was believed that when the crows gave bad news to the goddess Athena,
she flew into a rage, and cursed their feathers to be black.
Interesting Crow Facts
The American crow is very susceptible to the West Nile virus, a disease just recently introduced in
North America. American crows usually die within one week of acquiring the disease with only very
few surviving exposure. Crows are so affected by the disease that their deaths are now serving as an
indicator of the West Nile Virus’ activity in an area.
The American crow can address problems using several solutions showing great problem solving skills.
American crows can also count!
Read more About The Crow
See also
● Corvidae
References
● Gill, B. J. (2003): Osteometry and systematics of the extinct New Zealand ravens (Aves:
Corvidae: Corvus). Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 1: 43-58. DOI:10.1017/
S1477201903001019 (HTML abstract)
● Worthy, Trevor H. & Holdaway, Richard N. (2002): The lost world of the Moa: Prehistoric Life
of New Zealand. Indiana University Press, Bloomington. ISBN 0-253-34034-9.
External links
● Frequently Asked Questions About Crows
● Crow (BirdHouses101.com)
● crows.net: The Language & Culture of Crows
● In the Company of Crows and Ravens, by John M. Marzluff and Tony Angell
● Crow photographs and comments
● Video of crow making and using tools
● More info on tool use by crows, with references
● Crow videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Aphelocoma | Cissa | Corvus | Crypsirina | Cyanocitta | Cyanocorax | Cyanolyca | Cyanopica

Domesticated turkey
Domesticated turkey
The domesticated turkey is a large poultry bird raised for food. The modern domesticated turkey Conservation status: Domesticated
descends from the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), one of the two species of turkey (genus
Meleagris); however, in the past the ocellated turkey (Meleagris ocellata) was also domesticated.
Despite the name, turkeys have no relation to the country of Turkey and are instead native to North
America.
The turkey is reared throughout temperate parts of the World, and is a popular form of poultry, partially
because industrialised farming has made it very cheap for the amount of meat it produces. The female
domesticated turkey is referred to as a hen and the chick as a poult. In the United States, the male is
referred to as a tom, whilst in Europe, the male is a stag.
The great majority of domesticated turkeys have white feathers, although brown or bronze-feathered
varieties are also raised.
Contents
● 1 History
● 2 Availability and Commercial Production
● 3 Breeding
● 4 Butchering
● 5 Turkeys as food
Large White Turkey
❍ 5.1 Cooking
❍ 5.2 Accompaniments
❍ 5.3 Health concerns Kingdom: Animalia

● 6 Turkeys in culture
● 7 Turkey dung for fuel Phylum: Chordata
● 8 References
● 9 External links Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
History
Family: Meleagrididae
Genus: Meleagris
Species
Meleagris gallopavo (modern)
Meleagris ocellata (historical)
Turkeys
Turkeys were brought back to Europe shortly after their discovery in the New World. For this reason, many distinct
turkey breeds were developed in Europe due to cross breeding. (e.g. Spanish Black, Royal Palm). Turkey was one of the
many game species hunted by early American colonists and is traditionally (though not in actuality) thought to have
been served at the first Thanksgiving. Turkeys have been a staple on farms since their discovery in colonial times. In
the midwestern United States in the mid to late 1800s, domestic turkeys were actually herded across the range in a
manner similar to herding cattle. In the early 20th century, many advances were made in the breeding of turkeys resulting
in varieties such as the Beltsville Small White.
Suggestions have been made that the Mexican Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris ocellata) might also be involved, but the
plumage of domestic turkeys does not support this theory; in particular, the chest tuft of domestic turkeys is a clear indicator
of descent from the Wild Turkey (the Ocellated Turkey does not have this tuft)
Availability and Commercial Production

Prior to World War II, turkey was something of a luxury in Britain, with goose or beef a more common Christmas dinner
[1] (In Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol Bob Cratchit had a goose before Scrooge bought him a turkey). Intensive
farming of turkeys from the late 1940s, however, dramatically cut the price and it became far and away the most
common Christmas dinner meat. With the availability of refrigeration, whole turkeys could be shipped frozen to
distant markets. Later advances in control of disease increased production even more. Advances in shipping,
changing consumer preferences and the proliferation of commercial poultry plants for butchering animals has made
fresh turkey available to the consumer.
Approximately two to four billion pounds of poultry feathers are produced every year by the poultry producing industry.
Most of the feathers are usually ground up and used as filler for animal feed. Researchers at the United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA) have patented a method of removing the stiff quill from the fibers which make up the feather. As this
a potential untapped supply of natural fibers, research has been conducted at Philadelphia University to determine
textile applications for feather fibers. To date, turkey feather fibers have been blended with nylon and spun into yarn which
was then used for knitting. The yarns were tested for strength while the fabrics were evaluated as potential insulation
materials. In the case of the yarns, as the percentage of turkey feather fibers increased the strength decreased. In fabric form,
as the percentage of turkey feather fibers increased the heat retention capability of the fabric increased.
Breeding
Large White turkey male
Modern animal husbandry has resulted in significant differences between wild turkeys and commercial farm animals.
Broad-breasted varieties are prized for their white meat, fast growth, and excellent feed-conversion ratios. Broad-
breasted varieties are typically produced by artificial insemination to avoid injury of the hens by the much larger toms
and because the physical changes resulting in broad (double) breasts have also rendered most males incapable of
natural mating. Modern commercial varieties have also lost much of their natural ability to forage for food, fly, walk
normally, and to escape predators. For this reason, many non-commercial hobbyists as well as organic farmers grow
"heritage" breeds such as the Royal Palm or Naragansett -- varieties traditionally grown on farms prior to the advent of
large-scale agriculture. Heritage breeds do not grow as quickly as commercial breeds and are single-breasted and thus have
less white meat. Their meat has a much stronger turkey taste and does not require flavor additives or brining. Heritage
turkeys are disease resistant, strong flyers and foragers, and can mate naturally and raise their young successfully.
Male turkeys strut and demonstrate, usually in groups, to attract hens. They fan out their tail, puff up the feathers on
their backs, and drag their primary flight feathers on the ground to produce a "scraping" sound. Part of the
demonstration includes gobbling and producing a "puff" sound followed by a very low resonating "boing" that sounds like
a rubber band in an echo chamber. The low resonating sound is low enough that it cannot be captured with traditional
audio equipment. The hen in turn makes a "yelp" or call that attracts the males. Hens select their mate and crouch on the
ground with neck extended to signal their willingness to mate. Hens continue to lay fertile eggs for three to four weeks
from just one mating. However, when given the opportunity hens will mate everyday.
Some commercial turkey hens occasionally produce young from unfertilized eggs in a process called parthenogenesis.
Most Domesticated turkeys are grain fed.
Butchering
Still life with hanging turkey,

Jean-Baptiste Siméon Chardin,
2nd third of 18th century.
To kill a live turkey, withhold food for a day to help ensure the digestive system is empty. (Some recommend also feeding
the turkey hard liquor before slaughter, both to sedate it and perhaps as a way of flavoring the meat.) Putting the turkey in
a bag, with one corner cut out for the head, helps keep the turkey from thrashing and damaging itself or the people involved
in preparing it. One method is to hammer two nails into a stump and bend them, then put the turkey's head on the stump
and turn the nails to hold the turkey's head still, then remove the turkey's head with an axe. The turkey will thrash for a
few moments. More commonly, a turkey is placed upside down inside a metal cone manufactured for this purpose, its neck
is cut, and the blood is allowed to drain out. At this point, a process known as debraining may be applied, where the brain
stem is severed by pushing a sharp knife or screwdriver in to the mouth and through the back of the throat towards the base
of the skull and applying a twisting motion. Successful debraining will generally result in a bird that is easier to pluck.
Hang the carcass upside down to bleed for a half hour or so. When bleeding is complete, the bird can be manually
plucked, which gives a good quality carcass. Smaller feathers can be pulled off in a bunch; larger feathers need to be
removed one at a time so as not to tear the skin. Stubborn feathers can be pulled with pliers or a forceps. The alternative is
to scald the carcass in hot water for 1-3 minutes at a temperature of 60-80ºC before manual plucking. This greatly reduces
the amount of labor required to remove the feathers, but care must be taken to avoid accidentally "cooking" the skin. When
all the feathers are removed, rinse the turkey's anus to remove any residue, then insert a sharp knife just below the hip bone,
but not so deep as to puncture any of the internal organs. Cut down and around on either side of the anus, making sure
it's angled up to keep any excretion off the meat. Carefully pull out and discard. Then reach inside the turkey and remove
all organs, as well as large globs of fat. If desired, the heart, liver (slice away from other innards, being careful not to
puncture the green gall), and gizzard can be saved for giblets. If the gizzard is saved, slice it in half until the gravel inside
grates against the knife, then slice around and open up, peeling away the inner layer and discarding the contents. After all
the organs have been removed, turn the turkey around and cut around the circumference of the neck and peel down,
exposing the esophogus and windpipe. For each, separate them from their attachment points and pull them out, including
the crop in the case of the esophogus. Rinse the turkey out with cold water and, if desired, hang and chill for a day or so
before freezing.
Turkeys as food
Eating cooked turkey on

holidays, especially
Thanksgiving, is a common
North American tradition.
Turkeys are traditionally eaten as the main course of large feasts at Christmas in Europe and North America, as well
as Thanksgiving in the United States and Canada, in both cases having displaced the traditional goose. While eating turkey
was once mainly restricted to special occasions such as these, turkey is now eaten year round and forms a regular part of
many diets.
In countries where turkey is popular, it is available commonly in supermarkets. Turkeys are sold sliced and ground, as well
as "whole" in a manner similar to chicken with the head, feet, and feathers removed. Frozen whole turkeys remain
popular. Sliced turkey is frequently used as a sandwich meat or served as cold cuts. Ground turkey is sold just as ground
beef, and is frequently marketed as a healthy beef substitute. Without proper preparation, turkey is usually considered to end
up less moist than, say, chicken or duck. Leftovers from roast turkey are generally served as cold cuts on Boxing Day.
Wild turkeys, while technically the same species as domesticated turkeys, have a very different taste from farm-raised
turkeys. Almost all of the meat is "dark" (even the breasts) with a more intense turkey flavor. Older heritage breeds also
differ in flavor.
Turkey is often found as a processed meat. It can be smoked and as such is sometimes sold as turkey ham. Twisted helices
of turkey meat sold as turkey twizzlers came to prominence in the UK in 2004 when chef Jamie Oliver campaigned to
have them and similar foods removed from school dinners.
Cooking
Both fresh and frozen turkeys are used for cooking; as with most foods, fresh turkeys are generally preferred, although
they cost more. Around holiday seasons, high demand for fresh turkeys often makes them difficult to purchase without
ordering in advance. However, the large size of the turkeys typically used for consumption makes defrosting them a
major endeavor: a typically-sized turkey will take several days to properly defrost.
Turkeys are usually baked or roasted in an oven for several hours, often while the cook prepares the rest of the
meal. Sometimes, a turkey is brined before baking to enhance flavor and moisture content. In some areas, particularly
the American South, they may also be deep fried in hot oil (often peanut oil) for 30 to 45 minutes by using a turkey fryer.
Deep frying turkey has become something of a fad, with hazardous consequences for those unprepared to safely handle
the large quantities of hot oil required. [2]
Accompaniments
For Christmas in Britain, turkey is traditionally served with winter vegetables including roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts,
and parsnips. Cranberry sauce is the traditional condiment in the northern rural areas of Britain where wild cranberries grow.
In the south and in urban areas, where cranberries until recently were difficult to obtain, bread sauce was used in its place,
but the availability of commercial cranberry sauce has seen a rise in its popularity in these areas too. Sometimes
sausagemeat, cocktail sausages or liver wrapped in bacon is also served (known as bacon rolls or "pigs in blankets").
Especially during holiday seasons, stuffing is traditionally served with turkey. There are many varieties: oatmeal, chestnut,
sage and onion (flavoured bread), and sausage (possibly with mashed potato) are the most traditional. Stuffing may either
be used to stuff the turkey (as the name implies), or may be cooked separately and served as a side dish.
For Thanksgiving in the United States and Canada, turkey is traditionally served with cranberry sauce and gravy. Other
items vary, but common complementary dishes include mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, various vegetables (such as corn,
green beans, squash, and sweet potatoes), and various types of pie for dessert (such as pumpkin, apple and pecan).
One humorous decades-old Thanksgiving tradition in the United States is the annual Presidential "pardon" of a selected
turkey, which meets with the President and then is taken to a petting zoo instead of a slaughterhouse.
Health concerns
Turkey is generally considered healthier and less fattening than red meat. Turkey is high in tryptophan, and is
commonly credited with causing sleepiness after a meal, however this is largely a misconception. Turkey dinners
are commonly large meals served with carbohydrates, fats, and alcohol in a relaxed atmosphere, all of which are
[1]
bigger contributors to post-meal sleepiness than the tryptophan in turkey.
Turkeys in culture
Norman Rockwell featured a roast turkey as a symbol of prosperity in his painting "Freedom from Want", one of his
Four Freedom Series.
Turkey dung for fuel

Turkey droppings are planned to fuel an electric power plant in western Minnesota. The plant will provide 55 megawatts
of power using 700,000 tons of dung per year. Plant will begin operating in 2007. Three such plants are in operation in
England.[3]
References
1. ^ Does eating turkey make you sleepy?. About.com. Retrieved on May 11, 2005.
● Ocellated turkey
● All about Turkeys for kids(Link may not work)
External links
● More information on turkeys from Cornell
● Breeds of turkey from Feathersite.com
Double-headed eagle
Two-headed eagle emblem of the Byzantine Empire.

Relief from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of
Constantinople (Istanbul)
The double headed eagle is a common symbol in heraldry and vexillology. Several Eastern European
nations use this symbol today, having adopted this symbol from the Byzantine Empire. In Byzantine
heraldry, the heads represent the dual sovereignty of the Emperor (secular and religious) and/or
dominance of the Roman Emperors over both East and West. The Russian tsars adopted the symbol both
to position themselves as successors to the Byzantine state and to likewise symbolize their dominion
over the west (Europe) and the east (Asia).
The two-headed eagle appears on the coat of arms of the following countries:
● Albania
Austria-Hungary (historical)
Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Republika Srpska
Byzantine Empire (historical)
Russian Federation
Russian Empire (historical)
Serbia and Montenegro (historical)
Serbia
Montenegro
Pre-WWII Yugoslavia (historical)
It also appears on the following flags:
● Flag of Albania
Flag of Montenegro
Flag of Serbia
the flag of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
the flag of Mount Athos
Contents
● 1 Origins
● 2 Byzantine Empire
● 3 Use by the Turks
● 4 Use by other countries
● 5 Use in Masonry
● 6 Use in fiction
● 7 Use in sports
Origins
Double headed eagles have been present in imagery for many centuries. A representation of a two-
headed woman dating from 6000 BC was discovered in Çatalhöyük (Turkey) one of the oldest cities in
the world. Therefore, the apparition of the two-headed eagle is very old, because it can be found in
archeologic remains of the Hittite civilization dating from a period that goes between the 20th century
BC and the 13th century BC.
First, cylindric seals discovered in Bogazkoy, nowday (Turkey), an old Hittite capital, represents clearly
a two-headed eagle with spread wings. The esthetic of this symmetric position explains in part the birth
of this religious figure. It probably dates from the 18th century BC, and was used in a tradesman
background.
This symbol can also be seen in the same region in two monumental realisations : in Alacahöyük
(around 1400 BC) and in Yazilikaya (Turkey). (before 1250 BC). Here the context looks different and
totally religious. The eagle becomes divinity's symbol. The two-headed eagle slowly disappears during
the last Hittite period, from the 9th century BC to the 7th century BC and totally disappears after the end
of the empire.
Byzantine Empire
Example of the use of the double-headed

eagle on imperial vestments, from a
chrysobull of Alexios III of Trebizond, mid-
14th century.
A double-headed eagle portrayed in a

stained glass window inside St. Nicholas
Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tarpon
Springs, Florida.
Constantinople was the successor of Rome, and the Byzantines continued the use of the old imperial
'single-headed' eagle motif. Although the roots of the transformation to double-headed are almost
certainly connected with old depictions in Asia Minor, the details of its adoption are uncertain. Beyond
any doubt, it was used in the wider area during the first centuries AD and certainly before the 10th
century AD, as it appears in Persian and Armenian art. According to the most prevalent theory, the
imperial Roman single-headed eagle was modified to double-headed by emperor Isaakios Komnenos
being influenced from local traditions about such a beast (the haga) in his native Paphlagonia in Asia
Minor. Local legends talked about this giant eagle with two heads that could easily hold a bull in its
claws; the haga was seen as a representation of power, and people would often "call" it for protection.
Isaakios Komnenos, deeply influenced by these beliefs, had already used it as a family emblem (N.
Zapheiriou, "the Greek Flag from Antiquity to present", Athens, 1947). As there has been reference to
"stone representations" of the eagle that were the inspiration for its picture, it is reasonable to assume
that Hittite carvings may have been the sources of the myths themselves, but other relevant artwork
cannot be excluded as such a source. Whether the eagle became an "imperial" symbol or remained
purely a personal symbol for Komnenos, is not clear.
After the Latin conquest of Constantinople in 1204, it was used by the successor states of Epirus and
Nicaea. The first mention of a double-headed eagle in the West dates from 1250 in a roll of arms of
Matthew of Paris for Emperor Friedrich II. Theodore II Laskaris chose it for his symbol as Emperor
(Empire of Nicaea), taking it to symbolize his state's claims to all the Byzantine Empire's former
domains, both European (West) and Asian (East). An alternative (and probably more correct)
interpretation is that the eagle symbolized the Emperor's double temporal and spiritual sovereignty.
After the recapture of Constantinople and the restoration of the Byzantine Empire, the symbol was used
as an emblem of the imperial family, but it is uncertain whether it was the official emblem of the
Empire. More recent research has suggested that it was not, its usage being limited to imperial seals and
other personal or dynasty symbols such as imperial robes, although there has been no depiction of any
Emperor wearing it. The role of "state" symbols was most probably played by flags with the cross. In
Byzantine usage, the eagle was almost always connected with colors of imperial power (gold and red). A
black eagle on golden background was used outside the imperial family, denoting the subordinate
position (the eagle was black as being the 'shadow' of the Emperor's golden eagle) of their bearers.
Use by the Turks

The double-headed eagle reappears in the same region, but after 2000 years. The double-headed eagle
became the standard of the Seljuk Turks with the crowning of Toghrül (meaning "Eagle") Beg at Mosul
in 1058 as "King of the East and the West" and was much used afterwards. The Sultans of Rum, Ala ad-
Din Kay Qubadh I (1220-1237) and his son Kay Khusrau II (1237-1246) used the bicephalous eagle in
their standards, and the motif was also found on tissues, cut stones, mural squares, and Koran holders.
Turcomans who ruled in Anatolia during the 13th century, inherited it from the Seljuk Turks. Islamic
coins from the reign of Khalif Nasreddin Mahmoud bin Mohammad, following Turkish influence, sport
a double-headed eagle on one side and the Star of David on the other as early as year 1200. The use of
the symbol by the Turks has two possible explanations. First is the propagandist explanation: the eagle
was a sign of grandeour and magnificance and it was to support the claim of Turkish rulers over the
Roman imperial inheritance. Another explanation can be found in pre-Islamic Turkic shamanism, in
which the eagle (one-headed) was the creature that would guide spirits to the afterlife.
Today, the Turkish Police has a double-headed eagle in its insignia.
Use by other countries

From Byzantium, two-headed eagles spread to Russia after Ivan III's marriage to Zoe Palaeologina, and
to Montferrat, where a cadet branch of the Palaeologi ruled. The Serbian Nemanjić dynasty adopted a
white version as their own to signify their own independence of, and indeed, claim to the imperial throne
of Constantinople. George Kastriotis (Skanderbeg) adopted a similar flag in his struggle against the
Ottomans, consisting of a black eagle on red background, which has been resurrected in the current Flag
of Albania. After the fall of Constantinople, the black eagle also became the symbol of the Austrian
Empire and thence passed into several families of the German aristocracy.
During the next centuries, the eagle was made to hold a sword and/or a sceptre and an orb with a cross,
symbols of the aforementioned double sovereignty. Its usage also survived as a decorative element in the
Greek Orthodox Church, which was the inheritor of the Byzantine legacy during the Ottoman Empire,
while it remained a popular symbol among Greeks. In modern Greece various variations of the two-
headed eagles are used in Church flags (based on Byzantine flag patterns) and, officially, by the Greek
Army; the bird found its way into the Greek coat of arms for a brief period in 1925-1926.
Use in Masonry
The Double Headed

Eagle of Lagash on
the cover of Morals
and Dogma.
The Double-Headed Eagle of Lagash is used as emblem by the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry[1]. While
there are many meanings attached to this symbol, [2] the famed Masonic author M. P. Hall declares it an
alchemical symbol of union between the masculine and feminine principles in the individual.
Use in fiction
In the world of Warhammer 40,000, the double-headed eagle forms the crest of the Imperium of Man,
earning it considerable religious and cultural significance. For this reason, it is not too uncommon to
create actual double-headed eagles through surgery, mechanical proxy or genetic manipulation. When
these are used to aid the abilities of a psyker, they are known as psyber-eagles. In Namco's game, Tales
of Symphonia, Aska, a golden, twin-headed bird who is one of the two Summon Spirits of Light is
thought to have been inspired by the two-headed eagle.In Ragnarok Online the double-headed eagle
appears ins many flags and buildings of the city of Prontera.
In The Mouse that Roared and its sequels, the Double-headed eagle is on the national flag of Grand
Fenwick.
Use in sports
The double-headed eagle is the emblem of the Greek sport clubs AEK (black eagle on yellow
background) and PAOK (black eagle on white background). It is a symbol of the clubs' origins, since
both clubs were founded by Greeks who fled to Greece from Constantinople in 1922-23. It is also the
emblem of the Turkish Konyaspor. [3]
External links
● The development of the use of the double-headed eagle in Russia
● Page on the use of heraldry in the Byzantine Empire
It is also an important motif in heraldry of imperial families of Russia (the House of Romanov) and
Austria-Hungary (the House of Habsburg), as well as the royal family of Montenegro (the House of
Petrovic).
Coat of arms of Imperial Russian double

Holy Roman Empire German Confederation
Austria-Hungary headed eagle
Coat of arms of the Coat of arms of Republika
The Emblem of Albania Coat of arms of Serbia
Russian Federation Srpska
Coat of arms of the Flag of both Mount Athos

Coat of arms of Coat of arms of Serbia
Kingdom of and the Ecumenical
Montenegro and Montenegro
Yugoslavia Patriarch of Constantinople
Heron
Herons
The herons are wading birds in the Ardeidae family. Some
are called egrets or bitterns instead of herons.
Within the family, all members of the genera Botaurus and

Ixobrychus are referred to as bitterns, and—including the
Zigzag Heron or Zigzag Bittern—are a monophyletic group
within the Ardeidae. However, egrets are not a biologically
distinct group from the herons, and tend to be named
differently because they are mainly white or have
decorative plumes.
The classification of the individual heron/egret species is

fraught with difficulty, and there is still no clear consensus
about the correct placement of many species into either of
the two major genera, Ardea and Egretta. Similarly, the
relationship of the genera in the family is not completely
resolved. For example, the Boat-billed Heron is sometimes
classed as a heron, and sometimes given its own family
Cochlearidae, but nowadays it is usually retained in the
Ardeidae.
Although herons resemble birds in some other families,

such as the storks, ibises and spoonbills, they differ from
Snowy Egret, Egretta thula. Note the chicks in
these in flying with their necks retracted, not outstretched. the nest.
The members of this family are all primarily associated
with wetlands, and prey on fish, frogs and other aquatic
species. Some, like the Cattle Egret, also take large insects,
and are less tied to watery environments. Some members of
this group nest colonially in trees, others, notably the
bitterns, use reedbeds.
In February 2005, the Canadian scientist Dr. Louis

Lefebvre announced a method of measuring avian IQ in
terms of their innovation in feeding habits. Herons were
named among the most intelligent birds based on this scale,
Kingdom: Animalia
reflecting a wide variety, flexibility and adaptiveness to
acquire food.
Phylum: Chordata
Contents Class: Aves
● 1 Taxonomy
● 2 References Family: Ardeidae
● 3 External links Leach, 1820
Genera
See text.
Taxonomy
Analyses of the skeleton, mainly the skull, suggested that the Ardeidae could be split into a diurnal and a
crepuscular/nocturnal group which included the bitterns. From DNA studies and skeletal analyses
focusing more on bones of body and limbs, this grouping has been revealed as incorrect (McCracken &
Sheldon, 1998). Rather, the similarities in skull morphology reflect convergent evolution to cope with
the different challenges of daytime and nighttime feeding. Today, it is believed that three major groups
can be distinguished (Sheldon et al., 2000), which are (from the most primitive to the most advanced):
● tiger herons and the boatbill

● bitterns
● day-herons and egrets, and night-herons
FAMILY ARDEIDAE
Subfamily Tigrisomatinae
● Genus Cochlearius
❍ Boat-billed Heron, Cochlearius cochlearius
● Genus Tigrisoma
❍ Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Tigrisoma mexicanum
Fasciated Tiger Heron, Tigrisoma fasciatum

Rufescent Tiger Heron, Tigrisoma lineatum
● Genus Tigriornis
❍ White-crested Tiger Heron, Tigriornis leucolophus
● Genus Zonerodius
❍ New Guinea Tiger Heron, Zonerodius heliosylus
Subfamily Botaurinae
● Genus Zebrilus
❍ Zigzag Heron, Zebrilus undulatus
● Genus Ixobrychus
❍ Little Bittern, Ixobrychus minutus
New Zealand Little Bittern, Ixobrychus novaezelandiae (extinct)

Cinnamon Bittern, Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
Stripe-backed Bittern, Ixobrychus involucris
Least Bittern, Ixobrychus exilis
Schrenck's Bittern, Ixobrychus eurhythmus
Dwarf Bittern, Ixobrychus sturmii
● Genus Botaurus
❍ American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosa.
Great Bittern or European Bittern, Botaurus stellaris

South American Bittern, Botaurus pinnatus
Australasian Bittern, Botaurus poiciloptilus
Subfamily Ardeinae
● Genus Zeltornis (fossil)

● Genus Nycticorax
❍ Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Nycticorax violaceus or Nyctanassa violacea
Bermuda Night Neron, Nycticorax carcinocatactes or Nyctanassa carcinocatactes (extinct)

White-backed Night Heron, Nycticorax leuconotus or Gorsachius leuconotus
Rodrigues Night Heron, Nycticorax megacephalus (extinct)
Réunion Night Heron, Nycticorax duboisi (extinct)
Mauritius Night Heron, Nycticorax mauritianus (extinct)
Ascension Night Heron, Nycticorax olsoni (extinct)
● Genus Gorsachius
❍ Nankeen Night Heron or Rufous Night Heron, Gorsachius caledonicus or Nycticorax
caledonicus
White-eared Night Heron, Gorsachius magnificus
Japanese Night Heron, Gorsachius goisagi
● Genus Butorides
❍ Green Heron or Green-backed Heron, Butorides virescens
Striated Heron, Butorides striatus or Ardea striatus

● Genus Agamia
❍ Agami Heron, Agamia agami
● Genus Philherodias
❍ Capped Heron, Pilherodius pileatus
● Genus Ardeola
❍ Indian Pond Heron, Ardeola grayii

Chinese Pond Heron, Ardeola bacchus
Javan Pond Heron, Ardeola speciosa
Madagascar Pond Heron, Ardeola idae
Rufous-bellied Heron, Ardeola rufiventris
● Genus Bubulcus
❍ Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis or Ardea ibis
● Genus Proardea (fossil)

● Genus Ardea
❍ Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias
Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias

Cocoi Heron, Ardea cocoi
White-necked Heron or Pacific Heron, Ardea pacifica
Madagascar Heron, Ardea humbloti
White-bellied Heron, Ardea insignis
Great Egret or Great White Egret, Ardea alba
Pied Heron, Ardea picata or Egretta picata
Intermediate Egret, Ardea intermedia or Egretta intermedia
Swinhoe's Egret or Chinese Egret, Ardea eulophotes or Egretta eulophotes
● Genus Syrigma
● Whistling Heron, Syrigma sibilatrix

● Genus Egretta
● Little Egret, Egretta garzetta or Ardea garzetta

Snowy Egret, Egretta thula
Reddish Egret, Egretta rufescens
Slaty Egret, Egretta vinaceigula
Tricolored Heron or Louisiana Heron, Egretta tricolor
●
Tricolored Heron or Louisiana Heron,

Egretta tricolor
● White-faced Heron, Egretta novaehollandiae or Ardea novaehollandiae

Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea
Eastern Reef Egret, Egretta sacra or Ardea sacra
● Genus undetermined
● Easter Island Heron, Ardeidae gen. et sp. indet. (prehistoric)
Other prehistoric and fossil species are included in the respective genus accounts.
The night herons could warrant separation as subfamily Nycticoracinae, as it was traditionally done.
However, the position of some genera (e.g. Butorides or Syrigma) is unclear at the moment, and
molecular studies have until now suffered from a small number of studied taxa. Especially the
relationship among the ardeidine subfamily is very badly resolved. The arrangement presented here
should be considered provisional.
References
● McCracken, Kevin G. & Sheldon, Frederick H. (1998): Molecular and osteological heron
phylogenies: sources of incongruence. Auk (journal) 115: 127–141. PDF fulltext
● Sheldon, Frederick H.; Jones, Clare E. & McCracken, Kevin G. (2000): Relative Patterns and
Rates of Evolution in Heron Nuclear and Mitochondrial DNA. Molecular Biology and Evolution
17(3): 437–450. PDF fulltext
External links
● Heron videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Bucerotidae
Hornbills
Hornbills (family Bucerotidae) are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without
a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly coloured.
Both the common English and the scientific name of the family refer to the shape of the bill, "buceros"
being "cow horn" in Greek.
The Bucerotidae family includes 57 species, 9 of them endemic to the southern part of Africa. Their
distribution ranges from Africa south of the Sahara through tropical Asia to the Philippines and
Solomon Islands. Most are arboreal birds of dense forest, but the large ground hornbills (Bucorvus), as
their name implies, are terrestrial birds of open savanna.
The female lays up to six white eggs. During incubation, the female (of all species except the two
ground hornbills) is locked within the nest cavity by a wall made of mud, droppings and fruit pulp.
There is only one narrow aperture, big enough for the male to transfer food to the mother and the
chicks. During the incubation period the female undergoes a complete moult. When the chicks and the
female are too big to fit in the nest, the mother breaks out and rebuilds the wall, then both parents feed
the chicks. In some species the chicks themselves rebuild the wall unaided.
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
(Bucorvus abyssinicus)
Hornbills are omnivorous birds, eating fruit, insects and small animals.
In the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, hornbills are separated from the Coraciiformes, which also includes Kingdom: Animalia
kingfishers, bee-eaters and rollers, as a separate order Bucerotiformes.
Phylum: Chordata
Some species have different plumages for each sex. The blue throat of the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
pictured here shows it to be an adult female.
Class: Aves
Most species' casques are very light, containing a good deal of air space. However, the Helmeted
Hornbill has a solid casque made of a material called hornbill ivory, which the Chinese valued greatly Order: Coraciiformes
as a carving material, as did the Japanese, who often used it to make netsuke.
Family: Bucerotidae
Rafinesque, 1815
Genera
Aceros
Anorrhinus
Anthracoceros
Buceros
Bucorvus
Ceratogymna (=Bycanistes)
Ocyceros
Penelopides
Tockus
Red-billed Hornbills
(Tockus erythrorhychus)
Hornbill is also the magazine of the Bombay Natural History Society. This society's icon is a Great Indian Hornbill sitting on
a branch.
References
● Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Robert's Birds of South Africa, 6th Edition
External links
● Hornbill videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Bird of paradise | Bowerbird | Broadbill | Bucerotidae | Buphagidae
Ibis
Ibises
Ibises are a group of long-legged wading birds in the family
Threskiornithidae. They all have long downcurved bills, and
usually feed as a group, probing mud for food items, usually
crustaceans. Most species nest in trees, often with spoonbills or
herons.
According to folklore, the ibis is the last form of wildlife to take

shelter prior to a hurricane and the first to reappear after the storm
passes. The ibis was also an object of religious veneration in
ancient Egypt, particularly associated with the god, Thoth.
The name ibis comes from Greek borrowed from Ancient Egyptian
hîb.
The ibis has gained notoriety in American collegiate football,

where an ibis named Sebastian the Ibis is the official mascot of the
University of Miami, one of the most successful collegiate football
Straw-necked Ibis
program of the past 25 years.
The ibis family is one of the families in the order Ciconiiformes, Kingdom: Animalia
which also includes other wading bird families:
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Species
● Genus Threskiornis Family: Threskiornithidae
❍ Sacred Ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus
Subfamily: Threskiornithinae
Madagascar Sacred Ibis, Threskiornis bernieri Poche, 1904
Réunion Sacred Ibis, Threskiornis solitarius extinct
Black-headed Ibis, Threskiornis melanocephalus Genera
Australian White Ibis, Threskiornis molucca
Straw-necked Ibis, Threskiornis spinicollis
● Genus Pseudibis
❍ Indian Black Ibis, Pseudibis papillosa
White-shouldered Ibis, Pseudibis davisoni

● Genus Thaumatibis
❍ Giant Ibis, Thaumatibis gigantea
● Genus Geronticus Threskiornis
❍ Northern Bald Ibis, Geronticus eremita Pseudibis
Southern Bald Ibis, Geronticus calvus Thaumatibis
● Genus Nipponia Geronticus
❍ Japanese Crested Ibis, Nipponia nippon Nipponia
● Genus Bostrychia Bostrychia
❍ Olive Ibis, Bostrychia olivacea Theristicus
Dwarf Olive Ibis, Bostrychia bocagei Cercibis
Spot-breasted Ibis, Bostrychia rara Mesembrinibis
Hadada Ibis, Bostrychia hagedash Phimosus
Wattled Ibis, Bostrychia carunculata Eudocimus
● Genus Theristicus Plegadis
❍ Plumbeous Ibis, Theristicus caerulescens Lophotibis
Buff-necked Ibis, Theristicus caudatus
Andean Ibis, Theristicus branickii
Black-faced Ibis, Theristicus melanopis
● Genus Cercibis
❍ Sharp-tailed Ibis, Cercibis oxycerca
● Genus Mesembrinibis
❍ Green Ibis, Mesembrinibis cayennensis
● Genus Phimosus
❍ Whispering Ibis, Phimosus infuscatus
● Genus Eudocimus
❍ American White Ibis, Eudocimus albus
Scarlet Ibis, Eudocimus ruber

● Genus Plegadis
❍ Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
White-faced Ibis, Plegadis chihi

Puna Ibis, Plegadis ridgwayi
● Genus Lophotibis
❍ Madagascar Crested Ibis, Lophotibis cristata
Sacred Ibis Australian White Ibis

American White Ibis
Scarlet Ibis Young Scarlet Ibis behind a fence
External links
● Ibis videos on the Internet Bird Collection
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Kookaburra
Kookaburras
Kookaburras are very large terrestrial kingfishers native
to Australia and New Guinea, the name a loanword from
Wiradjuri guuguubarra, which is onomatopoeic of its call.
Kookaburras are best known for their unmistakable call

which is uncannily like loud, echoing human laughter —
good-natured, if rather hysterical, merriment in the case
of the well-known Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo
novaeguineae); and maniacial, almost insane, cackling in
the case of the slightly smaller Blue-winged Kookaburra
(Dacelo leachii). The call has been immortalized as the
"ooh ooh AHH AHH AHHH AHH AHH" cry that is part
of the background audio in countless jungle movies,
regardless of where the jungle in the movie is located.
Classification and species

Kookaburra.
There are four known species of Kookaburra found in
Australia, New Guinea and the Aru Islands. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Unusually for close relatives, the Laughing and Blue-
winged species are direct competitors in the area where
Phylum: Chordata
their ranges overlap. This suggests that the two species,
though having common stock, evolved in isolation
(possibly during a period when Australia and New Class: Aves
Guinea were more distant — see Australia-New Guinea)
and were only brought back into contact in relatively Order: Coraciiformes
recent geological times.
Family: Halcyonidae
Trivia
Genus: Dacelo
● "Olly" the Kookaburra was one of the three Leach, 1815
mascots chosen for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Species
The other mascots were the Echidna Millie and the
Platypus Syd.
● Australia has dedicated a series of coins to the Dacelo gaudichaud
Kookaburra since 1990. Dacelo leachii
● There is also a Kookaburra nursery rhyme in Dacelo novaeguineae
Australia. Dacelo tyro
Further reading
● Sarah Legge, Kookaburra: King of the Bush, CSIRO Publishing 2004, ISBN 0-643-09063-0
Macaw
Macaws
Macaws are large colorful New World parrots, classified into six
of the many Psittacidae genera: Ara, Anodorhynchus,
Cyanopsitta, Propyrrhura, Orthopsittaca, and Diopsittaca. They
are the largest birds in the parrot family in length and wingspan,
though the flightless Kakapo is heavier.
Parrots are zygodactyl, like woodpeckers, having 4 toes on each

foot – two front and two back.
Their native habitats are the forests, especially rain forests, of

Mexico and Central and South America. They are called
guacamayos in Spanish and araras in Portuguese.
Contents
● 2 Status Blue-and-gold Macaw
● 3 Birds in captivity Scientific classification
● 4 Hybrids Kingdom: Animalia
● 5 Gallery
● 6 References Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Species in taxonomic order Order: Psittaciformes
● Anodorhynchus Family: Psittacidae

❍ Anodorhynchus glaucus : Glaucous Macaw
Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus : Hyacinth Macaw

Anodorhynchus leari : Indigo Macaw or Lear's Genera
Macaw
● Cyanopsitta
❍ Cyanopsitta spixii : Little Blue Macaw or Spix's
Macaw Ara
● Ara Anodorhynchus
❍Ara ararauna : Blue-and-yellow Macaw Cyanopsitta
Ara glaucogularis : Blue-throated Macaw Propyrrhura
Ara militaris : Military Macaw Orthopsittaca
Ara ambiguus : Buffon's Macaw or Great Green Diopsittaca
Macaw
Ara macao : Scarlet Macaw or Aracanga
Ara chloroptera : Greenwing Macaw or Red-and-green Macaw
Ara rubrogenys : Red-fronted Macaw
Ara severa : Chestnut-fronted Macaw or Severe Macaw
Ara atwoodi : Dominican Green-and-Yellow Macaw
Ara erythrocephala : Jamaican Green-and-Yellow Macaw
Ara gossei : Jamaican Red Macaw
Ara guadeloupensis : Lesser Antillean Macaw
Ara tricolor : Cuban Red Macaw
Ara autocthones : Saint Croix Macaw[1]
● Orthopsittaca
❍ Orthopsittaca manilata : Red-bellied Macaw
● Propyrrhura
❍ Propyrrhura couloni : Blue-headed Macaw
Propyrrhura maracana : Illiger's Macaw or Blue-winged Macaw

Propyrrhura auricollis : Golden-collared Macaw
● Diopsittaca
❍ Diopsittaca nobilis : Red-shouldered Macaw or Hahn's Macaw
Status
The majority of macaws are now endangered in the wild. Five species are already extinct, and Spix's
Macaw is now considered to be extinct in the wild. The Glaucous Macaw is also probably extinct, with
only two reliable records of sightings in the 20th century. The greatest problems threatening the macaw
population are the rapid rate of deforestation and the illegal trapping of birds for the bird trade.
Birds in captivity
Macaws eat nuts and fruit. They also gnaw and chew on various objects. They show a large amount of
intelligence in their behaviour and require constant intellectual stimulation to satisfy their innate
curiosity.
Bonding: Macaws have been said to live for up to 100 years; however, an average of 50 years is
probably more accurate. The larger macaws may live up to 65 years. They are monogamous and mate
for life. In captivity unmated macaws will bond primarily with one person – their keeper. Pet macaws
thrive on frequent interaction, and a lack of this can lead to their mental and physical suffering.
Other sub-bondings also take place and most macaws that are subjected to non-aggressive behavior will
trust most humans, and can be handled even by strangers if someone familiar is also alongside.
Captive pet macaws sometimes display difficult behavior, the most common being biting, screaming,
and feather-plucking. Feather-plucking does not normally occur in the wild, strongly suggesting that it is
the result of a neurosis related to life in captivity.
Most pet macaws had ancestors living in the wild just two or three generations ago, and are not truly
domesticated by any reasonable definition. (This is unlike, for example, dogs; some estimates put the
domestication of dogs as far back as 40,000 years ago.)
All species of macaws have very powerful, large beaks and are capable of causing considerable harm to
both children and adults. They tend to be extremely loud: their voices are designed to carry over long
distances. This makes macaws very demanding birds to keep as a household pet.
Hybrids
A common trend in recent years is hybridising macaws for the pet trade. Hybrids are typical macaws,
with the only difference from true species being their genetics and their colors. They tend to have
intermediate characteristics between the parents', though the appearance seems to be influenced more by
the father's genes. As for their temperament and behaviour, they seem to inherit the best of both parents,
assuming both parents are not aggressive. Common hybrids include Harlequins (Ara ararauna x
[2]
chloroptera) and Catalinas (known as Rainbows in Australia, A. ararauna x macao).
Gallery
Blue and Gold Macaws (Ara ararauna)Military Macaw (Ara militaris)A Scarlet Macaw
References
1. ^ Forshaw, Joseph Michael (1973, 1981). Parrots of the World.
2. ^ Macaws, Hybrid Names, and pages on individual hybrids
● ITIS 177653, 177659 as of 2002-07-15
External links
● Araproject
● Open Directory:Recreation:Pets:Birds:Species:Parrots:Macaws
● ParrotScience - parrot information site
Martlet
A martlet is a mythical bird often used in heraldry. A martlet looks similar to the swallow, but has short
tufts of feathers in the place of legs. (Swifts have such small legs that they were believed to have none at
all.)
The inability of the martlet to land is often seen to symbolize the constant quest for knowledge and
learning, as in the arms of McGill University and the University of Victoria (where the student
newspaper is called The Martlet). It has been suggested that this same restlessness is the reason for the
use of the martlet in English heraldry as the cadency mark of the fourth son: the first son inherited the
estate, the second and third traditionally went into the Church and the Army, and the fourth had no well-
defined place.
Centuries after his death, Edward the Confessor was assigned a coat of arms containing five golden
martlets; Richard II of England combined this coat with the Plantagenet arms, and it later became the
basis of the arms of Westminster Abbey and Westminster School.
The arms of the Valence earls of Pembroke were orled (bordered) with martlets, and subsequently these
are also found in the arms of Pembroke College, Cambridge.
The shield of the county of Sussex, England contains six martlets, said to represent the six traditional
rapes (administrative sub-divisions) of the county.
Source
A Complete Guide to Heraldry, Arthur Charles Fox Davies. Kessinger Publishing, 2004. ISBN
1417906308
Osprey
Osprey
The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a medium large raptor Conservation status Least concern
which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide
distribution. It occurs in all continents except Antarctica,
but in South America only as a non-breeding migrant. It
is often known by other colloquial names such as
fishhawk, seahawk or Fish Eagle.
An unusual bird with no close relatives, it is the only

living species of the genus Pandion, which is in turn the
only genus in the bird family Pandionidae.
Contents
A North American Osprey preparing to dive.
● 1 Description Scientific classification
❍ 2.1 Subspecies
Kingdom: Animalia
❍ 2.2 Prehistoric species
● 3 Behaviour Phylum: Chordata

❍ 3.1 Diet
❍ 3.2 Nesting Class: Aves

● 4 Conservation
● 5 Popular culture Order: Falconiformes
● 6 References
● 7 External links Family: Pandionidae
Sclater & Salvin, 1873
Genus: Pandion
Savigny, 1809
Description
Species: P. haliaetus
The Osprey is 52-60 centimetres (20.5-23.6 in) long with
a 152-167 cm (5-5.5 ft) wingspan. It has mainly white Binomial name
underparts and head, apart from a dark mask through the Pandion haliaetus
eye, and fairly uniformly brown upperparts. Its short tail (Linnaeus, 1758)
and long, narrow wings with four long "finger" feathers
(and a shorter fifth) give it a very distinctive appearance.
Juvenile birds are readily identified by the buff fringes to the upperpart plumage, buff tone to the
underparts, and streaked crown. By spring, wear on the upperparts makes barring on the underwings and
flight feathers a better indicator of young birds. Adult males can be distinguished from females from
their slimmer bodies and narrower wings. They also have a weaker or non-existent breast band than the
female, and more uniformly pale underwing coverts. It is straightforward to sex a breeding pair, but
harder with individual birds.
In flight, Ospreys have arched wings and drooping "hands", giving them a diagnostic gull-like
appearance. The call is a series of sharp whistles, cheep, cheep, or yewk, yewk. Near the nest, a frenzied
cheereek!
Classification
The Osprey differs in several respects from the other diurnal birds of prey, and has always presented
something of a riddle to taxonomists. Here it is treated as the sole member of the family Pandionidae,
and the family listed in its traditional place as part of the order Falconiformes. Other schemes place it
alongside the hawks and eagles in the family Accipitridae—which itself can be regarded as making up
the bulk of the order Accipitriformes or else be lumped with the Falconidae into Falconiformes. The
Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy has placed it together with the other diurnal raptors in a greatly enlarged
Ciconiiformes, but this has more recently turned out to result in an unnatural paraphyletic classification.
Subspecies
The Australasian Osprey is the
most distinctive subspecies.
There are four generally recognised subspecies, although differences are small, and ITIS only lists the
first two.
● P. h. haliaetus (Linnaeus, 1758) Eurasia

P. h. carolinensis (Gmelin, 1788), North America. This form has a paler breast than nominate
haliaetus.
P. h. ridgwayi Maynard, 1887, Caribbean islands. This form has a very pale head and breast
compared to nominate haliaetus, with only a weak eye mask. It is non-migratory.
P. h. cristatus (Vieillot, 1816), Australasia. The smallest subspecies, also non-migratory
Ospreys are unusual insofar as a single species occurs nearly worldwide. Even the few subspecies are
not unequivocally separable. The reason is apparently that these birds are usually migratory, enabling
individuals from populations which breed far apart to meet in the winter quarters, form pairs and thus
exchange genetic information between populations. Furthermore, Ospreys are long-lived birds which
take a considerable time to reach maturity, which slows down the rate of speciation.
Prehistoric species
There were several prehistoric species of osprey which have been described from fossils:
● Pandion sp. (Early Oligocene of Fayyum, Egypt)

● Pandion homalopteron (Middle Miocene of California, USA)
● Pandion lovensis (Late Miocene of Florida, USA)
● Pandion sp. (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine, USA)
P. homalopteron was very similar to the living species and possibly even its direct ancestor. However,
the biogeography of the fossil ospreys has not been researched well enough to suggest a place where the
modern Osprey originated. The genus apparently first appeared in the Mediterranean region, but this is
not certain.
Behaviour
Diet
The Osprey is particularly well adapted to its fish diet, with reversible outer toes, closable nostrils to
keep out water during dives, and backwards facing scales on the talons which act as barbs to help hold
its catch. It locates its prey from the air, often hovering prior to plunging feet-first into the water to seize
a fish. As it rises back into flight the fish is turned head forward to reduce drag. The 'barbed' talons are
such effective tools for grasping fish that, on occasion, an Osprey may be unable to release a fish that is
heavier than expected. This can cause the Osprey to be pulled into the water, where it may either swim
to safety or succumb to hypothermia and drown.
Nesting
The Osprey breeds by freshwater lakes, and sometimes on coastal brackish waters. The nest is a large
heap of sticks built in trees, rocky outcrops, telephone poles or artificial platforms. In some regions with
high Osprey densities, such as Chesapeake Bay, USA, most Ospreys do not start breeding until they are
five to seven years old. Many of the tall structures they need to build nests on are already taken. If there
are no nesting sites available, young Ospreys may be forced to delay breeding. To ease this problem,
posts may be erected to provide more sites.
Ospreys usually mate for life. In spring they begin a five-month period of partnership to raise their
young. Females lay 3–4 eggs within a month, and rely on the size of the nest to help conserve heat. The
eggs are approximately the size of chicken eggs, and cinnamon colored; they are incubated for about 5
weeks to hatching.
The newly-hatched chicks weigh only 50-60 g (2 oz}, but fledge within eight weeks. When food is
scarce, the first chicks to hatch are most likely to survive. The typical lifespan is 20-25 years.
European breeders winter in Africa. American and Canadian breeders winter in South America, although
some stay in the southernmost USA states such as Florida and California. Australasian Ospreys tend not
to migrate.
Conservation
Twenty to thirty years ago, Ospreys in some regions faced possible extinction, because the species could
not produce enough young to maintain the population. Since the banning of DDT in many countries in
the early 1970s, together with reduced persecution, the Ospreys, as well as other affected bird of prey
species have made significant recoveries.
Popular culture
The Osprey is the official bird of Nova Scotia in Canada and Sudermannia in Sweden. It is the official
mascot and team name for the University of North Florida and the Richard Stockton College of New
Jersey. The bird was depicted on the 1986 series Canadian $10 note. The Osprey is also the mascot of
the Christian Falangist Party of America
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Pandion haliaetus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
is of least concern
● Forsman, The Raptors of Europe and the Middle East, ISBN 0-85661-098-4
● Mullarney, Svensson, Zetterstrom and Grant, Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0-00-219728-6
External links
● RSPB UK Osprey Diary with links to much other bird information
● For numerous links to information about Ospreys in Britain.
● A little about Ospreys in West Virginia
● Osprey videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Live Web cam on an Osprey nest (located on Lake Washington at Kennydale, Washington)
Partridge
Partridges
Partridges are birds in the pheasant family, Phasianidae.
They are a non-migratory Old World group.
These are medium-sized birds intermediate between the

large pheasants and the small quails. The partridges are
ground-nesting seed-eaters. Many species are hunted for
sport or food as game.
Species list
● Genus Lerwa
❍ Snow Partridge, Lerwa lerwa
● Genus Alectoris Crested Wood Partridge. The male has the red crest
❍ Arabian Partridge, Alectoris Scientific classification
melanocephala Kingdom: Animalia
Przevalski's Partridge, Alectoris magna
Rock Partridge, Alectoris graeca
Chukar, Alectoris chukar (National bird of Phylum: Chordata
Pakistan)
Philby's Partridge, Alectoris philbyi Class: Aves
Barbary Partridge, Alectoris barbara
Red-legged Partridge, Alectoris rufa
Order: Galliformes
● Genus Ammoperdix
❍ See-see Partridge, Ammoperdix
griseogularis Family: Phasianidae†

● Genus Perdix
Genera
❍ Grey Partridge, Perdix perdix
Daurian Partridge, Perdix dauurica

Tibetan Partridge, Perdix hodgsoniae
● Genus Rhizothera
❍ Long-billed Partridge, Rhizothera
longirostris
● Genus Margaroperdix
❍ Madagascar Partridge, Margaroperdix
madagascarensis ● Perdix
● Genus Melanoperdix ● Alectoris
❍ Black Wood-partridge, Melanoperdix nigra ● Lerwa
● Genus Xenoperdix ● Bambusicola
❍ Rubeho Forest Partridge, Xenoperdix ● Ptilopachus
obscuratus ● Rollulus
Udzungwa Forest Partridge, Xenoperdix ● Haematortyx
udzungwensis ● Caloperdix
● Genus Arborophila, the hill partridges ● Arborophila
❍ Common Hill Partridge, Arborophila ● Xenoperdix
torqueola ● Melanoperdix
Sichuan Hill Partridge, Arborophila
rufipectus †See also Pheasant
Chestnut-breasted Hill Partridge,
Arborophila mandellii
Collared Hill Partridge, Arborophila gingica
Rufous-throated Hill Partridge, Arborophila rufogularis
White-cheeked Hill Partridge, Arborophila atrogularis
Taiwan Hill Partridge, Arborophila crudigularis
Hainan Hill Partridge, Arborophila ardens
Chestnut-bellied Partridge, Arborophila javanica
Grey-breasted Hill Partridge, Arborophila orientalis
Brown-breasted Hill Partridge, Arborophila brunneopectus
Orange-necked Hill Partridge, Arborophila davidi
Chestnut-headed Hill Partridge, Arborophila cambodiana
Bornean Hill Partridge, Arborophila hyperythra
Red-billed Hill Partridge, Arborophila rubrirostris
Green-legged Hill Partridge, Arborophila chloropus
Annam Hill Partridge, Arborophila merlini
Chestnut-necklaced Hill Partridge, Arborophila charltonii
● Genus Caloperdix
❍ Ferruginous Wood Partridge, Caloperdix oculea
● Genus Haematortyx
❍ Crimson-headed Partridge, Haematortyx sanguiniceps
● Genus Rollulus
❍ Crested Wood Partridge, Rollulus roulroul
● Genus Ptilopachus
❍ Stone Partridge, Ptilopachus petrosus
● Genus Bambusicola
❍ Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Bambusicola fytchii
❍ Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Bambusicola thoracica
The partridge in culture

The partridge is also the subject of a popular English Christmas song, the Twelve Days of Christmas.
The Sanskrit term Kapinjala, rendered as "francoline partridge" or "heathcock" by translators, appears
as a mythical bird in the Rigveda (RV 2.42, 43) and is identified as an aspect of Indra.
External links
● Partridge videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Peafowl
Peafowl
The term peafowl can refer to any of three species of bird in the
genera Pavo and Afropavo of the pheasant family, Phasianidae.
They are most notable for the male's extravagant tail, which it
displays as part of courtship. The male is called a peacock, the
female a peahen. Although commonly used, peacock is an
incorrect term to refer to both sexes.
The three species are:
● Indian Peafowl, Pavo cristatus (Asiatic)

Green Peafowl, Pavo muticus (Asiatic) An Indian Blue Peacock displaying
Congo Peafowl, Afropavo congolensis (African)
Kingdom: Animalia
Contents
Phylum: Chordata
● 1 Overview
● 2 Taxonomy
Class: Aves
● 3 Food
● 4 Habitat
● 5 Plumage Order: Galliformes
● 6 Behaviour
● 7 Courtship Family: Phasianidae
● 8 Gallery
● 9 In the media Genus: Pavo
● 10 See also Linnaeus, 1758
● 11 References Afropavo
Chapin, 1936
Species
Pavo cristatus
Overview Pavo muticus
Afropavo congolensis
The Asiatic peafowl genus Pavo includes the familiar Indian
Peafowl or Indian Blue Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) and the much rarer Green Peafowl or Dragonbird
(Pavo muticus).
The Congo Peafowl is found in parts of Central Africa.
The Green Peafowl breeds from Myanmar east to Java. The IUCN lists the Green Peafowl as vulnerable
to extinction due to hunting and a reduction in extent and quality of habitat.
Taxonomy
The two Pavo species will hybridize in captivity although their ranges in the wild are non-overlapping.
Some taxonomists believe that the endangered Green Peafowl is actually a complex of five distinct
species although they are currently treated as one species with three subspecies [1].
The Congo species has many differences from the Pavo peafowl, but they are nevertheless its closest
relatives.
Food
An Indian Blue Peacock's head
Peafowl are omnivorous and consume plant parts, flower petals, seed heads, insects, and other
arthropods, as well as reptiles and amphibians.
Although possessing metatarsal spurs—"thorns" used for kicking, they are used only for defence against
predators.
Habitat
Asiatic peafowl like the Indian Blue Peafowl and especially the Green Peafowl occupy a similar niche as
the roadrunners, Secretary Bird, and Seriema. All of these birds hunt for small animals, minnows, and
arthropods on the ground, in shallow streams and frequently in tall grass habitats. Small snakes and
other reptiles are the preferred diet of wild peafowl.
Peafowl inhabit tropical savannah and riparian forests where they hunt for small animals in close social
units of related birds that may span many generations.
Plumage
Closeup of an Indian Blue Peacock's tail feathers
The male (peacock) has beautiful iridescent blue-green or green coloured plumage. The so-called "tail"
of the peacock, also termed the "train," is in fact not the true tail but highly elongated upper tail coverts.
The train feathers have a series of eyes that are best seen when the tail is fanned. Both species have a
head crest.
The female (peahen) has a mixture of dull green, brown, and grey in her plumage. She lacks the long tail
of the male but has a crest.
Females can also display their plumage to ward off danger to her young or other female competition.
Many of the brilliant colors of the peacock plumage are due to an optical interference phenomenon
(Bragg reflection) based on (nearly) periodic nanostructures found in the barbules (fiber-like
components) of the feathers.
Different colours correspond to different length scales of the periodic structures. For brown feathers, a
mixture of red and blue is required—one color is created by the periodic structure, while the other is a
created by a Fabry-Perot interference peak from reflections off the outermost and innermost boundaries
of the periodic structure.
Such interference-based structural color is especially important in producing the peacock's iridescent
hues (which shimmer and change with viewing angle), since interference effects depend upon the angle
of light, unlike chemical pigments.
Behaviour
The peafowl are forest birds that nest on the ground. The Pavo peafowl are terrestrial feeders but roost in
trees. They are weak fliers.
Peafowl are considered to be polygamous. However in captivity, Green Peafowl and African Peafowl
are monogamous, with males assisting in nest defense, chick rearing, and chick brooding. The male's
bond with offspring may extend indefinitely. First-year chicks that have been weaned by their mothers
generally join their father's social unit to forage and rest.
In Green Peafowl, it is impossible to distinguish juvenile and subadult green peafowls from their
mothers and hence their polygynous nature is hard to establish. There is some anectodotal evidence
suggesting that Green Peafowl may have very complex social lives that may include the adoption of one
and two year old juveniles by their three and four year old sub-adult siblings.
Peafowl are unusual amongst the Galliformes in their capacity for sustained flight. All known genera of
the peafowl family exhibit complex flight displays.
A rear view of an Indian Blue Peacock's tail feathers
Each race of the Green Peafowl has its own respective wing shape and flight display behavior. Green
Peafowls in Java are often observed flying out to sea where the birds gather on islets some miles from
shore.
African Peafowl have unusually large wings in relation to their weight. The wings have a highly unusual
shape as well. The African Peafowl or Afropavo wing is prominently marked in both sexes in striking
patterns and colours.
All known species of peafowl perch on emergent trees that stand above the canopy. Chicks of Indian
Peafowl are sometimes carried on the backs of the parent birds as they fly into the security of a tree to
roost.
Courtship
Although peafowl are capable of reproducing at the age of 2, peacocks do not reach full maturity until
one year later. At the age of 2, the feathers are not fully developed in length and density. While peacocks
at that age are physiologically able to mate with peahens, they have very little chance of competing with
older peacocks with larger feathers. At the age of 3, peacocks' feathers reach maximum length for their
lives, aside from the new feathers that grow after they molt in the late summer.
Mating season starts in the early Spring and ends in the early Autumn. The peacock's courtship rituals
include the display of its startling plumage and a loud call. Recent studies have shown that both the
frequency and quality of sexual plumage displays by males are reliable indicators of the health status of
an individual.
Gallery
An Indian Blue Peacock An Indian Blue Peahen Detail of an Indian Blue Side view of an Indian
courts a Peahen showing her plumage Peacock’s display Blue Peacock’s display
When it is not in display, The White Peacock is
the long train rests on the frequently mistaken for
Closeup of an Indian A male Indian Blue
ground and hampers the an albino, but it is a
Blue Peacock's head Peacock, train "at rest".
movements of the colour variety of Indian
peacock Blue Peacock
Detail of an Indian Blue

front back Peacock posing.
Peacock's tail feather
White Peafowl in the

Peafowl in the garden of
garden of Castle of
Castle of Pardubice
Pardubice
In the media
NBC's 1950s "peacock" logo.
The US National Broadcasting Company (NBC) has used three variations of the rainbow peacock as its
logo since 1956.
See also
References
● Blau, S.K. (Jan. 2004). "Light as a Feather: Structural Elements Give Peacock Plumes Their
Color". Physics Today 57 (1): 18–20. Retrieved on 2006-09-27.
● Loyau, A., Saint Jalme, M., and Cagniant, C. (2005-05-03). "Multiple sexual advertisements
honestly reflect health status in peacocks (Pavo cristatus)". Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
58 (6): 552-557. ISSN 0340-5443 (Print); ISSN 1432-0762 (Online). Retrieved on 2006-09-27.
External links
● Zoonomen - Zoological Nomenclature Resource — World Birds Taxonomic List as of 2006-09-
26
● Peafowl Varieties Database
● "The Peacock Information Page: All About Peacocks!", an article by Lisa Johnson from Game
Bird and Conservationists' Gazette — Aspects of the cultural role of peafowl and their place in
aviculture
● United Peafowl Association Knowledge Base
● "Peacocks Swarm Couple's Florida Home" — Feral peafowls became pests for one Florida
couple in 2005, a CBS Evening News story
● Peafowl in Arcadia, Living With Arcadia's Wild Birds, a pamphlet by City of Arcadia, California
(pdf)
● "Behavioural Ecologists Elucidated How Peahens Choose Their Mates, And Why", an article at
ScienceDaily.com
● Peafowl videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Peacock — Etymology of the word
Pelican
Pelican
A pelican is any of several very large water birds with a
distinctive pouch under the beak belonging to the bird
family Pelecanidae. Along with the darters, cormorants,
gannets, boobies, frigatebirds, and tropicbirds, it makes up
the order Pelecaniformes. Like other birds in that group,
pelicans have all four toes webbed (they are totipalmate).
Modern pelicans are found on all continents except
Antarctica. They are birds of inland and coastal waters and
are absent from polar regions, the deep ocean, oceanic
islands, and inland South America.
Pelicans can grow to a wingspan of three meters and weigh

13 kilograms, males being a little larger than females and
having a longer bill.
Pink-backed Pelicans (Pelecanus rufescens).
Pelicans have two primary ways of feeding:
● Group fishing: used by white pelicans all over the Kingdom: Animalia
world. They will form a line to chase schools of
small fish into shallow water, and then simply scoop Phylum: Chordata
them up. Large fish are caught with the bill-tip, then
tossed up in the air to be caught and slid into the
Class: Aves
gullet head first.
● Plunge-diving: used almost exclusively by the
American Brown Pelican, and rarely by white Order: Pelecaniformes
pelicans like the Peruvian Pelican or the Australian
Pelican. Family: Pelecanidae
Rafinesque, 1815
Rarely, pelicans will consume animals other than fish. In
Genus: Pelecanus
[1]
one documented case, a pelican swallowed a live pigeon. Linnaeus, 1758
[2]
Species
Pelicans are gregarious and nest colonially, the male

bringing the material, the female heaping it up to form a
simple structure. Pairs are monogamous for a single season
but the pair bond extends only to the nesting area; mates are Pelecanus occidentalis
independent away from the nest. Pelecanus thagus
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Contents Pelecanus onocrotalus
Pelecanus crispus
Pelecanus rufescens
● 1 Symbolism
Pelecanus philippensis
● 2 Systematics
Pelecanus conspicillatus
❍ 2.1 Species
● 3 References
Symbolism
A pelican in her Piety
In medieval Europe, the pelican was thought to be particularly attentive to her young, to the point of
providing her own blood when no other food was available. As a result, the pelican became a symbol of
the Passion of Jesus and of the Eucharist. It also became a symbol in bestiaries for self-sacrifice, and
was used in heraldry ("a pelican in her piety" or "a pelican vulning (wounding) herself"). Another
version of this is that the Pelican used to kill its young and then resurrect them with its blood, this being
analogous to the sacrifice of Jesus. Thus the symbol of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is a
pelican, and for most of its existence the headquarters of the service was located at Pelican House in
Dublin, Ireland.
IBTS Logo
For example, the emblems of both Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and Corpus Christi College,
Oxford are pelicans, showing its use as a medieval Christian symbol {'Corpus Christi' - 'body of Christ'}.
This legend may have arisen because the pelican used to suffer from a disease that left a red mark on its
chest. Alternatively it may be that pelicans look as if they are doing that as they often press their bill into
their chest to fully empty their pouch.
The symbol is used today on the Louisiana state flag and Louisiana state seal, as the Brown pelican is
the Louisiana state bird.
Systematics
Species
American White Pelican

Brown Pelican Pelecanus Peruvian Pelican Great White Pelican
Pelecanus
occidentalis Pelecanus thagus Pelecanus onocrotalus
erythrorhynchos
Dalmatian Pelican Pink-backed Pelican Spot-billed Pelican Australian Pelican

Pelecanus crispus Pelecanus rufescens Pelecanus philippensis Pelecanus conspicillatus
From the fossil record, it is known that pelicans have been around for over 40 million years. Prehistoric
genera have been named Protopelicanus and Miopelecanus.
A number of fossil species are also known from the extant genus Pelecanus:
● Pelecanus alieus (Late Pliocene of Idaho, USA)

● Pelecanus cadimurka
● Pelecanus cauleyi
● Pelecanus gracilis
● Pelecanus halieus
● Pelecanus intermedius
● Pelecanus odessanus
● Pelecanus schreiberi
● Pelecanus sivalensis
● Pelecanus tirarensis
eferences
1. ^ "Pelican swallows pigeon in park", BBC News, 25 October 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-25.
2. ^ YouTube: Pelican Eats a Pigeon. Retrieved on 2006-10-27.
External links
● The Symbolism of the Pelican article in the Arlington Catholic Herald.
● Pelican videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Relief of a "pelican in her An Australian Pelican A pelican in flight seen Brown Pelicans taking off
piety" coming out of water from underneath from the ocean
A Brown Pelican in flight Symbol Of the Irish
near the water. Blood Transfusion Service
Puffin
Puffin
The common name puffin describes any of three auk
species (or alcids) in the bird genus Fratercula (Latin:
little brother - probably a reference to their black and
white plumage which resembles monastic robes) with a
brightly colored beak in the breeding season. These are
pelagic seabirds that feed primarily by diving. They breed
in large colonies on coastal cliffs or offshore islands,
nesting in crevices among rocks or in burrows in the soil.
Puffins are chunky birds with large bills. They shed the
colourful outer parts of their bills after the mating season,
leaving a smaller and duller beak. Their short wings are
adapted for flying under water. In the air, they beat their
wings rapidly (up to 100 times per minute) in swift flight,
often flying low over the ocean's surface.
Breeding
The male Atlantic Puffin builds the nest and exhibits
strong nest site fidelity. Both sexes of the Horned Puffin
help to construct their nest. The burrows of the Atlantic
and Horned Puffin are usually only about 1 metre (3 feet) Atlantic Puffin
deep, ending in a chamber, but the tunnel leading to a Scientific classification
Tufted Puffin burrow may be up to 2.75 metres (9 feet) in
length. The Atlantic Puffin burrow is usually lined with Kingdom: Animalia
material such as grass, leaves and feathers but is
occasionally unlined. The eggs of the Atlantic Puffin are Phylum: Chordata
creamy white but can be occasionally tinged in lilac.
Class: Aves
Unlike many animals, puffins form long-term pair bonds.
The female lays a single egg, and both parents incubate
the egg and feed the chick. The incubating parent holds Order: Charadriiformes
the egg against their brood path with their wings. The
chicks fledge at night. After fledging, the chicks spend Family: Alcidae
the first few years of their lives at sea, returning to breed
after three to six years. Genus: Fratercula
Brisson, 1760
Like many auks, puffins eat both fish and zooplankton,
Species
but feed their chicks primarily with small marine fish.
Fratercula arctica
The puffins are distinct in their ability to hold several
Fratercula corniculata
(sometimes over a dozen) small fishes at a time,
Fratercula cirrhata
crosswise in their bill. This allows them to take longer
foraging trips, since they can come back with more
energy for their chick than a bird that can only carry one For prehistoric species, see article text.
fish at a time.
Species
Three species are recognized today:
● Atlantic Puffin, Fratercula arctica

Horned Puffin, Fratercula corniculata
Tufted Puffin, Fratercula cirrhata
The genus Fratercula probably evolved in the northern Pacific, like most lineages of auks. However, at
least 2 undescribed prehistoric species are known to have occurred in the western Atlantic comparatively
soon after the genus' emergence:
● Fratercula sp. 1 (Yorktown Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine, USA)

● Fratercula sp. 2 (Yorktown Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine, USA)
Another extinct species, Dow's Puffin (Fratercula dowi) was found on the Channel Islands of California
until the Late Pleistocene or Early Holocene. It is possible that it became extinct due to overhunting and
egg-collecting by early human settlers.
Quail
Quails
Quail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds in
the pheasant family Phasianidae, or in the family Odontophoridae.
This article deals with the Old World species in the former family.
The New World quails are not closely related, but are named for
their similar appearance and behaviour.
The Old World buttonquails are also in a different family

Turnicidae, and are not true quails.
The quails are small, plump terrestrial birds. They are seed eaters,
but will also take insects and similar small prey. They nest on the
ground.
Some quail are farmed in large numbers. These include Japanese

quail, also commonly known as coturnix quail, which are mostly
kept to produce eggs that are sold worldwide.
Common Quail
Species list Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia
● Genus Coturnix
❍ Coturnix coturnix, Common Quail
Phylum: Chordata
Coturnix japonica, Japanese Quail
Coturnix pectoralis, Stubble Quail
Coturnix novaezelandiae, New Zealand Quail Class: Aves
Extinct
Coturnix coromandelica, Rain Quail Order: Galliformes
Coturnix delegorguei, Harlequin Quail
Coturnix ypsilophora, Brown Quail
Family: Phasianidae†
Coturnix adansonii, Blue Quail
Coturnix chinensis, Blue-breasted Quail
● Genus Anurophasis Genera
❍ Anurophasis monorthonyx, Snow Mountain Quail
● Genus Perdicula
❍ Perdicula asiatica, Jungle Bush-quail
Perdicula argoondah, Rock Bush-quail

Perdicula erythrorhyncha, Painted Bush-quail Coturnix
Perdicula manipurensis, Manipur Bush-quail Anurophasis
● Genus Ophrysia Perdicula
❍ Ophrysia superciliosa, Himalayan Quail Critically Ophrysia
Endangered/Extinct
† See also Pheasant, Partridge, Grouse
References
● Commercial coturnix quail farming
Rooster
A rooster is a male chicken, the female being a hen. A

young cock is called a rooster or a cockerel. The term
"rooster" is reputedly so used because the cock is said to
roost over clutches of eggs to guard them. In fact,
"roosting" is the action of perching aloft to sleep at night,
and is done by both sexes. The cock is non-monogamous,
and cannot guard several nests of eggs at once. He guards
the general area where his hens are nesting, and will
attack other roosters who enter his territory. During the Rooster in grass, demonstrating the "alert"
daytime, he often sits on a high perch, usually 4-5 feet off stance before sounding an alarm
the ground, to serve as a lookout for his flock. He will
sound a distinctive alarm call if predators are nearby.
Contents
● 1 Name
● 2 Crowing
● 4 Capons
● 5 Cocks as domestic pets Rooster Crowing during daylight
● 6 Symbol of France
● 7 Cockfight
● 8 Sources
Name
"Cock" is the original name for the male and is still in use
in parts of the English-speaking world, but has largely
been dropped in North America and Australia in favor of
"rooster." According to H. L. Mencken's The American
Language, the euphemism "rooster" took precedence over A "Barred Plymouth Rock" cock crowing
"cock" in the United States during the Victorian era (and
parts of the bird were similarly renamed, such as the "drumstick" for "leg") to avoid ostensibly sexually
provocative language ("cock" is a coarse slang term for the penis). However, the term "cocky", an
American slang adjective meaning "arrogant", and which is derived from the "proud" strutting walk of
the bird, is still considered acceptable in polite conversation.
Male Pheasants are often called Roosters as well.
Crowing
The cock is often pictured in art as crowing at the break of dawn, and this is accurate. He can often be
seen sitting on fence posts or other objects, where he crows to proclaim his territory. However, he will
also crow during the rest of the day, and even sometimes on a bright moonlit night. He has several other
calls as well, and can cluck the same as a hen.
The sound made by the cock is spelt (onomatopoeia) as "cock-a-doodle-doo" in English, but otherwise
in some other languages, such as: Arabic kookookoo-koo, Bulgarian кукуригу (kukurigu) ,Catalan Co-
co-ro-co, Chinese goh-geh-goh-goh, Danish kykeliky, Dutch kukeleku, Esperanto kokeriko, Finnish
kukkokiekuu, French cocorico, German kikeriki, Greek kikiriku, Hebrew ku-ku-ri-ku, Indonesian
kukuruyuk, Italian chicchirichi`, Japanese ko-ke kokkoh, Korean k'ok'iyo, Lithuanian ka-ka-rie-ku,
Latvian ki-ke-ri-gū, Norwegian kykkeliky, Polish kukuryku, Portuguese Co'co'ro'co'co', Romanian
cucurigu, Russian ku-ka-rye-ku, Sanskrit •••, Serbian ku-ku-ri-ku, Slovak kikiriki', Spanish qui-qui-ri-
qui', Swahili KokoRikoo koo, Swedish kuckeliku, Gujarati kuk-de-kuk,Tamil ko-ka-ra-ko, Thai yeki-
yeki-yek,Czech kykyriki', Turkish üü-ürü-üüü and in Urdu kuk-roo-koon or kuk-roo-kroon.
Cultural references
The Talmud refers to learning "courtesy from the rooster" (eruvin 100b). This reference may be
attributed to the behaviour of a cock when he finds something good to eat: he calls his flock to eat first.
This call is distinctive from regular clucking or crowing. While giving this call, he will repeatedly pick
up a morsel of food and drop it again to attract the attention of the hens. A mother hen uses a similar call
and action to teach her chicks to feed.
At another place in the Talmud (‫ )א דומע ז ףד הציב תכסמ ילבב דומלת‬it is said about the rooster: "[...]
Everything that fullfills its task at daytime, is born at daytime - this is the rooster". ...
And again at another place in the Talmud (‫ )א דומע ז ףד תוכרב תכסמ ילבב דומלת‬the rooster is seen as an
indicator of the short moment in the day where God could be angry and would permit the cursing of a
person by another: "[...] And when is he [God] angry? - Abaye says: In [one moment of] those first three
hours of the day, when the comb of the cock is white and it stands on one foot. Why, in each hour it
stands thus? - In each hour it has red streaks, but in this moment it has no red streaks at all. (However,
this does not seem to apply to actual biology, because a cock's comb does not change color in the
morning. It might be a literary hyperbole intended to say that God does not permit cursing others, since
the moment described does not actually exist. And indeed, this next story supports that view):
● In the neighbourhood of R. Joshua b. Levi there was a Sadducee who used to annoy him very
much with [his interpretation of] texts. One day the Rabbi took a cock, placed it between the legs
of his bed and watched it. He thought: When this moment arrives I shall curse him. When the
moment arrived he was dozing. [On waking up] he said: We learn from this that it is not proper to
act in such a way. ..." (The translation here is taken from the Soncino edition of the Babylonian
Talmud)
Also the Greek philosopher Socrates has an interesting connection to a rooster: After he has already
drunken the poison in his cell in Athens (at the end of the Platonic Dialogue Phaidon) his last words are:
"O Kriton, we still owe a rooster to Asclepius".
Capons
Rooster
A capon is a castrated rooster. In this procedure the testes of the cock are completely removed; a
surgical procedure is required for this as its sexual organs are not external (most birds, the cock
included, do not possess a penis). As a result of this procedure certain male physical characteristics will
develop, but stunted:
● The comb and wattles cease growing after castration, so the head of a capon looks small.
● The hackle, tail and saddle feathers grow unusually long.
Caponization also affects the disposition of the bird. Removal of the bird's testes eliminates the male sex
hormones, lessening the male sex instincts changing their behaviour: the birds become more docile and
less active and tend not to fight.
This procedure produces a unique type of poultry meat which is favoured by a specialised market. The
meat of normal uncastrated cocks has a tendency to become coarse, stringy and tough as the birds age.
This process does not exist in the capon. As caponized cocks grow slower than entire males they
accumulate more body fat; the concentration of fat in both the light and dark areas of the capon meat is
greater than in that of the uncastrated males; overall, it is often thought that capon meat is more tender,
juicier and more flavorful than regular chicken.
Cocks as domestic pets
Cock amongst a flock of hens
Cock when searching food
While it is not as common in cities as in small towns or farms, some people do keep domestic cocks. It's
debatable whether or not this kind of environment is adequate for these birds. However, cocks are
common in Hawaii. Some general tips for raising and keeping the well being of domestic cocks include:
● Giving them a wide and open area to live and walk about, allowing them plenty of space to
"roost"
● At night, keep them in a simple but comfortable structure or bed, allowing them space to crow at
dawn.
● Try to keep their sleeping space dark. Cocks usually crow at the first sight of light, which could
be annoying to neighbours.
● Feed them cracked corn, sold at any live poultry house.
● Clean their living space frequently.
● Prevent interaction between cocks whenever possible.
Symbol of France
The cock is a national symbol of France and is used as an (unofficial) national mascot, in particular for
sports teams (such as football (soccer) and rugby union). Its origin appears to be from the play on words
between the Latin name for the bird (Gallus gallus) and Gaul (Gallia), the Roman name for most of what
is now France. A rooster was chosen to be the mascot of the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
Cockfight
A cockfight is a contest held in a ring called a cockpit between two gamecocks. Gamecocks are not
typical farm chickens. The roosters are specially bred and trained for increased stamina and strength.
The comb and wattle is cut off of a young gamecock because if left intact, it would be a disadvantage
during a match. Sometimes they are given drugs to increase their stamina or thicken their blood, which
increases their chances of winning. They possess an inherent aggression toward all males of the same
species, and do not have to be trained to fight. It is a natural instinct and they will fight to the death with
no training. Some people refer to conditioning as "training" and this has caused much confusion.
Conditioning is giving an especially healthy diet and strengthening exercises to the gamecock before a
contest. Cockfighting is considered a traditional sporting event by some, and an example of animal
cruelty by others. Usually wagers are made on the outcome of the match, with the surviving or last-bird-
standing being declared the winner.
Sources
P. Smith, The Chicken Book (North Point Press, 1982), passim.
Secretary Bird
Secretary Bird
The Secretary Bird, Sagittarius serpentarius, is an extraordinary Conservation status Least concern
[1]
bird of prey. Endemic to Africa, this mostly terrestrial bird is
usually found in the open grasslands and savannas of the sub-
Sahara.[2] It is a large bird of prey in the order Falconiformes,
which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites,
buzzards, vultures, and harriers, but it is so distinctive that it is
given its own family, Sagittaridae. The Secretary Bird enjoys a
certain fame in Africa, specifically Sudan and South Africa, where
it serves as a prominent Emblem on both countries' Coat of Arms.
Contents
● 1 General Appearance
● 2 Evolution
● 3 Habitat
● 4 Diet
● 5 Reproductive Strategies
● 6 Rearing of Young
● 7 Threats Scientific classification
● 8 Cultural significance Kingdom: Animalia
❍ 9.1 Photos and drawings
Phylum: Chordata
❍ 9.2 Additional Multimedia
● 10 Works Cited
Class: Aves
❍ 10.1 Footnotes
General Appearance Family: Sagittariidae

R. Grandori & L.
Grandori, 1935
Genus: Sagittarius
Hermann, 1783
Species: S. serpentarius
Binomial name
Sagittarius serpentarius
(J. F. Miller, 1779)
The Secretary Bird is instantly recognizable as having an eagle-like body on crane-like legs which
increases the bird’s height to around 1.3 m (four feet) tall. This 140 cm long bird has an eagle-like head
[3]
with a hooked bill, but has rounded wings. From a distance or in flight it resembles a crane more than
a bird of prey. The tail has two elongated central feathers that extend beyond the feet during flight, as
well as long flat plumage creating a posterior crest.[4] It likely gets its English name from its crest of
long feathers which make it appear to be carrying quill pens behind its ears, as secretaries once did. A
[5]
more recent hypothesis is that this is a French corruption of the Arabic saqr-et-tair or "hunter-bird."
The genus name, Sagittarius refers to the same feature, but in this case likened to an archer's arrows.
Serpentarius reflects the fact that this is a specialist predator of snakes. Secretary Bird flight feathers and
[6]
thighs are black, while most of the coverts are grey with some being white. Sexes look alike, although
the male has longer head plumes and tail feathers. Adults have a featherless red face as opposed to the
[7]
yellow colored facial skin in young.
Evolution
Recent cladistic analysis has shown Sagittaridae to be an older group than Accipitridae and Falconidae,
[8]
but a younger divergence than Cathartidae. Studies are still being conducted due to the pecularity of
the single species group and recent molecular biology techniques in taxonomic organization.
Habitat
Secretary Birds are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and are non-migratory (although they may follow
[9]
food sources). Their range is from Senegal to Somalia and south to the Cape of Good Hope.[10] These
birds are also found at a variety of elevations, from the coastal plains to the highlands. Secretary Birds
prefer open grasslands and savannahs rather than forests and dense shrubbery which may impede their
cursorial existence. While the birds roost on the local Acacia trees at night, they spend much of the day
[11]
on the ground, returning to roosting sites just before dark.
Diet
The Secretary Bird is largely terrestrial, hunting its prey on foot, and besides the caracaras (such as
Polyborus plancus) is the only bird of prey to do so habitually. Adults hunt in pairs and sometimes as
[12]
loose familial flocks, stalking through the habitat with long strides. Prey consists of insects, small
mammals, lizards, snakes, young birds, bird eggs, and sometimes dead animals killed in brush fires.
Larger herbivores are not hunted, although there are some reports of Secretary Birds killing young
[13]
gazelles.
Young are fed liquified and regurgitated insects directly by the male or female parent and are eventually
weaned to small mammals and reptile fragments regurgitated onto the nest itself. The above foodstuffs
[14]
are originally stored in the crop of the adults.
Secretary Birds have two distinct feeding strategies that are both executed on land. They can either catch
prey by chasing it and striking with the bill or stomping on prey until it is rendered stunned or
[15]
unconscious enough to swallow. Studies of this latter strategy have helped construct the possible
feeding mechanisms employed by dinosaur-like terror birds that once walked the earth five million years
[16]
ago.
Reproductive Strategies
Secretary Birds associate in monogamous pairs. During courtship, they exhibit a nuptial display by
soaring high with undulating flight patterns and calling with guttural croaking. Males and females can
also perform a grounded display by chasing each other with their wings up and back, much like the way
they chase prey. They usually mate on the ground, although some do so in Acacia trees.
Rearing of Young
Nests are built on top of Acacia trees, and are usually 5-7 m (15-20 feet) high. Both the male and female
visit the nest site for almost half a year before egg laying takes place. The nest is around 2.5 m (eight
feet) wide and 30 cm (one foot) deep, and is constructed as a relatively flat basin of sticks.
Secretary birds lay two to three oval, pale-green eggs over the course of two to three days, although the
third egg is most often unfertilized. These eggs are incubated primarily by the female for 45 days until
[17]
they hatch. The Secretary Birds are facultatively fratricidal.
The downy young can feed autonomously after 40 days, although the parents still feed the young after
that time. At 60 days, the young start to flap their wings, and by day 65-80 are able to fledge. Fledging is
accomplished by jumping out of the nest or using a semi-controlled fall via fervent wing flapping to the
ground. After this time, the young are quickly taught how to hunt through expeditions with their parents
[18]
and are considered independent soon after.
Threats
[19]
Young are predated by crows and kites as they are vulnerable in Acacia tree tops. As a population,
[20]
the Secretary Bird is mainly threatened by loss of habitat and deforestation. In 1968 the species
[21]
became protected under the Africa Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
Cultural significance
The Secretary Bird is the national emblem of Sudan as well as a prominent feature on the Coat of Arms
of South Africa. In Sudan, It is featured in the middle white strip of the Presidential Flag, as well as
being the main object on the Presidential seal and featuring heavily in Sudanese military insignia. The
Secretary Bird on the Presidential Flag and Seal has its head turned to the right, with its distinctive crest
clearly visible and its wings spread out with a white banner between its outstretched wings reading
'Victory is Ours' - available at [1].
In South Africa, the Secretary Bird, while not the official bird of South Africa, is featured as a symbol
on the national coat of arms, represents vigilance and military might, as well as the rise and pride of
modern South Africa. [2]
External links
Photos and drawings
● [3]
● [4]
● [5]
● [6]
● [7]
Additional Multimedia
● Wordsmith RadioAudio encyclopedia entry about Secretary Bird

● Stock FootageSecretary Bird Stomping on Insect Prey
● Secretary Bird videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Works Cited
Allan, D.G., Harrison, J.A., Navarro, R.A., van Wilgen, B.W., & Thompson, M.W. (1997) The Impact
of Commercial Afforestation on Bird Populaion in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa- Insights from
Bird-Atlas Data. Biological Conservation, 79, 173-185.
Bortolotti, B.R. (1986) Evolution of Growth Rates in Eagles: Sibling Competition Vs. Energy
Considerations. Ecology, 67, 182-194.
Brown, L & Amadon, D. (1968) Eagles, Hawks, and Falcons of the World. Volume 2. New York:
McGraw-Hill Book Company.
Curry-Lindahl, K. (1981) Bird Migration in Africa: Movements between six continents. Volume 2. New
York: Academic Press.
Dean, W.R.J, Milton, SJ, & Jeltsch, F. (1999) Large trees, fertile islands, and birds in arid savanna.
Journal of Arid Environments, 41, 61-78.
Janzen, D.H. (1976) The Depression of Reptile Biomass by Large Herbivores. American Naturalist, 110,
71-400.
Kemp, A.C. (1994) Family Sagittariidae (Secretarybird). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 2.
Eds. del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott, & J. Sargatal. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. 206-215.
Marshall, L.G. (2004, March 1). The Terror Birds of South America, Scientific American, 82-89.
Mayr, G. & Clarke, J. (2003) The deep divergences of neornithine birds: a phylogenetic analysis of
morphological characters. Cladistics, 19, 527–553.
Sinclair, I., Hockey, P., & Tarboton, J. (1993) Illustrated Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa.
Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Sinclair, I., & Ryan, P. (2003) Birds of Africa: South of the Sahara. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton
University Press.
Footnotes
1. ^ BirdLife International (2004). Sagittarius serpentarius. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 08 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why
this species is of least concern
2. ^ Sinclair, I., Hockey, P., & Tarboton, J. (1993) Illustrated Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa.
Princeton: Princeton University Press.
3. ^ Brown, L & Amadon, D. (1968) Eagles, Hawks, and Falcons of the World. Volume 2. New
York: McGraw-Hill Book Company.
5. ^ Kemp, A.C. (1994) "Family Sagittariidae (Secretarybird)", Handbook of the Birds of the
World. Vol. 2. Eds. del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott, & J. Sargatal. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. 206-215.
6. ^ Sinclair, I., & Ryan, P. (2003) Birds of Africa: South of the Sahara. Princeton and Oxford:
Princeton University Press.
8. ^ Mayr, G. & Clarke, J. (2003) The deep divergences of neornithine birds: a phylogenetic
analysis of morphological characters. Cladistics, 19, 527–553.
9. ^ Curry-Lindahl, K. (1981) Bird Migration in Africa: Movements between six continents.
Volume 2. New York: Academic Press.
11. ^ Dean, W.R.J, Milton, SJ, & Jeltsch, F. (1999) Large trees, fertile islands, and birds in arid
savanna . Journal of Arid Environments, 41, 61-78.
12. ^ Janzen, D.H. (1976) The Depression of Reptile Biomass by Large Herbivores. American
Naturalist, 110, 71-400.
13. ^ Janzen, D.H. (1976) The Depression of Reptile Biomass by Large Herbivores. American
Naturalist, 110, 71-400.
16. ^ Marshall, L.G. (2004, March 1). The Terror Birds of South America, Scientific American, 82-
89.
17. ^ Bortolotti, B.R. (1986) Evolution of Growth Rates in Eagles: Sibling Competition Vs. Energy
Considerations. Ecology, 67, 182-194.
20. ^ Allan, D.G., Harrison, J.A., Navarro, R.A., van Wilgen, B.W., & Thompson, M.W. (1997) The
Impact of Commercial Afforestation on Bird Populaion in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa-
Insights from Bird-Atlas Data. Biological Conservation, 79, 173-185.
Snipe
Snipes
A Snipe is any of 18 very similar wading bird species
characterised by a very long slender bill and cryptic
plumage.
They search for invertebrates in the mud with a "sewing-

machine" action of their long bills.
Most have distinctive displays, usually given at dawn or

dusk.
There are two southern snipe species in the genus

Coenocorypha, 15 typical snipes in the genus Gallinago Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)
and the very small Jack Snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Some snipe species have been hunted for food and sport
since the invention of the shotgun. They can be extremely
difficult targets, confounding even very skilled hunters Phylum: Chordata
with their erratic flight, their unexpected flushes, their
excellent natural camouflage and the treacherous and Class: Aves
difficult terrain they typically inhabit.
The elusive nature of the snipe is well-known among Order: Charadriiformes

hunters. In the days of market hunting, the most skilled
hunters of all would often bring many Common Snipe to Family: Scolopacidae
market earning the moniker "sniper" as a badge of respect
for the difficulty in shooting this amazing little bird. The
Genera
term has evolved into the modern usage sniper, referring
to a skilled antipersonnel sharpshooter. In addition, the Coenocorypha
often-unsuccessful nature of a snipe hunt lead to the Gallinago
practical joke of the same name. Lymnocryptes
Species are:
● Chatham Snipe, Coenocorypha pusilla

Subantarctic Snipe, Coenocorypha aucklandica
Campbell Island Snipe, Coenocorypha sp.
Solitary Snipe, Gallinago solitaria
Latham's Snipe, Gallinago hardwickii
Wood Snipe, Gallinago nemoricola
African Snipe, Gallinago nigripennis
Madagascar Snipe, Gallinago macrodactyla
The American race, G. g. delicata is sometimes considered a separate species, Wilson's
Snipe.
South American Snipe, Gallinago paraguaiae
Noble Snipe, Gallinago nobilis
Giant Snipe, Gallinago undulata
Fuegian Snipe, Gallinago stricklandii
Andean Snipe, Gallinago jamesoni
Imperial Snipe, Gallinago imperialis
External links
● Snipe videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Spotted Eagle Owl
Spotted Eagle Owl

Spotted Eagle Owl (Bubo africanus) is a species of the Horned Conservation status Least concern
owls. It is a medium sized owl and one of the smallest of the Eagle
owls. Its height is forty-five cm (18 inch) and its weight is from
480 to 850g (1 to 1.8 pounds). They have a 33cm (13 in) wing
span. The facial disk is off white to a pale ochre and the eyes are
yellow. They have prominent ear tufts and the upper body is dusky
brown with lower parts off white with brown bars. Prior to 1999
the Spotted Eagle owl was classed as a subspecies with the
Vermiculated Eagle Owl but is now classed as a separate species.
They are carnivorous and their prey consists of small mammals,
birds, insects and reptiles.

Kingdom: Animalia
● 1 Habitat
● 2 Reproduction
Phylum: Chordata
● 3 References
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Habitat
Family: Strigidae
They inhabit most of Africa south of the Sahara desert away from
dense forests. They are nocturnal hunters spending the day
concealed in trees, rock ledges or abandoned burrows. They are Genus: Bubo
found in areas with rocky outcroppings, scrub land open woods
and semi deserts. Spotted eagle owls do not avoid populated areas. Species: B. africanus
They will often hunt near roads and are often struck by vehicles.
The major cause of death is pesticides used in agriculture for
Binomial name
insect and rodent control.
Bubo africanus
Temminck, 1821
Reproduction
Spotted eagle owls mate for life. They are able to breed at around one year of age. They make their nest
on the ground and have been known to nest on window ledges of buildings. Breeding begins in July
continuing to the first weeks February. The female lays two to four eggs and she does the incubation
leaving the nest only to eat what the male has brought food. The incubation period lasts approximately
thirty two days. The young owls can fly at around seven weeks of age. Five weeks later at twelve weeks
the young owls leave the nest. They have a life span of up to ten years in the wild and up to twenty in
captivity.
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Bubo africanus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN
2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of
least concern
External links
● Spotted Eagle Owl (Bubo africanus)
● Image of Spotted Eagle Owl
● Spotted eagle Owl
Toucan
Toucan
Toucans are near passerine birds from the neotropics. They are
brightly marked and have enormous colorful bills. The family
includes six genera and about 40 species.
Toucans range in size from 18 to 63 cm (7 to 25 in). A bit bigger

than a crow, their body is short and thick and the tail is rounded.
The tail varies in length from half the length to the whole length of
the body. The neck is short and thick while at the base of the head
is a huge, brightly-colored beak that measures in some large
species, more than half the length of the body. A toucan's tongue
is long, narrow, and singularly frayed on each side, adding to its
sensibility as an organ of taste.
The legs of a toucan are strong and rather short. Their toes are
arranged in pairs with the first and fourth toe turned backward.
Both males and females are the same color. The feathers in the
genus containing the largest toucans are generally coloured black,
with touches of white, yellow, and scarlet. The underparts of the Keel-billed Toucan
araçaris (smaller toucans) are yellow, crossed by one or more
black or red bands, and the edges of the beak are saw-toothed. The
toucanets have mostly green plumage with blue markings. Kingdom: Animalia
Toucans are frugivorous (fruit-eating), but will take insects and Phylum: Chordata
other small prey such as small lizards. However, many other birds
consume these foods without the giant bill to help them. So what
Class: Aves
is the function of the beak in feeding? One likely use is to
specialize on prey such as nestlings and bats in treeholes. In this
view, the beak is an adaptation to allows the bird to reach deep Order: Piciformes
into the treehole and thereby access food unavailable to birds that
would otherwise compete for similar food reasources. Family: Ramphastidae
Vigors, 1825
They are arboreal and nest in tree holes laying 2–4 white eggs.
Genera
The young hatched are completely naked, without any down. They
are resident breeders and do not migrate. Toucans are usually
found in pairs or small flocks.
The name of this bird group is derived from Tupi tucana, via Aulacorhynchus
French. Pteroglossus
Baillonius
Andigena
Contents Selenidera
Ramphastos
● 1 Toucans in advertising
● 2 Toucans in fiction
● 3 Species list
Toucans in advertising
Toucans were used to advertise Guinness stout (using the slogan 'See what toucan do'), and many
collectables such as postcards and models with Guinness toucans on them may be found. Toucan Sam is
the mascot of Kellogg's Froot Loops cereal. Y107 in Nashville used a "Tookie Bird" as their mascot.
There is a European phone company called Toucan. Toucan is part of IDT Telecom, a subsidiary of
global telecoms provider IDT Corp. They provide phone service, dial-up, and broadband internet service
as well as mobile services in the Netherlands and the UK including Northern Ireland, Scotland, and
Wales, bringing state-of the art communications to Europe, USA, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. They
have call centers in England, Ireland, India, and Israel.
Toucans in fiction
A humorous derivation of the name of the bird features in David McKee's children's book "Two Can
Toucan".
Wulffmorgenthaler comic strip features a character named 'Toucan kid', who is an offspring of a human
and a toucan.
Tookie Tookie, George's pet Toucan from George of the Jungle.
Species list
● Aulacorhynchus
❍ Emerald Toucanet, Aulacorhynchus prasinus
Groove-billed Toucanet, Aulacorhynchus sulcatus

Chestnut-tipped Toucanet, Aulacorhynchus derbianus
Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Aulacorhynchus haematopygus
Yellow-browed Toucanet, Aulacorhynchus huallagae
Blue-banded Toucanet, Aulacorhynchus coeruleicinctis
● Pteroglossus
❍ Lettered Aracari, Pteroglossus inscriptus
Green Aracari, Pteroglossus viridis

Red-necked Aracari, Pteroglossus bitorquatus
Ivory-billed Aracari, Pteroglossus azara
Brown-mandibled Aracari, Pteroglossus mariae
Chestnut-eared Aracari, Pteroglossus castanotis
Black-necked Aracari, Pteroglossus aracari
Collared Aracari, Pteroglossus torquatus
Fiery-billed Aracari, Pteroglossus frantzii
Stripe-billed Aracari, Pteroglossus sanguineus
Pale-mandibled Aracari, Pteroglossus erythropygius
Many-banded Aracari, Pteroglossus pluricinctus
Curl-crested Aracari, Pteroglossus beauharnaesii
● Baillonius
❍ Saffron Toucanet, Baillonius bailloni
● Andigena
❍ Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Andigena laminirostris
Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan, Andigena hypoglauca

Hooded Mountain Toucan, Andigena cucullata
Black-billed Mountain Toucan, Andigena nigrirostris
● Selenidera
❍ Yellow-eared Toucanet, Selenidera spectabilis
Golden-collared Toucanet, Selenidera reinwardtii

Tawny-tufted Toucanet, Selenidera nattereri
Guianan Toucanet, Selenidera culik
Spot-billed Toucanet, Selenidera maculirostris
Gould's Toucanet, Selenidera gouldii
● Ramphastos
❍ Keel-billed Toucan, Ramphastos sulfuratus
Choco Toucan, Ramphastos brevis

Citron-throated Toucan, Ramphastos citreolaemus
❍ Channel-billed Toucan, Ramphastos vitellinus
■ Yellow-ridged Toucan, Ramphastos vitellinus culminatus

❍ Red-breasted Toucan, Ramphastos dicolorus
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Ramphastos swainsonii
Black-mandibled Toucan, Ramphastos ambiguus
❍ White-throated Toucan, Ramphastos tucanus, includes
■ Red-billed Toucan, R. t. tucanus
■ Cuvier's Toucan, R. t. cuvieri
❍ Toco Toucan, Ramphastos toco
External links
● List of Toucans
● Gallery of Toucans
● More information on Toucans
● Toucan videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Toucan photos and information
Psittacidae
Parrots
The true parrots are about 330 species of bird belonging to the
Psittacidae, one of the two families in the biological order
Psittaciformes. The other family is the Cacatuidae (or cockatoos)
which are also parrots, but not classified as true parrots.
Contents
● 1 Phylogeny
● 2 Image gallery
● 3 Books Blue and Gold Macaws
● 4 External links Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylogeny Phylum: Chordata
The classification of the family is discussed in detail under Class: Aves

Psittaciformes.
Image gallery
Family: Psittacidae
Illiger, 1811
Subfamily
Loriinae
Psittacinae
Male turquoise African Grey

A Scarlet A pet Yellow-
Lineolated or
Macaw headed Parrot Parrot
Barred Parakeet
Peach-faced
Budgerigar Sun Conure
Lovebirds
Books
● Bruce Thomas Boehner - Parrot Culture. Our 2.500-year-Long Fascination with the World's
Most Talkative Bird (2004)
External links
● ParrotScience.com - Articles, podcast and news about pet birds and wild birds.
● Parrot rescue, adoption, and sanctuary resources
● The parrot trade and issues facing captive parrots
● Valuable information on Parrot Rescue and Adoption
● Parrot-related news and views from around the world
● Psittapedia - Parrot World News
● Stamps featuring members of the Parrot family
● Araproject, Scarlet macaws and other feral/naturalized parrots
● Parrot videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Encyclopedia about cockatoos, parrots and parakeets
● Psittacidae (TSN 177405). Integrated Taxonomic Information System.

Dendrocolaptidae
Home | Up | Next
Woodcreepers
The woodcreepers, Dendrocolaptinae, comprise a subfamily of sub-
oscine passerine birds endemic to the neotropics. They were
formerly considered a distinct family, Dendrocolaptidae.
Kingdom: Animalia
Generally brownish birds, the true woodcreepers maintain an
upright vertical posture, supported by their stiff tail vanes, and feed Phylum: Chordata
mainly on insects taken from tree trunks. However, woodcreepers
often form part of the core group at the center of flocks attending Class: Aves
army ant swarms. Though unrelated, they superficially resemble the
Old World treecreepers. Woodcreepers are arboreal cavity-nesting
birds; 2-3 white eggs are laid and incubated for about 15 days. Order: Passeriformes
These birds can be difficult to identify in that they tend to have Family: Furnariidae
similar brown upperparts, and the more distinctive underparts are
hard to see on a bird pressed against a trunk in deep forest shade.
Subfamily: Dendrocolaptinae
The bill shape and call are useful aids to determining species.
Systematics Genera
many; see article text
The former family has been merged into the ovenbird family, Furnariidae, due to genetic work showing
Sclerus leaftossers and Geositta miners to be basal to the Furnariidae and the woodcreepers. Maintaining
Dendrocolaptidae as a separate family between them and the other furnariids created a paraphyletic
Furnariidae, hence the merger.
Interestingly, the xenops, which were usually considered to be ovenbirds with a somewhat woodcreeper-
like plumage, are in fact closely related to the latter (Fjeldså et al., 2005). They are best considered to
form a separate tribe and give a good impression of how the ancestors of the woodcreepers must have
looked like. The true woodcreepers are characterized by a belly feather growth pattern not found in any
other birds.
The systematics of the Dendrocolaptinae were reviewed by Raikow (1994, based on morphology) and
Irestedt et al. (2004, based on analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences). As the latter paper
revealed, the commonplace convergent evolution of bill morphology hampered Raikow's analysis. Color
patterns, on the other hand, were more in agreement with the molecular data, but the generally drab
coloration of the woodcreepers renders this character less informative than desirable. The work of
Irested et al., on the other hand, was severely limited by unavailability of samples of many
phylogenetically interesting taxa.
For example, the Deconychura species apparently belong into separate genera, but only D. longicauda
was available for molecular analysis. Moving Lepidocolaptes fuscus to Xiphorhynchus restores
monophyly of Lepidocolaptes, and Xiphorhynchus was very much under-split (Aleixo, 2002a,b).
Hylexetastes may contain anything from 1 to 4 species.
It remains unresolved whether the Scimitar-billed and Long-billed Woodcreepers' distinctiveness is due
to strong selective pressure (and therefore rapid morphological evolution) of forms related to
Lepidocolaptes and Dendrexetastes, respectively, or to long-time evolution of distinct lineages which
separated early in the evolution of the group, with genetic similarity due to long branch attraction. The
data gained from the myoglobin intron II DNA sequence disagrees strongly with mtDNA cytochrome b
sequence data regarding the validity of Lepidocolaptes in general Irestedt et al. (2004); as the latter
agrees much better with morphological and biogeographical data it therefore is used here.
More detailed studies are needed to resolve these questions, namely reevaluation of morphological data
in the light of the molecular findings, and new molecular studies which thoroughly sample the
questionable genera.
FAMILY FURNARIIDAE
Subfamily Dendrocolaptinae - woodcreepers
Tribe Xenopini - xenops
● Genus Megaxenops - Great Xenops

❍ Great Xenops, Megaxenops parnaguae
● Genus Xenops
❍ Rufous-tailed Xenops, Xenops milleri
Slender-billed Xenops, Xenops tenuirostris

Plain Xenops, Xenops minutus
Streaked Xenops, Xenops rutilans
Tribe Dendrocolaptini - true woodcreepers
● Genus Glyphorynchus
❍ Wedge-billed Woodcreeper, Glyphorynchus spirurus
● Genus Dendrocincla
❍ Tyrannine Woodcreeper, Dendrocincla tyrannina
Thrush-like Woodcreeper, Dendrocincla turdina

Tawny-winged Woodcreeper, Dendrocincla anabatina
Plain-brown Woodcreeper, Dendrocincla fuliginosa
White-chinned Woodcreeper, Dendrocincla merula
Ruddy Woodcreeper, Dendrocincla homochroa
● Genus Deconychura
❍ Long-tailed Woodcreeper, Deconychura longicauda
Spot-throated Woodcreeper, Deconychura stictolaema - probably a genus on its own
● Genus Sittasomus
❍ Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Sittasomus griseicapillus
● Genus Nasica
❍ Long-billed Woodcreeper, Nasica longirostris
● Genus Dendrexetastes
❍ Cinnamon-throated Woodcreeper, Dendrexetastes rufigula
● Genus Dendrocolaptes
❍ Northern Barred-Woodcreeper, Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae
Amazonian Barred-Woodcreeper, Dendrocolaptes certhia

Hoffmann's Woodcreeper, Dendrocolaptes hoffmannsi
Black-banded Woodcreeper, Dendrocolaptes picumnus
Planalto Woodcreeper, Dendrocolaptes platyrostris
● Genus Hylexetastes
❍ Bar-bellied Woodcreeper, Hylexetastes stresemanni
❍ Red-billed Woodcreeper, Hylexetastes perrotii
■ Uniform Woodcreeper, Hylexetastes (perrotii) uniformis
■ Brigida's Woodcreeper, Hylexetastes (perrotii) brigidai
● Genus Xiphocolaptes
❍ White-throated Woodcreeper, Xiphocolaptes albicollis
Moustached Woodcreeper, Xiphocolaptes falcirostris

Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Xiphocolaptes major
Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus
● Genus Campylorhamphus
❍ Greater Scythebill, Campylorhamphus pucherani
Red-billed Scythebill, Campylorhamphus trochilirostris

Brown-billed Scythebill, Campylorhamphus pusillus
Black-billed Scythebill, Campylorhamphus falcularius
Curve-billed Scythebill, Campylorhamphus procurvoides
● Genus Dendroplex - formerly in Xiphorhynchus

❍ Straight-billed Woodcreeper, Dendroplex picus
Zimmer's Woodcreeper, Dendroplex kienerii - formerly Xiphorhynchus necopinus
● Genus Xiphorhynchus (possibly polyphyletic)

❍ Lesser Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus fuscus - formerly Lepidocolaptes
Spix's Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus spixii

Elegant Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus elegans
Tschudi's Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus chunchotambo
Ocellated Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus ocellatus
Chestnut-rumped Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus pardalotus
Striped Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus obsoletus
Spotted Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus erythropygius
Olive-backed Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus triangularis
Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus flavigaster
Black-striped Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus
Buff-throated Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus guttatus
Lafesnaye's Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus guttatoides
❍ Cocoa Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus susurrans
■ Lawrence's Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus (susurrans) nanus
● Genus Drymornis
❍ Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper, Drymornis bridgesii
● Genus Lepidocolaptes
❍ White-striped Woodcreeper, Lepidocolaptes leucogaster
Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Lepidocolaptes souleyetii

Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Lepidocolaptes angustirostris
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper, Lepidocolaptes affinis
Montane Woodcreeper, Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger
Scaled Woodcreeper, Lepidocolaptes squamatus
Lineated Woodcreeper, Lepidocolaptes albolineatus
References
● Aleixo, Alexandre (2002): Molecular systematics, phylogeography, and population genetics of
Xiphorhynchus (Aves: Dendrocolaptidae) in the Amazon basin. Ph.D. dissertation, Louisiana
State University, Baton Rouge, LA. PDF fulltext
● Aleixo, Alexandre (2002): Molecular Systematics and the Role of the "Várzea"-"Terra-Firme"
Ecotone in the Diversification of Xiphorhynchus Woodcreepers (Aves: Dendrocolaptidae). Auk
119(3): 621-640. DOI: 10.1642/0004-8038(2002)119[0621:MSATRO]2.0.CO;2 HTML abstract
● Fjeldså, Jon; Irestedt, Martin & Ericson, Per G. P. (2005): Molecular data reveal some major
adaptational shifts in the early evolution of the most diverse avian family, the Furnariidae.
Journal of Ornithology 146: 1–13. [English with German abstract] DOI:10.1007/s10336-004-
0054-5 (HTML abstract) PDF fulltext
● Irestedt, Martin; Fjeldså, Jon & Ericson, Per G. P. (2004): Phylogenetic relationships of
woodcreepers (Aves: Dendrocolaptinae) - incongruence between molecular and morphological
data. Journal of Avian Biology 35(3): 280-288. DOI:10.1111/j.0908-8857.2004.03234.x (HTML
abstract)
● Rajkow, Robert J. (1994): A phylogeny of the woodcreepers (Dendrocolaptinae). Auk 111(1):

104–114. PDF fulltext
● Remsen, J. Van (2003): Family Dendrocolaptidae (Woodcreepers). In: del Hoyo, Josep; Elliott,
Andrew & Sargatal, Jordi (editors): Handbook of Birds of the World, Volume 6: Broadbills to
Tapaculos: 358-447. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. ISBN 84-87334-50-4
External links
● Woodcreeper videos on the Internet Bird Collection

| Dromornithidae
Domesticated duck
Domesticated ducks
Contents
Domesticated ducks are kept for meat, eggs and down. Many
ducks are also kept for show, as pets or for their ornamental value.
● 1 Breeds
Most domesticated ducks originated from the Mallard Anas
● 2 Gender differences platyrhynchos.
● 3 Farming
● 4 As pets and ornamentals
Breeds
● 5 See also
● 6 Gallery
There are many existing breeds with more being created today.
● 7 External links Most domesticated breeds are descendants from the wild Mallard
with exception of the Muscovy. Breeds are sorted into size classes.
Below are breeds accepted by the American Poultry Association.
Bantam Lightweight Mediumweight Heavyweight

● Appleyard
● Aylesbury
● Bali
● Call ● Ancona ● Muscovy
● Indian Runner
● East Indie ● Cayuga Duck ● Pekin
● Mallard ● Khaki Campbell
● Crested ● Rouen
● Australian ● Welsh
● Buff Orpington ● Saxony
Spotted Harlequin
● Swedish ● Gressingham (Wild
● Magpie
Mallard crossed
with Pekin)
Gender differences
There are several ways to tell if a duck is a female or a drake. They can be sexed by voice when their
voice changes at 4 to 5 weeks old. Females have a loud quack which ducks are known for. Drakes,
however, have a raspy quiet quack. Depending on the breed and variety, drakes have different plumage
than females. Day-old ducklings can be sexed by looking inside their vents, but if this is done incorrectly
it can hurt or possibly kill the duckling.
Sometimes drakes have curly tail feathers and female ducks have straight tail feathers.
Farming
Ducks have been farmed for hundreds of years. They are not as popular as the chicken, because chickens
have much more white lean meat and are easier to keep confined. Nevertheless, the duck is a popular
and well known farm bird.
Ducks are farmed for their meat, eggs, and down. Their eggs are bluey green to white depending on the
breed.
Ducks can be kept free range, in cages, or in batteries. To be healthy, ducks should be allowed access to
water, though battery ducks are often denied this. They should be fed a grain and insect diet. Its a
popular misconception that ducks should be fed bread; bread is no nutritional value and can be deadly
when fed to developing ducklings.
The females of most breeds of domestic duck are very unreliable at sitting their eggs and raising their
young, and it has been the custom on farms for centuries to put duck eggs under a broody hen for
hatching; nowadays incubators are usually used. However, young ducklings rely on their mother for a
supply of preen oil to make them waterproof, and a hen does not make as much preen oil as a duck; and
an incubator makes none.
As pets and ornamentals

Ducks can be kept as pets. They can be kept in a garden or backyard and will often eat insects and slugs.
A pond or water dish is recommended although they will probably dredge out and eat any wildlife and
frogspawn in a pond, and even swallow adult frogs and toads, as they have been bred to much bigger
than wild ducks with a "hull length" (base of neck to base of tail) up to a foot or more. A coop should be
provided for shelter, and for safety at night from predators such as foxes, as their size makes them
unable to fly properly.
Ducks are also kept for their ornamental value. Breeds have been developed with crests and tufts or
striking plumage. Shows are held in which ducks can be displayed.
See also
● Peking Duck
● Poultry
Gallery
Domesticated ducklingsA domesticated muscovy duck in a Serbian villageWhite Crested Duck
External links
● http://www.ducks4all.co.uk
● Duck Breed Guide
Domesticated goose
A Danish domesticated Greylag Goose in

its pen.
A domestic goose's head
Domesticated geese are descendants of wild geese now kept as poultry, used for meat or for their down
feathers.
In Europe and North America, most are derived from the Greylag Goose. The domestication of this
species, as Charles Darwin remarks (Animals and Plants under Domestication, i. 287), is of very ancient
date.
Few other animals have been bred so largely in captivity over such a long period, yet has varied so little.
The domesticated goose has changed very little as compared to say the domesticated turkey.
It has increased greatly in size and fecundity, but almost the only change in plumage is that tame geese
are commonly bred to lose the browner and darker tints of the wild bird, and are more or less marked
with white — being often wholly of that colour.
From the time of the Romans, white geese have been held in great esteem. Perhaps white geese are
preferred because they look better plucked and dressed.
The most generally recognized breeds of domestic geese are those to which the distinctive names of
Emden and Toulouse are applied; but a singular breed, said to have come from Sevastopol, was
introduced into western Europe about the year 1856. In this the upper plumage is elongated, curled and
spirally twisted, having their shaft transparent, and so thin
Gosling
that it often splits into fine filaments, which, remaining free for an inch or more, often coalesce again;
while the quills are aborted, so that the birds cannot fly.
In eastern Asia, the Swan Goose has been domesticated for centuries, and is familiarly known as the
Chinese Goose.
Geese have proved remarkably resistant to intensive rearing methods, and they therefore remain an
expensive luxury compared to other poultry, such as the chicken and domesticated turkey.
Geese in cooking
Geese can be roasted as a whole bird, though their size precludes this preparation except for banquets
and other festive meals (such as on Christmas). Geese contain much more fat than turkeys or chickens
do - at least 500 ml (two cups) of fat may be rendered from an average-sized goose during cooking. The
Cantonese barbecue also features prominently roasted goose over a charcoal spit with a "tuned" crispy
skin.
Geese are used for the production of foie gras.

Geese produce large edible eggs, approximately four inches (100mm) from top to bottom. They can be
used in cooking just as ordinary chicken's eggs, though they have proportionally more yolk, and this
cooks to a slightly denser consistency. Taste is more or less the same as a chicken's egg.
Geese in fiction and myth
Domesticated goose
When Aphrodite first came ashore she was welcomed by the Charites (Roman "Graces"), whose chariot
was drawn by geese.
There are Mother Goose tales, such as a farmwife might have told; there is the proverbial goose that laid
the golden eggs, warning about the perils of greed. And there is the goose as a veiled reference to the
penis in the verses
Goosy Goosy Gander, where dost thou wander?

Upstairs, downstairs, in my lady's chamber.
The geese in the temple of Juno on the Capitoline Hill were said by Livy to have saved Rome from the
Gauls around 390 BC when they were disturbed in a night attack. The story may be an attempt to
explain the origin of the sacred flock of geese at Rome.
There is a tale of Trickster and the geese in the North American Trickster cycle [1].
Liliane Bodson and Daniel Marcolungo, L'oie de bon aloi: Aspects de l'histoire ancienne de l'oie
domestique [The goose in ancient life and folklore]. Vise (Musée Regional d'Archeologie et d'Histoire
de Vise), 1994, discusses the image and lore of domestic geese in classical antiquity, with a separate
chapter on the goose in folklore.
There is a Christian reference (Father Augustine) to the goose that relates to the coming of the winter
solstice or as it is called "The Great Freezing". One of the reasons for harsh winter seasons was to scare
or cull the goose population (a creation of the devil). This cyclical process is supposed to be symbolic of
the struggle between evil (Satan) and God. Evil may never be completely put down, but God shall
always triumph.
One of Aesop's Fables relates the story of The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs, the phrase itself
passing into the language.
Paleornithology
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Paleornithology is the scientific study of bird evolution and fossil birds. It is a mix of ornithology and
paleontology. Paleornithology began with the discovery of Archaeopteryx. The reptilian relationship of
birds and their ancestors, the theropod dinosaurs, are important aspects of paleornithological research.
Other areas of interest to paleornithologists are the early sea-birds Ichthyornis , Hesperornis, and others.
See also
● Birds
● Fossil birds
● Ornithology
External link
● evowiki page on Ornithology
Home | Up | Paleornithology | Fossil birds
Neornithes
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Contents
❍ 1.8 Neornithes
■ 1.8.1 Struthioniformes
■ 1.8.2 †Lithornithiformes
■ 1.8.3 Tinamiformes
■ 1.8.4 Anseriformes
■ 1.8.5 Galliformes
■ 1.8.6 Charadriiformes
■ 1.8.7 Gruiformes
■ 1.8.8 Phoenicopteriformes
■ 1.8.9 Podicipediformes
■ 1.8.10 Ciconiiformes
■ 1.8.11 Pelecaniformes
■ 1.8.12 Procellariiformes
■ 1.8.13 Gaviiformes
■ 1.8.14 Sphenisciformes
■ 1.8.15 Pteroclidiformes
■ 1.8.16 Columbiformes
■ 1.8.17 Psittaciformes
■ 1.8.18 Cuculiformes
■ 1.8.19 Falconiformes
■ 1.8.20 Caprimulgiformes
■ 1.8.21 Apodiformes
■ 1.8.22 Coliiformes
■ 1.8.23 Strigiformes
■ 1.8.24 Trogoniformes
■ 1.8.25 Piciformes
■ 1.8.26 Passeriformes
Neornithes
The sub-class that contains all modern birds.

❍ †Apatornis (Smoky Hill Chalk Late Cretaceous of Twin Butte Creek, USA) - anseriform?
❍ †Ceramornis (Lance Creek Late Cretaceous) - charadriiform?
❍ †"Cimolopteryx" (Lance Creek Late Cretaceous) - charadriiform?
❍ †Gallornis (Late Cretaceous of Haţeg Basin, Romania) - phoenicopteriform or galliform
❍ †Lonchodytes (Lance Creek Late Cretaceous of Wyoming, USA) - gaviiform?/
procellariiform, pelecaniform?
❍ †Neornithes incerta sedis AMNH 25272 (Lance Creek Late Cretaceous of Converse
County, USA) - phalacrocoracid?

❍ †Palintropus (Lance Creek Late Cretaceous) - quercymegapodiid or charadriform
❍ †Teviornis (Nemegt Late Cretaceous of S Mongolia) - presbyornithid?
❍ †Torotix (Late Cretaceous) - pelecaniform, charadriiform, procellariform or
phoeniopteriform
❍ †UCMP 117598 (Hell Creek Late Cretaceous of Bug Creek West, USA)
❍ †UCMP 117599 (Hell Creek Late Cretaceous of Bug Creek West, USA) - anseriform?
❍ †UCMP 143274 (Lance Creek Late Cretaceous of Niobrara County, USA) - psittaciform?
❍ †Laornis (Late Cretaceous?)
❍ †Volgavis (Early Palaeocene of Volgograd, Russia) - charadriiform?
❍ †Argillipes (London Clay Early Eocene of England) - galliform?
❍ †Coturnipes (Early Eocene of England, and Virginia, USA?) - galliform, falconiform?
❍ †Neanis (Early Eocene) - primobucconid, piciform?
❍ †Neptuniavis (London Clay Early Eocene of England) - pelagornithid or procellariid
❍ †Onychopteryx (Early Eocene of Argentina)
❍ †Paracathartes (Early Eocene of WC USA) - lithornithiform?
❍ †Percolinus (London Clay Early Eocene of England) - galliform?
❍ †"Green River Palaeognath" USNM 336103 (Green River Early/Middle Eocene)
❍ †Palaeopsittacus (Early - Middle Eocene of NW Europe) - caprimulgiform (podargid?)
❍ †Amitabha (Bridger Middle Eocene of Forbidden City, USA)
❍ †Hassiavis (Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany) - archaeotrogonid, piciform?
❍ †Protocypselomorphus (Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany) - caprimulgiform,
apodiform or ancestral to both

❍ †Eocathartes (Middle Eocene of Germany) - cathartid?
❍ †Ludiortyx (Montmartre Late Eocene of Montmartre, France) - rallid, quercymegapodid?
❍ †Petropluvialis (Late Eocene of England) - may be same as Palaeopapia; anseriform?
❍ †"Phasianus" alfhildae (Washakie B Late Eocene of Haystack Butte, USA) - gruiform,
ciconiiform, phoenicopteriform?
❍ †Talantatos (Late Eocene of Paris Bain, France) - gruiform?
❍ †Telecrex (Irdin Manha Late Eocene of Shara Murun, Mongolia) - meleagrid or gruiform
(rallid?)
❍ †"Colymboides" anglicus (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene of Hordwell, England) -
gaviiform? previously included in Palaeopapia eous

❍ †Agnopterus (Late Eocene - Late Oligocene of Europe) - phoenicopteriform or
anseriform, includes Cygnopterus lambrechti
❍ †Plesiocathartes (Late Eocene -? Early Miocene of SW Europe) - cathartid, leptosomid?
❍ †Botauroides (Eocene of Wyoming, USA)- coliiform?
❍ †Aminornis (Deseado Early Oligocene of Rio Deseado, Argentina) - gruiform?
❍ †Ciconiopsis (Deseado Early Oligocene of Patagonia, Argentina) - ciconiid?
❍ †Cruschedula (Deseado Early Oligocene of Golfo San Jorge, Argentina) - accipitrid?
❍ †"Headonornis hantoniensis" BMNH PAL 4989 (Hampstead Early Oligocene of Isle of
Wight, England) - formerly "Ptenornis"; anseriform?
❍ †Loncornis (Deseado Early Oligocene of Rio Deseado, Argentina) - gruiform?
❍ †Manu (Early Oligocene of New Zealand) - diomedeid?
❍ †Palaeocrex (Early Oligocene of Trigonias Quarry, USA) - rallid?
❍ †Palaeopapia (Hampstead Early Oligocene of Isle of Wight, England) - anseriform?
❍ †Paracygnopterus (Early Oligocene of Belgium and England) - anatid?
❍ †"Pararallus" hassenkampi (Sieblos Dysodil Early Oligocene of Sieblos, Germany)
❍ †Teracus (Early Oligocene of France)
❍ †"Anas" creccoides (Early/Middle Oligocene of Belgium) - anseriform?
❍ †Limicorallus (Indricotherium Middle Oligocene of Chelkar-Teniz, Kazakhstan) - anatid?
❍ †Megagallinula (Indricotherium Middle Oligocene of Chelkar-Teniz, Kazakhstan)
❍ †"Palaeorallus" alienus (Middle Oligocene of Tatal-Gol, Mongolia) - galliform?
❍ †Gnotornis (Brule Late Oligocene of Shannon County, USA)
❍ †Tiliornis (Late Oligocene of South America) - lapsus for Teleornis?
❍ †Gaviella (Oligocene? of Wyoming, USA) - gaviiform? plotopterid?
❍ †Neculus (Patagonia Early Miocene of Patagonia, Argentina) - sphenisciform?
❍ †"Propelargus" olseni (Hawthorne Early Miocene of Tallahassee, USA) - ciconiiform?
❍ †MNHN SA 1259-1263 (Early/Middle Miocene of Sansan, France) - passeriform?
❍ †Anisolornis (Santa Cruz Middle Miocene of Karaihen, Argentina) - gruiform, galliform,
tinamiform?
❍ †"Ardea" perplexa (Middle Miocene of Sansan, France) - ardeid? strigiform?'
❍ †"Cygnus herrenthalsi" (Middle Miocene of Belgium)
❍ †Diamantornis (Middle Miocene of Namibia) - ratite?
❍ †Namornis (Middle Miocene of Namibia and Kenya - Baynunah Late Miocene of Abu
Dhabi) - ratite?
❍ †"Limnatornis" paludicola (Miocene of France) - coliid? phoeniculid?
❍ †"Picus" gaudryi (Miocene of France) - piciform?
❍ †Bathoceleus (Pliocene of New Providence, Bahamas) - picid?
❍ †Climacarthrus
❍ †Cunampaia
❍ †Eoneornis
❍ †Eutelornis
❍ †Foro
❍ †Halcyornis
❍ †Homalopus - piciform?
❍ †Juncitarsus - phoenicopteriform?
❍ †Kashinia - phoenicopteriform?
❍ †Liptornis
❍ †Loxornis
❍ †Procuculus
❍ †Protibis
❍ †Psammornis - may be same as Eremopezus
❍ †Pseudocrypturus - lithornithiform?
❍ †Pseudolarus
❍ †Pumiliornis
❍ †Qinornis
❍ †Riacama
❍ †Smiliornis
❍ †Teleornis
● †Archaeotrogonidae - ancestral to caprimulgiforms and apodiforms?

❍ Archaeotrogon
● †Cladornithidae - pelecaniform?
❍ Cladornis (Deseado Early Oligocene of Patagonia, Argentina)
● †Eleutherornithidae
❍ Eleutherornis
❍ Proceriavis
● †Eocypselidae - apodiform (hemiprocnid?)? caprimulgiform? basal to both?

❍ Eocypselus (Late Paleocene ?- Early Eocene of NC Europe)
● †Eremopezidae - ratites?
❍ Eremopezus (Late Eocene of North Africa) - includes Stromeria
● †Fluvioviridavidae
❍ Fluvioviridavis (Green River Early Eocene of N America)
❍ Eurofluvioviridavis (Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany)
● †Gracilitarsidae
❍ Eutreptodactylus (Late Paleocene of Brazil)
❍ Gracilitarsus (Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany)
● †Messelasturidae - accipitrid? basal to Strigiformes?

❍ Tynskya (Early Eocene of N America and England)
❍ Messelastur (Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany)
● †Parvicuculidae - cypselomorph, cuculiform, Primobucconidae?

❍ Parvicuculus (Early Eocene of NW Europe)
● †Remiornithidae - palaeognath?
❍ Remiornis
● †Sylphornithidae
❍ Oligosylphe (Borgloon Early Oligocene of Hoogbutsel, Belgium)
❍ Sylphornis
● †Tytthostonygidae - procellariiform, pelecaniform?

❍ Tytthostonyx (Hornerstown Late Cretaceous/Early Palaeocene)
● †Zygodactylidae - piciform?
❍ Zygodactylus
● †"Graculavidae" - a paraphyletic group, the "transitional shorebirds"

❍ Graculavus (Lance Creek Late Cretaceous - Hornerstown Late Cretaceous/Early
Palaeocene) - charadriiform?
❍ Palaeotringa (Hornerstown Late Cretaceous?) - charadriiform?
❍ Telmatornis (Navesink Late Cretaceous?) - charadriiform?
❍ Scaniornis - phoenicopteriform?
❍ Zhylgaia
❍ Dakotornis
■ "Graculavidae" gen. et sp. indet. (Gloucester County, USA)
Struthioniformes
Ostrich and related ratites.
❍ †Diogenornis - rheid?
❍ †Opisthodactylus - rheid?
● Casuariidae - Emus and cassowaries

❍ †Emuarius (Late Oligocene - Late Miocene) - formerly Dromaius
❍ Extant genera with known prehistoric species
■ Dromaius (Middle Miocene - Recent)
■ Casuarius
● Rheidae - Rheas
❍ †Heterorhea
❍ †Hinasuri
● †Aepyornithidae - Elephant Birds

❍ Mullerornis
● Struthionidae - Ostriches
❍ †Palaeotis (Middle Eocene) - includes Palaeogrus geiseltalensis
■ Struthio (Early Miocene - Recent)
†Lithornithiformes
● Lithornithidae - Primitive ratites

❍ Promusophaga
❍ Lithornis
Tinamiformes
● Tinamidae - Tinamous
❍ †Querandiornis
■ Tinamidae gen. et sp. indet. MACN-SC Fleagle Collection (Early - Middle
Miocene of S Argentina) - at least 2 species

❍ Prehistoric species of extant genera
■ Eudromia sp. (Late Miocene of La Pampa Province, Argentina)
■ Eudromia olsoni (Late Pliocene of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina)
■ Nothura parvula (Late Pliocene of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina) - formerly
Cayeornis
■ Eudromia intermedia - formerly Tinamisornis
■ Nothura paludosa (Pleistocene of Argentina)
Anseriformes
Statues of the mihirung Bullockornis planei

at King's Park, Perth.
The group that includes modern ducks and geese.
● Basal and unresolved forms

❍ †Anatalavis (Hornerstown Late Cretaceous/Early Paleocene of New Jersey, USA -
London Clay Early Eocene of Walton-on-the-Naze, England) - anseranatid or basal

❍ †Proherodius (London Clay Early Eocene of London, England) - presbyornithid?
❍ †Paranyroca (Rosebud Early Miocene of Bennett County, USA) - Anatidae or own
family?
● Anhimidae - Screamers
❍ †Chaunoides
● †Dromornithidae - The Australian mihirungs or "demon ducks".

❍ Dromornis (Late Miocene - Pliocene)
Bullockornis (Middle Miocene)

Barawertornis
Ilbandornis
● †Presbyornithidae
❍ Presbyornithidae gen. et sp. indet. (Barun Goyot Late Cretaceous of Mongolia)
❍ Vegavis (Late Cretaceous)
❍ Presbyornis (Paleocene of Maryland, USA - Bembridge Marls Early Oligocene of Burnt
Wood, England)
❍ Headonornis - only BMNH PAL 30325 belongs to this species, may belong to
Presbyornis.
❍ Telmabates
● Anatidae - Ducks, geese and swans

❍ †Eonessa (Eocene of Utah, USA)
❍ †Cygnavus (Early Oligocene of Kazakhstan - Early Miocene of Germany)
❍ †Romainvillia (Early Oligocene of Belgium ?- Late Eocene of France)
❍ †Cygnopterus (Middle Oligocene of Belgium - Early Miocene of France)
❍ †Guguschia (Oligocene of Azerbaijan)
❍ †Megalodytes (Middle Miocene of California, USA)
❍ †Afrocygnus (Late Miocene ?- Early Pliocene of C Sahara, Africa)
❍ †Presbychen (Temblor Late Miocene of Sharktooth Hill, USA)
❍ †Paracygnus (Kimball Late Pliocene of Nebraska, USA)
❍ †Anabernicula (Late Pliocene ?- Late Pleistocene of SW and W North America)
❍ †Archaeocygnus (Pleistocene of Australia)
❍ †Aldabranas
❍ †Brantadorna
❍ †Dendrochen
❍ †Eremochen
❍ †Mionetta
❍ †Sinanas
❍ †Wasonaka
■ "cf. Megalodytes" (Haraichi Middle Miocene of Annaka, Japan)
■ "Chenopis" nanus - at least 2 taxa (Pleistocene of Australia)
❍ Extant genera with known prehistoric (sub)species
■ Somateria (Middle Oligocene? - Recent)
■ Cygnus (Middle Miocene - Recent)

■ Histrionicus (Middle Miocene - Recent) - includes Ocyplonessa
■ Anas (Late Miocene - Recent) - includes Heterochen
■ Oxyura (Middle Pleistocene - Recent)
❍ Additional prehistoric species of extant genera

■ Anser arenosus (Big Sandy Late Miocene of Wickieup, USA)
■ Anser arizonae (Big Sandy Late Miocene of Wickieup, USA)
■ Anser cygniformis (Miocene)
■ Anser condoni (Pleistocene of Fossil Lake, USA)
■ Anser azerbaidzhanicus
■ Anser oeningensis
■ Anser thompsoni
■ Branta woolfendeni (Big Sandy Late Miocene of Wickieup, USA)
■ Branta dickeyi (Late Pliocene - Late Pleistocene of W USA)
■ Branta esmeralda (Pliocene)
■ Branta howardae (Pliocene)
■ Branta propinqua (Middle Pleistocene of Fossil Lake, USA)
■ Branta hypsibata (Pleistocene of Fossil Lake, USA)
■ Bucephala ossivalis (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Bone Valley, USA) - may be
subspecies of extant Bucephala clangula

■ Bucephala fossilis (Late Pliocene of California, USA)
■ Bucephala angustipes
■ Bucephala cereti
■ Chen pressa (Glenns Ferry Late Pliocene of Hagerman, USA)
■ Lophodytes floridana - formerly Anas/Querquedula
■ Mergus connectens
■ Mergus miscellus
■ Neochen debilis
■ Neochen pugil
Galliformes
The group that includes modern chickens and quails.
❍ †Austinornis (Austin Chalk Late Cretaceous of Fort McKinney, USA) - formerly
Graculavus/Ichthyornis lentus
❍ †Procrax (Middle Eocene - Early Oligocene) - cracid? gallinuloidid?
❍ †Palaeortyx (Middle Eocene -? Late Oligocene) - phasianid or odontophorid
❍ †Palaeonossax (Brule Late Oligocene of South Dakota, USA) - cracid?
❍ †Taoperdix (Late Oligocene)
❍ †Archaeophasianus (Oligocene ?- Late Miocene) - tetraonid or phasianid
❍ †Palaealectoris (Agate Fossil Beds Early Miocene of Sioux County, USA) - tetraonid?
❍ †"Cyrtonyx" tedfordi (Barstow Late Miocene of Barstow, USA)
❍ †Archaealectrornis
❍ †Paleophasianus - tetraonid or cracid
● †Gallinuloididae
❍ Gallinuloides (Green River Early/Middle Eocene of Wyoming, USA)
❍ Paraortygoides (London Clay Early Eocene of Walton-on-the-Naze, England - Middle
Eocene of Messel, Germany)

● †Paraortygidae
❍ Pirortyx
❍ Paraortyx
● †Quercymegapodiidae
❍ Quercymegapodius (Middle Eocene - Early Oligocene)
❍ Taubacrex (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene of Brazil)
❍ Ameripodius (Late Oligocene - Early Miocene of Brazil and France)
● Megapodidae - Megapodes
❍ †Ngawupodius
■ Leipoa gallinacea - formerly Progura
● Cracidae - Guans and Curassows

❍ †Boreortalis (Early Miocene) - may be same as Ortalis
■ Ortalis (Early Miocene - Recent)
● Tetraonidae - Grouse
■ "Tympanuchus" stirtoni (Early Miocene)
■ "Tympanuchus" lulli (Pleistocene? of New Jersey)
■ Lagopus atavus (Late Pliocene)
■ Lagopus balcanicus
■ Tetrao partium (Early Pleistocene)
■ Tetrao praeurogallus (Early Pleistocene)
■ Tetrao conjugens
■ Tetrao macropus
■ Tetrao rhodopensis
■ Dendragapus gilli (Late Pleistocene of WC and W USA) - formerly Palaeotetrix
■ Dendragapus lucasi (Late Pleistocene of Fossil Lake, USA)
■ Bonasa praebonasia
■ Prehistoric subspecies of extant species
■ Lagopus lagopus noaillensis
■ Lagopus mutus correzensis
● Phasianidae - Pheasants, quails and partridges

❍ †Schaubortyx (Middle Eocene - Early Oligocene)
❍ †Chauvireria
❍†Miogallus
❍ †Miophasianus
❍ †Palaeocryptonyx
❍ †Palaeoperdix
❍ †Pliogallus
❍ †Plioperdix
■ Coturnix gallica (Late Oligocene - Late Miocene of SW to EC Europe)
■ Coturnix longipes
■ Gallus aesculapii (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Greece) - possibly belongs into
Pavo
■ Gallus moldavicus (Late Pliocene of Moldavia)
■ Gallus beremendensis (Late Pliocene/Early Pleistocene of E Europe)
■ Gallus karabachensis (Early Pleistocene of Nagorno-Karabakh)
■ Gallus europaeus (Middle Pleistocene of Italy)
■ Pavo bravardi (Early - Late Pliocene)
■ Francolinus capeki (Late Pliocene of Hungary)
■ Perdix palaeoperdix
■ Alectoris graeca martelensis
● Odontophoridae - New World Quails

❍ †Nanortyx (Cypress Hills Early Oligocene of North Calf Creek, Canada)
❍ †Miortyx (Rosebud Early Miocene of Flint Hill, USA)
❍ †Neortyx (Early Pleistocene of Reddick, USA)
■ †Odontophoridae gen. et sp. indet. KUVP 9393 (White River Early/Middle
Oligocene of Logan County, USA)

■ Cyrtonyx cooki (Late Miocene? of Upper Sheep Creek, USA)
■ Callipepla'? shotwelli (Middle Pliocene of McKay Reservoir, USA) - formerly
Lophortyx
■ Colinus hibbardi (Rexroad Late Pliocene of Rexroad, USA)
■ Colinus sp. (Late Pliocene of Benson, USA)
■ Colinus suilium (Early Pleistocene of SE USA)
■ Dendrortyx? sp. (Late Pleistocene of San Josecito Cavern, Mexico)
● Meleagrididae - Turkeys
❍ †Rhegminornis (Early Miocene of Bell, USA)
❍ †Proagriocharis (Kimball Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Lime Creek, USA)
■ Meleagridae gen. et sp. indet. (Late Miocene of Westmoreland County, USA)
■ Meleagris sp. (Early Pliocene of Bone Valley, USA)
■ Meleagris leopoldi (Late Pliocene of Cita Canyon, USA) - formerly Agriochares

■ Meleagris progenes (Rexroad Late Pliocene, Meade County, USA) - formerly
Agriochares
■ Meleagris sp. (Late Pliocene of Macasphalt Shell Pit, USA)
■ Meleagris anza (Early Pleistocene of San Diego County, USA)
■ Meleagris californica (Late Pleistocene of SW USA) - formerly Parapavo/Pavo
■ Meleagris crassipes (Late Pleistocene of SW North America)
Charadriiformes
Gulls, auks, shorebirds
● Basal and unresolved taxa

❍ †Charadriidae gen. et sp. indet. VI 9901 (Lopez de Bertodano Late Cretaceous of Vega
Island, Antarctica) - burhinid? basal?

❍ †Boutersemia (Early Oligocene of Boutersem, Belgium) - glareolid?
● Scolopacidae - Waders and snipes

❍ †Paractitis
❍ †Erolia
■ Scolopacidae gen. et sp. indet. (Middle Miocene of Františkovy Lázně, Czechia -
Late Miocene of Kohfidisch, Austria)

■ Limosa? gypsorum (Montmartre Late Eocene of France) - may belong to Numenius
■ Limosa vanrossemi (Monterey Late Miocene of Lompoc, USA)
■ Tringa edwardsi (Quercy Upper Eocene/Lower Oligocene of Mouillac, France)
■ Tringa sp. 1 (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine, USA)
■ Tringa sp. 2 (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine, USA)
■ Tringa antiqua (Late Pliocene of Meade County, USA)
■ Tringa ameghini (Late Pleistocene of Talara Tar Seeps, Peru)
■ Gallinago cf. media (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine, USA)
■ Scolopax carmesinae (Early/Middle Pliocene? of Menorca, Mediterranean)
■ "Scolopax baranensis (Early Pliocene of Hungary) - a nomen nudum
■ Scolopax hutchensi (Late Pliocene - Early Pleistocene of Florida, USA)
■ Phalaropus elenorae (Middle Pliocene)
● Jacanidae - Jacanas
❍ †Nupharanassa (Early Oligocene)
❍ †Janipes
■ †Jacana farrandi
● Laridae - Gulls
❍ †Laridae gen. et sp. indet. (Early Oligocene)
❍ †Gaviota (Late Miocene of Cherry County, USA)

■ Larus elegans (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene of St-Gérand-le-Puy, France)
■ Larus totanoides (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene of SE France)
■ Larus? desnoyersii (Early Miocene of SE France)
■ Larus pristinus (John Day Early Miocene of Willow Creek, USA)
■ Larus sp. (Grund Middle Miocene of Austria)
■ Larus elmorei (Bone Valley Early/Middle Pliocene of SE USA)
■ Larus lacus (Pinecrest Late Pliocene of SE USA)
■ Larus perpetuus (Pinecrest Late Pliocene of SE USA)
■ Larus sp. (San Diego Late Pliocene of SW USA)
■ Larus oregonus (Late Pliocene - Late Pleistocene of WC USA)
■ Larus robustus (Late Pliocene - Late Pleistocene of WC USA)
■ Larus sp. (Lake Manix Late Pleistocene of W USA)
● Alcidae - Auks
❍ †Hydrotherikornis (Late Eocene of Oregon, USA)
❍ †Petralca (Early ?- Late Oligocene of Austria)
❍ †Miocepphus (Middle Miocene of CE USA)
❍ †Alcodes (Late Miocene of Orange County, USA)
❍ †Praemancalla (Late Miocene - Early Pliocene of Orange County, USA)
❍ †Mancalla (Late Miocene - Early Pleistocene of W North America)
■ Cepphus (Late Miocene - Recent)
Cerorhinca (Late Miocene - Recent)

Uria (Late Miocene - Recent)
Alca (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene - Recent)
Fratercula (Early Pliocene - Recent)
Pinguinus (Early Pliocene - Recent)
Ptychoramphus (Late Pliocene - Recent)
■ Aethia rossmoori (Monterrey Late Miocene of Orange County, USA)
■ Aethia? sp. (Late Miocene of SW North America)
■ Brachyramphus dunkeli (San Diego Late Pliocene, SW USA)
■ Brachyramphus pliocenum (San Diego Late Pliocene of California, USA)
■ Synthliboramphus sp. (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Cedros Island, Mexico)
■ Synthliboramphus rineyi (San Diego Late Pliocene, SW USA)
● Stercorariidae - Skuas and jaegers

■ Stercorarius sp. (Middle Miocene)
■ Stercorarius shufeldti (Fossil Lake Middle Pleistocene of WC USA)
■ Stercorarius pomarinus philippi
● Glareolidae - Pratincoles
❍ †Paractiornis (Agate Fossil Beds Early Miocene of Sioux County, USA)
❍ †Mioglareola
■ Glareola neogena
● Burhinidae - Thick-knees
■ Burhinus lucorum (Early Miocene)
■ Burhinus aquilonaris
■ Burhinus sp. (Cuba, West Indies)
■ Burhinus bistriatus nanus (Bahamas, West Indies)
● Charadriidae - Plovers
❍ †Jiliniornis (Huadian Middle Eocene of Huadian, China)
❍ †Viator
■ Belanopteryx edmundi - formerly Vanellus
■ Belanopteryx downsi - formerly Vanellus
■ Oreopholus orcesi
● Recurvirostridae - Avocets
■ Himantopus olsoni (Big Sandy Late Miocene of Wickieup, USA)
■ Recurvirostra sanctaeneboulae
Gruiformes
Reconstruction of the diatryma, Gastornis
sp.
The group that includes modern rails and cranes.
❍ †Propelargus (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene of Quercy, France) - cariamid or idornithid
❍ †Rupelrallus (Early Oligocene of Germany) - rallid?
❍ †Badistornis (Brule Middle Oligocene of Shannon County, USA)
❍ †"Probalearica" (Late Oligocene? - Middle Pliocene of Florida, USA, France?, Moldavia
and Mongolia) - gruid?

❍ †Aramornis (Sheep Creek Middle Miocene of Snake Creek Quarries, USA) - gruid?
❍ †Euryonotus - rallid?
❍ †Occitaniavis - cariamid or idiornithid, includes Geranopsis elatus
● †Parvigruidae
❍ Parvigrus (Early Oligocene of Pichovet, France)
● †Songziidae
❍ Songzia
● †Gastornithidae - Diatrymas
❍ Gastornis (Late Paleocene - Eocene of North America and W Europe) - includes
Diatryma
❍ Gasthornithidae gen. et sp. indet. PU 13258 (Early Eocene of Parly County, USA)
❍ "Diatryma" corei (Middle Eocene of Lissieu, France)
❍ Omorhamphus
❍ Zhongyuanus
● Rallidae - Rails
❍ †Eocrex (Wasatch Early Eocene of Steamboat Springs, USA)
❍ †Palaeorallus (Wasatch Early Eocene of Wyoming, USA)
❍ †Aletornis (Bridger Middle Eocene of Uinta County, USA)
❍ †Fulicaletornis (Bridger Middle Eocene of Henry's Fork, USA)
❍ †Ibidopsis (Hordwell Late Eocene of Hordwell, UK)
❍ †Quercyrallus (Late Eocene -? Late Oligocene of France)
❍ †Belgirallus (Early Oligocene of WC Europe)
❍ †Rallicrex (Corbula Middle/Late Oligocene of Kolzsvár, Romania)
❍ †Palaeoaramides (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene - Late Miocene of France)
❍ †Paraortygometra (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene of France)
❍ †Pararallus (Late Oligocene? - Late Miocene of C Europe)
❍ †Miofulica (Anversian Black Sand Middle Miocene of Antwerp, Belgium)
❍ †Miorallus (Middle Miocene of Sansan, France)
❍ †Creccoides
❍ †Microrallus
❍ †Montirallus
❍ †Parvirallus
❍ †Youngornis
■ Rallidae gen. et sp. indet. (Late Miocene of Lemoyne Quarry, USA)
■ Rallidae gen. et sp. indet. UMMP V55013/-14; UMMP V55012/V45750/V45746
(Rexroad Late Pliocene of Saw Rock Canyon, USA)

■ Rallidae gen. et sp. indet. UMMP V29080 (Rexroad Late Pliocene of Fox Canyon,
USA)
■ Rallidae gen. et sp. indet. (Bermuda, West Atlantic)
■ Fulica (Early Pliocene - Recent)
■ Gallinula (Late Pliocene - Recent)
■ Coturnicops avita (Glenns Ferry Late Pliocene of Hagerman, USA)
■ Laterallus insignis (Rexroad Late Pliocene of Rexroad, USA)
■ Laterallus sp. (Late Pliocene of Macasphalt Shell Pit, USA)
■ Rallus lacustris (Late Pliocene of C North America)
■ Rallus phillipsi (Late Pliocene of Wickieup, USA)
■ Rallus prenticei (Late Pliocene of C North America) - formerly Gallinuloides

■ Rallus sp. (Rexroad Late Pliocene of Saw Rock Canyon, USA)
■ Rallus auffenbergi (Middle Pleistocene of SE North America) - formerly Porzana
■ Rallus ibycus (Shore Hills Late Pleistocene of Bermuda, W Atlantic)
■ Rallus recessus (St Georges Soil Late Pleistocene of Bermuda, W Atlantic)
■ Rallus natator (Pleistocene of San Josecito Cavern, Mexico) - formerly Epirallus
■ Rallus richondi - includes R. dubius
■ Porzana piercei (Shore Hills Late Pleistocene of Bermuda, W Atlantic)
■ Porzana estramosi
■ Porzana cf. flaviventer (Bermuda, West Atlantic)
● †Geranoididae
❍ Eogeranoides (Willwood Early Eocene of Foster Gulch, USA)
❍ Geranoides (Willwood Early Eocene of South Elk Creek, USA)
❍ Palaeophasianus (Willwood Early Eocene of Bighorn County, USA)
❍ Paragrus (Early Eocene of WC USA)
❍ Geranodornis (Bridger Middle Eocene of Church Buttes, USA)
● †Eogruidae
❍ Eogrus (Irdin Manha Middle/Late Eocene - Tung Gur Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of
Mongolia)
❍ Sonogrus (Ergilin Dzo Leate Eocene/Early Oligocene of Khor Dzan, Mongolia)
● †Ergilornithidae
❍ Ergilornis (Early/Middle Oligocene of Ergil-Obo, Mongolia)
❍ Proergilornis (Early/Middle Oligocene of Ergil-Obo, Mongolia)
❍ Amphipelargus - includes Urmiornis
● Gruidae - Cranes
❍ †Palaeogrus (Middle Eocene of Germany and Italy - Middle Miocene of France)
❍ †Eobalearica (Ferghana Late? Eocene of Ferghana, Uzbekistan)
❍ †Geranopsis (Hordwell Late Eocene - Early Oligocene of England)
❍ †Camusia (Late Miocene of Menorca, Mediterranean)
■ Gruidae gen. et sp. indet. - formerly Grus conferta (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene
of Contra Costa County, USA)

■ Balearica rummeli (Early Miocene of Germany) - formerly Basityto
■ Balearica exigua
■ Grus miocaenicus (Middle Miocene of Credinţa, Romania) - may be synonym of
Palaelodus ambiguus
■ Grus afghana (Late Miocene of Molayan, Afghanistan)
■ Grus sp. 1 (Late Miocene of Love Bone Bed, USA)
■ Grus sp. 2 (Late Miocene of Love Bone Bed, USA)
■ Grus cf. antigone (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine, USA)
■ Grus nannodes (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene -? Middle Pliocene of Sherman
County, USA)
■ Grus sp. (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine, USA)
■ Grus haydeni (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene - Pleistocene? of WC USA)
■ Grus penteleci (Late Miocene - Early Pliocene of C and SE Europe) - formerly
Pliogrus
■ Grus latipes (Shore Hills Late Pleistocene of Bermuda, W Atlantic) - formerly
Baeopteryx
■ Grus pagei (Late Pleistocene of Rancho La Brea
■ Grus melitensis (Pleistocene of Malta)
■ Grus bogatshevi
■ Grus cubensis
■ Grus primigenia
● †Messelornithidae - Messel-birds
❍ Itardiornis
❍ Messelornis
● Cariamidae - Seriemas
■ Chunga incerta
● †Salmilidae
❍ Salmila
● †Bathornithidae
❍ Eutreptornis (Uinta Late Eocene of Ouray Agency, USA)
❍ Neocathartes (Late Eocene)
❍ Palaeogyps (Early Oligocene of WC North America)
❍ Bathornithidae gen. nov. (Early - Middle Oligocene of C USA) - formerly Bathornis
celeripes and B. cursor

❍ Paracrax (Early/Middle Oligocene of Gerry's Ranch, USA - Brule Late Oligocene of
South Dakota, USA)

❍ Bathornis (Early Oligocene - Early Miocene of C USA)
Reconstruction of the famous "terror bird"
Phorusrhacos longissimus.
● †Idiornithidae
❍ Idiornis (Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany ?- Quercy Middle Oligocene of Quercy,
France)
❍ Gypsornis (Montmartre Late Eocene of Montmartre, France)
❍ Elaphrocnemus (Quercy Late Eocene ?-Middle Oligocene of Quercy, France)
❍ Oblitavis
● †Phorusrhacidae - Terror birds

❍ Paleopsilopterus (Middle Paleocene of Itaboraí, Brazil)
❍ Andrewsornis (Middle - Late Oligocene of S Argentina)
❍ Physornis (Middle - Late Oligocene of Santa Cruz Province, Argentina)
❍ Psilopterus (Deseado Middle Oligocene - Arroyo Chasicó Late Miocene of S and E
Argentina)
❍ Paraphysornis (Tremembé Late Oligocene/Early Miocene of São Paulo State, Brazil)
❍ Brontornis (Early - Middle Miocene)
❍ Patagornis (Santa Cruz Early - Middle Miocene of Santa Cruz Province, Argentina)
❍ Phorusrhacos (Early - Middle Miocene)
❍ Andalgalornis (Andalgala Late Miocene - Early Pliocene of N Argentina)
❍ Devincenzia (Late Miocene - Early Pliocene of NE Argentina and Arroyo Roman,
Uruguay)
❍ Procariama (Late Miocene - Early Pliocene of Catamarca Province, Argentina)
❍ Mesembriornis (Late Miocene - Late Pliocene of E and NW Argentina)
❍ Titanis (Late Pliocene - Early Pleistocene)
● Otididae - Bustards
❍ †Gryzaja
■ Chlamydotis affinis
Phoenicopteriformes
❍ Phoeniconotius (Etadunna Late Oligocene/Early Miocene of Lake Pitikanta, Australia)
● †Palaelodidae - Swimming-flamingos
❍ Adelalopus (Borgloon Early Oligocene of Hoogbutsel, Belgium)
❍ Palaelodus (Middle Oligocene -? Middle Pleistocene)
❍ Megapaloelodus (Late Oligocene - Early Pliocene)
● Phoenicopteridae - Flamingos
❍ †Elornis (Late Eocene - Early Oligocene)
■ Phoenicopterus (Middle Oligocene - Recent)
Podicipediformes
● Podicipedidae - Grebes
❍ †Pliolymbus (Late Pliocene of WC USA)
❍ †Miobaptus
❍ †Thiornis
■ Podicipedidae gen. et sp. indet. (San Diego Late Pliocene of California) - formerly
included in Podiceps parvus

■ Podicipedidae gen. et sp. indet. UMMP 49592, 52261, 51848, 52276, KUVP 4484
(Late Pliocene of WC USA)

■ Podicipedidae gen. et sp. indet. (Glenns Ferry Late Pliocene/Early Pleistocene of
Idaho, USA)
■ Podiceps cf. auritus (Early Pliocene of Florida, USA) - formerly P. pisanus, P.
howardae and Pliodytes lanquisti

■ Podiceps subparvus (Middle Pliocene of California, USA)
■ Podiceps discors (Late Pliocene of WC USA)
■ Podiceps? sp. (Late Pliocene of WC USA)
■ Podiceps parvus (Late Pleistocene of W North America)
■ Podilymbus majusculus (Late Pliocene of WC USA)

■ Podilymbus wetmorei (Late Pleistocene of Florida, USA)
■ Podiceps dixi
■ Podiceps oligocaenus
■ Aechmophorus elasson (Late Pliocene of W USA)
■ Aechmophorus occidentalis lucasi (Late Pleistocene of SW North America)
■ Podilymbus podiceps magnus - may be same as nominate subspecies
Ciconiiformes
The diverse group that includes storks, herons and New World vultures.
❍ "Teratornis" olsoni
● Ardeidae - Herons
❍ †Xenerodiops (Early Oligocene of Fayyum, Egypt)
❍ †Zeltornis (Early Miocene)
❍ †Ardeagradis
❍ †Calcardea
❍ †Proardea
❍ †Proardeola - possibly same as Proardea
■ Nycticorax (Early Oligocene - Recent)
Ardea (Middle Miocene - Recent)

Egretta (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene - Recent)
Butorides (Early Pleistocene - Recent)
Botaurus
● Scopidae - Hammerkop
■ Scopus xenopus
● Threskiornithidae - Ibises
❍ †Rhynchaeites
■ Plegadis paganus (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene of France) - formerly
Eudocimus
■ Plegadis gracilis (Late Pliocene of WC USA)
■ Plegadis pharangites (Late Pliocene of WC USA)
■ Theristicus wetmorei
■ Eudocimus leiseyi
■ Eudocimus ?peruvianus
■ Eudocimus sp. (Florida)
● †Teratornithidae - Teratorns
❍ Argentavis (Late Miocene)
❍ Aiolornis (Early Pliocene - Late Pleistocene)
❍ Cathartornis
● Cathartidae - New World vultures

❍ †Diatropornis (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene -? Middle Oligocene)
❍ †Phasmagyps (Early Oligocene)
❍ †Brasilogyps (Late Oligocene - Early Miocene)
❍ †Hadrogyps (Middle Miocene)
❍ †Pliogyps (Late Miocene - Late Pliocene)
❍ †Perugyps (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene)
❍ †Dryornis (Early - Late Pliocene) - may belong to modern genus Vultur
❍ †Aizenogyps (Late Pliocene)
❍ †Breagyps (Late Pleistocene)
❍ †Geronogyps (Late Pleistocene)
❍ †Wingegyps (Late Pleistocene)
❍ †Parasarcoramphus
■ Cathartidae gen. et sp. indet. (Late Oligocene of Mongolia)
■ Cathartidae gen. et sp. indet. (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine,
USA)
■ Cathartidae gen. et sp. indet. (Middle Pliocene of Argentina)
■ Cathartidae gen. et sp. indet. (Cuba)
■ Sarcoramphus (Middle Pliocene ?- Recent)
Gymnogyps (Early Pleistocene - Recent)

Vultur (Pliocene - Recent) - distinctiveness disputed
● Balaenicipitidae - Shoebills
❍ †Goliathia (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene of Egypt)
❍ †Paludavis (Late Miocene of Tunisia and Pakistan)
● Ciconiidae - Storks
❍ †Palaeoephippiorhynchus (Early Oligocene of Fayyum, Egypt)
❍ †Grallavis (Early Miocene of Saint-Gérand-le-Puy, France, and Djebel Zelten, Libya) -
may be same as
❍ †Prociconia (Late Pleistocene of Brazil) - may belong to modern genus Jabiru or Ciconia
Palaeoephippiorhynchus
❍ †Pelargosteon (Early Pleistocene of Romania)

■ Ciconiidae gen. et sp. indet. - formerly Cygnus bilinicus (Early Miocene of
Břešťany, Czechia)
■ cf. Leptoptilos gen. et sp. indet. - formerly L. siwalicensis (Late Miocene? - Late
Pliocene of Siwalik, India)

■ Ciconiidae gen. et sp. indet. (Late Pleistocene of San Josecito Cavern, Mexico) -
Ciconia or Mycteria
■ Ciconia stehlini (Early Pleistocene of Hungary)
■ Ciconia nana (Late Pleistocene of Australia) - formerly Xenorhynchus
■ Mycteria milleri (Valentine Middle Miocene of Cherry County, USA) - formerly
Dissourodes
■ Mycteria wetmorei (Late Pleistocene of W and SE USA)
■ Ephippiorhynchus pakistanensis (Late Miocene of Pakistan)
■ Leptoptilos richae (Beglia Late Miocene of Bled ed Douarah, Tunisia, and Wadi
Moghara, Egypt?)
■ Leptoptilos sp. (Ngorora Late Miocene of Baringo District, Kenya)
■ Leptoptilos falconeri (Early - Late Pliocene of S Asia and E Africa)
■ Leptoptilos cf. falconeri (Early Pliocene of Odessa, Ukraine and Urugus, Ethiopia -
Late Pliocene of Koro Toro, Chad and Olduvai, Tanzania) - includes L.
pliocenicus, may be the same as L. falconeri
■ Leptoptilos sp. (Late Pliocene of Siwalik, India) - formerly Cryptociconia indica,
may be the same as L. falconeri
■ Leptoptilos titan (Notopuro Middle/Late Pleistocene of Watualang, Java)
Pelecaniformes
The group that includes modern pelicans and cormorants.

❍ †"Sula" ronzoni (Early Oligocene of Ronzon, Frane) - formerly Mergus
❍ †?Anhinga laticeps (Pleistocene)
● †Prophaethontidae
❍ Prophaethon (Early Eocene London Clay of Isle of Sheppey, England)
❍ Lithoptila (Late Paleocene of Ouled Abdoun Basin, Morocco)
● Phaethontidae - Tropicbirds
❍ †Heliadornis
● Fregatidae - Frigatebirds
❍ †Limnofregata (Early Eocene)
● Sulidae - Gannets and boobies

❍ †Masillastega (Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany)
❍ †Eostega (Middle/Late Eocene of Cluj-Manastur, Romania)
❍ †Empheresula (Late Oligocene of Gannat, France - Middle Miocene of Steinheimer
Becken, Germany)
❍ †Microsula (Lower Miocene of Léognan - Grund Middle Miocene of Austria)
❍ †Sarmatosula (Middle Miocene of Credinţa, Romania)
❍ †Rhamphastosula (Pisco Early Pliocene of SC Peru)
❍ †Miosula
❍ †Palaeosula
■ Sulidae gen. et sp. indet. (Thalberg Late Oligocene of Germany)
■ Morus (Early? Miocene - Recent)
■ Sula (Early Miocene - Recent)
● Phalacrocoracidae - Cormorants and shags

❍ †Oligocorax (Late Oligocene of WC Europe)
❍ †Nectornis (Early Miocene of C Europe - Middle Miocene of Bes-Konak, Turkey) -
includes Oligocorax miocaenus

❍ †Valenticarbo
■ †Oligocorax? sp. (Late Oligocene of Enspel, Germany)
■ Phalacrocorax marinavis (Oligocene? of Oregon) - Oligocorax?
■ Phalacrocorax littoralis (Early Miocene of St-Gérand-le-Puy, France) - formerly
Oligocorax
■ Phalacrocorax intermedius (Early - Middle Miocene of C Europe) - includes P.
praecarbo, Ardea/P. brunhuberi and Botaurites avitus

■ Phalacrocorax macropus (Early Miocene ?-? Pliocene of NW USA)
■ Phalacrocorax ibericus (Late Miocene of Valles de Fuentiduena, Spain)
■ Phalacrocorax lautus (Late Miocene of Golboçica, Moldavia)
■ Phalacrocorax serdicensis (Late Miocene of Hrabarsko, Bulgaria)
■ Phalacrocorax femoralis (Modelo Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of WC North
America)
■ Phalacrocorax sp. (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine, USA)
■ Phalacrocorax longipes (Late Miocene - Early Pliocene of the Ukraine) - formerly
Pliocarbo
■ Phalacrocorax goletensis (Early Pliocene of Michoacán, Mexico)
■ Phalacrocorax wetmorei (Bone Valley Early Pliocene of Florida)
■ Phalacrocorax sp. (Bone Valley Early Pliocene of Polk County, USA) - may be P.
idahensis
■ Phalacrocorax idahensis (Middle Pliocene ?- Pleistocene of Idaho)
■ Phalacrocorax destefani (Late Pliocene of Italy)
■ Phalacrocorax filyawi (Pinecrest Late Pliocene of Florida, USA) - may be P.
idahensis
■ Phalacrocorax macer (Late Pliocene of Idaho, USA)
■ Phalacrocorax rogersi (Late Pliocene of Santa Barbara, USA)
■ Phalacrocorax kennelli (San Diego Pliocene of California)
■ Phalacrocorax sp. "Wildhalm" (Pliocene)
■ Phalacrocorax pampeanus (Pleistocene of Argentina)
■ Phalacrocorax gregorii (Pleistocene of Australia)
■ Phalacrocorax vetustus (Pleistocene of Australia)

■ Phalacrocorax anatolicus
■ Phalacrocorax chapalensis
■ Phalacrocorax kumeyaay
■ Phalacrocorax leptopus
■ Phalacrocorax mongoliensis
■ Phalacrocorax reliquus
■ Phalacrocorax sp. (Sarasota County, Florida) - may be P. idahensis
● †Plotopteridae - Diving-"boobies"
❍ Phocavis
❍ Tonsala
❍ Copepteryx
❍ Plotopterum
● †Protoplotidae
❍ Protoplotus (Middle Eocene of Sumatra)
● Anhingidae - Darters
❍ †Meganhinga (Early Miocene)
❍ †Macranhinga (Late Miocene -? Early Pliocene)
❍ †Giganhinga (Late Pliocene/Early Pleistocene)
■ Anhinga (Early Miocene - Recent)
● †Pelagornithidae - Pseudotooth Birds

❍ Gigantornis (Middle Eocene of Nigeria)
❍ Osteodontornis (Early Oligocene - Pliocene)
❍ Pelagornis (Middle Miocene of France)
❍ Odontopteryx
❍ Caspiodontornis
❍ Cyphornis (Eocene of Vancouver, Canada)
❍ Dasornis
❍ Palaeochenoides
❍ Pseudodontornis
❍ Tympanoneisiotes
● Pelecanidae - Pelicans
❍ †Protopelicanus
❍ †Miopelecanus
■ Pelecanus (Late Pliocene - Recent)
Procellariiformes
The group that includes modern albatrosses, petrels and storm-petrels.
● †Diomedeoididae
❍ Rupelornis (Early Oligocene of Belgium)
❍ Diomedeoides (Early Oligocene ?-Early Miocene of C Europe and Iran) - includes
Frigidafrons, may be synonym of Rupelornis

● Diomedeidae - Albatrosses
❍ †Murunkus (Middle Eocene)
❍ †Plotornis (Middle Miocene)
■ Diomedeidae gen. et sp. indet. (Late Oligocene of South Carolina)
■ Diomedea (Middle Miocene - Recent)
Phoebastria (Middle Miocene - Recent)

Thalassarche (Late Miocene - Recent)
● Hydrobatidae - Storm-petrels
■ Oceanodroma hubbsi (Capistrano Middle/Late Miocene of Orange County, USA)
■ Oceanodroma sp.
■ Pelagodroma sp. 1
■ Pelagodroma sp. 2
● Procellariidae - Petrels
❍ †Argyrodyptes (Patagonia Early Miocene of Patagonia, Argentina)
❍ †Pterodromoides
■ Puffinus (Early Oligocene - Recent)
Fulmarus (Middle Miocene - Recent)

Calonectris
Pachyptila
Procellaria
● Pelecanoididae - Diving-petrels
■ Pelecanoides (Early Pliocene - Recent)
Gaviiformes
● Gaviidae - Loons
❍ †Colymboides (Late Eocene - Early Miocene) - includes Hydrornis
■ Gavia (Early Miocene - Recent)
Sphenisciformes

❍ †Waimanu (Early - Late Palaeocene)
❍ Sphenisciformes gen. et sp. indet. CADIC P 21 (Leticia Middle Eocene of Punta Torcida,
Argentina)
● Spheniscidae - Penguins
❍ †Crossvallia (Cross Valley Late Paleocene of Seymour Island, Antarctica)
†Anthropornis (Middle Eocene ?- Early Oligocene of Seymour Island, Antarctica)

†Archaeospheniscus (Middle/Late Eocene - Late Oligocene)
†Delphinornis (Middle/Late Eocene ?- Early Oligocene of Seymour Island, Antarctica)
†Palaeeudyptes (Middle/Late Eocene - Late Oligocene)
†Pachydyptes (Late Eocene)
†Marambiornis (Late Eocene -? Early Oligocene of Seymour Island, Antarctica)
†Mesetaornis (Late Eocene -? Early Oligocene of Seymour Island, Antarctica)
†Tonniornis (Late Eocene -? Early Oligocene of Seymour Island, Antarctica)
†Wimanornis (Late Eocene -? Early Oligocene of Seymour Island, Antarctica)
†Arthrodytes (San Julian Late Eocene/Early Oligocene - Patagonia Early Miocene of
Patagonia, Argentina)
†Duntroonornis (Late Oligocene of Otago, New Zealand)
†Korora (Late Oligocene of S Canterbury, New Zealand)
†Platydyptes (Late Oligocene of New Zealand)
†Chubutodyptes (Early Miocene)
†Eretiscus (Patagonia Early Miocene of Patagonia, Argentina)
†Palaeospheniscus (Early Miocene)
†Paraptenodytes (Early Miocene)
†Anthropodyptes (Middle Miocene)
†Pseudaptenodytes (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene)
†Dege
†Insuza
†Marplesornis
†Nucleornis
■ Pygoscelis (Middle/Late Miocene - Recent)
Spheniscus (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene - Recent)

Aptenodytes (Early Pliocene - Recent)
■ Spheniscidae gen. et sp. indet (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene of Hakataramea,
New Zealand)
■ Spheniscidae gen. et sp. indet (Pisco Middle Miocene of SC Peru) - may be same
as Pygoscelis small sp.
Pteroclidiformes
● Pteroclididae - Sandgrouse
❍ †Archaeoganga
❍ †Leptoganga
Columbiformes
● Columbidae - Doves and pigeons

❍ †Gerandia (Early Miocene)
■ Patagioenas (Early Pliocene - Recent)
■ Columba
Psittaciformes

❍ †Psittacopes
● †Pseudasturidae
❍ Pseudastur
❍ Pseudasturides
● Psittacidae - Parrots, parakeets and lories

❍ †Archaeopsittacus (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene of France)
❍ †Xenopsitta (Early Miocene of Czechia)
❍ †Bavaripsitta (Middle Miocene of Steinberg, Germany)
❍ †"Pararallus dispar" (Middle Miocene of France) - includes "Psittacus" lartetianus
❍ †Precursor (Early Eocene of England)
❍ †Serundaptus
❍ †Quercypsitta
❍ †Pulchrapollia
❍ Extant and recently extinct genera with known prehistoric species
■ Conuropsis (Early? Miocene - Holocene) - may be subspecies of C. carolinensis or
belong to different genus

Rhynchopsitta (Late Pleistocene - Recent)
■ Aratinga roosevelti
Cuculiformes
Cuckoos, turacos and allies.
● Opisthocomidae - Hoatzins
❍ †Hoazinoides (Miocene of upper Magdalena Valley, Colombia)
❍ †Hoatzi - may be same as Foro
● Musophagidae - Turacos
■ Musophagidae gen. et sp. indet. (Egypt)

■ Musophaga africanus - formerly Apopempsis
■ Musophaga meini - formerly Apopempsis
● Cuculidae - Cuckoos
❍ †Dynamopterus
❍ †Cursoricoccyx
❍ †Neococcyx
■ Cuculidae gen. et sp. indet.
Falconiformes
Birds of prey

❍ †Masillaraptor (Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany) - basal?
● †Horusornithidae
❍ Horusornis
● Pandionidae - Ospreys
■ Pandion (Early Oligocene - Recent)
● Sagittariidae - Secretary Birds

❍ †Pelargopappus (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene - Late Oligocene/Early Miocene of
France) - formerly Amphiserpentarius/Amynoptilon/Pelargopsis

● Accipitridae - Hawks
❍ †Milvoides (Late Eocene of England)
❍ †Aquilavus (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene of France)
❍ †Palaeocircus (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene of France)
❍ †Palaeastur (Agate Fossil Beds Early Miocene of Sioux County, USA)
❍ †Pengana (Early Miocene of Riversleigh, Australia)
❍ †Promilio (Agate Fossil Beds Early Miocene of Sioux County, USA)
❍ †Proictinia (Early - Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of C and SE USA)
❍ †Palaeoborus (Miocene)
❍ †Neophrontops (Early Pliocene - Late Pleistocene)
❍ †Amplibuteo (Late Pliocene of Peru - Late Pleistocene of S North America and Cuba) -
may belong to extant genus Harpyhaliaetus

❍ †Neogyps
❍ †Palaeohierax
❍ †Wetmoregyps - formerly Morphnus daggetti
■ Accipitridae gen. et sp. indet. AMNH 7434 (Huerfano Early Eocene of Huerfano
County, USA)
■ Accipitridae gen. et sp. indet. (Egypt)
■ "Aquila" danana (Miocene) - formerly Geranoaetus or Buteo
■ Haliaeetus (Early Oligocene - Recent)
■ Buteo (Middle Oligocene - Recent)
■ Aquila bivia
■ Aquila sodalis
■ Buteogallus enectus (Sheep Creek Middle Miocene of Sioux County, USA)
■ Buteogallus fragilis (Rancho La Brea Late Pleistocene of California, USA) -
formerly Geranoaetus
■ Buteogallus milleri (Late Pleistocene of New Mexico, USA)
■ Gyps melitensis
■ Neophron sp. (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine, USA)
■ Neophron vetustus
■ Neophron dakotensis
■ Neophron slaughteri
■ Neophron vallecitoensis
■ Neophron ricardoensis
■ Spizaetus grinnelli (Rancho La Brea Late Pleistocene of California, USA) -
formerly Geranoaetus
■ Spizaetus pliogryps
● Falconidae - Falcons
❍ †Parvulivenator (Early Eocene of England)
❍ †Stintonornis (Early Eocene of England)
❍ †Badiostes (Santa Cruz Early Miocene of Patagonia, Argentina)
❍ †Pediohierax (Middle Miocene of Nebraska, USA) - formerly Falco ramenta
■ Falconidae gen. et sp. indet. (Late Miocene of Neuquén, Argentina)
■ ?Falco sp. (Late Miocene of Idaho)
■ Falco sp. (Early Pliocene of Kansas)
■ Falco medius (Late Miocene of Cherevichnyi, Ukraine)
■ Falco antiquus
■ Milvago alexandri
■ Milvago readei
■ ?Milvago sp. (Jamaica, West Indies)
■ Milvago sp. (Cuba, West Indies)
■ Falco tinnunculus atavus
Polyborus plancus grinnelli (Late Pleistocene of California)

Polyborus plancus prelutosus (Late Pleistocene of Mexico)
Caprimulgiformes
Nightjars, potoos and allies.
❍ †Paraprefica - Steatornithidae or Nyctibiidae
● Steatornithidae - Oilbirds
❍ †Prefica
■ Steatornis sp.
● Podargidae - Frogmouths
❍ †Masillapodargus
❍ †Quercypodargus
● Nyctibiidae - Potoos
❍ †Euronyctibius
● Caprimulgidae - Nightjars
❍ †Ventivorus
Apodiformes
Swifts, hummingbirds and owlet-nightjars.

❍ †Primapus (Early Eocene) - aegialornithid or apodid
❍ †Parargornis (Middle Eocene) - jungornithid, trochilid, basal as Argornis?
❍ †Argornis (Late Eocene) - basal to Jungornithidae and Trochilidae
❍ †Cypselavus (Late Eocene - Early Oligocene) - aegialornithid or hemiprocnid
● Aegothelidae - Owlet-nightjars
❍ †Quipollornis (Early/Middle Miocene)
● †Aegialornithidae
❍ Aegialornis (Early Eocene of North America? - Late Eocene of C Europe)
● †Jungornithidae
❍ Jungornis (Early Oligocene of N Caucasus, Russia)
❍ Palescyvus
❍ Laputavis
● Trochilidae - Hummingbirds
❍ †Eurotrochilus (Early Oligocene of Frauenweiler, Germany)
■ Trochilidae sp. et gen. indet. (Bahamas, West Indies)
■ Trochilidae sp. et gen. indet. (Brazil)
● Apodidae - Swifts
❍ †Scaniacypselus (Early - Middle Eocene)
❍ †Procypseloides (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene - Early Miocene)
■ Apus
■ Tachornis
Coliiformes
Mousebirds and relatives

❍ †Chascacocolius (Late Paleocene ?- Early Eocene) - basal? sandcoleid?
❍ †Eocolius (Early Eocene) - sandcoleid or coliid
❍ †Selmes (Middle Eocene ?-Late Oligocene) - coliid?, possibly synonym of Primocolius
❍ †"Necrornis" palustris (Miocene) - coliid (genus Colius)?
❍ †"Picus" archiaci (Miocene) - coliid? genus Limnatornis?
❍ †"Picus" consobrinus (Miocene) - coliid?
❍ †Eobucco - sandcoleid?
❍ †Uintornis - sandcoleid?
❍ †Limnatornis
● †Sandcoleidae
❍ Sandcoleus
❍ Anneavis
❍ Eoglaucidium
● Coliidae - Mousebirds
❍ †Primocolius (Late Eocene/Oligocene)
❍ †Oligocolius (Early Oligocene)
❍ †Masillacolius (Middle Eocene)
■ Colius hendeyi (Early Pliocene)
Strigiformes
Owls and barn owls

❍ †Ogygoptynx (Early Paleocene of Colorado, USA) - basal
❍ †Berruornis - basal
❍ †Strigiformes gen. et spp. indet. (Early Oligocene of Wyoming, USA)
● †Palaeoglaucidae
❍ Palaeoglaux
● †Protostrigidae
❍ Protostrix (Middle - Late Eocene of W USA)
❍ Eostrix (Early Eocene of WC USA and England - Middle Eocene of WC USA)
● †Sophiornithidae
❍ Sophiornis
❍ Strigogyps - includes Aenigmavis and Ameghinornis
● Strigidae - Owls
■ "Asio" henrici (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene of France) - previously Otus
■ "Otus" wintershofensis (Early/Middle Miocene of Wintershof West, Germany)
■ "Strix" brevis (Early/Middle Miocene of Wintershof West, Germany)
■ Strix collongensis (Early Miocene of France)
■ ?Strix dakota (Early Miocene of South Dakota, USA)
■ Strix sp. (Late Miocene of Nebraska, USA)
■ ?Strix perpasta (Late Miocene - Early Pliocene of Gargano Peninsula, Italy) -
possibly same as Bubo zeylonensis lamarmorae

■ Strix brea (Late Pleistocene of SW North America)
■ Strix sp. (Late Pleistocene of Ladds, USA)
■ Strix intermedia
■ Asio brevipes (Glenns Ferry Late Pliocene of Hagerman, USA)
■ Asio priscus (Late Pliocene of Santa Rosa Island, USA)
■ Athene megalopeza (Rexroad Late Pliocene of WC USA)
■ Athene trinacriae
■ Athene cf. cunicularia (Barbuda, West Indies)
■ Athene cf. cunicularia (Cayman Islands, West Indies)
■ Athene cf. cunicularia (Jamaica, West Indies)
■ Athene cf. cunicularia (Mona Island, West Indies)
■ Athene cf. cunicularia (Puerto Rico, West Indies)
■ Bubo sp. (Late Pleistocene of San Josecito Cavern, Mexico)
❍ †Geranopterus (Late Eocene) - basal
● †Eocoraciidae
❍ Eocoracias
● †Primobucconidae
❍ Primobucco
● Todidae - Todies
❍ †Palaeotodus
● Motmotidae - Motmots
❍ †Protornis
■ Momotidae gen. et sp. indet. (Late Miocene of Alachua County, USA)
● †Messelirrisoridae
❍ Messelirrisor (Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany)
● Bucerotidae - Hornbills
■ Bucorvus
Trogoniformes
● Trogonidae - Trogons
❍ †Septentrogon (Fur Late Paleocene/Early Eocene of Ejerslev, Denmark)
❍ †Primotrogon (Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany? - Early Oligocene of France)
❍ †Paratrogon (Early Miocene of France)
■ Trogonidae gen. et sp. indet. 1 (NW Europe)
■ Trogonidae gen. et sp. indet. 2 (NW Europe)
Piciformes
❍ †Piciformes gen. et sp. indet. IRScNB Av 65 (Early Oligocene)
❍ †Rupelramphastoides (Early Oligocene) - ramphastid?
❍ †Piciformes gen. et sp. indet. SMF Av 429 (Late Oligocene)
❍ †Capitonides (Early - Middle Miocene) - ramphastid or capitonid
● †Primoscenidae
❍ Primoscens
❍ Primozygodactylus
● †Miopiconidae
❍ Miopico
● Picidae - Woodpeckers
❍ †Palaeopicus (Late Oligocene)
❍ †Palaeonerpes (Early Pliocene)
❍ †Pliopicus (Early Pliocene)
■ Picidae gen. et sp. indet. (Middle Miocene)
■ Picidae gen. et sp. indet. (Late Miocene)
■ cf. Colaptes DMNH 1262 (Early Pliocene of Ainsworth, USA)
■ Campephilus (Late Pleistocene - Recent)
Colaptes
Dendrocopos
■ Additional prehistoric subspecies of extant species
■ Melanerpes superciliaris ssp. (Little Exuma, Bahamas)
Melanerpes superciliaris ssp. (New Providence, Bahamas)
Passeriformes
❍ †Wieslochia (Early Oligocene of Frauenweiler, Germany)
❍ †Passeriformes gen. et sp. indet. SMF Av 504 (Late Oligocene of Luberon, France)
❍ †Passeriformes gen. et sp. indet. (Late Oligocene of France)
❍ †Passeriformes gen. et sp. indet. MACN-SC-1411 (Pinturas Early/Middle Miocene of
Santa Cruz Province, Argentina)

❍ †Passeriformes gen. et sp. indet. SMN Av 487-496 (Middle Miocene of Petersbuch,
Germany)
❍ †Passeriformes gen. et sp. indet. SMNS 86822,86825-86826
❍ †"Palaeostruthus" eurius (Pliocene of Florida)
● Eurylaimidae - Broadbills
■ Eurylaimidae gen. et sp. indet. (Early Miocene of Wintershof, Germany)
● †Palaeoscinidae
❍ Paleoscinis
● Furnariidae - Ovenbirds
■ Pseudoseisura cursor (Ensenada Early/Middle Pleistocene of Anchorena,
Argentina)
● Orthonychidae - Logrunners
■ Orthonyx (Middle/Late Miocene - Recent)
● Corvidae - Crows, Ravens, Jays and Magpies

❍ †Henocitta (Arredondo Early Pleistocene of Williston, USA)
❍ †Protocitta (Early Pleistocene of Reddick, USA)
❍ †Miocitta
❍ †Miocorvus
■ Corvus (Late Miocene - Recent)
Pica
Pyrrhocorax
■ Corvidae gen. et sp. indet. (Sicily)
● Laniidae - Shrikes
■ Lanius miocaenus (Early Miocene of Langy, France)
● Motacillidae - Wagtails
■ Motacilla humata
■ Motacilla major
● Fringillidae - Finches
■ Loxia patevi
■ Coccothraustes balcanicus
■ Coccothraustes simeonovi
● Cardinalidae - Cardinals
■ ?Passerina sp. (Early Pliocene of Yepómera, Mexico)
● Emberizidae - Buntings
❍ †Palaeospiza
■ Ammodramus hatcheri (Late Miocene of Kansas, USA) - formerly Palaeospiza or
Palaeostruthus
■ Pipilo angelensis (Pleistocene of Rancho La Brea, USA)
● Regulidae - Kinglets
■ Regulus balcanicus
● Icteridae - Grackles
❍ †Pandanaris (Pleistocene of Rancho La Brea, USA)
❍ †Pyelorhamphus (Shelter Cave, USA)
■ Euphagus magnirostris (Late Pleistocene of Rancho La Brea, California)
Home | Up | Neornithes | Aves incertae sedis
Phasianidae
Phasianidae
The Phasianidae is a family of birds which consists of the
pheasants and their allies (including junglefowl, quail, and
peacocks). The American Ornithological Union includes
Tetraonidae, Numididae, and Meleagrididae in Phasianidae
as subfamilies.
These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally

plump, with broad relatively short wings. Many have a spur
on their legs. Males of the larger species are often brightly
coloured. The typical diet consists of seeds with some
insects and berries.
This large family has several groups, some of which

correspond to a genus, others being loose collections of not Indian Peacock, Pavo cristatus
particularly closely related genera. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Genera
Phylum: Chordata
● Quails:
❍ Genus Coturnix (9 species)
Class: Aves
Anurophasis monorthonyx (Snow Mountain
Quail)
Genus Perdicula (4 species) Order: Galliformes
Ophrysia superciliosa (Himalayan Quail)
● Partridges Family: Phasianidae
❍ Genus Alectoris (7 species) Horsfield, 1821
Genus Ammoperdix (2 species)
Genera
Genus Arborophila (Hill Partridges, 18
species) Many, see text
Genus Bambusicola (Bamboo Partridges, 2 species)
Caloperdix oculea (Ferruginous Wood Partridge)
Haematortyx sanguiniceps (Crimson-headed Partridge)
Lerwa lerwa (Snow Partridge)
Margaroperdix madagascarensis (Madagascar Partridge)
Melanoperdix nigra (Black Wood-partridge)
Genus Perdix (3 species)
Ptilopachus petrosus (Stone Partridge)
Rhizothera longirostris (Long-billed Partridge)
Rollulus rouloul (Crested Wood Partridge)
Genus Xenoperdix (2 species)
● Pheasants:
❍ Argusianus argus (Great Argus Pheasant)
Catreus wallichi (Cheer Pheasant)

Genus Chrysolophus (2 species)
Genus Crossoptilon (Eared Pheasants, 4 species)
Ithaginis cruentus (Blood Pheasant)
Genus Lophura (10 species)
Genus Phasianus (2 species)
Genus Polyplectron (Peacock Pheasants, 7 species)
Pucrasia macrolopha (Koklass Pheasant)
Rheinartia ocellata (Crested Argus Pheasant)
Genus Syrmaticus (5 species)
● Genus Tetraogallus (Snowcocks, 5 species)
● Genus Francolinus (Francolins, 41 species)
● Genus Galloperdix (Spurfowls, 3 species)
● Genus Tragopan (Tragopans, 5 species)
● Genus Lophophorus (Monals, 3 species)
● Peafowl:
❍ Genus Pavo (2 species)
Afropavo congolesis: (Congo Peafowl)
● Genus Gallus (Junglefowls including the domestic chicken, 5 species)
External links
● Phasianidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Phasianidae at the Open Directory Project
Charadriidae
Charadriidae
The bird family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and
lapwings, about 64 to 66 species in all. They are small to medium-
sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long,
usually pointed, wings. Kingdom: Animalia
They are distributed through open country worldwide, mostly in Phylum: Chordata
habitats near water, although there are some exceptions: the Inland
Dotterel, for example, prefers stony ground in the deserts of Class: Aves
central and western Australia.
They hunt by sight, rather than by feel as longer-billed waders like Order: Charadriiformes
snipe do. Foods eaten include insects, worms or other invetebrates
depending on habitat, and are usually obtained by a run-and-pause Family: Charadriidae
technique, rather than the steady probing of some other wader Vigors, 1825
groups.
Genera
● Vanellinae
Most members of the family are known as plovers, lapwings or
❍ Erthrogonys
dotterels. These were rather vague terms which were not applied
Vanellus
with any great consistency in the past. In general, larger species
● Charadriinae
have often been called lapwings, smaller species plovers or
❍ Pluvialis
dotterels and there are in fact two clear taxonomic sub-groups:
Charadrius
most lapwings belong to the subfamily Vanellinae, most plovers
Thinornis
and dotterels to Charadriinae.
Elseyornis
Peltohyas
The trend in recent years has been to rationalise the common Anarhynchus
names of the Charadriidae. For example, the large and very Phegornis
common Australian bird traditionally known as the ‘Spur-winged Oreopholus
Plover’, is now the Masked Lapwing; the former ‘Solitary Plover’
is now the Solitary Lapwing.
External links
● Charadriidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Callaeidae | Caprimulgidae | Casuariidae | Cathartidae | Charadriidae | Chionididae
| Cinclidae | Cinclosomatidae | Columbidae | Corcorachidae | Corvidae | Cotinga | Cuckoo-shrike
Scolopacidae
Home | Up | Next
Typical waders
The Scolopacidae are a large family of waders, (known as
shorebirds in North America).
The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out

of the mud or soil. Different lengths of bills enable
different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly
on the coast, without direct competition for food.
Many of the smaller species found in coastal habitats,

particularly but not exclusively the calidrids, are often
named as "Sandpipers", but this term does not have a strict
meaning, since the Upland Sandpiper is a grassland
species.
This large family is often further subdivided into groups

of similar birds. These groups do not necessarily consist
of a single genus. The groups are Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
● Godwits (4, all genus Limosa)
Curlews (8, all genus Numenius) Kingdom: Animalia
Upland Sandpiper (1 genus Bartramia)
Shanks and tattlers (16) Phylum: Chordata
Polynesian sandpipers (1 extant, 1-3 extinct, all
genus Prosobonia)
Class: Aves
Turnstones (2, both genus Arenaria)
Phalaropes (3, all genus Phalaropus)
Woodcocks (6, all genus Scolopax) Order: Charadriiformes
Snipe (16)
Dowitchers (3, all genus Limnodromus)
Family: Scolopacidae
Calidrids and allies (25, of which 21 in genus Vigors, 1825
Calidris )
Genera
See also
● list of birds
Actitis
External links Aphriza
Arenaria
● Scolopacidae videos on the Internet Bird Bartramia
Collection Calidris
Catoptrophorus
Coenocorypha
Eurynorhynchus
Gallinago
Home | Up | Scolopacidae | Scrub-bird | Shrike Heterosceles
| Silky-flycatcher | Sitella | Sparrow | Spheniscidae Limicola
| Strigidae | Sturnidae | Sugarbird | Sulidae | Sylviidae Limnodromus
| Sylviornithidae Limosa
Limnocryptes
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Numenius
Documentation License. It uses material from the Steganopus
Phalaropus
Wikipedia.
Philomachus
Prosobonia
Scolopax
Tringa
Tryngites
Xenus
Cathartidae
New World vultures

The New World vultures family Cathartidae contains
seven species found in warm and temperate areas of the
Americas. It includes five vultures and two condors. Except
Cathartes, all genera are monotypic.
The five species of vulture are:
● Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura

Greater Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes
melambrotus American Black Vultures on a cow carcass
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes
burrovianus
King Vulture Sarcorhamphus papa Kingdom: Animalia
American Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Phylum: Chordata
The Condors are
Class: Aves
● California Condor Gymnogyps californianus
● Andean Condor Vultur gryphus
Evolution and systematics Family: Cathartidae

Lafresnaye, 1839
New World vultures are most probably not closely related
to Old World vultures or other diurnal raptors, which Genera
themselves are often classified in different orders. They Cathartes
rather resemble Old World vultures because of convergent Coragyps
evolution and are usually considered to be more closely Gymnogyps
related to storks, as is reflected by their placement in the Sarcorhamphus
Ciconiiformes and supported by karyotype (Ligon, 1967), Vultur
morphological, mtDNA cytochrome b sequence (Avise et al., 1994; Wink, 1995) and behavioral data.
Nonetheless, this has been criticized more recently, as the Ciconiiformes - not only in Sibley &
Ahlquist's undoubtedly paraphyletic, but also in the traditional sense - appear not to be a monophyletic
assemblage. Consequently, there is a recent trend to raise the New World vultures to the rank of an
independent order Cathartiformes not closely associated with either birds of prey or storks or herons
(Ericson et al, 2006).
A related extinct family were the Teratornithidae or Teratorns, essentially an exclusively (North)
American counterpart to the New World vultures - the latter were, in prehistoric times, also present in
Europe and possibly even evolved there. The Incredible Teratorn is sometimes called "Giant Condor"
because it must have looked similar to the modern bird. They were, however, not very closely related
but rather an example of parallel evolution, and the external similarity is less emphasized in recent times
due to new information suggesting that the teratorns were more predatory than vultures (Campbell &
Tonni, 1983).
The fossil history of the Cathartidae is fairly extensive, but nonetheless confusing. Many taxa that may
or may not have been New World vultures were considered to be early representatives of the family.
There is no unequivocal European record fom the Neogene and trying to retrace the evolutionary history
of the entire Ciconiiformes sensu Sibley & Ahlquist by means of molecular analysis has proven to be
just as equivocal until the mid-2000s.
At any rate, the Cathartidae had a much higher diversity in the Plio-/Pleistocene, rivalling the current
diversity of Old World vultures and their relatives in shapes, sizes, and ecological niches. Extinct genera
are:
● Diatropornis (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene -? Middle Oligocene of France)

● Phasmagyps (Early Oligocene of WC North America)
● Brasilogyps (Late Oligocene - Early Miocene of Brazil)
● Hadrogyps (Middle Miocene of SW North America)
● Pliogyps (Late Miocene - Late Pliocene of S North America)
● Perugyps (Pisco Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of SC Peru)
● Dryornis (Early - Middle Pliocene of Argentina; may belong to modern genus Vultur)
● Aizenogyps (Late Pliocene of SE North America)
● Breagyps (Late Pleistocene of SW North America)
● Geronogyps (Late Pleistocene of Peru)
● Wingegyps (Late Pleistocene of Brazil)
● Parasarcoramphus
Fossils found in Mongolia (Late Oligocene), Lee Creek Mine, USA (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene) and
Argentina (Middle Pliocene) have not been assigned to a genus yet. There is also a number of extinct
congeners of the extant species; see the respective genus accounts.
An European genus from the Earliest Neogene that possibly belongs to the New World vultures is
Plesiocathartes. On the other hand, the bathornithid Neocathartes was long believed to be a peculiar New
World vulture (including charming, but inaccurate reconstructions as a kind of Turkey Vulture on stilts).
References
● Avise, J. C.; Nelson, W. S. & Sibley, C. G. (1994) DNA sequence support for a close
phylogenetic relationship between some storks and New World vultures. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
USA 91(11): 5173-5177. DOI:10.1073/pnas.91.11.5173 PDF fulltext. Erratum, PNAS 92(7); 3076
(1995). DOI:10.1073/pnas.92.7.3076b (PDF fulltext)
● Campbell, Kenneth E. Jr. & Tonni, E. P. (1983): Size and locomotion in teratorns. Auk 100(2):
390-403 PDF fulltext
● Ericson, Per G. P.; Anderson, Cajsa L.; Britton, Tom; Elżanowski, Andrzej; Johansson, Ulf S.;
Kallersjö, Mari; Ohlson, Jan I.; Parsons, Thomas J.; Zuccon, Dario & Mayr, Gerald (2006):
Diversification of Neoaves: integration of molecular sequence data and fossils. Biology Letters,
in press. DOI:10.1098/rsbl.2006.0523 PDF preprint Electronic Supplementary Material
● Ligon, J. D. (1967): Relationships of the cathartid vultures. Occasional Papers of the Museum of
Zoology, University of Michigan 651: 1-26.
● Wink, M. (1995): Phylogeny of Old and New World vultures (Aves: Accipitridae and
Cathartidae) inferred from nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene.
Zeitschrift für Naturforschung 50(11-12): 868-882.
External links
● New World vulture videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Sulidae
Sulidae
The bird family Sulidae comprises the gannets and
boobies. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds
that plunge-dive for fish. The species in this family are
often considered congeneric, placing all in the genus
Sula. However, bones of Sula (boobies) and Morus
(gannets) at least can in most cases be readily
distinguished, and Abbot's Booby has traits of
morphology and behavior not found in any other species.

The fossil record of sulids is quite extensive due to the
many Miocene/Pliocene forms that have been recovered.
The initial radiation formed a number of genera which are
now completely extinct, such as the freshwater Scientific classification
Masillastega or the bizarre Rhamphastosula which had a Kingdom: Animalia
bill shaped like an Aracari's; the modern genera are (as
with most genera of extant birds) documented from the
Phylum: Chordata
Miocene onwards.
Family Sulidae Class: Aves
● Genus Masillastega (fossil; Middle Eocene of Order: Pelecaniformes

Messel, Germany)
● Genus Eostega (fossil; Middle/Late Eocene of Family: Sulidae
Cluj-Manastur, Romania) Reichenbach, 1849
● Genus Empheresula (fossil; Late Oligocene of
Genera
Gannat, France - Middle Miocene of Steinheimer
Becken, Germany) Morus
● Genus Microsula (fossil; Lower Miocene of Sula
Papasula
Léognan - Grund Middle Miocene of Austria)
● Genus Sarmatosula (fossil; Middle Miocene of Credinţa, Romania)
● Genus Rhamphastosula (fossil; Pisco Early Pliocene of SC Peru)
● Genus Miosula (fossil)
● Genus Palaeosula (fossil)
● Sulidae gen. et sp. indet. (fossil; Thalberg Late Oligocene of Germany)
● Genus Morus - gannets
● Genus Sula - boobies
● Genus Papasula - Abbott's Booby
For prehistoric species of the extant genera, see the genus articles.
External links
● Sulidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Tytonidae
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Barn-owls
Barn-owls (family Tytonidae) are one of the two
generally accepted families of owls, the other being the
typical owls, Strigidae. They are medium to large sized
owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped
faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.
The barn owls comprise two extant sub-families: the
Tytoninae or Tyto owls (including the Common Barn
Owl) and the Phodilinae or bay-owls.
The barn owls are a wide ranging family, absent only

from northern North America, Saharan Africa and large
areas of Asia. They live in a wide range of habitats from
deserts to forests, and from temperate latitudes to the Barn Owl, Tyto alba
tropics. The majority of the 16 living species of barn owls Scientific classification
are poorly known, some, like the Madagascar Red Owl,
Kingdom: Animalia
have barely been seen or studied since their discovery, in
contrast to the Common Barn Owl, which is one of the
best known owl species in the world. However, some sub- Phylum: Chordata
species of the Common Barn Owl possible deserve to be
a species, and are very poorly known. Class: Aves
5 species of barn-owl are threatened, and some island

species have gone extinct during the Holocene or earlier Order: Strigiformes
(e.g. Tyto pollens, known from the fossil record of
Andros Island, and possibly the basis for the Family: Tytonidae
Chickcharnie). The barn-owls are mostly nocturnal, and Ridgway, 1914
generally non-migratory, living in pairs or singly. Genera
Tyto
Phodilus
For fossil genera, see article.
Contents
● 1 Description
● 2 Species
● 3 References
Description
The barn-owls main characteristic is the heart-shaped facial disc, formed by stiff feathers which serve to
amplify and locate the source of sounds when hunting. Further adaptations in the wing feathers eliminate
sound caused by flying, aiding both the hearing of the owl listening for hidden prey and keeping the prey
unaware of the owl. Barn-owls overall are darker on the back than the front, usually an orange-brown
colour, the front being a paler version of the back or mottled, although there is considerable variation
even amongst species. The bay-owls closely resemble the Tyto owls but have a divided facial disc, ear
tufts, and tend to be smaller.
Species
The fossil record of the barn-owls goes back to the Eocene, with the family eventually losing ground to
the true owls after the radiation of rodents and owls during the Neogene epoch . Two subfamilies are
only known from the fossil record, the Necrobyinae and the Selenornithinae. Numerous extinct species
of Tyto have been described; see the genus page for more information.
Genus Tyto
● Greater Sooty-owl, T. tenebricosa

Lesser Sooty-owl, T. multipunctata
Australian Masked-owl, T. novaehollandiae
Golden Masked-owl, T. aurantia
● Lesser Masked-owl, T. sororcula
❍ Buru Masked-owl, T. (sororcula) cayelii (possibly extinct)
● Manus Masked-owl, T. manusi

Taliabu Masked-owl, T. nigrobrunnea
Minahassa Masked-owl, T. inexspectata
Sulawesi Owl, T. rosenbergii
● Barn Owl, T. alba
❍ Eastern Barn Owl, T. (alba) delicatula
● Ashy-faced Owl, T. glaucops

Madagascar Red Owl T. soumagnei
African Grass-owl T. capensis
Australasian Grass-owl T. longimembris
Genus Phodilus
● Oriental Bay-owl P. badius

❍ Samar Bay-owl P. (badius) riverae (probably extinct)
● Congo Bay-owl, P. prigoginei - sometimes placed in Tyto
Fossil genera
● Necrobyas (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene - Early Miocene of France)

Prosybris (Early Miocene of France)
Nocturnavis
Palaeobyas
Palaeotyto
Selenornis
The presumed "Easter Island Barn-owl", based on subfossil bones found on Rapa Nui, has turned out to
be some procellarid (Steadman, 2006).
References
● Bruce, M. D. (1999): Family Tytonidae (Barn-owls). In: del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J.
(eds): Handbook of Birds of the World, Volume 5: Barn-owls to Hummingbirds: 34-75, plates 1-
3. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. ISBN 84-87334-25-3
● Steadman, David William (2006): Extinction and Biogeography of Tropical Pacific Islands
Birds. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0226771423.
External links
● Barn-Owls on the Internet Bird Collection

Gannets
Gannets
Gannets are seabirds in the family Sulidae, closely
related to the boobies. The gannets are large black and
white birds with long pointed wings and long bills.
Northern gannets are the largest seabirds in the North
Atlantic, with a wingspan of up to 2 meters. The other
two species occur in the temperate seas around southern
Africa and southern Australia and New Zealand.
Gannets hunt fish by diving from a height into the sea and
pursuing their prey underwater. Gannets have a number
of adaptations which enable them to do this: they have no
external nostrils; they have air sacs in their face and chest
under their skin which act like bubble-wrap, cushioning
the impact with the water; their eyes are positioned far
enough forward on their face to give them binocular
vision, allowing them to accurately judge distances.
Gannets can dive from a height of 30m, achieving speeds
of 100 km/h as they strike the water, enabling them to
catch fish much deeper than most airborne birds.
The gannet's supposed capacity for eating large quantities

of fish has led to "gannet" becoming a disapproving
description of somebody who eats excessively, similar to
a glutton.
Morus bassanus
Mating and nesting
Gannets are colonial breeders on islands and coasts,
which normally lay one chalky blue egg. It takes five
years for gannets to reach maturity. First-year birds are
completely black, and subsequent sub-adult plumages
show increasing amounts of white.
The most important nesting ground for Northern gannets

is the United Kingdom with about two thirds of the
world's population. These live mainly in Scotland. The
Kingdom: Animalia
rest of the world's population is divided between Canada,
Ireland, Faroe Islands and Iceland, with small numbers in
France (they are often seen in the Bay of Biscay), the Phylum: Chordata
Channel Islands and Norway. The biggest Northern
gannet colony is in the Scottish islands of St Kilda; this Class: Aves
colony alone comprises 20% of the entire world's
population. Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth is also famous
for its large gannet population. Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Sulidae
The three gannet species are now usually placed in the Genus: Morus
Linnaeus, 1753
genus Morus, Abbott's Booby in Papasula, and the
remaining boobies in Sula, but some authorities consider Species
that all nine sulid species should be considered Morus bassanus
congeneric, in Sula. At one time, the gannets were Morus capensis
considered to be a single species. Morus serrator
● Northern Gannet Morus bassanus or Sula bassana

Cape Gannet Morus capensis or Sula capensis
Australian Gannet Morus serrator or Sula serrator
Most fossil gannets are from the Late Miocene or Pliocene, a time when the diversity of seabirds in
general was much higher than today. It is not completely clear what caused the decline in species at the
end of the Pleistocene; increased competition due to the spread of marine mammals and/or supernova
activity which led to mass extinctions of marine life are usually assumed to have played a role.
Interestingly, the genus Morus is much better documented in the fossil record than Sula, which on the
other hand is more numerous today. The reasons are not clear; it might be that boobies were better-
adapted or simply "lucky" to occur in the right places for dealing with the challenges of the Late
Pliocene ecological change, or it could simply be that many more fossil boobies still await discovery. It
is interesting to note, however, that gannets are today restricted to temperate oceans whereas boobies are
also found in tropical waters, but that several of the prehistoric gannet species had a more equatorial
distribution than their congeners of today.
Fossil species of gannets are:
● Morus loxostylus (Early Miocene of EC USA)

● Morus olsoni (Middle Miocene of Romania)
● Morus lompocanus (Miocene of Lompoc, USA)
● Morus vagabundus (Miocene of California)
● Morus sp. (Temblor Late Miocene of Sharktooth Hill, USA)
● Morus sp. 1 (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine, USA)
● Morus sp. 2 (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine, USA)
● Del Rey Gannet, Morus reyanus (Late Pleistocene of W USA)
● Morus atlanticus - probably synonym of loxostylus
● Morus magnus
● Morus peninsularis
● Morus peruvianus
External links
● Gannet videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Haematopodidae
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Oystercatchers
The Oystercatchers are a group of waders; they form the
family Haematopodidae, which has a single genus,
Haematopus. They are large obvious and noisy plover-
like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising
open molluscs.
In some species, the bill shape varies according to the

diet. Those birds with blade-like bill tips prise open or
smash mollusc shells, and those with pointed bill tips
tend to probe for annelid worms.
They are found on coasts worldwide apart from the polar

regions. They are all-black, black and white or brown and
white in appearance.
American Black Oystercatcher
Their eggs are laid in a shallow scrape on shingle. (Haematopus bachmani)
Oystercatcher eggs are grey and speckled, providing Scientific classification
camouflage against the grey rock background. They are
pointed at one end. Contrary to popular belief, the Kingdom: Animalia
purpose of this is not to provide space for the chick's long
beaks (their long beaks develop after hatching). The Phylum: Chordata
pointed shape is thought to prevent the eggs from rolling
down a steep slope.
Class: Aves
Family: Haematopodidae
Bonaparte, 1838
Genus: Haematopus
Linnaeus, 1758
Species
Magellanic Oystercatcher
H. leucopodus
Blackish Oystercatcher
H. ater
American Black Oystercatcher
H. bachmani
American Oystercatcher
H. palliatus
Canarian Black Oystercatcher †
American
H. meadewaldoi
Oystercatcher
American Black African Black Oystercatcher
(Haematopus Oystercatchers
Eurasian Oystercatcher H. moquini
palliatus) chasing crabs,
Oystercatcher (Haematopus Eurasian Oystercatcher
Image from 'Birds Galapagos
bachmani) H. ostralegus
of America" J.J.
Australian Pied Oystercatcher
Audubon
H. longirostris
Chatham Island Oystercatcher
H. chathamensis
Variable Oystercatcher
H. unicolor
Sooty Oystercatcher
H. fuliginosus
Oystercatchers Black Oystercatcher

Oystercatchers
swapping places at the Monterey Bay
nesting, Galapagos
on nest, Galapagos Aquarium
External links
● ARKive - images and movies of the oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)
● Oystercatcher videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Haematopodidae | Hawaiian honeycreeper | Helmetshrike | Hydrobatidae
Hydrobatidae
Back | Home | Up
Storm Petrels
The storm-petrels are seabirds in the family
Hydrobatidae, part of the order Procellariiformes. These
smallest of seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feed on
planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the
surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering
and sometimes bat-like.
Storm-petrels have a cosmopolitan distribution, being

found in all oceans. They are strictly pelagic, coming to
land only when breeding. In the case of most species,
little is known of their behaviour and distribution at sea,
where they can be hard to find and harder to identify. Markham's Storm-petrel
● 1 Taxonomy
Phylum: Chordata
● 2 Morphology and flight
● 3 Breeding
Class: Aves
● 4 Relationship with humans
❍ 4.1 Threats and Conservation
● 5 Species Order: Procellariiformes

● 6 References
● 7 External links Family: Hydrobatidae
Mathews, 1912
Genera
Taxonomy Subfamily Oceanitinae
Oceanites
Garrodia
Traditionally, two subfamilies are recognized. The Pelagodroma
Oceanitinadae are mostly found in southern waters Fregetta
(though the Wilson's Storm-petrel regularly migrates into Nesofregatta
the northern hemisphere); there are 7 species in 5 genera. Subfamily Hydrobatinae
The Hydrobatinae are the two genera Hydrobates and Hydrobates
Oceanodroma. They are largely restricted to the northern Oceanodroma
hemisphere, although a few can visit or breed a short
distance beyond the equator.
Cytochrome b DNA sequence analysis suggests that the family is paraphyletic and may be more
accurately treated as distinct families.[1] The same study found that the storm-petrels are certainly
ancestral to the Procellariiformes. The first split was the subfamily Hydrobatinae, with the
Oceanitinadae splitting from the rest of the order at a later date.
Morphology and flight

Storm-petrels are the smallest of all the seabirds, ranging in size from 13-26 cm in length. There are two
body shapes in the family; the Oceanitinadae have short wings, square tails, elongated skulls, and long
legs; the Hydrobatinae have longer wings, forked or wedge-shaped tails and short legs.
The plumage of the Oceanitinadae is dark with white underparts (with the exception of the Wilson's
Storm-petrel) All but two of the Hydrobatinae are mostly dark in colour with varying amounts of white
on the rump. Two species have different plumage entirely, the Hornby's Storm-petrel which has white
[2]
undersides and facial markings, and the Fork-tailed Storm-petrel which has pale grey plumage.
Storm-petrels use a variety of techniques to aid flight. Most species will occasionally feed by surface
pattering, holding and moving their feet on the water's surface while holding steady above the water.
They remain stationary by hovering with rapid fluttering or by using the wind to anchor themselves in
[3]
place. This method of feeding flight is most commonly used by Oceanitinadae storm-petrels. The
White-faced Storm-petrel possesses a unique variation on pattering, holding it's wings motionless and at
an angle into the wind it pushes itself off the water's surface in a succession of bounding jumps.[4]
Storm-petrels also use dynamic soaring and slope soaring to travel over the ocean surface. Dynamic
soaring is used mostly by the Hydrobatinae, gliding across wave fronts gaining energy from the vertical
[5] [6] [3]
wind gradient. Slope soaring is more straightforward and favoured by the Oceanitinadae, the
storm-petrel turns to the wind, gaining height, from where it can then glide back down to the sea.
Breeding
Storm-petrels nest in colonies on remote islands. Nesting sites are attended nocturnally in order to avoid
predators.[7] Storm-petrels display high levels of philopatry, returning to their natal colonies to breed. In
one instance a Band-rumped Storm-petrel was caught as an adult 2m from its natal burrow.[8] Storm-
petrels nest either in burrows dug into soil or sand, or in small crevices in rocks and scree. Competition
for nesting sites is intense in colonies where storm-petrels compete with other burrowing petrels, with
shearwaters having been recorded killing storm-petrels in order to occupy their burrows.[9] Colonies can
be extremely large and dense; 840,000 pairs of White-faced Storm Petrel nest on South East Island in
the Chathams in burrow densities of between 1.18 - 0.47 burrows/m²; densities as high as 8 pairs/m² for
Maderian Storm-petrels in the Galapagos and colonies 3.6 million strong for Leach's Storm Petrel have
[10]
been recorded.
Storm-petrels are monogamous and form long-term pair bonds that last a number of years. Studies of
paternity using DNA fingerprinting have shown that unlike many other monogamous birds infidelity
(extra-pair matings) is very rare.[11] As with the other Procellariiformes, a single egg is laid by a pair in
a breeding season, if the egg fails then usually no attempt is made to relay (although it happens rarely).
Both sexes incubate in shifts of up to six days. The egg hatches after 40 or 50 days; the young is brooded
continuously for another 7 days or so before being left alone in the nest during the day and fed by
regurgitation at night. Meals fed to the chick weigh around 10-20% of the parent's body weight, and
consist of both prey items and stomach oil. Stomach oil is a energy rich (its calorific value is around
9600 calories per gram) oil created by partly digested prey in a part of the foregut known as the
proventriculus.[12] By partly converting prey items into stomach oil storm-petrels can maximise the
amount of energy chicks receive during feed, an advantage for small seabirds that can only make a
single visit to the chick during a 24 hour period (at night).[13] Chicks fledge after 50 or 70 days,
depending on the species.
Relationship with humans
Wilson's Storm Petrels 'walking' on the water in Cordell

Bank National Marine Sanctuary
The name "petrel" is a diminutive form of "Peter", a reference to Saint Peter; it was given to these birds
because they sometimes appear to walk across the water's surface. The more specific 'storm petrel' or
'stormy petrel' is a reference to their habit of hiding in the lee of ships during storms.[14] Early sailors
named these birds "Mother Carey's Chickens" because they were thought to warn of oncoming storms;
this name is based on a corrupted form of Mater Cara, a name for the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Threats and Conservation

[15]
Several species of storm-petrel are threatened by human activities. Two, the Guadalupe Storm-petrel,
and the New Zealand Storm-petrel, are listed as critically endangered. The Guadalupe Storm-petrel has
not been observed since 1906 and most authorities consider it extinct. The New Zealand Storm-petrel
was also considered extinct for many years but was sighted again in 2003, even so the population is
likely to be very small. One species (the Ashy Storm-petrel) is listed as endangered due to a 42% decline
[16]
over twenty years, and two other species are also listed as near threatened or worse. In addition four
species are so poorly known that they are listed as data deficient.
Storm-petrels face the same threats as other seabirds, in particular they are threatened by introduced
[17]
species. The Guadalupe Storm-petrel was driven to extinction by feral cats, and introduced predators
such as have also been responsible for declines in other species. Habitat degradation which limits
nesting opportunities caused by introduced goats and pigs is also a problem, especially if it increases
competition from more aggressive burrowing petrels.
Species
● Subfamily Oceanitinae
❍ Wilson's Storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus
New Zealand Storm-petrel, Oceanites maorianus

White-vented Storm-petrel, Oceanites gracilis
Grey-backed Storm-petrel, Garrodia nereis
Black-bellied Storm-petrel or Gould's Storm-Petrel, Fregetta tropica
White-bellied Storm-petrel, Fregetta grallaria
Polynesian Storm-petrel, Nesofregetta fuliginosa
● Subfamily Hydrobatinae
❍ European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus
Leach's Storm-petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa

Matsudaira's Storm-petrel Oceanodroma matsudairae
Least Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma microsoma
Wedge-rumped Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma tethys
Madeiran Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma castro
Guadalupe Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma macrodactyla (extinct)
Tristram's Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma tristrami
Markham's Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma markhami
Black Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma melania
Ashy Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma homochroa
Ringed Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma hornbyi
Fork-tailed Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma furcata
References
1. ^ Nunn, G & Stanley, S. (1998) "Body Size Effects and Rates of Cytochrome b Evolution in
Tube-Nosed Seabirds" Molecular Biology and Evolution 15(10): 1360-1371 [1] Corrigendum
2. ^ Harrison, P. (1983) Seabirds, an identification guide Houghton Mifflin Company:Boston ISBN
0-395-33253-2
ab
3. ^ Withers, P.C (1979) "Aerodynamics and Hydrodynamics of the ‘Hovering’ Flight of
Wilson's Storm Petrel" Journal of Experimental Biology 80: 83-91[2]
4. ^ Erickson, J. (1955) "Flight behavior of the Procellariformes" The Auk 72: 415-420 [3]
300: 75–106.
6. ^ Brinkley, E. & Humann, A. (2001) "Storm-petrels" in The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and
Behaviour (Elphick, C., Dunning J. & Sibley D. eds) Alfred A. Knopf:New York ISBN 0-679-
45123-4
7. ^ Bretagnolle, V. (1990) "Effect of moon on activity of petrels (Class Aves) from the Selvagen
Islands (Portugal)" Canadian Journal of Zoology 68: 1404-1409
8. ^ Harris, M. (1979) "Survival and ages of first breeding of Galapagos seabirds" Bird Banding 50
(1): 56-61 [4]
9. ^ Ramos, J.A., Monteiro, L.R., Sola, E., Moniz, Z., (1997). "Characteristics and competition of
nest cavities in burrowing Procellariiformes" Condor 99: 634–641.[5]
10. ^ West, J. & Nilsson, R. (1994) "Habitat use and burrow densities of burrow-nesting seabirds on
South East Island, Chatham Islands, New Zealand" Notornis (Supplement) 41 27-37 [6]
11. ^ Mauwk, T., Waite, T. & Parker, P. (1995) "Monogamy in Leach's Storm Petrel:DNA-
fingerprinting evidence" Auk 112(2): 473-482 [7]
12. ^ Warham, J. (1976) "The Incidence, Function and ecological significance of petrel stomach
oils." Proceedings of the New Zealand Ecological Society 24 84-93 [8]
13. ^ Obst, B & Nagy, K (1993) "Stomach Oil and the Energy Budget of Wilson's Storm-Petrel
Nestlings" Condor 95: 792-805 [9]
14. ^ Slotterback, J. W. (2002). Band-rumped Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma castro) and Tristram’s
Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma tristrami). In The Birds of North America, No. 673 (A. Poole and F.
Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.
15. ^ IUCN, 2006. Red List: Storm-petrel Species Retrieved August 27, 2006.
16. ^ Sydeman, W., Nurr, N., McLaren, E. & McChesney G. (1998) Status and Trends of the Ashy
Storm-Petrel on Southeast Farallon Island, California, based upon capture-recapture analyses"
Condor 100: 438-447 [10]
17. ^ A contemporary account of the decline of the Guadalupe Storm-petrel can be found here -
Thayer, J. & Bangs, O (1908) "The Present State of the Ornis of Guadaloupe Island" Condor 10
(3): 101-106 [11]
External links
● Storm-petrel videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Haematopodidae | Hawaiian honeycreeper | Helmetshrike | Hydrobatidae
Pterodroma
Gadfly Petrels
The gadfly petrels are seabirds in the bird order Procellariiformes.
These medium to large petrels feed on food items picked from the
ocean surface.
The short, sturdy bills of the Pterodroma species in this group,

about 35 altogether, are adapted for soft prey taken at the surface;
they have twisted intestines for digesting marine animals which
have unusual biochemistries.
Their complex wing and face marking are probably for

interspecific recognition. Scientific classification
These birds nest in colonies on islands and are pelagic when not Kingdom: Animalia
breeding. One white egg is laid usually in a burrow or on open
ground. They are nocturnal at the breeding colonies. Phylum: Chordata
Species Class: Aves
The taxonomy of the gadfly petrels is being reformed at the Order: Procellariiformes
moment. Several genera have been split off over time, as they are
closer to the procellarine and Puffinus shearwaters. Some
Family: Procellariidae
subspecies have been raised to full species rank. The arrangement
given here is traditional, but annotates the changes proposed by
Austin (1998) and Bretagnolle et al. (1998). For the current Genus: Pterodroma
taxonomy, see also Brooke (2004). Bonaparte, 1856
Species
Genus Pterodroma About 35, see text.
● Barau's Petrel, Pterodroma baraui

Herald Petrel, Pterodroma arminjoniana
Galapagos Petrel, Pterodroma phaeopygia
Hawaiian Petrel, Pterodroma sandwichensis
Henderson Petrel, Pterodroma atrata
Herald Petrel, Pterodroma heraldica
Phoenix Petrel, Pterodroma alba
Fea's Petrel, Pterodroma feae
Zino's Petrel or Madeira Petrel, Pterodroma madeira
Canary Islands Petrel, Pterodroma sp. (prehistoric) - possibly extirpated population of extant
species
Bermuda Petrel, Pterodroma cahow
Black-capped Petrel, Pterodroma hasitata
Jamaica Petrel, Pterodroma caribbaea (probably extinct)
Magenta Petrel, Pterodroma magentae
Murphy's Petrel, Pterodroma ultima
Pycroft's Petrel, Pterodroma pycrofti
Stejneger's Petrel, Pterodroma longirostris
Collared Petrel, Pterodroma brevipes
Gould's Petrel, Pterodroma leucoptera
Mangareva Petrel, Pterodroma cf. leucoptera (possibly extinct)
Cook's Petrel, Pterodroma cookii
Mas a Tierra Petrel, Pterodroma defilippiana
Bonin Petrel, Pterodroma hypoleuca
White-necked Petrel, Pterodroma cervicalis
Falla's Petrel, Pterodroma occulta
Chatham Petrel, Pterodroma axillaris
Chatham Extinct Petrel, Pterodroma sp. (prehistoric)
Henderson Island Petrel, Pterodroma sp. (prehistoric)
O‘ahu Petrel, Pterodroma jugabilis (prehistoric)
Now Lugensa (allied to Puffinus)
● Kerguelen Petrel, Pterodroma brevirostris
Now Pseudobulweria (allied to Puffinus)
● Fiji Petrel Pterodroma macgillivrayi

Tahiti Petrel, Pterodroma rostrata
Beck's Petrel, Pterodroma becki
Mascarene Petrel, Pterodroma aterrima
St Helena Petrel, Pterodroma rupinarum (extinct)
References
● Austin, Jeremy J. (1996): Molecular Phylogenetics of Puffinus Shearwaters: Preliminary
Evidence from Mitochondrial Cytochrome b Gene Sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and
Evolution 6(1): 77–88 DOI:10.1006/mpev.1996.0060 (HTML abstract)
● Bretagnolle, V., Attié, C., Pasquet, E., (1998) "Cytochrome-B evidence for validity and
phylogenetic relationships of Pseudobulweria and Bulweria (Procellariidae)" Auk 115(1):188-
195 PDf fulltext
● Brooke, M. (2004): Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford,
UK. ISBN 0-19-850125-0

Shearwaters
Shearwaters
Shearwaters are medium-sized long-winged seabirds. There are
more than 25 species of shearwaters, four large species in the
genus Procellaria, three large species in the genus Calonectris, and
19 mostly smaller species in the genus Puffinus. Those in
Procellaria are usually called "petrel", though they are thought to
be more closely to the shearwaters than to the other petrels.
These birds are most common in temperate and cold waters. They
are pelagic outside the breeding season. Audubon's Shearwater chick
These tubenose birds fly with stiff wings, and use a “shearing”
Kingdom: Animalia
flight technique to move across wave fronts with the minimum of
active flight. Some small species, like Manx Shearwater are
cruciform in flight, with their long wing held directly out from Phylum: Chordata
their bodies.
Class: Aves
Many are long-distance migrants, perhaps most spectacularly
Sooty Shearwaters, which cover distances in excess of 14,000 km
Order: Procellariiformes
from their breeding colony on the Falkland Islands (52°S 60°W)
north to 65°-70°N in the North Atlantic Ocean off north Norway.
Short-tailed Shearwaters perform an even longer "figure of 8" loop Family: Procellariidae
migration in the Pacific Ocean from Tasmania to as far north as
the Arctic Ocean off northwest Alaska. Genera
Procellaria
They are also extraordinarily long-lived. A Manx Shearwater
Calonectris
breeding on Copeland Island, Northern Ireland, is currently
Puffinus
(2003/2004) the oldest known wild bird in the world: ringed as an
adult (at least 5 years old) in July 1953, it was retrapped in July 2003, at least 55 years old. Manx
Shearwaters migrate over 10,000 km to South America in winter, using waters off southern Brazil and
Argentina, so this bird has covered a minimum of 1,000,000 km on migration alone.
Shearwaters come to islands and coastal cliffs only to breed. They are nocturnal at the colonial breeding
sites, preferring moonless nights. This is to minimise predation. They nest in burrows and often give
eerie contact calls on their nighttime visits. They lay a single white egg.
They feed on fish, squid and similar oceanic food. Some will follow fishing boats to take scraps, notably
Sooty Shearwater; these species also commonly follow whales to feed on fish disturbed by them.
Shearwaters are part of the family Procellariidae, which also includes fulmars, prions and petrels.
The Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy gives a radically different scientific arrangement for this group based on
DNA studies.
List of species
● Genus Procellaria
❍ Grey Petrel, P. cinerea
White-chinned Petrel, P. aequinoctialis

Black Petrel, P. parkinsoni
Westland Petrel, P. westlandica
● Genus Calonectris
❍ Streaked Shearwater, C. leucomelas
Cory's Shearwater, C. diomedea

Cape Verde Shearwater, C. edwardsii
● Genus Puffinus
❍ Wedge-tailed Shearwater, P. pacificus
Buller's Shearwater, P. bulleri

Flesh-footed Shearwater, P. carneipes
Pink-footed shearwater, P. creatopus
Great Shearwater, P. gravis
Sooty Shearwater, P. griseus
Short-tailed Shearwater or Mutton bird, P. tenuirostris
Heinroth's Shearwater, P. heinrothi
Christmas Shearwater, P. nativatis
Fluttering Shearwater, P. gavia
Hutton's Shearwater, P. huttoni
Manx Shearwater, P. puffinus
Yelkouan Shearwater, P. yelkouan
Balearic Shearwater, P. mauretanicus
Black-vented Shearwater, P. opisthomelas
Townsend's Shearwater, P. auriculatus
Hawaiian Shearwater, P. newelli
Audubon's Shearwater, P. lherminieri
North Atlantic Little Shearwater P. baroli
Little Shearwater, P. assimilis
External links
● Shearwater videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Skuas
Skuas
The skuas are seabirds in the family Stercorariidae. The three smaller skuas are called jaegers in
North America.
The name skua comes from Faroese skúgvur [ sg gv ] (Stercorarius skua), and the island of Skúvoy is
renown for its colony of that bird. Jaeger is derived from the German word Jäger, meaning hunter.
Skuas nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants.
Outside the breeding season they take fish, offal and carrion. Many are partial kleptoparasites, chasing
gulls, terns and other seabirds to steal their catches; the larger species also regularly kill and eat adult Pomarine Skua
birds, up to the size of Great Black-backed Gulls. On the breeding grounds they commonly eat Scientific classification
lemmings, and the eggs and young of other birds. Kingdom: Animalia
They are in general medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white
Phylum: Chordata
markings on the wings. They have longish bills with a hooked tip, and webbed feet with sharp claws.
They look like large dark gulls, but have a fleshy cere above the upper mandible. They are strong,
acrobatic fliers. Class: Aves
Family: Stercorariidae
Gray, 1871
Genus: Stercorarius
Brisson, 1760
Skua in Antarctica
Skuas are related to gulls, waders, auks and skimmers. In the three smaller species (all Holarctic), breeding adults have the
two central tail feathers obviously elongated and at least some adults have white on the underparts and pale yellow on the
neck, characteristics that the larger species (all native to the Southern Hemisphere except for the Great Skua) do not
share. Therefore the skuas are often split into two genera with only the smaller species retained in Stercorarius, and the
large species placed in Catharacta. However, there is no genetic basis for this separation. The Pomarine and Great
Skuas' mitochondrial DNA (which is inherited from the mother only) is in fact more closely related to each other than it is
to either Arctic or Long-tailed Skuas, or to the Southern Hemisphere species. Thus, hybridization must have played
a considerable role in the evolution of the diversity of Northern Hemisphere skuas.
"Skua" is also a slang term at American Antarctic research stations such as the McMurdo Station or the Amundsen-Scott
South Pole Station. It is named for the bird, and it means to salvage or scavenge for equipment or gear.
Species
● Long-tailed Skua or Long-tailed Jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus
Arctic Skua or Parasitic Jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
Pomarine Skua or Pomarine Jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
Chilean Skua, Stercorarius chilensis
South Polar Skua, Stercorarius maccormicki
Brown Skua, Stercorarius antarctica
Great Skua Stercorarius skua
Reference
● Seabirds by Harrison, ISBN 0-7470-1410-8
External links
● Skua videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Albatrosses | Gannets | Gulls | Haematopodidae | Hydrobatidae | Penguins | Pterodroma | Shearwaters | Skuas
| Storm-petrels | Terns
Merginae
Sea Ducks
The seaducks, Merginae, form a subfamily of the duck,
goose and swan family of birds, Anatidae.
As the name implies, most but not all, are essentially

marine outside the breeding season. Many species have
developed specialized salt glands to allow them to
tolerate salt water, but these have not yet developed in
young birds. Some of the mergansers prefer riverine
habitats.
All but two of the 20 species in this group occupy

habitats in far northern latitudes. Smew (male)
The fish-eating members of this group, such as the
mergansers and Smew, have serrated edges to their bills Kingdom: Animalia
to help them grip their prey. These are therefore often
known as "sawbills". Phylum: Chordata
Other seaducks take molluscs or crustaceans from the sea

Class: Aves
floor.
There are twenty living species in ten extant genera. Order: Anseriformes
Subfamily Merginae Family: Anatidae
● Genus Chendytes, the diving-geese. These birds

Subfamily: Merginae
became extinct in prehistoric times. They were
large, goose-like ducks with reduced wings which
were unfit for flying, but could assist in diving as Genera
in the Great Auk. At least one species survived to
the Holocene.
❍ Law's Diving-goose Chendytes lawi
● Genus Polysticta
❍ Steller's Eider Polysticta stelleri
● Genus Somateria, the eiders. These are large

marine ducks The drakes have body plumage Chendytes (extinct)
showing varying amounts of black and white, and Polysticta
distinctive head patterns.Females are brown. Somateria
❍ Common Eider Somateria mollissima Histrionicus
Spectacled Eider Somateria fischeri Camptorhynchus (extinct)
King Eider Somateria spectabilis Melanitta
● Genus Histrionicus Clangula
❍ Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus Bucephala
● Genus Camptorhynchus Mergellus
❍ Labrador Duck Camptorhynchus Lophodytes
labradorius Mergus
● Genus Melanitta, the scoters. These are stocky
marine ducks. The drakes are mostly black and have swollen bills. Females are brown.
❍ Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
Black Scoter or American Scoter Melanitta americana (sometimes considered a

subspecies of M. nigra)
Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca
White-winged Scoter Melanitta deglandi (sometimes considered a subspecies of M. fusca)
Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata
● Genus Clangula
❍ Long-tailed Duck or Oldsquaw Clangula hyemalis
● Genus Bucephala, the goldeneyes. These are less marine than some species in this group, and
will winter on fresh water. Drakes have white bodies with black backs and distinctive head
markings. Females are grey with chestnut heads.
❍ Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica

Bufflehead Bucephala albeola
● Genus Mergellus (sometimes included in Mergus)
❍ Smew Mergellus albellus
● Genus Lophodytes (sometimes included in Mergus)

❍ Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus
● Genus Mergus, the typical mergansers. These are the least marine of this group, only Red-
breasted being common on the sea. These are large saw-billed ducks which dive for fish.
❍ Brazilian Merganser Mergus octosetaceus
Auckland Islands Merganser Mergus australis

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
Common Merganser or Goosander Mergus merganser
Chinese Merganser Mergus squamatus
Home | Up | Bucorvinae | Buphaginae | Pseudochelidoninae | Anatinae | Anserinae | Buteoninae

| Chordeilinae | Drongo | Euphoniinae | Fantail | Ground-hornbill | Mancallinae | Merginae | Monarchinae
Fregatidae
Frigatebirds
There are five species in the family Fregatidae, the
frigatebirds. They are very closely related, and are all in
the single genus Fregata. Frigatebirds attack other sea
birds, hence the name. They are also sometimes called Man
of War birds or Pirate birds. Since they are related to the
pelicans, the term "frigate pelican" is also a name applied
to them.
Frigatebirds are large, with iridescent black feathers (the

females have a white underbelly), with long wings (male
wingspan can reach 2.3 metres) and deeply-forked tails.
The males have inflatable red-coloured throat pouches,
which they inflate to attract females during the mating
season.
Frigatebirds are found over tropical oceans and ride warm Scientific classification
updrafts. Therefore, they can often be spotted riding Kingdom: Animalia
weather fronts and can signal changing weather patterns.
Phylum: Chordata
These birds do not swim and cannot walk well, and cannot
take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan to
body weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, Class: Aves
able to stay aloft for more than a week, landing only to
roost or breed on trees or cliffs. Order: Pelecaniformes
They lay one or two white eggs. Both parents take turns
Family: Fregatidae
feeding for the first three months but then only by the
Degland & Gerbe, 1867
mother for another eight months. It takes so long to rear a
chick that frigatebirds cannot breed every year. It is typical Genus: Fregata
to see juveniles as big as their parents waiting to be fed. Lacépède, 1799
When they sit waiting for endless hours in the hot sun, they Species
assume an energy-efficient posture in which their head
hangs down, and they sit so still that they seem dead. But
when the parent returns, they will wake up, bob their head,
and scream until the parent opens its mouth. The starving
juvenile plunges its head down the parent's throat and feeds Fregata magnificens
at last. Fregata aquila
Fregata andrewsi
As members of pelecaniformes, frigatebirds have the key Fregata minor
characteristics of all four toes being connected by the web, Fregata ariel
a gular sac (also called gular skin), and a furcula that is
fused to the breastbone. Although there is definitely a web on the frigatebird foot, the webbing is
reduced and part of each toe is free. Frigatebirds produce very little oil and therefore do not land in the
ocean. The gular sac is used as part of a courtship display and is, perhaps, the most striking frigatebird
feature.
Frigatebirds obtain most of their food by snatching it from the

ocean surface. In this case an immature Great Frigatebird is
snatching a Sooty Tern chick dropped by another frigatebird
Their feeding habits are pelagic. Frigatebirds often rob other seabirds of their catch, using their speed
and manoeuvrability to outrun their victims. However, they are perfectly capable of catching fish, baby
turtles and similar prey, snatching them up from flight.
Distribution and identifying characteristics differ among frigatebird species, and thus are addressed in
species-specific articles.
Species
● Genus Fregata
❍ Magnificent Frigatebird or Man O'War, Fregata magnificens.
Ascension Frigatebird, Fregata aquila.

Christmas Island Frigatebird, Fregata andrewsi.
Great Frigatebird, Fregata minor.
Lesser Frigatebird, Fregata ariel.
External links
● Frigatebird videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Fairy-bluebird | Falconidae | Finch | Formicariidae | Fregatidae | Furnariidae
Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostra
Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of birds in the wader
suborder Charadrii. It contains two distinct groups:
● The avocets, with long legs and long up curved

bills which they sweep from side to side when
feeding in the brackish or saline wetlands they
prefer.
● The stilts, which have extremely long legs and
long thin bills.
Home | Up | Charadriidae | Haematopodidae

| Recurvirostridae | Scolopacidae
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free

Documentation License. It uses material from the Black-necked Stilt
(Himantopus himantopus mexicanus)
Wikipedia.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Family: Recurvirostridae
Bonaparte, 1854
Species
Recurvirostra avosetta
Recurvirostra americana
Recurvirostra novaehollandiae
Recurvirostra andina
Himantopus himantopus
Himantopus mexicanus
Himantopus novaezelandiae
Cladorhynchus leucocephalus
Dromadidae
Crab Plover
The Crab Plover (Dromas ardeola) is a bird related to the Conservation status Least concern
waders, but sufficiently distinctive to merit its own family
Dromadidae. Its relationship within the Charadriiformes is Scientific classification
unclear, some have in close to the Thick-knees, or the pratincoles,
or even closer to the auks and gulls. It is the only member of the Kingdom: Animalia
genus Dromas.
Phylum: Chordata
Contents
Class: Aves
● 1 Description
● 2 Range and Behaviour Order: Charadriiformes
● 3 References
● 4 External links Family: Dromadidae
GR Gray, 1840
Genus: Dromas
Paykull, 1805
Description Species: D. ardeola
This bird resembles a plover, but has very long grey legs and a
strong heavy black bill similar to a tern. Its black-and-white Binomial name
plumage and long-necked upright posture make it look like a cross Dromas ardeola
between a pied avocet and a giraffe. Its bill is unique among Paykull, 1805
waders, and specialised for eating crabs. It has partially webbed
toes. The plumage is white except for black on its back and in the
primary feathers of the wings. They are noisy birds, calling
frequently on their breeding sites and in their wintering grounds.
The Crab Plover is one of the species to which the Agreement on

the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds
(AEWA) applies.
Range and Behaviour

It is resident on the coasts and islands of the Indian Ocean, where it feeds on crabs and other small
animals. They are gregarious and will feed in large groups, at night and during dawn and dusk as well as
during the day; this crepuscular and nocturnal behaviour is more common during the breeding season.
They breed around the Persian Gulf, Red Sea and Somalia in the months of April to July then disperse
across the Indian Ocean in August as far as the Andaman Islands and Sri Lanka in the east and Tanzania
and Madagascar.
The Crab Plover is unusual for waders in that it nests in burrows in sandy banks. It is a colonial breeder,
nesting in colonies as large 1500 pairs. It lays one white egg, occasionally two, which are large for its
body size. The chicks are also unique for waders in being unable to walk and remain in the nest for
several days after hatching, having food brought to them. Even once they fledge they have a long period
of parental care afterwards.
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Dromas ardeola. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
is of least concern
● Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volume Three, Hoatzin to Auks; de Hoyo, Elliot and
Sargatal, ISBN 84-87334-20-2
External links
● Crab Plover videos on the Internet Bird Collection

| Dromornithidae
MultiMedia
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Free content and software
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License

Bird food
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Bird food is food (often varieties of seeds) eaten by birds. Humans generally make or buy bird food to
feed to pet birds or use in birdfeeders. The choice of what to use as birdfood depends on the species of
bird being fed.
Contents
● 1 Bird seeds
● 2 Non-seed birdfood
● 3 Commercial bird food
● 5 References
Bird seeds
Black sunflower seeds are highly recommended for use in bird feeders because they attract a wide
variety of birds, have a high ratio of meat to shell, and are high in fat content.[1][2] Other common
birdseeds include niger, a favorite of goldfinches, millet for sparrows and juncos, and safflower for
[1][2]
cardinals, among others.
Non-seed birdfood
Bushtits eating suet from a bird
feeder
Not all birds eat seeds. Suet (beef or mutton fat) is recommended for insect-eating birds like nuthatches
[1]
and woodpeckers.[1] Nectar (essentially sugar water) attracts hummingbirds.
Commercial bird food

A wide variety of commercial bird food is available to bird owners. However, bags of mixed birdseed
often combine attractive bird food like sunflower seeds with "filler" materials that birds enjoy less. Birds
[2][3]
tend to pick out their favorite seeds and simply leave the rest uneaten.
External links
Bird food preference charts:
● Bird Watcher's Digest Backyard Bird Food Chart

● Cornell Lab of Ornithology Food Preferences Chart
References
abcd
1. ^ What to Feed Birds and Seeds and Grains for Birds. Project FeederWatch. Retrieved on
August 23, 2006
abc
2. ^ Porter, Diane. Winter Bird Feeder: Keep Them Coming Back. Retrieved on August 23,
2006.
3. ^ Choosing Bird Food. All About Birds. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved on August 23,
2006.
Home | Up | Bird food | Bird feeder
Wing clipping
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Wing clipping is the process of trimming a bird's primary flight feathers (or primaries) so that he or she
is no longer fully-flighted.
As the clip only trims feathers and not the wings themselves, it does not cause the bird major physical
harm.
Since the feathers do not have nerve endings, the bird does not feel pain. Therefore, wing clipping is
similar to a person having their nails clipped or their hair cut.
An appropriate wing clip will allow a bird to glide across the room without gaining altitude. If too few
primaries are taken, the bird will be able to gain altitude; if too many primaries are taken, the bird will
plummet like a rock. Those experienced with wing clipping will only take one or two feathers from each
side at a time and see how well the bird can fly before taking more feathers, to avoid causing the bird to
plummet and potentially be injured in doing so.
Many people who keep birds as pets prefer to clip their wings so that their birds will not crash into
mirrors, walls, or windows, all of which are serious hazards to flighted birds: A hard crash can result in
instant death.
Other people clip their birds' wings to minimize the chances of them flying away if they accidentally get
outdoors. However, in the right conditions -- particularly windy days -- birds whose wings are clipped
can still gain altitude and fly out of their owner's reach.
Another reason for clipping wings is to keep pet birds that are social in nature (such as parrots) more
tame. When birds are unclipped, they typically have a greater sense of independence and can be less
likely to socialize with their owners.
When a bird's wings are clipped, an equal number of feathers are taken from each wing. In ducks and
chickens often just one wing is clipped (i.e. 10 primary feathers of one wing), they are not good fliers
and to clip one wing is enough to unbalance their flight and keep them grounded. To keep a bird from
being fully-flighted, wing clipping must be done after every moult, but it is important to only clip the
wings when the feathers have finished growing and there is no blood in them. If the shaft resembles the
ink tube of a ball point pen clipping can result in the death of the bird. Many people clip their birds'
wings themselves, although it is a good idea to have an avian veterinarian, pet store employee, or
breeder demonstrate the process first.
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Australian Spotted
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The name Australian Spotted is something of a misnomer, as the Australian Spotted duck is one of
the few breeds of domesticated ducks that originated in the United States. John C. Kriner and Stanley
Mason of Pennsylvania developed this breed by allowing Calls, Mallards, Pintails, and various
Australian wild ducks to crossbreed for several years before selecting the desired specimens. The first
exhibit of the Australian Spotted began in 1928.
Many duck enthusiasts don't believe that Pintails contributed to the acculturation, because a Mallard
dirivative X Pintail renders a sterile duck due to chromosomal differences. However, it is possible for a
rare mutant Mallard-Pintail cross to pass on its genes to generations to come, leaving it possible that the
Pintail did indeed contribute to the specimens. David Holderread, one of the top waterfowl breeders in
the United States, has said that he has observed various traits in the Australian Spotted that are distinct to
Pintails.
Photographs
Photo by Marilyn Coulson
External links
● albc-usa.org
feathersite.com
Barbary Dove
Ringneck Dove
The Ringneck Dove, Ring Dove, or Barbary Dove, Streptopelia
risoria, is a small domestic dove.
Although the Ringneck Dove is normally assigned its own

systematic name, as Streptopelia risoria, considerable doubt exists
as to its appropriate classification. Some sources confidently assert
that it is a domestic form of the Eurasian Collared Dove, S.
decaocto, but the majority of evidence points to it being a
domesticated form of the African Collared Dove, S. roseogrisea. It
appears that it can hybridise freely with either species, and its
status as a species must therefore be regarded as doubtful.
However because of the wide use of both the common and
systematic names, it is best to consider it separately from either of Scientific classification
the putative parent species. Kingdom: Animalia
Ringneck Doves have been domesticated for 2000 to 3000 years.

Phylum: Chordata
They are easily kept, and long-lived, in captivity, living for up to
12 years, and are noted for their gentle nature. In recent years they
have been used extensively in biological research, particularly into Class: Aves
the hormonal bases of reproductive behaviour, because their
sequences of courtship, mating and parental behaviour have been Order: Columbiformes
accurately described and are highly consistent in form. Dove
fanciers have bred them in a great variety of colours; the number
of colours available has increased dramatically in the latter half of Family: Columbidae
the twentieth century, and it is thought that this has been achieved
by interbreeding with S. roseogrisea. Genus: Streptopelia
The coo of the ringneck dove is created by muscles that vibrate air Species: S. risoria
sent up from the dove's lungs. These muscles belong to the fastest
known class of vertebrate muscles, contracting as much as ten
times faster than muscles vertebrates use for running. This class of Binomial name
muscles is usually found in high speed tissue such as a Streptopelia risoria
rattlesnake's tail. Ringneck doves are the first bird species to have Linnaeus, 1758
been found to have this class of muscle. (Elemans, et al., 2004)
Feral populations of Ringneck Doves establish themselves readily as a result of escapes from captivity,
but they will merge with local populations of Collared Doves if they exist. There is a small feral
population in Los Angeles, California, where neither S. decaocto nor S. roseogrisea is currently found.
Barbary dove eggs on 1 cm grid
References
● Elemans CP, Spierts IL, Muller UK, Van Leeuwen JL, Goller F (2004). "Bird song: superfast
muscles control dove's trill". Nature 431 (7005): 146.
● Oliver, K. Wade (2005). Ringneck Doves: A Handbook of Care and Breeding.
External links
● The Dove Page The Place on the Internet for Doves
● Barbary Dove History, by John Pire this is a page from the Internet Archive as the hosting
domain was found to be inaccessible 2 November 2005
Budgerigar
Budgerigar
The Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus, nicknamed Conservation status Least concern
[1]
budgie), the only species in the Australian genus
Melopsittacus, is a small parrot belonging to the tribe of
the broad-tailed parrots (Platycercini); these are sometimes
considered a subfamily (Platycercinae), which may be
correct, in which the budgerigar is then placed as a separate
tribe (Melopsittini), which is almost certainly erroneous.
Though budgerigars are often called parakeets, especially
in American English, this term refers to any of a number of
small parrots with long flat tails. The budgerigar is found
throughout the drier parts of Australia and has survived in
the inlands of that continent for over 5 million years.
Contents
● 1 Etymology
❍ 2.1 Colour Mutations
● 3 Habitat and behaviour

● 4 Budgerigars in captivity Budgerigar hen of approximately natural
● 5 "Context speaking" budgerigars colouration
Phylum: Chordata
Etymology
Class: Aves
At least two possible origins for the English name
budgerigar have been proposed:
● A compound of budgery, "good" and gar

"cockatoo" in some Australian Aboriginal languages. Family: Psittacidae
[2]
This is supported by the Oxford English
Dictionary. The word budgery itself, also spelt Subfamily: Psittacinae
boojery, was formerly in use in Australian English
slang meaning "good".
● An alteration of Gamilaraay gidjirrigaa (IPA: / Tribe: Platycercini
[3]
i iri aː/) , possibly influenced by the slang word
budgery mentioned above. This is supported by the Genus: Melopsittacus
Gould, 1840
American Heritage Dictionary.
Species: M. undulatus
The genus name Melopsittacus comes from Greek and
means "melodius parrot". The species name undulatus is Binomial name
Latin for "undulated" or "wave-patterned".
Melopsittacus undulatus
(Shaw, 1805)
Characteristics
Adult females (left above)

have pink to brown ceres
while adult males (right
above) have blue ceres.
Budgerigars are about 18 cm long and weigh 30-40 grams. Wild budgerigars have green underparts and
rumps, while the upperparts are barred with black and yellow. The forehead and face is yellow in adults,
and barred black with yellow in young till they change into their adult plumage at 3-4 months of age.
Each cheek has a small dark purple patch and a series of black spots across the throat. The tail is
greenish blue or purple; outside tail feathers have a central yellow band. Their wings have greenish-
black flight feathers and black coverts with yellow fringes. Bill olive grey and legs greyish blue, with
[4]
zygodactyl toes. Wild budgerigars are noticeably smaller than those in captivity. These parrots have
been bred in many other colours in captivity, such as white, blue, and even purple, although they are
mostly found in pet stores in blue, green and seldomly white.
The colour of the cere (the area containing the nostrils) differs between the sexes; royal blue in males,
pale-brown to white(non-breeding) or brown (breeding) in females and pink in immatures of both
genders (usually of a more even purplish-pink colour in young males). Young females can often be
identified by a subtle chalky whiteness that starts around the cere nostril holes. Males that are albinos,
[5][4]
lutinos or recessive pieds usually retain the immature purplish-pink cere color their entire life.
Colour Mutations
Budgerigars in an aviary
There are presently at least 32 primary mutations in the Budgerigar Parakeet enabling hundreds of
possible secondary mutations (stable combined primary mutations) & colour varieties (unstable
combined mutations)
Of which the australian-recessive-grey-factor, the BrownWings, the DarkWings, the english-recessive-

grey-factor, the Faded the english-recessive-grey-factor, the NSL-Ino & the SaddleBack mutations are
either highly uncommon, extremelly rare &/or presumed 'extinct' of visual specimens.
Each of those 32 primary mutations belonging to either one of the 4 basic groups of mutations classified
in Parrot species genetics. Namely ;
Albinism : where eumelanin is reduced in ALL body tissues & structures deviding into 2 sub-groups ;
Complete-Albinism & Incomplete aka Partial Albinism,
Dilutism : where eumelanin is always +/- incompletely (never completely) reduced virtually only in
feathering,
Leucism : where eumelanin is reduced virtually only in feathering and devides into 2 sub-groups ; Total-
Leucism & Local-Leucism,
Melanism : where eumelanin is +/- increased virtually only in feathering.
Each of those 32 primary mutations inherit either ;
autosomal-Co-Dominant (A-Co-D), autosomal-Complete-Dominant (A-C-D), autosomal-Incomplete-

Dominant (A-I-D), autosomal-recessive (A-R), autosomal-Poly-Genic (A-P-G) Sex-Linked-recessive (S-
L)
It must be noted that : the word autosomal is often replaced as a synonym by the NSL acronym standing
for Non-Sex-Linked.
Here's a listing of the Budgerigar aka Budgie Parakeet's 32 primary mutations genetic identities,
followed by their common names in parenthesis, followed by their according allele &/or Locus symbols
& ending with their genetic inheritance ;
Blue Loci (plural of Locus) :
Dark-Factor : D-Locus : A-Co-D with regards to only other Blue Loci alleles &/or always otherwise A-I-
D
Blue : bl*bl : A-Co-D with regards to only other Blue Loci alleles &/or always otherwise A-R
BlueII : blII-Locus : A-Co-D with regards to only other Blue Loci alleles &/or always otherwise A-R
YellowFacedBlue : blII*yf : A-Co-D with regards to only other Blue Loci alleles &/or always otherwise
A-R
GoldenFacedBlue : blII*gf : A-Co-D with regards to only other Blue Loci alleles &/or always otherwise
A-R
Structural mutations :
Crest-Factor : Cr-Locus : A-P-G
Dark-Factor : D-Locus : A-I-D
Grey-Factor (Dominant-Grey-Factor) : G-Locus : A-C-D
grey-factor (english-recessive-Grey-Factor) : g-Locus : A-R

grey-factor (australian-recessive-Grey-Factor) : ag-Locus : A-R
Violet-Factor : V-Locus : A-I-D
Dilutistic mutations :
dil-Locus (Dilute Locus) multiple-allelic-series :
Suffused (Dilute) : dil*dil : A-Co-D with regards to only other dil-Locus alleles &/or always otherwise
A-R
ClearWings : dil*cw : A-Co-D with regards to only other dil-Locus alleles &/or always otherwise A-R
GreyWings : dil*gw : A-Co-D with regards to only other dil-Locus alleles &/or always otherwise A-R
Local-Leucistic (Pied) mutations :
ADM (Anti-DiMorphic) Pied (danish-pied, recessive-pied, harlequin) : s-Locus : A-R
Piebald (Australian-Pied) : Pb-Locus : A-C-D
Pied (Continental_Dutch-Pied & Clear-Flighted_Dutch-Pied) : Pi-Locus : A-C-D
Total-Leucistic (Clear) mutations :
Spangle-Factor : Sp-Locus : I-D
Dark-Eyed-Clear : dil*cw / dil*gw : is not a genuine primary mutation but a mutation variety produced
by the visual combination of ADM-Pied & either Dutch-Pied varieties : A-Co-D
Albinistic mutations :
NSL-Albinism (recessive-albinism) : a-Locus : multiple-allelic-series :
NSL-Ino (recessive-Ino) : a*a : A-R
Bronze_Fallow (german_Fallow) : a*bz : A-Co-D with regards to only other a-Locus alleles &/or
always otherwise A-R *This mutation more precisely belongs in the Incomplete-Albinistic mutations but
it was necessary to display it's relationship with the a-Locus*
Brown or BrownWings (sepia) : b-Locus : presumed A-Co-D with regards to only other a-Locus alleles
&/or always otherwise A-R *This mutation more precisely belongs in the Incomplete-Albinistic
mutations but it was necessary to display it's relationship with the a-Locus*
Cinnamon (CinnamonWings) : cin-Locus : S-L-R
Dun_Fallow aka Grey-Brown_Fallow (english_Fallow) : df-Locus : A-R
Faded : fd-Locus : A-R
possible Beige_Fallow aka Pale-Brown_Fallow (australian_Fallow) : pf-Locus : A-R
possible Plum-Eyed_Fallow (scotish_Fallow) : pl-Locus : A-R
SL-Albinism : ino-Locus : multiple-allelic-series :
SL-Ino : ino-Locus : S-L-R
SL-ClearBody : ino*cl : SL-Co-D with regards to only other ino-Locus alleles &/or always otherwise S-
L-R
Melanism :
BlackFace : bf-Locus : A-R
Other mutations :
DarkWings : dw-Locus : A-I-D
Dominant-ClearBody : Cl-Locus : A-C-D
Opaline : op-Locus : S-L-R
SaddleBack : sb-Locus : A-R
Slate : sl-Locus : S-L-R
Habitat and behaviour

Budgerigars are nomadic birds found in open habitats, primarily in Australian scrubland, open woodland
and grassland. The birds are normally found in small flocks, but can form very large flocks under
favourable conditions. The species is extremely nomadic and the movement of the flocks is tied to the
availability of food and water.[4] Drought can drive flocks into more wooded habitat or coastal areas.
[6][4]
They feed on the seeds of spinifex, grass weeds, and sometimes ripening wheat. .
Feral birds are found in the St Petersburg, Florida area in the United States, but are much less common
than they were back in the early 1980's. Colder than normal winter temperatures in some years and
increased competition from European Starlings are the main reasons for the declining population.
Breeding takes generally place between June and September in the North and between August and
January in the South but they are opportunistic breeders responding to the rains when grass seeds
[4]
become most abundant. Populations in some areas have increased as a result of increased water
availability at farms. The nest is in a hole in a tree, fence post or even a log laying on the ground; the 4-6
[6][4]
eggs are incubated for 17-19 days, with the young fledging about 30 days after hatching.
Both male and female budgerigars sing and can learn to mimic sounds, although both singing and
mimicry are more pronounced in males.
Budgerigars in captivity
Pet budgerigars.
The budgerigar is one of the few parrots to be domesticated as a pet. Believed to be the most common
pet parrot in the world, it has been bred in captivity since the 1850s. Breeders have worked over the
decades to produce a wide range of colour and feather mutations, such as yellow, blue, white, violet,
olive, albino and lutino (yellow), clearwing and spangled. Feather mutations can produce crests or
overly long shaggy feathers known as "feather dusters".
Modern show budgerigars, also called English budgerigars, are larger than their wild cousins, with
puffy head feathers, giving them an exaggerated look. The eyes and beak can be almost totally obscured
by feathers. Such birds are reported to be more prone to genetic mutations because of inbreeding. Most
budgerigars in the pet trade are not of the show variety and are similar in size and body conformation to
wild budgerigars.
Budgerigars can be taught to speak, whistle tunes, and play with humans. They are intelligent and social
animals and enjoy the stimulation of toys and interaction with humans as well as with other budgerigars.
A common behaviour is the chewing of material such as wood, especially for female budgerigars.
Male white budgerigar. This is not

an albino because it lacks the red
eyes.
In captivity, budgerigars live an average of five to eight years, but are reported to occasionally live to 15
[7]
if well cared for . The life span depends on the budgerigar's breed (show budgerigars typically do not
live as long as the common budgerigars) and the individual bird's health, which is influenced by exercise
and diet.
Although wild budgerigars eat grass seeds almost exclusively, avian veterinarians recommend
supplementation with foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouted seeds, pasta, whole wheat bread
and other healthy human foods, as well as pellets formulated for small parrots. Adding these foods
provides additional nutrients and can prevent obesity and lipomas, as can substituting millet, which is
relatively low in fat, for seeds mixes. Budgerigars do not always adapt readily to dietary additions,
[8]
however. Chocolate and avocado are recognized as potential toxins. Plums, lemons, limes, and
members of the cabbage family are bad for them as well. Recommended fruits and vegetables are
apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries, carrots, unsprayed lettuces, parsley, peaches and spinach.
"Context speaking" budgerigars
In 2001, budgie owner Ryan B. Reynolds of Ontario, Canada received much publicity due to his release
to the press of certain recordings of his talking budgie, Victor. In these recordings, Victor performed
what appeared to be "speaking in context". To the layperson, the recordings appeared to audibly
demonstrate that Victor was able to use his 1000+ word vocabulary to express coherent lines of thought,
meaning and reasoning. Despite the widespread TV, newspaper and radio publicity the recordings
[9]
received in 2001, the recordings have yet to be scientifically analysed, proven, (or disproven) .
A budgerigar named Puck holds the world record for the largest vocabulary of any bird, at 1,728 words.
[1]
References
1. ^ BirdLife International (2004). Melopsittacus undulatus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened
2. ^ Online etymology dictionary
3. ^ A Reference Dictionary of Gamilaraay
abcdef
4. ^ Forshaw, Joseph Michael, William T. Cooper (1973 & 1981). Parrots of the World,
1st and 2nd. ISBN 0-87666-959-3.
5. ^ Birds Online - How to tell the sex of a budgie. Retrieved on 25 April 2006.
ab
6. ^ The Wild Budgerigar (article). Retrieved on 25 April 2006.
7. ^ Birds Online - Life span of a budgie. Retrieved on 26 December 2005.
8. ^ Margaret A. Wissman, D.V.M., D.A.B.V.P.. Medical Conditions and Diseases of the
Budgerigar and Cockatiel (article). ExoticPetVet.Net. Retrieved on 26 April 2006.
9. ^ Elvira Cordileone (2006). Are Birds Trying to Tell Us Things? (article). Toronto Star.
Retrieved on 7 May 2006. publication date: 23 Mar. 2006
[edit]
External links
● Budgie Talk up-to-date information on pet budgie care
● A True Ambassador: the Budgerigar Comprehensive, referenced article on budgerigars
● Florida Breeding Bird Atlas: Budgerigar
● List of Plants & Branches Hazardous to Birds Referenced list oriented toward pet birds
Cayuga Duck
A Cayuga Duck is a breed of domesticated duck used for egg and meat production as well as an
ornamental bird. The Cayuga name is taken from Lake Cayuga in New York State where the breed was
popularized. The traditional story for the development of this breed is that a miller in Dutchess County
captured two wild black ducks and used pinioning to keep them at his pond. The offspring of this pair
[1]
was prized for flavorfull meat and breeding efficiency.
Adult Cayuga ducks weigh approximately 6 pounds, and are characterized by a black bill and black
plumage which is an iridescent beetle green in the correct light. The Cayuga duck has black shanks and
toes. Ducklings have black plumage.
For those who wish to keep ducks, but live close to others that would make keeping the Pekin breed
impractical because of the loud quack, The Cayuga duck may be an alternative as its quack is not as loud
or frequent as the Pekin. The temperament of the Cayuga is docile.
The Cayuga duck will more often sit on and hatch her eggs than other domestic breeds of duck.
Incubation for the eggs is 28 days. When using an incubator the temperature should be 99.5 °F at 86%
humidity for days 1-25, and 98.5 °F at 94% humidity for days 26-28.
[2]
This breed of duck is listed as threatened by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
References
1. ^ American Livestock Breeds Conservancy: Cayuga Duck (2006-06-04). Retrieved on 2006-07-
18.
2. ^ American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Watchlist (2006-06-04). Retrieved on 2006-07-12.
Cockatiel
Cockatiel
The Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) is a diminutive cockatoo endemic to Australia and prized as a Conservation status Least concern
household pet.
Contents
● 1 Description
● 2 Biology
● 3 Cockatiels as Pets
● 4 References
A wild cockatiel
Description Scientific classification
The cockatiel is a small parrot of the Cacatuidae family. Like some other cockatoos, as for example the Kingdom: Animalia
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, the cockatiel has an erectible crest. Cockatiels and cockatoos in general also
share other features, such as the facial feathers covering the sides of the beak, which are rarely - if ever Phylum: Chordata
- found outside the Cacatuidae family. In contrast to most cockatoos, the cockatiel has long tail
feathers, roughly making up half of its total length. The cockatiel's distinctive pointed yellow crest is Class: Aves
held erect when startled or excited, while a crest slightly tilted indicates a relaxed state of mind.
Family: Cacatuidae
Subfamily: Calyptorhynchinae
Genus: Nymphicus
Wagler, 1832
Female hand-raised cockatiel
of typical coloring, age 15. Species: N. hollandicus
The plumage is generally mid-grey, lighter underneath, with an almost perfectly round orange patch of Binomial name
feathers covering the ear opening (usually referred to as a "cheek patch") and a prominent white blaze Nymphicus hollandicus
on the wings. A row of yellowish spots can be found underneath the wings of female cockatiels, but not (Kerr, 1792)
on the males. Some other mutations exist, such as the Lutino, which lacks black and grey color, being a Synonyms
light yellow colour overall. Female Lutinos also have barred tail feathers. Both the cock and the hen
Psittacus hollandicus Kerr, 1792
have yellow facial feathers: the female has a yellow wash around the beak and eye, in the male, yellow
Leptolophus hollandicus
covers most of the head and the fore part of the crest. Male cockatiels are very protective and nurturing
of their offspring and are known to be very capable of raising their newborns if the mother is unable to.
Cockatiel lifespans in captivity are generally given as 15-20 years [1], though it is sometimes given as short as 12-15 years
[2] and there are anecdotes of cockatiels living as long as 30 years [3].
Biology
A captive-bred heavily pied
cockatiel.
This is the only species in its genus Nymphicus. Its relationships were long disputed; it was usually placed into a
monotypic subfamily Nymphicinae or even allied with the broad-tailed parrots. But while most other cockatoos are 500 mm
to 600 mm in length, cockatiels are normally 300 mm to 330 mm. There are several significant characteristics that
ally cockatiels with cockatoos though, including an erectile crest, a gallbladder, and powder down patches.
Mitochondrial 12S rRNA sequence data (Brown & Toft, 1999) has finally resolved the question of its affinities by placing it
in the "dark cockatoo" subfamily closest to the genus Calyptorhynchus. The unusual, parakeet-like appearance is
a consequence of the decrease in size and accompanying change of ecological niche. In spite of all its unique
adaptations, features such as the dark plumage, the barred feathers of the female and the orange cheek patch are
clear morphological indications of its affinities.
The cockatiel's scientific name Nymphicus hollandicus reflects the experience of one of the earliest groups of Europeans to
see cockatiels in their native habitat. Travellers thought they were so beautiful that they named them after the
mythical creatures, the nymphs (Nymphicus means literally "little nymph"). The species name refers to New Holland, an
old name for Australia.
Cockatiels are native only to Australia where they are found largely in arid or semi-arid country, but always near
water. Sometimes hundreds will flock around a single such body of water. They are absent from the most fertile southwest
and southeast corners of the country, the deepest Western Australian deserts, and Cape York Peninsula. They are the
only cockatoo species that can breed in their first year.
Cockatiels as Pets
A pet Cockatiel.
Cockatiels are popular household pets in many parts of the world. Today all pet cockatiels are bred in captivity, as Australia
no longer permits the export of native wildlife, whether endangered or not. Pet cockatiels have been bred to have
many different colorations (called mutations). Mutations include lutino, pearl, cinnamon, pied, fallow, recessive and
dominant silver, whiteface, pastelface, yellowcheek, and olive or 'spangled.'
Mutations can appear both individually or in a wide variety of combinations such as lutino pearl, whiteface pied, and
whiteface lutino (which is often called albino, but is not a true form of albinism). Still fairly hard to find is the rather new
'olive' mutation. An olive cockatiel does not actually have green pigment to its plumage, but rather an overlapping pattern
of yellow and grey that create the illusion of a greenish cast.
Many mutations retain the black eyes, beak, nails and grey feet of the normal grey cockatiels, however the lutino,
cinnamon and fallow mutations have pink to deep plum red eyes, pink toenails and feet, and a horn colored beak. While
most mutations persist into adulthood for all cockatiels, certain mutations like pearl are molted out in the males and retained
in the adult females. Sex-linked mutations such as lutino and cinnamon have a higher ratio of female offspring to male due
to the mode of inheritance from parents to offspring.
If hand-fed as chicks, cockatiels can form strong bonds with their owners. Otherwise quiet birds will frequently make
contact calls with their owners, calls that sometimes can be quite loud if the person is out of sight. Their popularity as pets is
in part because of their calm and timid temperament, to the point that they can even be bullied by smaller but more
confident birds such as Budgerigars. Great care and supervision should be provided when mixing cockatiels with other birds.
It is not uncommon at all for a larger or smaller bird to maim the cockatiel, creating life-long disabilities and potentially
life threatening injuries. However, some cockatiels can "scrap."
Although cockatiels are part of the parrot order, they are better at imitating whistles than speech. Some do learn to
repeat phrases, and the males are generally better at mimicry than the females. Cockatiels can mimic many sounds, for
example the bleep of a car alarm, a ringing telephone, or the calls of other bird species such as blue jays or chickadees.
A Cockatiel with an erect crest
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Nymphicus hollandicus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved
on 06 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
● Brown, D.M. & Toft, C.A. (1999): Molecular systematics and biogeography of the cockatoos (Psittaciformes:
Cacatuidae). Auk 116(1): 141-157.
External links
● Cockatiel Information, images, quick information, health, news, chat, links, survival guide, and photo contest. Voting
has begun!
● bittybirds.com Photo collection of Cockatiels
● Pacific Crest: The Cockatiel Resource General information about the care of cockatiels
● National Cockatiel Society
● The Happy Cockatiel Music Page
● North American Cockatiel Society
● Cockatiel Behavior Page
● Cockatiel Cottage Great resource for the care of Cockatiels
Common Pheasant
Common Pheasant
The Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) Conservation status Least concern
is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae
of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds.
The adult pheasant is 50-90 cm in length with a

long tail, often accounting for half the total
length. The male (cock or rooster) has barred
bright brown plumage and green, purple and
white markings, often including a white ring
around the neck, and the head is green with
distinctive red patches. This bird is also called
the Common or English Pheasant, or just
Pheasant. The males are polygamous, mating
with more than one female; they are often
accompanied by a harem of several females.
female (left) & male (right)
The nominate race P. c. colchicus lacks a white Scientific classification
neck ring. This is however shown by the race
Ring-necked Pheasant, P. c. torquatus which Kingdom: Animalia
after several failed attempts was successfully
introduced to the United States in 1881. Phylum: Chordata
The female (hen) is much less showy, with a Class: Aves

duller mottled brown plumage all over, similar
to that of the partridge. The birds are found on
wooded land and scrub. They feed on the ground Order: Galliformes
on grain, leaves and invertebrates, but roost in
trees at night. They nest on the ground, Family: Phasianidae
producing a clutch of around ten eggs over a two-
three week period in April to June. The Genus: Phasianus
incubation period is about 23-26 days. The
chicks stay near the hen for several weeks after
hatching but grow quickly, resembling adults by Species: P. colchicus
only 15 weeks of age.
Binomial name
While pheasants are able short-distance fliers, Phasianus colchicus
they prefer to run: but if startled they can Linnaeus, 1758
suddenly burst upwards at great speed, with a
distinctive "whirring" wing sound. Their flight speed is only 27 to 38 mph when cruising but when
chased they can fly up to 60 mph.
They are native to Asia but have been widely introduced elsewhere, where they are bred to be hunted
and are shot in great numbers. The doggerel "up flies a guinea, bang goes sixpence and down comes half-
a-crown" reflects that they are often shot for sport rather than as food. If eaten the meat is somewhat
tough and dry, so the carcasses were often hung for a time to improve the meat by slight decomposition,
as with most other game. Modern cookery generally uses moist roasting or farm-raised female birds.
Pheasant farming is a common practice, and is sometimes done intensively. Birds are supplied both to
hunting preserves/estates and restaurants, with smaller numbers being available for home cooks.
Pheasant farms have some 10 million birds in the U.S. and 35 million in the United Kingdom. The
Common Pheasant is also one of the prime target of small game poachers. The Roald Dahl novel
"Danny the Champion of the World" dealt with a poacher (and his son) who lived in the United
Kingdom and illegally hunted common pheasants.
The bird was brought to Britain around the 10th century but became extinct in the early 17th century; it
was reintroduced in the 1830s and is now widespread. Repeated reintroduction has made the pheasant a
very variable species in regard to size and plumage. Pheasants have probably been present in North
America from the 18th century but became common in the wild in the late 1800s. They are most
common in the Great Plains, where they are often seen in hay, grass wheat, and CRP fields. A preferred
nesting site for them is along fence rows, wheat, and under old machinery.
The term pheasant can also be used for other gallinaceous birds such as the quail or partridge, and in
North America it is occasionally used to refer to the ruffed grouse.
The Green Pheasant of Japan is very similar to Common Pheasant, but the males have greenish plumage.
The Ring-Necked Pheasant is the state bird of South Dakota, the only US state bird that is not a species
native to the United States.
Ring-necked variant male hen hen
Cock Cock on sale at a butcher's English Cocker Spaniel with Cock
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Phasianus colchicus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
is of least concern
Crested Guineafowl
Crested Guineafowl
The Crested Guineafowl (Guttera pucherani) is a Conservation status Least concern
member of the guineafowl bird family. It breeds in
Southern Africa.
Crested guineafowls can be distinguished from other

guinea fowls by their black headplumes. Adults measure
up to 50 cm.
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Guttera pucherani.
2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN
2006. Retrieved on 10 August 2006. Database
entry includes justification for why this species is
of least concern Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
External links
Phylum: Chordata
● Crested Guineafowl videos on the Internet Bird
Collection Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Home | Up | Australian Spotted | Barbary Dove

Family: Numididae
| Budgerigar | Cayuga Duck | Chicken | Cockatiel
| Cockatoo | Common Pheasant | Crested Guineafowl
| Domestic Canary | Domesticated duck Genus: Guttera
| Domesticated goose | Domesticated turkey
| Homing pigeon | Indian Runner Duck | Khaki Campbell Species: G. pucherani
Binomial name
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Guttera pucherani
Documentation License. It uses material from the Hartlaub, 1860
Wikipedia.
Domestic Canary
Domestic Canary
The Canary is a domesticated form of the Wild Canary, (Serinus canaria) a small songbird in the finch
family originating from Madeira and the Canary Islands.
Contents
● 1 History
● 2 Varieties
● 3 Keeping Canaries
● 4 Trivia
● 5 See also
● 6 References
History
Canaries were first bred in captivity in the 1600s. They were brought over by Spanish sailors to Europe.
Monks started breeding them and only sold the males (which sing). This kept the birds in short supply
and drove the price up. Eventually Italians obtained hens and were able to breed the birds themselves.
This made them very popular and resulted in many breeds arising and the birds being bred all over
Europe.
The same occurred in England. First the birds were only owned by the rich but eventually the local
citizens started to breed them and, again, they became very popular. Many breeds arose through
selective breeding.
Miner's canaries were early forms of carbon monoxide detection in mines. Three or more canaries (or
other small birds with high metabolism) were taken down new shafts, and if one or more exhibited
abnormal behavior, the parties determined that the shaft was unsafe.
Varieties
Canaries are generally divided into three main groups: Colorbred Canaries (bred for their many color
mutations - Ino, Eumo, Satinette, Bronze, Ivory, Onyx, Mosaic, Brown, etc.), Type Canaries (bred for
their shape and conformation - Border, Fife, Gloster, Gibber Italicus, Raza Española, Berner,
Lancashire, Yorkshire, etc.), and Song Canaries (bred for their unique and specific song patterns -
Spanish Timbrado, Roller, Waterslager (also known as "Malinois"), American Singer, Russian Singer,
Persian Singer).
Canaries are judged in competitions every fall. Shows generally begin in October and November after
the breeding season ends. Birds can only be shown by the person who raised them. They all have unique
bands on their legs that indicate the year of birth, the unique band number, the club to which the breeder
belongs. Song Canaries are judged later in the year (January).
There are many canary bird shows all over the world. The world show (C.O.M.) is held in Europe each
year and attracts thousands of breeders. As many as 20,000 birds are brought for competition.
Keeping Canaries
The keeping of Canaries for their appearance and song is a tradition that dates back centuries.
Most bird veterinarians today recommend a diet of 80% canary pellets. Many breeders still use the
canary seed mix available in pet shops. All canaries benefit from a supply of green food such as lettuce,
dandelion leaves and nasturtium leaves. They can eat any produce you do, with the exception of
avocado. Care should be taken to ensure leaves supplied are clean and have not been sprayed with any
chemicals. Canaries also enjoy little bits of fruit, but be careful to offer only what the bird can eat in one
sitting, or you may wind up attracting ants, or hornets.
During the moulting period it is advisable to supplement their diet with egg food or nestling food (can be
bought as a dry mix to which water is added until a crumbly but not soggy consistency is achieved.
Some nestling or egg foods can be served dry, others are best served with a soak seed mix; this is a
special mixture of seeds meant to be soaked, rinsed, and sometimes sprouted a little, before being
served).
To ensure caged birds are happy, toys should be provided and swapped regularly to avoid boredom
(which can lead to aggression and feather plucking). Most people keep males and females in separate
cages, except during breeding season. When buying pet canaries, great care must be taken to ensure the
right mix of sexes in a cage. A mistake could lead to the birds attacking each other, even to the extent
that one may kill another.
In general, pet canaries do not require companionship; the canary species is territorial, not social, and
does not generally appreciate company in the same cage. It will be seen as an intruder, not as a
companion, and although it might take up to two years or so, if they remain in a single cage all year
round, usually one or the other will eventually die. A male and a female stand a better chance of getting
along amicably, but all too often the less dominant bird will eventually die, although it may take some
time.
This is because the dominant bird will feel the need to constantly 'oversee' the less dominant bird of the
two. It will never be able to eat, sleep, or drink its fill in peace, and eventually the stress will take its toll.
If a bird is present in the home and a companion is bought, it must be kept in a separate cage for at least
couple of weeks, both for quarantine, and to ensure the birds get used to each other; the new bird can
then gradually be introduced to ensure that no fighting ensues. A male and female will often get along
reasonably well if introduced in this way, but should not be allowed to remain together all year round;
each should have some privacy, during the period from midwinter until the start of breeding season in
early spring, at the very least.
Two males will very rarely be happy together, although keeping them permanently in separate cages will
prompt them each to sing more than they probably would on their own - however a good recording of
canary song will work equally well. A cage with a number of males may work as long as no female is
present, but again, they should not be expected to live in peace all year round, and each should be
separated into an individual cage during the spring/early summer breeding season at the very least.
Canary Chicks
Male canaries can mimic sounds such as telephone ring tones and door bell chimes but only if they hear
these sounds while young. Canaries can be taught tricks over time but great patience is required as they
are fairly timid birds. To get the birds to play with toys, toys must be safely constructed (no sharp edges
or parts the bird's feet could become entangled upon).
If pet canaries become ill they will rapidly lose weight and this is why it is essential to treat disease as
quickly as possible. It is wise to have glucose powder and an eye dropper in store to administer drops of
diluted solution via the beak if a canary stops eating. When a bird is sick, it puffs up its feathers to stay
warm; give it gentle heat. You can often drape a heating pad over or under the cage, but be sure the bird
can also get OUT of the heat if it wants.
Common household hazards include fumes from the kitchen (cooking fumes and especially fumes from
non-stick pans) - canaries should never be kept in a kitchen for this reason. They are also sensitive to
smoke from cigarettes, aerosol sprays such as deodorant, air freshener and polish.
Plug in air fresheners/ stand-alone fan fresheners are very toxic, as are some candles, especially scented
ones (except unscented beeswax candles).
Avoid placing a canary's cage where it is in a draft, or be in full glare of sunlight without any shade
available. If you let your canary out to fly about for exercise, always cover mirrors and windows, as they
may fly into them and break their neck.
A number of houseplants/cut flowers are very poisonous to canaries (as are some herbs), so never let
them nibble leaves of houseplants. Be very wary, as canaries love to eat greens of all kinds! Safe plants
include spider plants, African violets and boston ferns. Clean water must be available for drinking and
separate water should be made available for bathing.
Canaries love bathing and should be allowed to bathe often. Offer cold water for them to bathe in, as it
improves their feather condition. Warm water, on the other hand, will help to strip essential oils from the
feathers, and will encourage itching and picking, rather than preening. Plentiful time to bathe is
especially important to a canary during the moult.
Food dishes/cage parts can be safely sterilised in a hot dishwasher or in baby-bottle fluid such as diluted
Milton. When it comes to disease, prevention is better than cure. Canaries should be examined for mites
and, if mites are found (especially easy to spot around the neck and rump) they can be treated with over-
the-counter medication (canary mites don't bite humans). Abnormalities of the skin and feet may be
caused by mites and this can also be treated with over-the-counter pet medication. Be aware that dietary
problems can cause skin, foot, and feather problems that may look as if they are due to mite damage, so
before treating with any drug, get an experienced opinion from a good avian vet on the actual cause of
the condition.
Trivia
● Canaries were once regularly used in coal mining as an early warning system. Toxic gases such
as carbon monoxide and methane in the mine would kill the bird before affecting the miners.
Because canaries tend to sing much of the time, they provided both a visual and audible cue in
this respect. The use of Canaries in British mines was phased out as recently as 1986.
● However, Canaries were also used by the first Mercedes-Benz airbag designers. They were often
placed in passenger compartments to check for leaks from the airbag.
● Canaries have been depicted in cartoons from the middle 20th century as being harassed by
domestic cats; the most famous cartoon canary is Warner Brothers' "Tweety Bird".
● Norwich City, an English football team is nicknamed 'The Canaries' due to the city once being a
famous centre for breeding and export of the birds. The club adopted the colours of yellow and
green in homage.
See also
● Wild Canary
● British finches
References
● McDonald, Robirda, "Brats in Feathers, Keeping Canaries" ISBN 0-9730434-4-X
● Miley-Russell, Marie, "The Practical Canary Handbook, A Guide to Breeding and Keeping
Canaries" (especially useful to American Singer canary owners) ISBN 1-5911-3851-5
● Excellent sources of further reading are Linda Hogan's book Canary Tales and GB Walker's
wonderful reference, Colour, Type, and Song Canaries. Some commercially published (but less
reliable) resources are David Alderton's books Birds Care and You and your pet bird, The Canary
Handbook and Canaries, both published by Barrons, Health Care for Birds by Tim Hawcroft and
Fife Canaries by James Blake.
External links
You may also find the following sites useful:
● CanaryAdvisor
● Canary Tips Ezine
● Gloster Canary
● Canary List (an email group)
● American Singer Canary
● Flock Talk eZine
● The Canary Cam
● Robirda
● Canary FAQs
● Canary FAQ
Canary, as depicted in the 1851 Illustrated

A canary nesting White Andalusian Canary, 14 years old
London Reading Book
Indian Runner Duck
The Indian Runner Duck is a favorite among poultry lovers. Although their name suggests otherwise,
they are native to Malaysia. They are a light weight duck with a upright pose and are bred in many
colors, including, white, black, grey, penciled, tan and blue. They are quiet and known for their very
good egg laying production (up to roughly 365 per year, or one per day), but don't take care of their
eggs. These ducks stand upright like humans and stand up to 14" tall. They are also bred throughout
farms for natural pest control, being released by the thousands. Their waste makes good fertilizer. They
are often kept as pets.
British Indian Runner Duck Association
Khaki Campbell
An 8 week old Khaki Campbell (rear) and a 13 week

old Mallard
A Khaki Campbell (or just Campbell) is a breed of domesticated duck kept for its high level of egg
[1]
production. The breed was developed by Adele Campbell of England at the end of the 19th century.
The "Khaki" portion of the name refers to the duck's typical color.
Adult Campbell ducks weigh approximately 4 pounds. Campbells can come in three color varieties:
khaki, dark and white. The Khaki Campbell duck is mostly khaki colored with a darker head. They have
Mallard, Rouen and Runner duck blood in them.
The egg production of the Campbell breed can exceed even the most efficient of egg laying domestic
[2]
chickens, with the breed laying an average of 300 eggs a year. .
[3]
This breed of duck is listed as watch by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
History
In the late 1800s Adele Campbell purchased a Fawn and White Indian Runner Duck which was an
exceptional layer (195 eggs in 197 days) and crossed it with a Rouen in an attempt to create a strain that
[4]
would lay well and have bigger bodies. The offspring were crossed with Mallards to increase their
[5]
hardiness. The resulting birds were prolific layers. The "Campbell" breed was introduced to the public
in 1898. In an attempt to create a more attractive buff-colored duck Mrs. Campbell crossed her original
Campbells with Penciled Runner ducks. The resulting color reminded Mrs. Campbell of British army
[1]
uniforms, so she named these new ducks "Khaki Campbell".
References
ab
1. ^ The Campbell Duck. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Retrieved on 2006-08-
08.
2. ^ Poultry Breeds - Khaki Campbell Duck (1997-10-24). Retrieved on 2006-07-12.
3. ^ American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Watchlist (2006-06-04). Retrieved on 2006-07-12.
4. ^ Dave Holderread. Storey's guide to daising ducks. Storey, 37–41. ISBN 1-58017-258-X.
5. ^ Khaki Campbell Ducks. Ashton Waterfowl. Retrieved on 2006-08-08.
Pekin duck
Pekin Duck
A Pekin duck is a breed of domesticated duck used primarily for egg and meat production. Bred from
the Mallard in China, it was brought to the United States about 1873, where it is the most popular
commercial duck breed.
Adult Pekin ducks weigh approximately 8 pounds, and are characterized by a yellow bill and creamy
white plumage, with orange shanks and toes. Ducklings have bright yellow plumage. The ducks have an
upright carriage and a peculiarly upturned rump.
When young it is difficult to determine the gender of the duck; when older the male ducks acquire a
curled tail feather, called a drake feather.
Trivia
● It is widely believed that Donald Duck is modeled after a Pekin duck.
● The mascot of the insurance company Aflac is a Pekin duck.
References
● Pekin duck
● Pekin duck breed
Zebra Finch
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Zebra Finch
The Zebra Finch, Taeniopygia guttata is the most common and Conservation status Least concern
familiar estrildid finch of Central Australia and ranges over most
of the continent, avoiding only the cool moist south and the
tropical far north. Zebra Finches inhabit open steppes with
scattered bushes and trees, but have adapted to human
disturbances, taking advantage of human-made watering holes and
large patches of deforested land.
There are two distinct sub-species. Taeniopygia guttata guttata,

the Timor Zebra Finch, extends from Lombok in the Lesser Sunda
Islands or Nusa Tenggara in Indonesia to Sermata in addition to
coastal areas around the continent of Australia. The other sub-
species is Taeniopygia gutatta castanotis. This species is found Scientific classification
over the wide range of continental Australia.
Kingdom: Animalia
The morphological differences between the sub-species include
differences in size. Taeniopygia guttata guttata is smaller than Phylum: Chordata
Taeniopygia guttata castanotis. In addition, the T.g. guttata males
do not have the fine barring found on the throat and upper breast Class: Aves
of T.g. castanotis as well as having small breast bands.
The Zebra Finch breeds after substantial rains in its native habitat,
which can occur at any time of the year. Birds in captivity are
ready to breed year-round. Wild birds are adaptable and varied in Family: Estrildidae
their nesting habits, with nests being found in cavities, scrub, low
trees, bushes, on the ground, in termite hills, rabbit burrows, nests Genus: Taeniopygia
of other birds, and the in cracks, crevices, and ledges of human
structures. Outside of the breeding time, brood nests are
constructed for sleeping in. Species: T. guttata
"Zebra Finches are extremely gregarious birds that are never met Binomial name
singly in their native habitat but are always found in groups of Taeniopygia guttata
several pairs. The closest bond is between the cock and the hen... Vieillot, 1817
these two do things separately only while the eggs and nestlings
have to be kept warm. However, despite the close contact with their mates, adult females indulge in
bodily contact only rarely. Males in full coloration never do" - Hans-Jürgen Martain, 'Zebra Finches'.
Zebra Finches are sometimes used as avian model organisms. They are commonly used to study the
auditory processing capabilities of the brain, due to their ability to recognize and process other Zebra
Finches' songs. Their popularity as model organisms is also related to their prolific breeding, an
adaptation to their usually dry environment. This ability also makes them popular as pet songbirds, and
they are usually found at relatively inexpensive prices.
Contents
● 1 Song and other vocalizations
● 2 Food and care
● 3 Zebra Finch breeding
● 4 Domestication
● 5 References
Song and other vocalizations

Zebra Finches are loud and boisterous singers. Their call is a loud "beep", sounding something like a toy
trumpet. Their song is a few small beeps, leading up to a rhythmic song of varying complexity. Each
bird's song is different, although birds of the same bloodline will exhibit similarities, and all finches will
overlay their own uniqueness onto a common rhythmic framework, which becomes obvious after a few
minutes of listening to finch song.
Females, as a rule, do not sing.
Male Zebra Finches begin to sing at puberty. Their song begins as a few disjointed sounds, but as they
experiment and grow it rapidly matures into a full-fledged song. During these formative times, they will
incorporate sounds from their surroundings into their song, also using the song of their father and other
nearby males for inspiration.
Male finches use their song, in part, as a mating call. The mating act is usually accompanied by a high
pitched whining sound. They will also exhibit a hissing sound when they are protecting their territory.
Food and care

Zebra Finches, being weaverbirds, are primarily seedeating birds, as their beaks are adapted for
dehusking small seeds. They prefer millet, but will eat many other kinds of fruit seeds as well. While
they prefer seed, Zebra Finches will also eat fruits, vegetables, egg food, and live food, enjoying a meal
of mealworms and other small insects. They are particularly fond of spray millet, and one or two of
these small birds will decimate a spray millet stalk within a few days. Zebra Finches are messy and
voracious eaters, typically dropping seed everywhere.
Zebra Finches also need a lot of calcium, especially when breeding, so a cuttlebone (the bone of a
cuttlefish) should be provided. This is especially important when the female is laying eggs, as a calcium
deficiency could cause egg binding, an exhausting and potentially fatal condition.
When setting up a cage for captive Zebra Finches, care should be provided to ensure that they have
enough room to fly (a large cage is much better than a small cage), and that they have perches of several
sizes. All perches being the same size will lead to a serious foot condition.
While Zebra Finches can survive with very little to no water, fresh water should always be provided for
them - and a dish to bathe in is always greatly appreciated. They should always be provided with food.
Being small and active birds, Zebra Finches have a very high metabolism and cannot survive for any
length of time without food.
Zebra Finch breeding
A pair of zebra
finches, they are
both males as
the cheek color
indicates.
A pair of finches show signs of wanting to nest by sudden bursts of gathering behaviors. They will pull
strings or plant leaves that they can reach. If they have nothing at all to gather, they will use feathers and
bits of seed husks. Any item they can use to build a nest will be deposited in a corner of the cage floor,
or in their food dish. When these behaviors are noticed a mating pair should be provided with a sturdy
nest shell about the size of a large apple or orange. This shell should always be placed in the highest
possible corner of the cage, opposite the food dish but near the normal night perch. Nesting finches will
abandon a perch if it is across the cage with the male showing that he prefers to sit attop the nest while
the female lays. During the nest building, however, both will spend the night cuddling inside the nest.
When they accept the nest shell and begin using it each night, they should be provided with an ample
supply of very soft bits of string and leaves. They prefer items that are only a couple of inches long and
will used nearly any type and color of soft material. The nest shell will be packed with everything they
can reach for at least a week before laying begins. The egg clutch (amount of eggs) ranges from 3-12
eggs per egg laying period.
Males and females are very similar in size, but easily distinguished from one another as the males
usually have bright orange cheek feathers. Offspring from a similary colored nesting pair may
sometimes vary from the parents coloration, with nestlings from plain grey to completely white. These
variations are usually due to mixed breeding between finch types somewhere down the family line
especially in pet store birds. However, the orange cheeks are a stubborn indication that a young Zebra
Finch is indeed a male and the cheeks begin to appear when the young are about two months old.
A nesting pair of parents may produce as many as 5 to 12 eggs over a few days of active laying. The
chicks will hatch according to the laying time of each egg. It is common to have one or two eggs
remaining unhatched as the parents begin the task of feeding the nestlings. Nests should be left
completely alone after the egg laying begins, and until the young begin to venture out on their own. The
time from laying until a fledgling adventures outside will vary with each clutch, but it is a good rule of
thumb that good eggs will hatch within two weeks of laying and young will begin to venture out within
about three or four weeks of hatching. Be prepared for all the eggs to hatch, and the nest to be a very
busy, crowded house for the entire nesting time. Chicks that do hatch very often thrive, even in a very
crowded nest. Zebra Finch are usually excellent parents and will readily take turns sitting on the nest and
bringing food to the young.
Do not remove the nest from the cage until all the young adventure out freely and join the parents in
perching for the night. But owners should not leave the nest for more than a very few weeks after the
family moves out, as the mother finch will begin to nest for a new clutch very quickly. While the female
is laying, only her mate will be allowed in the nest. Allowing the pair to start a new family while the first
clutch is still in the cage will overly stress all the birds in the family. The father bird will not allow any
other birds near the nest while eggs are being laid, so the fussing and shoving will be noisy and tiring for
all the birds.
Domestication
Zebra Finches are generally decorative birds, and prefer to be left to their own devices. It is, however,
possible to hand-tame a Zebra Finch. In order to do so successfully the finch should be very young, and
it should not be provided with a mate. Keep in mind when doing so that finches are social creatures and
that the tamer will have to take up the slack caused by the lack of a companion. With a lot of time and
patience, however, a finch can be tamed almost as well as a parakeet. For guaranteed tameness the bird
should be hand fed from a young age, and well socialized with humans. The bird is hand fed similar to a
parrot, it will be just as tame and loving as a larger parrot, however because of its high soc
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Taeniopygia guttata. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
is of least concern socks
External links
● IUCN Red List
● Zebra Finch videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Lovebirds
A lovebird (genus Agapornis, Greek for "lovebird") is a
very social and affectionate parrot.
The name "lovebird" stems from these birds' affectionate

nature. Lovebirds form very close bonds with their mates,
usually lasting a lifetime. This is reflected by the
lovebird's name in other languages: in German, "die
Unzertrennlichen," and in French "les inséparables"-
"inseparables." For this reason, many people feel strongly
that lovebirds in captivity should be kept only in pairs.
Others believe that lovebirds, like other parrots, are social
animals who can bond with human companions when
given a great deal of care and attention. A peach-faced Lovebird
Lovebirds are about 13-17 cm in size, 40-60 grams in
weight and characterized by a small, stocky build and a Kingdom: Animalia
short, cute, blunt tail. This puts them among the smallest
parrots in the world although their beak is rather large for Phylum: Chordata
their overall size. Many lovebirds are green, although
color mutations can feature many different colors. Some
Class: Aves
lovebird species, like Fischer's, black cheeked, and the
yellow collared lovebird, have a white ring around the
eye. Lifespan is 10 to 15 years. Order: Psittaciformes
Contents Family: Psittacidae
● 1 Species and habits Genus: Agapornis

● 2 Agapornis as pets Selby, 1836
❍ 2.1 Housing Species
❍ 2.2 Food Nine - see text
❍ 2.3 Potential problems
❍ 2.4 Video
● 3 References
Species and habits

Phylogeny of the genus
Agapornis based on existing
[1]
molecular evidence. The
species with the red line is
currently unplaced in the
phylogeny, but does belong to
this genus.
Eight of the different species come from the mainland of Africa. The ninth species, Agapornis canus,
originates from Madagascar. In the wild the different species are separated geographically. Lovebirds
live in small flocks and eat mainly fruit, vegetables, some grasses and seed. Black-winged lovebirds also
enjoy figs.
Only some of the lovebird species are sexually dimorphic. This includes the Abyssinian lovebird, the
Madagascar lovebird, and the black-collared lovebird.
There are a total of 9 different species:
● Peach-faced Lovebird, Agapornis roseicollis

Masked Lovebird, Agapornis personata
Fischer's Lovebird, Agapornis fischeri
Nyasa Lovebird, Agapornis lilianae
Black-cheeked Lovebird, Agapornis nigrigeni
Madagascar Lovebird, Agapornis canus
Abyssinian Lovebird, Agapornis taranta
Red-faced Lovebird, Agapornis pullarius
Black-collared Lovebird, Agapornis swinderniana
Agapornis as pets
Like with any other pet, it is essential that one make sure the birds that one is about to buy were bred in
captivity, and not wild caught. Besides conservational and ethical reasons, wild caught animals are more
likely to get sick and to die. Lovebirds, especially when kept individually or brought up hand-fed, make
very good pets. Lovebirds can be very interactive with humans, and when comfortable around humans,
will willingly perch on human’s fingers and shoulders. Lovebirds rarely talk, but there is a chance they
may learn to mimic human speech if taught to at a young age.
A lovebird perched on a finger
Housing
Lovebirds are very active and require an appropriately sized cage. They require lots of toys and things to
chew on and play with. Lovebirds are extremely social birds, and there is debate on whether they should
be kept individually. However, the consensus seems to be that they need social interaction, be it with
conspecifics or human companion, for their emotional as well as physical well-being. Without this
interaction, daily exercise, a roomy cage, and many toys to play with, they may resort to feather-
plucking or other behavioral problems. They love to take baths almost every day and may sun
themselves after bathing in order to dry
Food
Lovebirds require a variety of food, such as pellets, fruits, seeds, and vegetables. As a regular food,
pellets are recommended, as the millet food generally sold in pet stores has too much fat in it and is not
very balanced. Pellets specially made for birds provide a well-balanced diet. Fresh greens, such as
spinach, are also extremely beneficial if not essential.
Family of four lovebirds

Potential problems
Lovebirds are very vocal birds, making loud, high-pitched noises that can be a nuisance. They make
noise all day, but especially during the first morning hours.
As stated above, lovebirds are also very active, and love to chew things. When they are let out of their
cage, it would be wise to watch them carefully, and protect any furniture, electrical wiring or anything
else that they could possibly chew on.
Video
Lovebird video
References
1. ^ Eberhard, Jessica R. (1998): Evolution of nest-building behavior in Agapornis parrots. The Auk
115(2):455-464.
Aves incertae sedis
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Contents
❍ 1.9 Aves incertae sedis
■ 1.9.1 †Liaoningornithiformes
■ 1.9.2 †Eurolimnornithiformes
■ 1.9.3 †Palaeocursornithiformes
❍ 1.10 Ichnotaxa
● 2 References
● 3 See also
Aves incertae sedis

● †Holbotia (Early Cretaceous of Andaikhudag, Mongolia) - basal pygostylian?
● †Hongshanornis (Yixian Early Cretaceous of China) - pygostylian?
● †Nanantius (Early Cretaceous) - enantiornithine
● †Otogornis (Yijinhuoluo Early Cretaceous of Yike Zhaomeng, China) - basal pygostylian?
enantiornithine?
● †Protopteryx (Early Cretaceous of China) - enantiornithine?
● †Wyleyia (Early Cretaceous) - enantiornithine? neornithine (paleognath)?
● †Asiahesperornis (Late Cretaceous of Eginsai, Kazakhstan) - hesperornithiform?
● †Euornithes gen. et sp. indet. (Bissekty Late Cretaceous of Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan)
● †Gargantuavis (Late Cretaceous of S France) - pygostylian (enantiornithine?)?
● †Iaceornis (Late Cretaceous of Gove County, USA) - neornithine or basal ornithuran
● †Horezmavis (Bissekty Late Cretaceous of Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan) - enantiornithine
(gobipterygiform?), basal ornithuran or gruiform
● †"Ichthyornis" minusculus (Bissekty Late Cretaceous of Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan)
● †cf. Nanantius (Bissekty Late Cretaceous of Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan) - enantiornithine?
● †Neogaeornis (Quinriquina Late Cretaceous of Chile) - baptornithid or neornithine (gaviiform,
procellariiform?)
● †Patagopteryx (Barro de la Carpa Late Cretaceous of Sierra Barrosa, Argentina) - pygostylian
(enantiornithine?)?
● †Piksi (Two Medicine Late Cretaceous of Montana) - basal ornithuran, basal pygostylian or
neornithine?
● †Platanavis (Bissekty Late Cretaceous of Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan)
● †"Polarornis" (Lopez de Bertodano Late Cretaceous of Seymour Island, Antarctica) - gaviiform
or pygostylian, may be synonym of Neogaeornis
● †"Cathayornis" aberransis
● †"Cathayornis" caudatus
● †Gobipipus
● †Guildavis (Cretaceous of Wallace County, USA) - neornithine or basal ornithuran
● †"Ichthyornis" maltshevskyi
● †Parascaniornis (Cretaceous of Ivö, Sweden) - neornithine (phoenicopteriform),
hesperornithiform?
● †Vorona (Late Cretaceous) - basal ornithuromorph?
● †Chaoyangidae - pygostylian, yanornithiform?
❍ Chaoyangia (Jiufotang Early Cretaceous of Liaoning, China)
Model of the small bird Liaoningornis

longidigitus, inhabitant of the Early
Cretaceous conifer and ginkgo forests of
today's China.
†Liaoningornithiformes
● Liaoningornithidae
❍ Liaoningornis (Yixian Early Cretaceous of Liaoning, China)
†Eurolimnornithiformes
● Eurolimnornithidae
❍ Eurolimnornis (Early Cretaceous)
†Palaeocursornithiformes
● Palaeocursornithidae
❍ Palaeocursornis (Early Cretaceous)
Ichnotaxa
● †Archaeornithipus (Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous of Soria, Spain) - footprints
● †Aquatilavipes (Early Cretaceous of Canada, ?and Japan, China -? Anacleto Late Cretaceous of
Sierra Barrosa, Argentina) - footprints (5-6 x 4-5 cm (h/v). Toes long, narrow, small webs; no hallux; T2-
T4 100-140°; toe pads; step 6-20 cm. Avian: Patagopteryx? shorebird?)
● †Fuscinapedis (Early Cretaceous of Texas) - footprints (35 x 35 cm (h/v). Toes long, wide; no hallux;
T2-T4 80-85°. Avian: giant flightless bird?)
● †Ignotornis (Early -? Late Cretaceous) - footprints (6 x 5 cm (h/v w/o hallux). Toes long, narrow,
unwebbed, T2 smaller; hallux backwards and high; T1-T4 220°, T2-T4 130-145°; toe pads; step 9-33 cm. Avian:
Neuquenornis? shorebird?)
● †Koreanaornis (Early Cretaceous of Korea) - footprints
● †Magnoavipes (Early Cretaceous of Texas) - footprints (25 x 20 cm (h/v). Toes long, very thin; no
hallux; T2-T4 90°. Avian?)
● †Shandongornipes (Tianjialou Early Cretaceous of Junan County, China) - footprints (6 x 9 cm (h/
v). Toes long, thin, unwebbed; hallux backwards; T1-T4 220°; T2-T4 135°; toe pads. Avian: shorebird)
● †Barrosopus (Anacleto Late Cretaceous of Sierra Barrosa, Argentina) - footprints (3.5 x 3 cm (h/v).
Toes narrow, unwebbed, T2 separated (higher); no hallux; T2-T4 100-120°.; step 10-20 cm. Avian?)
● †Dispersituberoolithus (Oldman Late Cretaceous of S Alberta, Canada) - egg; neornithine?
● †Hwangsanipes (Late Cretaceous) - footprints
● †Sarjeantopodus (Lance Late Cretaceous of Niobrara County, USA) - footprints
● †Saurexallopus (Late Cretaceous of Wyoming) - footprints (30 x 25-30 cm (h/v). Toes long, thin;
hallux sideways; T1-T4 130°; T2-T4 90°; deep heel; toe pads. Avian?)
● †Tristraguloolithus (Oldman Late Cretaceous of S Alberta, Canada) - egg; galliform (cracid)?
● †Uhangrichnus (Late Cretaceous of SW Korea) - footprints
● †Yacoraitichnus (Late Cretaceous of Salta, Argentina) - footprints
● †Ornithoformipes (Puget Late Eocene of Kummer, USA) - footprints; may be from Gastornis
● †Gruipeda - footprints
● †Iranipeda (Paleocene of Iran) - footprints; may be same as Gruipeda
● †Jindongornipes - footprints
● †"Patagonichnornis" (Cretaceous, Rio Negro Province, Argentina) - footprints
References
● Chiappe, L.M. (2001): The rise of birds. In: Briggs, D.E.G. & Crowther, P.R. (eds.):
Palaeobiology II: A Synthesis: 102-106. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
● Chiappe, L.M. (2002): Basal bird phylogeny: problems and solutions. In: Chiappe, L.M. and
Witmer, L.M. (eds.): Mesozoic Birds: Above the Heads of Dinosaurs: 448-472. University of
California Press, Berkeley, USA.
● Olson, Storrs L. (1985): The fossil record of birds. In: Farner, D.S.; King, J.R. & Parkes,
Kenneth C. (eds.): Avian Biology 8: 79-238. Academic Press, New York.
See also
● Bird
● Extinct birds
Home | Up | Neornithes | Aves incertae sedis
Corvida
Artamidae | Atrichornithidae | Callaeidae | Campephagidae | Cinclosomatidae | Climacteridae
| Corcorachidae | Corvidae | Dicruridae | Icteridae | Irenidae | Laniidae | Malaconotidae | Maluridae
| Meliphagoidea | Menuridae | Neosittidae | Oriolidae | Orthonychidae | Pachycephalidae | Paradisaeidae
| Pardalotidae | Petroicidae | Pityriaseidae | Pomatostomidae | Prionopidae | Ptilonorhynchidae
| Turnagridae | Vangidae | Vireonidae
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Corvida
Corvida is under the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, one of two
parvorders contained within the suborder Passeri. More recent
research suggests that it is not a distinct clade but an evolutionary
grade instead. As such the usage of this parvorder is likely to be
subject to further revision.
Families
● Menuridae: lyrebirds
Pardalotidae: pardalotes, scrubwrens, thornbills, and Superb Lyrebird
gerygones as painted by John Gould
Petroicidae: Australian robins of a British Museum specimen
Orthonychidae: logrunners ( in real life, the Lyrebird's tail is
Pomatostomidae: Australasian babblers different )
Cinclosomatidae: whipbirds and allies Scientific classification
Pachycephalidae: whistlers, shrike-thrushes, pitohuis and
allies
Icteridae: American blackbirds and orioles, grackles and
cowbirds
Artamidae: wood swallows, butcherbirds, currawongs and
Australian Magpie
Paradisaeidae: birds of paradise Kingdom: Animalia
Corvidae: crows, ravens, and jays
Irenidae: fairy-bluebirds Phylum: Chordata
Laniidae: shrikes
Vireonidae: vireos Class: Aves
Turnagridae: Piopio
See also
Suborder: Passeri
● list of birds
Parvorder: Corvida
Families
Home | Up | Corvida | Passeri | Passerida | Tyranni Many, see text
Artamidae
Artamus | Cracticus | Gymnorhina | Currawong
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Artamidae
The family Artamidae gathers together 20 species of mostly crow-
like birds native to Australasia and nearby areas.
There are two subfamilies: Artaminae, the woodswallows, are

sombre-coloured, soft-plumaged birds that have a brush-tipped
tongue but seldom use it for gathering nectar. Instead, they catch
insects on the wing. They are agile flyers with large, pointed
wings and are among the very few passerine birds that soar. One
sedentary species aside, they are nomads, following the best
conditions for flying insects, and often roosting in large flocks. Gymnorhina tibicen - Australian Magpie.
The cracticids—currawongs, Magpie, and butcherbirds, subfamily Kingdom: Animalia
Cracticinae—are more obviously members of the broader corvid
group. They have large, straight bills and mostly black, white or
Phylum: Chordata
grey plumage. All are omnivorous to some degree: the
butcherbirds mostly eat meat, Magpies usually forage through
short grass looking for worms and other small creatures, Class: Aves
currawongs are true omnivores, taking fruit, grain, meat, insects,
eggs and nestlings. Order: Passeriformes
The cracticids, despite their fairly plain, utilitarian appearance, are

highly intelligent and have extraordinarily beautiful songs of great Family: Artamidae
subtlety. Particularly noteworthy are the Pied Butcherbird, the Vigors, 1825
Pied Currawong and the Australian Magpie. Subfamilies
● Artaminae
Species of Artamidae ● Cracticinae
● Subfamily Artaminae
❍ Ashy Woodswallow, Artamus fuscus
Fiji Woodswallow, Artamus mentalis

White-backed Woodswallow, Artamus monachus
Great Woodswallow, Artamus maximus
Bismarck Woodswallow, Artamus insignis
● Subfamily Cracticinae:
❍ Mountain Peltops, Peltops montanus
Lowland Peltops, Peltops blainvillii

Black Butcherbird, Cracticus quoyi
Hooded Butcherbird, Cracticus cassicus
Tagula Butcherbird, Cracticus louisiadensis
Pied Currawong, Strepera graculina
Black Currawong, Strepera fuliginosa
Grey Currawong, Strepera versicolor
Australian Magpie, Gymnorhina tibicen
External links
● Artamidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Artamus
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Woodswallows
Woodswallows are soft-plumaged, somber-coloured passerine birds
found in Australia and the islands nearby. Given their moderate size
—about the same as a Common Starling—and dull plumage, they
are amongst the easiest of birds to observe and recognise. In flight, Kingdom: Animalia
they look very like large, stiff-winged swallows, and like swallows,
they mostly eat flying insects. Phylum: Chordata
Woodswallows are smooth, agile flyers with moderately large, semi- Class: Aves
triangular wings. They are among the very few passerines birds that
soar, and can often be seen feeding just above the treetops. One
sedentary species aside, they are nomads, following the best Order: Passeriformes
conditions for flying insects, and often roosting in large flocks.
Family: Artamidae
Although woodswallows have a brush-tipped tongue they seldom
use it for gathering nectar.
Subfamily: Artaminae
Species of Artamus Genus: Artamus

Vieillot, 1816
● Ashy Woodswallow, Artamus fuscus
Fiji Woodswallow, Artamus mentalis Species
White-backed Woodswallow, Artamus monachus Many, see text
Great Woodswallow, Artamus maximus
Bismarck Woodswallow, Artamus insignis
External links
● Woodswallow videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Artamus | Cracticus | Gymnorhina | Currawong
Cracticus
Butcherbird
Butcherbirds are magpie-like birds in the genus Cracticus. They
are native to Australasia.
Butcherbirds are mid-sized, growing up to 35cm in length. Their

colour ranges from black-and-white to mostly black, with added
grey plumage, depending on the species. They have a large,
straight bills with a distinctive hook at the end which is used to
skewer prey. They have beautiful songs of great subtlety.
Butcherbirds are insect eaters for the most part, but will also feed
on small lizards and other meat. They get their name from their
habit of hanging captured prey on a thorn, tree fork, or crevice. Scientific classification
This "larder" is used to support the victim while it is being eaten, Kingdom: Animalia
to store prey for later consumption, or to attract mates.
Phylum: Chordata
Butcherbirds are the ecological counterparts of the shrikes, which
are unrelated but share the “larder” habit. The shrikes are also
sometimes called “butcherbirds”. Class: Aves
Female butcherbirds lay one or two eggs in a clutch. The young Order: Passeriformes
will remain with their mother until almost fully grown. They tend
to trail behind their mother and "squeak" incessantly while she Family: Artamidae
catches food for them.
Woodlands are the butcherbird's natural habitat, but like many Genus: Cracticus
similar species they have adapted well to urbanisation and can be Vieillot, 1816
found in leafy suburbs throughout Australia. They are Species
opportunistic and intelligent, showing little fear and readily taking C. quoyi
food offerings to the point of becoming semi-tame, although this C. torquatus
practice should not be encouraged. They will often reward these C. cassicus
offerings with "thank you" songs. The birds will accept most kinds C. louisiadensis
of scraps, but should only be given food suitable for insectivores C. mentalis
such as mealworms and not, for example, bread. C. nigrogularis
Species
● Black Butcherbird, Cracticus quoyi
❍ Silver-Backed Butcherbird Cracticus argenteus (alternately a subspecies of C. torquatus)
● Hooded Butcherbird, Cracticus cassicus

Tagula Butcherbird, Cracticus louisiadensis
External links
● Butcherbird videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Gymnorhina
Australian Magpie
The Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) is a medium-sized black and white bird, closely related Conservation status Least concern
to the butcherbirds and currawongs. Early European settlers named it for its black and white coloration,
similar to the familiar European magpie, which is a more distant relative.
Contents
● 1 Description
❍ 1.1 Subspecies
● 2 Behaviour
❍ 2.1 Swooping
❍ 2.2 Tameness
● 3 Popular culture
● 4 References
● 5 External links Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Description Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Family: Artamidae
Genus: Gymnorhina
Gray,GR, 1840
Species: G. tibicen
Binomial name
Immature white-backed female,
with dark eyes, in Dromana, Gymnorhina tibicen
(Latham, 1802)
Victoria
Adult magpies are fairly solid, well-built birds with pure black and white plumage: juveniles mix the stark blacks and
whites with lighter greys and browns. Males and females are generally similar in appearance, though a few exceptions
noted under individual varieties below.
Mature magpies have red eyes, in contrast to the yellow eyes of currawongs and white eyes of Australian ravens and
crows. Immature birds have darker brownish eyes.
Butcherbirds are generally smaller and stockier, while magpie larks are delicate birds with white eyes.
Some magpies have lived up to 30 years.
Subspecies
There are currently thought to be eight subspecies of Australian magpie. The black-backed magpie, originally known
as Gymnorhina tibicen tibicen, has been split into at least three black-backed races:
● G. tibicen tibicen, found in eastern New South Wales

● G. tibicen terraereginae found across Queensland, central and western New South Wales and into northern South Australia
● G. tibicen eylandtensis, found across the Northern Territory
● G. tibicen longirostris, found across northern Western Australia
Magpie perched on a dead branch
Western Magpie female
The White-backed Magpie, originally G. tibicen hypoleuca, has similarly been split into races:
● G. tibicen tyrannica, a very large white backed form found across southern Victoria
● G. tibicen telonocua, found in southern South Australia
● The Tasmanian Magpie (G. tibicen hypoleuca), a small white-backed subspecies with a short compact bill found on King
and Flinders Islands, as well as Tasmania.
● The Western Magpie (G. tibicen dorsalis) in the fertile south-west corner of Western Australia.
These three races, tibicen, hypoleuca and dorsalis, were for many years considered separate species; however, they were
noted to hybridise readily where their territories cross, with hybrid grey or striped-backed magpies being quite common.
Behaviour
Australian magpies have a musical warbling call. Noted New Zealand poet Denis Glover wrote "quardle oodle ardle
wardle doodle, the magpies say". In contrast, young magpies squawk almost continuously.
Magpies mate throughout the year, but generally in winter. Nesting takes place in winter, and chicks hatch in early spring.
By late summer the babies either form their own flock or separate from their parents but remain in the same flock.
Magpies were introduced into New Zealand in the 1860s and are proving to be a pest by displacing native birds.
Swooping
Magpies tend not to be afraid of people, and they live in urban areas as often as in the bush, so magpies are a familiar sight
to most Australians, and their melodic song is widely enjoyed. However, if magpies feel threatened while nesting (typically
in August-September in southern Australia), even by an inadvertent intrusion into their territory, they will often swoop at
the intruder and audibly "snap" their beaks in an attempt to drive them away. Magpies generally swoop from behind,
and without warning, so attacks can be somewhat terrifying, particularly to children. For this reason, local
authorities sometimes post warning signs during "swooping season", particularly in urban parks. Magpie attacks
sometimes cause injuries, typically minor wounds to the scalp; however, this is uncommon.
Warning sign about magpie
swooping
To avoid swooping attacks, the best course is to avoid the territory of nesting magpies during the relatively brief
nesting season. Magpies are a protected native species in Australia, so it is illegal to kill or harm them.
If it is necessary to walk near the nest, some people prefer to wear protection. Magpies prefer to swoop at the back of the
head; therefore, keeping the magpie in sight at all times can discourage the bird. Using a basic disguise to fool the magpie as
to where a person is looking (such as painting eyes on a hat, or wearing sunglasses on the back of the head) can also
prove effective, as can holding an object above one's head. In some cases, magpies may become extremely aggressive
and attack people's faces; it may become very difficult to deter these birds from swooping. If a bird presents a serious
nuisance the local authorities may arrange for that bird to be legally euthanised, or more commonly, to be caught and
relocated to an unpopulated area.
Tameness
Australian Magpies are territorial, and this presents the opportunity for people to get acquainted with the local pairs and
their offspring.
Popular culture
The magpie is a commonly used emblem of sporting teams in Australia, most notably the Collingwood Football Club, the
Port Adelaide Magpies Football Club, the Western Suburbs Rugby League Club and the Souths-Logan Magpies Rugby
League Club.
The white-backed magpie has been featured on the South Australian flag since 1904 and coats of arms since 1984 under
the name Piping Shrike.
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Gymnorhina tibicen. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on
12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
● Page on swooping birds by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment
● Kaplan, Gisela, Australian Magpie: Biology and Behaviour of an Unusual Songbird, CSIRO Publishing, 2004, ISBN 0-
643-09068-1
● Magpies - Queensland Government
● Use Of The Piping Shrike - South Australian Government
● Magpie Alert: Learning to Live with a Wild Neighbour Dr Darryl Jones. (2002) University of NSW Press
External links
● Audio file of the magpie's famous warbling call
● Australian Magpie Description and pictures.
● Biological and evolutionary information (book excerpt)
● Australian Magpie videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Magpies Behaving Badly (ABC Science Online)
Currawong
Back | Home | Up
Currawongs
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Pied Currawongs are omnivorous and

opportunistic - picnic time, Carnarvon Order: Passeriformes
Gorge
Family: Artamidae
Currawongs are medium-sized passerine birds of the family Artamidae native to Australasia. There are
either three or four species (depending on whether the Australian Magpie is counted as a currawong or Genus: Strepera
not). The common name comes from the call of the familiar Pied Currawong of eastern Australia and
is onomatopoeic.
Species
The true currawongs are a little larger than the Australian Magpie, somewhat smaller than most ravens, ● Stepera graculina
but broadly similar in appearance. They are easily distignuished by their yellow eyes, in contrast to the ● Stepera versicolor
red eyes of a magpie and white eyes of Australian crows and ravens. They are not as terrestrial as the ● Stepera fuliginosa
Magpie and have shorter legs. They are omnivorous, foraging in foliage, on tree trunks and limbs, and
on the ground, taking insects and larvae (often dug out from under the bark of trees), fruit, and the
nestlings of other birds.
It is sometimes said, with at least some justice, that the home gardener can have either currawongs or small birds, but not
both—although part of this perception can be traced to the failure of many gardeners to provide a sufficient number of
dense, thorny shrubs as refuges.
Contents
● 1 Species
● 2 Ecology
Species
All three currawongs are from the south or east of Australia.
● The Pied Currawong (Stepera graculina) is black with white in the wing,
undertail covets, the base of the tail and (most visibly) the tip of the tail. Size is
about 40 to 50 cm. Along with the Australian Magpie and the butcherbirds, it has one
of the most hauntingly beautiful caroling calls of any Australian songbird, and
is eclipsed, perhaps, only by the Grey Shrike-thrush and the lyrebirds. It is common
in woodland, rural and semi-urban environments throughout eastern Australia,
from Cape York to western Victoria. It seems to have adapted well to
European presence, and has become more common in some urban areas such
as Sydney.
● The Black Currawong (Stepera fuliginosa) is confined to Tasmania and is all
black except for a small white patch in the wing and a white-tipped tail. Like
all currawongs, it builds a large cup-nest out of sticks, lined with softer material,
and placed in a tall tree.
● The Grey Currawong (Stepera versicolor) has 6 different races spread right
across the southern part of the continent from the Sydney area south and west
around the coast and hinterland as far as the fertile south-west corner of
Western Australia and the semi-arid country surrounding it. Outlying populations
are found on the east coast of Tasmania and, oddly, in the arid area where the
Northern Territory meets South Australia and Western Australia. The races vary a
Pied Currawong great deal: the most common mid to dark grey form (race versicolor) and the
grey-brown form of South Australia, race intermedia, also known as the
Brown Currawong, are readily recognised; the darkest races, mostly in Tasmania
(race arguta, known as the Clinking Currawong) and the Black winged
Currawong (race melanoptera) from western Victoria's mallee region, can be difficult
to distinguish from the Black and Pied Currawongs at any distance. Kangaroo
Island has its own race, halmaturina. The race plumbea occurs from western
South Australia west through southern Western Australia. All Grey
Grey Currawong Currawongs, however, have a distinctive ringing call and a more sharply pointed,
finer bill.
Ecology
Pied Currawong and berries of

introduced plant in Lindfield,
New South Wales.
Unlike many birds, the Currawongs have suffered little from European occupation of the land. Settlers and
successive generations have replaced much of the natural woodland and forest with vast artificial grasslands,
where Currawongs are seldom seen. Scattered patches of remaining bush appear to be sufficient for their needs and
the provision of irrigated waypoints along their rambling migration routes has encouraged them to take up residence in
areas where they previously only overflew. The effect of this on smaller birds that are vulnerable to nest predation
is controversial: several studies have suggested that Pied Currawongs have become a serious problem, but the truth of
this widely held perception remains to be established. They appear to thrive on berries of some introduced species, some
of which themselves are pests, such as the Camphor Laurel.
Classification
Currawongs belong to the subfamily Cracticinae, which also includes the Australian Magpie and the Butcherbird: about
20 species in all. Together with the woodswallows (subfamily Artaminae), they make up the family Artamidae, which, in
turn, is allied to the crows and jays, fantails, drongos, and many others. They are Protected in Australia under the
National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974.
External links
● Currawong videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Birds In Backyards - Grey Currawong
● Birds In Backyards - Pied Currawong
● Birds In Backyards - Birds Behaving Badly - Pied Currawong Site on pest status of Pied Currawong
Atrichornithidae
Scrub-birds
Scrub-birds are shy, secretive, ground-dwelling birds of the
family Atrichornithidae. There are just two species, one of
them rare and very restricted in its range, the other so rare
that until 1961 it was thought to be extinct. Both are native to
Australia.
The scrub-bird family is ancient and is understood to be most

closely related to the lyrebirds, and probably also the
bowerbirds and treecreepers. All four families originated A. clamosus
with the great corvid radiation of the Australia-New Guinea Scientific classification
region.
Kingdom: Animalia
Both living species are about the same size as a Common
Starling (roughly 20 cm long) and cryptically coloured in Phylum: Chordata
drab browns and blacks. They occupy dense undergrowth—
the Rufous Scrub-bird in temperate rain forests near the Class: Aves
Queensland-New South Wales border, the Noisy Scrub-bird
in heaths and scrubby gullies in semi-arid Western Australia
—and are adept at scuttling mouse-like under cover to avoid
notice. They run fast but their flight is feeble.
Family: Atrichornithidae
The males' calls, however, are powerful: ringing and Stejneger, 1885
metallic, with a ventriloquial quality, so loud as to be heard Genus: Atrichornis
from a long distance in heavy scrub and almost painful at Stejneger, 1885
close range. Females build a domed nest close to the ground
Species
and take sole responsibility for raising the young.
Atrichornis rufescens
Atrichornis clamosus
The entire world population of the Noisy Scrub-bird was
estimated at 40 to 45 birds in 1962. Conservation efforts succeeded in increasing the population to
around 400 birds by the mid-1980s, and they have subsequently been reintroduced to several sites, but
remain endangered.
Species of Atrichornithidae
● Rufous Scrub-bird, Atrichornis rufescens
Noisy Scrub-bird, Atrichornis clamosus

Campephagidae
Cuckoo-shrike
The cuckoo-shrikes, the Campephagidae family are
small to medium-sized passerine bird species found in the
subtropical and tropical Africa, Asia and Australasia. The
84 species are found in eight (or nine) genera which
comprise five distinct groups, the 'true' cuckoo-shrikes
(Campephaga, Coracina, Lobotos, Pteropodocys and
Campochaera) the trillers (Lalage), the minivets
(Pericrocotus), the flycatcher-shrikes (Hemipus). The
wood-shrikes (Tephrodornis) were often considered to be
in this family but are probably closer to the helmetshrikes
or bushshrikes. Another genus, Chlamydochaera, which
has one species, the Black-breasted Fruithunter was often
placed in this family but has now been shown to be a
thrush (Turdidae).
Cuckoo-shrikes are neither closely related to the cuckoos Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike

or shrikes, the name probably comes from the grey colour
of many of the cuckoo-shrikes. Some of the species also
bear a superficial resemblance to cuckoos, and have a Kingdom: Animalia
similar undulating flight. The grey colouration has led to
one of their other names, the greybird. In some parts of Phylum: Chordata
the world they have also been known as caterpillar-birds,
a name derived from their diet. They are in fact thought
Class: Aves
by some to be closely related to the Old World orioles
(Oriolidae), although they differ strongly in some
morphological characteristics (such as skull morphology Order: Passeriformes
and the arrangements of feathers on the wing).
Family: Campephagidae
Overall the cuckoo-shrikes are medium to small arboreal Vigors, 1825
birds, generally long and slender. They are predominately
Genera
greyish with white and black, although the minivets are
brightly coloured in red, yellow and black, and the Blue
Cuckoo-shrike of central Africa is all-over glossy blue.
The four cuckoo-shrikes in the genus Campephaga
exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males that have glossy
black plumage and bright red or yellow wattles, the ● Pteropodocys
females having more subdued olive-green plumage. ● Coracina
● Campochaera
Of the 84 species of cuckoo-shrike, the majority are ● Lalage
forest birds. Some species are restricted to primary forest, ● Lobotos
like the New Caledonian Cuckoo-shrike, others are able ● Campephaga
to use more disturbed forest. Around eleven species use ● Pericrocotus
much more open habitat, one Australian species, the ● Hemipus
Ground Cuckoo-shrike being found in open plains and
scrubland with few trees.
The 'true' cuckoo-shrikes are usually found singly, in pairs, and in small family groups, whereas the
minivets, flycatcher-shrikes and wood-shrikes more frequently form small flocks. There is a
considerable amount of variation within the family as a whole with regards to calls, some call very
infrequently and some, principally the minivets, are extremely vocal.
These are mainly insectivorous, and will take large hairy caterpillars. They have also been recorded
eating small vertebrates, and some fruit, seeds and other plant matter. About four blotchy white, green or
blue eggs are laid in a cup nest in a tree. Incubation is about two weeks.
Species of Campephagidae
● Ground Cuckoo-shrike, Pteropodocys maxima
Large Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina macei
Sunda Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina larvata
Javan Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina javensis
Slaty Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina schistacea
Wallacean Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina personata
Melanesian Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina caledonica
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina novaehollandiae
Stout-billed Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina caeruleogrisea
Bar-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina striata
Pied Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina bicolor
Moluccan Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina atriceps
Buru Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina fortis
Cerulean Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina temminckii
Yellow-eyed Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina lineata
Boyer's Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina boyeri
White-rumped Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina leucopygia
White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina papuensis
Hooded Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina longicauda
Halmahera Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina parvula
Pygmy Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina abbotti
New Caledonian Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina analis
White-breasted Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina pectoralis
Blue Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina azurea
Gray Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina caesia
Grauer's Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina graueri
Ashy Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina cinerea
Mauritius Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina typica
Reunion Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina newtoni
Blackish Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina coerulescens
Sumba Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina dohertyi
Sula Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina sula
Kai Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina dispar
Black-bibbed Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina mindanensis
Sulawesi Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina morio
Pale-grey Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina ceramensis
Papuan Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina incerta
Gray-headed Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina schisticeps
New Guinea Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina melas
Black-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina montana
Solomon Islands Cuckoo-shrike, oracina holopolia
McGregor's Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina mcgregori
Indochinese Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina polioptera
White-winged Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina ostenta
Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina melaschistos
Lesser Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina fimbriata
Black-headed Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina melanoptera
Golden Cuckoo-shrike, Campochaera sloetii
Black-and-white Triller, Lalage melanoleuca
Pied Triller, Lalage nigra
White-rumped Triller, Lalage leucopygialis
White-shouldered Triller, Lalage sueurii
White-winged Triller, Lalage tricolor
Rufous-bellied Triller, Lalage aurea
White-browed Triller, Lalage moesta
Varied Triller, Lalage leucomela
Black-browed Triller, Lalage atrovirens
Samoan Triller, Lalage sharpei
Polynesian Triller, Lalage maculosa
Petit's Cuckoo-shrike, Campephaga petiti
Black Cuckoo-shrike, Campephaga flava
Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike, Campephaga phoenicea
Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike, Campephaga quiscalina
Western Wattled Cuckoo-shrike, Lobotos lobata
Eastern Wattled Cuckoo-shrike, Lobotos oriolina
Rosy Minivet, Pericrocotus roseus
Brown-rumped Minivet, Pericrocotus cantonensis
Ashy Minivet, Pericrocotus divaricatus
Small Minivet, Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
Ryukyu Minivet, Pericrocotus tegimae
Fiery Minivet, Pericrocotus igneus
Flores Minivet, Pericrocotus lansbergei
White-bellied Minivet, Pericrocotus erythropygius
Long-tailed Minivet, Pericrocotus ethologus
Short-billed Minivet, Pericrocotus brevirostris
Sunda Minivet, Pericrocotus miniatus
Scarlet Minivet, Pericrocotus flammeus
Gray-chinned Minivet, Pericrocotus solaris
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Hemipus picatus
Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Hemipus hirundinaceus
References
● del Hoyo. J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., (eds), Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volume Ten,
Cuckoo-shrikes to Thrushes, ISBN 84-87334-72-5
External links
● Cuckoo-shrike videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Cinclosomatidae
Psophodes
Cinclosomatidae
The family Cinclosomatidae contains 9 species of passerine bird,
including the 3 whipbirds, 2 wedgebills, and the quail-thrushes. All
are native to Australia or nearby areas.
Kingdom: Animalia
Species of Cinclosomatidae
Phylum: Chordata
● Papuan Whipbird, Androphobus viridis
● Eastern Whipbird, Psophodes olivaceus Class: Aves
● Western Whipbird, Psophodes nigrogularis
● Chiming Wedgebill, Psophodes occidentalis Order: Passeriformes
● Chirruping Wedgebill, Psophodes cristatus
● Spotted Quail-thrush, Cinclosoma punctatum
● Chestnut Quail-thrush, Cinclosoma castanotus Family: Cinclosomatidae
● Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush, Cinclosoma castaneothorax
● Cinnamon Quail-thrush, Cinclosoma cinnamomeum Genera
● Painted Quail-thrush, Cinclosoma ajax
● Androphobus
● Spotted Jewel-babbler, Ptilorrhoa leucosticta
● Psophodes
● Blue Jewel-babbler, Ptilorrhoa caerulescens
● Cinclosoma
● Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler, Ptilorrhoa castanonota
● Ptilorrhoa
● Malaysian Rail-babbler, Eupetes macrocerus
● Eupetes
● Blue-capped Ifrita, Ifrita kowaldi
● Ifrita
External links
● Cinclosomatidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Psophodes
Home | Up
Eastern Whipbird
The Eastern Whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus) inhabits the east Conservation status Least concern
coast of Australia. It is olive green with a black head and a white
patch on its face.
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Psophodes olivaceus. 2006
Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes
justification for why this species is of least concern
External links
● Eastern Whipbird videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Kingdom: Animalia
Home | Up
Phylum: Chordata
License. It uses material from the Wikipedia. Class: Aves
Family: Cinclosomatidae
Genus: Psophodes
Species: P. olivaceus
Binomial name
Psophodes olivaceus
Latham, 1802
Climacteridae
Australasian Treecreepers
There are 7 species of Australasian treecreeper in the
passerine bird family Climacteridae. They are medium-
small, mostly brown-coloured birds with patterning on their
underparts and all are endemic to Australia-New Guinea.
As their name implies, treecreepers forage for insects and

other small creatures living on and under the bark of trees,
mostly eucalypts, though several species also hunt on the
ground, through leaf-litter, and on fallen timber.
Species of Climacteridae
● Papuan Treecreeper, Cormobates placens
White-throated Treecreeper, Cormobates
leucophaeus
White-browed Treecreeper, Climacteris affinis White-throated Treecreeper
Red-browed Treecreeper, Climacteris erythrops
Brown Treecreeper, Climacteris picumnus
Black-tailed Treecreeper, Climacteris melanura Kingdom: Animalia
Rufous Treecreeper, Climacteris rufa
Phylum: Chordata
External links
Class: Aves
● Australasian Treecreeper videos on the Internet Bird
Collection Order: Passeriformes
Family: Climacteridae
de Sélys Longchamps, 1839
Home | Up | Artamidae | Atrichornithidae | Callaeidae
| Campephagidae | Cinclosomatidae | Climacteridae Genera
| Corcorachidae | Corvidae | Dicruridae | Icteridae | Irenidae ● Cormobates
| Laniidae | Malaconotidae | Maluridae | Meliphagoidea ● Climacteris
| Menuridae | Neosittidae | Oriolidae | Orthonychidae

| Pachycephalidae | Paradisaeidae | Pardalotidae | Petroicidae | Pityriaseidae | Pomatostomidae
| Prionopidae | Ptilonorhynchidae | Turnagridae | Vangidae | Vireonidae
Corcorachidae
Corcorachidae
The very small and rather unusual passerine family
Corcoracidae now contains just two superficially dissimilar
species: the White-winged Chough and the Apostlebird. Both
are endemic to Australia. There is no well-accepted common
name for the family, but sometimes the terms Australian mud-
nesters or mud nest builders are used.
In the field, the relationship between Choughs and

Apostlebirds is immediately apparent: both species are highly
social, spend much of their time foraging through leaf litter
with a very distinctive gait, calling to one another almost
constantly, and both species respond to a human interloper by Apostlebird
flying heavily to a nearby tree, where they wait for the Scientific classification
disturbance to pass, often perching close together in twos and Kingdom: Animalia
threes and allopreening.
Apostlebirds are so named because (it is said) "there are Phylum: Chordata
always 12 of them"! In fact, group size typically varies from
about 6 to as many as 20. Class: Aves
Species of Corcoracidae Order: Passeriformes
● White-winged Chough, Corcorax melanorhamphos

Family: Corcoracidae
Apostlebird, Struthidea cinerea
Species
External links
Corcorax melanorhamphos
Struthidea cinerea
● Corcoracidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Aphelocoma
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Aphelocoma
[1]
The passerine birds of the genus Aphelocoma
include the three scrub jays and two other jays. They
are New World jays found in Mexico, western
Central America and the western United States, with
an outlying population in Florida. This genus belongs
to the group of New World (or "blue") jays - possibly
a distinct subfamily - which are not closely related to
other jays, magpies or treepies (Ericson et al, 2005).
Contents
● 1 Species
● 2 Appearance
● 3 Behavior
● 4 References Florida Scrub Jay
❍ 4.1 Footnotes
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Species
Class: Aves
Five species of Aphelocoma are now recognized,
since two taxa formerly treated as races of A.
coerulescens were recently split off as separate Order: Passeriformes
species (A. californica and A. insularis); the 3 now
separate species differ in color and bill size. They are Family: Corvidae
believed to have evolved in the Pleistocene, and the
Floridan species is known to have been recognizably
distinct and present in its current range for at least 2 Genus: Aphelocoma
Cabanis, 1851
million years (Emslie, 1996).
Species
● Western Scrub Jay A. californica – western
United States from Washington to west Texas
and south to Baja California and central Aphelocoma californica
Mexico Aphelocoma coerulescens
Florida Scrub Jay A. coerulescens – Florida Aphelocoma insularis
Island Scrub Jay A. insularis – Santa Cruz Aphelocoma ultramarina
Island off southern California Aphelocoma unicolor
Mexican Jay or Gray-breasted Jay
Aphelocoma ultramarina – Sierra Madre Oriental and Sierra Madre Occidental mountains of
Mexico, north to southeast Arizona, southwest New Mexico and westernmost Texas, US.
Unicolored Jay Aphelocoma unicolor – southern Mexico east to Honduras
They live in open pine-oak forests and chaparral scrub habitats.
Appearance
Aphelocoma jays are slightly larger than the Blue Jay and differ in having a longer tail, slightly shorter,
more rounded wings, and no crest on the head. The top of the head, nape, and sides of the head are a rich
deep blue. In some species have a white stripe above the eye and dark ear coverts. The breast is also
white or grey-white and the back is a grey-brown contrasting with the bright blue tail and wings in most
species. One species, Unicolored Jay, is blue all over, superficially similar to the Pinyon Jay from much
further north. The bill, legs, and feet are black.
Behavior
Food is taken both on the ground and in trees. Acorns and pine nuts are the most important foods,
making up the great bulk of the diet, with grain, berries and other fruits making up the rest of the
vegetable diet. Many insects and other invertebrates are also taken, and eggs and nestlings, small frogs,
mice and reptiles.
Wild Aphelocoma jays are frequent visitors at campsites and picnics and have frequently learned to eat
from the hands of people where they have become accustomed to being fed.
The nest is in a tree or a bush, sometimes quite low down. The nests are compact and lined with hair and
fine roots with an outer diameter of about 30cm to 60cm. Usually 2 to 4 eggs are laid and incubated over
14 to 16 days. There are two main variations of egg shell color: green with olive markings or a paler
background of grayish-white to green with red-brown markings. The Florida Scrub Jay and the Mexican
Jay both have cooperative breeding systems involving several 'helpers' at each nest, usually siblings of
the main pair.
Aphelocoma jays are quite vocal and have a huge range of sounds and calls; common calls include a
cheek, cheek, cheek and a guttural churring krr'r'r'r'r. Aphelocoma jays are also, like all other jays,
oftentimes quite aggressive at feeding areas, and sometimes regarded as a nuisance.
References
● Emslie, Steven D. (1996): A fossil Scrub-Jay supports a recent systematic decision. Condor 98
Footnotes
1. ^ Aphelocoma, from Ancient Greek aphelo-, "smooth" and Latin coma "hair", in reference to the
smooth plumage of birds of this genus compared to other corvids.
External links
● Cornell University Ornithology Lab page about the Scrub Jay, including a sample of its call
● USGS web site page about the Western Scrub Jay
● Article by Cambridge University Behaviour lab studying the cognitive abilities of western scrub-
jays

Cissa
Cissa
Cissa is a genus of short-tailed magpies that reside in the forests of
tropical and sub-tropical Asia. The following species are recognized:
● Green Magpie (Cissa chinensis) Kingdom: Animalia

Yellow-breasted Magpie (Cissa hypoleuca)
Short-tailed Magpie (Cissa thalassina) Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Home | Up | Aphelocoma | Cissa | Corvus | Crypsirina | Cyanocitta

| Cyanocorax | Cyanolyca | Cyanopica | Dendrocitta | Garrulus Order: Passeriformes
| Nucifraga | Perisoreus | Pica | Podoces | Pyrrhocorax | Urocissa
Family: Corvidae
It uses material from the Wikipedia. Genus: Cissa
Boie, 1826
Species
Cissa chinensis
Cissa hypoleuca
Cissa thalassina
Crypsirina
Treepies
The treepies comprise four closely related genera (Dendrocitta,
Crypsirina, Temnurus and as of recently also Platysmurus) of long-
tailed passerine birds in the family Corvidae. They are highly
arboreal and rarely come to the ground to feed. Kingdom: Animalia
Species Phylum: Chordata
Following Ericson et al. (2005), the Black Magpie is placed with the Class: Aves
treepies:
● Genus Dendrocitta
❍ Grey Treepie, Dendrocitta formosae
Rufous Treepie, Dendrocitta vagabunda Family: Corvidae

Black-faced Treepie, or Collared Treepie, Dendrocitta
frontalis
Sumatran Treepie, Dendrocitta occipitalis Genera
Bornean Treepie, Dendrocitta cinerascens ● Dendrocitta
White-bellied Treepie, Dendrocitta leucogastra ● Crypsirina
Andaman Treepie, Dendrocitta bayleyi ● Temnurus
● Genus Crypsirina ● Platysmurus
❍ Black Racket-tailed Treepie, Crypsirina temia
(formerly Dendrocitta)
Hooded Treepie, Crypsirina cucullata
● Genus Temnurus
❍ Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Temnurus temnurus
● Genus Platysmurus
❍ Black Magpie Platysmurus leucopterus
References
External links
● Treepie videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Cyanocitta
Cyanocitta
The genus Cyanocitta is a New World genus of jays,
passerine birds of the family Corvidae. Cyanocitta includes
only two of the New World jays; they are blue, crested
birds that differ in the colour of the head. Their ranges
generally do not overlap.
● C. cristata, Blue Jay

● C. stelleri, Steller's Jay
C. cristata
Home | Up | Aphelocoma | Cissa | Corvus | Crypsirina Scientific classification
| Cyanocitta | Cyanocorax | Cyanolyca | Cyanopica
| Dendrocitta | Garrulus | Nucifraga | Perisoreus | Pica Kingdom: Animalia
| Podoces | Pyrrhocorax | Urocissa
Phylum: Chordata
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Cyanocitta
Strickland, 1845
Species
Cyanocitta cristata
Cyanocitta stelleri
Cyanocorax
Tufted jays
The tufted jays are a genus, Cyanocorax, of New World jays,
passerine birds in the crow family Corvidae.
It contains several closely related species and is dominant in

Central and South America.
The genus includes seventeen species:
● Black-chested Jay, Cyanocorax affinis

Purplish-backed Jay, Cyanocorax beecheii
Azure Jay, Cyanocorax caeruleus
Cayenne Jay, Cyanocorax cayanus
Plush-crested Jay, Cyanocorax chrysops
Curl-crested Jay, Cyanocorax cristatellus
Purplish Jay, Cyanocorax cyanomelas
White-naped Jay, Cyanocorax cyanopogon
Tufted Jay, Cyanocorax dickeyi
Azure-naped Jay, Cyanocorax heilprini
Bushy-crested Jay, Cyanocorax melanocyaneus Green Jay, Cyanocorax yncas
Brown Jay, Cyanocorax morio Scientific classification
White-tailed Jay, Cyanocorax mystacalis
San Blas Jay, Cyanocorax sanblasianus Kingdom: Animalia
Violaceous Jay, Cyanocorax violaceus
Green Jay, Cyanocorax yncas Phylum: Chordata
Yucatan Jay, Cyanocorax yucatanicus
Class: Aves
Home | Up | Aphelocoma | Cissa | Corvus | Crypsirina Order: Passeriformes

| Dendrocitta | Garrulus | Nucifraga | Perisoreus | Pica | Podoces Family: Corvidae
| Pyrrhocorax | Urocissa
Genus: Cyanocorax
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation Boie, 1826
Species
17 species; see text.
Cyanolyca
Cyanolyca
Cyanolyca is a genus of New World jays including:
● Cyanolyca armillata Black-collared Jay
Cyanolyca turcosa Turquoise Jay Kingdom: Animalia
Cyanolyca viridicyana White-collared Jay
Cyanolyca cucullata Azure-hooded Jay Phylum: Chordata
Cyanolyca pulchra Beautiful Jay
Cyanolyca pumilo Black-throated Jay
Class: Aves
Cyanolyca nana Dwarf Jay
Cyanolyca mirabilis White-throated Jay
Cyanolyca argentigula Silvery-throated Jay Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae

| Cyanocorax | Cyanolyca | Cyanopica | Dendrocitta | Garrulus Genus: Cyanolyca
Cabanis, 1851
Cyanopica
Azure-winged Magpie
The Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyana) is a bird in the
crow family. It is 31-35 cm long and similar in overall shape to the
European Magpie (Pica pica) but is more slender with
proportionately smaller legs and bill.
It has a glossy black top to the head and a white throat. The
underparts and the back are a light grey-fawn in colour with the
wings and the feathers of the long (16-20 cm) tail are a beautiful
azure blue. It inhabits various types of coniferous (mainly pine)
and broadleaf forest, including parks and gardens in the eastern
populations.
It occurs in two population groups separated by a huge

geographical region between. One population lives in western
Europe, specifically the south western part of the Iberian
Peninsula, in Spain and Portugal. The other population occurs over Drawing by Peter Simon Pallas
a much larger region of eastern Asia in most of China, Korea, Scientific classification
Japan, and north into Mongolia. Recent genetic analysis has
Kingdom: Animalia
shown that the two populations are distinct at species level, under
which the Iberian Azure-winged Magpie would take the name
Cyanopica cooki, though this change has yet to be formally Phylum: Chordata
incorporated in the European bird list.
Class: Aves
Often Azure-winged Magpies find food as a family group or
several groups making flocks of up to 30 birds, and their diet
consists mainly of acorns (oak seeds) and pine nuts, extensively
supplemented by invertebrates and their larvae, soft fruits and
berries, and also human-provided scraps in parks and towns. Family: Corvidae
This species usually nests in loose, open colonies with a single Genus: Cyanopica
nest in each tree. There are usually between 6–8 eggs that are Bonaparte, 1850
incubated for 15 days.
Species
The voice is a quick fired and metallic sounding kwink-kwink- Cyanopica cyana Pallas, 1776
kwink usually preceded by a single "krarrah". Cyanopica (cyana) cooki Bonaparte,
1850
Garrulus
Garrulus
The genus Garrulus contains the Old World jays, passerine
birds of the family Corvidae, and numbers only three species.
● Garrulus glandarius, the Eurasian Jay

Garrulus lanceolatus, the Lanceolated Jay
G. lidthi Lidth's Jay
Home | Up | Aphelocoma | Cissa | Corvus | Crypsirina

| Dendrocitta | Garrulus | Nucifraga | Perisoreus | Pica | Podoces
G. glandarius
| Pyrrhocorax | Urocissa
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Garrulus
Brisson, 1760
Species
Garrulus glandarius
Garrulus lanceolatus
Garrulus lidthi
Nucifraga
Nutcrackers
The nutcrackers (Nucifraga) are a genus of two species of
passerine bird, in the family Corvidae, related to the jays and
crows. One, the Spotted Nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes),
occurs in Europe and Asia, the other, Clark's Nutcracker
(Nucifraga columbiana), in western North America.
The most important food resources for both these species are the
seeds (pine nuts) of various Pines (Pinus sp.), principally the cold-
climate (far northern or high altitude) species of white pine (Pinus
subgenus Strobus) with large seeds: P. albicaulis, P. armandii, P. Nucifraga columbiana
cembra, P. flexilis, P. koraiensis, P. parviflora, P. peuce, P. Scientific classification
pumila, P. sibirica and P. wallichiana, and also the pinyon and
Kingdom: Animalia
lacebark pines in subgenus Ducampopinus. In some regions,
where none of these pines occur, the seeds of Spruce (Picea sp.)
and Hazel nuts (Corylus sp.) form an important part of the diet Phylum: Chordata
too. The bills of these birds are specialized tools for extracting
seeds from pine cones. Class: Aves
Surplus seed is always stored for later use and it is this species that
is responsible for the re-establishment of their favoured pines over
large areas either burnt in forest fires or cleared by man.
Family: Corvidae
Various insects are also taken, including bee and wasp larvae, and
also birds' eggs and nestlings, and carrion if it is found. Genus: Nucifraga
Brisson, 1760
Nesting is always early in this genus, so as to make the best use of
Species
pine nuts stored the previous autumn. The nest is usually built
high in a conifer. There are normally 2-4 eggs laid and incubated Nucifraga caryocatactes
for 18 days. Both sexes feed the young which are usually fledged Nucifraga columbiana
by about 23 days and stay with their parents for many months,
following them to learn food storage techniques.
Neither species is migratory, but they will erupt out of their ranges if a cone crop failure causes a food
shortage.
Reference
● Lanner, R. M. (1996). Made for each other: a symbiosis of birds and pines. OUP ISBN 0-19-
508903-0
External links
● Nutcracker videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Perisoreus
Perisoreus
The genus Perisoreus is a very small genus of Jays from
the Boreal regions of North America and Eurasia from
Scandinavia to the Asian seaboard. An isolated species also
occurs in north-western Szechuan province of China. They
belong to the Passerine order of birds in the family
Corvidae.
Species
● Gray Jay (Perisoreus canadensis)
Siberian Jay (Perisoreus infaustus)
Sichuan Jay (Perisoreus internigrans) P. infaustus
Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata
| Dendrocitta | Garrulus | Nucifraga | Perisoreus | Pica
Class: Aves
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Perisoreus
Bonaparte, 1831
Species
Perisoreus canadensis
Perisoreus infaustus
Perisoreus internigrans
Pica
Pica
Pica is the genus of three species of birds in the family
Corvidae in both the New World and the old. They have
long tails and have predominantly black and white
markings. One species ranges widely from Europe through
Asia, one occurs all over North America and the third is
restricted to California. They are usually considered closely
related to the blue and green magpies of Asia, but recent
research (Ericson et al., 2005) suggests their closest
relatives are instead the Eurasian crows.
Two or three species were generally recognized, the

European Magpie (P. pica)
Yellow-billed and one or two black-billed ones. Recent
research has cast doubt on the taxonomy of the Pica Scientific classification
magpies (Lee et al., 2003). P. hudsonia and P. nuttalli are Kingdom: Animalia
each other's closest relatives, but may not be different
species. If they are, however, at least the Korean race of P.
Phylum: Chordata
pica would have to be considered a separate species, too.
● European Magpie, Pica pica Class: Aves

Korean Magpie, Pica (pica) sericea
Yellow-billed Magpie, Pica (pica) nuttalli Order: Passeriformes
Black-billed Magpie, Pica (pica) hudsonia
Family: Corvidae
A prehistoric species of magpie, Pica mourerae, is known
from fossils.
Genus: Pica
Brisson, 1760
References
Species
● Ericson, Per G. P.; Jansén, Anna-Lee; Johansson, Pica pica
Ulf S. & Ekman, Jan (2005): Inter-generic Pica (pica) sericea
relationships of the crows, jays, magpies and allied Pica (pica) nuttalli
groups (Aves: Corvidae) based on nucleotide Pica (pica) hudsonia
sequence data. Journal of Avian Biology 36: 222-
234. PDF fulltext
● Lee, Sang-im; Parr, Cynthia S.; Hwang,Youna; Mindell, David P. & Choea, Jae C. (2003):
Phylogeny of magpies (genus Pica) inferred from mtDNA data. Molecular Phylogenetics and
Evolution 29: 250-257. DOI:10.1016/S1055-7903(03)00096-4 PDF fulltext

Podoces
Ground jays
The ground jays or ground choughs belong to a very distinct and
interesting group of the passerine order of birds in the genus
Podoces of the crow family Corvidae that inhabit high altitude semi-
desert areas from central Asia to Mongolia. Kingdom: Animalia
They show excellent distinct adaptations to their ground living way Phylum: Chordata
of life such as long, strong legs adapted to fast running and they leap
and bound onto boulders and rocks with great agility. Their long, Class: Aves
curved thick bills are adapted for digging and probing.
They can all of course fly (which they do little and relatively Order: Passeriformes
weakly), but prefer running, and will readily perch on trees and
bushes also. Family: Corvidae
Species list Genus: Podoces

Fischer von Waldheim,
● Henderson's Ground Jay (Podoces hendersoni) 1821
Biddulph's Ground Jay (Podoces biddulphi) Species
Persian Ground Jay (Podoces pleskei)
Grey Ground Jay (Podoces panderi) Podoces hendersoni
Podoces biddulphi
Podoces pleskei
Hume's Ground Tit (Pseudopodoces humilis), previously Hume's
Podoces panderi
Ground Jay, has changed its placement within the Passeriformes
recently because of molecular and osteological testing. It has now been placed into the Paridae.
External links
● Link

Pyrrhocorax
Pyrrhocorax
Pyrrhocorax is the name of a genus of black European
birds in the Corvidae (crow) family. They are given the
name of chough because of the sound they make.
They are predominantly black in colour with brightly

coloured legs, feet, and bills. They have long broad wings
for soaring and are often spectacular aeronauts.
The two species are below:
● Chough or Red-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax

pyrrhocorax) P. graculus
● Alpine Chough or Yellow-billed Chough
(Pyrrhocorax graculus)
Kingdom: Animalia
External links
Phylum: Chordata
● ITIS information on genus
Class: Aves
Family: Corvidae
| Dendrocitta | Garrulus | Nucifraga | Perisoreus | Pica
Genus: Pyrrhocorax
Tunstall, 1771
License. It uses material from the Wikipedia. Species
See text.
Urocissa
Back | Home | Up
Urocissa
Urocissa is a genus of birds in the huge Passerine order in the
family Corvidae. It consists of mainly brightly coloured magpies in
Asia.
Kingdom: Animalia
Species in the genus Urocissa:
Phylum: Chordata
● Formosan Blue Magpie, Urocissa caerulea
Red-billed Blue Magpie, Urocissa erythrorhyncha Class: Aves
Gold-billed Magpie, Urocissa flavirostris
White-winged Magpie, Urocissa whiteheadi
Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Urocissa ornata Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae

Genus: Urocissa
| Cyanocorax | Cyanolyca | Cyanopica | Dendrocitta | Garrulus
Species
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. Urocissa caerulea
It uses material from the Wikipedia. Urocissa erythrorhyncha
Urocissa flavirostris
Urocissa whiteheadi
Urocissa ornata
Drongos
Home | Up | Next
Drongo
The drongos are a subfamily of small passerine birds of the Old
World tropics. They were previously classed as the family
Dicruridae, but that has been much enlarged to include a number of
largely Australasian groups, such as the Australasian fantails, Kingdom: Animalia
monarchs and paradise flycatchers.
Phylum: Chordata
These insect-eating birds are found in usually open forests or bush.
Most are black or dark grey in colour, sometimes with metallic tints.
Class: Aves
They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate
tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright whilst
perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground. Order: Passeriformes
Two to four eggs are laid in a nest high in a tree. These are Family: Dicruridae
aggressive and fearless birds, given their small size, and drongos
will attack much larger species if their nest or young are threatened.
Subfamily: Dicrurinae
Species of Dicruriniae
Genera
● Papuan Drongo, Chaetorhynchus papuensis, (Lower risk (lc)) ● Chaetorhynchus
Square-tailed Drongo, Dicrurus ludwigii ● Dicrurus
Shining Drongo, Dicrurus atripennis, (Lower risk (lc))
Fork-tailed Drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis
Príncipe Drongo, Dicrurus modestus (Lower risk (nt))
Aldabra Drongo, Dicrurus aldabranus, (Lower risk (nt))
Comoro Drongo, Dicrurus fuscipennis, (Endangered)
Crested Drongo, Dicrurus forficatus, (Lower risk (lc))
Mayotte Drongo, Dicrurus waldenii, (Endangered)
Black Drongo, Dicrurus macrocercus
Ashy Drongo, Dicrurus leucophaeus
White-bellied Drongo, Dicrurus caerulescens
Crow-billed Drongo, Dicrurus annectans, (Lower risk (lc))
Bronzed Drongo, Dicrurus aeneus
Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Dicrurus remifer, (Lower risk (lc))
Hair-crested Drongo, Dicrurus hottentottus, (Lower risk (lc))
Balicassiao, Dicrurus balicassius, (Lower risk (lc))
Sulawesi Drongo, Dicrurus montanus, (Lower risk (lc))
Sumatran Drongo, Dicrurus sumatranus, (Lower risk (nt))
Wallacean Drongo, Dicrurus densus, (Lower risk (lc))
Ribbon-tailed Drongo, Dicrurus megarhynchus, (Lower risk (lc))
Spangled Drongo, Dicrurus bracteatus, (Lower risk (lc))
Andaman Drongo, Dicrurus andamanensis, (Lower risk (lc))
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Dicrurus paradiseus
Trivia
In Australian slang, the word drongo is a synonym for a total loser or idiot. Like most Australian slang
the meaning of the word changes with the way it's said.
In the Bush Dance sometimes called the drongo the person who misses out on a partner (musical chairs
style} becomes 'the drongo' for the next time through the dance and is the butt of a gentle humorous use
of the word - spill hot soup in a customer's lap and you may hear a distinctly vitriolic use!
The Drongo was a racehorse probably named after the bird. It raced in the 1920's and was deemed
unlucky never to have come better than second in thirty-seven starts. The term was used in the RAAF
during World War 2 to describe raw recruits.
External links
● Drongo videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Drongos | Monarchinae | Rhipidurinae | Tersiphone
Monarchinae
Lamprolia
Monarchinae
The Monarchinae are a subfamily of the bird family Dicruridae,
which is a relatively recent grouping of a number of seemingly
very different birds, mostly from the southern hemisphere, which
are more closely related than they at first appear. It includes the
boatbills, monarch flycatchers and Magpie-lark.
Many of the 139 species making up the family were previously

assigned to other groups, largely on the basis of general
morphology or behaviour. The Magpie-lark, for example, was
assigned to the same family as the White-winged Chough, since
both build unusual nests from mud rather than vegetable matter.
The Australasian fantails were thought to be allied with the Female Volcano 'Elepaio
fantails of the northern hemisphere (both groups share a similar (Chasiempis sandwichensis ridgwayi)
diet and behaviour), and so on. Scientific classification
With the new insights generated by the DNA-DNA hybridisation Kingdom: Animalia
studies of Sibley and his co-workers toward the end of the 20th
century, however, it became clear that these apparently unrelated Phylum: Chordata
birds were all descended from a common ancestor: the same crow-
like ancestor that gave rise to the drongos. Class: Aves
The Monarchinae are small to medium-sized insectivorous

passerines, many of which hunt by flycatching.
Family: Dicruridae
Species of Monarchinae
● Chestnut-capped Flycatcher , Erythrocercus mccallii, Subfamily: Monarchinae
(Lower risk (lc))
Yellow Flycatcher , Erythrocercus holochlorus, (Lower risk Genera
(lc))
Livingstone's Flycatcher , Erythrocercus livingstonei,
(Lower risk (lc))
African Blue-Flycatcher , Elminia longicauda, (Lower risk
(lc)) Erythrocercus
White-tailed Blue-Flycatcher , Elminia albicauda, (Lower Elminia
risk (lc)) Trochocercus
Dusky Crested-Flycatcher , Elminia nigromitrata, (Lower Hypothymis
risk (lc)) Eutrichomyias
White-bellied Crested-Flycatcher , Elminia albiventris, Terpsiphone
(Lower risk (lc)) Chasiempis
White-tailed Crested-Flycatcher , Elminia albonotata, Pomarea
(Lower risk (lc)) Mayrornis
Blue-headed Crested-Flycatcher , Trochocercus nitens, Neolalage
(Lower risk (lc)) Clytorhynchus
African Crested-Flycatcher , Trochocercus cyanomelas, Metabolus
(Lower risk (lc)) Monarcha
Short-crested Monarch , Hypothymis helenae, (Lower risk Arses
(nt)) Myiagra
Black-naped Monarch , Hypothymis azurea Lamprolia
Pale-blue Monarch , Hypothymis puella, (Lower risk (lc)) Machaerirhynchus
Celestial Monarch , Hypothymis coelestis, (Vulnerable) Grallina
Cerulean Paradise-Flycatcher , Eutrichomyias rowleyi,
(Critical)
Black-headed Paradise Flycatcher , Terpsiphone rufiventer
Annobón Paradise-flycatcher, Terpsiphone smithii, (Vulnerable)
Bedford's Paradise Flycatcher , Terpsiphone bedfordi, (Lower risk (nt))
Rufous vented Paradise Flycatcher , Terpsiphone rufocinerea, (Lower risk (lc))
Bates' Paradise Flycatcher , Terpsiphone batesi, (Lower risk (lc))
African Paradise Flycatcher , Terpsiphone viridis, (Lower risk (lc))
Sao Tome Paradise Flycatcher , Terpsiphone atrochalybeia, (Lower risk (lc))
Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher , Terpsiphone mutata, (Lower risk (lc))
Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher , Terpsiphone corvina, (Critical)
Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher , Terpsiphone bourbonnensis, (Lower risk (lc))
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher , Terpsiphone atrocaudata, (Lower risk (nt))
Blue Paradise Flycatcher , Terpsiphone cyanescens, (Lower risk (nt))
Rufous Paradise Flycatcher , Terpsiphone cinnamomea, (Lower risk (lc))
Asian Paradise Flycatcher , Terpsiphone paradisi
'Elepaio, Chasiempis sandwichensis, (Endangered)
Rarotonga Monarch , Pomarea dimidiata, (Endangered)
Tahiti Monarch ,Pomarea nigra, (Critical)
Maupiti Monarch, Pomarea pomarea, (Extinct (1823))
Iphis Monarch , Pomarea iphis, (Vulnerable)
Marquesas Monarch , Pomarea mendozae, (Endangered)
Fatuhiva Monarch , Pomarea whitneyi, (Critical)
Ogea Monarch , Mayrornis versicolor, (Vulnerable)
Slaty Monarch , Mayrornis lessoni, (Lower risk (lc))
Vanikoro Monarch , Mayrornis schistaceus, (Lower risk (nt))
Buff-bellied Monarch , Neolalage banksiana, (Lower risk (lc))
Southern Shrikebill , Clytorhynchus pachycephaloides, (Lower risk (lc))
Rennell Shrikebill , Clytorhynchus hamlini, (Lower risk (lc))
Fiji Shrikebill , Clytorhynchus vitiensis, (Lower risk (lc))
Black-throated Shrikebill , Clytorhynchus nigrogularis, (Vulnerable)
Truk Monarch , Metabolus rugensis, (Endangered)
Black Monarch , Monarcha axillaris, (Lower risk (lc))
Rufous Monarch , Monarcha rubiensis, (Lower risk (lc))
Island Monarch , Monarcha cinerascens, (Lower risk (lc))
Black-winged Monarch , Monarcha frater, (Lower risk (lc))
Black-faced Monarch , Monarcha melanopsis, (Lower risk (lc))
Bougainville Monarch , Monarcha erythrostictus, (Lower risk (lc))
Chestnut-bellied Monarch , Monarcha castaneiventris, (Lower risk (lc))
White-capped Monarch , Monarcha richardsii, (Lower risk (lc))
White-naped Monarch , Monarcha pileatus, (Lower risk (lc))
Loetoe Monarch , Monarcha castus, (Lower risk (lc))
White-eared Monarch , Monarcha leucotis, (Lower risk (lc))
Spot-winged Monarch , Monarcha guttulus, (Lower risk (lc))
Black-bibbed Monarch , Monarcha mundus, (Lower risk (lc))
Spectacled Monarch , Monarcha trivirgatus, (Lower risk (lc))
Flores Monarch , Monarcha sacerdotum, (Endangered)
White-tipped Monarch , Monarcha everetti, (Endangered)
Black-tipped Monarch , Monarcha loricatus, (Lower risk (lc))
Black-chinned Monarch , Monarcha boanensis, (Critical)
White-tailed Monarch , Monarcha leucurus, (Lower risk (nt))
Black-backed Monarch , Monarcha julianae
Hooded Monarch , Monarcha manadensis, (Lower risk (lc))
Biak Monarch , Monarcha brehmii, (Endangered)
Manus Monarch , Monarcha infelix, (Lower risk (nt))
White-breasted Monarch , Monarcha menckei, (Lower risk (nt))
Black-tailed Monarch , Monarcha verticalis, (Lower risk (lc))
Kulambangra Monarch , Monarcha browni, (Lower risk (nt))
White-collared Monarch , Monarcha viduus, (Lower risk (lc))
Black-and-white Monarch , Monarcha barbatus, (Lower risk (nt))
Yap Monarch , Monarcha godeffroyi, (Lower risk (nt))
Tinian Monarch , Monarcha takatsukasae, (Vulnerable)
Golden Monarch , Monarcha chrysomela, (Lower risk (lc))
Frilled Monarch , Arses telescophthalmus, (Lower risk (lc))
Rufous-collared Monarch , Arses insularis, (Lower risk (lc))
Pied Monarch , Arses kaupi, (Lower risk (lc))
Guam Flycatcher , Myiagra freycineti, (Extinct (1983))
Palau Flycatcher , Myiagra erythrops, (Lower risk (lc))
Pohnpei Flycatcher , Myiagra pluto, (Lower risk (lc))
Oceanic Flycatcher , Myiagra oceanica, (Lower risk (lc))
Biak Flycatcher , Myiagra atra, (Lower risk (nt))
Moluccan Flycatcher , Myiagra galeata, (Lower risk (lc))
Leaden Flycatcher , Myiagra rubecula, (Lower risk (lc))
Steel-blue Flycatcher , Myiagra ferrocyanea, (Lower risk (lc))
Ochre-headed Flycatcher , Myiagra cervinicauda, (Lower risk (nt))
Melanesian Flycatcher , Myiagra caledonica, (Lower risk (lc))
Vanikoro Flycatcher , Myiagra vanikorensis, (Lower risk (lc))
Samoan Flycatcher , Myiagra albiventris, (Vulnerable)
Blue-crested Flycatcher , Myiagra azureocapilla, (Lower risk (lc))
Broad-billed Flycatcher , Myiagra ruficollis, (Lower risk (lc))
Satin Flycatcher , Myiagra cyanoleuca, (Lower risk (lc))
Restless Flycatcher , Myiagra inquieta, (Lower risk (lc))
Shining Flycatcher , Myiagra alecto, (Lower risk (lc))
Dull Flycatcher , Myiagra hebetior, (Lower risk (lc))
Silktail , Lamprolia victoriae, (Vulnerable)
Black-breasted Boatbill , Machaerirhynchus nigripectus, (Lower risk (lc))
Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Machaerirhynchus flaviventer, (Lower risk (lc))
Magpie-lark, Grallina cyanoleuca
Torrent-lark, Grallina bruijni, (Lower risk (lc))
External links
● Monarch Flycatcher videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Lamprolia
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Lamprolia
The monotypic genus Lamprolia Finsch, 1874 consist of one
species flycatcher endemic to two islands of Fiji.
Species Kingdom: Animalia
● Silktail, Lamprolia victoriae Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Home | Up Order: Passeriformes

Family: Monarchidae
It uses material from the Wikipedia.
Genus: Lamprolia
Finsch, 1874
Rhipidurinae
Fantails
Fantails are small insectivorous birds of southern Asia and
Australasia all belonging to the genus Rhipidura and subfamily
Rhipidurinae. Most of the species are about 15 to 18 cm long,
specialist aerial feeders, and named as "fantails", but the
Australian Willie Wagtail, is a little larger, and though still an
expert hunter of insects on the wing, concentrates equally on
terrestrial prey.
It may be noted that the true wagtails are part of the genus
Motacilla and family Motacillidae and are not particularly close
relatives of the fantails.
Species
● Yellow-bellied Fantail , Rhipidura hypoxantha
Blue Fantail , Rhipidura superciliaris, (Lower risk (lc)) Kingdom: Animalia
Blue-headed Fantail , Rhipidura cyaniceps
Rufous-tailed Fantail , Rhipidura phoenicura, (Lower risk Phylum: Chordata
(lc))
Black-and-cinnamon Fantail , Rhipidura nigrocinnamomea,
Class: Aves
(Lower risk (lc))
White-throated Fantail , Rhipidura albicollis
Spot-breasted Fantail , Rhipidura albogularis, (Lower risk Order: Passeriformes
(lc))
White-bellied Fantail , Rhipidura euryura, (Lower risk (lc))
Family: Dicruridae
White-browed Fantail , Rhipidura aureola
Northern Fantail , Rhipidura rufiventris, (Lower risk (lc))
Pied Fantail , Rhipidura javanica, (Lower risk (lc)) Genus: Rhipidura
Spotted Fantail , Rhipidura perlata, (Lower risk (lc)) Horsfield and Vigors,
Willie Wagtail , Rhipidura leucophrys 1827
Brown-capped Fantail , Rhipidura diluta, (Lower risk (lc)) Species
Cinnamon-tailed Fantail , Rhipidura fuscorufa many, see text
White-winged Fantail , Rhipidura cockerelli, (Lower risk
(nt))
Friendly Fantail , Rhipidura albolimbata, (Lower risk (lc))
Chestnut-bellied Fantail , Rhipidura hyperythra, (Lower risk (lc))
Sooty Thicket-Fantail , Rhipidura threnothorax, (Lower risk (lc))
Black Thicket-Fantail , Rhipidura maculipectus, (Lower risk (lc))
White-bellied Thicket-Fantail , Rhipidura leucothorax, (Lower risk (lc))
Black Fantail , Rhipidura atra, (Lower risk (lc))
Mangrove Fantail , Rhipidura phasiana, (Lower risk (lc))
Brown Fantail , Rhipidura drownei, (Lower risk (lc))
Dusky Fantail , Rhipidura tenebrosa, (Lower risk (nt))
Rennell Fantail , Rhipidura rennelliana, (Lower risk (lc))
Grey Fantail, Rhipidura fuliginosa
Streaked Fantail , Rhipidura spilodera, (Lower risk (lc))
Kandavu Fantail , Rhipidura personata, (Lower risk (lc))
Samoan Fantail , Rhipidura nebulosa, (Lower risk (lc))
Dimorphic Fantail , Rhipidura brachyrhyncha, (Lower risk (lc))
Rusty-flanked Fantail , Rhipidura teysmanni, (Lower risk (lc))
Cinnamon-backed Fantail , Rhipidura superflua, (Lower risk (lc))
Streaky-breasted Fantail , Rhipidura dedemi, (Lower risk (lc))
Long-tailed Fantail , Rhipidura opistherythra, (Lower risk (nt))
Palau Fantail , Rhipidura lepida, (Lower risk (lc))
Rufous-backed Fantail , Rhipidura rufidorsa, (Lower risk (lc))
Matthias Fantail , Rhipidura matthiae
Bismarck Fantail , Rhipidura dahli
Malaita Fantail , Rhipidura malaitae
Manus Fantail , Rhipidura semirubra
Rufous Fantail , Rhipidura rufifrons
Pohnpei Fantail, Rhipidura kubaryi
External links
● Fantail videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Tersiphone
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Tersiphone
Tersiphone is the genus to which many different species of Paradise
Flycatchers belong. Below is a list of Paradise Flycatcher species:
● Terpsiphone atrocaudata (Eyton, 1839) - Japanese Paradise- Phylum: Chordata

Flycatcher
Terpsiphone atrochalybeia (Thomson, 1842) - Sao Tome Class: Aves
Paradise-Flycatcher
Terpsiphone batesi Chapin, 1921 - Bate´s Paradise-
Flycatcher Order: Passeriformes
Terpsiphone bedfordi (Ogilvie-Grant, 1907) - Bedford's
Paradise-Flycatcher Family: Monarchidae
Terpsiphone bourbonnensis (Statius Müller, 1776) -
Mascarene Paradise-Flycatcher
Genus: Terpsiphone
Terpsiphone cinnamomea (Sharpe, 1877) - Rufous Paradise-
Gloger, 1827
Flycatcher
Terpsiphone corvina (Newton,E, 1867) - Seychelles Paradise- Species
Flycatcher See text.
Terpsiphone cyanescens (Sharpe, 1877) - Blue Paradise-
Flycatcher
Terpsiphone mutata (Linnaeus, 1766) - Madagascar Paradise-Flycatcher
Terpsiphone paradisi (Linnaeus, 1758) - Asian Paradise Flycatcher
Terpsiphone rufiventer (Swainson, 1837) - Black-headed Paradise-Flycatcher
Terpsiphone rufocinerea (Cabanis, 1875) - Rufous-vented Paradise-Flycatcher
Terpsiphone smithii - (Fraser, 1843) - Annobón Paradise-flycatcher
Terpsiphone viridis (Statius Müller, 1776) - African Paradise Flycatcher
External link
● Birds and their associated Chewing Lice As of 4/27/05.

Icteridae
Tersiphone
Tersiphone is the genus to which many different species of Paradise
Flycatchers belong. Below is a list of Paradise Flycatcher species:
● Terpsiphone atrocaudata (Eyton, 1839) - Japanese Paradise- Phylum: Chordata

Flycatcher
Terpsiphone atrochalybeia (Thomson, 1842) - Sao Tome Class: Aves
Paradise-Flycatcher
Terpsiphone batesi Chapin, 1921 - Bate´s Paradise-
Flycatcher Order: Passeriformes
Terpsiphone bedfordi (Ogilvie-Grant, 1907) - Bedford's
Paradise-Flycatcher Family: Monarchidae
Terpsiphone bourbonnensis (Statius Müller, 1776) -
Mascarene Paradise-Flycatcher
Genus: Terpsiphone
Terpsiphone cinnamomea (Sharpe, 1877) - Rufous Paradise-
Gloger, 1827
Flycatcher
Terpsiphone corvina (Newton,E, 1867) - Seychelles Paradise- Species
Flycatcher See text.
Terpsiphone cyanescens (Sharpe, 1877) - Blue Paradise-
Flycatcher
Terpsiphone mutata (Linnaeus, 1766) - Madagascar Paradise-Flycatcher
Terpsiphone paradisi (Linnaeus, 1758) - Asian Paradise Flycatcher
Terpsiphone rufiventer (Swainson, 1837) - Black-headed Paradise-Flycatcher
Terpsiphone rufocinerea (Cabanis, 1875) - Rufous-vented Paradise-Flycatcher
Terpsiphone smithii - (Fraser, 1843) - Annobón Paradise-flycatcher
Terpsiphone viridis (Statius Müller, 1776) - African Paradise Flycatcher
External link
● Birds and their associated Chewing Lice As of 4/27/05.

Irenidae
Fairy-bluebirds
The two fairy-bluebirds are small passerine bird species found in
forests and plantations in tropical southern Asia and the
Philippines. They are the sole members of the family Irenidae, but
are related to the ioras and leafbirds.
These are bulbul-like birds of open forest or thorn scrub, but

whereas that group tends to be drab in coloration, fairy-bluebirds
are sexually dimorphic, with the males being dark blue in
plumage, and the females duller green.
These species eat fruit, especially figs, and maybe some insects.
They lay 2-3 eggs in a tree nest.
The call of the Asian Fairy-bluebird is a liquid two note Glue-It.
As one would expect, the Asian Fairy-bluebird occurs across

southern Asia, and the Philippine Fairy-bluebird in that
archipelago.
Asian Fairy-bluebird
● Family: Irenidae Scientific classification
❍ Asian Fairy-bluebird, Irena puella
Philippine Fairy-bluebird, Irena cyanogaster Kingdom: Animalia
External links Phylum: Chordata
● Fairy-bluebird videos on the Internet Bird Collection Class: Aves

Family: Irenidae
| Campephagidae | Cinclosomatidae | Climacteridae Jerdon, 1863
| Corcorachidae | Corvidae | Dicruridae | Icteridae | Irenidae
Genus: Irena
| Laniidae | Malaconotidae | Maluridae | Meliphagoidea Horsfield, 1821
| Menuridae | Neosittidae | Oriolidae | Orthonychidae
| Pachycephalidae | Paradisaeidae | Pardalotidae | Petroicidae Species
| Pityriaseidae | Pomatostomidae | Prionopidae | Ptilonorhynchidae See text.
| Turnagridae | Vangidae | Vireonidae
Laniidae
Shrikes
Loggerhead Shrike
Lizard impaled on thorns by
Southern Grey Shrike Lanius Kingdom: Animalia
meridionalis, Lanzarote
Phylum: Chordata
A shrike is a passerine bird of the family Laniidae which is known for its habit of catching insects,
small birds or mammals and impaling their bodies on thorns. This helps them to tear the flesh into Class: Aves
smaller, more conveniently-sized fragments, and serves as a "larder" so that the shrike can return to the
uneaten portions at a later time.
A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey, reflecting its predatory nature.
Family: Laniidae
Most shrike species occur in Eurasia and Africa, but two breed in North America. There are no
members of this family in South America or Australia. Genera
Lanius
Some shrikes are also known as "butcher birds" because of their habit of keeping corpses. Australasian
Eurocephalus
butcherbirds are not shrikes, although they occupy a similar ecological niche.
Corvinella
Species of Laniidae
● Tiger Shrike, Lanius tigrinus

Bull-headed Shrike, Lanius bucephalus
Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio
Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus
Brown Shrike, Lanius cristatus
Burmese Shrike, Lanius collurioides
Emin's Shrike, Lanius gubernator
Souza's Shrike, Lanius souzae
Bay-backed Shrike, Lanius vittatus
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach
Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus
Mountain Shrike or Grey-capped Shrike, Lanius validirostris
Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor
Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus
Great Grey Shrike or Northern Shrike Lanius excubitor
Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis
Chinese Grey Shrike, Lanius sphenocercus
Grey-backed Fiscal, Lanius excubitoroides
Long-tailed Fiscal, Lanius cabanisi
Taita Fiscal, Lanius dorsalis
Somali Fiscal, Lanius somalicus
Mackinnon's Shrike, Lanius mackinnoni
Common Fiscal, Lanius collaris
Newton's Fiscal, Lanius newtoni
Uhehe Shrike, Lanius marwitzi
Yellow-billed Shrike, Corvinella corvina
Magpie Shrike, Corvinella melanoleuca
White-rumped Shrike, Eurocephalus rueppelli
White-crowned Shrike, Eurocephalus anguitimens
Other species, popularly called "shrikes," are in the families:
● Prionopidae, helmetshrikes.
Malaconotidae, puffback shrikes, bush shrikes, tchagras and boubous.
Campephagidae, cuckoo-shrikes.
The Prionopidae and Malaconotidae are quite closely related to the Laniidae, and were formerly included in the shrike
family. The cuckoo-shrikes are not closely related to the true shrikes.
A bee presumably caught and

impaled by a shrike.
External links
● Shrike videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Artamidae | Atrichornithidae | Callaeidae | Campephagidae | Cinclosomatidae | Climacteridae | Corcorachidae

| Corvidae | Dicruridae | Icteridae | Irenidae | Laniidae | Malaconotidae | Maluridae | Meliphagoidea | Menuridae | Neosittidae
| Oriolidae | Orthonychidae | Pachycephalidae | Paradisaeidae | Pardalotidae | Petroicidae | Pityriaseidae | Pomatostomidae
Malaconotidae
Tchagra
Bushshrikes
The bushshrikes are smallish passerine bird species.
They were formerly classed with the true Shrikes in the
family Laniidae, but are now considered sufficiently
distinctive to be separated from that group as the family
Malaconotidae.
This is an African group of species which are found in

scrub or open woodland. They are similar in habits to
shrikes, hunting insects and other small prey from a perch
on a bush. Although similar in build to the shrikes, these
tend to be either colourful species or largely black; some
species are quite secretive.
Some bushshrikes have flamboyant displays. The male

puffbacks puff out the loose feathers on their rump and
lower back, to look almost ball-like.
These are mainly insectivorous forest or scrub birds. Up

to four eggs are laid in a cup nest in a tree.
Black-headed Gonolek
List of species in taxonomic order Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
● Brubru, Nilaus afer
Northern Puffback, Dryoscopus gambensis
Phylum: Chordata
Pringle's Puffback, Dryoscopus pringlii
Black-backed Puffback, Dryoscopus cubla
Red-eyed Puffback, Dryoscopus senegalensis Class: Aves
Pink-footed Puffback, Dryoscopus angolensis
Large-billed Puffback, Dryoscopus sabini Order: Passeriformes
Marsh Tchagra, Tchagra minuta
Black-crowned Tchagra, Tchagra senegala
Brown-crowned Tchagra, Tchagra australis Family: Malaconotidae
Southern Tchagra, Tchagra tchagra Genera
Red-naped Bushshrike, Laniarius ruficeps
Nilaus
Luehder's Bushshrike, Laniarius luehderi
Dryoscopus
Bulo Burti Boubou, Laniarius liberatus
Tchagra
Turati's Boubou, Laniarius turatii
Laniarius
Tropical Boubou, Laniarius aethiopicus
Rhodophoneus
Gabon Boubou, Laniarius bicolor
Telophorus
Southern Boubou, Laniarius ferrugineus
Malaconotus
Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Laniarius barbarus
Black-headed Gonolek, Laniarius erythrogaster
Crimson-breasted Gonolek, Laniarius atrococcineus
Papyrus Gonolek, Laniarius mufumbiri
Yellow-breasted Boubou, Laniarius atroflavus
Slate-colored Boubou, Laniarius funebris
Sooty Boubou, Laniarius leucorhynchus
Fuelleborn's Boubou, Laniarius fuelleborni
Rosy-patched Bushshrike, Rhodophoneus cruentus
Bokmakierie, Telophorus zeylonus
Grey-green Bushshrike, Telophorus bocagei
Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike, Telophorus sulfureopectus
Olive Bushshrike, Telophorus olivaceus
Many-colored Bushshrike, Telophorus multicolor
Black-fronted Bushshrike, Telophorus nigrifrons
Mt. Kupe Bushshrike, Telophorus kupeensis
Four-colored Bushshrike, Telophorus viridis
Doherty's Bushshrike, Telophorus dohertyi
Fiery-breasted Bushshrike, Malaconotus cruentus
Lagden's Bushshrike, Malaconotus lagdeni
Green-breasted Bushshrike, Malaconotus gladiator
Grey-headed Bushshrike, Malaconotus blanchoti
Monteiro's Bushshrike, Malaconotus monteiri
Uluguru Bushshrike, Malaconotus alius
External links
● Bushshrike videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Tchagra
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Tchagra
The Tchagras are passerine birds in the bushshrike family,
which are closely related to the true shrikes in the family
Laniidae, and were once included in that group. These five
species form the genus Tchagra within the bushshrike family:
● Marsh Tchagra, Tchagra minuta

Black-crowned Tchagra, Tchagra senegala
Brown-crowned Tchagra or Brown-headed Tchagra,
Tchagra australis
Southern Tchagra, Tchagra tchagra
The Marsh Tchagra is sometimes placed in the monotypic

genus Antichromus, and then named as Blackcap Bushshrike.
The dark Angolan subspecies of Marsh Tchagra was formerly
sometimes split as Anchieta's Tchagra, Tchagra anchietae,
named after Portuguese explorer José Alberto de Oliveira
Anchieta by his zoologist compatriot José Vicente Barbosa du
Bocage in 1869.
These are long-tailed birds, typically with a grey or grey-

brown back, brown wings and grey and whitish underparts.
The head pattern is distinctive, with a dark cap and black Scientific classification
eyestripe separated by a white supercilium. The bill is strong Kingdom: Animalia
and hooked.
Phylum: Chordata
The male and female are similar in plumage in all tchagra
species, but distinguishable from immature birds.
Class: Aves
These are solitary birds which tend to skulk low down or on
the ground. They have distinctive whistled calls and can be Order: Passeriformes
readily tempted into sight by imitating the call, presumably
because the tchagra is concerned that there is an intruder in its Family: Malaconotidae
territory.
These are species typically of scrub, open woodland, semi- Genus: Tchagra
desert and cultivation in sub-Saharan Africa. They hunt large Lesson, 1830
insects from a low perch in a bush, and the larger species like
species
Black-crowned Tchagra will also take vertebrate prey such as
frogs and snakes. T. minuta
T. senegala
T. australis
References T. jamesi
T. tchagra
● Barlow, Wacher and Disley, Birds of The Gambia
ISBN 1-873403-32-1
● Tony Harris and Kim Franklin, Shrikes and Bush-Shrikes ISBN 0-7136-3861-3
Home | Up
Maluridae
Maluridae
The Maluridae are a family of small, insectivouous
passerine birds endemic to Australia and New Guinea.
Commonly known as wrens, they are unrelated to the true
wrens of the Northern Hemisphere. The family includes 14
species of fairy-wren, 3 emu-wrens, and 10 grasswrens.
As with many other Australian creatures, and perhaps more

than most, the species making up this family were
comprehensively misunderstood by early researchers. They
were variously classified as Old World flycatchers, Old
World warblers, and Old World babblers. In the late 1960s
morphological studies began to suggest that the Australo- Juvenile Superb Fairy-wren
Papuan fairy-wrens, the grasswrens, emu-wrens and two Scientific classification
monotypic wren-like genera from New Guinea were related
and, following Charles Sibley's pioneering work on egg- Kingdom: Animalia
white proteins in the mid-1970s, Australian researchers
introduced the family name Maluridae in 1975. With Phylum: Chordata
further morphological work and the great strides made in
DNA analysis towards the end of the 20th century, their Class: Aves
position became clear: the Maluridae are one of the many
families to have emerged from the great corvid radiation in
Australasia. Their closest relatives are the Meliphagidae Order: Passeriformes
(honeyeaters), the Pardalotidae, and the Petroicidae
(Australian robins). Their obvious similarity to the wrens Family: Maluridae
of Europe and America is not genetic, but simply the
consequence of convergent evolution between more-or-less
unrelated species that share the same ecological niche. Genera
● Malurus
Fairy-wrens are notable for several peculiar behavioral ● Sipodotus
characteristics. They are socially monogamous and ● Clytomyias
sexually promiscuous, meaning that although they form ● Stipiturus
pairs between one male and one female, each partner will ● Amytornis
mate with other individuals and even assist in raising the
young from such pairings. Males of several species pluck
petals of conspicuous colors and display them to females for reasons unknown. The song of fairy-wrens
is pleasant and complex, and at least two species (Superb and Splendid) possess, in addition to the alarm
calls common to - and universally understood by - most small birds, another vocalization used when
confronted by predators. This, termed "Type II Vocalization", is song-like and used when confronted by
calling butcherbirds and sometimes other predatory birds, but its purpose is unknown; it is certainly not
a warning call.
Species of Maluridae (part of the super-family Meliphagoidea)

● Subfamily Malurinae, tribe Malurini
❍ Purple-crowned Fairy-wren, Malurus coronatus
Superb Fairy-wren, Malurus cyaneus

Splendid Fairy-wren, Malurus splendens
Variegated Fairy-wren, Malurus lamberti
Lovely Fairy-wren, Malurus amabilis
Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Malurus pulcherrimus
Red-winged Fairy-wren, Malurus elegans
White-winged Fairy-wren, Malurus leucopterus
Red-backed Fairy-wren, Malurus melanocephalus
● Subfamily Malurinae, tribe Stipiturini
❍ Southern Emu-wren, Stipiturus malachurus
Mallee Emu-wren, Stipiturus mallee

Rufous-crowned Emu-wren, Stipiturus ruficeps
● Subfamily Amytornithinae
❍ Grey Grasswren, Amytornis barbatus
Black Grasswren, Amytornis housei

White-throated Grasswren, Amytornis woodwardi
Carpentarian Grasswren, Amytornis dorotheae
Striated Grasswren, Amytornis striatus
Short-tailed Grasswren, Amytornis merrotsyi
Eyrean Grasswren, Amytornis goyderi
Thick-billed Grasswren, Amytornis textilis
Dusky Grasswren, Amytornis purnelli
Kalkadoon Grasswren, Amytornis ballarae
External links
● Maluridae videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Meliphagoidea
Meliphagidae
Meliphagoidea
Meliphagoidea is a superfamily of passerine birds.
Families Kingdom: Animalia
● Superfamily Meliphagoidea
❍ Family Petroicidae: the Australasian robins
Phylum: Chordata
Family Pardalotidae: pardalotes, thornbills, and allies
Family Meliphagidae: honeyeaters and chats Class: Aves
Family Maluridae: fairy-wrens, emu-wrens and
grasswrens
Superfamily: Meliphagoidea
| Campephagidae | Cinclosomatidae | Climacteridae | Corcorachidae Families
| Corvidae | Dicruridae | Icteridae | Irenidae | Laniidae ● Petroicidae
| Malaconotidae | Maluridae | Meliphagoidea | Menuridae ● Pardalotidae
| Neosittidae | Oriolidae | Orthonychidae | Pachycephalidae ● Meliphagidae
| Paradisaeidae | Pardalotidae | Petroicidae | Pityriaseidae ● Maluridae
| Pomatostomidae | Prionopidae | Ptilonorhynchidae | Turnagridae
| Vangidae | Vireonidae
Acanthorhynchus
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Spinebill
The Spinebill is a member of the Honeyeater family. It is around
15 centimetres in length, is coloured black, white and chestnut,
and has a long, downcurved bill. It is native to Australia.
Home | Up | Acanthorhynchus | Anthochaera | Manorina | Moho

| Philemon | Phylidonyris

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Family: Meliphagidae
Genus: Acanthorhynchus
Gould, 1837
Species
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
- Eastern Spinebill
Acanthorhynchus superciliosus -
Western Spinebill
Anthochaera
Wattlebird
Wattlebirds are members of the Honeyeater family, and native to
Australia. Species of wattlebird include the Little Wattlebird, the
Red Wattlebird, the Western Wattlebird, and the Yellow
Wattlebird.
Wattlebirds are characterized by their wattles. These are bare

fleshy appendages, usually wrinkled and often brightly coloured,
hanging from the cheeks, neck or throat, and presumably serving
for display. The exception is the Little Wattlebird, which lacks
wattles.
Some other birds also have wattles, although they are not known
by the term "wattlebird". Examples include the entire Callaeidae
family of New Zealand, comprised of the Tieke, the Kokako and
the extinct Huia; the Turkey; some vultures; and several species of Scientific classification
lapwing. Kingdom: Animalia
See also Phylum: Chordata
● List of Australian birds Class: Aves
External links Order: Passeriformes
● Wattlebird videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Genus: Anthochaera
Vigors & Horsfield, 1827
| Philemon | Phylidonyris Species
Anthochaera carunculata
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation Anthochaera chrysoptera
License. It uses material from the Wikipedia. Anthochaera paradoxa
Anthochaera lunulata
Manorina
Manorina
Manorina is a genus of Australian endemic honeyeaters,
containing four species: The Black-eared Miner, M. melanotis, the
Yellow-throated Miner, M. flavigula, the Noisy Miner, M.
melanocephala, and the Bell Miner, M. melanophrys. The genus is
notable for the complex social organisation of its species, which
live in colonies that can be further subdivided into coteries and
nest contingents.
Species
A Noisy Miner at perch
● Yellow-throated Miner, M. flavigula Scientific classification
Noisy Miner, M. melanocephala
Kingdom: Animalia
Bell Miner, M. melanophrys
Black-eared Miner, M. melanotis
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
| Philemon | Phylidonyris Order: Passeriformes

Genus: Manorina
Vieillot, 1818
Species
M. flavigula
M. melanocephala
M. melanophrys
M. melanotis
Moho
'O'os
The 'O'os (Moho) are a genus of now extinct birds originated from a
group of Australian honeyeaters (Meliphagidade) which were
probably drifted by tropical storms across thousands of kilometres to
[1] Kingdom: Animalia
the Hawaiian Islands. Their plumage was general striking glossy
black, some species had yellowish axillary tufts and other black
outer feathers. Most of these species became extinct by habitat loss Phylum: Chordata
and by extensive hunting because their plumage were used for the
[1]
creation of precious robes and capes for nobilities. The Kauai 'O'o Class: Aves
was the last species of that genus which became extinct and it was
[2]
probably a victim of the avian malaria. Order: Passeriformes
Taxonomy Family: Meliphagidae
The following species belong to that genus

Genus: Moho
(Lesson, 1830)
● Oahu 'O'o (Moho apicalis) - Extinct ca. 1837
Molokai 'O'o or Bishop's 'O'o (Moho bishopi) - Extinct ca. Species
1904 see text.
Hawaii 'O'o (Moho nobilis) - Extinct ca. 1934
Kauai 'O'o (Moho braccatus) - Extinct ca. 1987
References
ab
1. ^ Flannery, Tim & Schouten, Peter (2001): A Gap in Nature
2. ^ Fuller, Errol (2000): Extinct Birds
● Day, David (1981): The Doomsday Book of Animals

● Greenway, James C. (1967): Extinct and Vanishing Birds of the World
External links
● Short description of the Moho species (French)
● Bishop's 'O'o
● Kauai 'O'o
● Naturalis - Hawaii 'O'o
Home | Up | Acanthorhynchus | Anthochaera | Manorina | Moho | Philemon | Phylidonyris
Philemon
Friarbirds
The friarbirds are four species of honeyeaters in the genus
Philemon:
● Helmeted Friarbird, Philemon buceroides

They are found in eastern Australia and southern New Guinea.

They eat nectar, insects and other invertebrates, flowers, fruit and
seeds.

License. It uses material from the Wikipedia. Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Genus: Philemon
Vieillot, 1816
Species
Philemon buceroides
Philemon argenticeps
Philemon corniculatus
Philemon citreogularis
Phylidonyris
Back | Home | Up
Phylidonyris
The genus Phylidonyris is a member of the Honeyeater family.


Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Genus: Phylidonyris
Lesson, 1830
Species
Phylidonyris albifrons
Phylidonyris melanops
Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
Phylidonyris nigra
Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera
Menuridae
Lyrebirds
A Lyrebird is either of two species of ground-dwelling Australian
birds, most notable for their extraordinary ability to mimic natural
and artificial sounds from their environment. They are the:
Kingdom: Animalia
● Superb Lyrebird or Weringerong (Menura
novaehollandiae) is found in areas of wet forest in Victoria Phylum: Chordata
and New South Wales, and in Tasmania where it was
introduced in the 19th Century. Females are 74-84cm long, Class: Aves
and the males are a larger 80-98cm long — making them the
third-largest passerine bird after the Thick-billed Raven and
the Common Raven. Many Superb Lyrebirds live in the Order: Passeriformes
Dandenong Ranges National Park and Kinglake National
Park around Melbourne, and in several other parks along the Family: Menuridae
east coast of Australia.
Genus: Menura
● Albert's Lyrebird (Menura alberti) is slightly smaller at a
Latham, 1802
maximum of 90 cm (male) and 84 cm (female) (around 30-
35 inches) and is only found in a very small area of Southern Species
Queensland rainforest. They have smaller, less spectacular Menura novaehollandiae
lyrate feathers than the Superb Lyrebird, but are otherwise Menura alberti
similar. Albert's Lyrebird was named in honour of Prince
Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria.
Lyrebirds are among Australia's best-known native birds, even though they are rarely seen in their
natural habitat. As well as their extraordinary mimicking ability, lyrebirds are notable because of the
striking beauty of the male bird's huge tail when it is fanned out in display; and also because of their
courtship display.
The lyrebird is an ancient Australian animal. The Australian Museum has fossils of lyrebirds dating back
[1]
to about 15 million years ago.
Contents
● 1 Mimicry
❍ 1.1 An anecdotal example
● 2 Lifestyle and classification

● 3 Lyrebirds as emblems
● 4 Painting by John Gould
● 5 References
Mimicry
A lyrebird's call is a rich mixture of its own song and any number of other sounds it has heard. The
lyrebird's syrinx is the most complexly-muscled of the Passerines (songbirds), giving the lyrebird
extraordinary ability, unmatched in vocal repertoire and mimicry. Lyrebirds render with great fidelity
the individual songs of other birds and the chatter of flocks of birds, and also mimic other animals,
human noises, machinery of all kinds, explosions and musical instruments. The lyrebird is capable of
imitating almost any sound — from a mill whistle to a cross-cut saw, and, not uncommonly, sounds as
diverse as chainsaws [2], car engines and alarms, rifle-shots, camera shutters, dogs barking and crying
babies. Lyrebirds are shy birds and a constant stream of bird calls coming from one place is often the
only way of identifying them and their presence. The female lyrebird is also an excellent mimic, but she
[3] [4] [5]
is not heard as often as the male lyrebird
One researcher, Sydney Curtis, has recorded flute-like lyrebird calls in the vicinity of the New England
National Park. Similarly, in 1969, a park ranger, Neville Fenton, recorded a lyrebird song, which
resembled flute sounds, in the New England National Park, near Dorrigo in northern coastal New South
Wales. After much detective work by Fenton, it was discovered that in the 1930's, a flute player living
on a farm adjoining the park used to play tunes near his pet lyrebird. The lyrebird adopted the tunes into
his repertoire, and retained them after release into the park. Neville Fenton forwarded a tape of his
recording to Norman Robinson. Because a lyrebird is able to carry two tunes at the same time, Robinson
filtered out one of the tunes and put it on the phonograph for the purposes of analysis. The song
represents a modified version of two popular tunes in the 1930's: "The Keel Row" and "Mosquito's
[6] [7] [8]
Dance". Musicologist David Rothenberg has endorsed this information.
An anecdotal example
A Lyrebird's tale
During the early 1930s, a male lyrebird, called "James", formed a close bond of friendship with a human
being, Mrs. Wilkinson, after she had been offering food to him over a period of time. James would
perform his courtship dance for her on one of his mounds which he had constructed in her backyard —
and he would also put on his display for a wider audience, but only when Mrs. Wilkinson was one of
those present. On one such occasion, James' performance lasted for forty-three minutes, and included
steps to a courtship dance accompanied by his own tune — and also included imitating perfectly the
calls of a Magpie, and a young magpie being fed by a parent-bird, a Whipbird, a Bellbird, a complete
laughing-song of a Kookaburra, two Kookaburras laughing in unison, a Black Cockatoo, a Gang-gang
Cockatoo, an Eastern Rosella, a Pied Butcherbird, a Wattle-bird, a Grey Shrike-thrush, a Thornbill, a
Scrubwren, a Striated Pardalote, a Starling, a Yellow Robin, a Golden Whistler, a flock of parrots
whistling in flight, the Crimson Rosella, several other birds whose notes his audience were not able to
identify, and the song of honey-eaters (tiny birds with tiny voices), that gather in numbers and "cheep"
and twitter in a multitudinous sweet whispering. In order to mimic the honeyeaters' singing faithfully,
James was obliged to subdue his powerful voice to the faintest pianissimo, but he contrived,
nevertheless, to make each individual note of the soft chorus audibly distinct. Also included in James'
performance was his perfect mimicry of the sounds made by a rock-crusher at work, a hydraulic ram,
[9]
and the tooting of motor-horns.
Lifestyle and classification

Male lyrebirds call mostly during winter, when they construct and maintain an open arena-mound in
dense bush, on which they sing and dance in courtship, to display to potential mates, of which the male
lyrebird has several. Females build an untidy nest usually low to the ground in a moist gully where she
lays a single egg, and she is the sole parent who incubates the egg over 50 days until it hatches, and she
is also the sole carer of the lyrebird chick.
Lyrebirds feed on insects, spiders, earthworms and, occasionally, seeds. They find food by scratching
with their feet through the leaf-litter. When in danger, lyrebirds run, rather than fly, being awkward in
flight, and have also been seen to take refuge in wombat burrows. Another instance was when
[10]
firefighters, sheltering in a mine shaft during a bushfire, were joined by several lyrebirds.
The classification of lyrebirds has been much debated. They were briefly thought to be Galliformes like
the broadly similar looking partridge, junglefowl, and pheasants that Europeans were familiar with, but
since then have usually been classified in a family of their own, Menuridae, which contains a single
genus, Menura.
It is generally accepted that the lyrebird family is most closely related to the scrub-birds
(Atrichornithidae) and some authorities combine both in a single family, but evidence that they are also
related to the bowerbirds remains controversial.
Lyrebirds are not endangered in the short to medium term. Albert's Lyrebird has a very restricted habitat
but appears to be secure within it so long as the habitat remains intact, while the Superb Lyrebird, once
seriously threatened by habitat destruction, is now classified as common. Even so, lyrebirds are
vulnerable to cats and foxes, and it remains to be seen if habitat protection schemes will stand up to
increased human population pressure.
Lyrebirds as emblems
Superb Lyrebird on the

Australian 10 cent coin
The lyrebird has been featured as a symbol and emblem many times, especially in New South Wales and
Victoria (where the Superb Lyrebird has its natural habitat) – and in Queensland (where Albert's
Lyrebird has its natural habitat).
● A male Superb Lyrebird is featured on the reverse of the Australian 10 cent coin. [1]
● A silhouette of a male Superb Lyrebird is the logo of the Australian Film Commission
● An illustration of a male Superb Lyrebird, in courtship display, is the emblem of the New South
Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service
● The pattern on the curtains of the Victorian State Theatre is the image of a male Superb Lyrebird,
in courtship display, as viewed from the front.
● A stylized illustration of a male Albert's Lyrebird is the logo of the Queensland Conservatorium
of Music, now part of Griffith University. In the logo, the top part of the lyrebird's tail becomes a
music stave.
● A stylized illustration of part of a male Superb Lyrebird's tail is the logo for the Lyrebird Arts
Council of Victoria.
● There are many other companies with the name of Lyrebird, and these also have lyrebird logos.
Painting by John Gould

John Gould's early 1800s
painting of a Superb
Lyrebird specimen at the
British Museum
The lyrebird is so called because the male bird has a spectacular tail (consisting of 16 highly modified
feathers (two long slender lyrates at the centre of the plume, two broader medians on the outside edges
and twelve filamentaries arrayed between them), which was originally thought to resemble a lyre. This
happened when a lyrebird specimen (which had been taken from Australia to England during the early
1800's) was prepared for display at the British Museum by a taxidermist who had never seen a live
lyrebird. The taxidermist mistakenly thought that the tail would resemble a lyre, and that the tail would
be held in a similar way to that of a peacock during courtship display, and so he arranged the feathers in
this way. Later, John Gould (who had also never seen a live lyrebird), painted the lyrebird from the
British Museum specimen.
Although very beautiful, the male lyrebird's tail is not as in John Gould's painting, nor is the tail held in
such a manner. Instead, the male lyrebird's tail is fanned over the lyrebird during courtship display, with
the tail completely covering his head and back — as can be seen on an Australian 10 cent coin (above),
where the Lyrebird's tail (in courtship display) is portrayed accurately.
References
1. ^ - Lyrebird: Overview - Pulse of the Planet
2. ^ The nation's favourite David Attenborough moment - Daily Mail article
3. ^ - "passeriform" article, Encyclopædia Britannica Online, 2005.
4. ^ - Reader's Digest - Complete Book of Australian Birds, 1976.
5. ^ -Favourite Australian Birds, Bay Books, 1998.
6. ^ - Lyrebird Recordings by Sydney Curtis - includes reference to the flute lyrebird story, and a
link to a recording.
7. ^ - In conversation with David Rothenberg - NewMusicBox interview including flute lyrebird
story.
8. ^ - The Lyrebird - A Natural History, by Pauline Reilly, New South Wales University Press,
1988.
9. ^ - The Lore of the Lyrebird, by Ambrose Pratt, the Endeavour Press, 1933.
10. ^ - Amazing Facts about Australian Birds, by Steve Parish, Steve Parish Publishing, 1997.
External links
● Albert's lyrebird (Menura Alberti) ARKive - images of life on Earth
● Lyrebird photos and information - official website of New South Wales National Parks and
Wildlife Service
● Lyrebird photo and information - official website of Museum Victoria
● Lyrebird photo and information - official website of Healesville Sanctuary
● Lyrebird Forest (includes photo and information about the Superb Lyrebird) - official website of
Healesville Sanctuary
● Lyrebird information - Australian Journal of Zoology
● Lyrebird information - Barrenground, inc. Lyrebirds
● Mimicry and Cultural Transmission in Albert's Lyrebirds - Research into Lyrebirds (includes
Albert's Lyrebird calls)
● Lyrebird song - Lyrebirds of the Strzelecki Forest, South Gippsland, Victoria
● Albert's Lyrebird conservation project -Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
● Recording of Lyrebird, from David Attenborough's The Life of Birds.
● Recordings of Lyrebirds by Sydney Curtis. Includes links to various lyrebird calls.
● Superb Lyrebird photos - because the male lyrebird is on his mound, it would appear that the
photos were taken just before the lyrebird went into courtship display
● Lyrebird: Overview - Pulse of the Planet
● Superb Lyrebird photo - Trevor Quested
● Albert's Lyrebird - Images of Life on Earth
● Superb Lyrebird - Dr. Ellen Rudolph
● Superb Lyrebird - Lyrebird Survey Group
● Superb Lyrebird photos - Lyrebird Survey Group
● Albert's Lyrebird - Birdlife species factsheet
● Lyrebird videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● BBC David Attenborough's award winning Lyrebird video (also in QuickTime) - imitates
cameras, chainsaw, other birds
● BBC Lyrebird Video on Google Videos
Neosittidae
Sitellas
The sitellas are a family of small passerine birds found only in
Australasia. They resemble treecreepers, but have soft tails. They do
not migrate other than for local movements.
Kingdom: Animalia
The sitellas are small woodland birds with thin pointed down-curved
bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. Nests are open Phylum: Chordata
cups in forked branches.
Class: Aves
Species
● Black Sitella, Neositta miranda
● Varied Sitella, Neositta chrysoptera
Family: Neosittidae
External links Genus: Neositta

Hellmayr, 1901
● Sitella videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Species
● N. miranda
● N. chrysoptera
| Campephagidae | Cinclosomatidae | Climacteridae | Corcorachidae | Corvidae | Dicruridae | Icteridae
| Irenidae | Laniidae | Malaconotidae | Maluridae | Meliphagoidea | Menuridae | Neosittidae | Oriolidae
| Orthonychidae | Pachycephalidae | Paradisaeidae | Pardalotidae | Petroicidae | Pityriaseidae
| Pomatostomidae | Prionopidae | Ptilonorhynchidae | Turnagridae | Vangidae | Vireonidae
Oriolidae
Orioles
Orioles are colourful Old World passerine birds in the family
Oriolidae. They are not related to the New World orioles, which are
Icterids, family Icteridae.
Kingdom: Animalia
The orioles are a mainly tropical Old World group, although one
species breeds in more temperate regions. Phylum: Chordata
Species Class: Aves
● Golden Oriole, Oriolus oriolus Order: Passeriformes

Brown Oriole, Oriolus szalayi
Halmahera Oriole, Oriolus phaeochromus
Ceram Oriole, Oriolus forsteni Family: Oriolidae
Vigors, 1825
Buru Oriole, Oriolus bouroensis
Timor Oriole, Oriolus viridifuscus Genera
Olive-backed Oriole or White-bellied Oriole, Oriolus ● Oriolus
sagittattus ● Sphecotheres
Yellow Oriole or Green Oriole, Oriolus flavocinctus
Dark-throated Oriole, Oriolus xanthonotus
White-lored Oriole, Oriolus albiloris
Isabela Oriole, Oriolus isabellae
African Golden Oriole, Oriolus auratus
Black-naped Oriole, Oriolus chinensis
Green-headed Oriole, Oriolus chlorocephalus
Great-billed Oriole, Oriolus crassirostris
Western Black-headed Oriole, Oriolus brachyrhynchus
Forest Oriole, Oriolus monacha
Black-headed Oriole, Oriolus larvatus
Black-winged Oriole, Oriolus nigripennis
Black-hooded Oriole, Oriolus xanthornus
Black Oriole, Oriolus hosii
Black and Crimson Oriole, Oriolus cruentus
Maroon Oriole, Oriolus trailili
Silver Oriole, Oriolus mellianus
Figbird Sphecotheres viridis
External links
● Oriole videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Orthonychidae
Orthonychidae
The Orthonychidae is a family of birds with a single genus,
Orthonyx, which comprises of two species of passerine birds
endemic to Australia and New Guinea, the Logrunner and the
Chowchilla. Some authorities consider the Australian family
Cinclosomatidae to be part of the Orthonychidae. Both species use
stiffened tails to brace themselves when feeding.
The Logrunner, Orthonyx temminckii, is from south-eastern

Australia, where it is very local in its distribution, and strictly
terrestrial in its habits. The wings are, however, barred with white,
and the chin, throat and breast are in the male pure white, but of a
bright reddish-orange in the female. The remiges are very short,
rounded and much incurved, showing a bird of weak flight. The
rectrices are very broad, the shafts stiff, and towards the tip
divested of barbs. The northern subspecies, found locally in New
Guinea, was formerly considered its own species, Orthonyx
novaeguineae.
Logrunners
The Chowchilla, Orthonyx spaldingii from Queensland is of much
greater size than the Logrunner, and with a jet-black plumage, the
throat being white in the male and orange-rufous in the female. Kingdom: Animalia
Both are semi-terrestrial birds of weak flight, and build a domed Phylum: Chordata
nest on or near the ground. Insects and larvae are their chief food,
and the males are described as performing dancing antics like
Class: Aves
those of the lyrebird.
The fossil record does not much help to determine the affiliations Order: Passeriformes
of the Orthonychidae. Three prehistoric species are known to
science. The very large Orthonyx hypsilophus from Green Family: Orthonychidae
Waterhole Cave and an undescribed species found in Pyramids
Cave which was a bit smaller than the logrunner are probably of
Late Pleistocene age. Orthonyx kaldowinyeri[1] is known from Genus: Orthonyx
Temminck, 1820
Middle or Late Miocene deposits of Riversleigh; it is the oldest
and smallest species known to date (Boles, 1993). Species
Orthonyx temminckii
References Orthonyx spaldingii
● This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication
now in the public domain.
● Boles, Walter E. (1993): A Logrunner Orthonyx (Passeriformes: Orthonychidae) from the
Miocene of Riversleigh, North-western Queensland. Emu 93: 44-49. DOI:10.1071/MU9930044
(HTML abstract)
Footnotes
1. ^ Etymology: kaldowinyeri is the Yaralde (Ngarrindjeri) word for "a very long time ago"; this
species is the oldest record of the family found to date. Like the bird, the language is nowadays
extinct.
External links
● Orthonychidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Pitohui
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Pitohui
Pitohui is a genus of birds endemic to New Guinea, belonging to
the family Pachycephalidae.
Currently six species are classified in the genus, though current Kingdom: Animalia
molecular genetics research suggests that significant reclassification
of the Pachycephalidae may be needed. Phylum: Chordata
Species Class: Aves
● Variable Pitohui, Pitohui kirhocephalus Order: Passeriformes

Hooded Pitohui, Pitohui dichrous
White-bellied Pitohui, Pitohui incertus
Rusty Pitohui, Pitohui ferrugineus Family: Pachycephalidae
Crested Pitohui, Pitohui cristatus
Black Pitohui, Pitohui nigrescens Genus: Pitohui
Lesson, 1830
Pitohuis are brightly coloured, omnivorous birds. The skin and Species
feathers of some pitohuis, especially the Variable and Hooded
Pitohuis, contain powerful neurotoxic alkaloids of the batrachotoxin See text.
group (also secreted by the Colombian poison dart frogs, genus Phyllobates). It is believed that these
serve the birds as a chemical defence, either against ectoparasites or against visually guided predators
such as snakes, raptors or humans. (Dumbacher, et al., 1992) The birds probably do not produce
batrachotoxin themselves. It is most likely that the toxins come from the Choresine genus of beetles, part
of the bird's diet.[1] (Dumbacher, et al., 2004)
The Hooded Pitohui is brightly coloured, with a brick red belly and a jet black head. The Variable
Pitohui, as its name implies, exists in many different forms, and twenty subspecies with different
plumage patterns have been named. Two of them, however, closely resemble the Hooded Pitohui.
It has been suggested that the birds' bright colours are an example of aposematism (warning
colouration), and the similarity of the Hooded Pitohui and some forms of the Variable Pitohui might
then be an example of Müllerian mimicry, in which dangerous species gain a mutual advantage by
sharing colouration, so that an encounter with either species trains a predator to avoid both. (Dumbacher
& Fleischer, 2001)
References
● Dumbacher JP, Beehler BM, Spande TF, Garraffo HM, Daly JW (1992). "Homobatrachotoxin in
the genus Pitohui: chemical defense in birds?". Science 258 (5083): 799-801. PMID 1439786.
● Dumbacher JP, Fleischer RC (2001). "Phylogenetic evidence for colour pattern convergence in
toxic pitohuis: Mullerian mimicry in birds?". Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 268
(1480): 1971-6. PMID 11571042.
● Dumbacher JP, Wako A, Derrickson SR, Samuelson A, Spande TF, Daly JW (2004). "Melyrid
beetles (Choresine): a putative source for the batrachotoxin alkaloids found in poison-dart frogs
and toxic passerine birds". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 101 (45): 15857-60.
PMID 15520388.
External links
● FUGU, POISON FROGS, AND PITOHUIS by Harold B. White
● White-bellied pitohuis
● Picture of a hooded pitohui
Home | Up
Paradisaeidae
Bird of Paradise
The birds of paradise are members of the family Paradisaeidae of the order Passeriformes. They are found in
Australasia regions of eastern Indonesia, New Guinea and northeastern Australia. The member of this family are perhaps
best known for the striking plumage possessed by the male of most species, which are used in courtship displays in order
to attract females. Many species also have highly elongated and elaborate feathers extending from the tail, wings or
head. Despite this extravagant plumage, they are anatomically among the most primitive songbirds.
The best known for their plumage are the species of the genus Paradisaea, including the type species the Greater Bird
of Paradise, Paradisaea apoda. This species was described from specimens brought back to Europe from trading
expeditions. These specimens had been prepared by native traders by removing their wings and feet, which led to the belief
that the birds never landed but were kept permanently aloft by their plumes. This gave both the name "birds of paradise"
and the specific name apoda - without feet.
Most species have elaborate mating rituals, with the Paradisaea species having a Lek-type mating system. Others, such as
the Cicinnurus and Parotia species, have highly ritualized mating dances, with Parotia species presenting ballet tutu-like
display plumage in a dance that is among the most astounding behaviors of all birds due to its completely accidental,
but nonetheless uncanny resemblance to hula and limbo dances.
Due to the peculiarities of their mating system, birds of paradise are among the birds where hybrids most frequently
occur, together with ducks and hummingbirds, which both also have highly ornamental plumage in males and often
form groups for mating purposes. Some scholars merge this family together with the Corvidae. Lesser Bird of Paradise, Paradisaea
minor

Kingdom: Animalia
● 1 Use by humans
● 2 Species of Paradisaeidae Phylum: Chordata
● 3 Trivia
● 4 References Class: Aves
Use by humans Family: Paradisaeidae
The native societies of New Guinea often use bird of paradise plumes in their dress and rituals, and the plumes were
Genera
very important in Europe in ladies' millinery in past centuries. Hunting for plumes and habitat destruction has reduced
some species to endangered status. Habitat destruction due to deforestation is the predominant reason today. Hunting for 13, see list below
their plumes for millinery was a significant factor in the late 19th and early 20th century, but as of today, they enjoy
legal protection and hunting is only permitted at a sustainable level to fulfil the ceremonial needs of the local tribal
population. As for Pteridophora plumes, scavenging from old bowerbird bowers is encouraged. When King Mahendra of
Nepal was crowned in 1955, it was found that the bird of paradise plumes of the Nepali royal crown were in need
of replacement. Due to the hunting ban, replacements were eventually procured from a confiscated shipment seized by
United States Customs.
Hunting of birds of paradise has occurred for a long time, possibly since the beginning of human settlement. It is a
peculiarity that among the most frequently-hunted species, males start mating opportunistically even before they grow
their ornamental plumage. This may be an adaptation maintaining population levels in the face of hunting pressures,
which have in all probability been present since 30 millennia.
Bird of paradise could also be found in Malaysia. They are highly sought after by traditional healers for medical purposes.
In Malaysia these endangered birds are called Cendrawasih.
Species of Paradisaeidae
Genus Lycocorax Genus Ptiloris
● Paradise Crow, Lycocorax pyrrhopterus ● Magnificent Riflebird, Ptiloris magnificus

Eastern Riflebird, Ptiloris intercedens
Genus Manucodia Paradise Riflebird, Ptiloris paradiseus
Victoria's Riflebird, Ptiloris victoriae
● Glossy-mantled Manucode, Manucodia atra
Jobi Manucode, Manucodia jobiensis Genus Epimachus
Crinkle-collared Manucode, Manucodia chalybata
Curl-crested Manucode, Manucodia comrii ● Black Sicklebill, Epimachus fastuosus
Trumpet Manucode, Manucodia keraudrenii Brown Sicklebill, Epimachus meyeri
Black-billed Sicklebill, Epimachus albertisi
Genus Paradigalla Pale-billed Sicklebill, Epimachus bruijnii
Elliot's Bird of Paradise Epimachus ellioti
● Long-tailed Paradigalla, Paradigalla carunculata
Short-tailed Paradigalla, Paradigalla brevicauda May be extinct, or just a hybrid of Black Sicklebill (Epimachus fastuosus) and Arfak Astrapia (Astrapia
nigra)
Genus Astrapia
Genus Cicinnurus
● Arfak Astrapia, Astrapia nigra
Splendid Astrapia, Astrapia splendidissima ● Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Cicinnurus magnificus
Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Astrapia mayeri Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Cicinnurus respublica
Stephanie's Astrapia, Astrapia stephaniae King Bird of Paradise, Cicinnurus regius
Huon Astrapia, Astrapia rothschildi
Genus Semioptera
Genus Parotia
● Wallace's Standardwing, Semioptera wallacii
● Western Parotia, Parotia sefilata
Carola's Parotia, Parotia carolae Genus Seleucidis
Berlepsch's Parotia, Parotia berlepschi
Lawes's Parotia, Parotia lawesii ● Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Seleucidis melanoleuca
Eastern Parotia, Parotia helenae
Wahnes's Parotia, Parotia wahnesi Genus Paradisaea
Genus Pteridophora ● Lesser Bird of Paradise, Paradisaea minor

Greater Bird of Paradise, Paradisaea apoda
● King of Saxony Bird of Paradise, Pteridophora alberti Raggiana Bird of Paradise, Paradisaea raggiana
Goldie's Bird of Paradise, Paradisaea decora
Genus Lophorina Red Bird of Paradise, Paradisaea rubra
Emperor Bird of Paradise, Paradisaea guilielmi
● Superb Bird of Paradise, Lophorina superba Blue Bird of Paradise, Paradisaea rudolphi
Others
● Loria's Bird-of-paradise, Cnemophilus loriae - may not be in this family due to recent research [1]
Crested Bird-of-paradise, Cnemophilus macgregorii - may not be in this family due to recent research [2]
Yellow-breasted Bird-of-paradise, Loboparadisea sericea - may not be in this family due to recent research [3]
Macgregor's Bird-of-paradise, Macgregoria pulchra - recently found to be a honeyeater [4]
Lesser Melampitta, Melampitta lugubris - tentatively included in this group
Greater Melampitta, Melampitta gigantea - tentatively included in this group
Trivia
● A Bird of paradise is depicted on the flag of Papua New Guinea.
● Birds of Paradise is one of the most favored cards in Magic: The Gathering.
References
● Frith, Clifford B. & Beehler, Bruce M. (1998): The Birds of Paradise: Paradisaeidae. Oxford University Press.
ISBN 0198548532
External links
● BBC: Watch the amazing dance of a Western (Arfak) Parotia
● A page about Birds of Paradise
Home | Up | Artamidae | Atrichornithidae | Callaeidae | Campephagidae | Cinclosomatidae | Climacteridae | Corcorachidae

| Corvidae | Dicruridae | Icteridae | Irenidae | Laniidae | Malaconotidae | Maluridae | Meliphagoidea | Menuridae | Neosittidae
| Oriolidae | Orthonychidae | Pachycephalidae | Paradisaeidae | Pardalotidae | Petroicidae | Pityriaseidae | Pomatostomidae
Pardalote
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Pardalotes
Pardalotes are very small, brightly coloured birds native to
Australia, with short tails, strong legs, and stubby blunt beaks.
They form part of the family Pardalotidae. The name derives from
a Greek word meaning "spotted".
Pardalotes spend most of their time high in the outer foliage of

trees, feeding on insects, spiders, and above all lerps (a type of sap
sucking insect). Their role in controlling lerp infestations in the
eucalyptus forests of Australia may be significant.
Pardalotus striatus ornatus
They generally live in pairs or small family groups but sometimes Scientific classification
come together into flocks after breeding.
Kingdom: Animalia
All four species nest in deep horizontal tunnels drilled into banks
of earth. Externally about the size of a mouse-hole, these can be Phylum: Chordata
very deep, a metre or more. (Some species also nest in tree-
hollows; see below for details.) Class: Aves
There are four species in the genus Pardalotus, with several sub- Order: Passeriformes
species.
Family: Pardalotidae
Species
● Spotted Pardalote, Pardalotus punctatus. Genus: Pardalotus
Vieillot, 1816
Forty-spotted Pardalote, Pardalotus quadragintus.
Red-browed Pardalote, Pardalotus rubricatus Species
Striated Pardalote, Pardalotus striatus. Pardalotus punctatus
Pardalotus quadragintus
External links Pardalotus rubricatus
Pardalotus striatus
● Pardalote videos on the Internet Bird Collection
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Petroicidae
Petroicidae
The bird family Petroicidae includes roughly 45 species in
about 15 genera. All are endemic to Australasia or nearby areas.
For want of a more accurate common name, the family is often
described as the Australasian robins: it extends beyond
Australasia, however, and includes not just robins but the Jacky
Winter, the New Zealand Tomtit, some flycatchers, and scrub-
robins.
Most species have a stocky build with a large, rounded head, a

short, straight bill, and rounded wingtips. They occupy a wide
range of wooded habitats, from subalpine to tropical rainforest,
and mangrove swamps to semi-arid scrubland. All are primarily
insectivorous, although a few supplement their diet with seeds.
Hunting is mostly by perch and pounce, a favoured tactic being
to cling sideways onto a treetrunk and scan the ground below
without moving.
Social organisation is usually centered on long term pair-bonds Petroica phoenicea.

and small family groups. Some genera practice cooperative Scientific classification
breeding, with all family members helping defend a territory
Kingdom: Animalia
and feed nestlings.
Nests are cup-shaped, usually constructed by the female, and Phylum: Chordata
often placed in a vertical fork of a tree or shrub; many species
are expert at adding moss, bark or lichen to the outside of the Class: Aves
nest as camouflague, making it very difficult to spot (even when
it is in a seemingly prominent location).
The relationship of the Petroicidae to other bird families is
uncertain. They are clearly part of a particularly old lineage. Family: Petroicidae
Sibley and Alquist's DNA-DNA hybridisation studies put them
in the "Corvoidea" (a huge group that includes the shrikes, Genera
crows and jays, butcherbirds, woodswallows, drongos, cuckoo-
shrike, fantails, monarch flycatchers and many others), but this
superfamily has been proven to be paraphyletic.
More recent allozyme studies suggest that they be placed with ● Poecilodryas
the Meliphagoidea - the superfamily that includes the ● Heteromyias
honeyeaters, Australian wrens, Pardalotes, and thornbills and ● Plesiodryas
itself derives from the great Australasian corvid radiation. ● Gennaeodryas
● Peneothello
Although the details remain uncertain, the overall picture is ● Tregellasia
clear: despite the striking similarity between the robins of ● Eopsaltria
Australasia and the true robins of Europe, their evolutionary ● Melanodyas
relationship is quite distant, and the Petroicidae are more closely ● Monachella
related to the crows and jays than to the group of northern ● Microeca
hemisphere birds which resemble them in appearance, diet, ● Eugerygone
habits, and even coloration. ● Petroica
● Pachycephalopsis
● Drymodes
Partial species list of Petroicidae (Part of the
super-family Meliphagoidea)
● Genus Microeca
❍ Jacky Winter, Microeca fascinans
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher, Microeca flavigaster

Yellow-legged Flycatcher, Microeca griseoceps
● Genus Petroica
❍ Scarlet Robin, Petroica multicolor
New Zealand Tomtit, Petroica macrocephala

Red-capped Robin, Petroica goodenovii
Flame Robin, Petroica phoenicea
Rose Robin, Petroica rosea
Pink Robin, Petroica rodinogaster
South Island Robin, Petroica australis
North Island Robin, Petroica australis (often included in P. australis)
Black Robin (Chatham Island Robin), Petroica traversi
● Genus Melanodryas
❍ Hooded Robin, Melanodryas cicullata
Dusky Robin, Melanodryas vittata
● Genus Tregellasia
❍ Pale-yellow Robin, Tregellasia capito
White-faced Robin, Tregellasia leucops
● Genus Eopsaltria
❍ Eastern Yellow Robin, Eopsaltria australis
Western Yellow Robin, Eopsaltria griseogularis
White-breasted Robin, Eopsaltria georgiana
Mangrove Robin, Eopsaltria pulverulenta
● Genus Poecilodryas
❍ White-browed Robin, Poecilodryas superciliosa
● Genus Heteromyias
❍ Grey-headed Robin, Heteromyias albispecularis
● Genus Drymodes
❍ Northern Scrub-Robin, Drymodes superciliaris
Southern Scrub-Robin, Drymodes brunnoepygia
References
● Miller, Hilary C. & Lambert, David M. (2006): A molecular phylogeny of New Zealand’s
Petroica (Aves: Petroicidae) species based on mitochondrial DNA sequences. Molecular
Phylogenetics and Evolution 40(3): 844-855. DOI:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.04.012 (HTML
abstract)
External links
● Petroicidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Pityriaseidae
Bornean Bristlehead
The Bornean Bristlehead, Pityriasis gymnocephala, is a passerine Conservation status Near threatened
bird, the only member of the family Pityriaseidae. It is a medium-
sized 25 cm (10 in) species endemic to Borneo. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
This is a large black bird with a red and yellow head. Females also
have some red in the wings. It has a massive heavy black hooked
bill and a short tail. The crown of the head has short, coloured Phylum: Chordata
projections like bare feather shaft, hence the name 'Bristlehead'.
Class: Aves
The Bristlehead is found in lowland swamps and forests. It feeds on
insects and other small invertebrates and reptiles. It is a noisy
species making a variety of unmusical calls.
The relationships of this species have been controversial. Family: Pityriaseidae
● Family: Pityriaseidae Genus: Pityriasis

❍ Bornean Bristlehead, Pityriasis gymnocephala Lesson, 1839
Species: P. gymnocephala
References
Binomial name
● BirdLife International (2004). Pityriasis gymnocephala. 2006 Pityriasis gymnocephala
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved (Temminck, 1836)
on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification
of why this species is near threatened
External link

Pomatostomidae
Australo-Papuan babblers
The Pomatostomidae (Australo-Papuan or Australasian
babblers, also known as pseudo-babblers) are small to medium-
sized birds endemic to Australia-New Guinea. All five species are
ground-feeding omnivores and highly social. Babblers live in family Kingdom: Animalia
groups and small flocks of up to about 20 individuals and forage
communally, calling loudly to one another all day long. Phylum: Chordata
For many years, the Australo-Papuan babblers were classified,

Class: Aves
rather uncertainly, with the Old World babblers (Timaliidae), on the
grounds of similar appearance and habits. More recent research,
however, indicates that they belong to the Corvida ("crow-like Order: Passeriformes
passerines") rather than the Passerida ("sparrow-like passerines")
and they are now classed as a separate family. Both groups, Family: Pomatostomidae
however, retain the common name of babbler. Schodde, 1975
Genus: Pomatostomus
Species of Pomatostomidae Cabanis, 1850
Species
● New Guinea Babbler, Pomatostomus isidorei Pomatostomus isidorei
Gray-crowned Babbler, Pomatostomus temporalis Pomatostomus temporalis
White-browed Babbler, Pomatostomus superciliosus Pomatostomus superciliosus
Hall's Babbler, Pomatostomus halli Pomatostomus halli
Chestnut-crowned Babbler, Pomatostomus ruficeps Pomatostomus ruficeps
External links
● Pseudo-babbler videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Prionopidae
Helmetshrikes
The helmetshrikes are smallish passerine bird species. They were
formerly classed with the true shrikes in the family Laniidae, but are
now considered sufficiently distinctive to be separated from that
group as the family Prionopidae. Kingdom: Animalia
This is an African group of species which are found in scrub or open Phylum: Chordata
woodland. They are similar in feeding habits to shrikes, hunting
insects and other small prey from a perch on a bush or tree. Class: Aves
Although similar in build to the shrikes, these tend to be colourful

species with the distinctive crests or other head ornaments, such as Order: Passeriformes
wattles, from which they get their name.
Family: Prionopidae
Helmetshrikes are noisy and sociable birds, some of which breed in
loose colonies. They lay 2-4 eggs in neat, well-hidden nests.
Genera
● Family: Prionopidae Prionops
❍ White Helmetshrike, Prionops plumatus
Tephrodornis
Grey-crested Helmetshrike, Prionops poliolophus Philentoma
Yellow-crested Helmetshrike, Prionops alberti
Chestnut-bellied Helmetshrike, Prionops caniceps
Retz's Helmetshrike, Prionops retzii
Angola Helmetshrike, Prionops gabela
Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike, Prionops scopifrons
Large Woodshrike, Tephrodornis gularis
Common Woodshrike, Tephrodornis pondicerianus
Rufous-winged Philentoma, Philentoma pyrhopterum
Maroon-breasted Philentoma Philentoma velatum
External links
● Helmetshrike videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Ptilonorhynchidae
Bowerbirds
Bowerbirds and catbirds make up the family
Ptilonorhynchidae. All are small to medium in size. Although
their distribution is centered around the tropical northern part of
Australia-New Guinea, some species extend into the central
Australian desert and the cold mountainous regions of southeast
Australia.
The most notable characteristic of bowerbirds is the

extraordinarily complex behaviour of males, which is to build a
bower to attract mates. Depending on the species, the bower
ranges from a circle of cleared earth with a small pile of twigs in
the center to a complex and highly decorated structure of sticks Male Satin Bowerbird.
and leaves - usually shaped like a walkway, a small hut or a
maytree -, into and around which the male places a variety of
objects he has collected. These objects - always strikingly colored Kingdom: Animalia
- may include hundreds of shells, leaves, flowers, feathers, stones,
berries, and even discarded plastic items, pieces of glass or similar Phylum: Chordata
things. The bird will spend hours carefully sorting and arranging
his collection, with each thing in a specific place. If an object is
moved while the bowerbird is away he will put it back in its place. Class: Aves
No two bowers are the same, and the collection of objects reflects
the personal taste of each bird and its capability to procure unusual Order: Passeriformes
and rare items (going as far as stealing them from neighboring
bowers). At mating time, the female will go from bower to bower,
Family: Ptilonorhynchidae
watching as the male owner conducts an often elaborate mating
GR Gray, 1841
ritual, and inspecting the quality of the bower. Inevitably, many
females will end up selecting the same male, and many Genera
underperforming males will be left without mates. Many, see text
In a striking example of what is known as the "transfer effect," bowerbird species that build the most
elaborate bowers are dull in color and show little variation between male and female, whereas bowerbird
species with minor bowers have males with bright plumage. Presumably, evolution has "transferred" the
reproductive benefits of bright male plumage (common among polygamous birds) to elaborate bowers,
allowing males to display their fitness by means other than physical characteristics that would appear to
attract predation.
This complex mating behaviour, with highly-valued types and colors decorations varying in
attractiveness from year to year like a fashion trend in many species, has led some researchers to regard
the bowerbirds as the most advanced of any species of bird. It provides also one of the most compelling
evidences that the extended phenotype of a species can play a role in sexual selection and indeed act as a
powerful mechanism to shape its evolution, as seems to be the case for humans.
In addition, many species of bowerbirds are superb vocal mimics. Macgregor's bowerbird, for example,
has been observed imitating pigs, waterfalls, and even human chatter.
Though bowerbirds have traditionally been regarded as closely related to the birds of paradise, recent
DNA-DNA hybridisation studies suggest that while both families are part of the great corvid radiation
that took place in or near Australia-New Guinea, the bowerbirds are more distant from the birds of
paradise than was once thought. Sibley's landmark DNA studies placed them close to the lyrebirds;
however, anatomical evidence appears to contradict this and the true relationship remains unclear.
Species of Ptilonorhynchidae in taxonomic order
A Male Bowerbirds nest.
Bowerbird
White-eared Catbird, Ailuroedus buccoides Golden Bowerbird, Prionodura newtoniana

Spotted Catbird, Ailuroedus melanotis Flame Bowerbird, Sericulus aureus
Green Catbird, Ailuroedus crassirostris Fire-maned Bowerbird, Sericulus bakeri
Tooth-billed Catbird, Scenopooetes dentirostris Regent Bowerbird, Sericulus chrysocephalus
Archbold's Bowerbird, Archboldia papuensis Satin Bowerbird, Ptilonorhynchus violaceus
Sanford's Bowerbird, Archboldia sanfordi Western Bowerbird, Chlamydera guttata
Vogelkop Bowerbird, Amblyornis inornatus Spotted Bowerbird, Chlamydera maculata
Macgregor's Bowerbird, Amblyornis macgregoriae Great Bowerbird, Chlamydera nuchalis
Streaked Bowerbird, Amblyornis subalaris Yellow-breasted Bowerbird, Chlamydera
Golden-fronted Bowerbird, Amblyornis flavifrons lauterbachi
Fawn-breasted Bowerbird, Chlamydera
cerviniventris
Note that the Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) is an unrelated American bird that belongs to a
different family.
External links
● PBS Nature: Bower Bird Blues
● PBS Nova: Flying Casanovas
● Bowerbird videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Vangidae
Vangas
The vangas are a group of little-known small to medium sized
passerine birds restricted to Madagascar. Their relationship with
other passerine groups is uncertain, but they seem most closely
related to several other enigmatic African groups, such as Kingdom: Animalia
helmetshrikes (Fuchs et al., 2004). Several of these species
(including Van Dam's, Rufous and Sickle-billed) can be found in the Phylum: Chordata
Madagascar dry deciduous forests.
Class: Aves
They are usually shrike-like, arboreal forest birds, feeding on
reptiles, frogs and insects (but see below). Vangas' stick nests are
built in trees They do not migrate. Order: Passeriformes
Species list Family: Vangidae

Swainson, 1831
Traditionally believed to be a small family of generally shrike-like Genera

birds, recent research has revealed that several taxa most similar in Calicalicus
appearance and habits (and formerly considered to be) flycatchers or Schetba
babblers are in fact vangas (Cibois et al. 1999, 2001; Yamagishi et Vanga
al., 2001; Schulenberg, 2003). Falculea
Artamella
Family: Vangidae Leptopterus
Cyanolanius
● Red-tailed Vanga Calicalicus madagascariensis Oriolia
Red-shouldered Vanga Calicalicus rufocarpalis Euryceros
Rufous Vanga Schetba rufa Tylas
Hook-billed Vanga Vanga curvirostris Hypositta
Lafresnaye's Vanga Xenopirostris xenopirostris Newtonia
Van Dam's Vanga Xenopirostris damii Mystacornis
Pollen's Vanga Xenopirostris polleni Pseudobias
Sickle-billed Vanga Falculea palliata Xenopirostris
White-headed Vanga Artamella viridis
Chabert Vanga Leptopterus chabert
Blue Vanga Cyanolanius madagascarinus
Bernier's Vanga Oriolia bernieri
Helmet Vanga Euryceros prevostii
Tylas Vanga Tylas eduardi
Coral-billed Nuthatch Vanga Hypositta corallirostris
Short-toed Nuthatch Vanga Hypositta perdita
Dark Newtonia, Newtonia amphichroa
Common Newtonia, Newtonia brunneicauda
Archbold's Newtonia, Newtonia archboldi
Red-tailed Newtonia, Newtonia fanovanae
Crossley's Babbler Vanga, Mystacornis crossleyi
Ward's Flycatcher Vanga, Pseudobias wardi
References
● Cibois, A.; Pasquet, E. & Schulenberg, T.S. (1999): Molecular systematics of the Malagasy
babblers (Timaliidae) and Warblers (Sylviidae), based on cytochrome b and 16S rRNA
sequences. Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 13(3): 581-595. HTML abstract
● Cibois, A.; Slikas, B.; Schulenberg, T.S. & Pasquet, E. (2001): An endemic radiation of
Malagasy songbirds is revealed by mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Evolution 55(6): 1198-
1206. PDF fulltext
● Yamagishi, S.; Honda, M.; Eguchi, K. & Thorstrom, R. (2001): Extreme endemic radiation of the
Malagasy Vangas (Aves: Passeriformes). J. Mol. Evol. 53(1): 39-46. HTML abstract
● Schulenberg, T.S. (2003): The Radiations of Passerine Birds of Madagascar. In: Goodman, S.M.
& Benstead, J.P. (eds.): The Natural History of Madagascar, p.1130-1134.
● Fuchs, J.; Bowie, R.C.K.; Fjeldsa, J. & Pasquet, E. (2004): Phylogenetic relationships of the
African bush-shrikes and helmet-shrikes (Passeriformes: Malaconotidae). Mol. Phylogenet. Evol.
33(2): 428-439. HTML abstract
External links
● Vanga videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Vireonidae
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Vireos
The vireos are a group of small to medium sized passerine birds
restricted to the New World. They are typically greenish in colour
and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills.
The four genera of these insectivorous birds make up the family

Vireonidae, and are believed to be related to the New World
warblers in the family Parulidae.
The four genera can be conveniently categorised as the true vireos,

the greenlets, the shrike-vireos and the peppershrikes. Bell's Vireo
● Genus Vireo, the true vireos Phylum: Chordata

❍ Slaty Vireo, Vireo brevipennis
White-eyed Vireo, Vireo griseus

Thick-billed Vireo, Vireo crassirostris Class: Aves
Mangrove Vireo, Vireo pallens
Cozumel Vireo, Vireo bairdi Order: Passeriformes
St. Andrew Vireo, Vireo caribaeus
Jamaican Vireo, Vireo modestus
Cuban Vireo, Vireo gundlachii Family: Vireonidae
Swainson, 1837
Puerto Rican Vireo, Vireo latimeri
Flat-billed Vireo, Vireo nanus Genera
Bell's Vireo, Vireo bellii ● Vireo
Black-capped Vireo, Vireo atricapillus ● Hylophilus
Dwarf Vireo, Vireo nelsoni ● Vireolanius
Gray Vireo, Vireo vicinior ● Cyclarhis
Blue Mountain Vireo, Vireo osburni
Yellow-throated Vireo, Vireo flavifrons
Plumbeous Vireo, Vireo plumbeus
Cassin's Vireo, Vireo cassinii
Blue-headed Vireo, Vireo solitarius
Yellow-winged Vireo, Vireo carmioli
Hutton's Vireo, Vireo huttoni
Warbling Vireo, Vireo gilvus
Brown-capped Vireo, Vireo leucophrys
Philadelphia Vireo, Vireo philadelphicus
Red-eyed Vireo, Vireo olivaceus
Choco Vireo, Vireo masteri
Golden Vireo, Vireo hypochryseus
Yellow-green Vireo, Vireo flavoviridis
Noronha Vireo, Vireo gracilirostris
Black-whiskered Vireo, Vireo altiloquus
Yucatan Vireo, Vireo magister
● Genus Hylophilus, the greenlets
❍ Rufous-crowned Greenlet, Hylophilus poicilotis
Gray-eyed Greenlet, Hylophilus amaurocephalus

Lemon-chested Greenlet, Hylophilus thoracicus
Gray-chested Greenlet, Hylophilus semicinereus
Ashy-headed Greenlet, Hylophilus pectoralis
Tepui Greenlet, Hylophilus sclateri
Buff-cheeked Greenlet, Hylophilus muscicapinus
Brown-headed Greenlet, Hylophilus brunneiceps
Dusky-capped Greenlet, Hylophilus hypoxanthus
Rufous-naped Greenlet, Hylophilus semibrunneus
Olivaceous Greenlet, Hylophilus olivaceus
Scrub Greenlet, Hylophilus flavipes
Tawny-crowned Greenlet, Hylophilus ochraceiceps
Golden-fronted Greenlet, Hylophilus aurantiifrons
Lesser Greenlet, Hylophilus decurtatus
● Genus Vireolanius, the shrike-vireos
❍ Chestnut-sided Shrike-vireo, Vireolanius melitophrys
Green Shrike-vireo, Vireolanius pulchellus

Yellow-browed Shrike-vireo, Vireolanius eximius
Slaty-capped Shrike-vireo, Vireolanius leucotis
● Genus Cyclarhis, the peppershrikes
❍ Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Cyclarhis gujanensis
Black-billed Peppershrike Cyclarhis nigrirostris
External links
● Vireo videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Passerida
Aegithalidae | Aegithinidae | Alaudidae | Buphagidae | Cardinalidae | Certhiidae | Chaetopidae | Cinclidae
| Cisticolidae | Coerebidae | Dicaeidae | Drepanididae | Emberizidae | Estrildidae | Fringillidae
| Hirundinidae | Hypocoliidae | Leafbirds | Melanocharitidae | Mimidae | Motacillidae | Muscicapidae
| Nectariniidae | Nuthatches | Old World babblers | Paradoxornithidae | Paramythiidae | Paridae
| Parulidae | Passeridae | Peucedramidae | Picathartidae | Platysteiridae | Ploceidae | Polioptilidae
| Promeropidae | Prunellidae | Ptilogonatidae | Pycnonotidae | Regulidae | Remizidae | Rhabdornithidae
| Sturnidae | Sylviidae | Thraupidae | Timaliidae | Troglodytidae | Turdidae | Viduidae | Waxwings
| Zosteropidae
Passerida
Passerida is under the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, one of two
parvorders contained within the suborder Passeri. While more
recent research suggests that its sister parvorder, Corvida is not a
singular grouping, the existence of Passerida as a distince clade is
well accepted.
Families
● Alaudidae: larks
Aegithinidae: ioras
House Sparrow
Bombycillidae: waxwings and allies Scientific classification
Ptilogonatidae: silky flycatchers Kingdom: Animalia
Cinclidae: dippers
Phylum: Chordata
Paramythiidae: tit berrypecker and crested berrypeckers Class: Aves
Estrildidae: estrildid finches (waxbills, munias, etc) Order: Passeriformes
Peucedramidae: Olive Warbler Suborder: Passeri
Drepanididae: Hawaiian honeycreepers Parvorder: Passerida
Dicaeidae: flowerpeckers Families
Mimidae: mockingbirds and thrashers Many, see text
Regulidae: kinglets
See also
● list of birds
Aegithalidae
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Long-tailed Tits
Long-tailed tits are a group of small passerine birds with
medium to long tails. They make woven bag nests in trees.
Most eat a mixed diet that includes insects.
There are 8 species in 3 genera.
Aegithalos

White-cheeked Tit, Aegithalos leucogenys
Black-throated Tit, Aegithalos concinnus Aegithalos caudatus
White-throated Tit, Aegithalos niveogularis Scientific classification
Black-browed Tit, Aegithalos iouschistos
Sooty Tit, Aegithalos fuliginosus Kingdom: Animalia
Psaltriparus Phylum: Chordata
● Bushtit, Psaltriparus minimus Class: Aves
Psaltria
● Pygmy Tit, Psaltria exilis
Family: Aegithalidae
Reichenbach, 1850
External links
Genera
● Long-tailed Tits videos on the Internet Bird Aegithalos
Collection Hermann 1804
Psaltriparus
Townsend, 1837
Psaltria
Home | Up | Aegithalidae | Aegithinidae | Alaudidae Temminck 1836
| Buphagidae | Cardinalidae | Certhiidae | Chaetopidae | Cinclidae | Cisticolidae | Coerebidae | Dicaeidae
| Drepanididae | Emberizidae | Estrildidae | Fringillidae | Hirundinidae | Hypocoliidae | Leafbirds
| Melanocharitidae | Mimidae | Motacillidae | Muscicapidae | Nectariniidae | Nuthatches
| Old World babblers | Paradoxornithidae | Paramythiidae | Paridae | Parulidae | Passeridae
| Peucedramidae | Picathartidae | Platysteiridae | Ploceidae | Polioptilidae | Promeropidae | Prunellidae
| Ptilogonatidae | Pycnonotidae | Regulidae | Remizidae | Rhabdornithidae | Sturnidae | Sylviidae
| Thraupidae | Timaliidae | Troglodytidae | Turdidae | Viduidae | Waxwings | Zosteropidae
Aegithinidae
Ioras
The ioras are a family of small passerine bird species found in
India and southeast Asia. They one of only two bird families that
are entirely endemic to the Indomalayan ecozone. They were
formerly grouped with the leafbirds in the family Irenidae.
These are bulbul-like birds of open forest or thorn scrub, but

whereas that group tends to be drab in coloration, ioras are
sexually dimorphic, with the males being brightly plumaged in
yellows and greens.
Ioras eat insects and spiders. They lay 2-3 eggs in a tree nest. White-tailed Iora
Species of Aegithinidae Kingdom: Animalia
● Common Iora, Aegithina tiphia Phylum: Chordata

White-tailed Iora, Aegithina nigrolutea
Green Iora, Aegithina viridissima Class: Aves
Great Iora, Aegithina lafresnayei
External links
● Iora videos on the Internet Bird Collection Family: Aegithinidae
Genus: Aegithina
Vieillot, 1816
Home | Up | Aegithalidae | Aegithinidae | Alaudidae | Buphagidae Species
| Cardinalidae | Certhiidae | Chaetopidae | Cinclidae | Cisticolidae See text.
| Coerebidae | Dicaeidae | Drepanididae | Emberizidae | Estrildidae
| Fringillidae | Hirundinidae | Hypocoliidae | Leafbirds | Melanocharitidae | Mimidae | Motacillidae
| Muscicapidae | Nectariniidae | Nuthatches | Old World babblers | Paradoxornithidae | Paramythiidae
| Paridae | Parulidae | Passeridae | Peucedramidae | Picathartidae | Platysteiridae | Ploceidae | Polioptilidae
| Zosteropidae
Alaudidae
Alauda | Chersophilus | Eremophila | Lullula | Melanocorypha
Larks
Larks are passerine birds of the predominantly Old World
family Alaudidae. Only one species, the Shore Lark, has
spread to North America, where it is called the Horned
Lark.
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant

songs and display flights. This fact, combined with a
willingness to expand into anthropogenic habitats — as
long as these are not too intensively managed — has
ensured larks a prominent place in literature and music (the
skylark being eulogised in "The Lark Ascending" (1914)
by Ralph Vaughan Williams, for example).
Crested Lark
Larks nest on the ground, laying 2–6 speckled eggs. Like Scientific classification
many ground birds, most lark species have long hind claws, Kingdom: Animalia
which are thought to provide stability while standing.
Phylum: Chordata
Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. They feed on
insects and seeds.
Class: Aves
Contents Order: Passeriformes
● 1 Species list
● 2 See also Family: Alaudidae
● 3 Reference
● 4 External links Genera
Species list
● Monotonous Lark, Mirafra passerina
● Singing Bushlark, Mirafra cantillans ● Mirafra
● Australasian Bushlark, Mirafra javanica ● Pinarocorys
● Latakoo Lark, Mirafra cheniana ● Heteromirafra
● White-tailed Lark, Mirafra albicauda ● Certhilauda
● Madagascar Lark, Mirafra hova ● Chersomanes
● Kordofan Lark, Mirafra cordofanica ● Eremopterix
● Williams' Lark, Mirafra williamsi ● Ammomanes
● Friedmann's Lark, Mirafra pulpa ● Alaemon
● Red-winged Lark, Mirafra hypermetra ● Ramphocoris
● Somali Long-billed Lark, Mirafra somalica ● Melanocorypha
● Ash's Lark, Mirafra ashi ● Calandrella
● Angola Lark, Mirafra angolensis ● Spizocorys
● Rufous-naped Lark, Mirafra africana ● Eremalauda
● Flappet Lark, Mirafra rufocinnamomea ● Chersophilus
● Clapper Lark, Mirafra apiata ● Galerida
● Collared Lark, Mirafra collaris ● Pseudalaemon
● Indian Bushlark or Red-winged Bushlark, Mirafra ● Lullula
erythroptera ● Alauda
● Gillett's Lark, Mirafra gilletti ● Eremophila
● Fawn-colored Lark, Mirafra africanoides
● Rufous-winged Bushlark, Mirafra assamica
● Jerdon's Bushlark Mirafra affinis
● Rusty Lark, Mirafra rufa
● Pink-breasted Lark, Mirafra poecilosterna
● Degodi Lark, Mirafra degodiensis
● Sabota Lark, Mirafra sabota
● Rufous-rumped Lark, Pinarocorys erythropygia
● Dusky Lark, Pinarocorys nigricans
● Archer's Lark, Heteromirafra archeri
● Sidamo Lark, Heteromirafra sidamoensis
● Rudd's Lark, Heteromirafra ruddi
● Cape Lark, Certhilauda curvirostris
● Algulhas Long-billed Lark, Certhilauda brevirostris
● Eastern Long-billed Lark, Certhilauda semitorquata
● Karoo Long-billed Lark, Certhilauda subcoronata
● Benguela Lark, Certhilauda benguelensis
● Short-clawed Lark, Certhilauda chuana
● Dune Lark, Certhilauda erythrochlamys
● Karoo Lark, Certhilauda albescens
● Barlow's Lark, Certhilauda barlowi
● Ferruginous Lark, Certhilauda burra
● Spike-heeled Lark, Chersomanes albofasciata
● Black-eared Sparrow-lark, Eremopterix australis
● Chestnut-backed Sparrow-lark, Eremopterix leucotis
● Black-crowned Sparrow-lark, Eremopterix nigriceps
● Gray-backed Sparrow-lark, Eremopterix verticalis
● Chestnut-headed Sparrow-lark, Eremopterix signata
● Fischer's Sparrow-lark, Eremopterix leucopareia
● Ashy-crowned Sparrow-lark, Eremopterix grisea
● Bar-tailed Lark, Ammomanes cincturus
● Rufous-tailed Lark, Ammomanes phoenicurus
● Desert Lark, Ammomanes deserti
● Gray's Lark, Ammomanes grayi
● Greater Hoopoe-lark, Alaemon alaudipes
● Lesser Hoopoe-lark, Alaemon hamertoni
● Thick-billed Lark, Ramphocoris clotbey
● Calandra Lark, Melanocorypha calandra
● Bimaculated Lark, Melanocorypha bimaculata
● Tibetan Lark, Melanocorypha maxima
● Mongolian Lark, Melanocorypha mongolica
● White-winged Lark, Melanocorypha leucoptera
● Black Lark, Melanocorypha yeltoniensis
● Greater Short-toed Lark, Calandrella brachydactyla
● Blanford's Lark, Calandrella blanfordi
● Hume's Lark, Calandrella acutirostris
● Lesser Short-toed Lark, Calandrella rufescens
● Red-capped Lark, Calandrella cinerea
● Asian Short-toed Lark, Calandrella cheleensis
● Sand Lark, Calandrella raytal
● Somali Short-toed Lark, Calandrella somalica
● Pink-billed Lark, Spizocorys conirostris
● Botha's Lark, Spizocorys fringillaris
● Sclater's Lark, Spizocorys sclateri
● Obbia Lark, Spizocorys obbiensis
● Masked Lark, Spizocorys personata
● Dunn's Lark, Eremalauda dunni
● Stark's Lark, Eremalauda starki
● Dupont's Lark, Chersophilus duponti
● Crested Lark, Galerida cristata
● Thekla Lark, Galerida theklae
● Malabar Lark, Galerida malabarica
● Sun Lark, Galerida modesta
● Tawny Lark or Sykes' Crested Lark, Galerida deva
● Long-billed Lark, Galerida magnirostris
● Short-tailed Lark, Pseudalaemon fremantlii
● Wood Lark, Lullula arborea
● Skylark, Alauda arvensis
● Japanese Skylark, Alauda japonica
● Oriental Skylark, Alauda gulgula
● Raso Skylark, Alauda razae
● Horned Lark or Shore Lark, Eremophila alpestris
● Temminck's Lark, Eremophila bilopha
See also
● Lark Bunting
● Lark Sparrow
Reference
● Perrins, Christopher (ed.) (2003). Firefly Encyclopedia of Birds. Firefly Books. ISBN 1-5529-
7777-3.
External links
● Lark videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Alauda
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Alauda
Alauda is a genus of larks with three widespread species found
across much of Europe, Asia and in the mountains of north Africa,
and one endemic to the island of Razo in the Cape Verde Islands.
These are 14-18 cm long birds of cultivation, heath, natural steppe

and other open habitats. Their often characteristic songs are
delivered in flight.
These are undistinguished looking birds on the ground, mainly

streaked brown above and pale below, and with a short blunt
erectile crest. In flight, they show a short tail and short broad Skylark
wings. The tail and the rear edge of the wings are edged with Scientific classification
white. Kingdom: Animalia
The nest is on the ground in tufts of grass, with 3-6 eggs being
Phylum: Chordata
laid. They eat seeds supplemented with insects in the breeding
season, and form flocks when hot breeding.
Class: Aves
Species
● Skylark, Alauda arvensis
Japanese Skylark, Alauda japonica Family: Alaudidae
Raso Skylark, Alauda razae
Genus: Alauda
Linnaeus, 1758
Species
Home | Up | Alauda | Chersophilus | Eremophila | Lullula A. arvensis
| Melanocorypha A. japonica
A. gulgula
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation A. razae
Chersophilus
Dupont's Lark
The Dupont's Lark (Chersophilus duponti), is the only lark in the Conservation status Near threatened
genus Chersophilus (Sharpe, 1890). It breeds across much of north
Africa, from Algeria to Egypt, and in Spain and France. It is a non- Scientific classification
migratory resident.
Kingdom: Animalia
This is a bird of open sandy semi-desert or steppe with some grass.
Its nest is on the ground, with 3-4 eggs being laid. Its food is seeds Phylum: Chordata
and insects.
Class: Aves
Like most other larks, Dupont's Lark is an undistinguished looking
species on the ground. It is 17-18 cm long, slim, with a long neck, Order: Passeriformes
long legs and a fine slightly curved bill. It has a thin pale crown
stripe and a dark-streaked breast.
Family: Alaudidae
There are two races. C. d. duponti of Europe and northwest Africa is
mainly brown-grey above and pale below. C. d. margaritae, which Genus: Chersophilus
occupies most of the rest of the African range, has rufous upperparts.
Species: C. duponti
This is a very shy species, which runs for cover when disturbed. Its
song is a nasal whistle, given mainly at dawn and dusk or at night.
Binomial name
This bird was named after the French naturalist Leonard Puech Chersophilus duponti
Dupont, who was the first to collect a specimen. (Vieillot, 1820)
References
● BirdLife International (2005). Chersophilus duponti. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a lengthy justification of why
this species is near threatened
Home | Up | Alauda | Chersophilus | Eremophila | Lullula | Melanocorypha

Eremophila
Eremophila
The bird genus Eremophila comprises the two horned larks:
● the Shore Lark, Eremophila alpestris, known in North

America as the Horned Lark,
● and Temminck's Lark, or Temminck's Horned Lark,
Eremophila bilopha.
These are larks of open country which nest is on the ground. The
migratory Shore Lark breeds across much of the northern regions
of North America, Europe and Asia and in the mountains of Shore Lark
Europe. Temminck’s Lark is mainly a resident breeding species Scientific classification
across much of north Africa, through northern Arabia to western Kingdom: Animalia
Iraq.
Phylum: Chordata
Unlike most other larks, these are distinctive looking species with
striking head and face patterns, black and white in Temminck’s
Lark and black and yellow in most Shore Larks. The summer Class: Aves
males of both species have black "horns", which give these larks
their alternative names. Order: Passeriformes
Family: Alaudidae
Home | Up | Alauda | Chersophilus | Eremophila | Lullula
| Melanocorypha Genus: Eremophila
Boie, 1828
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation Species

License. It uses material from the Wikipedia. E. bilopha
E. alpestris
Lullula
Woodlark
The Woodlark (Lullula arborea) is the only lark in the genus Conservation status Least concern
Lullula (Kaup, 1829). It breeds across most of Europe, the Middle
East Asia and the mountains of north Africa. It is mainly resident
in the west of its range, but eastern populations of this passerine
bird are more migratory, moving further south in winter. Even in
the milder west of its range, many birds move south in winter.
This is a 13.5-15 cm long bird of open heath with some trees, and
other open woodlands, especially those with pines and light soil.
Its generic name derives from its sweet plaintive song, delivered in
flight from heights of 100 m or more.
Like most other larks, this is an undistinguished-looking species

on the ground, mainly brown above and pale below, but with Scientific classification
distinctive white superciliar meeting on the nape. In flight it shows Kingdom: Animalia
a short tail and short broad wings. The tail is tipped with white,
but unlike the Skylark, the tail sides and the rear edge of the wings
are not edged with white. Phylum: Chordata
The nest is on the ground, with up to 6 eggs being laid. Food is Class: Aves
seeds supplemented with insects in the breeding season.
● Woodlarks in Lincolnshire Conservation Project
Family: Alaudidae
References
Genus: Lullula
● BirdLife International (2004). Lullula arborea. 2006 IUCN
Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on
Species: L. arborea
12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why
Binomial name
Lullula arborea
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Home | Up | Alauda | Chersophilus | Eremophila | Lullula
| Melanocorypha
Melanocorypha
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Melanocorypha
Melanocorypha is a small genus of birds in the lark family. Its
members mainly occur in temperate Asia from Turkey through
Central Asia to China, but the Calandra Lark also has an extensive
European distribution around the Mediterranean
These larks are mostly partially migratory, moving relatively short

distances from the coldest parts of their ranges. Several species are
very rare vagrants to western Europe.
These are birds of open cultivation, steppe or semi-desert. They

nest on the ground and the young are precocial. The food is seeds Calandra Lark
supplemented with insects especially in the breeding season. They
are gregarious outside the breeding season.
Kingdom: Animalia
Melanocorypha larks are large, robust birds, 16.5-20 cm long with
strong thick bills. Some have the typically undistinguished lark Phylum: Chordata
plumage, mainly streaked greyish-brown above and white below,
but the, Black and White-winged Larks have distinctive male
plumages. Several species have large black patches on the breast Class: Aves
sides.
In flight they show broad wings and a shortish tail. The songs of
most species are like that of the Skylark.
Family: Alaudidae
Species Genus: Melanocorypha

Boie, 1828
● Calandra Lark, Melanocorypha calandra
Bimaculated Lark, Melanocorypha bimaculata Species
Tibetan Lark, Melanocorypha maxima M. calandra
Mongolian Lark, Melanocorypha mongolica M. bimaculata
White-winged Lark, Melanocorypha leucoptera M. maxima
Black Lark, Melanocorypha yeltoniensis M. mongolica
M. leucoptera
M. yeltoniensis
Home | Up | Alauda | Chersophilus | Eremophila | Lullula | Melanocorypha
Buphagidae
Oxpeckers
The oxpeckers are two species of bird which comprise the
subfamily Buphaginae within the starling family Sturnidae (some
ornithologists regard them as a separate family Buphagidae).
Oxpeckers are endemic to sub-Saharan African savannah. Kingdom: Animalia
Oxpeckers are medium-sized starlings with strong feet. Their flight Phylum: Chordata
is strong and direct, and they are fairly gregarious. Their preferred
habitat is open country, and they eat insects. Both the English and Class: Aves
scientific names arise from their habit of perching on large
mammals (both wild and domesticated) such as cattle or
rhinoceroses, and eating ticks, botfly larvae, and other parasites Order: Passeriformes
which lodge in mammalian skin and must be dug out. This
symbiotic relationship is sometimes mutualistic, but can also be Family: Sturnidae
parasitic in nature.
Subfamily: Buphaginae
Their plumage is light brown, and the species can be distinguished
by bill-colour. They nest in holes, often in walls, lined with hair
plucked from livestock and lay 2-3 eggs. Genus: Buphagus
Brisson, 1760
The species are: Species

See text.
● Red-billed Oxpecker, Buphagus erythrorhynchus of east
Africa
Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Buphagus africanus of most of sub-saharan Africa.

Grosbeak
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Evening Grosbeak
Grosbeak is the name given to several species of seed-eating passerine bird with large bills, in the finch
and cardinal families.
The following is a list of grosbeak species - note that the groups of species are not each other's closest
relatives - they share the name grosbeak purely because of morphological similarity.
The finch family, Fringillidae contains the following 11 extant species (plus two species of Grosbeak
Canary):
● The São Tomé Grosbeak, Neospiza concolor, a critically endangered restricted-range endemic
found only in forests on the island of São Tomé off the West African coast, believed extinct until
rediscovered in 1996
The Golden-winged Grosbeak, Rynchostruthus socotranus, a localised species found in northern
Somalia, mountains of south-west Arabia and on the island of Socotra
The Pine Grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator, a pan-Holarctic pine forest species
The two Nearctic species in the genus Coccothraustes (which also contains a Palearctic species,
the Hawfinch C. coccothraustes):
❍ Evening Grosbeak C. vespertinus
Hooded Grosbeak C. abeillei

● The two species in the East Asian genus Eophona:
❍ Japanese Grosbeak E. personata
Chinese (Yellow-Billed) Grosbeak E. migratoria

● The four species in the South Asian genus Mycerobas:
❍ Black-and-yellow Grosbeak M. icterioides
Collared Grosbeak M. affinis

Spot-winged Grosbeak M. melanozanthos
White-winged Grosbeak M. carnipes
The cardinal family, Cardinalidae, of the Americas contains the following 17 extant species:
● The Red-and-black Grosbeak, Periporphyrus erythromelas of northern South America

● Two species in the Neotropical genus Saltator (all other species in this genus are referred to as
saltators):
❍ Slate-coloured Grosbeak, S. groseus
Black-throated Grosbeak, S. fuliginosus

● The two species in the Neotropical genus Caryothraustes:
❍ Black-faced Grosbeak C. poliogaster
Yellow-green Grosbeak C. canadensis

● The Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak Parkerthraustes humeralis of South America
The Crimson-collared Grosbeak, Rhodothraupis celaeno, a restricted-range endemic found only
in eastern Mexico
● The six species in the genus Pheucticus
❍ Yellow Grosbeak P. chrysopeplus
Golden-bellied Grosbeak P. chrysogaster

Black-thighed Grosbeak P. tibialis, a restricted-range endemic found only in the highlands
of Costa Rica and Panama
Black-backed Grosbeak P. aureoventris
Rose-breasted Grosbeak P. ludovicianus
Black-headed Grosbeak P. melanocephalus
● Two species in the Neotropical genus Cyanocampsa (this genus also contains the Blue Bunting
C. parellina):
❍ Ultramarine Grosbeak C. brissonii
Blue-black Grosbeak C. cyanoides

● The Glaucous-blue Grosbeak Cyanoloxia glaucocaerulea of eastern South America
The Blue Grosbeak Guiraca caerulea
In addition, there are two extinct species with the name grosbeak: the Bonin Grosbeak Chaunoproctus
ferreorostris (a finch), found only on the Ogasawara Islands, which was last recorded in c. 1832, and the
Kona Grosbeak or Grosbeak Finch, a Hawaiian honeycreeper, last recorded in c. 1896.
Finally, the weaver family (Ploceidae) contains a species called the Grosbeak Weaver.
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Certhiidae
Treecreepers
The treecreepers (Certhiidae) are a family of small passerine birds,
consisting of two subfamilies:
● The typical treecreepers (Certhiinae) are a group of seven

species found in Europe and Asia, with one representative,
the Brown Creeper in North America.
● The Spotted Creeper Salpornis spilonotus
(Salpornithinae), which is found in India and Africa.
Contents
● 1 Typical treecreepers
● 3 Other birds with creeper or treecreeper in their name
● 4 References
Kingdom: Animalia
Typical treecreepers Phylum: Chordata
The typical treecreepers are all very similar in appearance, and can Class: Aves
present serious identification problems where two species occur
together. They do not migrate other than for local movements. Order: Passeriformes
The treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and

Family: Certhidae
white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which
they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail
feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves Genus: Certhia and Salpornis
on vertical trees.
Species
Nests are in tree crevices or behind bark.
Following recent studies of cytochrome b mtDNA sequence and

song structure (Tietze et al., 2006), the following species are
recognized: Certhia familiaris
C. hodgsoni
● Common Treecreeper or Eurasian Treecreeper, Certhia C. americana
familiaris C. brachydactyla
Hodgson's Treecreeper, Certhia hodgsoni C. himalayana
Brown Creeper, Certhia americana C. tianquanensis
Short-toed Treecreeper, Certhia brachydactyla C. nipalensis
Himalayan Treecreeper or Bar-tailed Treecreeper, Certhia C. discolor
himalayana C. manipuensis
Sichuan Treecreeper, Certhia tianquanensis Salpornis spilonotus
Nepal Treecreeper or Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, Certhia
nipalensis
Sikkim Treecreeper or Brown-throated Treecreeper, Certhia discolor
Manipur Treecreeper, Certhia manipurensis
They form two evolutionary lineages: the former four species represent a Holarctic radiation, whereas
the remaining five are distributed in the area south and east of the Himalaya. Hodgson's Treecreeper,
recently realized to be a distinct species, is an offshoot of the Common Treecreeper's ancestor which has
speciated south of the Himalaya. The former group has a more warbling song, always (except in C.
familiaris from China) starting or ending with a shrill sreeh. The Himalayan group, in contrast, has a
faster-paced trill without the sreeh sound.
Other birds with creeper or treecreeper in their name
There are two other small bird families with treecreeper or creeper in their name:
● the Australian treecreepers (Climacteridae)

the Philippine creepers (Rhabdornithidae)
References
● Tietze, Dieter Thomas; Martens, Jochen & Sun, Yue-Hua (2006): Molecular phylogeny of
treecreepers (Certhia) detects hidden diversity. Ibis 148(3): 477-488 DOI:doi:10.1111/j.1474-
919X.2006.00547.x (HTML abstract)
External links
● Treecreeper videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Chaetopidae
Rock-jumpers
The Rock-jumpers are medium-sized insectivorous or omnivorous
birds in the genus Chaetops that constitute the entire family
Chaetopidae. Originally,these birds were placed in the Turdidae,but
recent DNA-studies indicate these birds are something entirely Kingdom: Animalia
different; they are primitive passeridans most closely related to the
rockfowl (Picatharthidae). These two endemic African families Phylum: Chordata
point to an African origin for Passerida as a whole.
Class: Aves
These are small birds coloured mostly in brown and red. Their
wings are very small and they clearly do not fly very often. They
spend most of their lives running and jumping among rocks and Order: Passeriformes
grasses while hunting insects.
Family: Chaetopidae
The two species, Rufous Rock-jumper, Chaetops frenatus, and
Orange-breasted Rock-jumper Chaetops aurantius, are endemic
Genera
residents of southern Africa.
Chaetops

Cinclidae
Dippers
Dippers are members of the genus Cinclus in the bird family
Cinclidae. They are a group of perching birds whose habitat
includes aquatic environments in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
They are named for their bobbing or dipping movements.
Usually they inhabit the banks of fast-moving hillside rivers,

though some nest near shallow lakes. They have dense feathers
with a down undercoat, an advanced nictitating eye membrane and
a larger preen gland for waterproofing their plumage. Their blood
can store more oxygen than other passerine birds which allows American Dipper
them to remain underwater for up to 10 seconds. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
These adaptations let them submerge and walk on the bottom to
feed on insect larvae. They are about 8 inches in size with a short
tail and wings and resemble the wrens, though there is no clear Phylum: Chordata
relationship.
Class: Aves
Cinclus is the only genus in the family Cinclidae. The White-
throated Dipper was also known historically in Britain as ouzel, or Order: Passeriformes
water ouzel (sometimes being spelt ousel).
Family: Cinclidae
Species
Genus: Cinclus
● White-throated Dipper or European Dipper, Cinclus cinclus Borkhausen, 1797
White-capped Dipper Cinclus leucocephalus
American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus Species
Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii ● Cinclus cinclus
Rufous-throated Dipper Cinclus schulzi ● Cinclus leucocephalus
● Cinclus mexicanus
External links ● Cinclus pallasii
● Cinclus schulzi
● ITIS - Cinclus
● Dipper videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Coerebidae
Bananaquit
The Bananaquit, Coereba flaveola, is a passerine bird, Conservation status Least concern
the only member of the genus Coereba and is normally
placed within the family Coerebidae, although there is
uncertainty whether that placement is correct (hence the
assignment Genus Coereba Incertae sedis). It is resident
in tropical South America north to southern Mexico and
the Caribbean. It is a rare visitor to Florida, USA.
The Bananaquit is a very small bird attaining an average

length of 11 cm. It has a slender, curved bill, adapted to
taking nectar from flowers. It sometimes pierces flowers
from the side, taking the nectar without pollinating the
plant. It cannot hover like a hummingbird, and must
always perch while feeding. It will also eat fruit and
insects. It often visits gardens and may become very tame.
Upperparts are dark grey with a black crown to the head

and yellow underparts and rump. The Bananaquit has a
prominent white eyestripe. Sexes are alike.
On Grenada and Saint Vincent, most Bananaquits have

black plumage, suggesting divergence from other West
Indian populations.
Kingdom: Animalia
Bananaquits build spherical lined nests with a side
entrance hole, laying up to three eggs. Phylum: Chordata
References Class: Aves
● BirdLife International (2004). Coereba flaveola. Order: Passeriformes

includes justification for why this species is of Family: Coerebidae
d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1838
least concern
Genus: Coereba
Vieillot, 1809
Home | Up | Aegithalidae | Aegithinidae | Alaudidae Species: C. flaveola
| Buphagidae | Cardinalidae | Certhiidae | Chaetopidae
| Cinclidae | Cisticolidae | Coerebidae | Dicaeidae
Binomial name
| Drepanididae | Emberizidae | Estrildidae | Fringillidae
Coereba flaveola
| Hirundinidae | Hypocoliidae | Leafbirds
(Linnaeus, 1758)
| Melanocharitidae | Mimidae | Motacillidae
| Muscicapidae | Nectariniidae | Nuthatches | Old World babblers | Paradoxornithidae | Paramythiidae
| Paridae | Parulidae | Passeridae | Peucedramidae | Picathartidae | Platysteiridae | Ploceidae | Polioptilidae
| Zosteropidae
Dicaeidae
Flowerpeckers
The flowerpeckers are a family of passerine birds found in
tropical southern Asia and Australasia from India east to the
Philippines and south to Australia.
These are very small, stout, often brightly coloured birds, 10 to 18

cm in length, with short tails, short thick curved bills and tubular
tongues. The latter features reflect the importance of nectar in the
diet of many species, although berries, spiders and insects are also
taken.
2-4 eggs are laid, typically in a purse-like nest suspended from a

tree.
Pale-billed or Tickell's Flowerpecker
Species
Kingdom: Animalia
● Family: Dicaeidae
❍ Olive-backed Flowerpecker, Prionochilus olivaceus Phylum: Chordata
Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker, Prionochilus
maculatus Class: Aves
Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker, Prionochilus
percussus
Palawan Flowerpecker, Prionochilus plateni Order: Passeriformes
Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker, Prionochilus
xanthopygius Family: Dicaeidae
Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker, Prionochilus Bonaparte, 1853
thoracicus
Genera
Golden-rumped Flowerpecker, Dicaeum annae
Thick-billed Flowerpecker, Dicaeum agile Prionochilus
Brown-backed Flowerpecker, Dicaeum everetti Dicaeum
Whiskered Flowerpecker, Dicaeum proprium
Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Dicaeum chrysorrheum
Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker, Dicaeum melanoxanthum
White-throated Flowerpecker, Dicaeum vincens
Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Dicaeum aureolimbatum
Olive-capped Flowerpecker, Dicaeum nigrilore
Flame-crowned Flowerpecker, Dicaeum anthonyi
Bicolored Flowerpecker, Dicaeum bicolor
Cebu Flowerpecker, Dicaeum quadricolor
Red-striped Flowerpecker, Dicaeum australe
Red-keeled Flowerpecker, Dicaeum haematostictum
Scarlet-collared Flowerpecker, Dicaeum retrocinctum
Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Dicaeum trigonostigma
Pale-billed Flowerpecker, Dicaeum erythrorhynchos
Plain Flowerpecker, Dicaeum concolor
Flame-breasted Flowerpecker, Dicaeum erythrothorax
White-bellied Flowerpecker, Dicaeum hypoleucum
Pygmy Flowerpecker, Dicaeum pygmaeum
Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Dicaeum nehrkorni
Ashy Flowerpecker, Dicaeum vulneratum
Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Dicaeum pectorale
Red-capped Flowerpecker, Dicaeum geelvinkianum
Louisiade Flowerpecker, Dicaeum nitidum
Red-banded Flowerpecker, Dicaeum eximium
Midget Flowerpecker, Dicaeum aeneum
Mottled Flowerpecker, Dicaeum tristrami
Black-fronted Flowerpecker, Dicaeum igniferum
Red-chested Flowerpecker, Dicaeum maugei
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Dicaeum ignipectus
Black-sided Flowerpecker, Dicaeum monticolum
Grey-sided Flowerpecker, Dicaeum celebicum
Blood-breasted Flowerpecker, Dicaeum sanguinolentum
Mistletoebird, Dicaeum hirundinaceum
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Dicaeum cruentatum
Scarlet-headed Flowerpecker, Dicaeum trochileum
External links
● Flowerpecker videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Melamprosops
Po o-uli
The Po o-uli or Black-faced Honeycreeper (Melamprosops Conservation status: Critical
phaeosoma) is an endangered bird that is endemic to Hawai i. It is
considered to be a member of the Drepanididae (Hawaiian Scientific classification
honeycreeper) family, and is the only member of its genus. The
Kingdom: Animalia
vernacular name (often erroneously spelled "po ouli", "poouli",
"po o uli", "pouli" or "poo-uli") means 'dark head' and refers to the
bird's characteristic feature, a black 'bandit' mask (This is no original Phylum: Chordata
Hawaiian term; in fact, whether there was a native name as for many
endemic birds of these islands is not known. The vernacular name Class: Aves
should technically be alouli or alo uli, "dark face", since po o refers
to the top, not the front side, of the head).
The po o-uli wasn't discovered until 1973 by students from the
University of Hawai i, who found the bird on the north-eastern Family: Drepanididae
slopes of Haleakala on the island of Maui. It feeds mostly on snails,
insects, and spiders and nests in native ohi a forests.
Genus: Melamprosops
It is believed that there are now at most two remaining individuals

of this species, down from an estimated 200 when the species was Species: M. phaeosoma
first discovered. The dramatic population decline has been attributed
to a number of factors, including habitat loss; mosquito-borne Binomial name
diseases; predation by pigs, rats, cats, and mongooses; and a decline Melamprosops phaeosoma
in the native tree snails that the po o-uli relies on for food. Casey & Jacobi, 1974
Both of the two remaining birds are at least seven years of age, and nearing the end of their reproductive
lifespan. It is uncertain whether they are a male and female pair or both of the same sex, or even if they
are still alive. They have been deemed extinct now. Last one sighted was on December 27, 2006 in Maui.
In 2002, a female was captured and taken to a male's home range in an attempt to get them to breed. The
female, however, had flown back to her own nest, which has a mile and a half away, by the next day.
There was also a ten-day expedition which was scheduled to begin on April 27, 2004. The goal of this
was to capture all three birds, and bring them to a bird conservation center on the island in the hope they
would produce offspring.
On September 9, 2004, a male po o-uli was captured and taken to the Maui Bird Conservation Center in
Olinda, in an attempt to captively breed the bird. However, biologists could not find a mate for the male
before it died of avian malaria on November 28, 2004. Biologists are now searching for the two
remaining birds, which have not been seen for over a year and are probably dead too. Tissue samples
have been taken from the male for possible future cloning, but as neither birds of the opposite sex are
now available nor natural behavior can be imprinted on possible cloned individuals (assuming that
cloning of birds will actually be established as a working technique, which currently is not the case), this
does not seem probable. As such efforts would likely compete with conservation funding of extant bird
species, it may not even be desirable as a cloning attempt would both be highly likely to fail and at the
same time jeopardize the survival of other highly threatened species. The paper by VanderWerf et al.
(2006) wraps up the conservation issues regarding the po o-uli.
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Melamprosops phaeosoma. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened
this species is critically endangered
● VanderWerf, Eric A.; Groombridge, Jim J.; Fretz, J. Scott & Swinnerton, Kirsty J. (2006):
Decision analysis to guide recovery of the po ouli, a critically endangered Hawaiian
honeycreeper. Biological Conservation 129: 383-392. HTML abstract
External links
● Article in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin about the po'o-uli
● BBC story
Home | Up | Grosbeak | Melamprosops | Psittirostra | Vestiaria
Psittirostra
Ou
[1] Conservation status: Critical
The Ou, (or O u - the name is pronounced like "oh-uh" )
(Possibly Extinct)
(Psittirostra psittacea), is a highly endangered, if not extinct, bird
endemic to the Hawai ian islands. Though formerly widespread on
the six largest islands of that group, this Hawai ian honeycreeper Scientific classification
declined precipitously from the turn of the 20th century. The last Kingdom: Animalia
confirmed sighting was in 1989 on Kaua i. It is almost certainly
extinct there, but unconfirmed reports occasionally are received
from the areas of Big Island above Kilauea volcano. The largest and Phylum: Chordata
most secure population above Waiākea was driven from its habitat
in 1984 when the area was devastated by a lava flow from Mauna Class: Aves
Loa.
The O u was one of the most mobile honeycreeper species.
Although it was not very active and usually slow-moving, it had
remarkable stamina and when flying, would cover great distances. It Family: Drepanididae
is one of the few Hawai ian endemics that did occur on all the major
islands at one time and did not differentiate into subspecies, Genus: Psittirostra
suggesting that birds crossed between islands on a regular basis.
Also, there was considerable seasonal movement between different
altitudes according to the availability of the species' favorite food, Species: P. psittacea
the bracts and fruit of the ie ie. This probably was the species'
undoing, as it thus came in contact with mosquitoes transmitting Binomial name
avian malaria and fowlpox, which are exceptionally lethal to most Psittirostra psittacea
honeycreepers. (Gmelin, 1789)
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Psittirostra psittacea. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
IUCN 2006.
Footnotes
1. ^ Pronunciation: Care should be taken in pronouncing the name. O o ("oh-oh") refers to another,
unrelated kind of bird, while U u ("uh-uh") may mean "to masturbate". The Hawai ian "u" is
pronounced IPA: [u], not [ə] as in most American English dialects.
External links
● Audubon WatchList
● USFWS
● University of Hawai i at Mānoa, account in Hawai ian
● ITIS
Vestiaria
Back | Home | Up
Iiwi
The ‘I‘iwi (Vestiaria coccinea) or Scarlet Hawaiian Honeycreeper Conservation status Near threatened
is a Hawaiian bird of the family Drepanididae, and the only
member of the genus Vestiaria. One of the most plentiful species
of this family, which includes many endangered or extinct species,
the ‘I‘iwi is one of the most recognized animals and symbols of
Hawai‘i. It is found on all the main islands of Hawai‘i, however
since the 1800s its range has become far more restricted due to
introduced species and diseases. Now the ‘I‘iwi can be found at
higher elevations where native forest ecosystems still exist more
or less intact and temperatures are generally too cool for I iwi
mosquitoes and the diseases they carry. They are rare or absent at Scientific classification
lower elevations, even where native forests are in good condition.
The species has a very high mortality rate from avian malaria Kingdom: Animalia
(Plasmodium relictum): in a series of challenge experiments, more
than half the birds died from a single infected mosquito-bite. Phylum: Chordata
It is mainly red in color, with a long curved red bill, which it uses
Class: Aves
to drink nectar. The wings and tail are black. The feathers were
highly prized by Hawaiian ali‘i (nobles) for use in decorating
‘ahu‘ula (capes) and mahiole (helmets). Order: Passeriformes
Although the long bill of the ‘I‘iwi apparently evolved for feeding Family: Drepanididae
on nectar in long curved flowers, they now depend on nectar from
‘ohi‘a trees (Metrosideros polymorpha), which have tiny flowers.
‘I‘iwi bill size has apparently shrunk in the past 100 years due to Genus: Vestiaria
this change in food supply. Jarocki, 1821
Species: V. coccinea
References
Binomial name
● BirdLife International (2004). Vestiaria coccinea. 2006 Vestiaria coccinea
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. (Forster, 1780)
Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief
justification of why this species is near threatened
External links
● ‘I‘iwi videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Ammodramus
Home | Up | Next
Ammodramus
The genus Ammodramus is a group of American sparrows in the
family Emberizidae.
These birds are relatively small, with large bills, flat heads and
short tails. They are usually found in grasslands or marshes and
are often fairly inconspicuous. Most of their songs are insect-like.
Many of these bird species have declined in numbers due to

habitat loss.
The full list of species is:
● Seaside Sparrow, Ammodramus maritimus

❍ Dusky Seaside Sparrow, Ammodramus maritimus
nigrescens (extinct, 1987) Grasshopper Sparrow

Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow, Ammodramus Scientific classification
maritimus mirabilis
Kingdom: Animalia
● Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Ammodramus nelsoni
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Ammodramus caudacutus
Le Conte's Sparrow, Ammodramus leconteii Phylum: Chordata
Henslow's Sparrow, Ammodramus henslowii
Baird's Sparrow, Ammodramus bairdii Class: Aves
Grasshopper Sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum
Grassland Sparrow, Ammodramus humeralis
Yellow-browed Sparrow, Ammodramus aurifrons Order: Passeriformes
Family: Emberizidae
Home | Up | Ammodramus | Calamospiza | Calcarius | Chondestes Genus: Ammodramus

| Emberiza | Geospizini | Juncos | Passerculus | Passerella | Pipilo Swainson, 1827
| Pooecetes | Seedeater | Spizella | Zonotrichia
Species
See text.
Synonyms
Passerherbulus Maynard, 1895
Calamospiza
Lark Bunting
The Lark Bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys, is a medium-sized Conservation status Least concern
sparrow. It is the only member of the genus Calamospiza
(Bonaparte, 1838).
These birds have a large pale bill and a pale wing patch. Adult
males in breeding plumage are black except for their white wing
patch. Other birds are more sparrow-like in appearance; they have
dark brown upperparts and white underparts, with streaking on the
back, breast and flanks. The wings are dark with brown edges.
Their breeding habitat is prairie regions in central Canada and the

mid-western United States. The nest is an open cup on the ground Scientific classification
in a grassy area.
Kingdom: Animalia
These birds migrate in flocks to southern Texas and Mexico.
Phylum: Chordata
They forage on the ground, mainly eating insects in summer and
seeds in winter; they sometimes take short flights in pursuit of Class: Aves
insects. Outside of the nesting season, they often feed in flocks.
These birds nest in dispersed colonies. Males fly up over their
territory and sing while descending to declare ownership of a
nesting territory. The song consists of a mix of whistles and trills. Family: Emberizidae
The call is a soft hoo.
Genus: Calamospiza
This bird's numbers have decreased with the loss of natural prairie
habitat. Species: C. melanocorys
This is the state bird of Colorado.

Binomial name
Calamospiza melanocorys
References Stejneger, 1885
● BirdLife International (2004). Calamospiza melanocorys. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened
Home | Up | Ammodramus | Calamospiza | Calcarius | Chondestes | Emberiza | Geospizini | Juncos

| Passerculus | Passerella | Pipilo | Pooecetes | Seedeater | Spizella | Zonotrichia
Calcarius
Longspurs
The Longspurs, genus Calcarius, are a group of birds in the
family Emberizidae. The name refers to the long claw on the hind
toe of each foot.
These are chunky ground-feeding birds with long wings which are
usually seen in open areas. Males declare ownership of a territory
by singing during short flights over it. The male's breeding
plumage is much brighter than his winter plumage. These birds
gather in large flocks in winter. The longspurs are all found in
North America; the Lapland Longspur, or Lapland Bunting, is
also found in Europe and Asia.

● McCown's Longspur, Calcarius mccownii
Lapland Longspur, or Lapland Bunting, Calcarius Kingdom: Animalia
lapponicus
Smith's Longspur, Calcarius pictus Phylum: Chordata
Chestnut-collared Longspur, Calcarius ornatus
Class: Aves
Home | Up | Ammodramus | Calamospiza | Calcarius | Chondestes Order: Passeriformes

| Emberiza | Geospizini | Juncos | Passerculus | Passerella | Pipilo
| Pooecetes | Seedeater | Spizella | Zonotrichia Family: Emberizidae
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation Genus: Calcarius
License. It uses material from the Wikipedia. Bechstein, 1802
Species
See text.
Chondestes
Lark Sparrow
The Lark Sparrow, Chondestes grammacus, is a fairly large Conservation status Least concern
sparrow. It is the only member of the genus Chondestes.
This passerine bird breeds in southern Canada, much of the USA,

and northern Mexico. It is much less common in the east, where
its range is contracting. The populations in Mexico and adjacent
USA states are resident, but other birds are migratory, wintering in
the southern United States, Mexico and south to Guatemala.
It is a very common vagrant to western Europe, with two accepted

records in Great Britain in 1981 and 1991.
Lark Sparrow is distinctive. Adults have a typically sparrow-like

dark-streaked brown back, and white underparts except for a dark
central spot. The cheeks and crown sides are chestnut, with white Kingdom: Animalia
eyebrow and crown stripes. The dark tail's corners are also white.
Phylum: Chordata
Young Lark Sparrows are duller, and the underparts are streaked.
Class: Aves
The breeding habitat is a variety of open habitats including
grasslands and cultivation. Lark Sparrows nest on the ground,
laying 3-6 eggs in a grass cup nest sheltered by a clump of grass or Order: Passeriformes
other vegetation. The eggs are white with black scrawling.
Family: Emberizidae
These birds forage on the ground or in low bushes. They mainly
eat seeds, but insects, including grasshoppers are also eaten in the
Genus: Chondestes
breeding season. They form flocks on migration or in winter.
Swainson, 1827
The song is two clear notes followed by a mixture of buzzes and Species: C. grammacus
trills. The flight call is a thin sit.
Binomial name
References Chondestes grammacus
(Say, 1823)
● BirdLife International (2004). Chondestes grammacus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened
● Buntings and Sparrows by Byers, Olsson and Curson, ISBN 0-7470-3202-5

Emberiza
Buntings
Buntings are a group of mainly European passerine birds of the
family Emberizidae.
They are seed-eating birds with stubby, conical bills, and are the
Old World equivalents of the species known in North America as
sparrows. (However, these birds are not closely related to the Old
World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae.)
Their habits are similar to those of finches, with which they

sometimes used to be grouped. Some emberizids are still named
"finches". Similarly, there are a few species named "buntings"
which are now classed in the cardinal family, like the Painted Snow bunting
Bunting and Indigo Bunting. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Bunting species are:
Phylum: Chordata
● Family: Emberizidae
❍ Crested Bunting, Melophus lathami
Class: Aves
❍ Slaty Bunting, Latoucheornis siemsseni
❍ Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella
Family: Emberizidae
Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus
Rock Bunting, Emberiza cia Genera
Godlewski's Bunting, Emberiza godlewskii Melophus
Meadow Bunting, Emberiza cioides Latoucheornis
Rufous-backed Bunting, Emberiza jankowskii Emberiza
Grey-hooded Bunting, Emberiza buchanani Plectrophenax
Pallas' Reed Bunting, Emberiza pallasi
❍ Snow Bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis

McKay's Bunting, Plectrophenax hyperboreus
The Lark Bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys is an American sparrow.
The Lapland Bunting, Calcarius lapponicus, is also known as Lapland Longspur, and is considered
under longspurs.
External links
● Bunting videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Geospizini
Darwin's Finches
Darwin's finches (also known as the Galápagos Finches) are 13
or 14 different but closely related species of finches Charles
Darwin collected on the Galápagos Islands during the Voyage of
the Beagle. 13 reside on the Galápagos Islands and one on the
Cocos Islands.
The birds are all about the same size (10–20 cm). The most
important differences between species are in the size and shape of
their beaks, and the beaks are highly adapted to different food
sources. The birds are all brownish or black. Their behaviour
differs, and they have different song melodies.
Contents
● 1 The finches and Darwin's theory Kingdom: Animalia
● 2 The finch species
● 3 Text from the Voyage of the Beagle Phylum: Chordata
● 4 Reference
Class: Aves
The finches and Darwin's theory
Family: Emberizidae
Although these birds were to play an important part in the
inception of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, at
the time of the survey voyage of HMS Beagle Darwin had no idea Genera
of their significance. It is often assumed that when he saw the Geospiza
finches on the islands this inspired the theory, but this is not true: Camarhynchus
Darwin believed that they were not closely related when he Certhidea
encountered them; indeed he thought that most of these birds were Pinaroloxias
not finches at all (Sulloway 1982).
Following his return from the voyage, Darwin presented the finches to the Geological Society of London
at their meeting on 4 January 1837, along with other mammal and bird specimens he had collected. The
bird specimens, including the finches, were given to John Gould, the famous English ornithologist, for
identification. Gould set aside his paying work and at the next meeting on 10 January reported that birds
from the Galápagos Islands which Darwin had thought were blackbirds, "gross-bills" and finches were
in fact "a series of ground Finches which are so peculiar" as to form "an entirely new group, containing
12 species." This story made the newspapers. In March Darwin met Gould again, learning that his
Galápagos "wren" was another species of finch and the mockingbirds he had labelled by island were
separate species rather than just varieties, with relatives on the South American mainland. Darwin had
not bothered to label his finches by island, but others on the expedition had taken more care. He now
sought specimens collected by Captain Robert FitzRoy and crewmen. From them he was able to
establish that the species were uniquely related to individual islands, giving him the idea that somehow
in this geographical isolation these different species could have been formed from a small number of
common ancestors so that each was modified to suit "different ends".
The term Darwin's Finches was first applied in 1936, and popularized in 1947 by David Lack. Later,
Peter and Rosemary Grant conducted extensive research in documenting evolutionary change among the
finches. Beginning in 1973, the pair spent many years tracking thousands of individual finches across
several generations, showing how individual species changed in response to environmental changes. The
Beak of the Finch by Jonathan Weiner is a book about the finches, highlighting the Grants' research.
The finch species

● Genus Geospiza
❍ Large Cactus-Finch (Geospiza conirostris)
Sharp-beaked Ground-Finch (Geospiza difficilis)

Medium Ground-Finch (Geospiza fortis)
Small Ground-Finch (Geospiza fuliginosa)
Large Ground-Finch (Geospiza magnirostris)
Common Cactus-Finch (Geospiza scandens)
● Genus Camarhynchus
❍ Vegetarian Finch (Camarhynchus crassirostris syn. Platyspiza crassirostris)
Large Tree-Finch (Camarhynchus psittacula)

Medium Tree-Finch (Camarhynchus pauper)
Small Tree-Finch (Camarhynchus parvulus)
Woodpecker Finch (Camarhynchus pallidus)
Mangrove Finch (Camarhynchus heliobates)
● Genus Certhidea
❍ Warbler Finch (Certhidea olivacea)
● Genus Pinaroloxias
❍ Cocos Island Finch (Pinaroloxias inornata)
Text from the Voyage of the Beagle

The passage in chapter 17 in The Voyage of the Beagle in which Darwin describes the finches and
surmises that they may have shared a common ancestor is shown below. This was written in the months
after Gould had revealed that the birds which Darwin had thought to be unrelated were different species
of finches.
The remaining land-birds form a most singular group of finches, related to each other in the
structure of their beaks, short tails, form of body and plumage: there are thirteen species, which
Mr. Gould has divided into four subgroups. All these species are peculiar to this archipelago;
and so is the whole group, with the exception of one species of the sub-group Cactornis, lately
brought from Bow Island, in the Low Archipelago. Of Cactornis, the two species may be often
seen climbing about the flowers of the great cactus- trees; but all the other species of this group
of finches, mingled together in flocks, feed on the dry and sterile ground of the lower districts.
The males of all, or certainly of the greater number, are jet black; and the females (with perhaps
one or two exceptions) are brown. The most curious fact is the perfect gradation in the size of the
beaks in the different species of Geospiza, from one as large as that of a hawfinch to that of a
chaffinch, and (if Mr. Gould is right in including his sub-group, Certhidea, in the main group)
even to that of a warbler. The largest beak in the genus Geospiza is shown in Fig. 1, and the
smallest in Fig. 3; but instead of there being only one intermediate species, with a beak of the
size shown in Fig. 2, there are no less than six species with insensibly graduated beaks. The beak
of the sub-group Certhidea, is shown in Fig. 4. The beak of Cactornis is somewhat like that of a
starling, and that of the fourth subgroup, Camarhynchus, is slightly parrot-shaped. Seeing this
gradation and diversity of structure in one small, intimately related group of birds, one might
really fancy that from an original paucity of birds in this archipelago, one species had been taken
and modified for different ends. In a like manner it might be fancied that a bird originally a
buzzard, had been induced here to undertake the office of the carrion-feeding Polybori of the
American continent.
"Mr. Gould" (above) refers to John Gould, the famous English ornithologist.
Reference
● Adrian Desmond and James Moore, Darwin (London: Michael Joseph, the Penguin Group,
1991). ISBN 0-7181-3430-3
External links
● Darwin, C.R. The Voyage of the Beagle Chapter 17 from Darwin's book The Voyage of the
Beagle Chapter 17 in which he discusses the Galapagos islands and the birds
● Sulloway, F.J. (1982): "Darwin and his finches: the evolution of a legend". J. Hist. Biol. 15: p.1–
53
● Different bills and song melodies
● Genetics and the Origin of Birds Species, Grant and Grant in PNAS
● Sato et al Phylogeny of Darwin's finches as revealed by mtDNA sequences in PNAS
● Galápagos Online's Darwin's Finches page
● Darwin's Finches Evolve Before Scientists' Eyes: new developments reported 13 July 2006

Juncos
Junco
The Juncos, genus Junco, comprise three to eight species of small
American sparrow.
● Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis). North America, in

Canada and much of the United States. Five major races or
groups of races, sometimes treated as species:
❍ Slate-colored Junco (J. h. hyemalis). North America
in taiga forests from Alaska to Newfoundland and

south to the Appalachian Mountains, wintering
further south.
White-winged Junco (J. h. aikeni). In the Black
Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming, United States.
Oregon Junco (J. h. oreganus). The Pacific coast Scientific classification
mountains from southeastern Alaska to California. Kingdom: Animalia
Pink-sided Junco (J. h. mearnsi). Northern Rocky
Mountains from southern Alberta to Idaho and
Phylum: Chordata
Wyoming.
Gray-headed Junco (J. h. caniceps). Southern Rocky
Mountains from Colorado to central Arizona. Class: Aves
● Guadalupe Junco (Junco insularis, often treated as a race
of J. hyemalis). Guadalupe Island off the west coast of Baja Order: Passeriformes
California, Mexico; now rare and endangered.
● Yellow-eyed Junco (Junco phaeonotus). High mountains
of Mexico, Guatemala, southeastern Arizona and Family: Emberizidae
southwestern New Mexico. Three major races or groups of
races: Genus: Junco
❍ Yellow-eyed Junco (Junco phaeonotus phaeonotus).
High mountains of Mexico, southeastern Arizona

and southwestern New Mexico.
Guatemala Junco (Junco phaeonotus alticola). High mountains of Chiapas (southeast
Mexico) and Guatemala.
Baird's Junco (Junco p. bairdi). High mountains of Baja California Sur
● Volcano Junco (Junco vulcani). High mountains of Costa Rica and Panama.
Their breeding habitat is coniferous or mixed forest areas throughout North America, ranging from
subarctic taiga to high altitude mountain forests in Mexico and Central America. They usually nest in a
well-hidden location on the ground or low in a shrub or tree. Northern birds migrate farther south;
southern populations are permanent residents or altitudinal migrants, moving only a short distance
downslope to avoid severe winter weather in the mountains.
These birds forage on the ground. In winter, they often forage in flocks. They mainly eat insects and
seeds.
"Junco" is the Spanish word for rush (the plant), though these birds are seldom found in rushes.

Passerculus
Savannah Sparrow
The Savannah Sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis, is a small Conservation status Least concern
sparrow. It is the only member of the genus Passerculus
(Bonaparte, 1838).
This passerine bird breeds in Alaska, Canada, northern, central

and Pacific coastal USA, Mexico and Guatemala. The Pacific and
Mexican breeders are resident, but other populations are
migratory, wintering from the southern United States to northern
South America. It is a very rare vagrant to western Europe.
Savannah Sparrow is a very variable species, with numerous races,

several of which have been split as separate species at various
times. The different forms vary principally in the darkness of the
plumage, with Alaskan and interior races the palest, and southern
Pacific coastal forms the darkest.
This species has a typically sparrow-like dark-streaked brown

back, and whitish underparts with brown or blackish breast and Scientific classification
flank streaking. It has yellowish or whitish crown and eyebrow
Kingdom: Animalia
stripes. The cheeks are brown and the throat white.
The breeding habitat is a wide variety of open habitats including Phylum: Chordata
grasslands and cultivation. Savannah Sparrows nest on the ground,
laying 3-6 eggs in a cup nest sheltered by a clump of grass or other Class: Aves
vegetation. They form flocks in the winter to migrate.
These birds forage on the ground or in low bushes. They mainly
eat seeds, but insects are also eaten in the breeding season. The
song is mixture of chips and trills. The flight call is a thin seep. Family: Emberizidae
This bird was named after Savannah, Georgia where one of the Genus: Passerculus
first specimens of this bird was collected.
Species: P. sandwichensis
Although this bird is generally abundant across its range, some
coastal populations depending on salt marsh habitat are declining.
Binomial name
Subspecies
Passerculus sandwichensis
(Gmelin, 1789)
Seventeen subspecies are currently recognized. One was formerly
considered a distinct species. Four additional subspecies are not Subspecies
generally accepted. The subspecies are usually divided into several see article text
groups:
● The Savannah Sparrows proper (migratory):

❍ P. s. labradorius, breeds in Newfoundland, Labrador, and N Quebec
❍ P. s. oblitus, breeds in N Ontario and Manitoba
❍ P. s. savanna (Eastern Savannah Sparrow), breeds in the NE USA and adjacent Canada
(includes P. s. mediogriseus)
❍ P. s. sandwichensis (Aleutian Savannah Sparrow), breeds on the Aleutian Islands and W
Alaskan Peninsula
❍ P. s. anthinus, breeds in the remainder of Alaska, south and east to central British
Columbia and north of the Great Plains to Manitoba

❍ P. s. brooksi (Dwarf Savannah Sparrow), breeds in southernmost British Columbia to
northernmost California
❍ P. s. alaudinus, breeds in coastal northern and central California
❍ P. s. nevadensis, breeds in the N Great Plains and the Great Basin
❍ P. s. brunnescens, breeds from central Mexico south to Guatemala (includes P. s.
rufofuscus)
P. s. wetmorei is a doubtful subspecies which may breed in the mountains of Guatemala. It is known
from only 5 specimens, collected June 11-17, 1897, in Huehuetenango Department.
● The Ipswich Sparrow (formerly considered a distinct species, some post-breeding dispersal)
❍ P. s. princeps, breeds almost exclusively on Sable Island
● The Large-billed Savannah Sparrows:

❍ P. s. rostratus, which breed on the Gulf Coast of NE Baja California and NW Sonora
(some post-breeding dispersal; has distinct mtDNA genotypes)

❍ P. s. atratus, resident on the coast of central Sonora to central Sinaloa (resident)
● The Belding's Savannah Sparrows (resident):

❍ P. s. beldingi, resident on the Pacific Coast from Morro Bay, California, to El Rosario,
Baja California (includes P. s. bryanti)

❍ P. s. anulus, resident around Sebastián Vizcaíno Bay, Baja California
❍ P. s. guttatus, resident around San Ignacio Lagoon
❍ P. s. magdalenae, resident around Magdalena Bay

● The San Benito Savannah Sparrow (resident)
❍ P. s. sanctorum, Islas San Benitos
The Savannah Sparrows proper are very similar and migrant birds can not usually be related to a
breeding population with certainty. The resident or partially migratory subspecies are well
distinguishable by size and, particularly between groups, coloration. The Ipswich Sparrow is somewhat
larger and paler in colour than other eastern Savannah Sparrows. The breast streaks are narrower and
pale brown. Some birds overwinter on the island; others migrate south along the Atlantic coast, usually
departing later and returning sooner than mainland birds. Some birds interbreed with P. s. savanna in
Nova Scotia. These birds frequently raise three broods in a year. This bird was first observed in winter
on the dunes near the town of Ipswich, Massachusetts.
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Passerculus sandwichensis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened
● Byers, Clive; Olsson, Urban & Curson, Jon (1995): Sparrows and Buntings: A Guide to the
Sparrows and Buntings of North America and the World. Houghton Mifflin, Boston. ISBN
0395738733
External link
● Species at risk - Ipswich Sparrow

Passerella
Fox Sparrow
The Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) is a large American Conservation status Least concern
sparrow. It is the only member of the genus Passerella,
though some authors split the genus into four species (see
below).
Adults are heavily spotted and streaked underneath.

Plumage varies markedly from one subspecies group to
another. More specific information regarding plumage is
available in the accounts for the various subspecies groups.
Fox Sparrow's breeding habitat is wooded areas across

northern Canada and the west coast of North America from
Alaska to California. They nest either in a sheltered Red Fox Sparrow
location on the ground or low in trees or shrubs.
These birds migrate south on the west coast and to the Kingdom: Animalia
eastern United States.
Phylum: Chordata
These birds forage by scratching the ground, which makes
them vulnerable to cats and other predators. They mainly Class: Aves
eat seeds and insects, also some berries. Birds on the coast
may also eat crustaceans.
Subspecies Groups
Family: Emberizidae
● Red Fox Sparrow (iliaca group)
Sooty Fox Sparrow (unalaschcensis group) Genus: Passerella
Slate-colored Fox Sparrow (schistacea group) (Swainson, 1837)
Thick-billed Fox Sparrow (megarhyncha group) Species: P. iliaca
References Binomial name

Passerella iliaca
● BirdLife International (2004). Passerella iliaca. (Merrem, 1786)
includes justification for why this species is of least
concern
● Beadle, D. & Rising, J. D. (2002). Sparrows of the
United States and Canada. San Diego: Academic
Press.
● Sibley, D. A. (2000). The Sibley Guide to Birds.
New York: Chanticleer Press, Inc.
● Zink, R. M. (1994). The Geography of
Mitochondrial DNA Variation, Population
Structure, hybridization, and Species Limits in the
Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca). Evolution 48: 96-
111.
● Zink, R. M. & Kessen, A. E. (1999). Species Limits
in the Fox Sparrow. Birding 31: 508-517.
Home | Up | Ammodramus | Calamospiza | Calcarius breeding ranges of the four Fox Sparrow groups
| Chondestes | Emberiza | Geospizini | Juncos | Passerculus
| Passerella | Pipilo | Pooecetes | Seedeater | Spizella | Zonotrichia
Pipilo
Towhees
A Towhee is any one of a number of species of birds in the genus
Pipilo within the family Emberizidae (which also includes the
buntings, American sparrows, and juncos).
Towhees typically have longer tails than other emberizids. Most

species have rather skulking habits, so they are not well known,
though the Eastern Towhee P. erythrophthalamus is bolder as well
as more colorful. This species, and some others, frequent urban
parks and gardens.
California Towhee Pipilo crissalis in a
garden
There has been considerable debate over the taxonomy of the
towhees in recent years. Two species complexes have been Scientific classification
identified, the rufous-sided complex (involving Pipilo Kingdom: Animalia
erythrophthalmus, P. maculatus, P. socorroensis, P. ocai and P.
chlorurus), and the brown towhee complex (involving Pipilo
Phylum: Chordata
crissalis, P. fuscus, P. aberti and P. albicollis). The distinction of
species within these is uncertain and opinions have differed over
the years. Modern authorities distinguish all four species in the Class: Aves
brown towhee complex, though P. fuscus and P. crissalis were
formerly treated as a single species. Hybrids are frequent between Order: Passeriformes
some of the species, particularly between the Mexican races of P.
maculatus ("Olive-backed Towhee", P. maculatus macronyx) and
P. ocai. Family: Emberizidae
Species list: Genus: Pipilo

Vieillot, 1816
● Green-tailed Towhee, Pipilo chlorurus Species
Collared Towhee, Pipilo ocai
● "Rufous-sided Towhee"--old name, now split into two See text.
species:
❍ Eastern Towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus

❍ Spotted Towhee, Pipilo maculatus
■ Olive-backed Towhee, Pipilo maculatus macronyx
● Socorro Towhee, Pipilo socorroensis
● "Brown Towhee"--old name, now split into two species:
❍ California Towhee, Pipilo crissalis

Canyon Towhee, Pipilo fuscus
● Abert's Towhee, Pipilo aberti

White-throated Towhee, Pipilo albicollis
References
● Zink, R. M., & Dittmann, D. L. (1991). Evolution of brown towhees - mitochondrial-DNA
evidence. Condor 93: 98-105.
External links
● Towhee videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Pooecetes
Vesper Sparrow
The Vesper Sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus, is a medium-sized Conservation status Least concern
sparrow. It is the only member of the genus Pooecetes (Baird
1858).
Adults have light brown upperparts and light underparts, both with
darker streaking. They have a white eye ring and a long dark
brown tail which shows white outer feathers in flight.
Their breeding habitat is open grassy areas across most of North

America. The nest is an open cup on the ground under a clump of
grass. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
These birds migrate to the southern and central United States and
Mexico.
Phylum: Chordata
These birds forage on the ground, mainly eating insects and seeds.
Outside of the nesting season, they often feed in small flocks. Class: Aves
The male sings from a higher perch, such as a shrub or fencepost, Order: Passeriformes
to indicate his ownership of the nesting territory. The musical song
begins with two pairs of repeated whistled notes and ends in a
series of trills, somewhat similar to that of the Song Sparrow. Family: Emberizidae
This bird's numbers are declining in the eastern parts of its range Genus: Pooecetes
due to habitat loss.
Species: P. gramineus
References
Binomial name
● BirdLife International (2004). Pooecetes gramineus. 2006
Pooecetes gramineus
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. (Gmelin, 1789)
Seedeater
Emberizidae
The seedeaters are a group of passerine birds in the bunting family
Emberizidae.
They are seed-eating Central and South American birds with a Kingdom: Animalia
distinctively conical bill.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
The seedeaters
● Buffy-fronted Seedeater, Sporophila frontalis
Temminck's Seedeater, Sporophila falcirostris
Slate-colored Seedeater, Sporophila schistacea Family: Emberizidae
Plumbeous Seedeater, Sporophila plumbea
Caqueta Seedeater, Sporophila murallae genera
Gray Seedeater, Sporophila intermedia
Sporophila
Wing-barred Seedeater, Sporophila americana
Oryzoborus
Variable Seedeater, Sporophila corvina
Amaurospiza
White-collared Seedeater, Sporophila torqueola
Dolospingus
Rusty-collared Seedeater, Sporophila collaris
Catamenia
Lesson's Seedeater, Sporophila bouvronides
Lined Seedeater, Sporophila lineola
Black-and-white Seedeater, Sporophila luctuosa
Yellow-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila nigricollis
Dubois' Seedeater, Sporophila ardesiaca
Hooded Seedeater, Sporophila melanops
Double-collared Seedeater, Sporophila caerulescens
White-throated Seedeater, Sporophila albogularis
Drab Seedeater, Sporophila simplex
White-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila leucoptera
Parrot-billed Seedeater, Sporophila peruviana
Black-and-tawny Seedeater, Sporophila nigrorufa
Capped Seedeater, Sporophila bouvreuil
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater, Sporophila minuta
Tawny-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila hypoxantha
Dark-throated Seedeater, Sporophila ruficollis
Marsh Seedeater, Sporophila palustris
Chestnut-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila castaneiventris
Gray-and-chestnut Seedeater, Sporophila hypochroma
Chestnut Seedeater, Sporophila cinnamomea
Narosky's Seedeater, Sporophila zelichi
Black-bellied Seedeater, Sporophila melanogaster
Chestnut-throated Seedeater, Sporophila telasco
Tumaco Seedeater, Sporophila insulata
Nicaraguan Seed Finch, Oryzoborus nuttingi
Large-billed Seed Finch, Oryzoborus crassirostris
Black-billed Seed Finch, Oryzoborus atrirostris
Great-billed Seed Finch, Oryzoborus maximiliani
Chestnut-bellied Seed Finch, Oryzoborus angolensis
Thick-billed Seed Finch, Oryzoborus funereus
Blackish-blue Seedeater, Amaurospiza moesta
Blue Seedeater, Amaurospiza concolor
Slate-blue Seedeater, Amaurospiza relicta
Carrizal Seedeater, Amaurospiza carrizalensis
White-naped Seedeater, Dolospingus fringilloides
Band-tailed Seedeater, Catamenia analis
Plain-colored Seedeater, Catamenia inornata
Paramo Seedeater, Catamenia homochroa
External links
● Seedeater videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Spizella
Spizella
The genus Spizella (Bonaparte, 1832) is a group of American
sparrows in the family Emberizidae.
These birds are relatively small and slim, with short bills, round
heads and long wings. They are usually found in semi-open areas.
Outside of the nesting season, they often forage in small mixed
flocks.
● American Tree Sparrow, Spizella arborea

Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina Scientific classification
Clay-colored Sparrow, Spizella pallida
Brewer's Sparrow, Spizella breweri Kingdom: Animalia
Field Sparrow, Spizella pusilla
Worthen's Sparrow, Spizella wortheni Phylum: Chordata
Black-chinned Sparrow, Spizella atrogularis
Class: Aves
Home | Up | Ammodramus | Calamospiza | Calcarius | Chondestes
| Emberiza | Geospizini | Juncos | Passerculus | Passerella | Pipilo
| Pooecetes | Seedeater | Spizella | Zonotrichia Family: Emberizidae
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation Genus: Spizella
Species
See text.
Zonotrichia
Back | Home | Up
Zonotrichia
Zonotrichia is a small genus of American sparrows. Four
of the species are North American, but the Rufous-
collared Sparrow breeds in highlands from the extreme
southeast of Mexico to Tierra del Fuego, and on
Hispaniola.
The species are
● White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys

White-throated Sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis
Rufous-collared Sparrow, Zonotrichia capensis
Harris' Sparrow, Zonotrichia querula
These birds have brown backs streaked with black, and

distinctive head markings. Their cup nests, built by the
female, are of plant material lined with fine grasses and
constructed on the ground, low in a tree or bush, or in a
niche in a wall.
White-crowned Sparrow
The female lays brown-blotched greenish-blue or
greenish white eggs, which she incubates for 12-14 days. Scientific classification
The male helps in feeding the chicks. Kingdom: Animalia
Zonotrichia sparrows feed on the ground on seeds, fallen

Phylum: Chordata
grain, insects and spiders.
Class: Aves
References
● Byers, Olsson and Curson, Buntings and Sparrows Order: Passeriformes
ISBN1-873403-19-4
● Stiles and Skutch, A guide to the birds of Costa Family: Emberizidae
Rica, ISBN 0-0814-9600-4
Genus: Zonotrichia
Home | Up | Ammodramus | Calamospiza | Calcarius Swainson, 1832
| Chondestes | Emberiza | Geospizini | Juncos | Passerculus
species
| Passerella | Pipilo | Pooecetes | Seedeater | Spizella
Z. leucophrys
| Zonotrichia
Z. albicollis
Z. atricapilla
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Z. capensis
Documentation License. It uses material from the Z. querula
Wikipedia.
Padda
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Padda
Padda is a genus of estrildid finches restricted to islands in
southern Indonesia.
These are small, plump, gregarious passerine birds. They frequent

open grassland and cultivation and feed mainly on grain and other
seeds, including rice.
Both species have white-cheeked black heads and thick bills. The
sexes are similar, but immature birds have brown upperparts and
paler brown underparts and cheeks.
The call of both species is a chip, and the song is a raid series of
call notes chipchipchipchipchipchip.
The species are

● Java Sparrow, or Java Finch Padda oryzivora
● Timor Dusky Sparrow, Padda fuscata Kingdom: Animalia
Java Sparrow is a popular cagebird, and has been introduced in a Phylum: Chordata
large number of other countries. Both Padda species are
threatened by trapping for the cage bird trade. Class: Aves
Reference Order: Passeriformes
● Finches and Sparrows by Clement, Harris and Davis, ISBN

Family: Estrildidae
0-7136-8017-2
Genus: Padda
Home | Up Species
See text.
Carduelis
Home | Up | Next
Carduelis
[1]
The genus Carduelis is a large group of birds in the
finch family Fringillidae. It includes the greenfinches,
redpolls, goldfinches, linnets, the twite and the non-
African siskins. No species of this group ranges far into
Africa (where they are replaced by the related genus
Serinus), and the centers of evolution were probably
Eurasia and North America, with a secondary radiation in
the Neotropics.
The interrelationship of these species is complex and

contentious. It is fairly certain that the crossbills are
actually derived from proto-redpoll ancestors quite
recently, and it was suggested that they should be placed The European Goldfinch belongs to a group of red-
or yellow-faced species.
into this genus. On the other hand, the greenfinches
(which are apparently the most distinct group) and the Scientific classification
redpolls have themselves been separated in distinct Kingdom: Animalia
genera which might be the best way to express both the
actual evolutionary relationships and the evolutionarily
Phylum: Chordata
significant distinctiveness of the crossbills. The molecular
data indicates that the major lineages split in the Late
Miocene (Tortonian, roughly 9-7 mya), but it is unable to Class: Aves
suggest any one robust arrangement either of the major
groups among each other or among the lineages of Order: Passeriformes
Carduelis sensu stricto. As only the mitochondrial
cytochrome b sequence has hitherto been studied (Arnaiz-
Villena et al., 1998), more data is clearly necessary. Family: Fringillidae
Here, the species of Carduelis sensu lato are listed Genus: Carduelis
according to current knowledge. The genus Carduelis Brisson, 1760
sensu stricto could conceivably be split further, and in
Species
this case only the European Goldfinch and the Citril and
Corsican Finch (newly placed in his genus) would remain Many, see text
in Carduelis. Synonyms
Contents Acanthis
Linaria
Chloris
● 1 Greenfinches
(but see article text)
● 2 Redpolls
● 3 Crossbills
● 4 Carduelis sensu stricto
❍ 4.1 Carduelis group
❍ 4.2 Linaria group
❍ 4.3 Neotropical siskins
● 5 References
❍ 5.1 Footnotes
Greenfinches
(Sub)Genus Chloris
● Black-headed Greenfinch, Carduelis ambigua

Oriental Greenfinch, Carduelis sinica
Vietnamese Greenfinch, Carduelis monguilloti
Yellow-breasted Greenfinch, Carduelis spinoides
The Desert Finch, Carduelis obsoletus, has recently turned out be a primitive form in this group
(Zamora et al., 2006).
Redpolls
(Sub)Genus Acanthis
● Arctic Redpoll, or Hoary Redpoll, Carduelis hornemanni

Common Redpoll, or Mealy Redpoll, Carduelis flammea
Lesser Redpoll, Carduelis cabaret
Crossbills
(Sub)Genus Loxia
● 3 - 5+ species
Carduelis sensu stricto
Carduelis group
● European Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis

Citril Finch, Serinus citrinella
Corsican Finch, Serinus corsicana
Linaria group
Linnets and Twite
● Eurasian Linnet, Carduelis cannabina

Warsangli Linnet, Carduelis johannis
Yemen Linnet, Carduelis yemenensis
Twite, Carduelis flavirostris
American goldfinches and Eurasian siskin
● American Goldfinch, Carduelis tristis

Lesser Goldfinch, Carduelis psaltria
Lawrence's Goldfinch, Carduelis lawrencei
Eurasian Siskin, or Spruce Siskin, Carduelis spinus
Pine Siskin, Carduelis pinus
Neotropical siskins
● Andean Siskin, Carduelis spinescens

Antillean Siskin, Carduelis dominicensis
Black Siskin, Carduelis atrata
Black-capped Siskin, Carduelis atriceps
Black-chinned Siskin, Carduelis barbata
Black-headed Siskin, Carduelis notata
Hooded Siskin, Carduelis magellanica
Olivaceous Siskin, Carduelis olivacea
Red Siskin, Carduelis cucullata
Saffron Siskin, Carduelis siemiradzkii
Thick-billed Siskin, Carduelis crassirostris
Yellow-bellied Siskin, Carduelis xanthogastra
Yellow-faced Siskin, Carduelis yarrellii
Yellow-rumped Siskin, Carduelis uropygialis
References
Molecular Life Sciences 54(9): 1031–1041. DOI:10.1007/s000180050230 PDF fulltext. Erratum,
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 55(1): 148. DOI:10.1007/s000180050280 PDF fulltext
● Zamora, Jorge; Lowy, Ernesto; Ruiz-del-Valle, Valentin; Moscoso, Juan; Serrano-Vela, Juan
Ignacio; Rivero-de-Aguilar, Juan & Arnaiz-Villena, Antonio (2006): Rhodopechys obsoleta
(desert finch): a pale ancestor of greenfinches (Carduelis spp.) according to molecular
phylogeny. Journal of Ornithology 147(3): 448–456. DOI:10.1007/s10336-005-0036-2 (HTML
abstract). Erratum, Journal of Ornithology 147(3): 511–512 DOI:10.1007/s10336-006-0072-6
Footnotes
1. ^ From Latin carduus, "thistle". Thistle seeds are a favorite food of many species.
External links
● Carduelis videos on the Internet Bird Collection
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Carpodacus
Rosefinches
The rosefinches are birds in the finch family Fringillidae.
Most Carpodacus species are so named, but three
common North American ones are not. As the names
imply, various shades of red are the characteristic
plumage colours of this group.
Rose finches are found throughout the northern

hemisphere, but the greatest diversity is in Asia. Most
species are traditionally placed in the large genus
Carpodacus.
Systematics
Comparison of mtDNA cytochrome b sequences strongly
indicates that the genus Carpodacus is in need of a
thorough revision (Arnaiz-Villena et al., 2001). For
example, the Dark-breasted Rosefinch, a species with House Finch
very distinctive appearance, is also very distinct Scientific classification
genetically and definitely belongs into another genus,
which may even be placed in the chaffinch-brambling Kingdom: Animalia
subfamily Fringillinae; all other species belong to the
cardueline finch subfamily (Carduelinae). Phylum: Chordata
There have been a number of rosefinch radiations. First to

Class: Aves
split off were the ancestors of the North American
species, the Common Rosefinch, and the Scarlet Finch
(the later is traditionally placed in its own genus, but this Order: Passeriformes
is almost certainly incorrect). These diverged in the
Middle Miocene (about 14-12 mya) from the proto- Family: Fringillidae
rosefinches and should constitute the genus Carpodacus
proper, which might even be limited to the European
species and probably the Scarlet Finch, with the North Subfamily: Carduelinae
American forms becoming a distinct genus.
Genera
The Long-tailed Rosefinch, traditionally also placed in a
monotypic genus, is closely allied to the Streaked see article text
Rosefinch and possibly other species; they diverged
around 11-10 mya and either might be placed in Carpodacus or united in Uragus. If the latter is adopted,
the bulk of the Asian species would also have to be separated as yet another distinct genus.
Przewalski's "Rosefinch" (Urocynchramus pylzowi) has been determined to be not a rosefinch, and
indeed not a true finch at all, but to constitute a monotypic family Urocynchramidae.
● Dark-breasted Rosefinch
❍ Dark-breasted Rosefinch, "Carpodacus" nipalensis
● Carpodacus proper
❍ Common Rosefinch, Carpodacus erythrinus
● Scarlet Finch (traditionally separated as Haematospiza)

❍ Scarlet Finch, Carpodacus sipahi
● American rosefinches (possibly a distinct genus)

❍ Cassin's Finch, Carpodacus cassinii
Purple Finch, Carpodacus purpureus

House Finch, Carpodacus mexicanus
● Streaked rosefinches (possibly genus Uragus)
❍ Streaked Rosefinch, Carpodacus rubicilloides
Long-tailed Rosefinch, Carpodacus sibiricus

● Asian rosefinches (possibly a distinct genus)
❍ Beautiful Rosefinch, Carpodacus pulcherrimus
White-browed Rosefinch, Carpodacus thura

Pallas' Rosefinch, Carpodacus roseus
Three-banded Rosefinch, Carpodacus trifasciatus
● Unassigned (most probably belong to Asian group)
❍ Blanford's Rosefinch, Carpodacus rubescens
Pink-rumped Rosefinch, Carpodacus eos

Pink-browed Rosefinch, Carpodacus rhodochrous
Vinaceous Rosefinch, Carpodacus vinaceus
Dark-rumped Rosefinch, Carpodacus edwardsii
Spot-winged Rosefinch, Carpodacus rhodopeplus
Tibetan Rosefinch, Carpodacus roborowskii
Red-mantled Rosefinch, Carpodacus rhodochlamys
Great Rosefinch, Carpodacus rubicilla
Red-fronted Rosefinch, Carpodacus puniceus
References
External links
● Rosefinche videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Coccothraustes
Coccothraustes
Coccothraustes is a genus of large finches containing three
species:
● Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes

Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus
Hooded Grosbeak Coccothraustes abeillei
These are large, bulky, short-tailed species, around 18 cm in

length, with thick powerful bills for cracking the stones of fruit.
They are hardy species, and even the two northern species usually Hawfinch
only migrate from the coldest parts of their range. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
The Evening Grosbeak of North America and the Hooded
Grosbeak of Central America are closely related, and in the past
Phylum: Chordata
were classified in the genus Hesperiphona, but are now usually
placed in the same genus as the Eurasian Hawfinch.
Class: Aves
Home | Up | Carduelis | Carpodacus | Coccothraustes | Eophona
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Genus: Coccothraustes
Brisson, 1760
Species
See text.
Eophona
Eophona
Eophona is a genus of finches containing two species:
● Yellow-billed Grosbeak Eophona migratoria
● Japanese Grosbeak Eophona personata Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Home | Up | Carduelis | Carpodacus | Coccothraustes | Eophona Class: Aves

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It uses material from the Wikipedia. Family: Fringillidae
Genus: Eophona
Gould, 1851
Species
See text.
Euphoniinae
Chlorophonia | Euphonia
Euphoniinae
Euphoniinae is a subfamily of finches endemic to the Neotropics. It
contains two genera, Euphonia and Chlorophonia.
Kingdom: Animalia
Species list
SUBFAMILY EUPHONIINAE Phylum: Chordata
● Genus Euphonia: the euphonias Class: Aves

❍ Jamaican Euphonia, Euphonia jamaica
Plumbeous Euphonia, Euphonia plumbea Order: Passeriformes

Scrub Euphonia, Euphonia affinis
Purple-throated Euphonia, Euphonia chlorotica
Yellow-crowned Euphonia, Euphonia luteicapilla Family: Fringillidae
Trinidad Euphonia, Euphonia trinitatis
Velvet-fronted Euphonia, Euphonia concinna Subfamily: Euphoniinae
Orange-crowned Euphonia, Euphonia saturata
Finsch's Euphonia, Euphonia finschi
Violaceous Euphonia, Euphonia violacea Genera
Thick-billed Euphonia, Euphonia laniirostris Euphonia
Yellow-throated Euphonia, Euphonia hirundinacea Chlorophonia
Green-chinned Euphonia, Euphonia chalybea
Elegant Euphonia, Euphonia elegantissima
Antillean Euphonia, Euphonia musica
Golden-rumped Euphonia, Euphonia cyanocephala
Spot-crowned Euphonia, Euphonia imitans
Fulvous-vented Euphonia, Euphonia fulvicrissa
Olive-backed Euphonia, Euphonia gouldi
Bronze-green Euphonia, Euphonia mesochrysa
White-lored Euphonia, Euphonia chrysopasta
White-vented Euphonia, Euphonia minuta
Tawny-capped Euphonia, Euphonia anneae
Orange-bellied Euphonia, Euphonia xanthogaster
Rufous-bellied Euphonia, Euphonia rufiventris
Golden-sided Euphonia, Euphonia cayennensis
Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, Euphonia pectoralis
● Genus Chlorophonia: the chlorophonias
❍ Yellow-collared Chlorophonia, Chlorophonia flavirostris
Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Chlorophonia cyanea

Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Chlorophonia pyrrhophrys
Blue-crowned Chlorophonia, Chlorophonia occipitalis
Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Chlorophonia callophrys

Chlorophonia
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Chlorophonia
Chlorophonias are members of the genus Chlorophonia, a group of
finches endemic to the Neotropics. They share the subfamily
Euphoniinae with the euphonias.
Kingdom: Animalia
Chlorophonias are small, mostly bright green birds that inhabit
cloudforest habitats from Mexico to South America. Phylum: Chordata
Species list Class: Aves
● Genus Chlorophonia, the chlorophonias Order: Passeriformes

❍ Yellow-collared Chlorophonia, Chlorophonia
flavirostris
Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Chlorophonia cyanea Family: Fringillidae
Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Chlorophonia
pyrrhophrys Genus: Chlorophonia
Blue-crowned Chlorophonia, Chlorophonia occipitalis
Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Chlorophonia
callophrys
Home | Up | Chlorophonia | Euphonia
Euphonia
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Euphonia
Euphonias are members of the genus Euphonia, a group of
Neotropical birds in the finch family. They share the subfamily
Euphoniinae with the chlorophonias. Euphonia contains close to 27
species. Kingdom: Animalia
Most euphonias dark mettalic blue above and bright yellow below. Phylum: Chordata
Many have contrasting pale foreheads and white undertails. Some
have light blue patches on the head and/or orangish underparts. Class: Aves
Euphonias were once considered members of the tanager family,

Thraupidae. Order: Passeriformes
Species list Family: Fringillidae
● Genus Euphonia, the euphonias Genus: Euphonia

❍ Jamaican Euphonia, Euphonia jamaica
Plumbeous Euphonia, Euphonia plumbea Species

Scrub Euphonia, Euphonia affinis
Purple-throated Euphonia, Euphonia chlorotica See text.
Yellow-crowned Euphonia, Euphonia luteicapilla
Trinidad Euphonia, Euphonia trinitatis
Velvet-fronted Euphonia, Euphonia concinna
Orange-crowned Euphonia, Euphonia saturata
Finsch's Euphonia, Euphonia finschi
Violaceous Euphonia, Euphonia violacea
Thick-billed Euphonia, Euphonia laniirostris
Yellow-throated Euphonia, Euphonia hirundinacea
Green-chinned Euphonia, Euphonia chalybea
Elegant Euphonia, Euphonia elegantissima
Antillean Euphonia, Euphonia musica
Golden-rumped Euphonia, Euphonia cyanocephala
Spot-crowned Euphonia, Euphonia imitans
Fulvous-vented Euphonia, Euphonia fulvicrissa
Olive-backed Euphonia, Euphonia gouldi
Bronze-green Euphonia, Euphonia mesochrysa
White-lored Euphonia, Euphonia chrysopasta
White-vented Euphonia, Euphonia minuta
Tawny-capped Euphonia, Euphonia anneae
Orange-bellied Euphonia, Euphonia xanthogaster
Rufous-bellied Euphonia, Euphonia rufiventris
Golden-sided Euphonia, Euphonia cayennensis
Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, Euphonia pectoralis
External links
● Euphonia videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Chlorophonia | Euphonia
Fringilla
Fringilla
The genus Fringilla is a small group of finches, which are the
only species in the subfamily Fringillinae The three species,
which feed their young on insects rather than seeds, are:
● Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Blue Chaffinch Fringilla teydea
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla
The other much larger subfamily is the Cardueline finches in the Male Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs
subfamily Carduelinae which feed their young on seeds. Scientific classification
The Fringilla finches are seed-eating passerine birds restricted to Kingdom: Animalia
the Old World. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating
bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, but feed largely on Phylum: Chordata
the ground.
Class: Aves
Home | Up | Carduelis | Carpodacus | Coccothraustes | Eophona
| Euphoniinae | Fringilla | Grosbeak | Leucosticte | Loxia | Pinicola
Family: Fringillidae
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation Genus: Fringilla
Linnaeus, 1758
Species
Three; see text
Leucosticte
Mountain finches
The mountain finches are birds in the genus Leucosticte from the
true finch family Fringillidae. This genus also includes the rosy
finches named from their pinkish plumage. They are apparently
closely related to the bullfinches (Marten & Johnson, 1986) and to Kingdom: Animalia
the Pine Grosbeak (Arnaiz-Villena et al., 2001), diverging from
them not quite a dozen mya, at the end of the Middle Miocene. Phylum: Chordata
These birds are typically found in barren mountainous regions. Class: Aves
Many species eat more insect material than other finches.
The full list of species is: Order: Passeriformes
● Plain Mountain Finch, Leucosticte nemoricola Family: Fringillidae

Black-headed Mountain Finch, Leucosticte brandti
Tawny-headed Mountain Finch, Leucosticte sillemi
Subfamily: Carduelinae
Asian Rosy Finch, Leucosticte arctoa
Gray-crowned Rosy Finch, Leucosticte tephrocotis
Black Rosy Finch, Leucosticte atrata Genus: Leucosticte
Brown-capped Rosy Finch, Leucosticte australis Swainson, 1832
Species
References See text.

Loxia
Crossbills
The crossbills are birds in the finch family Fringillidae. The
three to five (or possibly many more) species are all currently
classified in the genus Loxia, but see below. These birds are
characterised by the mandibles crossing at their tips, which
gives the group its English name.
These are specialist feeders on conifer cones, and the unusual

bill shape is an adaptation to assist the extraction of the seeds
from the cone. These are birds typically found in higher
northern hemisphere latitudes, where their food sources
grows. They will erupt out of the breeding range when the
cone crop fails.
Crossbills breed very early in the year, often in winter

months, to take advantage of maximum cone supplies. Red (Common) Crossbill
Adult males tend to be red or orange in colour, and females
Kingdom: Animalia
green or yellow, but there is much variation.
Phylum: Chordata
Contents
Class: Aves
● 1 Feeding behavior
● 3 References
Genus: Loxia (but see "Systematics

Feeding behavior and evolution" below)
Linnaeus, 1758
The different species are each adapted to specialising in
feeding on different conifer species, with the bill shape Species
optimised for opening that species of conifer. This is
achieved by inserting the bill between the conifer cone scales
and twisting the lower mandible towards the side to which it Loxia pytyopsittacus
crosses, enabling the bird to extract the seed at the bottom of Loxia scotia
the scale with its tongue. Loxia curvirostra
Loxia leucoptera
The mechanism by which the bill-crossing (which usually, Loxia megaplaga
but not always occurs in an 1:1 frequency of left-crossing or
right-crossing morphs) is developed and what determines the direction has hitherto withstood all
attempts to resolve it.
It is very probable that there is a genetic basis underlying the phenomenon (young birds whose bills are
still straight will give a cone-opening behavior if their bills are gently pressed, and the crossing develops
before the birds are fledged and feeding independently), but at least in the Red Crossbill (the only
species which has been somewhat thoroughly researched regarding this question) there is no
straightforward mechanism of heritability.
While the direction of crossing seems to be the result of at least 3 genetic factors working together in a
case of epistasis and most probably autosomal, it is not clear whether the 1:1 frequency of both morphs
in most cases is the result of genetics or environmental selection: populations that feed on cones without
removing or twisting them will likely show a 1:1 morph distribution no matter what the genetic basis
may be, as the fitness of each morph is inversely proportional to its frequency in the population due to
the fact that such birds can only access the cone with the lower mandible tip pointing towards it to
successfully extract seeds, and thus a too high number of birds of one morph will result in the food
availability for each bird decreasing (Edelaar et al, 2005).
They can utilise other conifers to their preferred, and often need to do so when their preferred species
has a crop failure, but are less efficient in their feeding (not enough to prevent survival, but probably
enough to reduce breeding success).

Analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence data (Arnaiz-Villena et al., 2001) indicates that the
crossbills and redpolls share a common ancestor and only diverging during the Tortonian (c. 8 mya, Late
Miocene). They suggest that the crossbills might be included in the genus Carduelis, but given that the
adaptations of the crossbills represent a unique evolutionary path, it seems more appropriate to split up
the genus Carduelis as it was already done during most of the 20th century.
The species of crossbills are difficult to separate, and care is needed even with Two-barred/Hispaniolan
Crossbill, the easiest. The other species are identified by subtle differences in head shape and bill size,
and are the subject of much taxonomic speculation, with some scientists suggesting that the previously
held assumption that the Parrot and Scottish Crossbills and possibly the Hispaniolan and Two-barred
Crossbill are conspecific.
The identification problem is least severe in North America, where only Red and White-winged occur,
and (possibly) worst in the Scottish Highlands, where three 'species' breed, and Two-barred is also a
possible vagrant.
Work on vocalisation in North America suggest that there are eight or nine discrete populations of Red
Crossbill in that continent alone, which do not interbreed and are (like the named species) adapted to
specialise on different conifer species. Few ornithologists yet seem inclined to give these forms species
status though. Preliminary investigations in Europe and Asia suggest an equal, if not greater,
complexity, with several different call types identified; these call types as different from each other as
from the named species Scottish and Parrot Crossbills - suggesting either that they are valid species, or
else that the Scottish and Parrot may not be.
Species and their preferred food sources are:
● Parrot Crossbill, Loxia pytyopsittacus

❍ Scots pine Pinus sylvestris
● Scottish Crossbill, Loxia scotica (often treated as a race of Parrot Crossbill)

❍ Scots pine Pinus sylvestris and Larch Larix species (particularly plantations of L. decidua)
● Red Crossbill or Common Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra

❍ Spruce Picea species; some populations (distinct species?) on various Pine Pinus species
and (in western North America) Douglas-fir

● Two-barred Crossbill or White-winged Crossbill, Loxia leucoptera
❍ Larch Larix species, particularly L. sibirica, L. gmelinii, L. laricina and (in North
America) also Hemlock Tsuga

● Hispaniolan Crossbill, Loxia megaplaga (previously treated as a race of Two-barred Crossbill)
❍ Hispaniolan Pine Pinus occidentalis
References
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 58: 1159–1166. [http://chopo.pntic.mec.es/~biolmol/
publicaciones/crossbills
● Edelaar, Pim; Postma, Erik; Knops, Peter & Phillips, Ron (2005): No Support of a Genetic Basis
of Mandible Crossing Direction in Crossbills (Loxia spp.). Auk, 122(4): 1123-1129. PDF fulltext
External links
● Crossbill videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Pinicola
Pine Grosbeak
The Pine Grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator, is a large finch. It is the Conservation status Least concern
only member of its genus and represents an ancient divergence of
the ancestors of the bullfinches (Arnaiz-Villena et al., 2001),
diverging perhaps a dozen mya during the Clarendonian. Given
that the radiation of the bullfinches (which are only found in
Eurasia) and the mountain finches (also closely related: Marten &
Johnson, 1986) started approximately at the same time in the
interior of Asia, it is possible that the Pine Grosbeak evolved in
North America; possibly, its ancestors were wind-blown
individuals of a proto-bullfinch which arrived via the northern
Pacific as at that time the Bering Land Bridge was widely Pine Grosebeak by Louis Agassiz Fuertes
inundated.
Adults have a long forked black tail, black wings with white wing Kingdom: Animalia
bars and a large bill. Adult males have a rose red head, back and
rump. Adult females are olive-yellow on the head and rump and Phylum: Chordata
grey on the back and underparts.
Class: Aves
Their breeding habitat is coniferous woods across Canada, Alaska
and the western mountains of the United States, and in northern
Fennoscandia. They nest on a horizontal branch or in a fork of a Order: Passeriformes
conifer.
This bird is a permanent resident through most of its range; in the
extreme north or when food sources are scarce, they may migrate
Subfamily: Carduelinae
further south.
This species is a very rare vagrant to western Europe. Genus: Pinicola
These birds forage in trees and bushes. They mainly eat seeds, Species: P. enucleator
buds, berries and insects. Outside of the nesting season, they often
feed in flocks.
Binomial name
The Pine Grosbeak was depicted on the 1986 series Canadian Pinicola enucleator
(Linnaeus, 1758)
$1000 note.
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Pinicola enucleator. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
is of least concern

Pyrrhula
Bullfinches
Pyrrhula is a small genus of passerine birds, commonly
called Bullfinches, belonging to the finch family
(Fringillidae).
The genus has a palearctic distribution. All species occur in

Asia with two species exclusively in the Himalayas and one
species, P. pyrrhula, also occurring in Europe. The Azores
Bullfinch (P. murina) is an almost extinct species (about 120
pairs remaining), occurring only in the east of the island of
São Miguel.
Analysis of the mtDNA cytochrome b sequence indicates that

the holarctic Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) is the
closest living relative of this genus. Arguably, it could be
included in Pyrrhula, but more probably is a distinct offshoot
of a common ancestor, with the Pine Grosbeak as the sister Eurasian bullfinch (male and female)
group to the ancestor of the bullfinches (Arnaiz-Villena et al., Scientific classification
2001). The evolution of the bullfinch species started soon
after the Pine Grosbeak's ancestors diverged from them (at the Kingdom: Animalia
end of the Middle Miocene, about a dozen mya), and it is
quite possible that the latter species evolved in North Phylum: Chordata
America; waht is fairly certain is that the bullfinch radiation
started in the general area of the Himalayas. The mountain Class: Aves
finches also seem to be part of this clade (Marten & Johnson,
1986).
Bullfinches have glossy black wings and tail feathers. They
show a white rump. The legs and feet are fleshy brown. Their Family: Fringillidae
short, swollen bill is adapted to eat buds, and is black except
in P. nipalensis, which has a yellowish bill. The males can be
distinguished by their orange or red breast. Some species have Subfamily: Carduelinae
a black cap.
Genus: Pyrrhula
Bullfinch species are sedentary to migratory; probably most Brisson, 1760
populations are partially migratory. Populations winter chiefly
Species
within the breeding range, those breeding at high levels See text.
tending to make altitudinal movements. Most migrants move
short or medium distances, but some (apparently chiefly from Russia) move longer distances; in
northern and central Europe, there is no evidence that northern populations move further than southern
ones. North European birds move within a wider compass than central European birds. Bullfinshes are
also eruptive migrants; numbers migrating show marked annual fluctuations; no link with particular food
source has been established. Autumn migration begins late, and is fairly brief, mostly October-
November; spring migration February-April.
The Eurasian Bullfinch population in Britain has been in serious decline since the mid-1970s, following
a period of relative stability, and numbers have fallen by 62 per cent in 35 years. The decline was
initially rapid, but has been shallower since the early 1980s. Nevertheless, the CES and BBS both
suggest that the decline is continuing, at least in southern Britain. The demographic mechanism remains
unclear (Siriwardena et al. 1999, 2000b), although agricultural intensification is suspected to have
played a part. CES data indicate that productivity has increased over the last decade, and nest failure
rates at the chick stage (15 days) have fallen from 37% to 21%.
Species
● Pyrrhula aurantiaca Gould, 1858: Orange Bullfinch (Range : Kashmir)
Pyrrhula erythaca Blyth, 1862: Grey-headed Bullfinch (Range : Western China, Tibet)
Pyrrhula erythrocephala Vigors, 1832: Red-headed Bullfinch (Range: Himalayas)
Pyrrhula leucogenis Ogilvie-Grant, 1895: White-cheeked Bullfinch (Range : Philippines)
Pyrrhula murina du Cane Godman, 1866: Azores Bullfinch (Range : São Miguel Island, Azores)
Pyrrhula nipalensis Hodgson, 1836: Brown Bullfinch (Range : Himalayas, northern Myanmar
and Northwest Yunnan)
Pyrrhula pyrrhula (Linnaeus, 1758): Eurasian Bullfinch (Range : very wide, from Asia to Europe)
Genus Pyrrhula should be considered to be included in Genus Carduelis.Redpolls and Crossbills are the
closest extant relatives (Arnaiz-Villena et al,58:1159,2001)
References
Rhodopechys
Rhodopechys
Rhodopechys is a genus of finches containing four species:
● Crimson-winged Finch, Rhodopechys sanguinea
Trumpeter Finch, Rhodopechys githaginea Kingdom: Animalia
Mongolian Finch, Rhodopechys mongolica
Phylum: Chordata
The Desert Finch, Carduelis obsoletus (formerly Rhodopechys
obsoleta), has turned out to belong to the genus Carduelis as Class: Aves
indicated by DNA sequences, song and eyestripe pattern; it shares a
common ancestor with the greenfinches Zamora et al., 2006). See
the species account for details. Order: Passeriformes
References Family: Fringillidae
● Cabanis, Jean (1851): [Genus Rhodopechys] In: Museum Genus: Rhodopechys

Heineanum. Verzeichniss der ornithologischen Sammlung Cabanis, 1851
des Oberamtmann Ferdinand Heine, etc. 1(20): 157 (note)
Species
[in German] PDF fulltext available at Gallica: search for
"Cabanis" See text.
● Zamora, Jorge; Lowy, Ernesto; Ruiz-del-Valle, Valentin; Moscoso, Juan; Serrano-Vela, Juan
Ignacio; Rivero-de-Aguilar, Juan & Arnaiz-Villena, Antonio (2006): Rhodopechys obsoleta
(desert finch): a pale ancestor of greenfinches (Carduelis spp.) according to molecular
phylogeny. Journal of Ornithology 147(3): 448–456. DOI:10.1007/s10336-005-0036-2 (HTML
abstract). Erratum, Journal of Ornithology 147(3): 511–512 DOI:10.1007/s10336-006-0072-6
External links
● Rhodopechys videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Serinus
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Serinus
The genus Serinus is a large genus of birds in the finch
family Fringillidae. It includes the canaries, seedeaters and
the African siskins.
● Red-fronted Serin, Serinus pusillus

Canary, Serinus canaria
Tibetan Serin, Serinus thibetanus
Cape Canary, Serinus canicollis
A cultivated S. canaria
Abyssinian Siskin, Serinus nigriceps
African Citril, Serinus citrinelloides Scientific classification
Black-faced Canary, Serinus capistratus Kingdom: Animalia
Papyrus Canary, Serinus koliensis
Forest Canary, Serinus scotops
Phylum: Chordata
White-rumped Seedeater, Serinus leucopygius
Olive-rumped Serin, Serinus rothschildi
Yellow-throated Serin, Serinus flavigula Class: Aves
Salvadori's Serin, Serinus xantholaemus
Black-throated Canary, Serinus atrogularis Order: Passeriformes
Yellow-rumped Serin, Serinus xanthopygius
Lemon-breasted Seedeater, Serinus citrinipectus
Yellow-fronted Canary, Serinus mozambicus Family: Fringillidae
Northern Grosbeak-canary, Serinus donaldsoni
Southern Grosbeak-canary, Serinus buchanani Genus: Serinus
White-bellied Canary, Serinus dorsostriatus Koch, 1816
Yellow Canary, Serinus flaviventris
Brimstone Canary, Serinus sulphuratus Species
Reichard's Seedeater, Serinus reichardi See text.
White-throated Canary, Serinus albogularis
Streaky-headed Seedeater, Serinus gularis
Black-eared Seedeater, Serinus mennelli
Brown-rumped Seedeater, Serinus tristriatus
Yemen Serin, Serinus menachensis
Ankober Serin, Serinus ankoberensis
Streaky Seedeater, Serinus striolatus
Thick-billed Seedeater, Serinus burtoni
Principe Seedeater, Serinus rufobrunneus
Protea Canary, Serinus leucopterus
Cape Siskin, Serinus totta
Drakensberg Siskin, Serinus symonsi
Black-headed Canary, Serinus alario
Mountain Serin, Serinus estherae
The Citril Finch, and the Corsican Finch are now placed in the genus Carduelis as Carduelis citrinella
and Carduelis corsicana (Arnaiz-Villena et al., 1998).
References
Molecular Life Sciences 54: 1031–1041. DOI:10.1007/s000180050230 (article, PDF fulltext)
DOI:10.1007/s000180050280 (erratum, PDF fulltext)

Pseudochelidoninae
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River martins
The river martins are a distinct subfamily Pseudochelidoninae
within the swallow and martin bird family Hirundinidae. They
possess a number of distinct features which mark them out from
other swallows and martins, namely their robust legs and feet, and Kingdom: Animalia
stout bill.
Phylum: Chordata
There are two species:
Class: Aves
● African River Martin Pseudochelidon eurystomina, found
around the River Congo in Congo and Gabon
● White-eyed River Martin Pseudochelidon sirintarae, of Order: Passeriformes
Thailand in South-east Asia.
Family: Hirundinidae
When the African River Martin was first discovered in the 19th
Century, it was not thought to be a member of the swallow and
martin family; Hartlaub placed it with the Rollers, and later authors Subfamily: Pseudochelidoninae
Shelley, 1896
either placed it in its own family, or with the Woodswallows. Study
of the anatomy of the species by Lowe (1938) revealed that the Genus: Pseudochelidon
species was closest to the swallows and martins, but sufficiently Hartlaub, 1861
distinct to be placed in a separate subfamily. Species
See text.
The White-eyed River Martin was discovered as recently as 1968
and is only known from specimens and anecdotal evidence - no modern ornithologists have seen the
species in the wild, and its breeding grounds are unknown; it may be extinct.
The two species are usually considered to belong to a single genus, Pseudochelidon due to their having a
number of structural similarities; Brooke (1972) proposed that White-eyed River Martin be placed in a
separate monotypic genus Eurochelidon, but this has not been adopted by other authors.
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Hypocoliidae
Hypocolius
The Grey Hypocolius (Hypocolius ampelinus; alternative name Conservation status Least concern
Hypocolius) is a small passerine bird species. It is the sole
member of the genus Hypocolius and family Hypocoliidae. It
ranges through the Middle East, breeding in the Iraq, Iran,
Pakistan, Turkmenistan area, and wintering mostly near the Red
Sea and Persian Gulf coasts of Arabia. It is found in bushes and
scrub, also in palm groves and gardens.
The Hypocolius's shape and soft plumage resemble the waxwings'.

Birds are mainly a uniform grey color, with males having a black
triangular mask around the eyes. They have white-tipped black
primary wing feathers and a black tip to the tail.
These birds eat berries with some insects. They lay 3-4 eggs in a
nest in a bush.
Female Hypocolius on the tooth brush
Their relationships are unclear. They may be related to the tree (Salvadora Persica)
waxwings, and some authorities place them in the same family, Scientific classification
but others believe their closest relatives are the bulbuls.
Kingdom: Animalia
The bird is not especially rare, but the political difficulties in
getting into and around any of the countries in its range are Phylum: Chordata
formidable.
Class: Aves
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Hypocolius ampelinus. 2006
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Family: Hypocoliidae
Genus: Hypocolius
Bonaparte, 1850
External links Species: H. ampelinus
● Hypocolius birding info and photos

● Hypocolius videos on the Internet Bird Collection Binomial name
Hypocolius ampelinus
Bonaparte, 1850

Leafbirds
Leafbirds
The Leafbirds are a family of small passerine bird species
found in India and southeast Asia. They are one of only
two bird families that are entirely endemic to the
Indomalayan ecozone. They were formerly grouped with
the ioras in the family Irenidae.
These are bulbul-like forest birds, but whereas that group

tends to be drab in coloration, leafbirds are sexually
dimorphic, with the males being brightly plumaged, usually
in greens and yellows.
Leafbirds eat fruit and nectar with some insects. They have
a spiked tongue, adapted to nectar feeding. They lay 2-3
eggs in a tree nest.
● Family: Chloropseidae
❍ Philippine Leafbird, Chloropsis flavipennis C. cochinchinensis
Yellow-throated Leafbird, Chloropsis Scientific classification
palawanensis
Greater Green Leafbird, Chloropsis sonnerati Kingdom: Animalia
Lesser Green Leafbird, Chloropsis
cyanopogon Phylum: Chordata
Blue-winged Leafbird, Chloropsis
cochinchinensis Class: Aves
Golden-fronted Leafbird, Chloropsis
aurifrons
Orange-bellied Leafbird, Chloropsis Order: Passeriformes
hardwickii
Blue-masked Leafbird, Chloropsis venusta Family: Chloropseidae
External links Genus: Chloropsis

Jardine & Selby, 1827
● Leafbird videos on the Internet Bird Collection Species
See text.
Melanocharitidae
Melanocharitidae
The Melanocharitidae, the berrypeckers and longbills, is a small
bird family restricted to the forests of New Guinea. The family was
once placed inside the Flowerpecker family Dicaeidae. It comprises
ten species in two genera: Kingdom: Animalia
● Melanocharis Phylum: Chordata

❍ Obscure Berrypecker, Melanocharis arfakiana
Black Berrypecker, Melanocharis nigra Class: Aves

Lemon-breasted Berrypecker, Melanocharis
longicauda
Fan-tailed Berrypecker, Melanocharis versteri Order: Passeriformes
Streaked Berrypecker, Melanocharis striativentris
Spotted Berrypecker, Melanocharis crassirostris Family: Melanocharitidae
● Toxorhamphus Sibley & Ahlquist, 1985
❍ Yellow-bellied Longbill, Toxorhamphus
novaeguineae Genera
Slaty-chinned Longbill, Toxorhamphus poliopterus Melanocharis
Dwarf Honeyeater, Toxorhamphus iliolophus Sclater, 1858,
Pygmy Honeyeater, Toxorhamphus pygmaeum Toxorhamphus
Stresemann, 1914
These are medium-sized birds which feed on fruit and some insects
and other invertebrates. They have drab coloured plumage in greys, browns or black and white. The
berrypeckers resemble stout short-billed honeyeaters, and the longbills are like drab sunbirds.
Melanocharitidae species are usually seen alone or in pairs; they build a cup nest and lay one or two
eggs.
External links
● http://www.eeb.cornell.edu/winkler/botw/melanocharitidae.html

Mimidae
Mimids
The Mimids are a New World family of passerine birds that
includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World
catbirds. As their name (Latin for "mimic") suggests, these birds
are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable
ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard
outdoors.
The species tend towards dull grays and browns in their

appearance.
There are at least 34 species in 10 genera. Scientific classification
It was a member of this family, the Galapagos Mockingbird, Kingdom: Animalia

which inspired Darwin's work on his theory of evolution.
Phylum: Chordata
Species list
Class: Aves
● Gray Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis
Black Catbird, Melanoptila glabrirostris Order: Passeriformes
Bahama Mockingbird, Mimus gundlachii
Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos
Tropical Mockingbird, Mimus gilvus Family: Mimidae
Bonaparte, 1853
Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Mimus saturninus
Patagonian Mockingbird, Mimus patagonicus Genera
Brown-backed Mockingbird, Mimus dorsalis
White-banded Mockingbird, Mimus triurus
Long-tailed Mockingbird, Mimus longicaudatus
Chilean Mockingbird, Mimus thenca
Galapagos Mockingbird, Nesomimus parvulus
Charles Mockingbird, Nesomimus trifasciatus
Hood Mockingbird, Nesomimus macdonaldi
San Cristobal Mockingbird, Nesomimus melanotis
Sage Thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus
Socorro Mockingbird, Mimodes graysoni
Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufum
Long-billed Thrasher, Toxostoma longirostre Cinclocerthia
Cozumel Thrasher, Toxostoma guttatum Dumetella
Gray Thrasher, Toxostoma cinereum Allenia
Bendire's Thrasher, Toxostoma bendirei Margarops
Ocellated Thrasher, Toxostoma ocellatum Melanoptila
Curve-billed Thrasher, Toxostoma curvirostre Melanotis
California Thrasher, Toxostoma redivivum Mimodes
Crissal Thrasher, Toxostoma crissale Mimus
Le Conte's Thrasher, Toxostoma lecontei Nesomimus
Vizcaino Thrasher, Toxostoma arenicola Oreoscoptes
White-breasted Thrasher, Ramphocinclus brachyurus Ramphocinclus
Blue Mockingbird, Melanotis caerulescens Toxostoma
Blue-and-white Mockingbird, Melanotis hypoleucus
Gray Trembler, Cinclocerthia gutturalis
Brown Trembler, Cinclocerthia ruficauda
Scaly-breasted Thrasher, Allenia fusca
Pearly-eyed Thrasher, Margarops fuscatus
External links
● Mimid videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Motacillidae
Motacillidae
The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with
medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws
and pipits.
They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open

country. They are ground nesters, laying up to six speckled
eggs.
There are 54 species in five genera.
Species and Genera of Motacillidae

● Genus Anthus: typical pipits
White Wagtail
❍ (34 species, listed at pipit)
● Genus Tmetothylacus Scientific classification

❍ Golden Pipit, Tmetothylacus tenellus Kingdom: Animalia
● Genus Motacilla: typical wagtails
❍ Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla flava
Phylum: Chordata
Japanese Wagtail, Motacilla grandis
White-browed Wagtail, Motacilla Class: Aves
madaraspratensis
African Pied Wagtail, Motacilla aguimp Order: Passeriformes
Mountain Wagtail, Motacilla clara
Cape Wagtail, Motacilla capensis
Madagascar Wagtail, Motacilla flaviventris Family: Motacillidae
Grey Wagtail, Motacilla cinerea Horsfield, 1821
❍ White Wagtail, Motacilla alba Genera
■ White Wagtail, Motacilla alba alba
● Anthus
■ Pied Wagtail: Motacilla alba yarrellii
● Tmetothylacus
❍ Black-backed Wagtail, Motacilla lugens
● Motacilla
● Genus Dendronanthus ● Dendronanthus
❍ Forest Wagtail, Dendronanthus indicus
● Macronyx
● Genus Macronyx: longclaws
❍ Cape Longclaw, Macronyx capensis
Yellow-throated Longclaw, Macronyx croceus
Fulleborne’s Longclaw, Macronyx fuellebornii
Sharpe’s Longclaw, Macronyx sharpei
Abyssinian Longclaw, Macronyx flavicollis
Pangani Longclaw, Macronyx aurantiigula
Rosy-breasted Longclaw, Macronyx ameliae
Grimwood’s Longclaw, Macronyx grimwoodi.
External links
● Motacillidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Ficedula
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Ficedula
The Ficedula flycatchers are a genus of Old World
flycatchers. There are 31 species.
● European Pied Flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca

Semi-collared Flycatcher, Ficedula semitorquata
includes Beijing Flycatcher, "Ficedula
beijingnica"
Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Ficedula hyperythra Ultramarine Flycatcher Ficedula superciliaris
aestigma
Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Ficedula solitaris Scientific classification
Rufous-chested Flycatcher, Ficedula dumetoria Kingdom: Animalia
Cinnamon-chested Flycatcher, Ficedula buruensis
Little Slaty Flycatcher, Ficedula basilanica Phylum: Chordata
Sumba Flycatcher, Ficedula harterti
Palawan Flycatcher, Ficedula platenae Class: Aves
Ultramarine Flycatcher, Ficedula superciliaris Family: Muscicapidae
Genus: Ficedula
Species
See text.
Home | Up | Ficedula | Saxicolinae
Saxicolinae
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| Saxicola | Sheppardia
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Chats
Chats (formerly sometimes known as Chat-thrushes) are a group
of small Old World insectivorous birds formerly classed as
members of the thrush family Turdidae, but now considered Old
World flycatchers.
This name is normally applied to the robust ground feeding

species found in Europe and Asia in the subfamily Saxicolinae.
They come from a large number of genera.
Most northern species are strong migrants.

European Robin
Species are:
Kingdom: Animalia
● Family: Muscicapidae
❍ Subfamily: Saxicolinae Phylum: Chordata
■ Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica

Class: Aves
Rufous-tailed Robin, Luscinia sibilans
Nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos Order: Passeriformes
Indian Blue Robin, Luscinia brunneus
Firethroat, Luscinia pectardens Subfamily: Saxicolinae
Red-flanked Bluetail, Tarsiger cyanurus Genera
Golden Bush-Robin, Tarsiger chrysaeus
White-browed Bush-Robin, Tarsiger indicus See text.
Rufous-breasted Bush-Robin, Tarsiger hyperythrus
Collared Bush-Robin, Tarsiger johnstoniae
Stoliczka's Bushchat or White-browed Bushchat, Saxicola macrorhyncha
Hodgson's Bushchat or White-throated Bushchat, Saxicola insignis
Fuerteventura Chat or Canary Island Stonechat, Saxicola dacotiae
European Stonechat, Saxicola rubicola (previously S. torquata rubicola)
Siberian Stonechat or Asian Stonechat, Saxicola maura (previously S. torquata
maura)
Réunion Stonechat, Saxicola tectes
White-tailed Stonechat, Saxicola leucura
White-starred Robin, Pogonocichla stellata
Swynnerton's Robin, Swynnertonia swynnertoni
Forest Robin, Stiphrornis erythrothorax
Angola Cave-Chat, Xenocopsychus ansorgei
Indian Robin, Saxicoloides fulicata
White-tailed Robin, Cinclidium leucurum
Grandala, Grandala coelicolor
Herero Chat, Namibornis herero
Sicklewing Chat, Cercomela sinuata
Congo Moorchat, Myrmecocichla tholloni
Northern Anteater-Chat, Myrmecocichla aethiops
Southern Anteater-Chat, Myrmecocichla formicivora
White-fronted Black-Chat, Myrmecocichla albifrons
White-headed Black-Chat, Myrmecocichla arnotti
Mocking Cliff-Chat, Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris
White-winged Cliff-Chat, Thamnolaea semirufa
Boulder Chat Pinarornis plumosus
Other Saxicolini species are dealt with under the following articles:
● Genus Oenanthe, wheatears

● Genus Phoenicurus redstarts.
● Genus Sheppardia, akalats
● Genus Cossypha, robin-chats
● Genus Cichladusa, palm-thrushes
● Genus Cercotrichas, scrub-robins, including Rufous Bush Robin
● Genera Copsychus and Trichixos, magpie-robins and sharmas
● Genus Enicurus, forktails
● Genus Cochoa, cochoas
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Cercotrichas
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Scrub robins
The scrub robins or bush chats are medium-sized insectivorous
birds in the genus Cercotrichas. They were formerly in the thrush
family (Turdidae), but are more often now treated as part of the Old
World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae). Kingdom: Animalia
These are mainly African species of open woodland or scrub, which Phylum: Chordata
nest in bushes or on the ground, but the Rufous Bush Chat also
breeds in southern Europe and east to Pakistan. Class: Aves
Species are:
● Forest Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas leucosticta
Bearded Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas quadrivirgata Family: Muscicapidae
Genus: Cercotrichas
Brown-backed Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas hartlaubi Boie, 1831
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin or Rufous Bush Chat, Species
Cercotrichas galactotes See text.
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| Phoenicurus | Saxicola | Sheppardia
Cochoa
Cochoas
The cochoas are medium-sized insectivorous and molluscivorous
birds in the genus Cochoa. They were formerly in the thrush
family Turdidae, but are more often now treated as part of the Old
World flycatcher family Muscicapidae.
These are southeast Asian forest-dwelling species, often found

near water.
● Purple Cochoa, Cochoa purpurea

Home | Up | Cercotrichas | Cochoa | Copsychus | Cossypha

Cochoa purpurea
| Enicurus | Erithacus | Luscinia | Oenanthe | Phoenicurus | Saxicola
| Sheppardia
Kingdom: Animalia
License. It uses material from the Wikipedia. Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Genus: Cochoa
Hodgson, 1836
Species
Cochoa purpurea
Cochoa viridis
Cochoa beccarii
Cochoa azurea
Copsychus
Magpie-Robins
The magpie-robins or shamas are medium-sized insectivorous
birds (some also eat berries and other fruit) in the genera
Copsychus and Trichixos. They were formerly in the thrush family
Turdidae, but are more often now treated as part of the Old World
flycatcher Muscicapidae.
These are African and Asian garden and forest dwelling species.
Species list:
● Madagascar Magpie Robin, Copsychus albospecularis

Oriental Magpie Robin, Copsychus saularis
Seychelles Magpie Robin, Copsychus sechellarum
Black Shama, Copsychus cebuensis Male White-rumped Shama
Rufous-tailed Shama, Trichixos pyrropyga
Kingdom: Animalia
Home | Up | Cercotrichas | Cochoa | Copsychus | Cossypha Phylum: Chordata

| Enicurus | Erithacus | Luscinia | Oenanthe | Phoenicurus | Saxicola
| Sheppardia Class: Aves

Genera
Copsychus
Trichixos
Cossypha
Robin-Chats
The robin-chats are small insectivorous birds in the genus
Cossypha . They were formerly in the thrush family
Turdidae, but are more often now treated as part of the Old
World flycatcher Muscicapidae.
These are African woodland dwelling species, but some

have become adapted to sites around human habitation.
Species are
Cossypha niveicapilla
● White-bellied Robin-Chat, Cossypha roberti Scientific classification
Mountain Robin-Chat, Cossypha isabellae
Archer's Robin-Chat, Cossypha archeri Kingdom: Animalia
Olive-flanked Robin-Chat, Cossypha anomala
Cape Robin-Chat, Cossypha caffra Phylum: Chordata
White-throated Robin-Chat, Cossypha humeralis
Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Cossypha
Class: Aves
cyanocampter
Gray-winged Robin-Chat, Cossypha polioptera
Rueppell's Robin-Chat, Cossypha semirufa Order: Passeriformes
White-browed Robin-Chat, Cossypha heuglini
Red-capped Robin-Chat, Cossypha natalensis Family: Muscicapidae
Chorister Robin-Chat, Cossypha dichroa
White-headed Robin-Chat, Cossypha heinrichi
Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, Cossypha niveicapilla Genus: Cossypha
White-crowned Robin-Chat, Cossypha albicapilla Vigors, 1825
Species
See text.

Enicurus
Forktails
The forktails are small insectivorous birds in the genus
Enicurus. They were formerly in the thrush family Turdidae,
but are more often now treated as part of the Old World
flycatcher family Muscicapidae. Their name derives from their
long forked tail.
These are southeast Asian forest species principally associated

with mountain forests and streams. Most nest in rock crevices,
laying 2-4 eggs.
Species
● Little Forktail, Enicurus scouleri
Slaty-backed Forktail, Enicurus schistaceus Enicurus maculatus
Kingdom: Animalia
Forktail is also the name of the journal of the Oriental
Bird Club Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Home | Up | Cercotrichas | Cochoa | Copsychus | Cossypha
| Enicurus | Erithacus | Luscinia | Oenanthe | Phoenicurus Order: Passeriformes
| Saxicola | Sheppardia
License. It uses material from the Wikipedia. Genus: Enicurus
Temminck, 1822
Species
See text.
Erithacus
Erithacus
Erithacus is a genus of small passerine birds formerly classed as
members of the thrush family, but now considered to be Old
World flycatchers.
The three species are:
● European Robin, Erithacus rubecula

● Japanese Robin, Erithacus akahige
● Ryukyu Robin, Erithacus komadori
The two Asian species were formerly considered to be members of

the genus Luscinia; apparently, both genera need to be split and
rearranged. The European species would then be the only
remaining Erithacus, whereas the East Asian species are closely
related to some species from the region now classed as Luscinia,
for example the Siberian Blue Robin and would form a new genus
(Seki, 2006). European Robin
The three species are stocky small birds with an upright stance and
Kingdom: Animalia
short frequently cocked tail. They have a plain brown back, and a
red or black face and breast contrasting with whitish or grey
underparts. The females of the Asian species are much duller than Phylum: Chordata
the males, but in the European Robin differences between the
sexes are minimal and restricted to the shape of the boundary Class: Aves
between the red and brown plumage on the forehead.
Erithacus robins are territorial woodland birds which build a neat
cup nest in a hole or on the ground. They watch for insects, worms
and other invertebrates from a low perch, and feed mostly on the Family: Muscicapidae
ground, hopping on strong legs with frequent stops.
Genus: Erithacus
References Cuvier, 1800
Species
● Seki, Shin-Ichi (2006): The origin of the East Asian
Erithacus robin, Erithacus komadori, inferred from
cytochrome b sequence data. Molecular Phylogenetics and E. rubecula
Evolution 39(3): 899–905. DOI:10.1016/j. E. akahige
ympev.2006.01.028 E. komadori
● Svensson, Lars; Zetterström, Dan; Mullarney, Killian & Grant, P. J. (1999): Collins bird guide.
Harper & Collins, London. ISBN 0-00-219728-6

Luscinia
Luscinia
Luscinia is a genus of small passerine birds formerly classed as
members of the thrush family, but now considered to be Old
World flycatchers.
The species are:
● Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica

Rufous-tailed Robin or Swinhoe's Nightingale, Luscinia
Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)
sibilans
Thrush Nightingale, Luscinia luscinia Scientific classification
Nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos Kingdom: Animalia
Indian Bluechat, Luscinia brunneus
Phylum: Chordata
Firethroat, Luscinia pectardens Class: Aves
Formerly, some or all of the Luscinia species have been placed in
the genus Erithacus and vice versa. Recent research (Seki, 2006)
suggests that the genus should be split, with most species being Family: Muscicapidae
retained in Luscinia and a new genus uniting East Asian forms like
the Siberian Blue Robin with the East Asian Erithacus species. Genus: Luscinia
Forster, 1817
These are species of the temperate regions of Europe and Asia,
Species
including the Himalayas. All the birds in this genus are strongly
migratory, wintering in tropical Africa, India or Southeast Asia. See text.
The breeding habitat is typically scrub or forest, and the cup nest is usually constructed low in a bush.
The birds can be difficult to see in dense undergrowth, especially if not singing, but they may frequent
somewhat more open habitats in their winter quarters.
The Luscinia species are stocky small birds, 13-16 cm long with an upright stance and short frequently
cocked tail. They are territorial birds which watch for insects, worms and other invertebrates from a low
perch, and feed mostly on the ground, hopping on strong legs with frequent stops.
In the three species named as nightingales, the sexes are similar. These birds are plain brown above,
whitish below with light streaking, and have a rufous tail.
In the other Luscinia species, the male is much brighter than the usually brown or grey female. Males of
most of these species have a dark blue or black back, and red, orange or blue at least on the throat and
upper breast. Several have white or rufous patches on the sides of the tail, giving a pattern recalling that
of a wheatear or Red-breasted Flycatcher.
The songs of this genus are often complex and musical, especially in the nightingales.
References
● Grimmett, Richard; Inskipp, Carol & Inskipp, Tim (1999): Birds of India, Pakistan, Nepal,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J..
ISBN 0-691-04910-6
● Seki, Shin-Ichi (2006): The origin of the East Asian Erithacus robin, Erithacus komadori,
inferred from cytochrome b sequence data. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 39(3): 899–
905. DOI:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.01.028
● Svensson, Lars; Zetterström, Dan; Mullarney, Killian & Grant, P. J. (1999): Collins bird guide.
Harper & Collins, London. ISBN 0-00-219728-6

Oenanthe
Wheatears
Northern Wheatear
Northern Wheatear (male)
The wheatears, genus Oenanthe, were formerly considered to be members of the thrush family Scientific classification
Turdidae. They are more commonly now placed in the flycatcher family Muscicapidae. This is an Old
World group, but the Northern Wheatear has established a foothold in eastern Canada and Greenland. Kingdom: Animalia
They are terrestrial insectivorous passerine birds of open, often dry, country . They often nest in rock Phylum: Chordata
crevices or disused burrows.
Class: Aves
Northern species are long-distance migrants, wintering in Africa.
Wheatears are typically larger than the European Robin. Most species have characteristic black and
white or red and white markings on their rumps or their long tails.
Most species are strongly sexually dimorphic; only the male has the striking plumage patterns
characteristic of the genus, though the females share the white or red rump patches. Genus: Oenanthe
Vieillot, 1816
The wheatear species are: Species
See text.
● Northern Wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
Finsch's Wheatear, Oenanthe finscii
White-crowned Wheatear, Oenanthe leucopyga
Persian Wheatear or Red-tailed Wheatear, Oenanthe xanthoprymna
Hume's Wheatear, Oenanthe alboniger
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| Sheppardia
Phoenicurus
Redstarts
Redstarts are a group of small Old World birds. They were
formerly classified in the thrush family (Turdidae), but are
more often now treated as part of the Old World flycatcher
family (Muscicapidae).
These are insectivorous ground feeding birds, many of

which have the red tail ("start" in old English, which gives
the group its name). Most northern species are strong
migrants.
New World redstarts of the genera Setophaga and

Myioborus are not closely related; they are New World
warblers of the family Parulidae. The latter are often called
"whitestarts".
Species include:
● Family Muscicapidae
❍ Genus Phoenicurus
■ Ala Shan Redstart (Phoenicurus
alaschanicus)
Rufous-backed Redstart (Phoenicurus Common Redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus
erythronota) Scientific classification
Blue-capped Redstart (Phoenicurus
caeruleocephalus)
Black Redstart (Phoenicurus
ochruros)
Common Redstart (Phoenicurus
phoenicurus)
Hodgson's Redstart (Phoenicurus
hodgsoni)
White-throated Redstart (Phoenicurus
schisticeps)
Daurian Redstart (Phoenicurus
auroreus)
Moussier's Redstart (Phoenicurus Kingdom: Animalia
moussieri)
White-winged Redstart (Phoenicurus
erythrogaster) Phylum: Chordata
Blue-fronted Redstart (Phoenicurus
frontalis) Class: Aves
❍ Genus Chaimarrornis
■ White-capped Redstart
(Chaimarrornis leucocephalus) Order: Passeriformes

❍ Genus Rhyacornis
■ Plumbeous Redstart (Rhyacornis Family: Muscicapidae
fuliginosus)
■ Luzon Redstart (Rhyacornis bicolor)
❍ Genus Hodgsonius Species

■ White-bellied Redstart (Hodgsonius See text.
phaenicuroides)

Saxicola
Stonechats
The genus Saxicola, the stonechats or chats, is a genus of 14
species of small passerine birds restricted to the Old World. They
are insectivores of open scrubland and grassland with scattered
small shrubs.
Genetic evidence presented in the recent monograph by Urquhart

& Bowley 2002 strongly supports the splitting of the Common
Stonechat (Saxicola torquata sensu lato) into three species,
African Stonechat (S. torquata), European Stonechat (S.
rubicola) and Asian Stonechat (S. maura). This treatment is European Stonechat, Saxicola rubicola
likely to become standard in the future. Scientific classification
Species list, following Urquhart & Bowley 2002: Kingdom: Animalia
● Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra Phylum: Chordata

Stoliczka's Bushchat or White-browed Bushchat, Saxicola
macrorhyncha Class: Aves
Hodgson's Bushchat or White-throated Bushchat, Saxicola
insignis
Fuerteventura Chat or Canary Island Stonechat, Saxicola Order: Passeriformes
dacotiae
European Stonechat, Saxicola rubicola (previously S. Family: Muscicapidae
torquata rubicola)
Siberian Stonechat or Asian Stonechat, Saxicola maura
(previously S. torquata maura) Genus: Saxicola
Bechstein, 1802
Reunion Stonechat, Saxicola tectes Species
White-tailed Stonechat, Saxicola leucura See text.
Reference
● Urquhart, E. & Bowley, A. 2002. Stonechats. A Guide to the Genus Saxicola. Helm. ISBN 0-
7136-6024-4
Gallery
European Stonechat Stoliczka's Bushchat

Sheppardia
Back | Home | Up
Akalats
The akalats are medium-sized insectivorous birds in the genus
Sheppardia. They were formerly placed in the thrush family,
Turdidae, but are more often now treated as part of the Old World
flycatcher Muscicapidae. Kingdom: Animalia
These are African forest-dwelling species. Phylum: Chordata
Species are: Class: Aves
● Bocage's Akalat, Sheppardia bocagei Order: Passeriformes

Sharpe's Akalat, Sheppardia sharpei Family: Muscicapidae
Gabela Akalat, Sheppardia gabela Genus: Sheppardia
Usambara Akalat, Sheppardia montana Haagner, 1909
Rubeho Akalat, Sheppardia aurantiithorax Species
See text.

Nectariniidae
Sunbirds and Spiderhunters

The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small
passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although
they will also take insects, especially when feeding
young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most
species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird,
but usually perch to feed.
Although they are completely unrelated, the sunbirds find

counterparts in the hummingbirds of the Americas and
the honeyeaters of Australia. The resemblances are due to
convergent evolution due to the similar nectar-feeding
lifestyle. Purple-rumped Sunbird
The sunbirds are tropical species, with representatives Kingdom: Animalia
from Africa to Australasia; however, the greatest variety
of species is in Africa where the group probably arose.
Most species are sedentary or short-distance seasonal Phylum: Chordata
migrants.
Class: Aves
Like the hummingbirds, they are strongly sexually
dimorphic, with the males usually brilliantly plumaged in Order: Passeriformes
metallic colours. Sunbirds have long thin down-curved
bills and brush tipped tubular tongues, both adaptations to
Family: Nectariniidae
their nectar feeding. Up to three eggs are laid in a purse-
Vigors, 1825
shaped suspended nest.
Genera
● Family: Nectariniidae Many: see text
❍ Genus Chalcoparia (sometimes included in
Anthreptes)
■ Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Chalcoparia singalensis Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
❍ Genus Deleornis (sometimes included in Anthreptes)
■ Scarlet-tufted Sunbird, Deleornis fraseri Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Grey-headed Sunbird, Deleornis axillaris (sometimes considered subspecies of D.

fraseri) Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
❍ Genus Anthreptes
■ Plain-backed Sunbird, Anthreptes reichenowi Conservation status: Lower risk (nt)
Anchieta's Sunbird, Anthreptes anchietae Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Plain Sunbird, Anthreptes simplex Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Plain-throated Sunbird, Anthreptes malacensis Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Red-throated Sunbird, Anthreptes rhodolaemus
Conservation status: Lower risk (nt)
Mouse-brown Sunbird, Anthreptes gabonicus Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Western Violet-backed Sunbird, Anthreptes longuemarei Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Kenya Violet-backed Sunbird, Anthreptes orientalis Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird, Anthreptes neglectus Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Violet-tailed Sunbird, Anthreptes aurantium Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Little Green Sunbird, Anthreptes seimundi (sometimes included in Nectarinia)
Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Green Sunbird, Anthreptes rectirostris Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Banded Sunbird, Anthreptes rubritorques Conservation status: Vulnerable
❍ Genus Hedydipna (sometimes included in Anthreptes)
■ Collared Sunbird, Hedydipna collaris Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Pygmy Sunbird, Hedydipna platura Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)

Nile Valley Sunbird, Hedydipna metallica Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Amani Sunbird, Hedydipna pallidigaster Conservation status: Endangered
❍ Genus Hypogramma
■ Purple-naped Sunbird, Hypogramma hypogrammicum Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)

❍ Genus Anabathmis (sometimes included in Nectarinia)
■ Reichenbach's Sunbird, Anabathmis reichenbachii Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)

Principe Sunbird, Anabathmis hartlaubii Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Newton's Sunbird, Anabathmis newtonii Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
❍ Genus Dreptes (sometimes included in Nectarinia)
■ Sao Tome Sunbird, Dreptes thomensis Conservation status: Vulnerable
❍ Genus Anthobaphes (sometimes included in Nectarinia)

■ Orange-breasted Sunbird, Anthobaphes violacea Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
❍ Genus Cyanomitra (sometimes included in Nectarinia)

■ Green-headed Sunbird, Cyanomitra verticalis Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Cyanomitra cyanolaema Conservation status:

Lower risk (lc)
Blue-headed Sunbird, Cyanomitra alinae Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Cameroon Sunbird, Cyanomitra oritis Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Bannerman's Sunbird, Cyanomitra bannermani Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Eastern Olive Sunbird, Cyanomitra olivacea Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Western Olive Sunbird, Cyanomitra obscura Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Mouse-colored Sunbird, Cyanomitra veroxii Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
❍ Genus Chalcomitra (sometimes included in Nectarinia)
■ Buff-throated Sunbird, Chalcomitra adelberti Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Carmelite Sunbird, Chalcomitra fuliginosa Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)

Green-throated Sunbird, Chalcomitra rubescens Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Amethyst Sunbird, Chalcomitra amethystina Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Hunter's Sunbird, Chalcomitra hunteri Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Socotra Sunbird, Chalcomitra balfouri Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
❍ Genus Leptocoma (sometimes included in Nectarinia)
■ Purple-rumped Sunbird, Leptocoma zeylonica Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Crimson-backed Sunbird, Leptocoma minima Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)

Copper-throated Sunbird, Leptocoma calcostetha Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Purple-throated Sunbird, Leptocoma sperata Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Black Sunbird, Leptocoma sericea (formerly Nectarinia aspasia)
Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
❍ Genus Nectarinia
■ Bocage's Sunbird, Nectarinia bocagii Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Purple-breasted Sunbird, Nectarinia purpureiventris Conservation status:

Lower risk (lc)
Tacazze Sunbird, Nectarinia tacazze Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Bronze Sunbird, Nectarinia kilimensis Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Golden-winged Sunbird, Nectarinia reichenowi Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Red-tufted Sunbird, Nectarinia johnstoni Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Malachite Sunbird, Nectarinia famosa Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
❍ Genus Cinnyris (sometimes included in Nectarinia)
■ Olive-bellied Sunbird, Cinnyris chloropygius Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Tiny Sunbird, Cinnyris minullus Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)

Miombo Sunbird, Cinnyris manoensis Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Cinnyris chalybeus Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Neergaard's Sunbird, Cinnyris neergaardi Conservation status: Lower risk (nt)
Stuhlmann's Sunbird, Cinnyris stuhlmanni (sometimes considered subspecies of C.
afer) Conservation status: Lower risk (nt)
Prigogine's Sunbird, Cinnyris prigoginei (sometimes considered subspecies of C.
afer) Conservation status: Lower risk (nt)
Montane Double-collared Sunbird, Cinnyris ludovicensis Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Northern Double-collared Sunbird, Cinnyris preussi Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Greater Double-collared Sunbird, Cinnyris afer Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Regal Sunbird, Cinnyris regius Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Rockefeller's Sunbird, Cinnyris rockefelleri Conservation status: Vulnerable
Eastern Double-collared Sunbird, Cinnyris mediocris Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Moreau's Sunbird, Cinnyris moreaui Conservation status: Lower risk (nt)
Beautiful Sunbird, Cinnyris pulchellus Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Loveridge's Sunbird, Cinnyris loveridgei Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Mariqua Sunbird, Cinnyris mariquensis Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Shelley's Sunbird, Cinnyris shelleyi Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Congo Sunbird, Cinnyris congensis Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Red-chested Sunbird, Cinnyris erythrocerca Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Black-bellied Sunbird, Cinnyris nectarinioides Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Purple-banded Sunbird, Cinnyris bifasciatus Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Tsavo Sunbird, Cinnyris tsavoensis (sometimes considered subspecies of C.
bifasciatus) Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Violet-breasted Sunbird, Cinnyris chalcomelas Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Pemba Sunbird, Cinnyris pembae Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Orange-tufted Sunbird, Cinnyris bouvieri Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Palestine Sunbird, Cinnyris oseus Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Shining Sunbird, Cinnyris habessinicus Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Splendid Sunbird, Cinnyris coccinigaster Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Johanna's Sunbird, Cinnyris johannae Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Superb Sunbird, Cinnyris superbus Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Rufous-winged Sunbird, Cinnyris rufipennis Conservation status: Vulnerable
Oustalet's Sunbird, Cinnyris oustaleti Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
White-breasted Sunbird, Cinnyris talatala Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Variable Sunbird, Cinnyris venustus Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Dusky Sunbird, Cinnyris fuscus Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Ursula's Sunbird, Cinnyris ursulae Conservation status: Lower risk (nt)
Bates' Sunbird, Cinnyris batesi Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Copper Sunbird, Cinnyris cupreus Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Purple Sunbird, Cinnyris asiaticus Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Olive-backed Sunbird, Cinnyris jugularis Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Apricot-breasted Sunbird, Cinnyris buettikoferi Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Flame-breasted Sunbird, Cinnyris solaris Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Souimanga Sunbird, Cinnyris sovimanga Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Seychelles Sunbird, Cinnyris dussumieri Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Madagascar Sunbird, Cinnyris notatus Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Humblot's Sunbird, Cinnyris humbloti Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Anjouan Sunbird, Cinnyris comorensis Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Mayotte Sunbird, Cinnyris coquerellii Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Long-billed Sunbird, Cinnyris lotenius Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
❍ Genus Aethopyga
■ Gray-hooded Sunbird, Aethopyga primigenia Conservation status: Lower risk (nt)
Mount Apo Sunbird, Aethopyga boltoni Conservation status: Lower risk (nt)
Lina's Sunbird, Aethopyga linaraborae Conservation status: Lower risk (nt)
Flaming Sunbird, Aethopyga flagrans Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Metallic-winged Sunbird, Aethopyga pulcherrima Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Elegant Sunbird, Aethopyga duyvenbodei Conservation status: Endangered
Lovely Sunbird, Aethopyga shelleyi Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Handsome Sunbird, Aethopyga belli Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Gould's Sunbird, Aethopyga gouldiae Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
White-flanked Sunbird, Aethopyga eximia Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Green-tailed Sunbird, Aethopyga nipalensis Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Fork-tailed Sunbird, Aethopyga christinae Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Black-throated Sunbird, Aethopyga saturata Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Western Crimson Sunbird, Aethopyga vigorsii (sometimes considered subspecies
of A. siparaja) Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Crimson Sunbird, Aethopyga siparaja Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Scarlet Sunbird, Aethopyga mystacalis Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Temminck's Sunbird, Aethopyga temminckii (sometimes considered subspecies of
A. mystacalis) Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Fire-tailed Sunbird, Aethopyga ignicauda Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
❍ Genus Arachnothera - spiderhunters
■ Thick-billed Spiderhunter, Arachnothera crassirostris Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)

Spectacled Spiderhunter, Arachnothera flavigaster Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Long-billed Spiderhunter, Arachnothera robusta Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Little Spiderhunter, Arachnothera longirostra Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Yellow-eared Spiderhunter, Arachnothera chrysogenys Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Naked-faced Spiderhunter, Arachnothera clarae Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Gray-breasted Spiderhunter, Arachnothera modesta (sometimes considered
subspecies of A. affinis) Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Streaky-breasted Spiderhunter, Arachnothera affinis Conservation status:
Lower risk (lc)
Bornean Spiderhunter, Arachnothera everetti Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Streaked Spiderhunter, Arachnothera magna Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
Whitehead's Spiderhunter, Arachnothera juliae Conservation status: Lower risk (lc)
External links
● Sunbird videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Nuthatches
Nuthatches
The nuthatches are a family, Sittidae, of generally very
similar small passerine birds found throughout the
Northern hemisphere.
The nuthatch family, Sittidae, traditionally contained 23

species. The subfamily Sittinae held the 22 species of
“true” nuthatches, and the subfamily Tichodromadinae
held a single species, the unique Wallcreeper,
Tichodroma muraria, which is now separated in its own
family, Tichodromadidae.
Male Eurasian Nuthatch

Most nuthatches are woodland birds, although a few
species have adapted to rocky habitats. They have the Scientific classification
unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike Kingdom: Animalia
species such as woodpeckers which can only go upwards.
Phylum: Chordata
Nuthatches have big heads, short tails and powerful bills
and feet. Their shape is distinctive, and all species are
recognizable as nuthatches if one has been seen. Class: Aves
They are generally omnivorous, taking insects, nuts and Order: Passeriformes
seeds. Most are resident, but the Red-breasted Nuthatch
migrates from the north of its range.
Family: Sittidae
Lesson, 1828
Nests are in holes or crevices. In some species the size of
the hole is reduced by the building of a mud wall. Genus: Sitta
Linnaeus, 1758
This group gets its name from the habit of the Eurasian Species
Nuthatch of wedging a nut in a crevice in a tree, and then 22 species, see text
hacking at it with its strong bill.
The list of species below, all in the genus Sitta (Linnaeus, 1758), is probably the maximum. Some
taxonomists consider that some of the indicated species are in fact conspecific.
Family: Sittidae
● Eurasian Nuthatch, Sitta europaea
Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Sitta nagaensis
Kashmir Nuthatch, Sitta cashmirensis
Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Sitta castanea
White-tailed Nuthatch, Sitta himalayensis
White-browed Nuthatch, Sitta victoriae
Pygmy Nuthatch, Sitta pygmaea
Brown-headed Nuthatch, Sitta pusilla
Corsican Nuthatch, Sitta whiteheadi
Algerian Nuthatch, Sitta ledanti
Krüper's Nuthatch, Sitta krueperi
Chinese Nuthatch, Sitta villosa
Yunnan Nuthatch, Sitta yunnanensis
Red-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis
White-cheeked Nuthatch, Sitta leucopsis
White-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis
Western Rock Nuthatch, Sitta neumayer
Eastern Rock Nuthatch, Sitta tephronota
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Sitta frontalis
Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Sitta solangiae
Sulphur-billed Nuthatch, Sitta oenochlamys
Blue Nuthatch, Sitta azurea
Giant Nuthatch, Sitta magna
Beautiful Nuthatch, Sitta formosa
References
● Tits, Nuthatches and Treecreepers, Harrap and Quinn, ISBN 0-7136-3964-4
● The Nuthatches, Erik Matthysen, Academic Press 1998, ISBN 0-85661-101-8
External links
● Nuthatch videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Old World babblers
Babblers
The Old World babblers are a large family of
mostly Old World passerine birds. They are
rather diverse in size and coloration, but are
characterised by soft fluffy plumage. These are
birds of tropical areas, with the greatest variety
in southeast Asia. There is also a single New
World species, the Wrentit, Chamaea fasciata.
The timaliids are one of two unrelated groups of
birds known as babblers, the other being the
Australasian Babblers of the family
Pomatostomidae (also known as pseudo-
babblers).
These birds have strong legs, and many are quite White-naped Yuhina
terrestrial. This group is not strongly migratory, Scientific classification
and most species have short rounded wings, and
Kingdom: Animalia
a weak flight.
Phylum: Chordata
The species are:
Family: Timaliidae Class: Aves
● Genus Malia Order: Passeriformes

❍ Malia, Malia grata
● Genus Garrulax, the laughingthrushes

❍ Ashy-headed Laughingthrush,
Family: Timaliidae
Garrulax cinereifrons
Sunda Laughingthrush, Garrulax Genera
palliatus almost 50: see text
Rufous-fronted Laughingthrush,
Garrulax rufifrons
Masked Laughingthrush, Garrulax perspicillatus
White-throated Laughingthrush, Garrulax albogularis
White-crested Laughingthrush, Garrulax leucolophus
Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, Garrulax monileger
Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, Garrulax pectoralis
Black Laughingthrush, Garrulax lugubris
Striated Laughingthrush, Garrulax striatus
White-necked Laughingthrush, Garrulax strepitans
Black-hooded Laughingthrush, Garrulax milleti
Grey Laughingthrush, Garrulax maesi
Rufous-necked Laughingthrush, Garrulax ruficollis
Chestnut-backed Laughingthrush, Garrulax nuchalis
Black-throated Laughingthrush, Garrulax chinensis
White-cheeked Laughingthrush, Garrulax vassali
Yellow-throated Laughingthrush, Garrulax galbanus
Wynaad Laughingthrush, Garrulax delesserti
Rufous-vented Laughingthrush, Garrulax gularis
Pere David's Laughingthrush, Garrulax davidi
Sukatschev's Laughingthrush, Garrulax sukatschewi
Moustached Laughingthrush, Garrulax cineraceus
Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Garrulax rufogularis
Spotted Laughingthrush, Garrulax ocellatus
Barred Laughingthrush, Garrulax lunulatus
Biet's Laughingthrush, Garrulax bieti
Giant Laughingthrush, Garrulax maximus
Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Garrulax caerulatus
Rusty Laughingthrush, Garrulax poecilorhynchus
Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush, Garrulax mitratus
Spot-breasted Laughingthrush, Garrulax merulinus
Hwamei, Garrulax canorus
White-browed Laughingthrush, Garrulax sannio
Rufous-breasted Laughingthrush, Garrulax cachinnans
Grey-breasted Laughingthrush, Garrulax jerdoni
Streaked Laughingthrush, Garrulax lineatus
Striped Laughingthrush, Garrulax virgatus
Scaly Laughingthrush, Garrulax subunicolor
Brown-capped Laughingthrush,Garrulax austeni
Blue-winged Laughingthrush, Garrulax squamatus
Elliot's Laughingthrush, Garrulax elliotii
Variegated Laughingthrush, Garrulax variegatus
Prince Henry's Laughingthrush, Garrulax henrici
Black-faced Laughingthrush, Garrulax affinis
White-whiskered Laughingthrush, Garrulax morrisonianus
Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Garrulax erythrocephalus
Golden-winged Laughingthrush, Garrulax ngoclinhensis
Collared Laughingthrush, Garrulax yersini
Red-winged Laughingthrush, Garrulax formosus
Red-tailed Laughingthrush, Garrulax milnei
● Genus Liocichla, the liocichlas
❍ Grey-faced Liocichla, Liocichla omeiensis
Steere's Liocichla, Liocichla steerii

Red-faced Liocichla, Liocichla phoenicea
Bugun Liocichla, Liocichla bugunorum
● Genus Modulatrix
❍ Spot-throat, Modulatrix stictigula
● Genus Arcanator
❍ Dapple-throat, Arcanator orostruthus
● Genus Trichastoma
❍ White-chested Babbler, Trichastoma rostratum
Sulawesi Babbler, Trichastoma celebense

Ferruginous Babbler, Trichastoma bicolor
Bagobo Babbler, Trichastoma woodi
● Genus Malacocincla
❍ Abbott's Babbler, Malacocincla abbotti
Horsfield's Babbler, Malacocincla sepiarium

Black-browed Babbler, Malacocincla perspicillata
Short-tailed Babbler, Malacocincla malaccensis
Ashy-headed Babbler, Malacocincla cinereiceps
● Genus Pellorneum
❍ Brown-capped Babbler, Pellorneum fuscocapillum
Marsh Babbler, Pellorneum palustre

Buff-breasted Babbler, Pellorneum tickelli
Temminck's Babbler, Pellorneum pyrrogenys
Spot-throated Babbler, Pellorneum albiventre
Puff-throated Babbler, Pellorneum ruficeps
Black-capped Babbler, Pellorneum capistratum
● Genus Malacopteron
❍ Palawan Babbler, Malacopteron palawanense
Moustached Babbler, Malacopteron magnirostre

Sooty-capped Babbler, Malacopteron affine
Scaly-crowned Babbler, Malacopteron cinereum
Rufous-crowned Babbler, Malacopteron magnum
Grey-breasted Babbler, Malacopteron albogulare
● Genus Illadopsis, the illadopsises
❍ Blackcap Illadopsis, Illadopsis cleaveri
Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Illadopsis albipectus

Rufous-winged Illadopsis, Illadopsis rufescens
Puvel's Illadopsis, Illadopsis puveli
Pale-breasted Illadopsis, Illadopsis rufipennis
Brown Illadopsis, Illadopsis fulvescens
Mountain Illadopsis, Illadopsis pyrrhoptera
African Hill Babbler, Illadopsis abyssinica
● Genus Kakamega
❍ Grey-chested Illadopsis, Kakamega poliothorax
● Genus Ptyrticus
❍ Thrush Babbler, Ptyrticus turdinus
● Genus Pomatorhinus, scimitar babblers

❍ Large Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus hypoleucos
Spot-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus erythrocnemis

Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus erythrogenys
Indian Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus horsfieldii
White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus schisticeps
Chestnut-backed Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus montanus
Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus ruficollis
Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps
Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus ferruginosus
● Genus Xiphirhynchus, scimitar-babblers
❍ Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Xiphirhynchus superciliaris
● Genus Jabouilleia, scimitar-babblers

❍ Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler, Jabouilleia danjoui
● Genus Rimator, wren-babblers

❍ Long-billed Wren-babbler, Rimator malacoptilus
● Genus Ptilocichla, wren-babblers

❍ Bornean Wren-babbler, Ptilocichla leucogrammica
Striated Wren-babbler, Ptilocichla mindanensis

Falcated Wren-babbler, Ptilocichla falcata
● Genus Kenopia, wren-babblers
❍ Striped Wren-babbler, Kenopia striata
● Genus Napothera, wren-babblers

❍ Large Wren-babbler, Napothera macrodactyla
Rusty-breasted Wren-babbler, Napothera rufipectus

Black-throated Wren-babbler, Napothera atrigularis
Marbled Wren-babbler, Napothera marmorata
Limestone Wren-babbler, Napothera crispifrons
Streaked Wren-babbler, Napothera brevicaudata
Mountain Wren-babbler, Napothera crassa
Luzon Wren-babbler, Napothera rabori
Eyebrowed Wren-babbler, Napothera epilepidota
● Genus Pnoepyga, wren-babblers
❍ Scaly-breasted Wren-babbler, Pnoepyga albiventer
Immaculate Wren-babbler, Pnoepyga immaculata

Pygmy Wren-babbler, Pnoepyga pusilla
● Genus Spelaeornis, wren-babblers
❍ Rufous-throated Wren-babbler, Spelaeornis caudatus
Mishmi Wren-babbler, Spelaeornis badeigularis
Bar-winged Wren-babbler, Spelaeornis troglodytoides
Spotted Wren-babbler, Spelaeornis formosus
Long-tailed Wren-babbler, Spelaeornis chocolatinus
Tawny-breasted Wren-babbler, Spelaeornis longicaudatus
Wedge-billed Wren-babbler, Sphenocichla humei
● Genus Neomixis, jerys
❍ Common Jery, Neomixis tenella
Green Jery, Neomixis viridis

Stripe-throated Jery, Neomixis striatigula
● Genus Hartertula
❍ Wedge-tailed Jery, Hartertula flavoviridis
● Genus Stachyris
❍ Deignan's Babbler, Stachyris rodolphei
Buff-chested Babbler, Stachyris ambigua

Rufous-fronted Babbler, Stachyris rufifrons
Rufous-capped Babbler, Stachyris ruficeps
Black-chinned Babbler, Stachyris pyrrhops
Golden Babbler, Stachyris chrysaea
Pygmy Babbler, Stachyris plateni
Golden-crowned Babbler, Stachyris dennistouni
Black-crowned Babbler, Stachyris nigrocapitata
Rusty-crowned Babbler, Stachyris capitalis
Flame-templed Babbler, Stachyris speciosa
Chestnut-faced Babbler, Stachyris whiteheadi
Luzon Striped Babbler, Stachyris striata
Panay Striped Babbler, Stachyris latistriata
Negros Striped Babbler, Stachyris nigrorum
Palawan Striped Babbler, Stachyris hypogrammica
White-breasted Babbler, Stachyris grammiceps
Sooty Babbler, Stachyris herberti
Grey-throated Babbler, Stachyris nigriceps
Grey-headed Babbler, Stachyris poliocephala
Snowy-throated Babbler, Stachyris oglei
Spot-necked Babbler, Stachyris striolata
White-necked Babbler, Stachyris leucotis
Black-throated Babbler, Stachyris nigricollis
White-bibbed Babbler, Stachyris thoracica
Chestnut-rumped Babbler, Stachyris maculata
Chestnut-winged Babbler, Stachyris erythroptera
Crescent-chested Babbler, Stachyris melanothorax
● Genus Dumetia
❍ Tawny-bellied Babbler, Dumetia hyperythra
● Genus Rhopocichla
❍ Dark-fronted Babbler, Rhopocichla atriceps
● Genus Macronous, tit-babblers

❍ Striped Tit-babbler, Macronous gularis
Grey-cheeked Tit-babbler, Macronous flavicollis

Grey-faced Tit-babbler, Macronous kelleyi
Brown Tit-babbler, Macronous striaticeps
Fluffy-backed Tit-babbler, Macronous ptilosus
Miniature Tit-babbler, Micromacronus leytensis
● Genus Timalia
❍ Chestnut-capped Babbler, Timalia pileata
● Genus Chrysomma
❍ Yellow-eyed Babbler, Chrysomma sinense
Jerdon's Babbler, Chrysomma altirostre

Rufous-tailed Babbler, Chrysomma poecilotis
● Genus Turdoides
❍ Spiny Babbler, Turdoides nipalensis
Iraq Babbler, Turdoides altirostris

Common Babbler, Turdoides caudatus
Striated Babbler, Turdoides earlei
White-throated Babbler, Turdoides gularis
Slender-billed Babbler, Turdoides longirostris
Large Grey Babbler, Turdoides malcolmi
Fulvous Chatterer, Turdoides fulvus
Scaly Chatterer, Turdoides aylmeri
Rufous Chatterer, Turdoides rubiginosus
Rufous Babbler, Turdoides subrufus
Jungle Babbler, Turdoides striatus
Orange-billed Babbler, Turdoides rufescens
Yellow-billed Babbler, Turdoides affinis
Blackcap Babbler, Turdoides reinwardtii
Dusky Babbler, Turdoides tenebrosus
Black-lored Babbler, Turdoides melanops
Scaly Babbler, Turdoides squamulatus
White-rumped Babbler, Turdoides leucopygius
Southern Pied Babbler, Turdoides bicolor
Northern Pied Babbler, Turdoides hypoleucus
Hinde's Pied Babbler, Turdoides hindei
Cretzschmar's Babbler, Turdoides leucocephalus
Brown Babbler, Turdoides plebejus
Arrow-marked Babbler, Turdoides jardineii
Bare-cheeked Babbler, Turdoides gymnogenys
● Genus Babax, the babaxes
❍ Chinese Babax, Babax lanceolatus
Giant Babax, Babax waddelli

Tibetan Babax, Babax koslowi
● Genus Leiothrix
❍ Silver-eared Mesia, Leiothrix argentauris
Red-billed Leiothrix, Leiothrix lutea

● Genus Cutia
❍ Cutia, Cutia nipalensis
● Genus Pteruthius, shrike-babblers

❍ Black-headed Shrike-babbler, Pteruthius rufiventer
White-browed Shrike-babbler, Pteruthius flaviscapis

Green Shrike-babbler, Pteruthius xanthochlorus
Black-eared Shrike-babbler, Pteruthius melanotis
Chestnut-fronted Shrike-babbler, Pteruthius aenobarbus
● Genus Gampsorhynchus
❍ White-hooded Babbler, Gampsorhynchus rufulus
● Genus Actinodura, the barwings

❍ Rusty-fronted Barwing, Actinodura egertoni
Spectacled Barwing, Actinodura ramsayi

Black-crowned Barwing, Actinodura sodangorum
Hoary-throated Barwing, Actinodura nipalensis
Streak-throated Barwing, Actinodura waldeni
Streaked Barwing, Actinodura souliei
Taiwan Barwing, Actinodura morrisoniana
● Genus Minla, the minlas
❍ Blue-winged Minla, Minla cyanouroptera
Chestnut-tailed Minla, Minla strigula

Red-tailed Minla, Minla ignotincta
● Genus Alcippe, the fulvettas
❍ Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Alcippe chrysotis
Gold-fronted Fulvetta, Alcippe variegaticeps

Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Alcippe cinerea
Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Alcippe castaneceps
White-browed Fulvetta, Alcippe vinipectus
Chinese Fulvetta, Alcippe striaticollis
Spectacled Fulvetta, Alcippe ruficapilla
Streak-throated Fulvetta, Alcippe cinereiceps
Ludlow's Fulvetta, Alcippe ludlowi
Rufous-throated Fulvetta, Alcippe rufogularis
Dusky Fulvetta, Alcippe brunnea
Rusty-capped Fulvetta, Alcippe dubia
Brown Fulvetta, Alcippe brunneicauda
Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, Alcippe poioicephala
Grey-cheeked Fulvetta, Alcippe morrisonia
Javan Fulvetta, Alcippe pyrrhoptera
Mountain Fulvetta, Alcippe peracensis
Nepal Fulvetta, Alcippe nipalensis
● Genus Lioptilus
❍ Bush Blackcap, Lioptilus nigricapillus
● Genus Kupeornis, the mountain-babblers

❍ White-throated Mountain Babbler, Kupeornis gilberti
Red-collared Mountain Babbler, Kupeornis rufocinctus

Chapin's Mountain Babbler, Kupeornis chapini
● Genus Parophasma
❍ Abyssinian Catbird, Parophasma galinieri
● Genus Phyllanthus
❍ Capuchin Babbler, Phyllanthus atripennis
● Genus Crocias, the crociass

❍ Grey-crowned Crocias, Crocias langbianis
Spotted Crocias, Crocias albonotatus

● Genus Heterophasia, the sibias
❍ Rufous-backed Sibia, Heterophasia annectens
Rufous Sibia, Heterophasia capistrata

Grey Sibia, Heterophasia gracilis
Black-backed Sibia, Heterophasia melanoleuca
Black-headed Sibia, Heterophasia desgodinsi
White-eared Sibia, Heterophasia auricularis
Beautiful Sibia, Heterophasia pulchella
Long-tailed Sibia, Heterophasia picaoides
● Genus Yuhina, the yuhinas
❍ Striated Yuhina, Yuhina castaniceps
Chestnut-crested Yuhina, Yuhina everetti

White-naped Yuhina, Yuhina bakeri
Whiskered Yuhina, Yuhina flavicollis
Burmese Yuhina, Yuhina humilis
Stripe-throated Yuhina, Yuhina gularis
White-collared Yuhina, Yuhina diademata
Rufous-vented Yuhina, Yuhina occipitalis
Taiwan Yuhina, Yuhina brunneiceps
Black-chinned Yuhina, Yuhina nigrimenta
White-bellied Yuhina, Yuhina zantholeuca
● Genus Myzornis
❍ Fire-tailed Myzornis, Myzornis pyrrhoura
● Genus Oxylabes
❍ White-throated Oxylabes, Oxylabes madagascariensis
● Genus Crossleyia
❍ Yellow-browed Oxylabes, Crossleyia xanthophrys
● Genus Chamaea
❍ Wrentit, Chamaea fasciata
The genus Mystacornis is now classified as a vanga.
External links
● Babbler videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Paradoxornithidae
Parrotbills
The parrotbills are a small family of Old World passerine
birds, Paradoxornithidae (or Panuridae in some systems).
They are related to the Old World babblers, but in general
appearance and behaviour are more like the tits. The bills of
these birds are short, heavy and laterally compressed, like a
parrot's, hence the English name.
These are mostly birds of tropical southeast Asia, although the

Bearded Tit is a bird of reedbeds in temperate Eurasia.
These are birds of open habitats, reedbeds and bamboo stands.

This group is not strongly migratory, although the Bearded Tit
can be eruptive.
The species are:

Panurus biarmicus
Family: Paradoxornithidae Scientific classification
● Genus Panurus Kingdom: Animalia

❍ Bearded Tit, or Bearded Reedling, Panurus
biarmicus Phylum: Chordata

● Genus Conostoma
❍ Great Parrotbill, Conostoma oemodium
Class: Aves
● Genus Paradoxornis
❍ Brown Parrotbill, Paradoxornis unicolor
Grey-headed Parrotbill, Paradoxornis gularis Order: Passeriformes

Three-toed Parrotbill, Paradoxornis paradoxus
Black-breasted Parrotbill, Paradoxornis Family: Paradoxornithidae
flavirostris
Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Paradoxornis
guttaticollis Genera
Spectacled Parrotbill, Paradoxornis Panurus
conspicillatus Conostoma
Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Paradoxornis Paradoxornis
webbianus
Brown-winged Parrotbill, Paradoxornis brunneus
Ashy-throated Parrotbill, Paradoxornis alphonsianus
Grey-hooded Parrotbill, Paradoxornis zappeyi
Rusty-throated Parrotbill, Paradoxornis przewalskii
Fulvous Parrotbill, Paradoxornis fulvifrons
Black-throated Parrotbill, Paradoxornis nipalensis
Golden Parrotbill, Paradoxornis verreauxi
Short-tailed Parrotbill, Paradoxornis davidianus
Black-browed Parrotbill, Paradoxornis atrosuperciliaris
Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Paradoxornis ruficeps
Reed Parrotbill, Paradoxornis heudei
External links
● Parrotbill videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Paramythiidae
Paramythiidae
The Paramythiidae is a very small bird family restricted to the
mountain forests of New Guinea. It comprises two species:
● Tit Berrypecker Oreocharis arfaki Kingdom: Animalia

● Crested Berrypecker Paramythia montium
Phylum: Chordata
These are colourful medium-sized birds which feed on fruit and
some insects. Class: Aves
These species were formerly included in the Dicaeidae, but DNA-

DNA hybridization studies showed these species were related to Order: Passeriformes
each other but distinct from the flowerpeckers.
Family: Paramythiidae
External links
Genus
● 1 Oreocharis
Salvadori, 1876,
Paramythia
De Vis, 1892
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| Mimidae | Motacillidae | Muscicapidae | Nectariniidae | Nuthatches | Old World babblers
| Paradoxornithidae | Paramythiidae | Paridae | Parulidae | Passeridae | Peucedramidae | Picathartidae
| Platysteiridae | Ploceidae | Polioptilidae | Promeropidae | Prunellidae | Ptilogonatidae | Pycnonotidae
| Regulidae | Remizidae | Rhabdornithidae | Sturnidae | Sylviidae | Thraupidae | Timaliidae
| Troglodytidae | Turdidae | Viduidae | Waxwings | Zosteropidae
Paridae
Pseudopodoces
Tits and Chickadees

The tits, chickadees, and titmice, family Paridae, are a
large family of small passerine birds which occur in the
northern hemisphere and Africa. Most were formerly in
the genus Parus; some recent authors have split this large
group into several genera (as indicated below), which has
been followed by North American ornithological
authorities but not elsewhere.
On current evidence, only Pseudopodoces, Baeolophus,

Melanochlora and Sylviparus are well supported as
distinct genera from Parus (Harrap & Quinn, Tits,
Nuthatches & Treecreepers, ISBN 0-7136-3964-4). The Great Tit
order in the list below follows Harrap & Quinn, with the Scientific classification
incorporation of the recent split of Plain Titmouse into
Oak and Juniper Titmice, and the addition of Hume's Kingdom: Animalia
Ground Tit.
Phylum: Chordata
These birds are called "chickadees" (derived from their
distinctive "chick-a dee dee dee" alarm call) or "titmice" Class: Aves
in North America, and just "tits" in the rest of the English
speaking world. The name titmouse is attested from the
14th century, composed of the Old English name for the Order: Passeriformes
bird, mase (Proto-Germanic *maison) and tit, denoting
something small. The spelling was influenced by mouse Family: Paridae
in the 16th century. "Chickadee" is onomatopoeic, i.e., Vigors, 1825
sounds like the call of many North American species.
Genera
These are mainly small stocky woodland species with See text.
short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and
insects. Many species will live around human habitation and come readily to bird feeders for nuts or
seed, and learn to take other foods. In England, Great Tits and Blue Tits learned to break open the foil
caps sealing bottles of milk that had been delivered to homes to get at the cream floating on top.
These are hole-nesting birds laying speckled white eggs.
In the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, the Paridae family is much enlarged to include related groups such as
the Penduline tits and Long-tailed tits.
Species
● Marsh Tit, Parus palustris (Poecile palustris)
Black-bibbed Tit, Parus hypermelaena (Poecile hypermelaena)
Sombre Tit, Parus lugubris (Poecile lugubris)
Caspian Tit, Parus hyrcana (Poecile hyrcanus)
Willow Tit, Parus montanus (Poecile montana)
Songar Tit, Parus songarus (Poecile songara)
Carolina Chickadee, Parus carolinensis (Poecile carolinensis)
Black-capped Chickadee, Parus atricapilla (Poecile atricapillus)
Mountain Chickadee, Parus gambeli (Poecile gambeli)
Mexican Chickadee, Parus sclateri (Poecile sclateri)
White-browed Tit, Parus superciliosus (Poecile superciliosa)
Père David's Tit, Parus davidi (Poecile davidi)
Boreal Chickadee, Parus hudsonicus (Poecile hudsonica)
Siberian Tit or Gray-headed Chickadee, Parus cinctus (Poecile cincta)
Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Parus rufescens (Poecile rufescens)
Rufous-naped Tit or Black-breasted Tit, Parus rufonuchalis (Periparus rufonuchalis)
Rufous-vented Tit, Parus rubidiventris (Periparus rubidiventris)
Spot-winged Tit or Black-crested Tit, Parus melanolophus (Periparus melanolophus)
Coal Tit, Parus ater (Periparus ater)
Yellow-bellied Tit, Parus venustulus (Pardaliparus venustulus)
Elegant Tit, Parus elegans (Pardaliparus elegans)
Palawan Tit, Parus amabilis (Pardaliparus amabilis)
Crested Tit, Parus cristatus (Lophophanes cristatus)
Grey-crested Tit, Parus dichrous (Lophophanes dichrous)
White-shouldered Tit, Parus guineensis (Melaniparus guineensis)
White-winged Black Tit, Parus leucomelas (Melaniparus leucomelas)
Southern Black Tit, Parus niger (Melaniparus niger)
Carp's Tit, Parus carpi (Melaniparus carpi)
White-bellied Tit, Parus albiventris (Melaniparus albiventris)
White-backed Tit, Parus leuconotus (Melaniparus leuconotus)
Dusky Tit, Parus funereus (Melaniparus funereus)
Rufous-bellied Tit, Parus rufiventris (Melaniparus rufiventris)
Cinnamon-breasted Tit, Parus pallidiventris (Melaniparus pallidiventris)
Red-throated Tit, Parus fringillinus (Melaniparus fringillinus)
Stripe-breasted Tit, Parus fasciiventer (Melaniparus fasciiventer)
Acacia Tit or Somali Tit, Parus thruppi (Melaniparus thruppi)
Miombo Tit, Parus griseiventris (Melaniparus griseiventris)
Ashy Tit, Parus cinerascens (Melaniparus cinerascens)
Southern Grey Tit, Parus afer (Melaniparus afer)
Japanese Tit, Parus minor
Turkestan Tit, Parus bokharensis
Green-backed Tit, Parus monticolus
White-winged Tit, Parus nuchalis
Black-lored Tit, Parus xanthogenys
Yellow-cheeked Tit, Parus spilonotus
Yellow Tit, Parus holsti (Macholophus holsti)
Blue Tit, Parus caeruleus (Cyanistes caeruleus)
Azure Tit, Parus cyanus (Cyanistes cyanus)
Yellow-breasted Tit, Parus flavipectus (Cyanistes flavipectus)
Varied Tit, Parus varius (Sittiparus varius)
White-fronted Tit, Parus semilarvatus (Sittiparus semilarvatus)
Bridled Titmouse, Baeolophus wollweberi
Oak Titmouse, Baeolophus inornatus
Juniper Titmouse, Baeolophus ridgwayi
Tufted Titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor
Black-crested Titmouse, Baeolophus atricristatus
Yellow-browed Tit, Sylviparus modestus
Sultan Tit, Melanochlora sultanea
Hume's Ground Tit, previously Hume's Ground Jay, Pseudopodoces humilis
(This species has only recently been removed from the Crow family Corvidae and placed into the
Tit family.)
External links
● Chickadees Sing Complex Warnings
● Titmouse videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Pseudopodoces
Home | Up
Hume's Ground Tit

Hume's Ground Tit (Pseudopodoces humilis), previously known Conservation status Least concern
as Hume's Ground Jay, is a lark-like bird. It is similar in shape to
the (unrelated) genus Podoces but is much smaller, about the size of Scientific classification
a House Sparrow. It is a greyish-fawn in colour with a tawny flush
and has soft, lax feathers on the body. The upper parts tend to be a Kingdom: Animalia
darker fawn-brown with the central tail feathers and wing primaries
a little darker still. The bill, legs and feet are black. The flight of this Phylum: Chordata
bird is not strong and it flies low over the ground preferring to run
or jump out of the way if approached which it does very quickly. Class: Aves
This species has only recently been removed, on the basis of DNA
analysis, from the Crow family (Corvidae) and placed into the Tit Order: Passeriformes
family (Paridae). It is the only species in genus Pseudopodoces.
Family: Paridae
It occurs from north western Szechuan province in China westwards
to Tibet in open, grass steppe type country or sometimes arid
Genus: Pseudopodoces
regions with small scattered shrubs. It avoids anywhere that has Zarudny & Loudon,
dense vegetation, especially trees. 1902
Species: P. humilis
Food is obtained on the ground and includes a wide range of insect
prey often obtained by probing wild Yak dung and turning it over to
flush them out. It peers into rock crevices and into holes in the Binomial name
ground also in its search for food. If chased, it will bolt straight Pseudopodoces humilis
down the nearest hole (very un-birdlike behaviour) until the danger (Hume, 1871)
has passed, usually caused by a bird of prey.
The nest is also unusual in being in a tunnel which the bird(s) excavate themselves. It is usually dug
horizontally into a bank or wall of earth and can reach a depth of up to 1.8 metres. The nest is placed at
the end of this in a small chamber and consists usually of just wool placed onto a grass base. The 4–6
eggs are pure white and the young stay with their parents for some time after fledging.
The voice is described as a plaintive whistling, cheep-cheep-cheep-cheep and it also has a two syllable
Finch-like call.
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Pseudopodoces humilis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened
Home | Up
Parulidae
Dendroica | Seiurus | Vermivora
New World warblers

The New World warblers or wood-warblers are a group of small
often colourful passerine birds restricted to the New World. They
are not related to the Old World warblers (Sylviidae) or the
Australian warblers.
Most are arboreal, but some, like the Ovenbird and the two
waterthrushes, are more terrestrial. Most members of this family
are insectivores.
It is likely that this group originated in northern Central America,

which remains with the greatest diversity and numbers of species.
From thence they spread north during the interglacial periods,
mainly as migrants, returning to the ancestral region in winter.
Common Yellowthroat
Two genera, Myioborus and Basileuterus seem to have colonised
Geolyphis trichas
South America early, perhaps before the two continents were
linked, and provide most of the resident warbler species of that Scientific classification
region. Kingdom: Animalia
Many migratory species, particularly those breeding further north, Phylum: Chordata
have distinctive male plumage at least in the breeding seaon, since
males need to reclaim territory and advertise for mates each year.
This tendency is particularly marked in the large genus Dendroica. Class: Aves
In contrast, resident tropical species, which pair for life, show little
if any sexual dimorphism. Order: Passeriformes
There are of course exceptions. The Seiurus waterthrushes and

Family: Parulidae
Ovenbird are strongly migratory, but have identical male and Wetmore et al, 1947
female plumage, whereas the mainly tropical and sedentary
yellowthroats are dimorphic. Genera
The Granatellus chats also show sexual dimorphism, but due to

recent genetic work may soon be moved into the family
Cardinalidae (New World buntings and cardinals).
Vermivora
The migratory species tend to lay larger clutches of eggs, typically Parula
up to six, since the hazards of their journeys mean that many Dendroica
individuals will have only one chance to breed. In contrast, two Catharopeza
eggs is typical for many tropical species, since the chicks can be Mniotilta
provided with better care, and the adults are likely to have further Setophaga
opportunities for reproduction. Protonotaria
Helmitheros
The scientific name for the family, Parulidae, originates from the Limnothlypis
fact that Linnaeus in 1758 named the Northern Parula as a tit, Seiurus
Parus americanus, and, as taxonomy developed, the genus name Oporornis
was modified first to Parulus and then the current Parula. The Geothlypis
family name, of course, derives from that genus. Microligea
Teretistris
Leucopeza
Contents Wilsonia
Cardellina
● 1 Taxonomic issues Ergaticus
● 2 Species list in taxonomic order Myioborus
● 3 References
Euthlypis
Basileuterus
Zeledonia
Icteria
Granatellus
Taxonomic issues Xenoligea
There are a number of issues in the taxonomy of the Parulidae.
● Sibley and Ahlquist have suggested that the family be merged with the Emberizidae as a
subfamily Parulinae. The Olive Warbler, however would be removed from the group as the only
member of the separate subfamily Peucedramimae.
● The New World warblers are closely related to the tanagers, and some species like the conebills
Conirostrum and the Bananaquit have been placed into either group by different authorities.
Currently, the conebills are normally placed in Thraupidae and the Bananaquit in its own family.
● Green-tailed Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, the Granatellus chats and White-winged Warbler,
are other species where there have been questions as to whether they should be considered as
warblers of tanagers.
● The Pardusco, Nephelornis oneilli is also of uncertain affinities

Family: Parulidae
● Bachman's Warbler, Vermivora bachmanii

Blue-winged Warbler, Vermivora pinus
Golden-winged Warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera
Tennessee Warbler, Vermivora peregrina
Orange-crowned Warbler, Vermivora celata
Nashville Warbler, Vermivora ruficapilla
Virginia's Warbler, Vermivora virginiae
Colima Warbler, Vermivora crissalis
Lucy's Warbler, Vermivora luciae
Flame-throated Warbler, Parula gutturalis
Crescent-chested Warbler, Parula superciliosa
Northern Parula, Parula americana
Tropical Parula, Parula pitiayumi
Yellow Warbler, Dendroica petechia
Chestnut-sided Warbler, Dendroica pensylvanica
Magnolia Warbler, Dendroica magnolia
Cape May Warbler, Dendroica tigrina
Black-throated Blue Warbler, Dendroica caerulescens
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dendroica coronata
Black-throated Gray Warbler, Dendroica nigrescens
Golden-cheeked Warbler, Dendroica chrysoparia
Black-throated Green Warbler, Dendroica virens
Townsend's Warbler, Dendroica townsendi
Hermit Warbler, Dendroica occidentalis
Blackburnian Warbler, Dendroica fusca
Yellow-throated Warbler, Dendroica dominica
Olive-capped Warbler, Dendroica pityophila
Grace's Warbler, Dendroica graciae
Adelaide's Warbler, Dendroica adelaidae
Barbuda Warbler, Dendroica subita
St. Lucia Warbler, Dendroica delicata
Pine Warbler, Dendroica pinus
Kirtland's Warbler, Dendroica kirtlandii
Prairie Warbler, Dendroica discolor
Vitelline Warbler, Dendroica vitellina
Palm Warbler, Dendroica palmarum
Bay-breasted Warbler, Dendroica castanea
Blackpoll Warbler, Dendroica striata
Cerulean Warbler, Dendroica cerulea
Plumbeous Warbler, Dendroica plumbea
Arrow-headed Warbler, Dendroica pharetra
Elfin-woods Warbler, Dendroica angelae
Whistling Warbler, Catharopeza bishopi
Black-and-white Warbler, Mniotilta varia
American Redstart, Setophaga ruticilla
Prothonotary Warbler, Protonotaria citrea
Worm-eating Warbler, Helmitheros vermivorus
Swainson's Warbler, Limnothlypis swainsonii
Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapillus
Northern Waterthrush, Seiurus noveboracensis
Louisiana Waterthrush, Seiurus motacilla
Kentucky Warbler, Oporornis formosus
Connecticut Warbler, Oporornis agilis
Mourning Warbler, Oporornis philadelphia
MacGillivray's Warbler, Oporornis tolmiei
Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas
Belding's Yellowthroat, Geothlypis beldingi
Altamira Yellowthroat, Geothlypis flavovelata
Bahama Yellowthroat, Geothlypis rostrata
Olive-crowned Yellowthroat, Geothlypis semiflava
Black-polled Yellowthroat, Geothlypis speciosa
Masked Yellowthroat, Geothlypis aequinoctialis
Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Geothlypis poliocephala
Hooded Yellowthroat, Geothlypis nelsoni
Green-tailed Warbler, Microligea palustris
Yellow-headed Warbler, Teretistris fernandinae
Oriente Warbler, Teretistris fornsi
Semper's Warbler, Leucopeza semperi
Hooded Warbler, Wilsonia citrina
Wilson's Warbler, Wilsonia pusilla
Canada Warbler, Wilsonia canadensis
Red-faced Warbler, Cardellina rubrifrons
Red Warbler, Ergaticus ruber
Pink-headed Warbler, Ergaticus versicolor
Painted Redstart, Myioborus pictus
Slate-throated Redstart, Myioborus miniatus
Tepui Redstart, Myioborus castaneocapillus
Brown-capped Redstart, Myioborus brunniceps
Yellow-faced Redstart, Myioborus pariae
White-faced Redstart, Myioborus albifacies
Saffron-breasted Redstart, Myioborus cardonai
Collared Redstart, Myioborus torquatus
Spectacled Redstart, Myioborus melanocephalus
Golden-fronted Redstart, Myioborus ornatus
White-fronted Redstart, Myioborus albifrons
Yellow-crowned Redstart, Myioborus flavivertex
The members of Myioborus are also often, more accurately, named as whitestarts, as they have
conspicuous white, not red, feathers on the tail sides.
● Fan-tailed Warbler, Euthlypis lachrymosa

Gray-and-gold Warbler, Basileuterus fraseri
Two-banded Warbler, Basileuterus bivittatus
Golden-bellied Warbler, Basileuterus chrysogaster
Choco Warbler, Basileuterus chlorophrys
Pale-legged Warbler, Basileuterus signatus
Citrine Warbler, Basileuterus luteoviridis
Black-crested Warbler, Basileuterus nigrocristatus
Gray-headed Warbler, Basileuterus griseiceps
Santa Marta Warbler, Basileuterus basilicus
Gray-throated Warbler, Basileuterus cinereicollis
White-lored Warbler, Basileuterus conspicillatus
Russet-crowned Warbler, Basileuterus coronatus
Golden-crowned Warbler, Basileuterus culicivorus
Three-banded Warbler, Basileuterus trifasciatus
White-bellied Warbler, Basileuterus hypoleucus
Rufous-capped Warbler, Basileuterus rufifrons
Golden-browed Warbler, Basileuterus belli
Black-cheeked Warbler, Basileuterus melanogenys
Pirre Warbler, Basileuterus ignotus
Three-striped Warbler, Basileuterus tristriatus
White-rimmed Warbler, Basileuterus leucoblepharus
White-striped Warbler, Basileuterus leucophrys
Flavescent Warbler, Basileuterus flaveolus
Buff-rumped Warbler, Basileuterus fulvicauda
Neotropical River Warbler, Basileuterus rivularis
Wrenthrush, Zeledonia coronata
Yellow-breasted Chat, Icteria virens
Red-breasted Chat, Granatellus venustus
Gray-throated Chat, Granatellus sallaei
Rose-breasted Chat, Granatellus pelzelni
White-winged Warbler, Xenoligea montana
References
● Curson, Quinn and Beadle, New World Warblers ISBN 0-7136-3932-6
External links
● http://collections.ic.gc.ca/warblers/
● Crane Creek Warblers
● New World warbler videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Dendroica
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Dendroica
Blackburnian Warbler
Kingdom: Animalia
Audubon's Dendroica
Phylum: Chordata
Dendroica is a genus of birds of the New World Warbler family Parulidae. It contains 29 species. The
males in breeding plumage are often highly colourful. The Dendroica warblers are an example of Class: Aves
adaptive radiation with the various species using different feeding techniques and often feeding in
different parts of the same tree. Order: Passeriformes
List of species Family: Parulidae
● Yellow Warbler, Dendroica petechia Genus: Dendroica

Chestnut-sided Warbler, Dendroica pensylvanica Gray, 1842
Magnolia Warbler, Dendroica magnolia
Cape May Warbler, Dendroica tigrina
Black-throated Blue Warbler, Dendroica caerulescens
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dendroica coronata
Black-throated Gray Warbler, Dendroica nigrescens
Golden-cheeked Warbler, Dendroica chrysoparia
Black-throated Green Warbler, Dendroica virens
Townsend's Warbler, Dendroica townsendi
Hermit Warbler, Dendroica occidentalis
Blackburnian Warbler, Dendroica fusca
Yellow-throated Warbler, Dendroica dominica
Olive-capped Warbler, Dendroica pityophila
Grace's Warbler, Dendroica graciae
Adelaide's Warbler, Dendroica adelaidae
Barbuda Warbler, Dendroica subita
St. Lucia Warbler, Dendroica delicata
Pine Warbler, Dendroica pinus
Kirtland's Warbler, Dendroica kirtlandii
Prairie Warbler, Dendroica discolor
Vitelline Warbler, Dendroica vitellina
Palm Warbler, Dendroica palmarum
Bay-breasted Warbler, Dendroica castanea
Blackpoll Warbler, Dendroica striata
Cerulean Warbler, Dendroica cerulea
Plumbeous Warbler, Dendroica plumbea
Arrow-headed Warbler, Dendroica pharetra
Elfin-woods Warbler, Dendroica angelae
External links
● Dendroica videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Dendroica | Seiurus | Vermivora
Seiurus
Seiurus
The genus Seiurus consists of three species of bird in the New
World warbler family Parulidae.
They are terrestrial feeders always found near water. Two of the
species, the waterthrushes, are very similar; they are
● Louisiana Waterthrush, Seiurus motacilla

Northern Waterthrush, Seiurus noveboracensis
Ovenbird
The third member of the Seiurus genus is the
● Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapillus. Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

License. It uses material from the Wikipedia. Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Seiurus
Swainson, 1827
Vermivora
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Vermivora
Vermivora is a genus of New World Warblers. There are
seven species.
● Bachman's Warbler, Vermivora bachmanii Extinct

Blue-winged Warbler, Vermivora pinus
Golden-winged Warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera
Tennessee Warbler, Vermivora peregrina
Orange-crowned Warbler, Vermivora celata
Nashville Warbler, Vermivora ruficapilla
Virginia's Warbler, Vermivora virginiae
Colima Warbler, Vermivora crissalis
Lucy's Warbler, Vermivora luciae Vermivora celata
Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Vermivora
species
See text.
Passeridae
Old World sparrows

This article is about "true sparrows," the Old World sparrows in
the family Passeridae. Sparrows are small passerine birds. The
differences between sparrow species can be subtle. In general,
sparrows tend to be small plump brownish or greyish birds with
short tails and stubby powerful beaks. They are primarily seed-
eaters, though they also consume small insects. A few species
scavenge for food around cities, and like gulls or pigeons will
happily eat virtually anything in small quantities.
The Old World true sparrows are found indigenously in Europe,

Africa, and Asia. In Australia and the Americas, early settlers
imported some species which quickly naturalised, particularly in House Sparrow
urban and degraded areas. House Sparrows, for example, are now Scientific classification
found throughout North America, in every state of Australia
Kingdom: Animalia
except Western Australia, and over much of heavily populated
parts of South America.
Phylum: Chordata
Some authorities also classify the closely related estrildid finches
of the equatorial regions and Australasia as members of the Class: Aves
Passeridae. Like the true sparrows, the estrildid finches are small,
gregarious, and often colonial seed-eaters with short, thick, but
pointed bills. They are broadly similar in structure and habits, but
tend to be very colourful and vary greatly in their plumage. About
140 species are native to the old world tropics and Australasia. Family: Passeridae
Most taxonomic schemes list the estrildid finches as the separate Illiger, 1811
family Estrildidae, leaving just the true sparrows in Passeridae. Genera
Passer
American sparrows, or New World sparrows, are not closely Petronia
related to the true sparrows, despite some physical resemblance, Carpospiza
such as the seed-eaters bill and frequently well-marked heads. Montifringilla
They are in the family Emberizidae.
The Hedge Sparrow or Dunnock (Prunella modularis) is similarly unrelated. It is a sparrow in name
only, a relic of the old practice of calling any small bird a "sparrow".
There are 35 species of Old World sparrows, in four genera.
Species list
● Passer, the true sparrows
❍ Saxaul Sparrow, Passer ammodendri
House Sparrow, Passer domesticus

Sind Sparrow, Passer pyrrhonotus
Somali Sparrow, Passer castanopterus
Cinnamon Sparrow or Russet Sparrow, Passer rutilans
Pegu Sparrow or Plain-backed Sparrow, Passer flaveolus
Rufous Sparrow, Passer motitensis
Socotra Sparrow, Passer insularis
Iago Sparrow or Cape Verde Sparrow, Passer iagoensis
Cape Sparrow or Mossie, Passer melanurus
Grey-headed Sparrow, Passer griseus
Swainson's Sparrow, Passer swainsonii
Parrot-billed Sparrow, Passer gongonensis
Swaheli Sparrow, Passer suahelicus
Southern Grey-headed Sparrow, Passer diffusus
Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus
Sudan Golden Sparrow, Passer luteus
Chestnut Sparrow, Passer eminibey
Italian Sparrow, Passer italiae
Kenya Rufous Sparrow, Passer rufocinctus
Kordofan Rufous Sparrow, Passer cordofanicus
Shelley's Rufous Sparrow, Passer shelleyi
Asian Desert Sparrow, Passer zarudnyi
● Petronia, the rock sparrows
❍ Yellow-spotted Petronia, Petronia pyrgita
Chestnut-shouldered Petronia, Petronia xanthocollis

Yellow-throated Petronia, Petronia superciliaris
Rock Sparrow, Petronia petronia
● Carpospiza, Pale Rockfinch
❍ Pale Rockfinch, Carpospiza brachydactyla
● Montifringilla, the snowfinches

❍ White-winged Snowfinch, Montifringilla nivalis
Black-winged Snowfinch, Montifringilla adamsi
White-rumped Snowfinch, Montifringilla taczanowskii
Père David's Snowfinch, Montifringilla davidiana
Rufous-necked Snowfinch, Montifringilla ruficollis
Blanford's Snowfinch, Montifringilla blanfordi
Afghan Snowfinch, Montifringilla theresae
Tibetan Snowfinch, Montifringilla henrici
Sparrows in literature
The Roman poet Catullus addresses one of his odes to his lover Lesbia's pet sparrow (‘Passer, deliciae
meae puellae...’), and writes an elegy on its death (‘Lugete, o Veneres Cupidinesque...’). The sparrow's
playful erotic intimacy with its mistress ('To whose seeking she often gives her first finger/And
provokes sharp pecks') makes the poet envious. At the climax of its elegy he reproaches it for dying, and
distressing her ('Now, by your deeds, my girl's/Little eyes are slightly swollen and red from weeping').
The diminutiveness of the sparrow, and the hugeness and eternity of the afterlife, form a bathos that is
typical of the mock elegy form: ‘qui nunc it per iter tenebricosum/illuc unde negant redire
quemquam’ ('He now goes on a journey through that gloomy place,/From where they say no one
returns'). Note how the sparrow's hopping is represented metrically. The bird is also alluded to in the line
"He who lives by the stick, dies by the stick" in James Wilson's "The Stick Finch".
In 'Phyllyp Sparowe' (pub. c. 1505), by the English poet John Skelton, Jane Scrope's laments for her
dead sparrow are mixed with antiphonal Latin liturgy from the Office of the Dead. It belongs to the same
tradition as Catullus' poem, or Ovid's lament for a parrot in the Amores, but the erotic element is more
direct: 'And on me it wolde lepe/Whan I was aslepe,/And his fethers shake,/Wherewith he wolde make/
Me often for to wake/And for to take him in/Upon my naked skyn'.
External links
● Old World sparrow videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Peucedramidae
Olive Warbler
The Olive Warbler, Peucedramus taeniatus , is a small passerine Conservation status Least concern
bird, the only member of the family Peucedramidae.
This species breeds from Arizona, USA, south through Mexico to
Kingdom: Animalia
Nicaragua. It was in the past classed with the Parulidae (New World
warblers), but DNA studies suggest that it split early from the other
related passerines, prior to the differentiation of the entire New Phylum: Chordata
World warbler/American sparrow/Icterid group. It is therefore now
given a family of its own. Class: Aves
The Olive Warbler is a long-winged bird. It has a grey body with Order: Passeriformes
some olive-green on the wings and two white wing bars. The male's
head and breast are orange, and there is a black patch through the
eye. In the female and juvenile, the orange is replaced by yellow, Family: Peucedramidae
Wolters, 1980
and the black mask is more diffuse. The song consists of clear
whistles. Genus: Peucedramus
Henshaw, 1875
It is a non-migratory insectivorous species of coniferous forests. It Species: P. taeniatus
lays 3-4 eggs in a tree nest.
Binomial name
● Family: Peucedramidae
Peucedramus taeniatus
❍ Olive Warbler, Peucedramus taeniatus
(Du Bus de Gisignies, 1847)
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Peucedramus taeniatus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened

Picathartidae
Picathartes
The picathartes, rockfowl or bald crows are a small family of two
passerine bird species found in the rain-forests of tropical west and
central Africa. They have unfeathered heads, and feed on insects
and molluscs picked from damp rocky areas. Both species are totally Kingdom: Animalia
non-migratory, being dependent on a specialised rocky jungle
habitat. Phylum: Chordata
These are lanky birds with crow-like bills, long neck, tail and legs, Class: Aves
and strong feet adapted to terrestrial feeding. They are similar in
size and structure to the completely unrelated roadrunners, but they
hop rather than walk. They also have brightly coloured bald heads. Order: Passeriformes
Picathartes breed colonially. The nest is made of mud attached to a Family: Picathartidae
cave roof or overhanging rock on a cliff. Two eggs are laid. Lowe, 1938
Genus: Picathartes
The White-necked Rockfowl is found in rocky forest areas at Lesson, 1828
higher altitudes from Sierra Leone to Togo. It has grey upperparts,
Species
white underparts and a yellow head with a black patch on each side.
See text.
The Grey-necked Rockfowl breeds in southern Cameroon, northern Nigeria and neighbouring areas of
central Africa. It has grey upperparts and throat. The underparts are pale orange and the head is violet at
the front and red at the back, again with black side patches.
Species of Picathartidae
● White-necked Rockfowl, Picathartes gymnocephalus
Grey-necked Rockfowl, Picathartes oreas
External link
● ARKive - images and movies of the bare-headed rockfowl (Picathartes gymnocephalus)
Platysteiridae
Wattle-eyes
The wattle-eyes or puffback flycatchers are small stout passerine
birds of the African tropics. They were previously classed as a
subfamily of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae.
Kingdom: Animalia
They get their name from the brightly coloured fleshy eye
decorations found in most species in this group. Phylum: Chordata
These insect-eating birds are found in usually open forests or bush. Class: Aves
They hunt by flycatching, or by taking prey from the ground like a
shrike. The nest is a small neat cup low in a tree or bush.
● Family: Platysteiridae
❍ African Shrike-flycatcher, Megabyas flammulatus Family: Platysteiridae
❍ Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Bias musicus
❍ Common Wattle-eye, Platysteira cyanea

Genera
❍ White-fronted Wattle-eye, Platysteira albifrons
Megabyas
❍ Black-throated Wattle-eye, Platysteira peltata
Bias
❍ Banded Wattle-eye, Platysteira laticincta
Pseudobias
❍ Chestnut Wattle-eye, Platysteira castanea
Platysteira
❍ White-spotted Wattle-eye, Platysteira tonsa
Batis
❍ Red-cheeked Wattle-eye, Platysteira blissetti
Lanioturdus
❍ Black-necked Wattle-eye, Platysteira chalybea
❍ Jameson's Wattle-eye, Platysteira jamesoni
❍ Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye, Platysteira concreta
❍ Boulton's Batis, Batis margaritae
❍ Short-tailed Batis, Batis mixta
❍ Ruwenzori Batis, Batis diops
❍ Cape Batis, Batis capensis
❍ Woodward's Batis, Batis fratrum
❍ Chinspot Batis, Batis molitor
❍ Pale Batis, Batis soror
❍ Pririt Batis, Batis pririt
❍ Senegal Batis, Batis senegalensis
❍ Gray-headed Batis, Batis orientalis
❍ Black-headed Batis, Batis minor

❍ Pygmy Batis, Batis perkeo
❍ Verreaux's Batis, Batis minima
❍ Ituri Batis, Batis ituriensis
❍ Fernando Po Batis, Batis poensis
❍ West African Batis, Batis occulta
❍ Angola Batis, Batis minulla
❍ White-tailed Shrike Lanioturdus torquatus
External links
● Wattle-eye videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Ploceidae
Grosbeak
Weaver
The Weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches.
These are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills, most of

which breed in sub-Saharan Africa, with fewer species in tropical
Asia and also in Australia. The weaver group is divided into the
buffalo, sparrow, typical, and widow weavers. The males of many
species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black,
some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season.
Weaver birds, also known as weaver finches get their name

Slender-billed Weaver
because of their elaborately woven nests (the most elaborate of
any birds), though some are notable for their selective parasitic Scientific classification
nesting habits. The nests vary in size, shape, material used and Kingdom: Animalia
construction techniques from species to species. Materials used for
building nests include fine leaf-fibers, grass and twigs. Many
Phylum: Chordata
species weave very fine nests using thin strands of leaf fiber, and
some like the buffalo-weavers, however, form massive untidy
stick nests in their colonies, which may have several spherical Class: Aves
woven nests within. The sparrow weavers of Africa build
apartment-house nests, in which 100 to 300 pairs have separate Order: Passeriformes
flask-shaped chambers entered by tubes at the bottom. Most
species weave nests that have narrow entrances, facing upside
down. Family: Ploceidae
Sundevall, 1836
The weavers are gregarious birds which often breed colonially. Genera
The birds build their nests together, often several to a branch. Many:see text
Usually the male birds weave the nests and use them as a form of
display to lure prospective females. The weaver bird colonies may be found close to water bodies. They
sometimes cause crop damage, notably the Red-billed Quelea, reputed to be the world's most numerous
bird.

● Genus: Anomalospiza
❍ Grosbeak Weaver, Amblyospiza albifrons
Parasitic Weaver, Anomalospiza imberbis
● Genus: Anaplectes
❍ Red-headed Weaver, Anaplectes rubriceps
● Genus: Bracycope
❍ Bob-tailed Weaver, Brachycope anomala
Weaver birds and nests in western
India.
● Genus: Bubalornis
❍ Red-billed Buffalo-weaver, Bubalornis niger
White-billed Buffalo-weaver, Bubalornis albirostris
● Genus: Dinemellia
❍ White-headed Buffalo-weaver, Dinemellia dinemelli
● Genus: Euplectes
❍ Black Bishop, Euplectes gierowii
Black-winged Red Bishop, Euplectes hordeaceus

Buff-shouldered Widowbird, Euplectes
psammocromius
Fan-tailed Widowbird, Euplectes axillaris
Fire-fronted Bishop, Euplectes diadematus
Golden-backed Bishop, Euplectes aureus
Jackson's Widowbird, Euplectes jacksoni
Long-tailed Widowbird, Euplectes progne
Marsh Widowbird, Euplectes hartlaubi Village Weaver colony in The
Northern Red Bishop, Euplectes orix Gambia. The nests are the
Orange Bishop, Euplectes franciscanus spherical suspended objects
Red-collared Widowbird, Euplectes ardens
White-winged Widowbird, Euplectes albonotatus
Yellow Bishop, Euplectes capensis
Yellow-crowned Bishop, Euplectes afer
Yellow-shouldered Widowbird, Euplectes
macrourus
Zanzibar Bishop, Euplectes nigroventris
● Genus: Foudia
❍ Forest Fody, Foudia omissa
Weaver bird nest at
Mauritius Fody, Foudia rubra Kotaballappalli, Karnataka, India.
Red Fody, Foudia madagascariensis
Red-headed Fody, Foudia eminentissima
Rodrigues Fody, Foudia flavicans
Seychelles Fody, Foudia sechellarum
● Genus: Histurgops
❍ Rufous-tailed Weaver, Histurgops ruficauda
● Genus: Malimbus
❍ Ballmann's Malimbe, Malimbus ballmanni
Black-throated Malimbe, Malimbus cassini

Weaver bird weaving a nest at
Crested Malimbe, Malimbus malimbicus
Kotaballappalli, Karnataka, India.
Gray's Malimbe, Malimbus nitens
Ibadan Malimbe, Malimbus ibadanensis
Rachel's Malimbe, Malimbus racheliae
Red-bellied Malimbe, Malimbus erythrogaster
Red-crowned Malimbe, Malimbus coronatus
Red-headed Malimbe, Malimbus rubricollis
Red-vented Malimbe, Malimbus scutatus
Yellow-legged Malimbe, Malimbus flavipes
● Genus: Pacyphantes
❍ Compact Weaver, Pachyphantes superciliosus
● Genus: Philetairus Weaver bird hanging down its nest

❍ Social Weaver, Philetairus socius at Kotaballappalli, Karnataka,
India.
● Genus: Plocepasser
❍ Chestnut-backed Sparrow-weaver, Plocepasser
rufoscapulatus
Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver, Plocepasser
superciliosus
Donaldson-Smith's Sparrow-weaver, Plocepasser
donaldsoni
White-browed Sparrow-weaver, Plocepasser mahali
● Genus: Ploceus
❍ African Golden-weaver, Ploceus subaureus
African Masked-weaver, Ploceus velatus

Asian Golden Weaver, Ploceus hypoxanthus
Baglafecht Weaver, Ploceus baglafecht
Bannerman's Weaver, Ploceus bannermani
Bar-winged Weaver, Ploceus angolensis
Bates' Weaver, Ploceus batesi
Baya Weaver, Ploceus philippinus
Bengal Weaver, Ploceus benghalensis
Bertrand's Weaver, Ploceus bertrandi
Black-billed Weaver, Ploceus melanogaster
Black-chinned Weaver, Ploceus nigrimentum
Black-headed Weaver, Ploceus melanocephalus
Black-necked Weaver, Ploceus nigricollis
Bocage's Weaver, Ploceus temporalis
Brown-capped Weaver, Ploceus insignis
Cape Weaver, Ploceus capensis
Chestnut Weaver, Ploceus rubiginosus
Cinnamon Weaver, Ploceus badius
Clarke's Weaver, Ploceus golandi
Forest Weaver, Ploceus bicolor
Fox's Weaver, Ploceus spekeoides
Giant Weaver, Ploceus grandis
Golden Palm Weaver, Ploceus bojeri
Golden-backed Weaver, Ploceus jacksoni
Golden-naped Weaver, Ploceus aureonucha Weaver birds and a bunch of nests
Heuglin's Masked-weaver, Ploceus heuglini at Kotaballappalli, Karnataka,
Holub's Golden-weaver, Ploceus xanthops India.
Kilombero Weaver, Ploceus burnieri
Lesser Masked-weaver, Ploceus intermedius
Little Weaver, Ploceus luteolus
Loango Weaver, Ploceus subpersonatus
Maxwell's Black Weaver, Ploceus albinucha
Nelicourvi Weaver, Ploceus nelicourvi
Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Ploceus castanops
Northern Masked-weaver, Ploceus taeniopterus
Olive-headed Weaver, Ploceus olivaceiceps
Orange Weaver, Ploceus aurantius
Preuss' Weaver, Ploceus preussi
Principe Golden-weaver, Ploceus princeps
Rueppell's Weaver, Ploceus galbula
Sakalava Weaver, Ploceus sakalava
Salvadori's Weaver, Ploceus dichrocephalus
Sao Tome Weaver, Ploceus sanctithomae
Slender-billed Weaver, Ploceus pelzelni
Southern Brown-throated Weaver, Ploceus xanthopterus
Spectacled Weaver, Ploceus ocularis
Speke's Weaver, Ploceus spekei
Strange Weaver, Ploceus alienus
Streaked Weaver, Ploceus manyar
Tanzania Masked-weaver, Ploceus reichardi
Taveta Golden-weaver, Ploceus castaneiceps
Usambara Weaver, Ploceus nicolli
Vieillot's Weaver, Ploceus nigerrimus
Village Weaver, Ploceus cucullatus
Weyns' Weaver, Ploceus weynsi
Yellow Weaver, Ploceus megarhynchus
Yellow-capped Weaver, Ploceus dorsomaculatus
Yellow-mantled Weaver, Ploceus tricolor
● Genus: Pseudonigrita
❍ Black-capped Social-weaver, Pseudonigrita cabanisi
Grey-headed Social-weaver, Pseudonigrita arnaudi
● Genus: Quelea
❍ Cardinal Quelea, Quelea cardinalis
Red-billed Quelea, Quelea quelea

Red-headed Quelea, Quelea erythrops
● Genus: Sporopipes
❍ Scaly Weaver, Sporopipes squamifrons
Speckle-fronted Weaver, Sporopipes frontalis

Polioptilidae
Gnatcatchers
The 15 species of small passerine birds in the gnatcatcher family
occur in North and South America. Most species of this mainly
tropical and sub-tropical group are resident, but the Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher of the USA and southern Canada migrates south in
winter.
These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their structure

and habits, moving restlessly through the foliage seeking insects.
The gnatcatchers and gnatwrens are mainly soft bluish grey in
colour, and have the typical insectivore's long sharp bill.
They are birds of fairly open woodland or scrub, and nest in

bushes or trees.
A species new to science, the Iquitos Gnatcatcher Polioptila

clementsi was first described in 2005. Blue-grey Gnatcatcher
● Family Polioptilidae Kingdom: Animalia
❍ Collared Gnatwren, Microbates collaris
Tawny-faced Gnatwren, Microbates cinereiventris

Long-billed Gnatwren, Ramphocaenus melanurus Phylum: Chordata
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea
Cuban Gnatcatcher, Polioptila lembeyei Class: Aves
California Gnatcatcher, Polioptila californica
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Polioptila melanura
Black-capped Gnatcatcher, Polioptila nigriceps
White-lored Gnatcatcher, Polioptila albiloris
Maranon Gnatcatcher, Polioptila maranonica Family: Polioptilidae
Guianan Gnatcatcher, Polioptila guianensis Baird, 1858
Iquitos Gnatcatcher, Polioptila clementsi Genera
Tropical Gnatcatcher, Polioptila plumbea
Microbates
Creamy-bellied Gnatcatcher, Polioptila lactea
Ramphocaenus
Slate-throated Gnatcatcher, Polioptila schistaceigula
Polioptila
Masked Gnatcatcher, Polioptila dumicola
External links
● Gnatcatcher videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Promeropidae
Sugarbirds
The sugarbirds are a small family of passerine birds which are
restricted to Africa.
The two species of sugarbird make up one of only two bird families Kingdom: Animalia
restricted entirely to southern Africa, the other being the
rockjumpers Chaetopidae. They are specialist nectar feeders, but Phylum: Chordata
will also take insects.
Class: Aves
In general appearance as well as habits they resemble large sunbirds,
but are possibly more closely related to the Australian honeyeaters.
They have brownish plumage, the long downcurved bill typical of Order: Passeriformes
passerine nectar feeders, and long tail feathers.
Family: Promeropidae
They can often be seen on the flowers of the Protea bushes which
are characteristic of South African highland landscapes. They lay Genus: Promerops
two eggs in a nest in a fork of a tree. Brisson, 1760
Species
Gurney's Sugarbird is found from Zambia southwards, except the
extreme south of South Africa. See text.
Cape Sugarbird is the species of the Cape provinces of South Africa. It has at times been considered
conspecific with Gurney's.
● Family: Promeropidae
❍ Gurney's Sugarbird, Promerops gurneyi
❍ Cape Sugarbird, Promerops cafer
External links
● Sugarbird videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Prunellidae
Accentor
The accentors are in the only bird family, Prunellidae,
which is completely endemic to the Palearctic. This small
group of closely related passerines are all in a single genus
Prunella. All but the Dunnock and the Japanese Accentor
are inhabitants of the mountainous regions of Europe and
Asia; these two also occur in lowland areas, as does the
Siberian Accentor in the far north of Siberia. This genus is
not strongly migratory, but they will leave the coldest parts
of their range in winter, and make altitudinal movements.
These are small, fairly drab species superficially similar,

but unrelated to, sparrows. However, accentors have thin
sharp bills, reflecting their diet of insects in summer,
augmented with seeds and berries in winter.
They build neat cup nests and lay about 4 unspotted green
or blue eggs. Both sexes incubate.
Species list:

Altai Accentor, Prunella himalayana P. montanella (top) and P. modularis (bottom)
Robin Accentor, Prunella rubeculoides Scientific classification
Rufous-breasted Accentor, Prunella strophiata
Siberian Accentor, Prunella montanella Kingdom: Animalia
Brown Accentor, Prunella fulvescens Phylum: Chordata
Radde's Accentor, Prunella ocularis
Black-throated Accentor, Prunella atrogularis Class: Aves
Koslow's Accentor, Prunella koslowi Order: Passeriformes
Dunnock or Hedge Accentor or Hedge Sparrow,
Family: Prunellidae
Prunella modularis
Richmond, 1908
Japanese Accentor, Prunella rubida
Maroon-backed Accentor, Prunella immaculata Genus: Prunella
Vieillot, 1816
Harrison (An Atlas of the Birds of the Western Palaearctic, Species

1982) used the group name Dunnock for all of the species, See text.
not just Prunella modularis (thus e.g. Japanese Dunnock
for P. rubida); this usage has much to be said for it, based as it is on the oldest known name for any of
the species (old English dun-, brown, + -ock, small bird: "little brown bird"), and a much more
euphonious name than the contrived "Accentor". Accentor was the scientific name for the Alpine
Accentor (Accentor collaris). It comes from Late Latin, meaning "sing with another" (ad + cantor).
External links
● Accentor videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Ptilogonatidae
Silky-flycatchers
The silky-flycatchers are a small family of passerine birds which
occur mainly in Central America, although the range of one
species, the Phainopepla, extends into the southwestern USA.
They are related to waxwings, and like that group have a soft silky
plumage, usually grey or pale yellow in colour. They have small
crests.
These birds eat fruit or insects, and the Phainopepla is particularly

dependent on Desert Mistletoe, Phoradendron californicum.
They are birds of various types of woodland (semi-desert with

trees for the Phainopepla), and they nest in trees. Phainopepla nitens
This family was formerly lumped with waxwings and Hypocolius
in the family Bombycillidae, and they are listed in that family by Kingdom: Animalia
the Sibley-Monroe checklist.
Phylum: Chordata
Species of Ptilogonatidae
Class: Aves
● Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher, Phainoptila
melanoxantha
Gray Silky-flycatcher, Ptilogonys cinereus
Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, Ptilogonys caudatus
Phainopepla Phainopepla nitens Family: Ptilogonatidae
Genera
● Phainoptila
● Ptilogonys
| Cardinalidae | Certhiidae | Chaetopidae | Cinclidae | Cisticolidae ● Phainopepla
| Coerebidae | Dicaeidae | Drepanididae | Emberizidae | Estrildidae
| Fringillidae | Hirundinidae | Hypocoliidae | Leafbirds
| Melanocharitidae | Mimidae | Motacillidae | Muscicapidae | Nectariniidae | Nuthatches
| Old World babblers | Paradoxornithidae | Paramythiidae | Paridae | Parulidae | Passeridae
| Peucedramidae | Picathartidae | Platysteiridae | Ploceidae | Polioptilidae | Promeropidae | Prunellidae
| Ptilogonatidae | Pycnonotidae | Regulidae | Remizidae | Rhabdornithidae | Sturnidae | Sylviidae
| Thraupidae | Timaliidae | Troglodytidae | Turdidae | Viduidae | Waxwings | Zosteropidae
Pycnonotidae
Bulbuls
Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae) are a family of medium-sized passerine
songbirds resident in Africa and tropical Asia. There are about 130
species.
These are mostly frugivorous birds. Some are colorful with

yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throat or supercilia, but most
are drab, with uniform olive brown to black plumage. Some have
very distinct crests.
These are noisy and gregarious birds with often beautiful striking
songs. Light-vented Bulbul, Pycnonotus sinensis
Many of these species inhabit tree tops, while some are restricted
to the undergrowth. Up to five purple-pink eggs are laid in an open Kingdom: Animalia
tree nests and incubated by the female.
Phylum: Chordata
The Red-whiskered Bulbul, Pycnonotus jocosus, has been widely
introduced to tropical and subtropical areas, for example southern
Class: Aves
Florida, USA.
Systematics
The traditional layout was to divide the bulbuls into 4 groups, Family: Pycnonotidae
named Pycnonotus, Phyllastrephus, Criniger, and Chlorocichla
groups after characteristic genera (Delacour, 1943). However, Genera
more recent analyses demonstrated that this arrangement was
See text.
probably based on erroneous interpretation of characters:
Studies of the mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence found that five species of Phyllastrephus did not
belong to the bulbuls, but to an enigmatic group of songbirds from Madagascar instead (Cibois et al.,
2001; see below for the species in question). Similarly, analysis of DNA sequences of the RAG1 and
RAG2 genes suggests that the genus Nicator was not a bulbul either (Beresford et al., 2005). That the
previous arrangement had failed to take into account biogeography was indicated by the study of
Pasquet et al. (2001) who demonstrated the genus Criniger must be divided into an African and an Asian
(Alophoixus) lineage. Using analysis of 2 mitochondrial and one nuclear DNA sequences, Moyle &
Marks (2006) found one largely Asian lineage and one African group of genera; the Golden Greenbul
seemed to be very distinct and form a group of its own. Some taxa are not monophyletic, and more
research is necessary to determine relationships within the larger genera.
Family Pycnonotidae
● Genus Pycnonotus (paraphyletic)

❍ "Ancient" Asian bulbuls
Black-headed Bulbul, Pycnonotus atriceps

Puff-backed Bulbul, Pycnonotus eutilotus
Black-and-white Bulbul, Pycnonotus melanoleucus
Pycnonotus proper
Black-crested Bulbul, Pycnonotus melanicterus
Grey-bellied Bulbul, Pycnonotus cyaniventris
Spectacled Bulbul, Pycnonotus erythropthalmos
Straw-headed Bulbul, Pycnonotus zeylanicus
Red-eyed Bulbul, Pycnonotus brunneus
Olive-winged Bulbul, Pycnonotus plumosus
Yellow-vented Bulbul, Pycnonotus goiavier
Common Bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus
Black-fronted Bulbul, Pycnonotus nigricans
White-cheeked Bulbul, Pycnonotus leucogenys
Unassigned
Striated Bulbul, Pycnonotus striatus
Cream-striped Bulbul, Pycnonotus leucogrammicus
Spot-necked Bulbul, Pycnonotus tympanistrigus
Grey-headed Bulbul, Pycnonotus priocephalus
Styan's Bulbul, Pycnonotus taivanus
Scaly-breasted Bulbul, Pycnonotus squamatus
Red-whiskered Bulbul, Pycnonotus jocosus
Brown-breasted Bulbul, Pycnonotus xanthorrhous
Light-vented Bulbul, Pycnonotus sinensis
Cape Bulbul, Pycnonotus capensis
White-eared Bulbul, Pycnonotus leucotis
Red-vented Bulbul, Pycnonotus cafer
Sooty-headed Bulbul, Pycnonotus aurigaster
Blue-wattled Bulbul, Pycnonotus nieuwenhuisii (disputed)
Yellow-wattled Bulbul, Pycnonotus urostictus
Orange-spotted Bulbul, Pycnonotus bimaculatus
Stripe-throated Bulbul, Pycnonotus finlaysoni
Yellow-throated Bulbul, Pycnonotus xantholaemus
Yellow-eared Bulbul, Pycnonotus penicillatus
Flavescent Bulbul, Pycnonotus flavescens
White-browed Bulbul, Pycnonotus luteolus
Streak-eared Bulbul, Pycnonotus blanfordi
Cream-vented Bulbul, Pycnonotus simplex
● Genus Spizixos
❍ Crested Finchbill, Spizixos canifrons
Collared Finchbill, Spizixos semitorques
● Genus Tricholestes
❍ Hairy-backed Bulbul, Tricholestes criniger
● Genus Setornis
❍ Hook-billed Bulbul, Setornis criniger
● Genus Alophoixus (possibly polyphyletic)

❍ Finsch's Bulbul, Alophoixus finschii
White-throated Bulbul, Alophoixus flaveolus

Puff-throated Bulbul, Alophoixus pallidus
Ochraceous Bulbul, Alophoixus ochraceus
Gray-cheeked Bulbul, Alophoixus bres
Yellow-bellied Bulbul, Alophoixus phaeocephalus
Golden Bulbul, Alophoixus affinis
● Genus Iole
❍ Olive Bulbul, Iole virescens
Grey-eyed Bulbul, Iole propinqua

Buff-vented Bulbul, Iole olivacea
Yellow-browed Bulbul, Iole indica
● Genus Hemixos
❍ Ashy Bulbul, Hemixos flavala
Chestnut Bulbul, Hemixos castanonotus
● Genus Ixos (paraphyletic)

❍ Close to Hemixos
Streaked Bulbul, Ixos malaccensis

Close to Hypsipetes
Philippine Bulbul, Ixos philippinus
Unassigned
Sulphur-bellied Bulbul, Ixos palawanensis
Streak-breasted Bulbul, Ixos siquijorensis
Yellowish Bulbul, Ixos everetti
Zamboanga Bulbul, Ixos rufigularis
Mountain Bulbul, Ixos mcclellandii
Sunda Bulbul, Ixos virescens
● Genus Microscelis
❍ Brown-eared Bulbul, Microscelis amaurotis (sometimes included in Ixos)
● Genus Hypsipetes
❍ Madagascar Bulbul, Hypsipetes madagascariensis
Black Bulbul, Hypsipetes leucocephalus

Seychelles Bulbul, Hypsipetes crassirostris
Comoro Bulbul, Hypsipetes parvirostris
Reunion Bulbul, Hypsipetes borbonicus
Mauritius Bulbul, Hypsipetes olivaceus
Nicobar Bulbul, Hypsipetes virescens
White-headed Bulbul, Hypsipetes thompsoni
● Genus Calyptocichla
❍ Golden Greenbul, Calyptocichla serina
● Genus Phyllastrephus
❍ Leaf-love Greenbul, Phyllastrephus scandens
Cabanis' Greenbul, Phyllastrephus cabanisi

Fischer's Greenbul, Phyllastrephus fischeri
Placid Greenbul, Phyllastrephus placidus
Terrestrial Brownbul, Phyllastrephus terrestris
Northern Brownbul, Phyllastrephus strepitans
Pale-olive Greenbul, Phyllastrephus fulviventris
Gray-olive Greenbul, Phyllastrephus cerviniventris
Baumann's Greenbul, Phyllastrephus baumanni
Toro Olive Greenbul, Phyllastrephus hypochloris
Cameroon Olive Greenbul, Phyllastrephus poensis
Sassi's Greenbul, Phyllastrephus lorenzi
Yellow-streaked Bulbul, Phyllastrephus flavostriatus
Grey-headed Greenbul, Phyllastrephus poliocephalus
Tiny Greenbul, Phyllastrephus debilis
White-throated Greenbul, Phyllastrephus albigularis
Icterine Greenbul, Phyllastrephus icterinus
Liberian Greenbul, Phyllastrephus leucolepis
Xavier's Greenbul, Phyllastrephus xavieri
● Genus Andropadus (possibly polyphyletic)
❍ Cameroon Mountain Greenbul, Andropadus montanus
Shelley's Greenbul, Andropadus masukuensis

Little Greenbul, Andropadus virens
Grey Greenbul, Andropadus gracilis
Ansorge's Greenbul, Andropadus ansorgei
Plain Greenbul, Andropadus curvirostris
Slender-billed Greenbul, Andropadus gracilirostris
Sombre Greenbul, Andropadus importunus
Yellow-whiskered Bulbul, Andropadus latirostris
Western Mountain Greenbul, Andropadus tephrolaemus
Eastern Mountain Greenbul, Andropadus nigriceps
Stripe-cheeked Bulbul, Andropadus milanjensis
● Genus Criniger
❍ Red-tailed Greenbul, Criniger calurus
Western Bearded Greenbul, Criniger barbatus

Eastern Bearded Greenbul, Criniger chloronotus
Yellow-bearded Greenbul, Criniger olivaceus
White-bearded Greenbul, Criniger ndussumensis
● Genus Bleda
❍ Common Bristlebill, Bleda syndactyla
Green-tailed Bristlebill, Bleda eximia

Grey-headed Bristlebill, Bleda canicapilla
● Genus Thescelocichla
❍ Swamp Greenbul, Thescelocichla leucopleura
● Genus Chlorocichla
❍ Simple Greenbul, Chlorocichla simplex
Yellow-throated Greenbul, Chlorocichla flavicollis

Yellow-necked Greenbul, Chlorocichla falkensteini
Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Chlorocichla flaviventris
Joyful Greenbul, Chlorocichla laetissima
Prigogine's Greenbul, Chlorocichla prigoginei
● Genus Ixonotus (pending confirmation of placement)

❍ Spotted Greenbul, Ixonotus guttatus
● Genus Baeopogon
❍ Honeyguide Greenbul, Baeopogon indicator
Sjostedt's Greenbul, Baeopogon clamans
● Genus Neolestes
❍ Black-collared Bulbul, Neolestes torquatus
The last genus might be allied to Calyptocichla or not be a bulbul at all.
Taxa until recently included in the Pycnonotidae are:
● Genus Bernieria
❍ Long-billed Greenbul, Bernieria madagascariensis
● Genus Xanthomixis (possibly polyphyletic)

❍ Spectacled Greenbul, Xanthomixis zosterops
Appert's Greenbul, Xanthomixis apperti

Dusky Greenbul, Xanthomixis tenebrosus
Gray-crowned Greenbul, Xanthomixis cinereiceps
● Genus Nicator
❍ Yellow-spotted Nicator, Nicator chloris
Eastern Nicator, Nicator gularis

Yellow-throated Nicator, Nicator vireo
The first two belong to the "Malagasy warblers"; the affiliations of Nicator are unknown at present.
References
● Beresford, P.; Barker, F.K.; Ryan, P.G. & Crowe, T.M. (2005): African endemics span the tree
of songbirds (Passeri): molecular systematics of several evolutionary 'enigmas'. Proc. Roy. Soc.
Lond. B 272(1565): 849–858. DOI:10.1098/rspb.2004.2997 PDF fulltext Electronic appendix
● Cibois, Alice; Slikas, Beth; Shulenberg, Thomas S. & Pasquet, Eric (2001): An endemic
radiation of Malagasy songbirds is revealed by mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Evolution 55
(6): 1198-1206. DOI:10.1554/0014-3820(2001)055[1198:AEROMS]2.0.CO;2 PDF fulltext
● Delacour, J. (1943): A revision of the genera and species of the family Pycnonotidae (bulbuls).
Zoologica 28(1): 17-28.
● Moyle, Robert G. & Marks, Ben D. (2006): Phylogenetic relationships of the bulbuls (Aves:
Pycnonotidae) based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data. Molecular Phylogenetics
and Evolution 40(3): Pages 687-695. DOI:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.04.015 (HTML abstract)
External links
● Bulbul videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● BulBul Forum

Regulidae
Kinglets
The kinglets or crests are a small group of birds often
included in the Old World warblers, but frequently given
family status because they also resemble the titmice.
They have representatives in North America and Eurasia.
There are now seven species in this family. Madeira
Firecrest, R. madeirensis recently split from Firecrest as a
separate species. The scientific and English names come
from the fact that the adults have coloured crowns.
Recent molecular techniques have added some confusion

the true phylogeny of the Regulidae Family. They are
placed in the Superfamily Sylvioidea (e.g., nuthatches,
treecreepers, tits, wrens, crests/kinglets, swallows, Goldcrest Regulus regulus
bulbuls, babblers, and warblers). This is likely correct Scientific classification
however the relationships of Regulidae are unresolved.A
Myoglobin tree was used in the research in order to Kingdom: Animalia
differentiate linneages.(Alström)
Phylum: Chordata
● Goldcrest, Regulus regulus
Tenerife Goldcrest or Orangecrest, R. teneriffae, Class: Aves
split from Goldcrest as separate species
Firecrest, R. ignicapillus
Madeira Firecrest, R. madeirensis Order: Passeriformes
Taiwan Firecrest or Flamecrest, R. goodfellowi
Golden-crowned Kinglet, R. satrapa Family: Regulidae
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, R. calendula
Genus: Regulus
All members of the family are 9-15.5 cm. These birds Cuvier, 1800
have an eye-ring or a stripe at the supercilium. The males
possess a colorful crown patch. They have one specific Species
feather which projects forward over the nares. See text.
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Regulus satrapaFirecrest
References
● Podlesak, D. W. (2005). Stable isotopes in breath, blood, feces and feathers can indicate intra-
individual changes in the diet of migratory songbirds. Oecologia, 142: 4: 501-510.
● Cumming, E.E. (2004) Habitat segregation among songbirds in old-growth boreal, mixed wood
forest. Canadian Field-Naturalist. 118: 1: 45-55
● Hayes, J.P. (2003) Response of birds to thinning young Douglas-fir forests. Ecological
Applications. 13:5: 1222-1232
● Heinrich, Bernd. (2003) Overnighting of Golden-crowned Kinglets during winter. Wilson
Bulletin. 115:2: 113-114
● Humple, D.L.,et al. (2001) Female-biased sex ratio in a wintering population of Ruby-crowned
Kinglets. Wilson Bulletin. 113:4: 419-424
● Gill, F. (1995). Ornithology. USA: W.H. Freeman.
● Bent, A.C. (1964). Life histories of North American thrushes, kinglets, and their allies. New
York: Dover Publications
● Alström, P.(2006, February). Phylogeny and classification of the avian superfamily Sylvioidea.
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 38 (2).Retrieved March 2006, from http://portal.
isiknowledge.com/portal.cgi
External links
● http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/site/backyard_birds/bird_id/ruby_crowned_kinglet.aspx
● http://www.shawcreekbirdsupply.com/rubycrowned_kinglet_map.htm
● http://www.wbu.com/chipperwoods/photos/rckinglet.htm
● http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet.html#map
● http://www.birds.cornell.edu/BOW/RUCKIN/
● Kinglet videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Remizidae
Penduline tits
The penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds, related to
the true tits. All but the Verdin and Fire-capped Tit make elaborate
bag nests hanging from trees, usually over water; inclusion of the
Fire-capped Tit in this family is disputed by some authorities. They Kingdom: Animalia
are insectivores.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Family: Remizidae
Olphe-Galliard, 1891
Genera
Remiz
Anthoscopus
Cephalopyrus
Auriparus
Pholidornis
Nest of Remiz pendulinus
There are 13 species in 5 genera, following Harrap & Quinn, Tits, Nuthatches & Treecreepers.
Genus Remiz
● European Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus

Black-headed Penduline Tit Remiz macronyx
White-crowned Penduline Tit Remiz coronatus
Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus
Genus Anthoscopus
● Sudan Penduline Tit Anthoscopus punctifrons

Yellow Penduline Tit Anthoscopus parvulus
Mouse-coloured Penduline Tit Anthoscopus musculus
Forest Penduline Tit Anthoscopus flavifrons
African Penduline Tit Anthoscopus caroli
Cape Penduline Tit Anthoscopus minutus
Genus Cephalopyrus
● Fire-capped Tit Cephalopyrus flammiceps
Genus Auriparus
● Verdin Auriparus flaviceps
Genus Pholidornis
● Tit-hylia Pholidornis rushiae
Remiz pendulinus
External links
● Penduline tit videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Rhabdornithidae
Philippine creepers
The Philippine creepers (Rhabdornithidae) are a family of small
passerine birds. The family is endemic to the Philippines. The
family contains a single genus Rhabdornis with three species. They
do not migrate other than local movements. Kingdom: Animalia
The placement of genus Rhabdornis in a family of its own is not Phylum: Chordata
accepted by all authorities, and is sometimes placed in Certhiidae or
Timaliidae. Class: Aves
The Philippine creepers are similar in appearance to treecreepers.

They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they can use to Order: Passeriformes
extricate insects from bark, but they have brush-like tongues, which
enable them to also feed on nectar. Suborder: Passeri
Their behaviour is said to resemble that of tits more than the

Parvorder: Passerida
treecreepers, to which they are not related.
Nests are tree crevices. Family: Rhabdornithidae

Greenway, 1967
The list of species follows below. Genus: Rhabdornis
● Stripe-headed Creeper Rhabdornis mysticalis Species

Long-billed Creeper Rhabdornis grandis
R. mysticalis
Plain-headed Creeper Rhabdornis inornatus
R. grandis
R. inornatus
There are two other small bird families with 'treecreeper' or 'creeper'
in their name. See also Australian treecreepers, and treecreepers.

Sturnidae
Acridotheres | Aplonis | Buphaginae | Gracula | Sturnus
Starlings
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family
Sturnidae. Starlings occur naturally only in the Old World
(Europe, Asia and Africa), some forms as far east as Australia, but
several European and Asian species have been introduced to North
America, Australia, and New Zealand.
They are medium-sized passerines with strong feet. Their flight is

strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred
habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit.
Several species live around habitation, and are effectively
omnivores. Many species search for food by opening the bill after
probing it into dense vegetation; this behavior is called "open-bill
probing" or is referred to by the German word "zirkeln."
Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. Most species nest

in holes, laying blue or white eggs. European Starling
Many Asian species, particularly the larger ones, are called mynas,
and the members of the African genus Lamprotornis are known as Kingdom: Animalia
glossy starlings because of their iridescent plumage. The two
species of Buphagus are called oxpeckers. Phylum: Chordata
European Starlings introduced to North America have been a Class: Aves

factor in reducing native cavity nesting bird populations (such as
Bluebirds and Red-headed Woodpeckers) by competing
aggressively for nesting cavities.
Starlings were first brought to North America in the 1890s. Family: Sturnidae
Eugene Schieffelin decided that North America should contain all Rafinesque, 1815
the birds mentioned in William Shakespeare's plays. As starlings Genera
receive a brief mention in Henry IV, Part 1, Schieffelin introduced
60 of the birds in Central Park, New York.
Starlings have diverse and complex vocalizations, and have been Aplonis
known to imbed sounds from their surroundings into their own Mino
calls, including car alarms, and human speech patterns. The birds Basilornis
can recognize particular individuals by their calls, and are Sarcops
currently the subject of research into the evolution of human Streptocitta
language[1]. Enodes
Scissirostrum
Species list Sarroglossa
Ampeliceps
Gracula
● Genus Aplonis Acridotheres
❍ Metallic Starling, Aplonis metallica
Leucopsar
Yellow-eyed Starling, Aplonis mystacea Sturnia
Singing Starling, Aplonis cantoroides Sturnus
Tanimbar Starling, Aplonis crassa Creatophora
Atoll Starling, Aplonis feadensis Fregilupus (extinct)
Rennell Starling, Aplonis insularis Necropsar (extinct)
Long-tailed Starling, Aplonis magna Coccycolius
White-eyed Starling, Aplonis brunneicapillus Lamprotornis
Brown-winged Starling, Aplonis grandis Cinnyricinclus
San Cristobal Starling, Aplonis dichroa Spreo
Rusty-winged Starling, Aplonis zelandica Cosmoparus
Striated Starling, Aplonis striata Onychognathus
Norfolk Starling, Aplonis fusca (extinct, c.1923) Poeoptera
Mountain Starling, Aplonis santovestris Grafisia
Asian Glossy Starling, Aplonis panayensis Speculipastor
Moluccan Starling, Aplonis mysolensis Neochicla
Short-tailed Starling, Aplonis minor Buphagus
Micronesian Starling, Aplonis opaca See also: Oxpecker
Pohnpei Starling, Aplonis pelzelni (possibly extinct,
c.2000)
Polynesian Starling, Aplonis tabuensis
Samoan Starling, Aplonis atrifusca
Kosrae Island Starling, Aplonis corvina (extinct, mid-19th century)
Mysterious Starling, Aplonis mavornata (extinct, mid-19th century)
Rarotonga Starling, Aplonis cinerascens
Huahine Starling, Aplonis diluvialis (prehistoric)
Bay Starling, Aplonis ulietensis (extinct, 1774 to 1850; formerly considered a thrush)
● Genus Mino
❍ Yellow-faced Myna, Mino dumontii
Golden Myna, Mino anais

Long-tailed Myna, Mino kreffti
● Genus Basilornis
❍ Sulawesi Myna, Basilornis celebensis
Helmeted Myna, Basilornis galeatus

Long-crested Myna, Basilornis corythaix
Apo Myna, Basilornis mirandus
● Genus Sarcops
❍ Coleto, Sarcops calvus
● Genus Streptocitta
❍ White-necked Myna, Streptocitta albicollis
Bare-eyed Myna, Streptocitta albertinae
● Genus Enodes
❍ Fiery-browed Myna, Enodes erythrophris
● Genus Scissirostrum
❍ Finch-billed Myna, Scissirostrum dubium
● Genus Saroglossa
❍ Spot-winged Starling, Saroglossa spiloptera
Madagascar Starling, Saroglossa aurata
● Genus Ampeliceps
❍ Golden-crested Myna, Ampeliceps coronatus
Hill Mynah
● Genus Gracula
❍ Common Hill Myna, Gracula religiosa

Enggano Myna, Gracula enganensis
Nias Myna, Gracula robusta
Sri Lanka Myna, Gracula ptilogenys
● Genus Acridotheres
❍ White-vented Myna, Acridotheres grandis

Jungle Myna, Acridotheres fuscus
● Genus Leucopsar
❍ Bali Myna, Leucopsar rothschildi
● Genus Sturnia (often included in Sturnus)

❍ Daurian Starling, Sturnia sturnina
Chestnut-cheeked Starling, Sturnia philippensis

White-shouldered Starling, Sturnia sinensis
Chestnut-tailed Starling, Sturnia malabarica
White-headed Starling, Sturnia erythropygia
● Genus Sturnus
❍ White-faced Starling, Sturnus albofrontatus (sometimes named S. senex)
Brahminy Starling, Sturnus pagodarum

Vinous-breasted Starling, Sturnus burmannicus (sometimes separated in Gracupica)
Black-collared Starling, Sturnus nigricollis (sometimes separated in Gracupica)
Asian Pied Starling, Sturnus contra (sometimes placed in Acridotheres)
Black-winged Starling, Sturnus melanopterus (sometimes placed in Acridotheres)
Rosy Starling, Sturnus roseus
● Genus Creatophora
❍ Wattled Starling, Creatophora cinerea
● Genus Fregilupus
❍ Réunion Starling, Fregilupus varius (extinct, 1850s)
● Genus Necropsar
❍ Rodrigues Starling, Necropsar rodericanus (extinct, late 18th century?)
The supposed N. leguati was determined to be in reality a mislabelled albino specimen of the
Martinique Trembler (Cinclocerthia gutturalis).
● Genus Coccycolius
❍ Emerald Starling, Coccycolius iris (sometimes placed in Lamprotornis)
Cape Glossy Starling (Lamprotornis nitens)
● Genus Lamprotornis
❍ Cape Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis nitens
Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis chalybaeus

Lesser Blue-eared Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis chloropterus
Southern Blue-eared Glossy-starling, Lamprotornis elisabeth
Bronze-tailed Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis chalcurus
Splendid Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis splendidus
Principe Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis ornatus
Purple Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis purpureus
Rueppell's Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis purpuroptera
Long-tailed Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis caudatus
Meves' Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis mevesii
Burchell's Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis australis
Sharp-tailed Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis acuticaudus
Black-bellied Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis corruscus
Superb Starling, Lamprotornis superbus
Hildebrandt's Starling, Lamprotornis hildebrandti
Shelley's Starling, Lamprotornis shelleyi
Chestnut-bellied Starling, Lamprotornis pulcher
Purple-headed Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis purpureiceps
Copper-tailed Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis cupreocauda
● Genus Cinnyricinclus
❍ Violet-backed Starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Sharpe's Starling, Cinnyricinclus sharpii (sometimes separated in Pholia)

Abbott's Starling, Cinnyricinclus femoralis (sometimes separated in Pholia)
● Genus Spreo
❍ African Pied Starling, Spreo bicolor
Fischer's Starling, Spreo fischeri

White-crowned Starling, Spreo albicapillus
● Genus Compsarus
❍ Golden-breasted Starling, Compsarus regius (sometimes placed in Lamprotornis)
Ashy Starling, Compsarus unicolor (sometimes placed in Spreo)
● Genus Onychognathus
❍ Red-winged Starling, Onychognathus morio
Slender-billed Starling, Onychognathus tenuirostris

Chestnut-winged Starling, Onychognathus fulgidus
Waller's Starling, Onychognathus walleri
Somali Starling, Onychognathus blythii
Socotra Starling, Onychognathus frater
Pale-winged Starling, Onychognathus nabouroup
Bristle-crowned Starling, Onychognathus salvadorii
White-billed Starling, Onychognathus albirostris
Neumann's Starling, Onychognathus neumanni
● Genus Poeoptera
❍ Narrow-tailed Starling, Poeoptera lugubris
Stuhlmann's Starling, Poeoptera stuhlmanni

Kenrick's Starling, Poeoptera kenricki
● Genus Grafisia
❍ White-collared Starling, Grafisia torquata
● Genus Speculipastor
❍ Magpie Starling, Speculipastor bicolor
● Genus Neocichla
❍ Babbling Starling, Neocichla gutturalis
● Genus Buphagus
❍ Red-billed Oxpecker, Buphagus erythrorhynchus
Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Buphagus africanus
External links
● Starling videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● [2] a huge flock of starlings enjoys playing with two resilient trees.

Acridotheres
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Acridotheres
Acridotheres is a genus of mynas, tropical members of
the starling family of birds. This genus has
representatives in tropical southern Asia from Iran east to
southern China and Indonesia.
The following is the list of Acridotheres species in

taxonomic order.:
● White-vented Myna, Acridotheres grandis

Jungle Myna, Acridotheres fuscus Common Myna
Common Myna, Acridotheres tristis Kingdom: Animalia
The taxonomy of this group is complex, and other Phylum: Chordata

authorities differ considerably in which species they place
in this genus, and the species boundaries within
Acridotheres. Class: Aves
Two species have been introduced widely elsewhere. The Order: Passeriformes
Common Myna ihas been introduced to South Africa,
Israel, Hawaii, North America, Australia and New
Family: Sturnidae
Zealand, and the Crested Myna to the Vancouver region
of British Columbia.
Genus: Acridotheres
The Acridotheres mynas resemble Gracula species in Vieillot, 1816
their dark plumage, large white or buff wing patches Species

(which are obvious in flight), and fluted calls, but differ
in that only the head pluamge is glossy, and the
underparts tend to be paler. The sexes are similar.
Acridotheres mynas are much more terrestrial. They walk

rather than hop, and have modifications to the skull and A. grandis
its muscles for open bill probing. A. cristatellus
A. javanicus
They have bowing courtship displays, whereas Gracula A. cinereus
has no visual display, and they lay unmarked pale blue A. fuscus
eggs. A. albocinctus
A. ginginianus
Several species have frontal crests which become covered A. tristis
with pollen when the birds take nectar from flowers, and
may play a role in pollination.
Like most starlings, the Acridotheres mynas are fairly omnivorous, eating fruit, nectar and insects.
References
● Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6
● Starlings and Mynas by Freare and Craig, ISBN 0-7136-3961-X
Home | Up | Acridotheres | Aplonis | Buphaginae | Gracula | Sturnus
Aplonis
Aplonis
Aplonis is a genus of starlings. These are essentially
island species of Indonesia, Oceania and Australasia,
although some species’ ranges extend to the Malay
Peninsula, southern Vietnam and northeastern
Queensland. Several species have restricted ranges, and,
like other island endemics, have become endangered or
extinct as a result of habitat loss or introduced mammals
such as rats.
The following is the list of Aplonis species in taxonomic

order.:
● Metallic Starling, Aplonis metallica

Yellow-eyed Starling, Aplonis mystacea Scientific classification
Singing Starling, Aplonis cantoroides
Tanimbar Starling, Aplonis crassa Kingdom: Animalia
Atoll Starling, Aplonis feadensis
Rennell Starling, Aplonis insularis Phylum: Chordata
Long-tailed Starling, Aplonis magna
White-eyed Starling, Aplonis brunneicapillus
Class: Aves
Brown-winged Starling, Aplonis grandis
San Cristobal Starling, Aplonis dichroa
Rusty-winged Starling, Aplonis zelandica Order: Passeriformes
Striated Starling, Aplonis striata
Norfolk Starling, Aplonis fusca (extinct, c.1923) Family: Sturnidae
Mountain Starling, Aplonis santovestris
Asian Glossy Starling, Aplonis panayensis
Moluccan Starling, Aplonis mysolensis Genus: Aplonis
Short-tailed Starling, Aplonis minor Gould, 1836
Micronesian Starling, Aplonis opaca Species
Pohnpei Starling, Aplonis pelzelni (possibly
see text
extinct, c.2000)
Polynesian Starling, Aplonis tabuensis
Samoan Starling, Aplonis atrifusca
Kosrae Island Starling, Aplonis corvina (extinct, mid-19th century)
Mysterious Starling, Aplonis mavornata (extinct, mid-19th century)
Rarotonga Starling, Aplonis cinerascens
Huahine Starling, Aplonis diluvialis (prehistoric)
Bay Starling, Aplonis ulietensis (extinct, 1774 to 1850; formerly considered a thrush)
The typical adult Aplonis starling is fairly uniformly plumaged in black, brown or dark green, sometimes
with a metallic gloss. The eye ring is often distinctively coloured. Immatures of several species have
dark streaked pale underparts.
References
● Freare and Craig, Starlings and Mynas ISBN 0-7136-3961-X.
Gracula
Gracula
Gracula is a genus of mynas, tropical members of the
starling family of birds.
This genus has representatives in tropical southern Asia

from India and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia, and the Hill
Myna, a popular cage bird, has been introduced to the
USA.
Until recently only two species were recognised, the Sri

Lanka Myna and the Hill Myna, but three former
subspecies of the latter have now been elevated to species
status.
The Gracula mynas are resident breeders typically found

in forest and cultivation. The nest is built in a hole and
the usual clutch is two or three eggs.
These 25-30 cm long birds have glossy black plumage Southern Hill Myna
and large white wing patches which are obvious in flight. Scientific classification
The bill and strong legs are bright yellow or orange, and
there are yellow wattles on the head, the shape and Kingdom: Animalia
position of which vary with species. The sexes are
similar, but juveniles have a duller bill. Phylum: Chordata
Like most starlings, the Gracula mynas are fairly Class: Aves
omnivorous, eating fruit, nectar and insects.
Species
● Hill Myna, Gracula religiosa Family: Sturnidae
Enggano Myna, Gracula enganensis Genus: Gracula
Nias Myna, Gracula robusta Linnaeus, 1758
Sri Lanka Myna, Gracula ptilogenys Species
References G. religiosa
G. indica
● Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, G. enganensis
ISBN 0-691-04910-6 G. robusta
● Starlings and Mynas by Freare and Craig, ISBN 0- G. ptilogenys
7136-3961-X
Sturnus
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Sturnus
Sturnus is a genus of starlingss. As indicated below, the
taxonomy of this group is complex, and other authorities
differ considerably in which species they place in this
genus, and the species boundaries within Sturnus.
The following is the list of Sturnus species in taxonomic

order.:
● Genus Sturnus
● White-faced Starling, Sturnus albofrontatus
(sometimes named S. senex)
Brahminy Starling, Sturnus pagodarum
Vinous-breasted Starling, Sturnus burmannicus
(sometimes separated in Gracupica)
Black-collared Starling, Sturnus nigricollis
(sometimes separated in Gracupica)
Asian Pied Starling, Sturnus contra (sometimes
placed in Acridotheres)
Black-winged Starling, Sturnus melanopterus
(sometimes placed in Acridotheres)
Rosy Starling, Sturnus roseus
European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris Common Starling
This genus has representatives across most of Eurasia and
one species, the European Starling, has been introduced
to South Africa, North America, Australia and New
Zealand.
The Sturnus starlings are terrestrial species; they walk

rather than hop, and have modifications to the skull and
its muscles for open-bill probing. The latter adaption has
facilitated the spread of this genus from humid tropical
southern Asia to cooler regions of Europe and Asia.
Kingdom: Animalia
The more northerly breeding species are completely or
partially migratory, wintering in warmer regions.
Phylum: Chordata
Sturnus starlings nest in holes in trees or buildings. They
are omnivorous and mostly feed on the ground; they Class: Aves
specialise in taking invertebrates from just below the
surface. This is facilitated by the head adaptations Order: Passeriformes
decribed above, which enable the birds to probe with the
bill open, closing it to secure prey items.
Family: Sturnidae
The plumages within this group are variable, but all the
species have the starling's familiar triangular wing shape. Genus: Sturnus
Linnaeus, 1756
The European and Spotless Starlings are particularly Species
closely related, and interbreed to some extent where their
S. albofrontatus
ranges overlap in southwestern France and northeastern
S. pagodarum
Spain. The non-migratory Spotless may be descended
S. burmannicus
from a population of vulgaris that survived in an Iberian
S. nigricollis
refugium during an ice age retreat.
S. contra)
S. melanopterus
References S. roseus
S. sericeus
● Freare and Craig, Starlings and Mynas ISBN 0- S. cineraceus
7136-3961-X S. vulgaris
● Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, Birds of India S. unicolor
ISBN 0-691-04910-6
Acrocephalus
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Acrocephalus warblers
The Acrocephalus warblers are small, insectivorous passerine
birds belonging to the genus Acrocephalus of the Old World
warbler family Sylviidae. They are sometimes called marsh
warblers or reed warblers, but this invites confusion with Marsh
Warbler and Reed Warbler, especially in North America where it
is common to use lower case for bird species.
These are rather drab brownish warblers usually associated with

marshes or other wetlands. Some are streaked, others plain.
Almost all are migratory.
Many species have a flat head profile, which gives rise to the
group's scientific name.
Species breeding in temperate regions are strongly migratory.
The 35 species are
● Moustached Warbler, Acrocephalus melanopogon Scientific classification

Sedge Warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Kingdom: Animalia
Streaked Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus sorghophilus
Black-browed Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus bistrigiceps Phylum: Chordata
Paddyfield Warbler, Acrocephalus agricola
Blunt-winged Warbler, Acrocephalus concinens Class: Aves
Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Blyth's Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus dumetorum Order: Passeriformes
Great Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus Family: Sylviidae
Oriental Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus orientalis
Large-billed Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus orinus Genus: Acrocephalus
Basra Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus griseldis Naumann,JA & Naumann,
JF, 1811
Australian Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus australis
Nightingale Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus luscinia Species
Caroline Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus syrinx About 35, see text
Nauru Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus rehsei
Millerbird, Acrocephalus familiaris
Christmas Island Warbler, Acrocephalus aequinoctialis
Tahiti Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus caffer
Tuamotu Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus atyphus
Rimitara Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus rimitarae
Pitcairn Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus vaughani
Henderson Island Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus taiti
Marquesan Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus mendanae
Cook Islands Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus kerearako
Greater Swamp Warbler, Acrocephalus rufescens
Cape Verde Swamp Warbler, Acrocephalus brevipennis
Lesser Swamp Warbler, Acrocephalus gracilirostris
Madagascar Swamp Warbler, Acrocephalus newtoni
Rodrigues Brush Warbler, Acrocephalus rodericanus
Seychelles Warbler, Acrocephalus sechellensis
External links
● Acrocephalus videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Acrocephalus | Bradypterus | Cettia | Chamaea | Hippolais | Locustella | Orthotomus

| Phylloscopus | Sylvia
Bradypterus
Bush warblers
Bush warblers are small insectivorous birds belonging to the
genera Cettia and Bradypterus of the Old World warbler family
Sylviidae. There are about 38 species in the genera, the most
recently described being the Odedi (Cettia haddeni) from Kingdom: Animalia
Bougainville. Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
These are mostly dull birds, unmarked brown above, with strong
legs and feet and short broad wings. Many are similar in appearance. Order: Passeriformes
They are mostly southern Asian, although Cetti's Warbler has a Family: Sylviidae
more extensive range, across southern Europe. Southern species are
usually resident, and northern are short-distance migrants. Species
See text
These are quite terrestrial birds, which live in densely vegetated
habitats like thick forest and reedbeds. The will walk away from disturbance rather than flush. The
plumage similarities and skulking lifestyle makes these birds hard to see and identify.
Species in genus Cettia

● Manchurian Bush Warbler, Cettia canturians
Pale-footed Bush Warbler, Cettia pallidipes
Japanese Bush Warbler, Cettia diphone
Philippine Bush Warbler, Cettia seebohmi
Palau Bush Warbler, Cettia annae
Shade Warbler, Cettia parens
Odedi, Cettia haddeni
Fiji Bush Warbler, Cettia ruficapilla
Tanimbar Bush Warbler, Cettia carolinae
Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler, Cettia fortipes
Sunda Bush-Warbler, Cettia vulcania
Chestnut-crowned Bush Warbler, Cettia major
Aberrant Bush Warbler, Cettia flavolivacea
Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler, Cettia acanthizoides
Gray-sided Bush Warbler, Cettia brunnifrons
Cetti's Warbler, Cettia cetti
Species in genus Bradypterus
● Taiwan Bush Warbler, Bradypterus alishanensis
African Bush Warbler, Bradypterus baboecala
Ja River Scrub Warbler, Bradypterus grandis
White-winged Scrub Warbler, Bradypterus carpalis
Grauer's Scrub Warbler, Bradypterus graueri
Bamboo Scrub Warbler, Bradypterus alfredi
Knysna Scrub Warbler / Knysna Warbler, Bradypterus sylvaticus
Cameroon Scrub Warbler, Bradypterus lopezi
African Scrub Warbler, Bradypterus barratti
Bangwa Scrub Warbler, Bradypterus bangwaensis
Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Bradypterus cinnamomeus
Victorin's Scrub Warbler, Bradypterus victorini *almost certainly not a true Bradypterus - see
SASOL Birds of Southern Africa
Spotted Bush Warbler, Bradypterus thoracicus
Long-billed Bush Warbler, Bradypterus major
Chinese Bush Warbler, Bradypterus tacsanowskius
Russet Bush Warbler, Bradypterus seebohmi
Brown Bush Warbler, Bradypterus luteoventris
Taiwan Bush Warbler, Bradypterus alishanensis
Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, Bradypterus palliseri
Friendly Bush Warbler, Bradypterus accentor
Long-tailed Bush Warbler, Bradypterus caudatus
Chestnut-backed Bush Warbler, Bradypterus castaneus

Chamaea
Wrentit
The Wrentit, Chamaea fasciata, is a small bird that Conservation status Least concern
lives in chaparral and bushland. It is the only species
in the genus Chamaea (Gambel, 1847).
It is the subject of much taxonomic debate, having

been placed in many different families by different
authors for as long as it has been known to science. Its
name reflects the uncertainty, and its resemblance to
both tits and wrens.
The Wrentit has been variously placed in its own

family, the Chamaeidae, with the bushtits
(Aegithalidae), the tits and chickadees (Paridae), the
Old World warblers (Sylviidae), and most recently
with the Old World babblers (Timaliidae). The AOU
places the Wrentit in the latter family, giving it the Kingdom: Animalia
distinction of being the only babbler known from the
New World. Phylum: Chordata
Description Class: Aves
The Wrentit is a small (15-cm) bird with uniform dull

olive, brown, or grayish plumage. It has short wings
and a long tail often held high (hence the comparison
to wrens). It has a short bill and a pale iris. Given its Family: Sylviidae
retiring nature and loud voice, the Wrentit is more
likely to be detected by its call than by sight. Genus: Chamaea
Behavior and Range Species: C. fasciata
The Wrentit is a sedentary (non-migratory) resident of

Binomial name
a narrow strip of coastal habitat in western coast of
North America, being found from Washington south Chamaea fasciata
(Gambel, 1845)
to Baja California. It is usually restricted to scrub and
certain types of woodland. It nests in 1m high shrubs such as poison oak, coyote bush and Californian
blackberry. Logging and other changes in habitat have led to this species expanding its range recently,
particularly northwards.
Wrentits mate for life, forming pair bonds only a few months after hatching. Both sexes participate in
building the nest, a four-stage process that takes about two weeks. The three or four eggs are incubated
for 14 days, again by both sexes. The chicks fledge after 15 days (at which stage they are unable to fly)
and are fed by their parents for another 40 days.
The Wrentit feeds by skulking through dense scrub gleaning exposed insects found by sight. It feeds
primarily on beetles, caterpillars, bugs, and ants, but also takes small berries and seeds.
References
● BirdLife International (2004). Chamaea fasciata. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
is of least concern
● Geupel, G. R., and G. Ballard. 2002. Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata) in The Birds of North America,
vol. 17, no. 654 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

Hippolais
Tree Warblers
Tree warblers are medium-sized birds belonging to the genus
Hippolais of the Old World warbler family Sylviidae. They
occur in Europe, Africa and western Asia.
These warblers are always associated with trees, though

normally in fairly open woodland rather than tight plantations.
They are quite clumsy in their movements.
These are plump, strong-looking birds with long bills, strong

feet and long wing. Most are unstreaked greenish or brownish
above and cream or white below. They are insectivorous, but
will occasionally take berries or seeds.
Species breeding in temperate regions are usually strongly

migratory.
The species are:
● Booted Warbler, Hippolais caligata

Sykes' Warbler, Hippolais rama Seveeral Hippolais species.
Western Olivaceous Warbler, Hippolais pallida Scientific classification
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Hippolais opaca Kingdom: Animalia
Melodious Warbler, Hippolais polyglotta Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Home | Up | Acrocephalus | Bradypterus | Cettia | Chamaea
| Hippolais | Locustella | Orthotomus | Phylloscopus | Sylvia
Family: Sylviidae
Genus: Hippolais
Species
H. caligata
H. rama
H. pallida
H. languida
H. olivetorum
H. opaca
H. polyglotta
H. icterina
Locustella
Grass warblers
The grass warblers are small passerine birds belonging to the genus
Locustella of the Old World warbler family Sylviidae.
These are rather drab brownish warblers usually associated with Kingdom: Animalia
fairly open grassland, shrubs or marshes. Some are streaked, others
plain, all are difficult to view. They are insectivorous. Phylum: Chordata
The most characteristic feature of this group is that the song of Class: Aves
several species is a mechanical insect-like reeling which gives rise
to the group's scientific name.
Species breeding in temperate regions are strongly migratory.
Family: Sylviidae
The nine species are
Genus: Locustella
● Savi's Warbler, Locustella luscinoides Kaup, 1829
Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler, Locustella certhiola
Species
Middendorf's Grasshopper Warbler, Locustella ochotensis
Lanceolated Warbler, Locustella lanceolata L. luscinoides
River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis L. certhiola
Gray's Grasshopper Warbler, Locustella fasciolata L. ochotensis
Grasshopper Warbler, Locustella naevia L. lanceolata
Styan's Grasshopper Warbler, Locustella pleskei L. fluviatilis
Japanese Swamp Warbler, Locustella pryeri L. fasciolata
L. naevia
L. pleskei
L. pryeri
Orthotomus
Tailorbird
Tailorbirds are small birds belonging to the genus Orthotomus of
the Old World warbler family Sylviidae. They occur in the Old
World tropics, principally in Asia.
Kingdom: Animalia
These warblers are usually brightly coloured, with green or grey
uppperparts and yellow white or grey underparts. They often have Phylum: Chordata
chestnut on the head.
Class: Aves
Tailorbirds have short rounded wings, short tails, strong legs and
long curved bills. The tail is typically held upright, like a wren.
They are typically found in open woodland, scrub and gardens. Order: Passeriformes
Tailorbirds get their name from the way their nest is constructed. Family: Sylviidae
The edges of a large leaf are pierced and sewn together with plant
fibre or spider's web to make a cradle in which the actual grass nest
Genus: Orthotomus
is built. Horsfield, 1821
The species are: Species

O. metopias
● African Tailorbird, Orthotomus metopias O. moreaui
Long-billed Tailorbird, Orthotomus moreaui O. cuculatus
Mountain Tailorbird, Orthotomus cuculatus O. sutorius
Common Tailorbird, Orthotomus sutorius O. heterolaemus
Rufous-headed Tailorbird, Orthotomus heterolaemus O. atrogularis
Dark-necked Tailorbird, Orthotomus atrogularis O. castaneiceps
Philippine Tailorbird, Orthotomus castaneiceps O. frontalis
Rufous-fronted Tailorbird, Orthotomus frontalis O. derbianus
Grey-backed Tailorbird, Orthotomus derbianus O. sericeus
Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, Orthotomus sericeus O. ruficeps
Ashy Tailorbird, Orthotomus ruficeps O. sepium
Olive-backed Tailorbird, Orthotomus sepium O. samarensis
Yellow-breasted Tailorbird, Orthotomus samarensis O. nigriceps
White-browed Tailorbird, Orthotomus nigriceps O. cinereiceps
White-eared Tailorbird, Orthotomus cinereiceps
References
● Warblers of Europe, Asia and North Africa by Baker, ISBN 0-7136-3971-7

Phylloscopus
Leaf warblers
Leaf warblers are very small insectivorous birds belonging to the
genus Phylloscopus of the Old World warbler family Sylviidae.
There are about 50 species in the genus.
These are active, constantly moving, warblers always associated

with trees, though normally in fairly open woodland rather than
tight plantations. They occur from top canopy to undershrubs.
Pallas' Warbler
Most of the species are markedly territorial both in their summer
and winter quarters. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Most are greenish or brownish above and off-white below.
Compared to some other warbler families, their songs are very Phylum: Chordata
simple.
Class: Aves
migratory.
The species are
Family: Sylviidae
● Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Phylloscopus laetus
Laura's Wood Warbler, Phylloscopus laurae
Genus: Phylloscopus
Yellow-throated Wood Warbler, Phylloscopus ruficapillus Boie, 1826
Uganda Wood Warbler, Phylloscopus budongoensis
Brown Woodland Warbler, Phylloscopus umbrovirens Species
Black-capped Woodland Warbler, Phylloscopus herberti See text.
Canary Islands Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus canariensis
Iberian Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus brehmii
Mountain Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus sindianus
Plain Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus neglectus
Smoky Warbler, Phylloscopus fuligiventer
Tickell's Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus affinis
Buff-throated Warbler, Phylloscopus subaffinis
Sulphur-bellied Warbler, Phylloscopus griseolus
Yellow-streaked Warbler, Phylloscopus armandii
Radde's Warbler, Phylloscopus schwarzi
Buff-barred Warbler, Phylloscopus pulcher
Ashy-throated Warbler, Phylloscopus maculipennis
Pale-rumped Warbler, Phylloscopus chloronotus
Pallas's Warbler, Phylloscopus proregulus
Lemon-rumped Warbler, Phylloscopus chloronotus
Gansu Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus kansuensis
Chinese Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus sichuanensis
Brooks' Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus subviridis
Greenish Warbler, Phylloscopus trochiloides
Pale-legged Warbler, Phylloscopus tenellipes
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus borealoides
Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus magnirostris
Tytler's Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus tytleri
Western Crowned Warbler, Phylloscopus occipitalis
Eastern Crowned Warbler, Phylloscopus coronatus
Ijima's Warbler, Phylloscopus ijimae
Blyth's Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus reguloides
Hainan Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus hainanus
Emei Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus emeiensis
White-tailed Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus davisoni
Yellow-vented Warbler, Phylloscopus cantator
Sulphur-breasted Warbler, Phylloscopus ricketti
Lemon-throated Warbler, Phylloscopus cebuensis
Mountain Warbler, Phylloscopus trivirgatus
Sulawesi Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus sarasinorum
Timor Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus presbytes
Island Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus poliocephalus
Philippine Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus olivaceus
San Cristobal Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus makirensis
Kulambangra Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus amoenus
External links
● Leaf warbler videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Sylvia
Back | Home | Up
Typical Warblers
The typical warblers are small insectivorous birds belonging
to the genus Sylvia of the Old World warbler family Sylviidae.
There are about 20 species in the genus.
These are active, constantly moving, warblers usually

associated with fairly open woodland, hedges or shrubs.
This is one of the few Old World warbler groups in which

many of the species show sexual dimorphism, with distinctive
male and female plumages. Males of some species have black
on the head.

migratory, although some are resident.
The species are
● Yemen Warbler, Sylvia buryi

Blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla Several Sylvia species.
Garden Warbler, Sylvia borin Scientific classification
Whitethroat, Sylvia communis
Lesser Whitethroat, Sylvia curruca Kingdom: Animalia
Small Whitethroat, Sylvia minula
Hume's Whitethroat, Sylvia althaea Phylum: Chordata
African Desert Warbler, Sylvia deserti Class: Aves
Orphean Warbler, Sylvia hortensis
Red Sea Warbler, Sylvia leucomelaena Order: Passeriformes
Rüppell's Warbler, Sylvia rueppelli
Subalpine Warbler, Sylvia cantillans Family: Sylviidae
Menetries' Warbler, Sylvia mystacea Genus: Sylvia
Spectacled Warbler, Sylvia conspicillata Scopoli, 1769
Tristram's Warbler, Sylvia deserticola Species
Dartford Warbler, Sylvia undata see species list
Marmora's Warbler, Sylvia sarda
External links
● Typical warbler videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Thraupidae
Cyanerpes | Habia | Piranga | Ramphocelus | Spindalis | Tangara | Thraupis
Tanagers
There are 240 species of Tanagers in the bird family Thraupidae.
Thraupidae belongs to the order Passeriformes.
Euphonias and chlorophonias were once considered part of the

tanager family, but they are now treated as members of
Fringillidae, in their own subfamily (Euphoniinae).
Contents
● 1 Size and appearance
● 2 Range
● 3 Social behavior
Scarlet Tanager
● 4 Diet
● 5 Breeding and reproduction
● 6 Species list Kingdom: Animalia
● 7 References
● 8 External links Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Size and appearance
Tanagers are small to medium-sized birds. The smallest, the Short-
billed Honeycreeper, is 9 cm long and weighs 9 grams. The Family: Thraupidae
longest, the Magpie Tanager is 26 cm. The heaviest is the White-
capped Tanager which weighs 114 grams. Both sexes are usually
the same size and weight. Tanagers are often brightly colored, but Genera
some species are black and white. Birds in their first year are often many: see text
duller or a different color altogether. Males are typically more
brightly coloured than females.
Most tanagers have short, rounded wings. The shape of the bill seems to be linked to the species'
foraging habits.
Range
Tanagers are restricted to the New World tropics. About 60% of tanagers live in South America, and
30% of these species live in the Andes. Most species are endemic to a relatively small area. 18 species
live in North America and Central America year round. 4 species are migratory, breeding in North
America. They are the Scarlet Tanager, Western Tanager, Hepatic Tanager and the Summer Tanager.
Recent molecular evidence indicates these 4 migratory species may be more closely related to the family
Emberizidae.
Social behavior
Most tanagers live in pairs or in small groups of 3-5 individuals. These groups may consist simply of
parents and their offspring. Birds may also be seen in single species or mixed flocks. Tanagers are
thought to have dull songs. Some are very elaborate.
Diet
Tanagers are omnivorous, but the diet of tanagers varies from genus to genus. They have been seen
eating fruits, seeds, nectar, flower parts and insects. Their foraging technique depends much on what
they look for. Many pick insects off branches. Other species look for insects on the underside of leaves.
Yet others wait on branches until they see a flying insect and catch it in the air. Many of these particular
species inhabit the same areas, but these specializations aleviate competition.
Breeding and reproduction

The breeding season begin in March through until June in temperate areas and in September through
October in South America. Some species are territorial while others build their nests closer together.
There is little information on tanager breeding behavior so it is difficult say if they are monogamous or
polygamous. Males show off their brightest feathers to potential mates and rival males. Some species'
courtship rituals involve bowing and tail lifting.
Most tanagers build cup nests on branches in trees. Some nests are almost globular. Entrances are
usually built on the side of the nest. The nests can be shallow or deep. The species of the tree they
choose to build their nest in and the nest's position varies among genera. Most species nest in an area
hidden by very dense vegetation. There is still no information on the nests of some species.
The clutch size is 3-5 eggs. The female incubates the eggs and builds the nest, but the male may feed the
female while she incubates. Both sexes feed the young. Five species have helpers assist in feeding the
young. These helpers are thought to be the previous year's nestlings.
Species list
Family: Thraupidae
● Genus Conirostrum, the conebills

❍ Chestnut-vented Conebill, Conirostrum speciosum
❍ White-eared Conebill, Conirostrum leucogenys
Bicolored Conebill, Conirostrum bicolor

Pearly-breasted Conebill, Conirostrum margaritae
Cinereous Conebill, Conirostrum cinereum
Tamarugo Conebill, Conirostrum tamarugense
White-browed Conebill, Conirostrum ferrugineiventre
Rufous-browed Conebill, Conirostrum rufum
Blue-backed Conebill, Conirostrum sitticolor
Capped Conebill, Conirostrum albifrons
● Genus Oreomanes
❍ Giant Conebill, Oreomanes fraseri
● Genus Orchesticus
❍ Brown Tanager, Orchesticus abeillei
● Genus Schistochlamys
❍ Cinnamon Tanager, Schistochlamys ruficapillus
Black-faced Tanager, Schistochlamys melanopis

● Genus Neothraupis
❍ White-banded Tanager, Neothraupis fasciata
● Genus Cypsnagra
❍ White-rumped Tanager, Cypsnagra hirundinacea
Brazilian Tanager (Ramphocelus bresilius)

● Genus Conothraupis
❍ Black-and-white Tanager, Conothraupis speculigera
Cone-billed Tanager, Conothraupis mesoleuca

● Genus Cissopis
❍ Magpie Tanager, Cissopis leveriana
● Genus Lamprospiza
❍ Red-billed Pied Tanager, Lamprospiza melanoleuca
● Genus Chlorornis
❍ Grass-green Tanager, Chlorornis riefferii
● Genus Compsothraupis
❍ Scarlet-throated Tanager, Compsothraupis loricata
● Genus Sericossypha
❍ White-capped Sericossypha Tanager, Sericossypha albocristata
● Genus Nesospingus
❍ Puerto Rican Tanager, Nesospingus speculiferus
● Genus Chlorospingus, the bush tanagers

❍ Common Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
Tacarcuna Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus tacarcunae

Pirre Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus inornatus
Dusky Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus semifuscus
Sooty-capped Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus pileatus
Short-billed Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus parvirostris
Yellow-throated Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus flavigularis
Yellow-green Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus flavovirens
Ashy-throated Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus canigularis
● Genus Cnemoscopus
❍ Gray-hooded Bush Tanager, Cnemoscopus rubrirostris
● Genus Hemispingus, the hemispinguses

❍ Black-capped Hemispingus, Hemispingus atropileus
Orange-browed Hemispingus, Hemispingus calophrys

Parodi's Hemispingus, Hemispingus parodii
Superciliaried Hemispingus, Hemispingus superciliaris
Gray-capped Hemispingus, Hemispingus reyi
Oleaginous Hemispingus, Hemispingus frontalis
Black-eared Hemispingus, Hemispingus melanotis
Slaty-backed Hemispingus, Hemispingus goeringi
Rufous-browed Hemispingus, Hemispingus rufosuperciliaris
Black-headed Hemispingus, Hemispingus verticalis
Drab Hemispingus, Hemispingus xanthophthalmus
Three-striped Hemispingus, Hemispingus trifasciatus
● Genus Pyrrhocoma
❍ Chestnut-headed Tanager, Pyrrhocoma ruficeps
● Genus Thlypopsis
❍ Fulvous-headed Tanager, Thlypopsis fulviceps
Rufous-chested Tanager, Thlypopsis ornata

Brown-flanked Tanager, Thlypopsis pectoralis
Orange-headed Tanager, Thlypopsis sordida
Buff-bellied Tanager, Thlypopsis inornata
Rust-and-yellow Tanager, Thlypopsis ruficeps
● Genus Hemithraupis
❍ Guira Tanager, Hemithraupis guira
Rufous-headed Tanager, Hemithraupis ruficapilla

Yellow-backed Tanager, Hemithraupis flavicollis
● Genus Chrysothlypis
❍ Black-and-yellow Tanager, Chrysothlypis chrysomelaena
Scarlet-and-white Tanager, Chrysothlypis salmoni

● Genus Nemosia
❍ Hooded Tanager, Nemosia pileata
Cherry-throated Tanager, Nemosia rourei

● Genus Phaenicophilus
❍ Black-crowned Palm Tanager, Phaenicophilus palmarum
Gray-crowned Palm Tanager, Phaenicophilus poliocephalus

● Genus Calyptophilus, the chat-tanager
❍ Western Chat-tanager, Calyptophilus tertius
Eastern Chat-tanager, Calyptophilus frugivorus

● Genus Rhodinocichla
❍ Rosy Thrush-tanager, Rhodinocichla rosea
● Genus Mitrospingus
❍ Dusky-faced Tanager, Mitrospingus cassinii
Olive-backed Tanager, Mitrospingus oleagineus

● Genus Chlorothraupis
❍ Olive Tanager, Chlorothraupis carmioli
Lemon-spectacled Tanager, Chlorothraupis olivacea

Ochre-breasted Tanager, Chlorothraupis stolzmanni
● Genus Orthogonys
❍ Olive-green Tanager, Orthogonys chloricterus
● Genus Eucometis
❍ Gray-headed Tanager, Eucometis penicillata
● Genus Lanio, the shrike-tanagers

❍ Fulvous Shrike-tanager, Lanio fulvus
White-winged Shrike-tanager, Lanio versicolor

Black-throated Shrike-tanager, Lanio aurantius
White-throated Shrike-tanager, Lanio leucothorax
● Genus Creurgops
❍ Rufous-crested Tanager, Creurgops verticalis
Slaty Tanager, Creurgops dentata
● Genus Heterospingus
❍ Sulphur-rumped Tanager, Heterospingus rubrifrons
Scarlet-browed Tanager, Heterospingus xanthopygius

● Genus Tachyphonus
❍ Flame-crested Tanager, Tachyphonus cristatus
Yellow-crested Tanager, Tachyphonus rufiventer

Fulvous-crested Tanager, Tachyphonus surinamus
White-shouldered Tanager, Tachyphonus luctuosus
Tawny-crested Tanager, Tachyphonus delatrii
Ruby-crowned Tanager, Tachyphonus coronatus
White-lined Tanager, Tachyphonus rufus
Red-shouldered Tanager, Tachyphonus phoenicius
● Genus Trichothraupis
❍ Black-goggled Tanager, Trichothraupis melanops
● Genus Habia, the ant tanagers

❍ Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Habia rubica
Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Habia fuscicauda

Sooty Ant-Tanager, Habia gutturalis
Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, Habia atrimaxillaris
Crested Ant-Tanager, Habia cristata
● Genus Piranga
❍ Rose-throated Tanager, Piranga roseogularis
Hepatic Tanager, Piranga flava

Scarlet Tanager, Piranga olivacea
Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra
Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana
Flame-colored Tanager, Piranga bidentata
White-winged Tanager, Piranga leucoptera
Red-headed Tanager, Piranga erythrocephala
Red-hooded Tanager, Piranga rubriceps
● Genus Calochaetes
❍ Vermilion Tanager, Calochaetes coccineus
● Genus Ramphocelus
❍ Crimson-collared Tanager, Ramphocelus sanguinolentus
Masked Crimson Tanager, Ramphocelus nigrogularis

Crimson-backed Tanager, Ramphocelus dimidiatus
Huallaga Tanager, Ramphocelus melanogaster
Silver-beaked Tanager, Ramphocelus carbo
Brazilian Tanager, Ramphocelus bresilius
Passerini's Tanager, Ramphocelus passerinii
Cherrie's Tanager, Ramphocelus costaricensis
Flame-rumped Tanager, Ramphocelus flammigerus
● Genus Spindalis, the spindalises
❍ Western Spindalis, Spindalis zena
Puerto Rican Spindalis, Spindalis portoricensis

Hispaniolan Spindalis, Spindalis dominicensis
Jamaican Spindalis, Spindalis nigricephala
● Genus Thraupis
❍ Blue-gray Tanager, Thraupis episcopus
Glaucous Tanager, Thraupis glaucocolpa

Sayaca Tanager, Thraupis sayaca
Azure-shouldered Tanager, Thraupis cyanoptera
Golden-chevroned Tanager, Thraupis ornata
Blue-capped Tanager, Thraupis cyanocephala
Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Thraupis bonariensis
Yellow-winged Tanager, Thraupis abbas
Palm Tanager, Thraupis palmarum
● Genus Cyanicterus
❍ Blue-backed Tanager, Cyanicterus cyanicterus
● Genus Bangsia
❍ Blue-and-gold Tanager, Bangsia arcaei
Black-and-gold Tanager, Bangsia melanochlamys

Golden-chested Tanager, Bangsia rothschildi
Moss-backed Tanager, Bangsia edwardsi
Gold-ringed Tanager, Bangsia aureocincta
● Genus Buthraupis
❍ Hooded Mountain Tanager, Buthraupis montana
Black-chested Mountain Tanager, Buthraupis eximia

Golden-backed Mountain Tanager, Buthraupis aureodorsalis
Masked Mountain Tanager, Buthraupis wetmorei
● Genus Wetmorethraupis
❍ Orange-throated Tanager, Wetmorethraupis sterrhopteron
● Genus Anisognathus
❍ Santa Marta Mountain Tanager, Anisognathus melanogenys
Lacrimose Mountain Tanager, Anisognathus lacrymosus

Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Anisognathus igniventris
Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Anisognathus somptuosus
Black-chinned Mountain Tanager, Anisognathus notabilis
● Genus Stephanophorus
❍ Diademed Tanager, Stephanophorus diadematus
● Genus Iridosornis
❍ Purplish-mantled Tanager, Iridosornis porphyrocephala
Yellow-throated Tanager, Iridosornis analis

Golden-collared Tanager, Iridosornis jelskii
Golden-crowned Tanager, Iridosornis rufivertex
Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Iridosornis reinhardti
● Genus Thraupis Dubusia
❍ Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager, Dubusia taeniata
● Genus Delothraupis
❍ Chestnut-bellied Mountain Tanager, Delothraupis castaneoventris
● Genus Pipraeidea
❍ Fawn-breasted Tanager, Pipraeidea melanonota
● Genus Chlorochrysa
❍ Glistening-green Tanager, Chlorochrysa phoenicotis
Orange-eared Tanager, Chlorochrysa calliparaea

Multicolored Tanager, Chlorochrysa nitidissima
● Genus Tangara
❍ Plain-colored Tanager, Tangara inornata
Turquoise Tanager, Tangara mexicana

Azure-rumped Tanager, Tangara cabanisi
Gray-and-gold Tanager, Tangara palmeri
Paradise Tanager, Tangara chilensis
Seven-colored Tanager, Tangara fastuosa
Green-headed Tanager, Tangara seledon
Red-necked Tanager, Tangara cyanocephala
Brassy-breasted Tanager, Tangara desmaresti
Gilt-edged Tanager, Tangara cyanoventris
Blue-whiskered Tanager, Tangara johannae
Green-and-gold Tanager, Tangara schrankii
Emerald Tanager, Tangara florida
Golden Tanager, Tangara arthus
Silver-throated Tanager, Tangara icterocephala
Golden-eared Tanager, Tangara chrysotis
Saffron-crowned Tanager, Tangara xanthocephala
Flame-faced Tanager, Tangara parzudakii
Yellow-bellied Tanager, Tangara xanthogastra
Spotted Tanager, Tangara punctata
Speckled Tanager, Tangara guttata
Dotted Tanager, Tangara varia
Rufous-throated Tanager, Tangara rufigula
Bay-headed Tanager, Tangara gyrola
Rufous-winged Tanager, Tangara lavinia
Burnished-buff Tanager, Tangara cayana
Black-backed Tanager, Tangara peruviana
Lesser Antillean Tanager, Tangara cucullata
Chestnut-backed Tanager, Tangara preciosa
Scrub Tanager, Tangara vitriolina
Green-capped Tanager, Tangara meyerdeschauenseei
Rufous-cheeked Tanager, Tangara rufigenis
Golden-naped Tanager, Tangara ruficervix
Metallic-green Tanager, Tangara labradorides
Blue-browed Tanager, Tangara cyanotis
Blue-necked Tanager, Tangara cyanicollis
Golden-hooded Tanager, Tangara larvata
Masked Tanager, Tangara nigrocincta
Spangle-cheeked Tanager, Tangara dowii
Green-naped Tanager, Tangara fucosa
Beryl-spangled Tanager, Tangara nigroviridis
Blue-and-black Tanager, Tangara vassorii
Black-capped Tanager, Tangara heinei
Sira Tanager, Tangara phillipsi
Silver-backed Tanager, Tangara viridicollis
Straw-backed Tanager, Tangara argyrofenges
Black-headed Tanager, Tangara cyanoptera
Opal-rumped Tanager, Tangara velia
Opal-crowned Tanager, Tangara callophrys
● Genus Iridophanes
❍ Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Iridophanes pulcherrima
● Genus Pseudodacnis
❍ Turquoise Dacnis-Tanager, Pseudodacnis hartlaubi
● Genus Dacnis, the dacnises

❍ White-bellied Dacnis, Dacnis albiventris
Black-faced Dacnis, Dacnis lineata

Yellow-bellied Dacnis, Dacnis flaviventer
Black-legged Dacnis, Dacnis nigripes
Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, Dacnis venusta
Blue Dacnis, Dacnis cayana
Viridian Dacnis, Dacnis viguieri
Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Dacnis berlepschi
● Genus Chlorophanes
❍ Green Honeycreeper, Chlorophanes spiza
● Genus Cyanerpes, the honeycreepers

❍ Short-billed Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes nitidus
Shining Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes lucidus

Purple Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes caeruleus
Red-legged Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes cyaneus
● Genus Xenodacnis
❍ Tit-like Dacnis, Xenodacnis parina
● Genus Tersina
❍ Swallow Tanager, Tersina viridis
● Genus Catamblyrhynchus
❍ Plush-capped Finch, Catamblyrhynchus diadema
● Genus Oreothraupis
❍ Tanager Finch, Oreothraupis arremonops
● Genus Urothraupis
❍ Black-backed Bush Tanager, Urothraupis stolzmanni
● Genus Nephelornis
❍ Pardusco Nephelornis oneilli
References
● Isler M. Isler P. The Tanagers a Natural History, Distribution, and Identification. Washington D.
C.: Smithsonian Institution Press: 1987. 404 p.
● Bent, A. Life Histories of Blackbirds, Orioles, Tanagers, and Allies. New York:Dover
Publications:1965. 549 p.
● Naoki, K. 2003. Evolution of Ecological Diversity in the Neotropical Tanagers of the Genus
Tangara (Aves: Thraupidae). Dissertation available online, given to Louisiana State University.
● Greeney, H. 2005. Nest and eggs of the Yellow-whiskered Bush Tanager in Eastern Ecuador.
Ornitologia Neotropical 16: 437- 438.
● Infonatura. 2005 June. Birds, mammals, and amphibians of Latin America Accessed 2006 March
4.
● Montereybay. 2000 July. 6-11. Tanagers: Thraupidae Accessed 2006 March 4.
External links
● Jungle-walk.com Tanager pictures
● Tanager videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Thraupidae at the Open Directory Project

Cyanerpes
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Honeycreeper
The Honeycreepers are small birds in the tanager family. They are
found in the tropical New World from Mexico south to Brazil.
They occur in the forest canopy, and, as the name implies, they are Kingdom: Animalia
specialist nectar feeders with long curved bills.
Phylum: Chordata
The four Cyanerpes species have colourful legs, long wings and a
short tail. The males are typically glossy purple-blue and the Class: Aves
females greenish.
The Green Honeycreeper is called a Honeycreeper, but belongs to Order: Passeriformes

the monotypic Chlorophanes genus. It has a larger, stouter bill than
the Cyanerpes group, and is less heavily dependent on nectar. Family: Thraupidae
Honeycreeper is also the name of an independent rock band from

Genus: Cyanerpes
upstate New York. [1]
Species
Species
See text.
● Short-billed Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes nitidus
Shining Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes lucidus
Purple Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes caeruleus
Red-legged Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes cyaneus
References
● Birds of Venezuela by Hilty, ISBN 0-7136-6418-5
● Birds of Trinidad and Tobago by ffrench, ISBN 0-7136-6759-1
External links
● Honeycreeper videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Cyanerpes | Habia | Piranga | Ramphocelus | Spindalis | Tangara | Thraupis
Habia
Ant tanager
Ant tanagers are birds of the tanager family in the genus Habia.
These are long-tailed and strong billed birds. The males have a red
crest and plumage containing red, brown or sooty hues. Females
may resemble the males or be largely yellowish or brown in colour. Kingdom: Animalia
All species forage for insects, which can be larger than their bills. Phylum: Chordata
Fruit is a minor part of their diet. Red-throated, Sooty and Black-
cheeked Ant-Tanagers form a superspecies; they inhabit secon
Class: Aves
growth and patchy woodland. They look down from a series of low
(2-3 m) perches and take prey from foliage or in flight. They follow
army ant swarms to catch insects that are fleeing from the ants. Order: Passeriformes
Red-crowned and Crested Ant-Tanagers prefer denser undergrowth Family: Thraupidae

and watch from higher (4-5 m) perches, often working upwards
through the foliage. They are less likely to follow ant columns.
Genus: Habia
Blyth, 1840
The female alone builds a cup nest and incubates the two or three
eggs. The young leave the nest before they can fly and hide in dense species
vegetation. H. rubica
H. fuscicauda
Ant tanagers have harsh call notes but musical whistled songs. H. gutturalis
H. atrimaxillaris
Species in taxonomic order H. cristata
● Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Habia rubica

Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Habia fuscicauda
Sooty Ant-Tanager, Habia gutturalis
Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, Habia atrimaxillaris
Crested Ant-Tanager, Habia cristata
References
● ffrench, Birds of Trinidad and Tobago ISBN 0-7136-6759-1
● Hilty, Birds of Venezuela, ISBN 0-7136-6418-5
● Morton, Isler & Isler, Tanagers ISBN 0-7136-5116-4
● Stiles and Skutch, A guide to the birds of Costa Rica ISBN 0-0814-9600-4
Piranga
Piranga
Piranga is a genus of birds of the tanager family. Several
species are migratory, breeding in North America and
wintering in the tropics.
These tanagers are found high in tree canopies, and are

not very gregarious in their breeding areas.
Piranga tanagers pick insects from leaves, or sometimes

in flight. They will also take some fruit

● Rose-throated Tanager, Piranga roseogularis
Hepatic Tanager, Piranga flava
Scarlet Tanager, Piranga olivacea
Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra Scarlet Tanager
Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana Scientific classification
Flame-colored Tanager, Piranga bidentata
White-winged Tanager, Piranga leucoptera Kingdom: Animalia
Red-headed Tanager, Piranga erythrocephala
Red-hooded Tanager, Piranga rubriceps Phylum: Chordata
References Class: Aves
● ffrench, Birds of Trinidad and Tobago ISBN 0- Order: Passeriformes

7136-6759-1
● Morton, Isler & Isler, Tanagers ISBN 0-7136- Family: Thraupidae
5116-4
● Stiles and Skutch, A guide to the birds of Costa Genus: Piranga
Rica ISBN 0-0814-9600-4 Vieillot, 1807
species
see species list
Ramphocelus
Ramphocelus
Ramphocelus is a genus of birds of the tanager family. Most species have enlarged shiny whitish lower
mandibles, which are pointed upwards in display.
Ramphocelus tanagers are found in semi-open areas. The nest is a cup built by the female of plant
materials such as moss, rootlets, and strips of large leaves like banana or Heliconia, and is often in a
fairly open site in a tree. The female usually lays pale blue eggs, with grey, brown or lavender spots,
and the young stay in the nest for only about 12 days.
The songs of this genus are repetitions of rich one- or two-syllable whistles
Ramphocelus tanagers hunt at forest edges or in second growth, taking insects in flight or picking them
from leaves
Adult Crimson-collared Tanager

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Brazilian Tanager
Taxonomy
Family: Thraupidae
The Crimson-collared Tanager is sometimes placed in a genus of its own as Phlogothraupis
sanguinolenta (Howell and Webb 1994), and a genetic study suggests that it is less closely related to
the other Ramphocelus tanagers than they are to each other (Hackett 1996). Its closest relative is Genus: Ramphocelus
Desmarest, 1805
Masked Crimson Tanager.
species
The other species form two superspecies. One includes Crimson-backed, Huallaga, Silver-beaked and see species list
Brazilian Tanagers, and the other comprises Passerini's, Cherrie's and Flame-rumped Tanagers.
The northern form of Flame-rumped Tanager is sometimes split as Lemon-rumped Tanager, Ramphocelus icteronotus,
and Passerini's and Cherrie's Tanager were formerly lumped as Scarlet-rumped Tanager, Ramphocelus passerinii.

● Crimson-collared Tanager, Ramphocelus sanguinolentus
Masked Crimson Tanager, Ramphocelus nigrogularis
Crimson-backed Tanager, Ramphocelus dimidiatus
Huallaga Tanager, Ramphocelus melanogaster
Silver-beaked Tanager, Ramphocelus carbo
Brazilian Tanager, Ramphocelus bresilius
Passerini's Tanager, Ramphocelus passerinii
Cherrie's Tanager, Ramphocelus costaricensis
Flame-rumped Tanager, Ramphocelus flammigerus
References
● Steve N. G. Howell and Sophie Webb (1994). A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America.
Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-1985-4012-4.
● S. J. Hackett (1996). "Molecular phylogenetics and biogeography of tanagers in the genus Ramphocelus (Aves)".
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 5 (2): 368–382.
Spindalis
Spindalis
Spindalis is a non-migratory genus of tanagers (Thraupidae
family) comprised of 4 species. The genus is considered endemic
to the Greater Antilles; a population on Cozumel Island, off the
Yucatan Peninsula's east coast, is part of that island's West Indian
fauna.
Historically, the genus consisted of a single polytypic species,

Spindalis zena, with eight recognized subspecies—S. z. townsendi
and S. z. zena from the Bahamas,S. z. pretrei from Cuba, S. z.
salvini from Grand Cayman, S. z. dominicensis from Hispaniola Male Puerto Rican Spindalis
and Gonave Island, S. z. portoricensis from Puerto Rico, S. z. Scientific classification
nigreciphala from Jamaica, and S. z. benedicti from Cozumel
Island. In 1997, based primarily on morphological and Kingdom: Animalia
vocalization differences, three of the subspecies (portoricensis,
dominicensis and nigricephala) were elevated to species status. S. Phylum: Chordata
zena remained a polytypic species with five recognized subspecies
—S. z. pretrei, S. z. salvini, S. z. benedicti, S. z. townsendi, and S.
[1] Subphylum: Vertebrata
z. zena.
Class: Aves
Spindalis males are characterized by bright plumage while females
are duller and have a different coloration.
[2]
The nests of Spindalis are cup-shaped.
Family: Thraupidae
Footnotes
Genus: Spindalis
1. ^ Garrildo, et al, p.588-89. Jardine and Selby, 1837
2. ^ Garrildo, et al, p.587. Species
Spindalis zena
References Spindalis portoricensis
Spindalis dominicensis
Spindalis nigricephala
● O. H. Garrildo, K. C. Parkes, G. B. Reynard, A.
Kirkcornell, and R. Sutton (December 1997). "Taxonomy of the Stripe-Headed Tanager, genus
Spindalis (Aves:Thraupidae) of the West Indies" (djvu). The Wilson Bulletin 109 (4): 561-594.
Retrieved on 2006-09-30.
Tangara
Tangara
Tangara is a large genus of birds of the tanager family.
Many have restricted ranges.
These tanagers are mainly found high in forest canopies,

but some occupy more open habitat.
The female builds a usually well concealed cup nest and

lays two brown- or lilac-speckled white eggs. These hatch
in 13-14 days and the chicks fledge in a further 15-16
days. The male and female feed the nestlings on insects
and fruit, and may be assisted by helpers.
Paradise Tanager
Tangara tanagers pick insects from leaves, or sometimes Scientific classification
in flight, but fruit is a major dietary item, accounting for Kingdom: Animalia
53-86% of food items in those species which have been
studied.
Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves
● Plain-colored Tanager, Tangara inornata
Turquoise Tanager, Tangara mexicana Order: Passeriformes
Azure-rumped Tanager, Tangara cabanisi
Gray-and-gold Tanager, Tangara palmeri Family: Thraupidae
Paradise Tanager, Tangara chilensis
Seven-colored Tanager, Tangara fastuosa
Green-headed Tanager, Tangara seledon Genus: Tangara
Red-necked Tanager, Tangara cyanocephala Brisson, 1760
Brassy-breasted Tanager, Tangara desmaresti species
Gilt-edged Tanager, Tangara cyanoventris see species list
Blue-whiskered Tanager, Tangara johannae
Green-and-gold Tanager, Tangara schrankii
Emerald Tanager, Tangara florida
Golden Tanager, Tangara arthus
Silver-throated Tanager, Tangara icterocephala
Golden-eared Tanager, Tangara chrysotis
Saffron-crowned Tanager, Tangara xanthocephala
Flame-faced Tanager, Tangara parzudakii
Yellow-bellied Tanager, Tangara xanthogastra
Spotted Tanager, Tangara punctata
Speckled Tanager, Tangara guttata
Dotted Tanager, Tangara varia
Rufous-throated Tanager, Tangara rufigula
Bay-headed Tanager, Tangara gyrola
Rufous-winged Tanager, Tangara lavinia
Burnished-buff Tanager, Tangara cayana
Black-backed Tanager, Tangara peruviana
Lesser Antillean Tanager, Tangara cucullata
Chestnut-backed Tanager, Tangara preciosa
Scrub Tanager, Tangara vitriolina
Green-capped Tanager, Tangara meyerdeschauenseei
Rufous-cheeked Tanager, Tangara rufigenis
Golden-naped Tanager, Tangara ruficervix
Metallic-green Tanager, Tangara labradorides
Blue-browed Tanager, Tangara cyanotis
Blue-necked Tanager, Tangara cyanicollis
Golden-hooded Tanager, Tangara larvata
Masked Tanager, Tangara nigrocincta
Spangle-cheeked Tanager, Tangara dowii
Green-naped Tanager, Tangara fucosa
Beryl-spangled Tanager, Tangara nigroviridis
Blue-and-black Tanager, Tangara vassorii
Black-capped Tanager, Tangara heinei
Sira Tanager, Tangara phillipsi
Silver-backed Tanager, Tangara viridicollis
Straw-backed Tanager, Tangara argyrofenges
Black-headed Tanager, Tangara cyanoptera
Opal-rumped Tanager, Tangara velia
Opal-crowned Tanager, Tangara callophrys
References
Thraupis
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Thraupis
Thraupis is a genus of birds of the tanager family
occuring from Mexico to Argentina. Some are familiar
species with large ranges.
These tanagers are mainly found in semi-open habitats

including plantations and open woodland, but some will
venture into towns. They feed from medium to high
levels in trees, taking mainly fruit, with some nectar, and
insects which may be taken in flight.
The pair builds a usually well concealed cup nest, but the
female incubates alone. The Blue-gray and Palm
Tanagers will nest in buildings.
Thraupis tanagers have squeaky call notes and songs

Blue-gray Tanager
which consist of 5-10 repetitions of a single or double
note. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
● Blue-gray Tanager, Thraupis episcopus
Glaucous Tanager, Thraupis glaucocolpa Class: Aves
Sayaca Tanager, Thraupis sayaca
Azure-shouldered Tanager, Thraupis cyanoptera
Golden-chevroned Tanager, Thraupis ornata Order: Passeriformes
Blue-capped Tanager, Thraupis cyanocephala
Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Thraupis bonariensis Family: Thraupidae
Yellow-winged Tanager, Thraupis abbas
Palm Tanager, Thraupis palmarum
Genus: Thraupis
Boie, 1826
References species
see species list
● ffrench, Birds of Trinidad and Tobago ISBN 0-
7136-6759-1
Troglodytidae
Campylorhynchus | Troglodytes
Wrens
The true wrens are members of a mainly New World
passerine bird family Troglodytidae containing 79 species.
A troglodyte means a cave-dweller, and wrens get their

scientific name from the tendency of some species to
forage in dark crevices. They are mainly small and
inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have
short wings and a thin down-turned bill. Several species
often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous.
Only one species, Troglodytes troglodytes, known as the

Winter Wren in North America, occurs in the Old World,
where it is commonly known simply as the Wren.
Cactus Wren
The 27 Australasian "wren" species are unrelated and are in Scientific classification
the family Maluridae, as are the New Zealand "wrens" in Kingdom: Animalia
the family Acanthisittidae.
Phylum: Chordata
The wren is to become the next official mascot of The
College of William and Mary.
Class: Aves
Species list
This list follows the review by Mann et al. (2006).
Family: Troglodytidae
● Genus Donacobius Swainson, 1832
❍ Black-capped Donacobius Donacobius Genera
atricapillus
● Genus Odontorchilus
❍ Gray-mantled Wren Odontorchilus branickii
Tooth-billed Wren Odontorchilus cinereus

● Genus Salpinctes Donacobius
❍ Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus
Odontorchilus
Salpinctes
Microcerculus
● Genus Microcerculus
Campylorhynchus
❍ Flutist Wren Microcerculus ustulatus
Catherpes
Nightingale Wren Microcerculus philomela
Hylorchilus
Scaly-breasted Wren Microcerculus
Thryomanes
marginatus
Thryothorus
Wing-banded Wren Microcerculus bambla
Cinnycerthia
Cantorchilus
● Genus Catherpes
Thryophilus
❍ Canyon Wren Catherpes mexicanus
Pheugopedius Cyphorhinus
Uropsila
● Genus Hylorchilus Thryorchilus
❍ Nava's Wren Hylorchilus navai
Henicorhina
Slender-billed Wren Hylorchilus sumichrasti Troglodytes
Cistothorus
● Genus Campylorhynchus Ferminia
❍ Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus
zonatus
Bicolored Wren Campylorhynchus griseus
Boucard's Wren Campylorhynchus jocosus
Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
Fasciated Wren Campylorhynchus fasciatus
Giant Wren Campylorhynchus chiapensis
Gray-barred Wren Campylorhynchus megalopterus
Rufous-naped Wren Campylorhynchus rufinucha
Spotted Wren Campylorhynchus gularis
Stripe-backed Wren Campylorhynchus nuchalis
Thrush-like Wren Campylorhynchus turdinus
White-headed Wren Campylorhynchus albobrunneus
Yucatan Wren Campylorhynchus yucatanicus
● Genus Thryomanes
❍ Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii
● Genus Thryothorus
❍ Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus
■ White-browed Wren Thryothorus (l.) albinucha
● Genus Cinnycerthia
❍ Fulvous Wren Cinnycerthia fulva
Peruvian Wren Cinnycerthia peruana
Rufous Wren Cinnycerthia unirufa
Sharpe's Wren Cinnycerthia olivascens
● Genus Cantorchilus (formerly Thryothorus)

❍ Stripe-breasted Wren Cantorchilus thoracicus
Stripe-throated Wren Cantorchilus leucopogon

Plain Wren Cantorchilus modestus
Riverside Wren Cantorchilus semibadius
Bay Wren Cantorchilus nigricapillus
Superciliated Wren Cantorchilus superciliaris
Buff-breasted Wren Cantorchilus leucotis (probably not monophyletic)
Fawn-breasted Wren Cantorchilus guarayanus
Long-billed Wren Cantorchilus longirostris
● Genus Thryophilus (formerly Thryothorus)

❍ Gray Wren Thryophilus griseus (placement in genus requires confirmation)
Rufous-and-white Wren Thryophilus rufalbus

Niceforo's Wren Thryophilus nicefori
Sinaloa Wren Thryophilus sinaloa
Banded Wren Thryophilus pleurostictus
● Genus Pheugopedius (formerly Thryothorus)

❍ Moustached Wren Pheugopedius genibarbis
Coraya Wren Pheugopedius coraya

Whiskered Wren Pheugopedius mystacalis
Plain-tailed Wren Pheugopedius euophrys
Black-bellied Wren Pheugopedius fasciatoventris
Black-throated Wren Pheugopedius atrogularis
Speckle-breasted Wren Pheugopedius sclateri
Sooty-headed Wren Pheugopedius spadix
Happy Wren Pheugopedius felix
Inca Wren Pheugopedius eisenmanni
Rufous-breasted Wren Pheugopedius rutilus
Spot-breasted Wren Pheugopedius maculipectus
● Genus Cyphorhinus
❍ Chestnut-breasted Wren Cyphorhinus thoracicus
Musician Wren Cyphorhinus aradus

Song Wren Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus
● Genus Uropsila
❍ White-bellied Wren Uropsila leucogastra
● Genus Thryorchilus
❍ Timberline Wren Thryorchilus browni
● Genus Henicorhina
❍ Bar-winged Wood Wren Henicorhina leucoptera
Gray-breasted Wood Wren Henicorhina leucophrys

White-breasted Wood Wren Henicorhina leucosticta
Munchique Wood-wren, Henicorhina negreti
Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)

Stamp FR 345 of Postverk Føroya, Faroe
Islands
Issued: 22 February 1999
Artist: Astrid Andreasen
● Genus Troglodytes
❍ Clarion Island Wren Troglodytes tanneri
Cobb's Wren Troglodytes cobbi

House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Socorro Wren Trodlodytes sissonii (sometimes placed in Thryomanes)
Mountain Wren Troglodytes solstitialis
Ochraceous Wren Troglodytes ochraceus
Rufous-browed Wren Troglodytes rufociliatus
Santa Marta Wren Troglodytes monticola
Tepui Wren Troglodytes rufulus
Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes (sometimes monotypic genus Nannus)
● Genus Cistothorus
❍ Apolinar's Wren Cistothorus apolinari
Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris

Paramo Wren Cistothorus meridae
Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis
● Genus Ferminia
❍ Zapata Wren Ferminia cerverai
References
● Mann, Nigel I.; Barker, F. Keith; Graves, Jeff A.; Dingess-Mann, Kimberly A. & Slater, Peter J.
B. (2006): Molecular data delineate four genera of "Thryothorus" wrens. Molecular
Phylogenetics and Evolution 40: 750–759. DOI:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.04.014 (HTML abstract)
External links
● Wren videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Campylorhynchus
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Campylorhynchus
Campylorhynchus is a genus of wrens.
Home | Up | Campylorhynchus | Troglodytes

C. brunneicapillus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Family: Troglodytidae
Genus: Campylorhynchus
Spix, 1824
Species
Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
Campylorhynchus nuchalis
Campylorhynchus rufinucha
Campylorhynchus zonatus
...
Troglodytes
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Troglodytes
Troglodytes is a genus of small passerine birds in the wren family.
The genus name (Greek troglodytai, from trogle, "a hole" and
dyein, "to enter") refers to the tendency of these wrens to enter
small crevices and similar as they forage for food.
These wrens are around 11-12 cm long. They are typically

streaked brown above and somewhat paler below, with short
rounded wings, strong legs and a cocked tail. The flight is direct
and buzzing.
Troglodytes wrens are mostly found in somewhat cooler habitats

than most of their relatives, being birds of temperate latitudes and
tropical highlands, apart from the widely distributed lowland
House Wren. The hardy Winter Wren has a wide distribution in
North America, Europe and Asia and is the only wren of any House Wren
genus which occurs outside the New World. The Cobb's Wren of
the Falkland Islands is another species which tolerates harsh
conditions well. Kingdom: Animalia
The other species are found in the mountains of the tropics from Phylum: Chordata
Mexico to northern South America.
Class: Aves
Like other wrens, this group have skulking lifestyles as they hunt
for small insects and spiders but readily reveal their positions
through their loud songs. Order: Passeriformes
These are territorial birds, but the tiny Winter Wren will roost Family: Troglodytidae
communally in a cavity in cold weather to help conserve heat.
Genus: Troglodytes
Species Vieillot, 1809
Species
● Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
House Wren Troglodytes aedon See text.
Cobb's Wren Troglodytes cobbi
Clarion Island Wren Troglodytes tanneri
Rufous-browed Wren Troglodytes rufociliatus
Ochraceous Wren Troglodytes ochraceus
Santa Marta Wren Troglodytes monticola
Mountain Wren Troglodytes solstitialis
Tepui Wren Troglodytes rufulus
A number of these species, such as the Clarion Island Wren, were formerly considered subspecies of the
House Wren, and it has been argued that the tropical forms of the House Wren should be further spilt as
the Southern House Wren, Troglodytes mutilus.
The Winter Wren is less closely related to the other members of the genus, and is occasionally split as
the montypical genus Nannus.
References
● Hilty, Birds of Venezuela ISBN 0-7136-6418-5
● National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America ISBN 0-7922-6877-6
● Rice, Peterson and Escalona-Segura Phylogenetic patterns in montane Troglodytes wrens
Home | Up | Campylorhynchus | Troglodytes
Alethes
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Alethes
The Alethes are small mainly insectivorous birds in the genus
Alethe of the thrush family Turdidae.
All are African species: Kingdom: Animalia
● Brown-chested Alethe, Alethe poliocephala Phylum: Chordata

Cholo Alethe, Alethe choloensis Class: Aves
Fire-crested Alethe Alethe diademata
Family: Turdidae
Home | Up | Alethes | Bluebirds | Catharus thrushes | Myadestes
| Rock thrushes | Zoothera Genus: Alethe

Species
It uses material from the Wikipedia.
See text.
Catharus thrushes
Catharus
Catharus is a genus of birds in the thrush family Turdidae. It
comprises the small, mostly insectivorous or omnivorous thrushes
of North America and the nightingale-thrushes of Central and
South America
These are mainly forest birds with large eyes, straight slim bills
and fluty voices.
This is a typical New World thrush genus, although

representatives of other genera, such as the true thrushes, Turdus
also occur, especially in Central and South America. Gray-cheeked Thrush
The species are:
Kingdom: Animalia
● Veery, Catharus fuscescens
Gray-cheeked Thrush, Catharus minimus Phylum: Chordata
Bicknell's Thrush, Catharus bicknelli
Swainson's Thrush, Catharus ustulatus Class: Aves
Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus
Orange-billed Nightingale-thrush, Catharus aurantiirostris
Slaty-backed Nightingale-thrush, Catharus fuscater Order: Passeriformes
Russet Nightingale-thrush, Catharus occidentalis
Black-billed Nightingale-thrush, Catharus gracilirostris Family: Turdidae
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-thrush, Catharus frantzii
Black-headed Nightingale-thrush, Catharus mexicanus
Spotted Nightingale-thrush, Catharus dryas Genus: Catharus
Bonaparte, 1850
References species
See list

Myadestes
Solitaires
The Solitaires are medium-sized mostly insectivorous birds in the
genera Myadestes, Cichlopsis and Entomodestes of the thrush
family Turdidae.
These are species of the Americas and Hawaii.
Species list:
● Townsend's Solitaire, Myadestes townsendi

Brown-backed Solitaire, Myadestes occidentalis
Cuban Solitaire, Myadestes elisabeth
Rufous-throated Solitaire, Myadestes genibarbis
Black-faced Solitaire, Myadestes melanops
Varied Solitaire, Myadestes coloratus
Slate-colored Solitaire, Myadestes unicolor Scientific classification
Andean Solitaire, Myadestes ralloides Kingdom: Animalia
Kamao, Myadestes myadestinus (extinct)
Olomao, Myadestes lanaiensis
Omao, Myadestes obscurus Subkingdom: Chordata
Amaui, Myadestes woahensis (extinct) Class: Aves
Rufous-brown Solitaire, Cichlopsis leucogenys
White-eared Solitaire, Entomodestes leucotis
Black Solitaire, Entomodestes coracinus
Family: Turdidae
Home | Up | Alethes | Bluebirds | Catharus thrushes | Myadestes Genera

| Rock thrushes | Zoothera Myadestes
Cichlopsis
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation Entomodestes
Rock thrushes
Rock thrushes
The rock thrushes are medium-sized mostly insectivorous or
omnivorous birds in the genus Monticola in the thrush family
Turdidae. Three of the species are sometimes treated in a separate
genus Pseudocossyphus.
All are Old World species associated with mountainous regions:
● Benson's Rock Thrush, Monticola (Pseudocossyphus)

bensoni
Cape Rock Thrush, Monticola rupestris Female Blue Rock Thrush
Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Monticola rufiventris Scientific classification
Forest Rock Thrush, Monticola (Pseudocossyphus) sharpei Kingdom: Animalia
Littoral Rock Thrush, Monticola (Pseudocossyphus)
imerinus Phylum: Chordata
Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Monticola saxatilis Class: Aves
External links Family: Turdidae
● Rock thrush videos on the Internet Bird Collection Genus: Monticola

Boie, 1822
Species
See text
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| Rock thrushes | Zoothera
Zoothera
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Asian Thrushes
The Asian thrushes are medium-sized mostly
insectivorous or omnivorous birds in the genus Zoothera of
the thrush family Turdidae.
Apart from two in the New World (Varied Thrush, Aztec

Thrush), all are Old World species:
● Slaty-backed Thrush, Zoothera schistacea

Moluccan Thrush, Zoothera dumasi
Ashy Thrush, Zoothera cinerea Z. naevia
Orange-banded Thrush, Zoothera peronii Scientific classification
Everett's Thrush, Zoothera everetti Kingdom: Animalia
Varied Thrush, Zoothera naevia Phylum: Chordata
Aztec Thrush, Zoothera pinicola
Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Zoothera piaggiae Class: Aves
Orange Ground Thrush, Zoothera gurneyi Order: Passeriformes
Gray Ground Thrush, Zoothera princei Family: Turdidae
Oberlaender's Ground Thrush, Zoothera
oberlaenderi
Spotted Ground Thrush, Zoothera guttata Genus: Zoothera
Spot-winged Thrush, Zoothera spiloptera Vigors, 1832
Sunda Thrush, Zoothera andromedae Species
Plain-backed Thrush, Zoothera mollissima Many, see text
White's Thrush or Scaly Thrush, Zoothera dauma
Amami Thrush, Zoothera major
Horsfield's Thrush, Zoothera horsfieldi
Fawn-breasted Thrush, Zoothera machiki
Olive-tailed Thrush, Zoothera lunulata
New Britain Thrush, Zoothera talaseae
San Cristobal Thrush, Zoothera margaretae
Bonin Thrush, Zoothera terrestris (extinct)
External links
● Asian thrush videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Viduidae
Indigobirds
The Indigobirds and whydahs, are small passerine birds native to
Africa.
These are finch-like species which usually have black or indigo Kingdom: Animalia
predominating in their plumage. The birds named as "whydahs"
have long or very long tails. Phylum: Chordata
All are brood parasites, which lay their eggs in the nests of estrildid Class: Aves
finch species; most indigobirds use fire-finches as hosts, whereas
the paradise whydahs chose pytilias.
Unlike the cuckoo, the host's eggs are not destroyed. Typically, 2-4
eggs are laid in with the those already present. The eggs of both the Family: Viduidae
host and the victim are white, although the indigobird's are slightly
larger. Genus: Vidua
Cuvier, 1816
Many of the indigo-plumaged species named as "indigobirds" are
Species
very similar in appearance, with the males difficult to separate in the
field, and the young and females near impossible. The best guide is See text.
often the estrildid finch with which they are associating, since each indigobird parasitises a different host
species. Thus the Village Indigobird is usually found with Red-billed Fire-finches.
Indigobirds and whydahs imitate their host's song, which the males learn in the nest. Although females
do not sing, they also learn to recognise the song, and chose males with the same song, thus perpetuating
the link between each species of indigobird and firefinch.
Similarly, the nestling indigobirds mimic the unique gape pattern of the fledglings of the host species.
The matching with the host is the driving force behind speciation in this family, but the close gemetic
and morphological similarities among species suggest that they are of recent origin.
● Family: Viduidae
❍ Village Indigobird, Vidua chalybeata
❍ Jambandu Indigobird, Vidua raricola
❍ Baka Indigobird, Vidua larvaticola

❍ Jos Plateau Indigobird, Vidua maryae
❍ Quailfinch Indigobird, Vidua nigeriae
❍ Variable Indigobird, Vidua funerea
❍ Green Indigobird, Vidua codringtoni
❍ Purple Indigobird, Vidua purpurascens
❍ Pale-winged Indigobird, Vidua wilsoni
❍ Cameroon Indigobird, Vidua camerunensis
❍ Steel-blue Whydah, Vidua hypocherina
❍ Straw-tailed Whydah, Vidua fischeri
❍ Shaft-tailed Whydah, Vidua regia
❍ Pin-tailed Whydah, Vidua macroura
❍ Togo Paradise Whydah, Vidua togoensis
❍ Long-tailed Paradise Whydah, Vidua interjecta
❍ Eastern Paradise Whydah, Vidua paradisaea
❍ Northern Paradise Whydah, Vidua orientalis
❍ Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah, Vidua obtusa
External links
● Indigobird videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Zosteropidae
Zosterops
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White-Eyes
The white-eyes are small passerine birds native to tropical and sub-
tropical Africa, southern Asia and Australasia. They also inhabit
most of the islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Many white-
eye species are endemic to single islands, and the brown-backed
species only occur on islands, but some have a very wide
distribution. The Silvereye, Zosterops lateralis, naturally colonised
New Zealand, where it is known as the "Wax-eye" or Tauhau,
from 1855. The genus Apalopteron, formerly treated in the
Meliphagidae, has recently been transferred to the Zosteropidae on
genetic evidence.
The birds of this group are mostly of undistinguished appearance,

the plumage above being generally either mouse-coloured or Zosterops palpebrosus
greenish olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow Scientific classification
throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. They
Kingdom: Animalia
have rounded wings and strong legs. The size ranges up to 15cm
(6 inches) in length.
Phylum: Chordata
All the species of white-eyes are sociable, forming large flocks
which only separate on the approach of the breeding season. They Class: Aves
build tree nests and lay 2-4 unspotted pale blue eggs.
Though mainly insectivorous, they eat nectar and fruits of various
kinds. The Silvereye can be a problem in Australian vineyards,
through piercing the grape allowing infection or insect damage to Family: Zosteropidae
follow.
Genera
The scientific name of the group derives from the Greek for girdle-
eye, and refers to the ring of white feathers round the eyes, which
is very conspicuous in many species.

● Black-capped Speirops, Speirops lugubris Cleptornis
Cameroon Speirops, Speirops melanocephalus Heleia
Fernando Po Speirops, Speirops brunneus Hypocryptadius
Principe Speirops, Speirops leucophoeus Lophozosterops
African Yellow White-eye, Zosterops senegalensis Madanga
Broad-ringed White-eye, Zosterops poliogaster Megazosterops
White-breasted White-eye, Zosterops abyssinicus Oculocincta
Cape White-eye, Zosterops pallidus Rukia
Pemba White-eye, Zosterops vaughani Speirops
Mayotte White-eye, Zosterops mayottensis Tephrozosterops
Madagascar White-eye, Zosterops maderaspatanus Woodfordia
Comoro White-eye, Zosterops mouroniensis Zosterops
Sao Tome White-eye, Zosterops ficedulinus Apalopteron
Annobon White-eye, Zosterops griseovirescens
Mascarene White-eye, Zosterops borbonicus
Reunion White-eye, Zosterops olivaceus
Mauritius Olive White-eye, Zosterops chloronothos
Seychelles White-eye, Zosterops modestus
Sri Lanka White-eye, Zosterops ceylonensis
Chestnut-flanked White-eye, Zosterops erythropleurus
Oriental White-eye, Zosterops palpebrosus
Japanese White-eye, Zosterops japonicus
Lowland White-eye, Zosterops meyeni
Enggano White-eye, Zosterops salvadorii
Bridled White-eye, Zosterops conspicillatus
Caroline Islands White-eye, Zosterops semperi
Plain White-eye, Zosterops hypolais
Black-capped White-eye, Zosterops atricapillus
Everett's White-eye, Zosterops everetti
Yellowish White-eye, Zosterops nigrorum
Mountain White-eye, Zosterops montanus
Christmas Island White-eye, Zosterops natalis
Javan White-eye, Zosterops flavus
Yellow-bellied White-eye, Zosterops chloris
Ashy-bellied White-eye, Zosterops citrinellus
Great Kai White-eye, Zosterops grayi
Little Kai White-eye, Zosterops uropygialis
Sulawesi White-eye, Zosterops consobrinorum
Black-ringed White-eye, Zosterops anomalus
Yellow-spectacled White-eye, Zosterops wallacei
Black-crowned White-eye, Zosterops atrifrons
Sangihe White-eye, Zosterops nehrkorni
Seram White-eye, Zosterops stalkeri
Cream-throated White-eye, Zosterops atriceps
Black-fronted White-eye, Zosterops minor
White-throated White-eye, Zosterops meeki
Black-headed White-eye, Zosterops hypoxanthus
Biak White-eye, Zosterops mysorensis
Capped White-eye, Zosterops fuscicapillus
Buru White-eye, Zosterops buruensis
Ambon White-eye, Zosterops kuehni
New Guinea White-eye, Zosterops novaeguineae
Australian Yellow White-eye, Zosterops luteus
Louisiade White-eye, Zosterops griseotinctus
Rennell White-eye, Zosterops rennellianus
Banded White-eye, Zosterops vellalavella
Ganongga White-eye, Zosterops splendidus
Splendid White-eye, Zosterops luteirostris
Solomon Islands White-eye, Zosterops kulambangrae
Kulambangra White-eye, Zosterops murphyi
Yellow-throated White-eye, Zosterops metcalfii
Grey-throated White-eye, Zosterops rendovae
Malaita White-eye, Zosterops stresemanni
Santa Cruz White-eye, Zosterops santaecrucis
Large Lifou White-eye, Zosterops inornatus
Green-backed White-eye, Zosterops xanthochrous
Small Lifou White-eye, Zosterops minutus
Lord Howe White-eye, Zosterops tephropleurus
Slender-billed White-eye, Zosterops tenuirostris
White-chested White-eye, Zosterops albogularis
Layard's White-eye, Zosterops explorator
Silvereye, Zosterops lateralis
Yellow-fronted White-eye, Zosterops flavifrons
Samoan White-eye, Zosterops samoensis
Dusky White-eye, Zosterops finschii
Grey White-eye, Zosterops cinereus
Yap White-eye, Zosterops oleagineus
Truk White-eye, Rukia ruki
Long-billed White-eye, Rukia longirostra
Golden White-eye, Cleptornis marchei
Rufescent White-eye, Tephrozosterops stalkeri
Rufous-throated White-eye, Madanga ruficollis
Javan Grey-throated White-eye, Lophozosterops javanicus
Streak-headed White-eye, Lophozosterops squamiceps
Grey-hooded White-eye, Lophozosterops pinaiae
Mindanao White-eye, Lophozosterops goodfellowi
White-browed White-eye, Lophozosterops superciliaris
Dark-crowned White-eye, Lophozosterops dohertyi
Pygmy White-eye, Oculocincta squamifrons
Flores White-eye, Heleia crassirostris
Timor White-eye, Heleia muelleri
Mountain Black-eye, Chlorocharis emiliae
Bare-eyed White-eye, Woodfordia superciliosa
Sanford's White-eye, Woodfordia lacertosa
Giant White-eye, Megazosterops palauensis
Cinnamon White-eye, Hypocryptadius cinnamomeus
Bonin White-eye, Apalopteron familiare (formerly Bonin Honeyeater)
External links
● White-Eye videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Zosterops
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Zosterops
Zosterops is a genus of birds in the White-eye family
Zosteropidae
This genus contains with 73 the highest number of species

in that family. They occur in the Afrotropic ecoregion, the
Indomalaya zone, and the Australasia ecozone. They can
reach a length between 8 and 15 cm. Their most characteric
feature is the conspicious white feather ring around the
eyes.
Species list
● Zosterops abyssinicus Guerin-Meneville, 1843
Zosterops albogularis Gould, 1837
Zosterops anomalus Meyer & Wiglesworth, 1896
Zosterops japonicus
Zosterops atricapillus Salvadori, 1879
Zosterops atriceps Gray, 1860 Scientific classification
Zosterops atrifrons Wallace, 1864 Kingdom: Animalia
Zosterops borbonicus (Boddaert, 1783)
Zosterops buruensis Salvadori, 1878
Zosterops ceylonensis Holdsworth, 1872 Phylum: Chordata
Zosterops chloris Bonaparte, 1850
Zosterops chloronothos (Vieillot, 1817) Class: Aves
Zosterops cinereus (Kittlitz, 1832)
Zosterops citrinellus Bonaparte, 1850
Zosterops consobrinorum Meyer, 1904
Zosterops conspicillatus (Kittlitz, 1833)
Zosterops erythropleurus Swinhoe, 1863 Family: Zosteropidae
Zosterops everetti Tweeddale, 1878
Zosterops explorator Layard, 1875 Genus: Zosterops
Zosterops ficedulinus Hartlaub, 1866 Vigors & Horsfield, 1827
Zosterops finschii (Hartlaub, 1868)
Zosterops flavifrons (J. F. Gmelin, 1789) Species
Zosterops flavus (Horsfield, 1821) See text.
Zosterops fuscicapillus Salvadori, 1876
Zosterops grayi Wallace, 1864
Zosterops griseotinctus Gray, 1858
Zosterops griseovirescens Bocage, 1893
Zosterops hypolais Hartlaub & Finsch, 1872
Zosterops hypoxanthus Salvadori, 1881
Zosterops inornatus Layard, 1878
Zosterops japonicus Temminck & Schlegel, 1847
Zosterops kirki Shelley, 1880
Zosterops kuehni Hartert, 1906
Zosterops kulambangrae Rothschild & Hartert, 1901
Zosterops lateralis (Latham, 1802)
Zosterops luteirostris Hartert, 1904
Zosterops luteus Gould, 1843
Zosterops maderaspatanus (Linnaeus, 1766)
Zosterops mayottensis Schlegel, 1866
Zosterops meeki Hartert, 1898
Zosterops metcalfii Tristram, 1894
Zosterops meyeni Bonaparte, 1850
Zosterops minor Meyer, 1875
Zosterops minutus Layard, 1878
Zosterops modestus (Newton, 1867)
Zosterops montanus Bonaparte, 1850
Zosterops mouroniensis Milne-Edwards & Oustalet, 1885
Zosterops murphyi Hartert, 1929
Zosterops mysorensis Meyer, 1875
Zosterops natalis Lister, 1889
Zosterops nigrorum Tweeddale, 1878
Zosterops novaeguineae Salvadori, 1878
Zosterops oleagineus Hartlaub & Finsch, 1872
Zosterops olivaceus (Linnaeus, 1766)
Zosterops pallidus Swainson, 1838
Zosterops palpebrosus (Temminck, 1824)
Zosterops poliogaster Heuglin, 1861
Zosterops rendovae Tristram, 1882
Zosterops rennellianus Murphy, 1929
Zosterops salvadorii Meyer & Wiglesworth, 1894
Zosterops samoensis Murphy & Mathews, 1929
Zosterops sanctaecrucis Tristram, 1894
Zosterops semperi Hartlaub, 1868
Zosterops senegalensis Bonaparte, 1850
Zosterops splendidus Hartert, 1929
Zosterops strenuus Gould, 1855 (extinct)
Zosterops stresemanni Mayr, 1931
Zosterops tenuirostris Gould, 1837
Zosterops tephropleurus Gould, 1855
Zosterops uropygialis Salvadori, 1874
Zosterops vaughani Bannerman, 1924
Zosterops vellalavella Hartert, 1908
Zosterops wallacei Finsch, 1901
Zosterops xanthochrous Gray, 1859
External links
● Zosterops videos on the Internet Bird Collection
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Tyranni
Acanthisittidae | Conopophagidae | Cotingidae | Eurylaimidae | Formicariidae | Furnariidae | Philepittidae
| Pipridae | Pitta | Rhinocryptidae | Thamnophilidae | Tyrannidae
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Tyranni
The suborder Tyranni (the suboscines) of passerine birds include
about 1,000 fairly primitive species, the large majority of which
are South American.
These have a less developed vocal structure than the songbirds in

the suborder Passeri, the oscine passerines. Mitochondrial DNA
studies have confirmed that the Tyranni and Passeri suborders are
genetically distinct.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Families
● Tyrannidae: tyrant flycatchers Kingdom: Animalia
Pittidae: pittas
Eurylaimidae: broadbills Phylum: Chordata
Dendrocolaptidae: woodcreepers
Furnariidae: ovenbirds
Thamnophilidae: antbirds Class: Aves
Conopophagidae: gnateaters Order: Passeriformes
Suborder: Tyranni
Pipridae: manakins
Acanthisittidae: New Zealand "wrens" Families

Tyrannidae
Pittidae
Eurylaimidae
Dendrocolaptidae
Furnariidae
Thamnophilidae
Formicariidae
Conopophagidae
Rhinocryptidae
Cotingidae
Pipridae
Philepittidae
Acanthisittidae
Conopophagidae
Gnateaters
The gnateaters are a family of eight small passerine bird species
found in South America.
They are birds of dense wet forest undergrowth or bamboo stands in Kingdom: Animalia
the Amazon and Orinoco basins and surrounding slightly higher
ground. Phylum: Chordata
They are round, short-tailed, and long-legged birds, about 5 inches Class: Aves
in length. They are quite upright when standing. Sexes differ in
plumage, and males are attractively coloured in shades of red and
brown. Most species have a white tuft behind the eye. They are Order: Passeriformes
insectivorous as the group name implies.
Family: Conopophagidae
Species list Sclater & Salvin, 1873
Genus: Conopophaga
Family: Conopophagidae Vieillot, 1816
Species
● Rufous Gnateater, Conopophaga lineata 8, see text
Chestnut-bellied Gnateater, Conopophaga aurita
Hooded Gnateater, Conopophaga roberti
Ash-throated Gnateater, Conopophaga peruviana
Slaty Gnateater, Conopophaga ardesiaca
Chestnut-crowned Gnateater, Conopophaga castaneiceps
Black-cheeked Gnateater, Conopophaga melanops
Black-bellied Gnateater, Conopophaga melanogaster

Cotingidae
Cephalopterus | Procnias | Rupicola
Cotingas
The cotingas are a large family of passerine bird species found in
tropical South America.
They are birds of forests or forest edges, which mostly eat fruit or Kingdom: Animalia
insects and fruit. Comparatively little is known about this diverse
group, although all have broad bills with hooked tips, rounded Phylum: Chordata
wings, and strong legs.
Class: Aves
The males of many species, such as the cock-of-the-rocks, are
brightly coloured, or decorated with plumes or wattles, like the
umbrellabirds, with their umbrella-like crest and long throat wattles. Order: Passeriformes
Some, like the bellbirds, have distinctive and far-carrying calls. The
females of most species are duller than the males. Family: Cotingidae
The cock-of-the-rocks are more terrestrial than other species, and

Genera
have an elaborate group mating display.
Many, see text.
Species
● Genus Oxyruncus
❍ Sharpbill, Oxyruncus cristatus
● Genus Phytotoma, the plantcutters

❍ Peruvian Plantcutter, Phytotoma raimondii
White-tipped Plantcutter, Phytotoma rutila

Rufous-tailed Plantcutter, Phytotoma rara
● Genus Phoenicircus
❍ Black-necked Red Cotinga, Phoenicircus nigricollis
❍ Guianan Red Cotinga, Phoenicircus carnifex
● Genus Laniisoma
❍ Shrike-like Cotinga, Laniisoma elegans
● Genus Laniocera, the mourners

❍ Speckled Mourner, Laniocera rufescens
❍ Cinereous Mourner, Laniocera hypopyrra

● Genus Phibalura
❍ Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Phibalura flavirostris
● Genus Tijuca
❍ Black-and-gold Cotinga, Tijuca atra
❍ Gray-winged Cotinga, Tijuca condita
● Genus Carpornis, the berryeaters

❍ Hooded Berryeater, Carpornis cucullatus
❍ Black-headed Berryeater, Carpornis melanocephalus
● Genus Ampelion
❍ Red-crested Cotinga, Ampelion rubrocristata
❍ Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Ampelion rufaxilla
● Genus Doliornis
❍ Chestnut-bellied Cotinga, Doliornis remseni
❍ Bay-vented Cotinga, Doliornis sclateri
● Genus Zaratornis
❍ White-cheeked Cotinga, Zaratornis stresemanni
● Genus Pipreola, the fruiteaters

❍ Green-and-black Fruiteater, Pipreola riefferii
❍ Band-tailed Fruiteater, Pipreola intermedia
❍ Barred Fruiteater, Pipreola arcuata
❍ Golden-breasted Fruiteater, Pipreola aureopectus
❍ Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Pipreola jucunda
❍ Black-chested Fruiteater, Pipreola lubomirskii
❍ Masked Fruiteater, Pipreola pulchra
❍ Fiery-throated Fruiteater, Pipreola chlorolepidota
❍ Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater, Pipreola frontalis
❍ Handsome Fruiteater, Pipreola formosa
❍ Red-banded Fruiteater, Pipreola whitelyi
● Genus Ampelioides
❍ Scaled Fruiteater, Ampelioides tschudii
● Genus Iodopleura, the purpletufts

❍ Buff-throated Purpletuft, Iodopleura pipra
❍ White-browed Purpletuft, Iodopleura isabellae
❍ Dusky Purpletuft, Iodopleura fusca
● Genus Calyptura
❍ Kinglet Calyptura, Calyptura cristata
● Genus Lipaugus, the pihas

❍ Gray-tailed Piha, Lipaugus subalaris
❍ Olivaceous Piha, Lipaugus cryptolophus
❍ Dusky Piha, Lipaugus fuscocinereus
❍ Scimitar-winged Piha, Lipaugus uropygialis
❍ Screaming Piha, Lipaugus vociferans
❍ Rufous Piha, Lipaugus unirufus

❍ Cinnamon-vented Piha, Lipaugus lanioides
❍ Rose-collared Piha, Lipaugus streptophorus
● Genus Porphyrolaema
❍ Purple-throated Cotinga, Porphyrolaema porphyrolaema
● Genus Cotinga
❍ Lovely Cotinga, Cotinga amabilis
❍ Turquoise Cotinga, Cotinga ridgwayi
❍ Blue Cotinga, Cotinga nattererii
❍ Plum-throated Cotinga, Cotinga maynana
❍ Purple-breasted Cotinga, Cotinga cotinga
❍ Banded Cotinga, Cotinga maculata
❍ Spangled Cotinga, Cotinga cayana
● Genus Xipholena
❍ Pompadour Cotinga, Xipholena punicea
❍ White-tailed Cotinga, Xipholena lamellipennis
❍ White-winged Cotinga, Xipholena atropurpurea
● Genus Carpodectes
❍ Black-tipped Cotinga, Carpodectes hopkei
❍ Yellow-billed Cotinga, Carpodectes antoniae
❍ Snowy Cotinga, Carpodectes nitidus
● Genus Conioptilon
❍ Black-faced Cotinga, Conioptilon mcilhennyi
● Genus Gymnoderus
❍ Bare-necked Fruitcrow, Gymnoderus foetidus
● Genus Haematoderus
❍ Crimson Fruitcrow, Haematoderus militaris
● Genus Querula
❍ Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Querula purpurata
● Genus Pyroderus
❍ Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Pyroderus scutatus
● Genus Cephalopterus, the umbrellabirds

❍ Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Cephalopterus penduliger
❍ Amazonian Umbrellabird, Cephalopterus ornatus
❍ Bare-necked Umbrellabird, Cephalopterus glabricollis
● Genus Perissocephalus
❍ Capuchinbird, Perissocephalus tricolor
● Genus Procnias, the bellbirds

❍ Three-wattled Bellbird, Procnias tricarunculata
White Bellbird, Procnias alba

Bearded Bellbird, Procnias averano
Bare-throated Bellbird, Procnias nudicollis
● Genus Rupicola, the cock-of-the-rocks
❍ Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, Rupicola rupicola
Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Rupicola peruviana
External links
● Cotinga videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Cephalopterus
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Umbrellabirds
Umbrellabird or Cephalopterus is a genus of the cotinga family.
They live in the tropical forests of the Americas.
Kingdom: Animalia
Species
● Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Cephalopterus penduliger Phylum: Chordata
Amazonian Umbrellabird, Cephalopterus ornatus
Bare-necked Umbrellabird, Cephalopterus glabricollis Class: Aves
Home | Up | Cephalopterus | Procnias | Rupicola

Family: Cotingidae
It uses material from the Wikipedia. Genus: Cephalopterus
Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire,
E, 1809
Species
Long-wattled Umbrellabird
Amazonian Umbrellabird
Bare-necked Umbrellabird
Procnias
South American Bellbird

South American Bellbird (or simply 'bellbird') is the common
name given to passerine birds of the genus Procnias, found in South
America. They are members of the cotinga family.
Kingdom: Animalia
Species list
Phylum: Chordata
Genus Procnias
Class: Aves
● Three-wattled Bellbird, Procnias tricarunculata
White Bellbird, Procnias alba Order: Passeriformes
Bearded Bellbird, Procnias averano
Bare-throated Bellbird, Procnias nudicollis
Family: Cotingidae
Genus: Procnias
Home | Up | Cephalopterus | Procnias | Rupicola Illiger, 1811
Species
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. Three-wattled Bellbird
It uses material from the Wikipedia. White Bellbird
Bearded Bellbird
Bare-throated Bellbird
Rupicola
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Cock-of-the-rock
The Cock-of-the-rock, genus Rupicola, is a South American
cotingid bird.
They are found in Tropical Rain Forests close to rocky areas, where Kingdom: Animalia
they build their nests. Just like other cotingids they have a complex
court behaviour, performing impressive lek displays. Phylum: Chordata
The males are magnificent birds, not only because of their strong Class: Aves
bright-orange or reddish colors, but also because of the very
prominent fan shaped crests they have. They are wary animals and
feed, basically, on fruits. Order: Passeriformes
There are two different species of Cock-of-the-rocks, the Andean Family: Cotingidae
Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana) and the Guianan Cock-of-
the-rock (Rupicola rupicola), both species found only in the
Genus: Rupicola
northern part of South America.
Brisson, 1760
Species
Rupicola rupicola
Home | Up | Cephalopterus | Procnias | Rupicola Rupicola peruviana
Eurylaimidae
Calyptomena
Broadbills
The broadbills are a family of small passerine bird species found
in tropical southeast Asia, with a few species in Africa.
Broadbills are brightly coloured birds that feed on fruit and also
take insects in flycatcher fashion, snapping their broad bills. Their
habitat is canopies of wet forests, so despite their colours, they are
difficult to observe.
Their nest is a purse-shaped structure built in a tree, into which

typically 2–3 eggs are laid.
The Smithornis and Pseudocalyptomena species occur in tropical

Africa; the rest extend from the eastern Himalayas to Sumatra and
Borneo.
The Sapayoa was originally classified in the group Pipridae,

according to Sapayoa aenigma: a New World representative of
'Old World suboscines' the genus more accurately fits the
broadbill family. Psarisomus dalhousiae
In addition to the Sapayoa, which if included would be in its own
subfamily, there are four other subfamilies of broadbill: Kingdom: Animalia
● The typical African broadbills, Smithornithinae Phylum: Chordata

(containing three species in a single genus, Smithornis)
● The Asian green broadbills, Calyptomeninae (containing Class: Aves
three species in a single genus, Calyptomena)
● Grauer's Broadbill, Pseudocalyptomeninae
● The typical Asian broadbills, Eurylaiminae (the remaining Order: Passeriformes
five genera, containing eight species)
Family: Eurylaimidae
Species
● Broad-billed Sapayoa, Sapayoa aenigma Genera
African Broadbill, Smithornis capensis Sapayoa
Gray-headed Broadbill, Smithornis sharpei Smithornis
Rufous-sided Broadbill, Smithornis rufolateralis Pseudocalyptomena
Grauer's Broadbill, Pseudocalyptomena graueri Corydon
Dusky Broadbill, Corydon sumatranus Cymbirhynchus
Black-and-red Broadbill, Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos Eurylaimus
Banded Broadbill, Eurylaimus javanicus Psarisomus
Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Eurylaimus ochromalus Serilophus
Wattled Broadbill, Eurylaimus steerii Calyptomena
Visayan Broadbill, Eurylaimus samarensis
Long-tailed Broadbill, Psarisomus dalhousiae
Silver-breasted Broadbill, Serilophus lunatus
Green Broadbill, Calyptomena viridis
Hose's Broadbill, Calyptomena hosei
Whitehead's Broadbill Calyptomena whiteheadi

Calyptomena
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Calyptomena
The genus Calyptomena Raffles, 1822 consist of three species of
Asian green broadbills.
Kingdom: Animalia
Species
● Green Broadbill, Calyptomena viridis Phylum: Chordata
Hose's Broadbill, Calyptomena hosii
Whitehead's Broadbill Calyptomena whiteheadi Class: Aves
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Family: Eurylaimidae
It uses material from the Wikipedia. Genus: Calyptomena
Raffles, 1822
Furnariidae
Furnarius | Pseudocolaptes | Xenops
Ovenbirds
Ovenbirds or furnariids comprise a large family of small
sub-oscine passerine bird species found in Central and
South America. They form the family Furnariidae. They
should not be confused with the Ovenbird, Seiurus
aurocapillus, which is a wood warbler in the family
Parulidae.
This is a diverse group of insectivores which gets its name

from the elaborate "oven-like" clay nests built by some
species, although others build stick nests or nest in tunnels
or clefts in rock. The Spanish word for "oven" gives the
conspicuous horneros their name. Furnariid nests are
always constructed with a cover, and up to six pale blue, Furnarius rufus
greenish or white eggs are laid. Most species are forest
birds, but some are found in more open habitats.
Kingdom: Animalia
Contents
Phylum: Chordata
● 1 Systematics
❍ 1.1 Subfamily Sclerurinae
Class: Aves
❍ 1.2 Subfamily Dendrocolaptinae -
Woodcreepers Order: Passeriformes

❍ 1.3 Subfamily Furnariinae
● 2 References Family: Furnariidae

Genera
Many, see text.
Systematics
Recently, the woodcreepers (formerly Dendrocolaptidae) were merged into this family.
The systematics of the Dendrocolaptinae were reviewed by Rajkow (1994) based on morphology and by
Irestedt et al. (2004) based on analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. Using the latter approach, the
suspected major lineages of the Furnariinae (foilage-gleaners, spinetails, and true ovenbirds) were
confirmed, but some new lineages were discovered and the relationships of several genera had to be
revised (Fjeldså et al., 2005).
The taxonomic arrangement presented below is based on a synthesis of current data (e.g. Cheviron et al.,
2005). Many species or entire genera have not been sampled to analyze DNA sequences, and as the
recent studies have discovered that convergent evolution is commonplace in the family, it seems not
advisable to place them in the taxonomic sequence without further research. Several genera are in need
of revision too.
Subfamily Sclerurinae
Miners and leaftossers
● Genus Geositta - miners
● Genus Sclerurus - leaftossers
Subfamily Dendrocolaptinae - Woodcreepers
Tribe Xenopini - xenops
● Genus Megaxenops - Great Xenops

Genus Xenops
Tribe Dendrocolaptini - true woodcreepers
● Genus Glyphorynchus - Wedge-billed Woodcreeper

Genus Dendrocincla
Genus Deconychura
Genus Sittasomus - Olivaceous Woodcreeper
Genus Nasica - Long-billed Woodcreeper
Genus Dendrexetastes - Cinnamon-throated Woodcreeper
Genus Dendrocolaptes
Genus Hylexetastes
Genus Xiphocolaptes
Genus Campylorhamphus
Genus Drymornis - Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper
Genus Lepidocolaptes
Genus Dendroplex - formerly in Xiphorhynchus
Genus Xiphorhynchus (possibly polyphyletic)
Subfamily Furnariinae
Horneros and allies
Tribe "Berlepschiini" - Palmcreeper (possibly distinct subfamily)
● Genus Berlepschia
Tribe Philydorini - foilage-gleaners and allies
● Foilage-gleaners
❍ Genus Philydor
Genus Automolus
● Genus Thripadectes - treehunters
Tribe "Margarornini" - treerunners
● Genus Margarornis
Tribe Furnarini - true ovenbirds
● Genus Furnarius - horneros

Genus Upucerthia
Genus Cinclodes - cinclodes
Tribe Synallaxini - spinetails and allies
● Genus Leptasthenura - tit-spinetails

Genus Phacellodomus - thornbirds
Genus Anumbius - Firewood-gatherer
Genus Coryphistera - Brushrunner
Genus Asthenes - canasteros
● Spinetails
❍ Genus Cranioleuca
Genus Synallaxis
Genus Poecilurus
Affiliations undetermined
● Genus Lochmias - Streamcreeper (Sclerurinae or "Margaronini"?)

Genus Heliobletus - Sharp-billed Treehunter (probably Xenopini)
Genus Pseudocolaptes - tuftedcheeks (possibly "Berlepschiini")
Genus Anabacerthia (probably Philydorini)
Genus Syndactyla (probably Philydorini)
Genus Simoxenops - recurvebills (probably Philydorini)
Genus Ancistrops - Hookbill (probably Philydorini)
Genus Hyloctistes - Woodhaunter (probably Philydorini)
Genus Anabazenops (probably Philydorini)
Genus Cichlocolaptes - Pale-browed Treehunter (probably Philydorini)
Genus Hylocryptus (possibly Philydorini)
● Barbtails (probably "Margaronini")
❍ Genus Premnornis
Genus Premnoplex
Genus Roraimia
● Genus Ochetorhynchus (probably Furnarini)
Genus Eremobius - Band-tailed Earthcreeper (probably Furnarini)
Genus Chilia - Chilia (probably Furnarini)
Genus Clibanornis - Groundcreeper (possibly Furnarini)
Genus Limnornis - reedhaunters (possibly Synallaxini)
Genus Phleocryptes - Rushbird
Genus Aphrastura - rayaditos (possibly Synallaxini)
Genus Spartonoica - Wren-spinetail (possibly Synallaxini)
Genus Sylviorthorhynchus - Wiretail (possibly Synallaxini)
● Thistletails (probably Synallaxini)
❍ Genus Schizoeaca
Genus Oreophylax
Genus Schoeniophylax
Genus Siptornopsis
Genus Gyalophylax
Genus Hellmayrea
Genus Certhiaxis
Genus Thripophaga
● Genus Siptornis - Prickletail
Genus Metopothrix - Plushcrown
Genus Xenerpestes - graytails
Genus Acrobatornis - Graveteiro
Genus Pseudoseisura - cacholotes
Genus Pygarrhichas - White-throated Treerunner
References
● Cheviron, Z. A.; Capparella, Angelo P.; Vuilleumier, François (2005): Molecular phylogenetic
relationships among the Geositta miners (Furnariidae) and biogeographic implications for avian
speciation in Fuego-Patagonia. Auk 122(1): 158–174. DOI: 10.1642/0004-8038(2005)122[0158:
MPRATG]2.0.CO;2 HTML abstract
● Fjeldså, Jon; Irestedt, Martin & Ericson, Per G. P. (2005): Molecular data reveal some major
adaptational shifts in the early evolution of the most diverse avian family, the Furnariidae.
Journal of Ornithology 146: 1–13. [English with German abstract] DOI:10.1007/s10336-004-
0054-5 (HTML abstract) PDF fulltext
● Irestedt, Martin; Fjeldså, Jon & Ericson, Per G. P. (2004): Phylogenetic relationships of
woodcreepers (Aves: Dendrocolaptinae) - incongruence between molecular and morphological
data. Journal of Avian Biology 35(3): 280-288. DOI:10.1111/j.0908-8857.2004.03234.x (HTML
abstract)
● Rajkow, Robert J. (1994): A phylogeny of the woodcreepers (Dendrocolaptinae). Auk 111(1):

104–114. PDF fulltext
External links
● Ovenbird videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Ovenbird sounds in the xeno-canto collection

Furnarius
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Hornero
The horneros, also known as ovenbirds (though unrelated to the Ovenbird, which is a parulid warbler)
are members of the genus Furnarius in the family Furnariidae, native to South America.
Horneros are rather soft-looking, light-brown birds known for building mud nests that resemble old Kingdom: Animalia
wood-fired ovens. (The Spanish word "hornero" comes from horno, meaning "oven".) The entrance
forms a curved doorway to protect the chicks from intense winds and from predators. The nest contains Phylum: Chordata
two chambers for the 3–4 chicks.
Class: Aves
An adult hornero can frequently be seen sitting on top of its nest. When distressed while it is inside, it
forces air out under its wings to create a loud noise sounding like a cry.
Horneros are a national emblem of Argentina, one of the many countries they inhabit.
Family: Furnariidae
Genus: Furnarius
Vieillot, 1816
Species
Pale-legged Hornero, F. leucopus
Bay Hornero, F. torridus
Tail-banded Hornero, F. figulus
Lesser Hornero, F. minor
Rufous Hornero, F. rufus
Crested Hornero, F. cristatus
Hornero building a nest in Minas Gerais,

Brazil
References
● Furnarius (TSN 557691). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 13 March 2006.
External links
● Hornero videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Furnarius | Pseudocolaptes | Xenops
Pseudocolaptes
Tuftedcheek
The Tuftedcheeks are passerine birds in the genus Pseudocolaptes
of the ovenbird family. The three species occur in the mountains of
the tropical New World from Costa Rica to Bolivia. They are:
Kingdom: Animalia
● Streaked Tuftedcheek, Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii
Buffy Tuftedcheek, Pseudocolaptes lawrencii Phylum: Chordata
Pacific Tuftedcheek, Pseudocolaptes johnsoni
Class: Aves
They are sometimes considered conspecific.
They occur as resident breeders in wet mountain forests with many Order: Passeriformes
epiphytes, normallyabove 1500 m. The female lays one white egg in
a thickly lined old woodpecker nest or other tree cavity. One parent, Family: Furnariidae
probably the female, incubates the single white egg for about 29
days to hatching
Genus: Pseudocolaptes
Reichenbach, 1853
The Tuftedcheeks are 20-22 cm long weigh 48 g, and have long
bright rufous tails, mainly brown upperparts, and a pale-streaked Species
dark brown cap to the head. The feature that gives the group its P. boissonneautii
English name is the tuft of buff or whitish feathers on each cheek. P. lawrencii
The throat is the same colour as the tufts. P. johnsoni
The Tuftedcheeks forage actively amongst mosses, vines, bromeliads and other epiphytes for insects,
spiders, and even small amphibians. They will join mixed feeding flocks in the middle levels of the
mountain forests.
References
● Hilty, Birds of Venezuela by, ISBN 0-7136-6418-5

Xenops
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Xenops
Xenops is a genus in the South American bird family Furnariidae,
the ovenbirds.
They are small birds with a longish tail, a laterally flattened bill with Kingdom: Animalia
an upturned tip, brown back and buff or rufous wing stripe. They
forage for insects on bark, rotting stumps or bare twigs, moving Phylum: Chordata
mechanically in all directions on the trunk like a woodcreeper, but
without using the tail as a prop. Class: Aves
Species Order: Passeriformes
● Rufous-tailed Xenops, Xenops milleri

Slender-billed Xenops, Xenops tenuirostris Family: Furnariidae
Plain Xenops, Xenops minutus
Streaked Xenops, Xenops rutilans Genus: Xenops
Illiger, 1811
References Species
See text.
● Birds of Trinidad and Tobago by ffrench, ISBN 0-7136-6759-1
Philepittidae
Asities
The asities are a family of small suboscine passerine bird species
found in Madagascar. They were thought to have been related to the
pittas, hence the scientific name, but a study by Prum (1993)
suggested that they are actually just a subfamily of broadbills. Here Kingdom: Animalia
they are considered traditionally as a separate family.
Phylum: Chordata
These are plump strong-legged birds of the Malagasy forests which
take fruit and insects and nest in trees or scrub. The Neodrepanis Class: Aves
species — sunbird-asities — will take nectar, and were formerly
known as false sunbirds.
● Family: Philepittidae
❍ Velvet Asity, Philepitta castanea Family: Philepittidae
Schlegel's Asity, Philepitta schlegeli Sharpe, 1870
Common Sunbird-asity, Neodrepanis coruscans
Genera
Yellow-bellied Sunbird-Asity, Neodrepanis
hypoxanthus ● Philepitta
● Neodrepanis
Reference
Prum, R. 0. 1993. Phylogeny, biogeography, and evolution of the broadbills (Eurylaimidae) and asities
(Philepittidae) based on morphology. Auk 110:304-324.
External links
● Asities videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Pipridae
Chiroxiphia | Manacus
Manakins
The manakins are a family of some sixty small passerine bird
species of subtropical and tropical mainland Central and South
America, and Trinidad and Tobago.
These are compact forest birds, the males typically being brightly
coloured, although the females of most species are duller and
usually green-plumaged. Manakins feed on small fruits, berries
and insects.
Many manakin species have spectacular lekking courtship rituals,

which are especially elaborate in the genus Pipra. Manakins make
buzzing, snapping, and other sounds with their wings, which are
heavily modified in two species (the White-collared and Orange-
collared Manakins). Nest-building, incubation for 18-21 days, and
care of the young are undertaken by the female alone, since Juvenile White-collared Manakin
manakins do not form stable pairs. The normally clutch is two
eggs.
Kingdom: Animalia
Species list
Phylum: Chordata
● Genus Chloropipo
❍ Jet Manakin, Chloropipo unicolor Class: Aves
Olive Manakin, Chloropipo uniformis
Green Manakin, Chloropipo holochlora Order: Passeriformes
Yellow-headed Manakin, Chloropipo flavicapilla
● Genus Manacus
❍ White-collared Manakin, Manacus candei Family: Pipridae
Orange-collared Manakin, Manacus aurantiacus Rafinesque, 1815
Golden-collared Manakin, Manacus vitellinus Genera
White-bearded Manakin, Manacus manacus Many, see text
● Genus Corapipo
❍ White-throated Manakin, Corapipo gutturalis
White-ruffed Manakin, Corapipo altera

White-bibbed Manakin, Corapipo leucorrhoa
● Genus Chiroxiphia
❍ Lance-tailed Manakin, Chiroxiphia lanceolata
Long-tailed Manakin, Chiroxiphia linearis

Blue-backed Manakin, Chiroxiphia pareola
Yungas Manakin, Chiroxiphia boliviana
Blue Manakin, Chiroxiphia caudata
● Genus Dixiphia
❍ White-crowned Manakin, Dixiphia pipra
● Genus Pipra
❍ Crimson-hooded Manakin, Pipra aureola
Band-tailed Manakin, Pipra fasciicauda

Wire-tailed Manakin, Pipra filicauda
Blue-crowned Manakin, Pipra coronata
Golden-headed Manakin, Pipra erythrocephala
Red-capped Manakin, Pipra mentalis
Red-headed Manakin, Pipra rubrocapilla
Round-tailed Manakin, Pipra chloromeros
Scarlet-horned Manakin, Pipra cornuta
Opal-crowned Manakin, Pipra iris
Blue-rumped Manakin, Pipra isidorei
Golden-crowned Manakin, Pipra vilasboasi
Snow-capped Manakin, Pipra nattereri
Cerulean-capped Manakin, Pipra coeruleocapilla
● Genus Lepidothrix
❍ Tepui Manakin, Lepidothrix suavissima
White-fronted Manakin, Lepidothrix serena

● Genus Antilophia
❍ Araripe Manakin, Antilophia bokermanni
Helmeted Manakin, Antilophia galeata

● Genus Masius
❍ Golden-winged Manakin, Masius chrysopterus
● Genus Ilicura
❍ Pin-tailed Manakin, Ilicura militaris
● Genus Machaeropterus
❍ Fiery-capped Manakin, Machaeropterus pyrocephalus
Striped Manakin, Machaeropterus regulus

Club-winged Manakin, Machaeropterus deliciosus
● Genus Xenopipo
❍ Black Manakin, Xenopipo atronitens
● Genus Heterocercus, crested manakins

❍ Yellow-crested Manakin, Heterocercus flavivertex
Orange-crested Manakin, Heterocercus aurantiivertex

Flame-crested Manakin, Heterocercus linteatus
● Genus Neopelma, tyrant-manakins
❍ Saffron-crested Tyrant-manakin, Neopelma chrysocephalum
Sulphur-bellied Tyrant-manakin, Neopelma sulphureiventer

Pale-bellied Tyrant-manakin, Neopelma pallescens
Wied's Tyrant-manakin, Neopelma aurifrons
● Genus Tyranneutes, tyrant-manakins
❍ Dwarf Tyrant-manakin, Tyranneutes stolzmanni
Tiny Tyrant-manakin, Tyranneutes virescens

● Genus Piprites, Piprites
❍ Black-capped Piprites, Piprites pileatus
Gray-headed Piprites, Piprites griseiceps

Wing-barred Piprites, Piprites chloris
External links
● Jungle Dancers, Nature article about manakin behavior, from the PBS website.
● High-speed videos of two manakin clades (Pipridae: Aves), from the Journal of Experimental
Biology website.
● Videos of Machaeropterus deliciosus making a "tick-tick-ting" sound through wing motion, from
the Science website.
● Manakin videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Chiroxiphia
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Chiroxiphia
Chiroxiphia is one of several genera of manakins, small song birds
of South and Central America.
Manakins of the genus Chiroxiphia have an unusual mating system, Kingdom: Animalia
based on female mate choice. In order to mate successfully, males
have to form partnerships with another male. The two males co- Phylum: Chordata
operate in an elaborate courtship dance, and sing a joint song (called
a duet) at one of many traditionally fixed mating sites; the area
Class: Aves
where mating takes place can be described as an exploded lek.
Females attend a number of these courtship sites, observing the male
displays and eventually allow a male at one of the sites to mate. Order: Passeriformes
Partnerships normally consist of only two males, which can be Family: Pipridae
designated alpha and beta, since there is a clear dominance
relationship between them. Only the alpha male is ever seen to mate
with the female. Genus: Chiroxiphia
Cabanis, 1847
As in other manakins, males play no part in the care of the young. Species
● Chiroxiphia lanceolata
Species ● Chiroxiphia linearis
● Chiroxiphia pareola
● Chiroxiphia boliviana
● Lance-tailed Manakin, Chiroxiphia lanceolata
● Chiroxiphia caudata
Long-tailed Manakin, Chiroxiphia linearis
Blue-backed Manakin, Chiroxiphia pareola
Yungas Manakin, Chiroxiphia boliviana
Blue Manakin, Chiroxiphia caudata
References
● Trainer, J. M., McDonald, D. B., & Learn, W. A. (2002). The development of coordinated
singing in cooperatively displaying long-tailed manakins. Behavioral Ecology, 13, 65-69.
Home | Up | Chiroxiphia | Manacus
Manacus
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Manacus
Manacus is a genus of passerine birds in the manakin family
which are found in the forests of tropical mainland Central and
South America, and on Trinidad and Tobago. There are four
species.
● White-collared Manakin, Manacus candei
Orange-collared Manakin, Manacus aurantiacus
Golden-collared Manakin, Manacus vitellinus
White-bearded Manakin, Manacus manacus
The "Almirante Manakin" (Manacus x cerritus) are stereotyped

hybrids between the White-collared and the Golden-collared
species, found in Bocas del Toro Province, Panama (Brumfield et Juvenile White-collared Manakin
al., 2001; McDonald et al., 2001). Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
These are small, compact, short-tailed birds with a heavy hooked
bill and orange legs. The males have brightly coloured plumage
and long puffed throat feathers, whereas the females are the Phylum: Chordata
typical manakin dull olive hue.
Class: Aves
The females lay two eggs in a shallow cup nest in a tree. Nest-
building, incubation for 18-21 days, and care of the young are
undertaken by the female alone, since manakins do not form stable
pairs.
Family: Pipridae
Manacus manakins feed low in the trees on fruit and some insects,
both plucked from the foliage in flight. Genus: Manacus
Brisson, 1760
Like some other manakin species, this genus has spectacular
species
courtship rituals, in which the males give communal displays in a
specially prepared lek. The males jump with their throat feathers
erected to form a beard, and give whistles together with the
characteristic loud snaps (like a breaking twig) and various
buzzing, rustling and whiffling noises made with the wings. M. candei
M. aurantiacus
The males of three very closely related species, the White-collared M. vitellinus
Manakin of the Caribbean slopes of Central America, and its M. manacus
Pacific counterparts, the Orange-collared and Golden-collared
Manakins, have heavily modified wings with the five outer primaries very narrow for their outer half,
and the inner primaries thickened and bowed.
References
● Brumfield, Robb T.; Jernigan, Robert W.; McDonald, David B.; Braun, Michael J. (2001):
Evolutionary implications of divergent clines in an avian (Manacus: Aves) hybrid zone.
Evolution 55(10): 2070–2087. PDF fulltext
● ffrench, Richard; O'Neill, John Patton & Eckelberry, Don R. (2003): A guide to the birds of
Trinidad and Tobago. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-6759-1
● Hilty, Steven L. (2003): Birds of Venezuela. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-6418-5
● McDonald, David B.; Clay, Robert P.; Brumfield, Robb T. & Braun, Michael J. (2001): Sexual
selection on plumage and behavior in an avian hybrid zone: experimental tests of male-male
interactions. Evolution 55(7): 1443-1451. PDF fulltext
● Stiles, F. Gary & Skutch, Alexander Frank (1989): A guide to the birds of Costa Rica.
Comistock, Ithaca. ISBN 0-8014-9600-4
Home | Up | Chiroxiphia | Manacus
Pitta
Pittas
Pittas are passerine birds mainly found in tropical Asia and
Australasia, although a couple of species live in Africa.
They are all similar in general structure and habits, and are
placed in single genus. Pittas are medium-sized by
passerine standards, and stocky, with longish strong legs,
very short tails and stout bills. Many, but not all, are
brightly coloured. The name is derived from the word pitta
in the Telugu language of Andhra Pradesh in India and is a
generic local name used for all small birds.
These are fairly terrestrial birds of wet forest floors, which

eat snails, insects and similar invertebrate prey. They are
mostly solitary and lay up to six eggs in a large spherical
nest in a tree or shrub, or sometimes on the ground.
Many species of pittas are migratory, and they often end up

at odd places like house-gardens during passage migration.
Indian Pitta
Species Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
● Eared Pitta, Pitta phayrei
Blue-naped Pitta, Pitta nipalensis
Blue-rumped Pitta, Pitta soror Phylum: Chordata
Rusty-naped Pitta, Pitta oatesi
Schneider's Pitta, Pitta schneideri Class: Aves
Giant Pitta, Pitta caerulea
Blue Pitta, Pitta cyanea
Banded Pitta, Pitta guajana
Bar-bellied Pitta, Pitta elliotii
Gurney's Pitta, Pitta gurneyi Family: Pittidae
Blue-headed Pitta, Pitta baudii Swainson, 1831
Hooded Pitta, Pitta sordida Genus: Pitta
Ivory-breasted Pitta, Pitta maxima Vieillot, 1816
Superb Pitta, Pitta superba
Azure-breasted Pitta, Pitta steerii Species
Whiskered Pitta, Pitta kochi See text.
Red-bellied Pitta, Pitta erythrogaster
Sula Pitta, Pitta dohertyi
Blue-banded Pitta, Pitta arcuata
Garnet Pitta, Pitta granatina
Black-headed Pitta, Pitta ussheri
Black-crowned Pitta, Pitta venusta
African Pitta, Pitta angolensis
Green-breasted Pitta, Pitta reichenowi
Indian Pitta, Pitta brachyura
Fairy Pitta, Pitta nympha
Mangrove Pitta, Pitta megarhyncha
Elegant Pitta, Pitta elegans
Noisy Pitta, Pitta versicolor
Black-faced Pitta, Pitta anerythra
Rainbow Pitta, Pitta iris
External links
● Pitta videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Rhinocryptidae
Tapaculos
The tapaculos are a family (Rhinocryptidae) of small
passerine bird species found in South America.
These are terrestrial species that fly only poorly on their

short wings. They have strong legs, well-suited to their
habitat of grassland or forest undergrowth. The tail is
cocked and pointed towards the head, and the name
tapaculo derives from the Spanish for "cover your behind".
While the majority of the family are small blackish or

brown birds there are some larger and more colourful
species. They are best located and identified by their
vocalisations.
They feed on insects, seeds and other soft plant material

with their pointy bills, and will scratch on the ground like a
pheasant.
Most species lay two or three white eggs in a covered

environment, whether it be a burrow, hole in a tree or Rhinocrypta lanceolata
domed nest. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Species list:
Family Rhinocryptidae Phylum: Chordata
● Genus Pteroptochos, the huet-huets Class: Aves

❍ Black-throated Huet-huet, Pteroptochos
tarnii
Chestnut-throated Huet-huet, Pteroptochos
castaneus
● Genus Pteroptochos Family: Rhinocryptidae
❍ Moustached Turca, Pteroptochos Wetmore, 1930
megapodius Genera
● Genus Scelorchilus
❍ White-throated Tapaculo, Scelorchilus Pteroptochos
albicollis Scelorchilus
Chucao Tapaculo, Scelorchilus rubecula Rhinocrypta
● Genus Rhinocrypta, the gallitos Teledromas
❍ Crested Gallito, Rhinocrypta lanceolata Liosceles
❍ Sandy Gallito, Teledromas fuscus Psilorhamphus
● Genus Liosceles Merulaxis
❍ Rusty-belted Tapaculo, Liosceles thoracicus Melanopareia
● Genus Melanopareia, the crescent-chests Eugralla
❍ Collared Crescent-chest, Melanopareia Myornis
torquata Scytalopus
Olive-crowned Crescent-chest, Melanopareia Acropternis
maximiliani
Elegant Crescent-chest, Melanopareia elegans
Maranon Crescent-chest, Melanopareia maranonica
● Genus Psilorhamphus
❍ Spotted Bamboowren, Psilorhamphus guttatus
● Genus Merulaxis, the bristlefronts

❍ Slaty Bristlefront, Merulaxis ater
Stresemann's Bristlefront, Merulaxis stresemanni

● Genus Eugralla
❍ Ochre-flanked Tapaculo, Eugralla paradoxa
● Genus Myornis
❍ Ash-colored Tapaculo, Myornis senilis
● Genus Scytalopus
❍ Unicolored Tapaculo, Scytalopus unicolor
Blackish Tapaculo, Scytalopus latrans

Trilling Tapaculo, Scytalopus parvirostris
Large-footed Tapaculo, Scytalopus macropus
Rufous-vented Tapaculo, Scytalopus femoralis
Long-tailed Tapaculo, Scytalopus micropterus
Bolivian Tapaculo, Scytalopus bolivianus
White-crowned Tapaculo, Scytalopus atratus
Perija Tapaculo, Scytalopus nigricans
Santa Marta Tapaculo, Scytalopus sanctaemartae
Pale-throated Tapaculo, Scytalopus panamensis
Narino Tapaculo, Scytalopus vicinior
Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Scytalopus argentifrons
Brown-rumped Tapaculo, Scytalopus latebricola
Merida Tapaculo, Scytalopus meridanus
Colombian Tapaculo, Scytalopus infasciatus
Caracas Tapaculo, Scytalopus caracae
Spillman's Tapaculo, Scytalopus spillmanni
Zimmer's Tapaculo, Scytalopus zimmeri
Puna Tapaculo, Scytalopus simonsi
Vilcabamba Tapaculo, Scytalopus urubambae
Neblina Tapaculo, Scytalopus altirostris
Ancash Tapaculo, Scytalopus affinis
Paramo Tapaculo, Scytalopus canus
Magellanic Tapaculo, Scytalopus magellanicus
Matorral Tapaculo, Scytalopus griseicollis
White-browed Tapaculo, Scytalopus superciliaris
Dusky Tapaculo, Scytalopus fuscus
Tschudi's Tapaculo, Scytalopus acutirostris
Mouse-colored Tapaculo, Scytalopus speluncae
Planalto Tapaculo, Scytalopus pachecoi
Brasilia Tapaculo, Scytalopus novacapitalis
Bahia Tapaculo, Scytalopus psychopompus
Wetland Tapaculo, Scytalopus iraiensis
White-breasted Tapaculo, Scytalopus indigoticus
Diademed Tapaculo, Scytalopus schulenbergi
Choco Tapaculo, Scytalopus chocoensis
Ecuadorian Tapaculo, Scytalopus robbinsi
Stiles' Tapaculo, Scytalopus stilesi
Chusquea Tapaculo, Scytalopus parkeri
Upper Magdalena Tapaculo, Scytalopus rodriguezi
● Genus Acropternis
❍ Ocellated Tapaculo, Acropternis orthonyx
External links
● Tapaculo videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Thamnophilidae
Antbirds
The antbirds are a large family of smallish passerine bird species of
subtropical and tropical Central and South America. They are
closely related to the antthrushes and antpittas in the family
Formicariidae. Kingdom: Animalia
These are forest birds, but tend to feed on insects at or near the Phylum: Chordata
ground. A sizable minority of them specialize in following columns
of army ants to eat the small invertebrates that leave hiding to flee Class: Aves
the ants.
Many species lack bright colour; brown, black and white being the Order: Passeriformes
dominant tones in their appearance.
Family: Thamnophilidae
They lay two or three eggs in a nest in a tree, both sexes incubating.
Genera
Contents Many, see text.
● 1 Systematics
❍ 1.1 Subfamily N.N.: Basal antbirds
❍ 1.2 Subfamily Thamnophilinae: antshrikes and
relatives
❍ 1.3 Subfamily N.N.: Typical antwrens and relatives
❍ 1.4 Unassigned
● 2 References
Systematics
There are some 200 species, variously called as antwrens, antvireos, antbirds and antshrikes. These
terms refer to the relative sizes of the birds (increasing in the order given) rather than any particular
morphological resemblance to the true wrens, vireos or shrikes. The genus Phlegopsis is the bare-eyes,
Pyriglena the fire-eyes and Neoctantes and Clytoctantes are the bushbirds.
Although the taxonomical layout of the group is based on studies from the mid-19th century when less
than half the present species were known to science, comparison of the myoglobin intron 2, GAPDH
intron 11 and the mitochondrial cytochrome b DNA sequences (Irestedt et al., 2004) has largely verified
it. Two major clades - most antshrikes and other larger, strong-billed species and Herpsilochmus, and
the classical antwrens the more slender, longer-billed species and other antwrens - and the monophyly of
most genera was confirmed.
The Thamnophilidae contain several large or very large genera, and a considerable number of small or
monotypic ones. Several of these, which have always been difficult to assign, seem to form a third,
hitherto unrecognized clade independently derived from ancestral antbirds. The results also confirmed
suspicions of previous researchers that some species, most notably in Myrmotherula and Myrmeciza,
need to be assigned to different genera. Still, due to the difficulties of sampling from such a large
number of often poorly known species, the assignment of some genera is still awaiting confirmation.
Subfamily N.N.: Basal antbirds
● Genus Terenura
❍ Streak-capped Antwren, Terenura maculata
Orange-bellied Antwren, Terenura sicki

Rufous-rumped Antwren, Terenura callinota
Chestnut-shouldered Antwren, Terenura humeralis
Yellow-rumped Antwren, Terenura sharpei
Ash-winged Antwren, Terenura spodioptila
● Genus Myrmornis
❍ Wing-banded Antbird, Myrmornis torquata
● Genus Pygiptila
❍ Spot-winged Antshrike, Pygiptila stellaris
● Genus Thamnistes
❍ Russet Antshrike, Thamnistes anabatinus
Subfamily Thamnophilinae: antshrikes and relatives
● Genus Megastictus
❍ Pearly Antshrike, Megastictus margaritatus
● Genus Thamnomanes
❍ Saturnine Antshrike, Thamnomanes saturninus
Dusky-throated Antshrike, Thamnomanes ardesiacus

Cinereous Antshrike, Thamnomanes caesius
Bluish-slate Antshrike, Thamnomanes schistogynus
● Genus Xenornis (pending confirmation of placement)

❍ Speckled Antshrike, Xenornis setifrons
● Genus Dichrozona
❍ Banded Antwren, Dichrozona cincta
● Genus Taraba
❍ Great Antshrike, Taraba major
● Genus Hypoedaleus
❍ Spot-backed Antshrike, Hypoedaleus guttatus
● Genus Batara
❍ Giant Antshrike, Batara cinerea
● Genus Mackenziaena
❍ Tufted Antshrike, Mackenziaena severa
Large-tailed Antshrike, Mackenziaena leachii
● Genus Cymbilaimus (pending confirmation of placement)

❍ Fasciated Antshrike, Cymbilaimus lineatus
Bamboo Antshrike, Cymbilaimus sanctaemariae
● Genus Frederickena
❍ Black-throated Antshrike, Frederickena viridis
Undulated Antshrike, Frederickena unduligera
● Genus Dysithamnus
❍ Spot-breasted Antvireo, Dysithamnus stictothorax
Plain Antvireo, Dysithamnus mentalis

Streak-crowned Antvireo, Dysithamnus striaticeps
Spot-crowned Antvireo, Dysithamnus puncticeps
Rufous-backed Antvireo, Dysithamnus xanthopterus
White-streaked Antvireo, Dysithamnus leucostictus
Plumbeous Antvireo, Dysithamnus plumbeus
Bicolored Antvireo, Dysithamnus occidentalis
● Genus Herpsilochmus
❍ Ash-throated Antwren, Herpsilochmus parkeri
Creamy-bellied Antwren, Herpsilochmus motacilloides
Black-capped Antwren, Herpsilochmus atricapillus
Caatinga Antwren, Herpsilochmus sellowi
Pileated Antwren, Herpsilochmus pileatus
Spot-tailed Antwren, Herpsilochmus sticturus
Dugand's Antwren, Herpsilochmus dugandi
Todd's Antwren, Herpsilochmus stictocephalus
Ancient Antwren, Herpsilochmus gentryi
Spot-backed Antwren, Herpsilochmus dorsimaculatus
Roraiman Antwren, Herpsilochmus roraimae
Pectoral Antwren, Herpsilochmus pectoralis
Large-billed Antwren, Herpsilochmus longirostris
Yellow-breasted Antwren, Herpsilochmus axillaris
Rufous-winged Antwren, Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus
● Genus Sakesphorus
❍ Collared Antshrike, Sakesphorus bernardi
Black-crested Antshrike, Sakesphorus canadensis

Silvery-cheeked Antshrike, Sakesphorus cristatus
Black-backed Antshrike, Sakesphorus melanonotus
Band-tailed Antshrike, Sakesphorus melanothorax
Glossy Antshrike, Sakesphorus luctuosus
● Genus Thamnophilus (possibly polyphyletic)

❍ Acre Antshrike, Thamnophilus divisorus
Barred Antshrike, Thamnophilus doliatus

Chapman's Antshrike, Thamnophilus zarumae
Bar-crested Antshrike, Thamnophilus multistriatus
Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Thamnophilus palliatus
Lined Antshrike, Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus
Black-hooded Antshrike, Thamnophilus bridgesi
Black Antshrike, Thamnophilus nigriceps
Cocha Antshrike, Thamnophilus praecox
Blackish-gray Antshrike, Thamnophilus nigrocinereus
Castelnau's Antshrike, Thamnophilus cryptoleucus
White-shouldered Antshrike, Thamnophilus aethiops
Uniform Antshrike, Thamnophilus unicolor
Upland Antshrike, Thamnophilus aroyae
Plain-winged Antshrike, Thamnophilus schistaceus
Mouse-colored Antshrike, Thamnophilus murinus
Western Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus atrinucha
Guianan Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus punctatus
Peruvian Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus leucogaster
Natterer's Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus stictocephalus
Bolivian Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus sticturus
Planalto Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus pelzelni
Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus ambiguus
Streak-backed Antshrike, Thamnophilus insignis
Amazonian Antshrike, Thamnophilus amazonicus
Variable Antshrike, Thamnophilus caerulescens
Rufous-winged Antshrike, Thamnophilus torquatus
Rufous-capped Antshrike, Thamnophilus ruficapillus
Subfamily N.N.: Typical antwrens and relatives
Tribe "Microrhopini"
● Genus Neoctantes
❍ Black Bushbird, Neoctantes niger
● Genus Clytoctantes (pending confirmation of placement)

❍ Recurve-billed Bushbird, Clytoctantes alixii
Rondonia Bushbird, Clytoctantes atrogularis
● Genus Myrmorchilus
❍ Stripe-backed Antbird, Myrmorchilus strigilatus
● Genus Microrhopias
❍ Dot-winged Antwren, Microrhopias quixensis
Tribe Formicivorini
● Genus Myrmochanes
❍ Black-and-white Antbird, Myrmochanes hemileucus
● Genus Myrmotherula (paraphyletic)

❍ Stipple-throated group ("Microrhopini"):
Brown-bellied Antwren, Myrmotherula gutturalis

Checker-throated Antwren, Myrmotherula fulviventris
White-eyed Antwren, Myrmotherula leucophthalma
Foothill Antwren, Myrmotherula spodionota
Stipple-throated Antwren, Myrmotherula haematonota
Brown-backed Antwren, Myrmotherula fjeldsaai
Ornate Antwren, Myrmotherula ornata
Rufous-tailed Antwren, Myrmotherula erythrura
Streaked group (closer to Myrmochanes):
Pygmy Antwren, Myrmotherula brachyura
Short-billed Antwren, Myrmotherula ignota (sometimes M. obscura)
Guianan Antwren, Myrmotherula surinamensis
Amazonian Antwren, Myrmotherula multostriata
Pacific Antwren, Myrmotherula pacifica
Cherrie's Antwren, Myrmotherula cherriei
Klages' Antwren, Myrmotherula klagesi
Stripe-chested Antwren, Myrmotherula longicauda
Sclater's Antwren, Myrmotherula sclateri
Yellow-throated Antwren, Myrmotherula ambigua
Grey group (may include Formicivora):
White-flanked Antwren, Myrmotherula axillaris
Slaty Antwren, Myrmotherula schisticolor
Rio Suno Antwren, Myrmotherula sunensis
Salvadori's Antwren, Myrmotherula minor
Ihering's Antwren, Myrmotherula iheringi
Rio de Janeiro Antwren, Myrmotherula fluminensis
Plain-winged Antwren, Myrmotherula behni
Ashy Antwren, Myrmotherula grisea
Unicolored Antwren, Myrmotherula unicolor
Alagoas Antwren, Myrmotherula snowi
Long-winged Antwren, Myrmotherula longipennis
Band-tailed Antwren, Myrmotherula urosticta
Gray Antwren, Myrmotherula menetriesii
unassigned (probably stipple-throated group):
Rufous-bellied Antwren, Myrmotherula guttata
Plain-throated Antwren, Myrmotherula hauxwelli
Star-throated Antwren, Myrmotherula gularis
unassigned (Relationships unknown):
Leaden Antwren, Myrmotherula assimilis
● Genus Formicivora
❍ Narrow-billed Antwren, Formicivora iheringi
White-fringed Antwren, Formicivora grisea

Black-bellied Antwren, Formicivora melanogaster
Serra Antwren, Formicivora serrana
Restinga Antwren, Formicivora littoralis
Black-hooded Antwren, Formicivora erythronotos
Rusty-backed Antwren, Formicivora rufa
● Genus Stymphalornis (pending confirmation of placement)

❍ Parana Antwren, Stymphalornis acutirostris
Tribe Pithyini
● Genus Pithys
❍ White-plumed Antbird, Pithys albifrons
White-masked Antbird, Pithys castanea
● Genus Skutchia (pending confirmation of placement)

❍ Pale-faced Antbird, Skutchia borbae
● Genus Phlegopsis
❍ Black-spotted Bare-eye, Phlegopsis nigromaculata
Reddish-winged Bare-eye, Phlegopsis erythroptera
● Genus Phaenostictus
❍ Ocellated Antbird, Phaenostictus mcleannani
● Genus Gymnopithys
❍ Rufous-throated Antbird, Gymnopithys rufigula
Bicolored Antbird, Gymnopithys leucaspis

Lunulated Antbird, Gymnopithys lunulata
White-throated Antbird, Gymnopithys salvini
● Genus Rhegmatorhina
❍ Hairy-crested Antbird, Rhegmatorhina melanosticta
Chestnut-crested Antbird, Rhegmatorhina cristata

White-breasted Antbird, Rhegmatorhina hoffmannsi
Harlequin Antbird, Rhegmatorhina berlepschi
Bare-eyed Antbird, Rhegmatorhina gymnops
● Genus Cercomacra
❍ Gray Antbird, Cercomacra cinerascens
Rio de Janeiro Antbird, Cercomacra brasiliana

Dusky Antbird, Cercomacra tyrannina
Willis' Antbird, Cercomacra laeta
Parker's Antbird, Cercomacra parkeri
Blackish Antbird, Cercomacra nigrescens
Bananal Antbird, Cercomacra ferdinandi
Black Antbird, Cercomacra serva
Jet Antbird, Cercomacra nigricans
Rio Branco Antbird, Cercomacra carbonaria
Mato Grosso Antbird, Cercomacra melanaria
Manu Antbird, Cercomacra manu
● Genus Hypocnemis
❍ Warbling Antbird, Hypocnemis cantator
Yellow-browed Antbird, Hypocnemis hypoxantha
● Genus Drymophila
❍ Ferruginous Antbird, Drymophila ferruginea
Bertoni's Antbird, Drymophila rubricollis

Rufous-tailed Antbird, Drymophila genei
Ochre-rumped Antbird, Drymophila ochropyga
Striated Antbird, Drymophila devillei
Dusky-tailed Antbird, Drymophila malura
Long-tailed Antbird, Drymophila caudata
Scaled Antbird, Drymophila squamata
Tribe Myrmecizini
● Genus Sclateria
❍ Silvered Antbird Sclateria naevia
● Genus Percnostola (pending confirmation of placement)

❍ Black-headed Antbird, Percnostola rufifrons
White-lined Antbird, Percnostola lophotes
● Genus Schistocichla (sometimes placed in Percnostola)

❍ Slate-colored Antbird, Schistocichla schistacea
Spot-winged Antbird, Schistocichla leucostigma

Caura Antbird, Schistocichla caurensis
● Genus Myrmoborus
❍ White-browed Antbird, Myrmoborus leucophrys
Ash-breasted Antbird, Myrmoborus lugubris

Black-faced Antbird, Myrmoborus myotherinus
Black-tailed Antbird, Myrmoborus melanurus
● Genus Gymnocichla
❍ Bare-crowned Antbird, Gymnocichla nudiceps
● Genus Rhopornis (pending confirmation of placement)

❍ Slender Antbird, Rhopornis ardesiaca
● Genus Pyriglena
❍ White-backed Fire-eye, Pyriglena leuconota
White-shouldered Fire-eye, Pyriglena leucoptera

Fringe-backed Fire-eye, Pyriglena atra
● Genus Hypocnemoides
❍ Black-chinned Antbird, Hypocnemoides melanopogon
Band-tailed Antbird, Hypocnemoides maculicauda
● Genus Hylophylax
❍ Spotted Antbird, Hylophylax naevioides
Spot-backed Antbird, Hylophylax naevia

Dot-backed Antbird, Hylophylax punctulata
Scale-backed Antbird, Hylophylax poecilinota
● Genus Myrmeciza (paraphyletic)

❍ Chestnut-tailed group (Pithyini)
Southern Chestnut-tailed Antbird, Myrmeciza hemimelaena

Northern Chestnut-tailed Antbird, Myrmeciza castanea
Large dark group (close to Pyriglena)
Plumbeous Antbird, Myrmeciza hyperythra
Goeldi's Antbird, Myrmeciza goeldii
White-shouldered Antbird, Myrmeciza melanoceps
Sooty Antbird, Myrmeciza fortis
Immaculate Antbird, Myrmeciza immaculata
Patterned breast group (close to Hypocnemoides and Hylophylax)
Ferruginous-backed Antbird, Myrmeciza ferruginea
Scalloped Antbird, Myrmeciza ruficauda
White-bibbed Antbird, Myrmeciza loricata
Squamate Antbird, Myrmeciza squamosa
Main group
Gray-headed Antbird, Myrmeciza griseiceps
Dull-mantled Antbird, Myrmeciza laemosticta
Esmeraldas Antbird, Myrmeciza nigricauda
Stub-tailed Antbird, Myrmeciza berlepschi
unassigned
Yapacana Antbird, Myrmeciza disjuncta
White-bellied Antbird, Myrmeciza longipes
Chestnut-backed Antbird, Myrmeciza exsul
Gray-bellied Antbird, Myrmeciza pelzelni
Black-throated Antbird, Myrmeciza atrothorax
Unassigned
● Genus Biatas
❍ White-bearded Antshrike, Biatas nigropectus
References
● Irestedt, Martin ; Fjeldså, Jon; Nylander, Johan A. A. & Ericson, Per G. P. (2004): Phylogenetic
relationships of typical antbirds (Thamnophilidae) and test of incongruence based on Bayes
factors. BMC Evol. Biol. 4: 23. DOI:10.1186/1471-2148-4-23 Supplementary information
External links
● Antbird videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Antbird sounds in the xeno-canto collection.

Tyrannidae
Aphanotriccus | Attila | Contopus | Empidonax | Lathrotriccus | Myiarchus | Myiozetetes | Sayornis | Tityra | Tyrannus
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Tyrant Flycatchers
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Fork-tailed Flycatcher Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
The tyrant flycatchers are a large family of passerine birds which occur throughout North and South
America, but are mainly tropical in distribution. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers,
Phylum: Chordata
but are more robust with stronger bills. They are members of suborder Tyranni (suboscines) and so do
not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds.
Class: Aves
Most, but not all, are rather plain, and many have erectile crests. As the name implies, most are
insectivorous, but some will eat fruit. Order: Passeriformes
The becards and tityras were formerly considered to be cotingas, but are now usually included in the Family: Tyrannidae
Tyrannidae. They are also sometimes given their own family, the Tityridae. Vigors, 1825
Genera
Contents Many, see text.
● 1 Habitat Distribution
● 2 Protected status
Habitat Distribution
Species richness of Tyrannidae, when compared to habitat, is highly variable. The habitats of tropical lowland evergreen
forest and montane evergreen forest have the highest single site species diversity while many habitats including rivers,
palm forest, possible white sand forest, tropical deciduous forest edge, southern temperate forest, southern temperate
forest edge, semihumid/humid montane scrub, and northern temperate grassland have the lowest single species diversity.
The variation between the highest and the lowest is extreme; ninety species can be found in the tropical lowland
evergreen forests while only one species can be found at the habitats listed above. This may be due in part to the fewer
niches found in certain areas and therefore fewer places for the species to occupy.
Tyrannidae specialization among habitat is very strong in tropical lowland evergreen forests and montane evergreen
forests. These habitat types therefore display the greatest specialization. The counts differ by three species (tropical
lowland evergreen forests have 49 endemic species and montane evergreen forests have 46 endemic species). It can be
assumed that they both have similar levels of specialization.
Regionally, the South Atlantic Coast has a significanltly higher species richness with the Manabí-Tumbes region
following closely behind.
Protected status
The Northern Beardless Tyrannulet (Camptostoma imberbe) and the Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae)
are protected in the US under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.[1]

There are about 429 species.
● Genus Ornithion
❍ White-lored Tyrannulet, Ornithion inerme
Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet, Ornithion semiflavum

Brown-capped Tyrannulet, Ornithion brunneicapillum
● Genus Camptostoma
❍ Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Camptostoma imberbe
Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Camptostoma obsoletum

● Mouse-colored Tyrannulet, Phaeomyias murina
Cocos Island Flycatcher, Nesotriccus ridgwayi
Yellow Tyrannulet, Capsiempis flaveola
Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet, Tyrannulus elatus
● Genus Myiopagis
❍ Forest Elaenia, Myiopagis gaimardii
Foothill Elaenia, Myiopagis olallai

Gray Elaenia, Myiopagis caniceps
Pacific Elaenia, Myiopagis subplacens
Yellow-crowned Elaenia, Myiopagis flavivertex
Jamaican Elaenia, Myiopagis cotta
Greenish Elaenia, Myiopagis viridicata
● Gray-and-white Tyrannulet, Pseudelaenia leucospodia
● Genus Elaenia
❍ Caribbean Elaenia, Elaenia martinica
Large Elaenia, Elaenia spectabilis

Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Elaenia flavogaster
Noronha Elaenia, Elaenia ridleyana
White-crested Elaenia, Elaenia albiceps
Small-billed Elaenia, Elaenia parvirostris
Slaty Elaenia, Elaenia strepera
Olivaceous Elaenia, Elaenia mesoleuca
Mottle-backed Elaenia, Elaenia gigas
Brownish Elaenia, Elaenia pelzelni
Plain-crested Elaenia, Elaenia cristata
Rufous-crowned Elaenia, Elaenia ruficeps
Lesser Elaenia, Elaenia chiriquensis
Mountain Elaenia, Elaenia frantzii
Highland Elaenia, Elaenia obscura
Great Elaenia, Elaenia dayi
Sierran Elaenia, Elaenia pallatangae
Greater Antillean Elaenia, Elaenia fallax
● Genus Serpophaga
❍ Torrent Tyrannulet, Serpophaga cinerea
Sooty Tyrannulet, Serpophaga nigricans

River Tyrannulet, Serpophaga hypoleuca
White-crested Tyrannulet, Serpophaga subcristata
White-bellied Tyrannulet, Serpophaga munda
● Genus Mionectes
❍ Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Mionectes oleagineus
Streak-necked Flycatcher, Mionectes striaticollis
Olive-striped Flycatcher, Mionectes olivaceus
Gray-hooded Flycatcher, Mionectes rufiventris
MacConnell's Flycatcher, Mionectes macconnelli
● Genus Leptopogon
❍ Rufous-breasted Flycatcher, Leptopogon rufipectus
Inca Flycatcher, Leptopogon taczanowskii

Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Leptopogon amaurocephalus
Slaty-capped Flycatcher, Leptopogon superciliaris
● Genus Pseudotriccus
❍ Bronze-olive Pygmy Tyrant, Pseudotriccus pelzelni
Hazel-fronted Pygmy Tyrant, Pseudotriccus simplex

Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant, Pseudotriccus ruficeps
● Genus Phylloscartes
❍ Marble-faced Bristle Tyrant, Phylloscartes ophthalmicus
Venezuelan Bristle Tyrant, Phylloscartes venezuelanus

Antioquia Bristle Tyrant, Phylloscartes lanyoni
Spectacled Bristle Tyrant, Phylloscartes orbitalis
Variegated Bristle Tyrant, Phylloscartes poecilotis
Southern Bristle Tyrant, Phylloscartes eximius
Black-fronted Tyrannulet, Phylloscartes nigrifrons
Chapman's Bristle Tyrant, Phylloscartes chapmani
Ecuadorian Tyrannulet, Phylloscartes gualaquizae
Rufous-lored Tyrannulet, Phylloscartes flaviventris
Cinnamon-faced Tyrannulet, Phylloscartes parkeri
Minas Gerais Tyrannulet, Phylloscartes roquettei
Sao Paulo Tyrannulet, Phylloscartes paulistus
Oustalet's Tyrannulet, Phylloscartes oustaleti
Restinga Tyrannulet, Phylloscartes kronei
Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Phylloscartes difficilis
Alagoas Tyrannulet, Phylloscartes ceciliae
Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet, Phylloscartes ventralis
Bahia Tyrannulet, Phylloscartes beckeri
Yellow-green Tyrannulet, Phylloscartes flavovirens
Olive-green Tyrannulet, Phylloscartes virescens
Rufous-browed Tyrannulet, Phylloscartes superciliaris
Bay-ringed Tyrannulet, Phylloscartes sylviolus
● Genus Phyllomyias
❍ Planalto Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias fasciatus
White-fronted Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias zeledoni

Rough-legged Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias burmeisteri
Greenish Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias virescens
Reiser's Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias reiseri
Sclater's Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias sclateri
Gray-capped Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias griseocapilla
Sooty-headed Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias griseiceps
Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias plumbeiceps
Black-capped Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias nigrocapillus
Ashy-headed Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias cinereiceps
Tawny-rumped Tyrannulet, Phyllomyias uropygialis
● Genus Zimmerius
❍ Mistletoe Tyrannulet, Zimmerius vilissimus
Venezuelan Tyrannulet, Zimmerius improbus

Bolivian Tyrannulet, Zimmerius bolivianus
Red-billed Tyrannulet, Zimmerius cinereicapillus
Slender-footed Tyrannulet, Zimmerius gracilipes
Peruvian Tyrannulet, Zimmerius viridiflavus
Golden-faced Tyrannulet, Zimmerius chrysops
● Genus Sublegatus
❍ Amazonian Scrub Flycatcher, Sublegatus obscurior
Northern Scrub Flycatcher, Sublegatus arenarum

Southern Scrub Flycatcher, Sublegatus modestus
● Suiriri Flycatcher, Suiriri suiriri
● Genus Mecocerculus
❍ White-throated Tyrannulet, Mecocerculus leucophrys
White-tailed Tyrannulet, Mecocerculus poecilocercus

Buff-banded Tyrannulet, Mecocerculus hellmayri
Rufous-winged Tyrannulet, Mecocerculus calopterus
Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet, Mecocerculus minor
White-banded Tyrannulet, Mecocerculus stictopterus
● Genus Inezia
❍ Slender-billed Tyrannulet, Inezia tenuirostris
Plain Tyrannulet, Inezia inornata

Pale-tipped Tyrannulet, Inezia subflava
● Genus Stigmatura
❍ Lesser Wagtail-tyrant, Stigmatura napensis
Greater Wagtail-tyrant, Stigmatura budytoides

● Genus Uromyias
❍ Agile Tit-tyrant, Uromyias agilis
Unstreaked Tit-tyrant, Uromyias agraphia

● Genus Anairetes
❍ Ash-breasted Tit-tyrant, Anairetes alpinus
Black-crested Tit-tyrant, Anairetes nigrocristatus

Pied-crested Tit-tyrant, Anairetes reguloides
Yellow-billed Tit-tyrant, Anairetes flavirostris
Juan Fernandez Tit-tyrant, Anairetes fernandezianus
Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Anairetes parulus
● Many-colored Rush Tyrant, Tachuris rubrigastra
Sharp-tailed Tyrant, Culicivora caudacuta
● Genus Polystictus
❍ Bearded Tachuri, Polystictus pectoralis
Gray-backed Tachuri, Polystictus superciliaris

● Genus Pseudocolopteryx
❍ Crested Doradito, Pseudocolopteryx sclateri
Dinelli's Doradito, Pseudocolopteryx dinellianus

Subtropical Doradito, Pseudocolopteryx acutipennis
Warbling Doradito, Pseudocolopteryx flaviventris
● Genus Euscarthmus
❍ Tawny-crowned Pygmy Tyrant, Euscarthmus meloryphus
Rufous-sided Pygmy Tyrant, Euscarthmus rufomarginatus

● Genus Myiornis
❍ White-bellied Pygmy Tyrant, Myiornis albiventris
Eared Pygmy Tyrant, Myiornis auricularis

Black-capped Pygmy Tyrant, Myiornis atricapillus
Short-tailed Pygmy Tyrant, Myiornis ecaudatus
● Genus Lophotriccus
❍ Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant, Lophotriccus pileatus
Double-banded Pygmy Tyrant, Lophotriccus vitiosus

Long-crested Pygmy Tyrant, Lophotriccus eulophotes
Helmeted Pygmy Tyrant, Lophotriccus galeatus
Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant, Lophotriccus pilaris
● Genus Oncostoma
❍ Northern Bentbill, Oncostoma cinereigulare
Southern Bentbill, Oncostoma olivaceum

● Genus Poecilotriccus
❍ Rufous-crowned Tody-tyrant, Poecilotriccus ruficeps
Slate-headed Tody-tyrant, Poecilotriccus sylvia

Black-and-white Tody-tyrant, Poecilotriccus capitalis
White-cheeked Tody-tyrant, Poecilotriccus albifacies
● Black-chested Tyrant, Taeniotriccus andrei
● Genus Hemitriccus
❍ Snethlage's Tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus minor
Boat-billed Tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus josephinae

Flammulated Bamboo Tyrant, Hemitriccus flammulatus
Drab-breasted Bamboo Tyrant, Hemitriccus diops
Brown-breasted Bamboo Tyrant, Hemitriccus obsoletus
White-eyed Tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus zosterops
Zimmer's Tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus minimus
Eye-ringed Tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus orbitatus
Johannes' Tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus iohannis
Stripe-necked Tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus striaticollis
Hangnest Tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus nidipendulus
Yungas Tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus spodiops
Pearly-vented Tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer
Pelzeln's Tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus inornatus
Black-throated Tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus granadensis
Buff-throated Tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus rufigularis
Cinnamon-breasted Tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus cinnamomeipectus
Buff-breasted Tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus mirandae
Kaempfer's Tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus kaempferi
Fork-tailed Tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus furcatus
● Genus Todirostrum
❍ Buff-cheeked Tody-Flycatcher, Todirostrum senex
Ruddy Tody-Flycatcher, Todirostrum russatum

Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Todirostrum plumbeiceps
Rusty-fronted Tody-Flycatcher, Todirostrum latirostre
Smoky-fronted Tody-Flycatcher, Todirostrum fumifrons
Spotted Tody-Flycatcher, Todirostrum maculatum
Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher, Todirostrum poliocephalum
Short-tailed Tody-Flycatcher, Todirostrum viridanum
Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Todirostrum nigriceps
Painted Tody-Flycatcher, Todirostrum pictum
Golden-winged Tody-Flycatcher, Todirostrum calopterum
Black-backed Tody-Flycatcher, Todirostrum pulchellum
Common Tody-Flycatcher, Todirostrum cinereum
Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher, Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum
● Genus Corythopis
❍ Ringed Antpipit, Corythopis torquata
Southern Antpipit, Corythopis delalandi

● Brownish Flycatcher, Cnipodectes subbrunneus
● Genus Ramphotrigon
❍ Large-headed Flatbill, Ramphotrigon megacephala
Dusky-tailed Flatbill, Ramphotrigon fuscicauda

Rufous-tailed Flatbill, Ramphotrigon ruficauda
● Genus Rhynchocyclus
❍ Eye-ringed Flatbill, Rhynchocyclus brevirostris
Pacific Flatbill, Rhynchocyclus pacificus

Olivaceous Flatbill, Rhynchocyclus olivaceus
Fulvous-breasted Flatbill, Rhynchocyclus fulvipectus
● Genus Tolmomyias
❍ Yellow-olive Flycatcher, Tolmomyias sulphurescens
Yellow-margined Flycatcher, Tolmomyias assimilis

Gray-crowned Flycatcher, Tolmomyias poliocephalus
Orange-eyed Flycatcher, Tolmomyias traylori
Yellow-breasted Flycatcher, Tolmomyias flaviventris
● Genus Platyrinchus
❍ Cinnamon-crested Spadebill, Platyrinchus saturatus
Stub-tailed Spadebill, Platyrinchus cancrominus
Yellow-throated Spadebill, Platyrinchus flavigularis
Golden-crowned Spadebill, Platyrinchus coronatus
White-throated Spadebill, Platyrinchus mystaceus
White-crested Spadebill, Platyrinchus platyrhynchos
Russet-winged Spadebill, Platyrinchus leucoryphus
● Royal Flycatcher, Onychorhynchus coronatus
● Ornate Flycatcher, Myiotriccus ornatus
● Genus Myiophobus
❍ Flavescent Flycatcher, Myiophobus flavicans
Orange-crested Flycatcher, Myiophobus phoenicomitra

Roraiman Flycatcher, Myiophobus roraimae
Unadorned Flycatcher, Myiophobus inornatus
Handsome Flycatcher, Myiophobus pulcher
Orange-banded Flycatcher, Myiophobus lintoni
Ochraceous-breasted Flycatcher, Myiophobus ochraceiventris
Bran-colored Flycatcher, Myiophobus fasciatus
Olive-chested Flycatcher, Myiophobus cryptoxanthus
● Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher, Terenotriccus erythrurus
● Genus Myiobius
❍ Tawny-breasted Flycatcher, Myiobius villosus
Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher, Myiobius sulphureipygius

Whiskered Flycatcher, Myiobius barbatus
Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, Myiobius mastacalis
Black-tailed Flycatcher, Myiobius atricaudus
● Cinnamon Tyrant, Neopipo cinnamomea
Cinnamon Flycatcher, Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea
Cliff Flycatcher, Hirundinea ferruginea
Fuscous Flycatcher, Cnemotriccus fuscatus
● Genus Lathrotriccus
❍ Euler's Flycatcher, Lathrotriccus euleri
Gray-breasted Flycatcher, Lathrotriccus griseipectus

● Genus Aphanotriccus
❍ Tawny-chested Flycatcher, Aphanotriccus capitalis
Black-billed Flycatcher, Aphanotriccus audax

● Genus Xenotriccus
❍ Belted Flycatcher, Xenotriccus callizonus
Pileated Flycatcher, Xenotriccus mexicanus

● Genus Mitrephanes
❍ Tufted Flycatcher, Mitrephanes phaeocercus
Olive Flycatcher, Mitrephanes olivaceus

● Genus Contopus, pewees
❍ Olive-sided Flycatcher, Contopus cooperi
Greater Pewee, Contopus pertinax

Dark Pewee, Contopus lugubris
Smoke-colored Pewee, Contopus fumigatus
Ochraceous Pewee, Contopus ochraceus
Western Wood-Pewee, Contopus sordidulus
Eastern Wood-Pewee, Contopus virens
Tropical Pewee, Contopus cinereus
Blackish Pewee, Contopus nigrescens
Cuban Pewee, Contopus caribaeus
Jamaican Pewee, Contopus pallidus
Hispaniolan Pewee, Contopus hispaniolensis
Lesser Antillean Pewee, Contopus latirostris
White-throated Pewee, Contopus albogularis
● Genus Empidonax
❍ Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris
Acadian Flycatcher, Empidonax virescens
Alder Flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum
Willow Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii
White-throated Flycatcher, Empidonax albigularis
Least Flycatcher, Empidonax minimus
Hammond's Flycatcher, Empidonax hammondii
Gray Flycatcher, Empidonax wrightii
Dusky Flycatcher, Empidonax oberholseri
Pine Flycatcher, Empidonax affinis
Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Empidonax difficilis
Cordilleran Flycatcher, Empidonax occidentalis
Yellowish Flycatcher, Empidonax flavescens
Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Empidonax fulvifrons
Black-capped Flycatcher, Empidonax atriceps
● Genus Sayornis, phoebes
❍ Eastern Phoebe, Sayornis phoebe
Black Phoebe, Sayornis nigricans

Say's Phoebe, Sayornis saya
● Vermilion Flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus
● Genus Silvicultrix
❍ Jelski's Chat-tyrant, Silvicultrix jelskii
Yellow-bellied Chat-tyrant, Silvicultrix diadema

Golden-browed Chat-tyrant, Silvicultrix pulchella
● Genus Ochthoeca
❍ Crowned Chat-tyrant, Ochthoeca frontalis
Peruvian Chat-tyrant, Ochthoeca spodionota

Slaty-backed Chat-tyrant, Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris
Maroon-chested Chat-tyrant, Ochthoeca thoracica
Piura Chat-tyrant, Ochthoeca piurae
D'Orbigny's Chat-tyrant, Ochthoeca oenanthoides
Rufous-breasted Chat-tyrant, Ochthoeca rufipectoralis
Brown-backed Chat-tyrant, Ochthoeca fumicolor
White-browed Chat-tyrant, Ochthoeca leucophrys
● Tumbes Tyrant, Tumbezia salvini
Patagonian Tyrant, Colorhamphus parvirostris
Drab Water Tyrant, Ochthornis littoralis
Red-rumped Bush Tyrant, Cnemarchus erythropygius
● Genus Myiotheretes
❍ Streak-throated Bush Tyrant, Myiotheretes striaticollis
Santa Marta Bush Tyrant, Myiotheretes pernix

Smoky Bush Tyrant, Myiotheretes fumigatus
Rufous-bellied Bush Tyrant, Myiotheretes fuscorufus
● Genus Xolmis
❍ Fire-eyed Diucon, Xolmis pyrope
Gray Monjita, Xolmis cinerea

Black-crowned Monjita, Xolmis coronata
White-rumped Monjita, Xolmis velata
White Monjita, Xolmis irupero
Rusty-backed Monjita, Xolmis rubetra
Salinas Monjita, Xolmis salinarum
● Black-and-white Monjita, Heteroxolmis dominicana
Chocolate-vented Tyrant, Neoxolmis rufiventris
● Genus Agriornis
❍ Black-billed Shrike-tyrant, Agriornis montana
White-tailed Shrike-tyrant, Agriornis andicola

Great Shrike-tyrant, Agriornis livida
Gray-bellied Shrike-tyrant, Agriornis microptera
Lesser Shrike-tyrant, Agriornis murina
● Rufous-webbed Tyrant, Polioxolmis rufipennis
● Genus Muscisaxicola
❍ Spot-billed Ground Tyrant, Muscisaxicola maculirostris
Little Ground Tyrant, Muscisaxicola fluviatilis

Dark-faced Ground Tyrant, Muscisaxicola macloviana
Cinnamon-bellied Ground Tyrant, Muscisaxicola capistrata
Rufous-naped Ground Tyrant, Muscisaxicola rufivertex
Puna Ground Tyrant, Muscisaxicola juninensis
White-browed Ground Tyrant, Muscisaxicola albilora
Plain-capped Ground Tyrant, Muscisaxicola alpina
Cinereous Ground Tyrant, Muscisaxicola cinerea
White-fronted Ground Tyrant, Muscisaxicola albifrons
Ochre-naped Ground Tyrant, Muscisaxicola flavinucha
Black-fronted Ground Tyrant, Muscisaxicola frontalis
Short-tailed Field Tyrant, Muscigralla brevicauda
● Genus Lessonia
❍ Andean Negrito, Lessonia oreas
Austral Negrito, Lessonia rufa

● Genus Knipolegus
❍ Cinereous Tyrant, Knipolegus striaticeps
Hudson's Black Tyrant, Knipolegus hudsoni

Amazonian Black Tyrant, Knipolegus poecilocercus
Andean Tyrant, Knipolegus signatus
Blue-billed Black Tyrant, Knipolegus cyanirostris
Rufous-tailed Tyrant, Knipolegus poecilurus
Riverside Tyrant, Knipolegus orenocensis
White-winged Black Tyrant, Knipolegus aterrimus
Caatinga Black Tyrant, Knipolegus franciscanus
Velvety Black Tyrant, Knipolegus nigerrimus
Crested Black Tyrant, Knipolegus lophotes
● Spectacled Tyrant, Hymenops perspicillatus
● Genus Fluvicola
❍ Pied Water Tyrant, Fluvicola pica
Black-backed Water Tyrant, Fluvicola albiventer

Masked Water Tyrant, Fluvicola nengeta
● White-headed Marsh Tyrant, Arundinicola leucocephala
● Genus Alectrurus
❍ Cock-tailed Tyrant, Alectrurus tricolor
Strange-tailed Tyrant, Alectrurus risora

● Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Gubernetes yetapa
Yellow-browed Tyrant, Satrapa icterophrys
Long-tailed Tyrant, Colonia colonus
Cattle Tyrant, Machetornis rixosus
Shear-tailed Gray Tyrant, Muscipipra vetula
● Genus Attila
❍ Rufous-tailed Attila, Attila phoenicurus
Cinnamon Attila, Attila cinnamomeus

Ochraceous Attila, Attila torridus
Citron-bellied Attila, Attila citriniventris
Bright-rumped Attila, Attila spadiceus
Dull-capped Attila, Attila bolivianus
Gray-hooded Attila, Attila rufus
● Genus Casiornis
❍ Rufous Casiornis, Casiornis rufa
Ash-throated Casiornis, Casiornis fusca

● Sirystes, Sirystes sibilator
● Genus Rhytipterna
❍ Rufous Mourner, Rhytipterna holerythra
Grayish Mourner, Rhytipterna simplex

Pale-bellied Mourner, Rhytipterna immunda
● Genus Myiarchus
❍ Rufous Flycatcher, Myiarchus semirufus
Yucatan Flycatcher, Myiarchus yucatanensis

Sad Flycatcher, Myiarchus barbirostris
Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Myiarchus tuberculifer
Swainson's Flycatcher, Myiarchus swainsoni
Venezuelan Flycatcher, Myiarchus venezuelensis
Panama Flycatcher, Myiarchus panamensis
Short-crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus ferox
Pale-edged Flycatcher, Myiarchus cephalotes
Sooty-crowned Flycatcher, Myiarchus phaeocephalus
Apical Flycatcher, Myiarchus apicalis
Ash-throated Flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens
Nutting's Flycatcher, Myiarchus nuttingi
Great Crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus
Brown-crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus tyrannulus
Grenada Flycatcher, Myiarchus nugator
Galapagos Flycatcher, Myiarchus magnirostris
Rufous-tailed Flycatcher, Myiarchus validus
La Sagra's Flycatcher, Myiarchus sagrae
Stolid Flycatcher, Myiarchus stolidus
Lesser Antillean Flycatcher, Myiarchus oberi
Puerto Rican Flycatcher, Myiarchus antillarum
● Flammulated Flycatcher, Deltarhynchus flammulatus
Lesser Kiskadee, Philohydor lictor
Great Kiskadee, Pitangus sulphuratus
Boat-billed Flycatcher, Megarynchus pitangua
● Genus Myiozetetes
❍ Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Myiozetetes cayanensis
Social Flycatcher, Myiozetetes similis

Grey-capped Flycatcher, Myiozetetes granadensis
Dusky-chested Flycatcher, Myiozetetes luteiventris
● Genus Conopias
❍ White-ringed Flycatcher, Conopias albovittata
Three-striped Flycatcher, Conopias trivirgata

Yellow-throated Flycatcher, Conopias parva
Lemon-browed Flycatcher, Conopias cinchoneti
● Genus Myiodynastes
❍ Golden-bellied Flycatcher, Myiodynastes hemichrysus
Golden-crowned Flycatcher, Myiodynastes chrysocephalus

Baird's Flycatcher, Myiodynastes bairdii
Streaked Flycatcher, Myiodynastes maculatus
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Myiodynastes luteiventris
● Piratic Flycatcher, Legatus leucophaius
White-bearded Flycatcher, Phelpsia inornata
Variegated Flycatcher, Empidonomus varius
Crowned Slaty Flycatcher, Griseotyrannus aurantioatrocristatus
Sulphury Flycatcher, Tyrannopsis sulphurea
● Genus Tyrannus, kingbirds
❍ Snowy-throated Kingbird, Tyrannus niveigularis
White-throated Kingbird, Tyrannus albogularis

Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus
Couch's Kingbird, Tyrannus couchii
Cassin's Kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans
Thick-billed Kingbird, Tyrannus crassirostris
Western Kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis
Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus
Gray Kingbird, Tyrannus dominicensis
Loggerhead Kingbird, Tyrannus caudifasciatus
Giant Kingbird, Tyrannus cubensis
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus
Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus savana
● Genus Schiffornis
❍ Greater Schiffornis, Schiffornis major
Thrush-like Schiffornis, Schiffornis turdinus

Greenish Schiffornis, Schiffornis virescens
● White-naped Xenopsaris, Xenopsaris albinucha
● Genus Pachyramphus, becards
❍ Chestnut-crowned Becard, Pachyramphus castaneus
Green-backed Becard, Pachyramphus viridis

Yellow-cheeked Becard, Pachyramphus xanthogenys
Barred Becard, Pachyramphus versicolor
Cinnamon Becard, Pachyramphus cinnamomeus
White-winged Becard, Pachyramphus polychopterus
Gray-collared Becard, Pachyramphus major
Black-and-white Becard, Pachyramphus albogriseus
Black-capped Becard, Pachyramphus marginatus
Glossy-backed Becard, Pachyramphus surinamus
Cinereous Becard, Pachyramphus rufus
Slaty Becard, Pachyramphus spodiurus
Pink-throated Becard, Pachyramphus minor
Jamaican Becard, Pachyramphus niger
Rose-throated Becard, Pachyramphus aglaiae
One-colored Becard, Pachyramphus homochrous
Crested Becard, Pachyramphus validus
● Genus Tityra
❍ Black-tailed Tityra, Tityra cayana
Masked Tityra, Tityra semifasciata

Black-crowned Tityra, Tityra inquisitor
External links
● Tyrant Fly catcher by John Audubon
● Tyrant Flycatcher videos on the Internet Bird Collection
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Aphanotriccus
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Aphanotriccus
Aphanotriccus is a small genus of passerine birds in the tyrant
flycatcher family. They breed in the Caribbean lowlands and
foothills of Central America.
Kingdom: Animalia
There are just two species
Phylum: Chordata
● Tawny-chested Flycatcher or Salvin’s Flycatcher ,
Aphanotriccus capitalis Class: Aves
● Black-billed Flycatcher, or Nelson’s Flycatcher
Aphanotriccus audax
Tawny-chested breeds from eastern Nicaragua to northeastern Costa
Rica, although all Nicaraguan records are historical specimens Family: Tyrannidae
collected near Lake Nicaragua or its outflow.
Genus: Aphanotriccus
Black-billed Flycatcher occurs in eastern Panama and northwestern Ridgway, 1905
Colombia.
species
These are uncommon inhabitants of mature evergreen forest and tall A. capitalis
secondary growth, usually in dense understory vegetation on the A. audax
woodland edges, along streams or in clearings.
These flycatchers are seen alone or in pairs seeking insects, especially beetles and ants, picked from the
underside of foliage in flight.
Logging, conversion to banana plantations and cattle-ranch expansion have resulted in widespread forest
clearance and severe fragmentation, particularly in Costa Rica and Panama. These species’ small range
and intolerance of forest fragmentation suggest that they are declining, although more research is needed.
References
● Stiles and Skutch, A guide to the birds of Costa Rica, ISBN 0-8014-9600-4
● Young and Zook, Nesting of Four Poorly-Known Bird Species on the Caribbean Slope of Costa
Rica, Wilson Bull., 11 l(l), 1999, pp. 124-128
External links
Black-billed Flycatcher at Birdlife International
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| Sayornis | Tityra | Tyrannus
Attila
Attila
Attila is a genus of tropical passerine birds in the tyrant flycatcher
family. The species in this genus have large heads and hooked bills.
Kingdom: Animalia
Species
● Rufous-tailed Attila, Attila phoenicurus Phylum: Chordata
Cinnamon Attila, Attila cinnamomeus
Ochraceous Attila, Attila torridus Class: Aves
Citron-bellied Attila, Attila citriniventris
Bright-rumped Attila, Attila spadiceus
Dull-capped Attila, Attila bolivianus
Gray-hooded Attila, Attila rufus
Family: Tyrannidae
References
Genus: Attila
● Hilty, Birds of Venezuela, ISBN 0-7136-6418-5 Lesson, 1830
● Stiles and Skutch, A guide to the birds of Costa Rica ISBN 0- species
0814-9600-4 A. phoenicurus
A. cinnamomeus
A. torridus
A. citriniventris
Home | Up | Aphanotriccus | Attila | Contopus | Empidonax A. spadiceus
| Lathrotriccus | Myiarchus | Myiozetetes | Sayornis | Tityra A. bolivianus
| Tyrannus A. rufus
Contopus
Pewees
The genus Contopus is a group of small to medium-sized insect-
eating birds in the Tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae.
These birds are commonly known as peewees, from the call of one
of the more common members of this vocal group. They are
generally greyish birds with wing bars that live in wooded areas.
Species Western Wood Pewee

● Olive-sided Flycatcher, Contopus cooperi Kingdom: Animalia
Greater Pewee, Contopus pertinax
Dark Pewee, Contopus lugubris
Smoke-colored Pewee, Contopus fumigatus Phylum: Chordata
Ochraceous Pewee, Contopus ochraceus
Western Wood Pewee, Contopus sordidulus Class: Aves
Eastern Wood Pewee, Contopus virens
Tropical Pewee, Contopus cinereus
Blackish Pewee, Contopus nigrescens
Cuban Pewee, Contopus caribaeus
Jamaican Pewee, Contopus pallidus Family: Tyrannidae
Hispaniolan Pewee, Contopus hispaniolensis
Lesser Antillean Pewee, Contopus latirostris Genus: Contopus
White-throated Pewee, Contopus albogularis Cabanis, 1855
Species
See text.
Empidonax
Empidonax
The genus Empidonax is a group of small insect-eating passerine
birds in the tyrant flycatcher family, the Tyrannidae.
These birds are remarkably similar in plumage: olive on the upper

parts with light underparts, eye rings and wing bars. In the nesting
season, they may be distinguished on range, habitat and call; in
other situations, particularly on migration, it may not be possible
to be sure of specific identification.
Empidonax flycatchers often flick their wings and tails rapidly.

Euler's Flycatcher, Lathrotriccus euleri and Gray-breasted Kingdom: Animalia
Flycatcher, Lathrotriccus griseipectus were formerly placed in
Empidonax, but differ anatomically and biochemically and are Phylum: Chordata
now split as the genus Lathrotriccus.
Class: Aves
Species
● Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris
Acadian Flycatcher, Empidonax virescens
Alder Flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum Family: Tyrranidae
Willow Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii
White-throated Flycatcher, Empidonax albigularis
Genus: Empidonax
Least Flycatcher, Empidonax minimus Cabanis 1855
Hammond's Flycatcher, Empidonax hammondii
Gray Flycatcher, Empidonax wrightii Species
Dusky Flycatcher, Empidonax oberholseri See text.
Pine Flycatcher, Empidonax affinis
Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Empidonax difficilis
Cordilleran Flycatcher, Empidonax occidentalis
Yellowish Flycatcher, Empidonax flavescens
Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Empidonax fulvifrons
Black-capped Flycatcher, Empidonax atriceps
External links
● generic study of Euler's Flycatcher

Lathrotriccus
Lathrotriccus
Lathrotriccus is a small genus of passerine birds in the tyrant
flycatcher family. They breed in tropical South America, including,
for one species, the islands of Trinidad and formerly also Grenada.
Kingdom: Animalia
They closely resembles the Empidonax flycatchers in appearance,
and were formerly placed in that genus, but differ anatomically and Phylum: Chordata
biochemically.
Class: Aves
There are just two species
● Euler's Flycatcher, Lathrotriccus euleri
● Gray-breasted Flycatcher, Lathrotriccus griseipectus
Family: Tyrannidae
These are birds of fairly open habitats such as open woods and arid
scrub. They are inconspicuous birds, tending to keep to undergrowth Genus: Lathrotriccus
perches from which they sally forth to catch insects. Lanyon & Lanyon, 1986
species
References L. euleri
L. griseipectus
● Birds of Trinidad and Tobago by ffrench, ISBN

Myiarchus
Myiarchus
Myiarchus is a genus of tyrant flycatchers.
Home | Up | Aphanotriccus | Attila | Contopus | Empidonax

| Lathrotriccus | Myiarchus | Myiozetetes | Sayornis | Tityra
| Tyrannus

Myiarchus crinitus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Family: Tyrannidae
Genus: Myiarchus
Cabanis, 1844
Species
Myiarchus antillarum
Myiarchus crinitus
Myiarchus tuberculifer
Myiarchus tyrannulus
Myiarchus venezuelensis
...
Myiozetetes
Myiozetetes
Myiozetetes is a small genus of passerine birds in the tyrant
flycatcher family. The four species occur in tropical Central and
South America. They are.
Kingdom: Animalia
● Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Myiozetetes cayanensis
Grey-capped Flycatcher, Myiozetetes granadensis Phylum: Chordata
Social Flycatcher, Myiozetetes similis
Dusky-chested Flycatcher, Myiozetetes luteiventris Class: Aves
They breed in cultivation, pasture, and open woodland with some

trees, building a large roofed nest from stems and in a bush, tree or Order: Passeriformes
on a building. The nest is often constructed near a wasp, bee or ant
nest, or the nest of another tyrant flycatcher,. The nest site is often Family: Tyrannidae
near or over water. The typical clutch is two to four brown or lilac-
blotched cream or white eggs, laid between February and June.
Genus: Myiozetetes
Sclater, 1859
The adult Myiozetetes flycatchers are r16-18 cm long and weighs 24-
30 g. The upperparts are olive-brown, and the wings and tail are Species
brown with only faint rufous fringes. The underparts are yellow and M. cayanensis
the throat is white. Young birds lack the red-orange crown stripe of M. granadensis
the adult, and have chestnut fringes to the wing and tail feathers. M. similis
The best distinction between the species is the head pattern. Social M. luteiventris
Flycatcher has strong black-and white head markings, whereas Grey-
capped Flycatcher has a grey head with a short weak eyestripe
Myiozetetes flycatchers sally out from an open perch in a tree to catch insects in flight. They sometimes
hover to take small berries.
References

Sayornis
Phoebes
The genus Sayornis is a small group of medium-sized insect-
eating birds in the Tyrant flycatcher family Tyrranidae native to
North and South America.
They prefer semi-open or open areas. These birds wait on a perch

and then catch insects in flight, also sometimes picking them up
from the ground. Their nest is an open cup sometimes placed on
man-made structures.
They often slowly lower and raise their tails while perched.

Eastern Phoebe, Sayornis phoebe
● Eastern Phoebe, Sayornis phoebe Scientific classification
Black Phoebe, Sayornis nigricans Kingdom: Animalia
Say's Phoebe, Sayornis saya
Phylum: Chordata
Home | Up | Aphanotriccus | Attila | Contopus | Empidonax Class: Aves

| Lathrotriccus | Myiarchus | Myiozetetes | Sayornis | Tityra
| Tyrannus Order: Passeriformes
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation Family: Tyrranidae
Genus: Sayornis
Bonaparte, 1854
Species
See text.
Tityra
Tityra
The Tityras are passerine birds in the genus Tityra of the tyrant
flycatcher family. They breed from southern Mexico throughout
tropical Central and South America, including Trinidad.
Kingdom: Animalia
The tityras were formerly placed in the cotinga family, but are now
usually treated as tyrant flycatchers, although Stiles and Skutch Phylum: Chordata
separate the tityras as part of a separate family, the Tityridae. The
Black-crowned Tityra is sometimes placed in a separate genus Class: Aves
Erator.
There are just three species of tityra.
● Black-tailed Tityra, Tityra cayana Family: Tyrannidae

Masked Tityra, Tityra semifasciata
Black-crowned Tityra, Tityra inquisitor Genus: Tityra
Vieillot, 1816
These are medium-sized birds. Their plumage is quite unlike that of
species
other tyrant flycatchers. The adult males are greyish-white above
and white below, except for the wings and tail which are black. The T. cayana
males of all three species also have black head markings. The T. semifasciata
females are similar, but darker grey above, with brown head T. inquisitor
markings.
These species are found in forest clearings and edges, second growth and other semi-open habitats such
as plantation shade trees. The eggs are laid in a bed of dry leaves in a tree hole, often an old woodpecker
nest. The female incubates alone, but both parents feed the chicks. Fledging takes up to 25 days.
Tityras are seen alone or in pairs, perched conspicuously as they feed on medium-sized fruits, large
insects and sometimes small lizards. They have unmusical nasal grunting or buzzing calls.
References

Tyrannus
Back | Home | Up
Kingbirds
The genus Tyrannus is a group of large insect-eating birds in the
Tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae. The majority are named as
Kingbirds.
They prefer semi-open or open areas. These birds wait on an

exposed perch and then catch insects in flight. They have long
pointed wings and large broad bills.
These birds tend to defend their breeding territories aggressively,

often chasing away much larger birds. The genus name means
"tyrant".
Eastern Kingbird
Species
● Snowy-throated Kingbird, Tyrannus niveigularis Kingdom: Animalia
White-throated Kingbird, Tyrannus albogularis
Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus Phylum: Chordata
Couch's Kingbird, Tyrannus couchii
Cassin's Kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans
Class: Aves
Thick-billed Kingbird, Tyrannus crassirostris
Western Kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis
Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus Order: Passeriformes
Gray Kingbird, Tyrannus dominicensis
Loggerhead Kingbird, Tyrannus caudifasciatus
Family: Tyrannidae
Giant Kingbird, Tyrannus cubensis
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus
Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus savana Genus: Tyrannus
Lacepede, 1799
Species
See text.
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| Lathrotriccus | Myiarchus | Myiozetetes | Sayornis | Tityra | Tyrannus
Bird families - A
Accentor | Accipitridae | Aegithinidae | Aegothelidae | Aepyornithidae | Alcedinidae | Alcidae | Anatidae
| Anhingidae | Antbird | Apterygidae | Artamidae | Asities | Atrichornithidae | Australasian treecreeper
| Australo-Papuan babbler
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Accentor
Accipitridae
Aegithinidae
Aegothelidae
Aepyornithidae
Alcedinidae
Alcidae
Anatidae
Anhingidae
Antbird
Apterygidae
Artamidae
Asities
Atrichornithidae
Australasian treecreeper
Australo-Papuan babbler
Home | Up | Bird families - A | Bird families - B | Bird families - C | Bird families - D | Bird families - E
Aegothelidae
Owlet-nightjar
Owlet-nightjars are small nocturnal birds related to the
nightjars and frogmouths. Most are native to New
Guinea, but some species extend to Australia, the
Moluccas, and New Caledonia.
Owlet-nightjars are insectivores which hunt mostly in the

air but sometimes on the ground; their soft plumage is a
crypic mixture of browns and paler shades, they have
fairly small, weak feet (but larger and stronger than those
of a frogmouth or a nightjar), a tiny bill that opens
extraordinarily wide, surrounded by prominent whiskers.
The wings are short, with 10 primaries and about 11
secondaries; the tail long and rounded.
Systematics
The comprehensive 2003 study by Dumbacher et al.
analyzing mtDNA sequences Cytochrome b and ATPase
subunit 8 suggests that 11 species of owlet-nightjar
should be recognized, plus one that went extinct early in
the second millennium AD.
The relationship between the owlet-nightjars and other

groups within the Caprimulgiformes has long been Scientific classification
controversial and obscure and remains so today: in the
19th century they were regarded as a subfamily of the
frogmouths, and they are still generally considered to be
related to the frogmouths and/or the nightjars but there
have also been recent suggestions (Mayr, 2002) that they
are not so closely related to either as previously thought,
and that the owlet-nightjars share a common ancestor
with the Apodiformes.
In form and habits, however, they are very similar to both

caprimulgiform group - or, at first glance, to small owls
with huge eyes. Interestingly, the ancestors of the swifts Kingdom: Animalia
and hummingbirds, two groups of birds which are
morphologically very specialized, seem to have looked
very similar to a small owlet-nightjar, possessing strong Phylum: Chordata
legs and a wide gape, while the legs and feet are very
reduced in today's swifts and hummingbirds, and the bill Class: Aves
is narrow in the latter.
They were thought to have originated in Australasia or
Southeast Asia, but the recent discovery of owlet-nightjar
fossils in France dating back to the Oligocene suggests Family: Aegothelidae
otherwise.
Genus: Aegotheles
● Genus Quipollornis (fossil; Early/Middle Miocene Vigors and Horsfield, 1827
of New South Wales)
● Genus Aegotheles
❍ New Zealand Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles novaezealandiae (prehistoric; formerly
Megaegotheles)
New Caledonian Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles savesi
Feline Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles insignis
Starry or Spangled Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles tatei
Moluccan or Long-whiskered Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles crinifrons
Australian Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles cristatus
Barred Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles bennettii
Upland Barred Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles affinis (formerly A. bennettii affinis
Salvadori's Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles salvadorii (formerly A. albertisi salvadorii)
Wallace's Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles wallacii
Archbold's Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles archboldi
Mountain Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles albertisi
References
● Dumbacher, John P. ; Pratt, Thane K. & Fleischer, Robert C. (2003): Phylogeny of the owlet-
nightjars (Aves: Aegothelidae) based on mitochondrial DNA sequence. Molecular Phylogenetics
and Evolution 29(3): 540–549. DOI:10.1016/S1055-7903(03)00135-0 PDF fulltext
● Mayr, Gerald (2002): Osteological evidence for paraphyly of the avian order Caprimulgiformes
(nightjars and allies). Journal für Ornithologie 143: 82–97. PDF fulltext
Alcedinidae
River Kingfishers
The river kingfishers or Alcedinidae, are one of the three
families of bird in the kingfisher group.
The family is widespread through Africa, through east and

south Asia as far as Australia, with one species, the River
Kingfisher or European Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) also
appearing in Europe and northern Asia. The origin of the
family is thought to have been in Asia.
The taxonomy of the family is uncertain at present: it

includes 22 to 24 species in 2 to 4 genera. The uncertaintity
arises from two small African species. The Dwarf Kingfisher Scientific classification
is sometimes placed in the monospecific genus Myioceyx,
and sometimes with the Pygmy Kingfishers in Ispidina. Kingdom: Animalia
However, molecular analysis (Moyle, 2006) suggests that the
Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher is most closely related to the Phylum: Chordata
Malachite Kingfisher, and that the present arrangement into
Alcedo and Ceyx needs to be reviewed as it seems not to
Class: Aves
reflect the actual relationships (for example, the Azure
Kingfisher is closer to Ceyx erithacus).
Order: Coraciiformes
Species list:
Family: Alcedinidae
● Blyth's Kingfisher, Alcedo hercules
European Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis
Genera
Half-collared Kingfisher, Alcedo semitorquata
Shining-blue Kingfisher, Alcedo quadribrachys Alcedo
Blue-eared Kingfisher, Alcedo meninting Ceyx
Azure Kingfisher, Alcedo azurea Ispidina
Bismarck Kingfisher, Alcedo websteri
Blue-banded Kingfisher, Alcedo euryzona
Indigo-banded Kingfisher, Alcedo cyanopecta
Silvery Kingfisher, Alcedo argentata
Malachite Kingfisher, Alcedo cristata
Madagascar Malachite Kingfisher, Alcedo vintsioides
White-bellied Kingfisher, Alcedo leucogaster
Small Blue Kingfisher, Alcedo coerulescens
Little Kingfisher, Alcedo pusilla
Príncipe Kingfisher, Alcedo nais
São Tomé Kingfisher, Alcedo thomensis
Black-backed Kingfisher, Ceyx erithacus
Philippine Kingfisher, Ceyx melanurus
Sulawesi Kingfisher, Ceyx fallax
Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Ceyx rufidorsa
Variable Kingfisher, Ceyx lepidus
Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, Ispidina madagascariensis
African Pygmy Kingfisher, Ispidina picta
Dwarf Kingfisher, Ispidina lecontei
References
● Moyle, Robert G. (2006): A Molecular Phylogeny of Kingfishers (Alcedinidae) With Insights
into Early Biogeographic History. Auk 123(2): 487–499. HTML fulltext (without images)
External links
● Kingfisher videos on the Internet Bird Collection
● Kingfisher sounds in the xeno-canto collection

Anhingidae
Darters
The darters or snake-birds are birds in the family Anhingidae.
There are four living species, one of which is near-threatened. The
darters are frequently referred to as “snake-birds” because of their
long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they
swim with their bodies submerged.
The darters are large birds with dimorphic plumage. The males
have black and dark brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape
and a larger bill than the female. The females have a much paler
plumage especially on the neck and underparts. Both have grey
stippling on long scapulars and upper wing coverts. The sharply
pointed bill has serrated edges. The darters have completely
webbed feet, and their legs are short and set far back on the body.
Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, Male Oriental Darter
and they spread their wings to dry after diving. Vocalizations Scientific classification
include a clicking or rattling when flying or perching. During
Kingdom: Animalia
breeding adults sometimes have caw or hissing calls.
Phylum: Chordata
Contents
Class: Aves
● 1 Range:
● 2 Diet:
Order: Pelecaniformes
● 3 Breeding:
● 5 References Family: Anhingidae
Reichenbach, 1849
Genus: Anhinga
Brisson, 1760
Species
Range: A. anhinga
A. melanogaster
Darters are circum-equatorial, tropical or subtropical. They inhabit A. rufa
either fresh or brackish water and can be found in lakes, rivers, A. novaehollandiae
marshes, swamps, estuaries, bays, lagoons and mangrove swamps. For extinct taxa, see article text.
They tend to gather in flocks sometimes up to about 100 birds but are highly territorial when breeding.
Most are sedentary and do not migrate, however the populations at extreme distributions may migrate.
The Oriental Darter is near-threatened species[1]. Habitat destruction along with other human
interferences is among the main reasons for a declining population.
Diet:
Darters feed mainly on fish. They use their sharply pointed bill to spear their prey when they dive; this is
how they get the name darter. Their ventral keel is present on the 5-7 vertebrae which allows for muscles
to attach so that they are able to project their bill forward like a spear. They also eat amphibians such as
frogs and newts, reptiles such as snakes and turtles and invertebrates such as insects, shrimp and
mollusks. These birds use their feet to move underwater and quietly stalk and ambush their prey. They
then stab the prey, such as a fish, and bring them to the surface where they toss it into the air and catch
and swallow it.
Snake birds nesting at Kalletumkara, Kerala
Breeding:
The darters are monogamous and pair bond during the breeding season. There are many different types
of displays used for mating including male displays to attract the female, greeting displays between the
male and female and pair bonding displays between the pairs. Also during breeding, their small gular sac
changes from pink or yellow to black and the bare facial skin turns to turquoise from a yellow or yellow-
green color. They usually breed in colonies.
Breeding can be seasonal or year round and varies by geographic range. The nests are made of twigs and
are built in trees or reeds, often near water. The clutch size is two to six eggs (usually about 4) of a pale
green color and the eggs are incubated for 25 to 30 days. The eggs hatch asynchronously. Bi-parental
care is given and the young are considered altricial. They reach sexual maturity by about 2 years. These
birds generally live to around 9 years.
This family is very closely related to the other families in the order Pelecaniformes. There are four living
species recognized, all in the genus Anhinga, although the Old World ones are often lumped together as
subspecies of A. melanogaster.
Female Oriental Darter
● Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga

Oriental Darter, Anhinga melanogaster
African Darter, Anhinga rufa
Australian Darter, Anhinga novaehollandiae
Extinct "species" from Mauritius and Australia known only from bones were described as Anhinga nana
("Mauritian Darter") and Anhinga parva, but they were misidentifications of bones of the Long-tailed
Cormorant and the Little Pied Cormorant, respectively (Miller, 1966; Olson, 1975). In the former case,
however, they might belong to an extinct subspecies which would have to be called Phalacrocorax
africanus nanus (Mauritian Cormorant) - quite ironically, as nana means "dwarf" and the remains are
larger than those of the geographically closest population of the Long-tailed Cormorant.
The darters are known since the Early Miocene. The diversity was highest in the Americas; a number of
prehistoric species and genera known only from fossils have been described. The aptly named
Macranhinga, Meganhinga and Giganhinga represent very large and flightless forms.
● Meganhinga (Early Miocene of Chile)

● Macranhinga (Late Miocene -? Early Pliocene of SC South America)
● Giganhinga (Late Pliocene/Early Pleistocene of Uruguay)
● Anhinga subvolans (Early Miocene of Thomas Farm, USA)

● Anhinga cf. grandis (Middle Miocene of Colombia -? Late Pliocene of SC South America)
● Anhinga fraileyi (Late Miocene -? Early Pliocene of S South America)
● Anhinga minuta (Solimões Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of SC South America)
● Anhinga pannonica (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Tataruş-Brusturi, Hungary ?and Tunisia,
Pakistan and Thailand)
● Anhinga grandis (Late Miocene - Kimball Late Pliocene of USA)
● Anhinga malagurala (Allingham Early Pliocene of Charters Towers, Australia)
● Anhinga cf. pannonica (Sahabi Early Pliocene of Libya)
● Anhinga sp. (Early Pliocene of Bone Valley, USA)
● Anhinga hadarensis (Late Pliocene/Early Pleistocene of E Africa)
● Anhinga sp. (Early Pleistocene of Coleman, USA)
References
● Answers.com (2003): darter. In: Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Columbia
University Press. Accessed August 29, 2006.
● Georgia Museum of Natural History & Georgia Department of Natural Resources (2000):
Order: Pelicaniformes. In: Georgia Wildlife Web. Accessed August 30, 2006.
● Lockwood, Burleigh (2006): Pelecaniformes. Fresno Chaffee Zoo. Accessed August 30, 2006.
● Miller, Alden H. (1966): An Evaluation of the Fossil Anhingas of Australia. Condor 68(4): 315-
320. PDF fulltext
● Myers, P.; Espinosa, R.; Parr, C. S.; Jones, T.; Hammond, G. S. & Dewey, T. A. (2006):
Anhingidae. In: The Animal Diversity Web (online). Accessed August 29, 2006.
● Olson, Storrs L. (1975): An Evaluation of the Supposed Anhinga of Mauritius. Auk 92:374-376.
PDF fulltext
External links
● Darter videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Bird families - B
Bird of paradise | Bowerbird | Broadbill | Bucerotidae | Buphagidae
Bird of paradise
Bowerbird
Broadbill
Bucerotidae
Buphagidae
Bird families - C
Callaeidae | Caprimulgidae | Casuariidae | Cathartidae | Charadriidae | Chionididae | Cinclidae
| Cinclosomatidae | Columbidae | Corcorachidae | Corvidae | Cotinga | Cuckoo-shrike
Callaeidae
Caprimulgidae
Casuariidae
Cathartidae
Charadriidae
Chionididae
Cinclidae
Cinclosomatidae
Columbidae
Corcorachidae
Corvidae
Cotinga
Cuckoo-shrike
Casuariidae
Casuariidae
The bird family Casuariidae has four surviving members: the
three species of cassowary, and the only remaining species of
Emu. The emus were formerly classified in their own family,
Dromaiidae, but are regarded as sufficiently closely related to the
cassowaries to be part of the same family.
All four members of the family are very large flightless birds
native to Australia-New Guinea. The characteristics of the family
are those of its members.

The emus form a distinct subfamily, characterized by legs adapted
Emu
for running. As with all ratites, there are several contested theories
concerning their evolution and relationships. As regards this Scientific classification
family, it is especially interesting whether emus or cassowaries are Kingdom: Animalia
the more primitive form: the latter are generally assumed to retain
more plesiomorphic features, but this does not need to be true at
Phylum: Chordata
all; the fossil record is also ambiguous, and the present state of
genomics does not allow for suffiently comprehensive analyses. A
combination of all these approaches with considerations of plate Class: Aves
tectonics at least is necessary for resolving this issue.
The number of cassowary species described based on minor
differences in casque shape and color variations ist quite large. In
recent times, however, only 3 species are recognized, and most Family: Casuariidae
Kaup, 1847
authorities only acknowledge few subspecies or none at all.
Genera
The fossil record of casuariforms is interesting, but not very Casuarius
extensive. Regarding fossil species of Dromaius and Casuarius, Dromaius
see their genus pages. For fossil forms, see article
Some Australian fossils initially believed to be from emus were recognized to represent a distinct genus,
[1]
Emuarius , which had a cassowary-like skull and femur and an emu-like lower leg and foot. In
[2]
addition, the first fossils of mihirungs were initially believed to be from giant emus , but these birds
were completely unrelated.
Subfamily Casuariinae - cassowaries
● Genus Casuarius
❍ Southern Cassowary, Casuarius casuarius
Dwarf Cassowary, Casuarius bennetti

Northern Cassowary, Casuarius unappendiculatus
Subfamily Dromaiinae - emus
● Genus Dromaius
❍ Emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae
■ Tasmanian Emu, D. n. diemenensis (extinct)
South-eastern Emu, D. n. novaehollandiae

South-western Emu, D. n. rothschildi
Northern Emu, D. n. woodwardi
❍ Kangaroo Island Emu, Dromaius baudinianus (extinct)
King Island Emu, Dromaius ater (extinct)
● Genus Emuarius - "emuwaries" (fossil)

❍ Emuarius guljaruba (Late Oligocene - Late Miocene)
❍ Emuarius gidju (Wipajiri Early Miocene of Lake Ngapakaldi)
References
● Boles, Walter E. (2001): A new emu (Dromaiinae) from the Late Oligocene Etadunna Formation.
Emu 101: 317–321. HTML abstract
Footnotes
1. ^ From "Emu" + "Casuarius". Describer W. E. Boles commonly refers to the genus as

"emuwaries" or "cassomus".
2. ^ The vernacular name "mihirung" is derived from mihirung paringmal, which means "giant
emu" in the Chaap Wuurong language

Chionididae
Sheathbills
The sheathbills are the two species of birds in the genus
Chionis in the Chionididae family. They are confined to
Antarctic regions.
They have white plumage, with only the face and leg
colours distinguishing the two species. They look plump
and dove-like, but are believed to be similar to the
ancestors of the modern gulls and terns.
They derive their English name from the horny sheath

which partially covers the upper mandible of their stout
bills.
A Snowy Sheathbill (C. alba)
The sheathbills are scavengers, but will take chicks and Scientific classification
eggs as well as offal. Kingdom: Animalia
They lay 2 or 3 blotchy white eggs on the ground. Phylum: Chordata
The two species are the Snowy Sheathbill (Chionis alba)

Class: Aves
and the Black-faced Sheathbill (C. minor).
Family: Chionididae
Bonaparte, 1832
Genus: Chionis
Forster, JR, 1788
Species
Chionis alba
Black-Faced Sheathbill
Chionis minor
External links
● Sheathbill videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Bird families - D
Dendrocolaptidae | Dicruridae | Dinornithidae | Dipper | Drepanididae | Dromadidae | Dromornithidae
Dendrocolaptidae
Dicruridae
Dinornithidae
Dipper
Drepanididae
Dromadidae
Dromornithidae
Dromornithidae
Back | Home | Up
Dromornithidae
Dromornithidae were a family of large, flightless birds that lived in Conservation status: Fossil
Australia until the end of the Pleistocene, but are now extinct. They
were long believed to belong to the order of Struthioniformes, but
are now usually classified as a family of Anseriformes1. Their
closest living relatives are waterfowl such as ducks and geese.
The scientific name Dromornithidae derives from Greek dromaios

("swift-running") and ornis ("bird"). Additionally, the family has
been called Thunder birds, giant emus, giant runners, demon ducks
and Mihirungs. The latter word is derived from Chaap Wuurong
(Tjapwuring) mihirung paringmal for a "giant emu". The name used
in this article, dromornithids, is derived from the family name.
Including the probably largest bird that ever lived —Dromornis Genyornis newtoni
stirtoni grew up to 3 meters tall— dromornithids were part of the Scientific classification
Australian megafauna. This collective term is used to describe a
number of comparatively large species of animals that lived in Kingdom: Animalia
Australia from 20,000 to 50,000 years ago. The causes for the
disappearance of these animals are under dispute (see "Extinction" Phylum: Chordata
below). It is also not clear to what degree dromornithids were
carnivores. The massive, crushing beaks of some species suggest
Class: Aves
that at least some members of the family were a combination of
carnivorous predators and scavengers (much like today's hyenas) or
omnivores. Other features, such as the "hoof-like" feet, stomach Order: Anseriformes
structure, and eye structure that resulted in a wide field of vision but
likely also created a centre blind spot of about forty degrees (which Family: Dromornithidae
would hinder hunting significantly) suggest a more herbivorous, P. Rich, 1979
migratory lifestyle.
Genera
Dromornis
Barawertornis
Bullockornis
Ilbandornis
Genyornis
Contents
● 1 Appearance
● 2 Species
● 3 Distribution
● 4 Age
● 5 Discovery
● 6 Fossils
● 7 Diet
● 8 Locomotion
● 9 Phylogeny
● 10 Extinction
● 11 See also
● 13 References
Appearance
Dromornithids looked superficially like very large emus or moas. Most were heavy-bodied, with
powerfully developed legs and greatly reduced wings. The last bones of the toes resembled small
hooves, rather than claws as in most birds. Like emus and other flightless birds, dromornithids lost the
keel on the breastbone (or sternum), that serves as the attachment for the large flight muscles in most
bird skeletons. Their skull also was quite different from that of emus. These birds ranged from about the
size of a modern cassowary (1.5 to 1.8 meters) up to 3 meters in the case of Dromornis stirtoni, possibly
the largest bird that ever lived.
Species
As of 2005, 5 genera and 7 species have been described, and at least one new genus is currently under
study. The smallest species was Barawertornis tedfordi, a bird about the size of a modern cassowary,
weighing 80-95 kg. The two species of Ilbandornis (Ilbandornis lawsoni and Ilbandornis woodburnei)
were larger birds, but had more slender legs than the other dromornithids and were similar to ostriches in
their build and size. Bullockornis planei (the Demon Duck of Doom) and Genyornis newtoni (the
mihirung) were more heavily built, stood about 2-2.5m tall and probably reached weights of 220 to 240
kg. The largest dromornithids were Dromornis australis and the massive Dromornis stirtoni (Stirton's
Thunderbird).
Distribution
Records of these birds are known only from Australia. Most of the records of dromornithids come from
the eastern half of the continent, although fossil evidence of has also been discovered in Tasmania and
Western Australia. At some Northern Territory sites they are very common, sometimes comprising 60-
70% of the fossil material. A fragment of a dromornithid-sized foot bone has been found in Antarctica,
but whether it represents these birds is uncertain.
Age
The earliest bones identified were found in Late Oligocene deposits at Riversleigh, northwest
Queensland. There are foot impressions from the Early Eocene in southeast Queensland that may be
referable to dromornithids. The most recent evidence, of Genyornis newtoni, has been found at Cuddie
Springs, north central New South Wales and dated at 31,000 years old.
Discovery
The most recent species, Genyornis newtoni, was certainly known to Aborigines during the Late
Pleistocene. Cave paintings thought to depict this bird are known, as are carved footprints larger than
those considered to represent emus. At Cuddie Springs, Genyornis bones have been excavated in
association with human artifacts. The issue of how much of an impact humans had on dromornithids and
other large animals of the time is unresolved and much debated. Many scientists believe that human
settlement and hunting were largely responsible for the extinction of many species of the Australian
megafauna.
The first Europeans to encounter the bones of dromornithids may have been Thomas Mitchell and his
team. While exploring the Wellington Caves, one of his men tied his rope to a projecting object which
broke when he tried to descend down the rope. After the man had climbed back up, it was found that the
projecting object was the fossilised long bone of a large bird. The first species to be described was
Dromornis australis. The specimen was found in a 55 meter deep well at Peak Downs, Queensland, and
subsequently described by Richard Owen in 1872.
Extensive collections of any dromornithid fossils were first made at Lake Callabonna, South Australia.
In 1892, E.C. Stirling and A.H. Zietz of the South Australian Museum received reports of large bones in
a dry lake bed in the northwest of the state. Over the next years, they made several trips to the site,
collecting nearly complete skeletons of several individuals. They named the newfound species
Genyornis newtoni in 1896. Additional remains of Genyornis have been found in other parts of South
Australia and in New South Wales and Victoria.
Other sites of importance were Bullock Creek and Alcoota, both in the Northern Territory. The
specimen recovered there remained unstudied and unnamed until 1979, when Patricia Rich described
five new species and four new genera. As of 2005, another new genus and species is under study at the
Australian Museum.
Fossils
The best represented bones of dromornithids are vertebrae, long bones of the hindlimb and toe bones.
Ribs and wing bones are uncommonly preserved. The rarest part of the skeleton is the skull. For many
years, the only skull known was a damaged specimen of Genyornis. Early reconstructions of
dromornithids made them appear like oversized emus. Peter Murray and Dirk Megirian, of the Northern
Territory Museum in Australia, recovered enough skull material of Bullockornis to give a good idea of
what that bird's head looked like. It is now known that Bullockornis' skull was very large, with the
enormous bill making up about two-thirds of it. The bill was deep, but rather narrow. The jaws had
cutting edges at the front as well as crushing surfaces at the back. There were attachments for large
muscles, indicating that Bullockornis had a powerful bite. More fragmentary remains of the skull of
Dromornis suggest that it, too, had an oversized skull.
Bones are not the only remains of dromornithids that have been found:
● The polished stones that the birds kept in their gizzards (muscular stomachs) occur at a number of
sites. These stones, called gastroliths, played an important role in their digestion by breaking up
coarse food or matter that was swallowed in large chunks.
● Series of footprints, called trackways, have been found at several sites.
Impressions of the inside of the skull cavity (endocranial casts o
r endocasts) have been found. Endocasts are formed when sediments fill the empty skull, after
which the skull is destroyed. These fossils give a fairly accurate picture of dromornithid brains.
● Almost complete eggs have been found on occasion and eggshell fragments are common in some
areas of sand dunes.
Diet
It has been generally thought that the dromornithids were plant eaters. This belief is based on:
● the lack of a hook at the end of the bill

● the lack of talons on the toes
● the association of gizzard stones (caveat: gastroliths are also found the stomachs of some
carnivores, such as modern crocodiles)
● the large number of individuals occurring together, suggesting flocking behaviour.
The very large skull and deep bill of Bullockornis, however, are very unlike those found in large
herbivorous birds such as moas. If this dromornithid ate plants, it was equipped to process very robust
material that has thus far not been identified. Growing and maintaining such a large head would be
detrimental and probably not occur unless it provided a substantial benefit of some sort, although it may
have just been a social signal - this, however, would require a highly developed or complex social
structure to evolve.
It has been suggested that, despite the indications of herbivory in some dromornithids, Bullockornis may
have been a carnivore or possibly a scavenger. The jaws could easily cut meat and their robust structure
could have resisted damage if it bit into bones. The bird could easily have fed on the carcasses of large
animals.
It is, of course, not necessary that all dromornithids had the same diet. There is good evidence that
Genyornis, at least, was a plant eater. Amino acid analysis of eggshells indicates that this species was
herbivorous. Bullockornis and Dromornis, with larger heads, may have had different diets.
Locomotion
Because of their enormous size, dromornithids have been considered to have been slow lumbering
creatures. Their legs are not long and slender like those of emus or ostriches, which are specialised for
running. However, biomechanical analysis of the attachments and presumed sizes of the muscles suggest
that dromornithids might have been able to run much faster than originally thought, making up for their
less then ideal form with brute strength.
Phylogeny
What the nearest relatives of this group are is a controversial issue. For many years it was thought that
dromornithids were related to ratites, such as emus, cassowaries and ostriches. It is now believed that the
similarities between these groups are the result of similar responses to the loss of flight. The latest idea
on dromornithid relationships, based on details of the skull, is that they evolved early in the lineage that
includes [waterfowl].
Extinction
The reasons for the extinction of this entire family along with the rest of the Australian megafauna by
the end of the Pleistocene are still debated. It is hypothesized that the arrival of the first humans in
Australia (around 48-60 thousand years ago) and their hunting and landscape-changing use of fire may
have contributed to the disappearance of the megafauna. However, drought conditions during peak
glaciation (about 18,000 years ago) are a significantly confounding factor. Recent studies (Roberts et al.
2001) appear to rule this out as the primary cause of extinction, but there is also some dispute about
these studies (Wroe et al. 2002). It is likely that a combination of all of these factors contributed to the
megafauna's demise. However, there is significant disagreement about the relative importance of each.
See also
● Fossil Birds
● Later Quaternary Prehistoric Birds
External links
● Paleontologists reconstruct world's largest bird
● 'Thunder Birds' - The Family Dromornithidae at the Australian Museum
References
● Archer, M. (1999): Brain of the demon duck of doom. Nature Australia 26(7): 70-71.
● Clarke, W. B. (1877): On Dromornis Australis (Owen), a new fossil bird of Australia. Journal of
the Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales 11: 41-49.
● Field, J. H. & Boles, W. E. (1998): Genyornis newtoni and Dromaius novaehollandiae at 30,000
b.p. in central northern New South Wales. Alcheringa 22: 177-188.
● Jennings, S. F. (1990): The musculoskeletal anantomy [sic], locomotion and posture of the
dromornithid Dromornis stirtoni from the Late Miocene Alcoota Local Fauna. Unpublished
Honours Thesis, School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia.
● Murray, P. F. & Megirian, D. (1998): The skull of dromornithid birds: anatomical evidence for
their relationship to Anseriformes (Dromornithidae, Anseriformes). Records of the South
Australian Museum 31: 51-97.
● Miller, G. H.; Magee, J. W.; Johnson, B. J.; Fogel, M. L.; Spooner, N. A.; McCulloch, M. T. &
Ayliffe, L. K. (1999): Pleistocene extinction of Genyornis newtoni: human impact on Australian
megafauna. Science 283: 205-208. DOI:10.1126/science.283.5399.205 (HTML abstract)
● Owen, R. (1872): [Untitled]. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1872: 682-683.
● Pain, S. (2000): The demon duck of doom. New Scientist 166(2240): 36-39.
● Rich, P. (1979): The Dromornithidae, an extinct family of large ground birds endemic to
Australia. Bulletin of the Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics 184: 1-190.
● Rich, P. (1980): The Australian Dromornithidae: a group of extinct large ratites. Contributions to
Science, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 330: 93-103.
● Rich, P. (1985): Genyornis newtoni Stirling and Zietz, 1896. A mihirung. In: Rich, P. V. & van
Tets, G. F. (eds.): Kadimakara: Extinct Vertebrates of Australia, Pp. 188-194. Pioneer Design
Studios, Lilydale, Victoria.
● Rich, P. & Gill, E. (1976): Possible dromornithid footprints from Pleistocene dune sands of
southern Victoria, Australia. Emu 76: 221-223.
● Rich, P. & Green, R. H. (1974): Footprints of birds at South Mt Cameron, Tasmania. Emu 74:
245-248.
● Roberts, R. G.; Flannery, T. F.; Ayliffe, L. A.; Yoshida, H,; Olley, J. M.; Prideaux, G. J.; Laslett,
G. M.; Baynes, A.; Smith, M. A.; Jones, R. & Smith, B. L. (2001): New ages for the last
Australian megafauna: continent-wide extinction about 46,000 years ago. Science 292: 1888-
1892. DOI:10.1126/science.1060264 (HTML abstract) Supplementary Data Erratum (requires
login)
● Stirling, E. C. (1913). Fossil remains of Lake Callabonna. Part IV. 1. Description of some further
remains of Genyornis newtoni, Stirling and Zietz. Memoirs of the Royal Society of South
Australia 1: 111-126.
● Stirling, E. C. & Zietz, A. H. C. (1896). Preliminary notes on Genyornis newtoni: a new genus
and species of fossil struthious bird found at Lake Callabonna, South Australia. Transactions of
the Royal Society of South Australia 20: 171-190.
● Stirling, E. C. & Zietz, A. H. C. (1900). Fossil remains of Lake Callabonna. I. Genyornis

newtoni. A new genus and species of fossil struthious bird. Memoirs of the Royal Society of South
Australia 1: 41-80.
● Stirling, E. C. & Zietz, A. H. C. (1905). Fossil remains of Lake Callabonna. Part III. Description
of the vertebrae of Genyornis newtoni. Memoirs of the Royal Society of South Australia 1: 81-
110.
● Vickers-Rich, P. & Molnar, R. E. (1996). The foot of a bird from the Eocene Redbank Plains
Formation of Queensland, Australia. Alcheringa 20: 21-29.
● Williams, D. L. G. (1981). Genyornis eggshell (Dromornithidae; Aves) from the Late Pleistocene
of South Australia. Alcheringa 5: 133-140.
● Williams, D. L. G. & Vickers-Rich, P. (1992). Giant fossil egg fragment from the Tertiary of
Australia. Contributions to Science, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 36: 375-
378.
● Wroe, S. (1999): The bird from hell? Nature Australia 26(7): 56-63.
● Wroe, S.; Field, J. & Fullagar, R. (2002): Lost giants. Nature Australia 27(5): 54-61.

| Dromornithidae
Bird families - E
Emberizidae | Estrildid finch | Eurylaimidae
Emberizidae
Estrildid finch
Eurylaimidae
Bird families - F
Fairy-bluebird | Falconidae | Finch | Formicariidae | Fregatidae | Furnariidae
Fairy-bluebird
Falconidae
Finch
Formicariidae
Fregatidae
Furnariidae
Bird families - G
Gastornithidae | Gnateater
Gastornithidae
Gnateater
Gastornithidae
Home | Up | Next
Gastornithes
Gastornis is an extinct genus of large flightless birds that
lived during the late Paleocene and Eocene periods of the Fossil range: Late Paleocene-Eocene
Cenozoic. Gastornis lived in Europe, but it had an
extremely close relative in North America; the North
American bird is often called Diatryma (DIE-a-TREE-
ma), but experts now believe they both belong in the
Gastornis genus.
Gastornis measured on average 1.75m tall, while

"Diatryma" was 2m tall. It had a remarkably huge beak,
which may mean that it was carnivorous (although the
beak may simply have been used for sexual display and
probably was better suited for crushing than for tearing or
cutting action). Similar (but unrelated) gigantic birds
were the Phorusrhacoids with South American origin and
the Australian Dromornithidae (Genyornis). The former
were certainly and the latter possibly carnivorous.
The closest living relatives of Gastornis are the

Anseriformes, which includes waterfowl and screamers.
In fact, gastornithids might well be anseriforms
themselves.
Gastornis fossil skeleton
Gastornis's name means 'Gaston's bird'; it is named after
Gaston Planté, who discovered the first fossils at
Geiseltal, Germany.
Gastornis appeared in the CGI series Walking with

Beasts. It also made an appearance in the 2006 CGI
family film Ice Age: The Meltdown.
References
● Hébert, E. (1855): Note sur le tibia du Gastornis
parisiensis. C.R. Acad. Sc. Paris 40: 579-582.
[Article in French] Kingdom: Animalia
External link Phylum: Chordata
● BBC Science and Nature

Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes or
Home | Up | Gastornithidae | Gnateater Gastornithiformes
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Family: Gastornithidae

Hébert, 1855
Documentation License. It uses material from the
Wikipedia. Genera
● Gastornis
● Zhongyuanus
● Omorhamphus
Bird families - H
Haematopodidae | Hawaiian honeycreeper | Helmetshrike | Hydrobatidae
Haematopodidae
Hawaiian honeycreeper
Helmetshrike
Hydrobatidae
Bird families - I
Ibidorhynchidae | Icterid | Iora
Ibidorhynchidae
Icterid
Iora
Ibidorhynchidae
Home | Up | Next
Ibisbill
The Ibisbill (Ibidorhyncha struthersii) is a bird related to the Conservation status Least concern
waders, but sufficiently distinctive to merit its own family
Ibidorhynchidae.
It lives on the shingle riverbanks of the high plateau of central

Asia and the Himalayas.
This bird is quite unmistakable. The adult is grey with a white

belly, red legs and long down curved bill, and a black face and
black breast band. The young birds lack the black on the face and
breast, and the bill is duller. The legs are bright red in the breeding
adults and dull sepia in juveniles. In spite of its spectacular
appearance it is inconspicuous in its stony environment. Scientific classification
[1] Kingdom: Animalia

They feed by probing under rocks or gravel on stream beds.
Phylum: Chordata
The call is a ringing Klew-klew similar to that of a Greenshank.
It lays four eggs in a scrape on the ground. Class: Aves
The taxonomy position of the family is still unclear. It may be Order: Charadriiformes
related to both the oystercatchers and the avocets. For an
alternative classification of the Charadriiformes.
Family: Ibidorhynchidae
Bonaparte, 1856
References Genus: Ibidorhyncha
1. ^ Marchant, J., Prater, T. and P. Hayman (1986) Species: I. struthersii

Shorebirds: an identification guide to the waders of the
world. Christopher Helm.
Binomial name
● BirdLife International (2004). Ibidorhyncha struthersii. Ibidorhyncha struthersii
(Vigors, 1832)
2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006.
External links
● Ibisbill videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Ibidorhynchidae | Icterid | Iora
Bird families - L
Lark | Leafbird | Lyrebird
Lark
Leafbird
Lyrebird
Bird families - M
Malaconotidae | Maluridae | Manakin | Melanocharitidae | Meliphagidae | Mesitornithidae | Motacillidae
Malaconotidae
Maluridae
Manakin
Melanocharitidae
Meliphagidae
Mesitornithidae
Motacillidae
Mesitornithidae
Mesites
The mesites are a small group of birds of uncertain affinities often
alternatively placed with the Rallidae.
Kingdom: Animalia
Contents
Phylum: Chordata
● 1 Description
● 2 Habitat and feeding
Class: Aves
● 3 Species
Order: Galliformes
Family: Mesitornithidae
Description Wetmore, 1960
Genera
They are smallish, near flightless birds endemic to Madagascar.
They are brownish birds generally with paler undersides. There are ● Mesitornis
two genera, Mesitornis, the White-breasted Mesite and the Brown ● Monias
Mesite, and Monias, the Subdesert Mesite.
Habitat and feeding

They are forest and scrub birds which feed on insects and seeds. The Brown and White-breasted Mesites
forage on the ground, gleaning insects from the leaves and under them, as well as low vegetation. The
Subdesert Mesite uses its long bill to probe in the soil. Other birds such as drongos and flycatchers will
follow mesites to catch any insects they flush and miss. Mesites are vocal birds, with calls similar to
passerine song, used for territorial defence. The usually single white egg is laid in a nest in a bush. Two
of the species (Mesitornis) are monogamous; the other is polygamous.
They are the only family with more than two species in which every kind is threatened; all three are
listed as vulnerable and are expected to decline greatly in the next 20 years. None of the mesites have
any legal protection, and none are the subject of ex-situ conservation. They are threatened by habitat loss
and introduced species.
Species
● White-breasted Mesite, Mesitornis variegata
Brown Mesite, Mesitornis unicolor
Subdesert Mesite Monias benschi
External links
● Subdesert Mesite (Ifaty, Madagascar) — a photo by Luke W. Cole
● Mesite videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Home | Up | Malaconotidae | Maluridae | Manakin | Melanocharitidae | Meliphagidae | Mesitornithidae

| Motacillidae
Bird families - N
Neosittidae | New World warbler | New Zealand wren
Neosittidae
New World warbler
New Zealand wren
Bird families - O
Olive Warbler | Oriole | Orthonychidae | Ovenbird
Olive Warbler
Oriole
Orthonychidae
Ovenbird
Bird families - P
Pachycephalidae | Paradoxornithidae | Paramythiidae | Pardalotidae | Parulidae | Pedionomidae
| Petroicidae | Phaethontidae | Phalacrocoracidae | Phasianidae | Phorusrhacidae | Picathartes
| Picathartidae | Picidae | Pitta | Plotopteridae | Pluvianellidae | Podicipedidae | Polioptilidae
Pachycephalidae
Paradoxornithidae
Paramythiidae
Pardalotidae
Parulidae
Pedionomidae
Petroicidae
Phaethontidae
Phalacrocoracidae
Phasianidae
Phorusrhacidae
Picathartes
Picathartidae
Picidae
Pitta
Plotopteridae
Pluvianellidae
Podicipedidae
Polioptilidae
Presbyornithidae
Psittacidae
Pteroclididae
Ptilogonatidae
Pedionomidae
Plains Wanderer
The Plains Wanderer, Pedionomus torquatus, is a unique bird Conservation status: Endangered
and is put in a family of its own. It is endemic to Australia.
It was formerly believed to be related to the buttonquails and thus

placed in the gamebird order Galliformes or with the cranes and
rails in Gruiformes, but DNA analysis shows it to be a wader
related to the jacanas.
This is a quail-like ground bird, measuring 15–19 cm. The adult

male is light brown above, with fawn-white underparts with black
crescents. The adult female has a distinctive white-spotted black
collar.
This bird is officially an endangered species. Population decline

has been caused by the conversion of native grasslands to Scientific classification
cultivation. Kingdom: Animalia
References Phylum: Chordata
● BirdLife International (2006). Pedionomus torquatus. 2006 Class: Aves

Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a range
map, a brief justification of why this species is endangered, Order: Charadriformes
and the criteria used
Family: Pedionomidae
Bonaparte, 1856
Genus: Pedionomus
Home | Up | Pachycephalidae | Paradoxornithidae | Paramythiidae
| Pardalotidae | Parulidae | Pedionomidae | Petroicidae Species: P. torquatus
| Phaethontidae | Phalacrocoracidae | Phasianidae | Phorusrhacidae
| Picathartes | Picathartidae | Picidae | Pitta | Plotopteridae
Binomial name
| Pluvianellidae | Podicipedidae | Polioptilidae | Presbyornithidae
Pedionomus torquatus
| Psittacidae | Pteroclididae | Ptilogonatidae Gould, 1841
Phaethontidae
Tropicbirds
Tropicbirds are a group of three closely related pelagic seabirds
of tropical oceans: The Red-billed Tropicbird, the Red-tailed
Tropicbird, and the White-tailed Tropicbird.
Contents
● 1 Size and Appearance
● 2 Systematics, evolution & distribution
● 3 Ecology and reproduction
● 4 References
● 5 External links Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon
rubricauda)
Kingdom: Animalia
Size and Appearance
Phylum: Chordata
Tropicbirds range in size from 76cm-102cm in length and 94cm-
112cm in wingspan. Their plumage is predominately white, with
elongated central tail feathers. The three species will have a Class: Aves
different combination of black markings on the face, back, and
wings. Their bills are large, powerful and slightly decurved. Their Order: Pelecaniformes
heads are large and their necks are short and thick. Tropicbird legs
are very short and their feet are totipalmate.
Family: Phaethontidae
Brandt, 1840
The Tropicbirds' call is typically a loud, piercing, shrill, but
grating whistle, or crackle. These are often given in a rapid series Genus: Phaethon
when they are in a display flight at the colony.
Species
Systematics, evolution & distribution 3, see text
Tropicbirds are currently grouped in the order Pelecaniformes, which also includes the pelicans,
cormorants and shags, darters, gannets and boobies and frigatebirds; in the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy,
the Pelecaniformes have been united with other, unrelated groups into a massively paraphyletic
"Ciconiiformes".
Recent research suggests that the Pelecaniformes as traditionally defined are paraphyletic too. The
tropicbirds and the related prehistoric family Prophaethontidae are probably better considered a distinct
order related to the Procellariiformes (Mayr, 2003; Bourdon et al., 2005) or a booby-cormorant lineage
or placed into these groups as a superfamily Phaetontes.
Family Phaetontidae
● Genus Phaeton
❍ Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus (tropical Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and Indian
oceans)
Red-tailed Tropicbird, P. rubricauda (Indian Ocean and the western and central tropical
Pacific)
White-tailed Tropicbird, P. lepturus (widespread in tropical waters, except in the eastern
Pacific)
Heliadornis is a prehistoric genus of tropicbirds described from fossils.
Ecology and reproduction

Tropicbirds frequently catch its prey by hovering and then plunge-diving, typically only into the surface-
layer of the waters. They eat mostly fish, especially flying fish, and occasionally squid. Tropicbirds tend
to avoid multi-species feeding flocks as opposed to their sister Frigatebirds.
Tropicbirds are usually solitary or in pairs away from breeding colonies. There, they engage in
spectacular courtship displays. For several minutes, groups of 2–20 birds simultaneously and repeatedly
fly around one another in large, vertical circles, while swinging the tail streamers from side to side. If the
female likes the presentation, she will mate with the male in his prospective nest-site. Occasionally,
disputes will occur between males trying to protect their mates and nesting areas.
Tropicbirds generally nest in holes or crevices on the bare ground. The female will lay one white egg,
spotted brown and incubate for 40-46 days. The incubation is performed by both parents, but mostly the
female, while the male brings food to feed the female. The chick hatches with grey down. It will stay
alone in nest while both parents search for food, and they will feed the chick twice every three days until
fledging, about 12-13 weeks after hatching. The young are not able to fly initially, they will float on the
ocean for several days to lose weight before flight.
Tropicbird chicks have relatively slow growth relative to a nearshore bird and they also tend to
accumulate fat deposits while young. That, along with one-egg clutches, appears to be an adaptation to a
pelagic lifestyle where food is often gathered in big amounts, but may be hard to find.
References
● Boland, C. R. J.; Double, M. C. & Baker, G. B. (2004): Assortative mating by tail streamer
length in Red-tailed Tropicbirds Phaethon rubricauda breeding in the Coral Sea. Ibis 146(4): 687-
690. DOI:10.1111/j.1474-919x.2004.00310.x (HTML abstract)
● Bourdon, Estelle; Bouya, Baâdi & Iarochene, Mohamed (2005): Earliest African neornithine
bird: A new species of Prophaethontidae (Aves) from the Paleocene of Morocco. J. Vertebr.
Paleontol. 25(1): 157-170. DOI: 10.1671/0272-4634(2005)025[0157:EANBAN]2.0.CO;2 HTML
abstract
● Mayr, Gerald (2003): The phylogenetic affinities of the Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex). Journal für
Ornithologie 144(2): 157-175. [English with German abstract] HTML abstract
● Oiseaux.net (2006): Red-billed Tropicbird. Retrieved 4-SEP-2006.
● Spear, Larry B. & Ainley, David G. (2005): At-sea behaviour and habitat use by tropicbirds in
the eastern Pacific. Ibis 147(2): 391-407. DOI:10.1111/j.1474-919x.2005.00418.x (HTML
abstract)
External links
● Tropicbird Identification by Don Roberson
● Tropicbird Photos by Brian Patteson
● Tropicbird videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Phorusrhacidae
Phorusrhacoids
Phorusrhacoids, or Terror Birds, were large carnivorous Conservation status: Fossil
flightless birds that were the dominant predators in South America
during the Cenozoic, 62–2.5 million years ago. They were roughly Fossil range: Paleogene-Mid Neogene
1–3 meters (3–10 feet) tall. Titanis walleri, one of the largest
species, is known from North America, marking one of the
comparatively rare examples where animals that evolved in South
America managed to spread north after the Isthmus of Panama
landbridge formed. The ancestors of T. walleri have not been
found; however, it is possible that more North American species
await discovery. Only a few bones of T. walleri have been
discovered at scattered locations in Florida and at a site along the
Texas coast. No complete skeleton exists of North America's only
known phorusrhacoid.
Phorusrhacoids are colloquially known as "terror birds", because

their larger species were top-level predators and among the most
fearsome carnivores of their habitat. Their wings had evolved to
meathook-like structures that could be outstretched like arms and
were able to perform a hacking motion which apparently was
helpful in bringing down prey. Most of the smaller and some of
the larger species were fast runners. Drawing of Phorusrhacos longissimus, a
phorusrhacoid, by Charles R. Knight
Their closest modern-day relatives are the seriemas, which do not, Scientific classification
however, belong to the same lineage.
Kingdom: Animalia
A new (2006) specimen from Patagonia represents the largest bird
skull found yet; it has not been formally described yet but might Phylum: Chordata
belong to a new taxon. [1]
Class: Aves
Taxonomy
Order: Gruiformes
Following the revision by Alvarenga and Höfling (2003), there are
now 5 subfamilies, containing 13 genera and 17 species: Family: Phorusrhacidae
Ameghino, 1889
● Subfamily Brontornithinae - gigantic species, standing
over 2 meters high Synonyms
❍ Genus Brontornis
Phororhacosidae
■ Brontornis burmeisteri
Ameghino, 1889
❍ Genus Physornis
Phororhacidae
■ Physornis fortis
Lydekker, 1893
❍ Genus Paraphysornis
Brontornithidae
■ Paraphysornis brasiliensis
Moreno & Mercerat, 1891
● Subfamily Phorusrhacinae - gigantic species, but Darwinornithidae
somewhat smaller and decidedly more nimble than the Moreno & Mercerat, 1891
Brontornithinae Stereornithidae
❍ Genus Phorusrhacos
Moreno & Mercerat, 1891
■ Phorusrhacos longissimus
Patagornithidae
❍ Genus Devincenzia
Mercerat, 1897
■ Devincenzia pozzi
Devincenziidae
❍ Genus Titanis
Kraglievich, 1932
■ Titanis walleri
Mesembriorniidae
● Subfamily Patagornithinae - medium-sized and very Kraglievich, 1932
nimble species, standing around 1.5 meters high Phorusrhacidae
❍ Genus Patagornis
Brodkorb, 1963
■ Patagornis marshi
❍ Genus Andrewsornis
■ Andrewsornis abbotti
❍ Genus Andalgalornis
■ Andalgalornis steulleti
● Subfamily Psilopterinae - small species, standing 70-100 centimeters high

❍ Genus Psilopterus
■ Psilopterus bachmanni
Psilopterus lemoinei
Psilopterus affinis
Psilopterus colzecus
❍ Genus Procariama
■ Procariama simplex
❍ Genus Paleopsilopterus
■ Paleopsilopterus itaboraiensis
● Subfamily Mesembriornithinae - medium-sized species, standing between 1 and 1.5 meters

high
❍ Genus Mesembriornis
■ Mesembriornis milneedwardsi
Mesembriornis incertus
Alvarenga and Höfling do not include the Ameghinornithinae and Aenigmavis sapea from Europe in the
phorusrhacoids; they conclude that the former are close relatives, and the latter is of uncertain affiliation.
References
● Alvarenga, Herculano M. F. & Höfling, Elizabeth (2003): Systematic revision of the
Phorusrhacidae (Aves: Ralliformes). Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia 43(4): 55-91 PDF fulltext
● Ameghino, F. (1889): "Contribuición al conocimiento de los mamíferos fósiles de la República
Argentina", Actas Academia Nacional Ciencias de Córdoba 6: 1-1028.
External links
● Hooper Museum
● "Huge 'Terror Bird' Fossil Discovered in Patagonia" by Christopher Joyce of NPR
● Palaeontology: Skull morphology of giant terror birds {Nature)
● Terror Birds: Bigger and Faster (Science)

Picidae
Picidae
The avian family Picidae includes the woodpeckers,
piculets and wrynecks. Members of this family are found
worldwide, except for Australia, Madagascar, and the
extreme polar regions. Most species live in forests or
woodland habitats, although a few species are known to
live in desert areas.
Family Picidae is just one of the eight families in the

order Piciformes. Members of the order Piciformes, such
as the jacamars, puffbirds, barbets, toucans and
honeyguides, have traditionally been thought to be very
closely related to the woodpeckers, piculets and
wrynecks. Recent molecular studies has strengthened this
view.
There are about over 200 species and about 30 genera in

this family (for the full species list, see Woodpecker).
Many species are threatened or endangered due to loss of
habitat or habitat fragmentation. Two species of
woodpeckers, the Ivory-billed Woodpecker and the
Imperial Woodpecker, have been considered extinct for
about 30 years (there has been some controversy recently
whether these species still exist).
Species of the family Picidae range in size from 8 cm to

58 cm in length. Most species possess predominantly
white, black and brown feathers, although many piculets
show a certain amount of gray and olive green. In
woodpeckers, many species exhibit patches of red and
yellow on their heads and bellies. Although the genders
of a species tend to look alike, male woodpeckers will
The Hairy Woodpecker, Picoides villosus, is a
have brighter reds and yellows than the females. member of the family Picadae.
Members of the family Picidae have strong bills for
drilling and drumming on trees and long sticky tongues
for extracting food. Woodpecker bills are typically
longer, sharper and stronger than the bills of piculets and Kingdom: Animalia
wrynecks, however their morphology is very similar. Due
to their smaller bill size, many piculets and wrynecks will
forage in decaying wood more often than woodpeckers. Phylum: Chordata
The long sticky tongues, which possess bristles, aid these
birds in grabbing and extracting insects deep within a Class: Aves
hole of a tree.
Order: Piciformes
Woodpeckers, piculets and wrynecks all possess
zygodactyl feet. Zygodacytl feet consist of four toes, two
facing frontward and two facing back. This type of foot Family: Picidae
arrangement is good for grasping the limbs and trunks of Vigors, 1825
trees. Members of this family can walk vertically up a Genera
tree trunk, which is beneficial for activities such as Jynx
foraging for food or nest excavation. Picumnus
Sasia
The diet of these birds consists mainly of insects, such as Nesoctites
ants and beetles, nuts, seeds, berries, some fruit and sap. Melanerpes
Species may feed generally on all of these, or may Sphyrapicus
specialize on one or two. Xiphidiopicus
Dendropicos
All members of the family Picidae nest in cavities. Dendrocopos
Woodpeckers and piculets will excavate their own nests, Picoides
but wrynecks will not. The excavated nest is usually only Veniliornis
lined from the wood chips produced as the hole was Campethera
made. Many species of woodpeckers excavate one hole Geocolaptes
per breeding season, sometimes after multiple attempts. It Dinopium
takes around a month to finish the job. Abandoned holes Meiglyptes
are used by many other birds and animals, such as flying Hemicircus
squirrels. Micropternus
Picus
Members of Picidae are typically monogamous. A pair Mulleripicus
will work together to help build the nest, incubate the Dryocopus
eggs and raise their altricial young. However, in most Celeus
species the male does most of the nest excavation and Piculus
takes the night shift while incubating the eggs. A nest will Colaptes
usually consist of 2-5 round white eggs. Since these birds Campephilus
are cavity nesters their eggs do not need to be Chrysocolaptes
camouflaged and the white color helps the parents to see Reinwardtipicus
them in dim light. The eggs are incubated for about 11-14 Blythipicus
days before the chicks are born. It takes about 18-30 days Gecinulus
before the young are ready to leave the nest. Sapheopipo
Picidae species can either be sedentary or migratory. Many species are known to stay in the same area
year around while others, such as the Eurasian Wryneck and the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, travel great
distances from their breeding grounds to their wintering ground.
Contents
❍ 1.1 Prehistoric taxa
❍ 1.2 Subfamily Jynginae: Wrynecks
❍ 1.3 Subfamily Picumninae: Piculets
❍ 1.4 Subfamily Nesoctitinae: Antillean Piculet
❍ 1.5 Subfamily Picinae: Woodpeckers
● 2 References

The phylogeny has been updated according to new knowledge about convergence patterns and
evolutionary history (Benz et al., 2006; Moore et al., 2006). Most notably, the relationship of the picine
genera has been largely clarified, and it was determined that the Antillean Piculet is a surviving offshoot
of proto-woodpeckers.
The evolutionary history of this group is not well documented, but the known fossils allow some
preliminary conclusions: the earliest known modern picids were piculet-like forms of the Late Oligocene
(c. 25 MYA). By that time, however, the group was already present in the Americas and Europe, and it
is hypothesized that they actually evolved much earlier, maybe as early as the Early Eocene (50 MYA).
The modern subfamilies appear to be rather young by comparison; until the mid-Miocene (10-15 MYA),
all picids seem to have been small or mid-sized birds similar to a mixture between a piculet and a
wryneck. An enigmatic form based on a coracoid found in Pliocene deposits of New Providence,
Bahamas, has been described as Bathoceleus hyphalus and probably also is a woodpecker (Cracraft &
Morony, 1969).
Prehistoric forms of the extant genera are treated in the corresponding genus articles.
Prehistoric taxa
Basal
● Genus Palaeopicus (Late Oligocene of France)

Not assigned to subfamily
● Picidae gen. et sp. indet. (Middle Miocene of New Mexico, USA)

● Picidae gen. et sp. indet. (Late Miocene of Gargano Peninsula, Italy)
The Eurasian Wryneck ( Jynx torquilla), a

relative of the woodpeckers
Subfamily Jynginae: Wrynecks
● Genus Jynx
❍ Eurasian Wryneck, Jynx torquilla
Rufous-necked Wryneck, Jynx ruficollis
Subfamily Picumninae: Piculets
Genus Picumnus
● Speckled Piculet, Picumnus innominatus (sometimes Vivia)

Bar-breasted Piculet, Picumnus aurifrons
Orinoco Piculet, Picumnus pumilus
Lafresnaye's Piculet, Picumnus lafresnayi
Golden-spangled Piculet, Picumnus exilis
Black-spotted Piculet, Picumnus nigropunctatus
Ecuadorian Piculet, Picumnus sclateri
Scaled Piculet, Picumnus squamulatus
White-bellied Piculet, Picumnus spilogaster
Guianan Piculet, Picumnus minutissimus
Spotted Piculet, Picumnus pygmaeus
Speckle-chested Piculet, Picumnus steindachneri
Varzea Piculet, Picumnus varzeae
White-barred Piculet, Picumnus cirratus
Ocellated Piculet, Picumnus dorbygnianus
Ochre-collared Piculet, Picumnus temminckii
White-wedged Piculet, Picumnus albosquamatus
Rusty-necked Piculet, Picumnus fuscus
Rufous-breasted Piculet, Picumnus rufiventris
Tawny Piculet, Picumnus fulvescens
Ochraceous Piculet, Picumnus limae
Mottled Piculet, Picumnus nebulosus
Plain-breasted Piculet, Picumnus castelnau
Fine-barred Piculet, Picumnus subtilis
Olivaceous Piculet, Picumnus olivaceus
Grayish Piculet, Picumnus granadensis
Chestnut Piculet, Picumnus cinnamomeus
Genus Verreauxia (sometimes included in Sasia)
● African Piculet, Verreauxia africana
Genus Sasia
● Rufous Piculet, Sasia abnormis

White-browed Piculet, Sasia ochracea
Subfamily Nesoctitinae: Antillean Piculet
● Genus Nesoctites
❍ Antillean Piculet, Nesoctites micromegas
Subfamily Picinae: Woodpeckers
Unassigned fossil forms
● Genus Palaeonerpes (Ogalalla Early Pliocene of Hitchcock County, USA) - possibly

dendropicine
● Genus Pliopicus (Early Pliocene of Kansas, USA) - possibly dendropicine
● cf. Colaptes DMNH 1262 (Early Pliocene of Ainsworth, USA) - malarpicine?
Tribe Dendropicini
● Genus Melanerpes
❍ White Woodpecker, Melanerpes candidus
Lewis' Woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis
Guadeloupe Woodpecker, Melanerpes herminieri
Puerto Rican Woodpecker, Melanerpes portoricensis
Red-headed Woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Acorn Woodpecker, Melanerpes formicivorus
Golden-naped Woodpecker, Melanerpes chrysauchen
Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Melanerpes pucherani
Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Melanerpes cruentatus
Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, Melanerpes flavifrons
White-fronted Woodpecker, Melanerpes cactorum
Hispaniolan Woodpecker, Melanerpes striatus
Jamaican Woodpecker, Melanerpes radiolatus
Golden-cheeked Woodpecker, Melanerpes chrysogenys
Gray-breasted Woodpecker, Melanerpes hypopolius
Yucatan Woodpecker, Melanerpes pygmaeus
Red-crowned Woodpecker, Melanerpes rubricapillus
Hoffmann's Woodpecker, Melanerpes hoffmannii
Gila Woodpecker, Melanerpes uropygialis
Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Melanerpes aurifrons
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus
West Indian Woodpecker, Melanerpes superciliaris
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus
varius
● Genus Sphyrapicus
❍ Williamson's Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus thyroideus
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius

Red-naped Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus nuchalis
Red-breasted Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus ruber
● Genus Xiphidiopicus
❍ Cuban Woodpecker, Xiphidiopicus percussus (Placement in Dendropicini tentative)
● Genus Dendropicos
❍ Little Grey Woodpecker, Dendropicos elachus
Speckle-breasted Woodpecker, Dendropicos poecilolaemus

Abyssinian Woodpecker, Dendropicos abyssinicus
Cardinal Woodpecker, Dendropicos fuscescens
Gabon Woodpecker, Dendropicos gabonensis
Melancholy Woodpecker, Dendropicos lugubris
Stierling's Woodpecker, Dendropicos stierlingi
Bearded Woodpecker, Dendropicos namaquus
Fire-bellied Woodpecker, Dendropicos pyrrhogaster
Golden-crowned Woodpecker, Dendropicos xantholophus
Elliot's Woodpecker, Dendropicos elliotii
Grey Woodpecker, Dendropicos goertae
African Grey-headed Woodpecker, Dendropicos spodocephalus
Olive Woodpecker, Dendropicos griseocephalus
Brown-backed Woodpecker, Dendropicos obsoletus
● Genus Dendrocopos
❍ Sulawesi Woodpecker, Dendrocopos temminckii
Philippine Woodpecker, Dendrocopos maculatus

Brown-capped Woodpecker, Dendrocopos nanus
Sunda Woodpecker, Dendrocopos moluccensis
Grey-capped Woodpecker, Dendrocopos canicapillus
Pygmy Woodpecker, Dendrocopos kizuki
Brown-fronted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos auriceps
Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos macei
Stripe-breasted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos atratus
Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Dendrocopos mahrattensis
Arabian Woodpecker, Dendrocopos dorae
Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Dendrocopos hyperythrus
Darjeeling Woodpecker, Dendrocopos darjellensis
Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos cathpharius
Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos medius
White-backed Woodpecker, Dendrocopos leucotos
White-winged Woodpecker, Dendrocopos leucopterus
Sind Woodpecker, Dendrocopos assimilis
Himalayan Woodpecker, Dendrocopos himalayensis
● Genus Picoides - this genus is in need of revision (Moore et al., 2006). See the genus article for
more.
❍ Small group
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Picoides minor - previously Dendrocopos

Downy Woodpecker, Picoides pubescens
Nuttall's Woodpecker, Picoides nuttallii
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Picoides scalaris
Large group
Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Picoides borealis
Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Picoides fumigatus
Hairy Woodpecker, Picoides villosus
White-headed Woodpecker, Picoides albolarvatus
Strickland's Woodpecker, Picoides stricklandi
Arizona Woodpecker, Picoides arizonae
Three-toed
Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker, Picoides tridactylus
American Three-toed Woodpecker, Picoides dorsalis
Black-backed Woodpecker, Picoides arcticus
● Genus Veniliornis
❍ Red-rumped Woodpecker, Veniliornis kirkii
Golden-collared Woodpecker, Veniliornis cassini

Choco Woodpecker, Veniliornis chocoensis
Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Veniliornis maculifrons
Red-stained Woodpecker, Veniliornis affinis
Bar-bellied Woodpecker, Veniliornis nigriceps
Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, Veniliornis callonotus
Yellow-vented Woodpecker, Veniliornis dignus
Little Woodpecker, Veniliornis passerinus
Dot-fronted Woodpecker, Veniliornis frontalis
Blood-colored Woodpecker, Veniliornis sanguineus
White-spotted Woodpecker, Veniliornis spilogaster
Striped Woodpecker, Veniliornis lignarius
Checkered Woodpecker, Veniliornis mixtus
Tribe Malarpicini
● Genus Campethera
❍ Fine-spotted Woodpecker, Campethera punctuligera
Nubian Woodpecker, Campethera nubica

Bennett's Woodpecker, Campethera bennettii
Reichenow's Woodpecker, Campethera scriptoricauda
Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Campethera abingoni
Mombasa Woodpecker, Campethera mombassica
Knysna Woodpecker, Campethera notata
Little Green Woodpecker, Campethera maculosa
Green-backed Woodpecker, Campethera cailliautii
Tullberg's Woodpecker, Campethera tullbergi
Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Campethera nivosa
Brown-eared Woodpecker, Campethera caroli
● Genus Geocolaptes
❍ Ground Woodpecker, Geocolaptes olivaceus
Black-rumped Flameback, Dinopium

benghalense
● Genus Dinopium
❍ Olive-backed Woodpecker, Dinopium rafflesii
Himalayan Flameback, Dinopium shorii

Common Flameback, Dinopium javanense
Black-rumped Flameback, Dinopium benghalense
● Genus Meiglyptes
❍ Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Meiglyptes tristis
Black-and-buff Woodpecker, Meiglyptes jugularis

Buff-necked Woodpecker, Meiglyptes tukki
● Genus Hemicircus (Placement in Malarpicini tentative)

❍ Grey-and-buff Woodpecker, Hemicircus concretus
Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Hemicircus canente
● Genus Micropternus (formerly in Celeus)

❍ Rufous Woodpecker, Micropternus brachyurus
● Genus Picus
❍ Banded Woodpecker, Picus mineaceus
Lesser Yellownape, Picus chlorolophus

Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Picus puniceus
Greater Yellownape, Picus flavinucha
Checker-throated Woodpecker, Picus mentalis
Streak-breasted Woodpecker, Picus viridanus
Laced Woodpecker, Picus vittatus
Streak-throated Woodpecker, Picus xanthopygaeus
Scaly-bellied Woodpecker, Picus squamatus
Japanese Woodpecker, Picus awokera
Green Woodpecker, Picus viridis
Levaillant's Woodpecker, Picus vaillantii
Red-collared Woodpecker, Picus rabieri
Black-headed Woodpecker, Picus erythropygius
Grey-headed Woodpecker, Picus canus
❍
Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)

searching for insects, depicted in Scientific
American Supplement, No. 492, June 6,
1885
● Genus Mulleripicus
❍ Ashy Woodpecker, Mulleripicus fulvus
Sooty Woodpecker, Mulleripicus funebris

Great Slaty Woodpecker, Mulleripicus pulverulentus
● Genus Dryocopus
❍ Helmeted Woodpecker, Dryocopus galeatus
Lineated Woodpecker, Dryocopus lineatus
Pileated Woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus
Black-bodied Woodpecker, Dryocopus schulzi
White-bellied Woodpecker, Dryocopus javensis
Andaman Woodpecker, Dryocopus hodgei
Black Woodpecker, Dryocopus martius
● Genus Celeus
❍ Cinnamon Woodpecker, Celeus loricatus
Scaly-breasted Woodpecker, Celeus grammicus

Waved Woodpecker, Celeus undatus
Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Celeus castaneus
Chestnut Woodpecker, Celeus elegans
Pale-crested Woodpecker, Celeus lugubris
Blond-crested Woodpecker, Celeus flavescens
Cream-colored Woodpecker, Celeus flavus
Rufous-headed Woodpecker, Celeus spectabilis
Caatinga Woodpecker, Celeus obrieni (possibly extinct)
Ringed Woodpecker, Celeus torquatus
● Genus Piculus
❍ Rufous-winged Woodpecker, Piculus simplex
Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker, Piculus callopterus

Lita Woodpecker, Piculus litae
White-throated Woodpecker, Piculus leucolaemus
Yellow-throated Woodpecker, Piculus flavigula
Golden-green Woodpecker, Piculus chrysochloros
Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Piculus aurulentus
● Genus Colaptes
❍ Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus
Gilded Flicker, Colaptes chrysoides

Fernandina's Flicker, Colaptes fernandinae
Chilean Flicker, Colaptes pitius
Andean Flicker, Colaptes rupicola
Campo Flicker, Colaptes campestris
Black-necked Woodpecker, Colaptes atricollis
Spot-breasted Woodpecker, Colaptes punctigula
Green-barred Woodpecker, Colaptes melanochloros
Golden-breasted Woodpecker, Colaptes (melanochloros) melanolaimus
Golden-olive Woodpecker, Colaptes rubiginosus
Gray-crowned Woodpecker, Colaptes auricularis
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Colaptes rivolii
A female (left) and male Imperial
Woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis)
specimen at the Museum Wiesbaden. The
largest woodpecker ever is probably extinct
since the late 20th century
Tribe Megapicini
● Genus Campephilus
❍ Powerful Woodpecker, Campephilus pollens
Crimson-bellied Woodpecker, Campephilus haematogaster

Red-necked Woodpecker, Campephilus rubricollis
Robust Woodpecker, Campephilus robustus
Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Campephilus melanoleucos
Guayaquil Woodpecker, Campephilus gayaquilensis
Pale-billed Woodpecker, Campephilus guatemalensis
Cream-backed Woodpecker, Campephilus leucopogon
Magellanic Woodpecker, Campephilus magellanicus
Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Campephilus principalis (possibly extinct)
Imperial Woodpecker, Campephilus imperialis (possibly extinct)
● Genus Chrysocolaptes
❍ White-naped Woodpecker, Chrysocolaptes festivus
Greater Flameback, Chrysocolaptes lucidus
● Genus Reinwardtipicus
❍ Orange-backed Woodpecker, Reinwardtipicus validus
● Genus Blythipicus
❍ Maroon Woodpecker, Blythipicus rubiginosus
Bay Woodpecker, Blythipicus pyrrhotis
● Genus Gecinulus (Placement in Megapicini tentative)

❍ Pale-headed Woodpecker, Gecinulus grantia
Bamboo Woodpecker, Gecinulus viridis
● Genus Sapheopipo (Placement in Megapicini tentative)

❍ Okinawa Woodpecker, Sapheopipo noguchii
References
● Benz, Brett W.; Robbins, Mark B. & Peterson, A. Townsend (2006): Evolutionary history of
woodpeckers and allies (Aves: Picidae): Placing key taxa on the phylogenetic tree. Molecular
Phylogenetics and Evolution 40: 389–399. DOI:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.02.021
● Cracraft, Joel & Morony, John J. Jr. (1969): A new Pliocene woodpecker, with comments on
the fossil Picidae. American Museum Novitates 2400: 1-8. PDF fulltext
● Johansson, U. S. & Ericson, G. P. (2003): Molecular support for a sister group relationship
between Pici and Galbulae (Piciformes sensu Wetmore 1960). Journal of Avian Biology 34: 185-
197. PDF fulltext
● Koenig, W. D. & Haydock, J. (1999): Oaks, acorns, and the geographical ecology of acorn
woodpeckers. J. Biogeogr. 26(1): 159-165. DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2699.1999.00256.x (HTML
abstract)
● Lemaitre, J. & Villard, M. A. (2005): Foraging patterns of pileated woodpeckers in a managed

Acadian forest: a resource selection function. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 35(10): 2387-
2393. HTML abstract
● Michalek, K. G. & Winkler, H. (2001): Parental care and parentage in monogamous great
spotted woodpeckers (Picoides major) and middles spotted woodpeckers (Picoides medius).
Behaviour 138(10): 1259-1285. DOI:10.1163/15685390152822210 (HTML abstract)
● Moore, William S.; Weibel, Amy C. & Agius, Andrea (2006): Mitochondrial DNA phylogeny of
the woodpecker genus Veniliornis (Picidae, Picinae) and related genera implies convergent
evolution of plumage patterns. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 87: 611–624. PDF fulltext
● Stark, R. D.; Dodenhoff, D. J. & Johnson, E. V. (1998): A quantitative analysis of woodpecker
drumming. Condor 100(2): 350-356. PDF fulltext
● Villard, P.; Cuisin, J. & Karasov, W. H. (2004). How do woodpeckers extract grubs with their
tongues? A study of the Guadeloupe woodpecker (Melanerpes herminieri) in the French Indies.
Auk 121: 509-514. DOI:10.1642/0004-8038(2004)121[0509:HDWEGW]2.0.CO;2 HTML
abstract
● Webb, Daniel Matthew & Moore, William S. (2005): A phylogenetic analysis of woodpeckers
and their allies using 12S, Cyt b, and COI nucleotide sequences (class Aves; order Piciformes).
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 36: 233-248. PDF fulltext
● Wiebe, K.L. & Swift, T. L. (2001): Clutch size relative to tree cavity size in northern flickers.
Journal of Avian Biology 32(2): 167. DOI:10.1034/j.1600-048X.2001.320210.x (HTML abstract)
● Wiktander, U.; Olsson, O. & Nilsson, S.F. (2000) Parental care and social mating system in the
lesser spotted woodpecker Dendrocopos minor. Journal of Avian Biology 31(4): 447.
DOI:10.1034/j.1600-048X.2000.310003.x (HTML abstract)
● Yom-Tov, Y. & Ar, A. (1993): Incubation and fledging durations of woodpeckers. Condor 95

Plotopteridae
Plotopterids
The Plotopteridae were a family of flightless seabirds from the
order Pelecaniformes. Related to the gannets and boobies, they Fossil range: Eocene - Miocene
exhibited remarkable convergent evolution with the penguins,
particularly with the now extinct giant penguins. That they lived in Scientific classification
the North Pacific, the other side of the world from the penguins, has
Kingdom: Animalia
led to them being described at times as the Northern Hemisphere's
penguins, although one novel new theory suggests that this group is
a link between the penguins and the Pelecaniformes. Their fossils Phylum: Chordata
have been found in California, Washington and Japan. They ranged
in size from that of a large cormorant (such as a Brandt's Class: Aves
Cormorant), to being 2 m long. They had shortened wings designed
for underwater wing-propelled pursuit diving (like penguins or the
now extinct Great Auk), a body skeleton similar to that of the darter Order: Pelecaniformes
and the skull similar to that of a sulid.
Family: Plotopteridae
The earliest known Plotopteridae species, Phocavis maritimus lived Howard, 1969
in the mid-Eocene, but most of the known species lived in the early Genera
and mid-Miocene, after which it appears they went extinct. That
they went extinct at the same time as the giant penguins of the Plotopterum
Southern Hemisphere, which also coincided with the radiation of the Copepteryx
seals and dolphins, has led to speculation that the expansion of Tonsala
marine mammals was responsible for the extinction of the Phocavis
Plotopteridae.
References
● Howard, H. (1969): A new avian fossil from Kern County, California. Condor 71: 68–69. PDF
fulltext
● Olson, Storrs L.; Hasegawa, Yoshikazu (1979): Fossil Counterparts of Giant Penguins from the
North Pacific. Science 206(4419): 688-689. HTML abstract
● Olson, Storrs L. & Hasegawa, Yoshikazu (1996): A new genus and two new species of gigantic
Plotopteridae from Japan (Aves: Pelecaniformes). J. Vert. Paleontol. 16(4): 742-751.
● Schreiber, E.A. & Burger, J. (2001): Biology of Marine Birds, ISBN 0-8493-9882-7
● Mayr, Gerald (2004): Tertiary plotopterids (Aves, Plotopteridae) and a novel hypothesis on the
phylogenetic relationships of penguins (Spheniscidae). Journal of Zoological Systematics 43(1):
67-71. PDF fulltext

Pluvianellidae
Magellanic Plover
The Magellanic Plover, Pluvianellus socialis, is a rare and unique Conservation status Near threatened
wader found only in southernmost South America. Its relationships
with the plovers and other wader groups are uncertain, and it is often Scientific classification
placed in its own family, Pluvianellidae. This species is not
migratory, although some birds move further north in southern Kingdom: Animalia
Argentina in winter.
Phylum: Chordata
This species is in its structure and habits much like a turnstone, but
it cannot be confused with any other wader species. Its upperparts Class: Aves
and breast are pale grey, and the rest of the underparts are white. It
has short red legs, a black bill and a red eye. In young birds, the
eyes and legs are yellowish in colour. The call is a dovelike coo. Order: Charadriformes
This species breeds near water, laying two large eggs on the ground, Family: Pluvianellidae
Jehl, 1975
although usually only one chick survives.
Genus: Pluvianellus
Magellanic Plovers feed on small invertebrates, picked from the
ground, or from under pebbles, again like a turnstone. Species: P. socialis
References Binomial name

Pluvianellus socialis
● BirdLife International (2006). Pluvianellus socialis. 2006 Gray,GR, 1846
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved
on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and a brief justification of why this
species is near threatened
● Shorebirds by Hayman, Marchant and Prater, ISBN 0-7099-2034-2

Presbyornithidae
Presbyornithidae
Presbyornithidae were a family of waterbirds with an apparently Conservation status: Fossil
global distribution that lived until the Earliest Oligocene, but are
now extinct. Initially, they were believed to present a mix of Fossil range: Late Cretaceous -
Early Oligocene
characters shown by waterbirds, shorebirds and flamingos and were
used to argue for an evolutionary relationship between these groups,
but they are now generally accepted to be "wading ducks", the sister Scientific classification
taxon of the Anatidae, and thus essentially modern waterbirds. They Kingdom: Animalia
were generally long-legged, long-necked birds, standing around 1
meter high, with the body of a duck, feet similar to a wader but
Phylum: Chordata
webbed, and a flat ducklike bill adapted for filter feeding.
Apparently, at least some species were very social birds that lived in
large flocks and nested in colonies. Class: Aves
As the "wading duck" moniker implies, they were waterfowl whose Order: Anseriformes
elongated legs enabled them to live a lifestyle similar to the "proto-
flamingos" (e.g. Palaelodus) - which were not really ancestors of the
Family: Presbyornithidae
modern flamingos, but a group that evolved in parallel with them
Wetmore, 1926
and in fact seems to have taken over part of the presbyornithid's
ecological niche after the latter became extinct. Thus, while Genera
probably somewhat capable of swimming, they would have see text
preferred to strain the shallow waters of their habitat for food and
were also able to snatch up insects and small crustaceans on dry land, just like some species of modern
ducks, e.g. the Laysan Duck, hunt for brine flies.
Contents
● 1 Significance in avian evolution
● 2 Systematics
● 3 References
Significance in avian evolution

The implication of the plethora of this and other, ecologically similar Neornithes (e.g. the wastebin
taxon "Graculavidae") from the Late Cretaceous and early Palaeogene is that shore habitats offered most
resources for ancestors of modern birds. The reasons seem to have been that arboreal niches were where
the main radiation of the Enantiornithes had taken place some time earlier, and later on because the C-T
mass extinction affected both aquatic and terrestrial habitats extensively, leading to the almost total
collapse of their trophic webs. In marine habitats, the climatic changes associated with the mass
extinction's cause(s) caused a wholesale die-off of oceanic phytoplankton and thus their food webs were
destroyed from the bottom up. In terrestrial habitats on the other hand, apart from the loss of the primary
production capacity, the keystone species, which were in almost all cases dinosaurs, disappeared,
leading the trophic webs on dry land to collapse also from the inside out.
Specialized taxa of the older bird radiations that were very well adapted to their particular ecological
niche and dependent on the intactness of the trophic webs had generally no chance to survive such mass
extinctions. It is now apparent that at least the main evolutionary lineages of modern bird families
already existed at the end of the Cretaceous, albeit they were somewhat marginal compared to the
dominant, earlier groups of birds such as Enantiornithes and Confuciornithidae. This serves to show that
in evolution the possession of derived or "modern" characters can actually be a disadvantage when a
species needs to compete against well-established but more "primitive" lineages, especially as it must be
understood that "primitive" refers only to descendence from a lineage that had been established a longer
time ago, not that these species were any more generalist or less well-adapted than "modern" forms. In
fact, that there were "no" (probably rather: very few) arboreal Neornithes by the end of the Cretaceous is
today believed to be because the "primitive" Enantiornithes had had more time to develop adaptations to
an arboreal lifestyle and were actually able to outcompete the "modern" arboreal forms, leaving vacant
only a few possibilities for early Neornithes to evolve an arboreal lifestyle.
At any rate and their evolutionary relationships nonwithstanding, most bird taxa that survived the mass
extinction seem to have been living in environments where they could utilize both terrestrial as well as
marine or limnic food resources (the ancestors of the Galliformes probably being the one noteworthy
exception). Until the trophic webs had diversified and become complex enough again, such generalist
forms were at a competitive advantage. When specialization became a feasible evolutionary strategy
again, however, they were outcompeted by more advanced taxa. Note that here, too, "generalist" does
not imply that these birds were competitively inferior in their entire ecological niche, only that whenever
some form evolves specialization for living in part of this niche, the generalis is at a competitive
disadvantage in that particular part of its niche. As time progresses and consequently opportunities for
specialization accumulate, it may happen that the generalis forms are either forced to specialize
themselves to maintain a competitive edge, or disappear, their niche being in effect divided up by
specialist forms.
Principles in evolution as demonstrated by the Presbyornithidae
● Generalist forms which have more "fall-back" potential if part of an ecological niche gets
destroyed are better adapted to survive mass extinctions than specialized forms which occupy a
narrow ecological niche.
● Primitiveness in descent does not translate into "primitiveness" in morphology or adaptation. The
former is an absolute value defined by when the lineage in question separated from relatives
which later underwent additional radiation. The latter is dependent on when the last mass
extinction created opportunities for the survivors to embark on a new adaptive journey.
● After a lineage has been able to evolve uninterrupted for a considerable amount of time, there is a
trend for generalists to be competitively excluded from more and more of their niche by specialist
forms, both related and unrelated, that one by one adapt to part of the generalist's niche.
● With continuing uninterrupted evolution of a lineage, remaining plesiomorphies are usually non-
adaptive: Presbyornis was a bird which, although primitive by descent and generalist by ecology,
was uniquely and highly adapted to its particular mode of life, in a way that is not found anymore
in modern birds, because the ecological niche to which it was most well adapted was later
partitioned away for the most part, with other opportunities for generalist forms arising in the
process.
Systematics
Four genera are unequivocally accepted to belong to the Presbyornithidae:
● Presbyornis (type)
Headonornis (disputed)
Telmabates
Vegavis
There is one species generally accepted in Headonornis, Vegavis and Telmabates each. Presbyornis
contains 2 or 3 described species. Vegavis is known from the Late Cretaceous of Antarctica, whereas
Telmabates lived in today's Patagonia during the Eocene. The genus Nautilornis is today considered a
synonym of Presbyornis, which is found in a wide range of Late Paleocene to Early Oligocene deposits
in North America and Europe. Additionally, most of the bones referred to Headonornis have been found
to belong to Presbyornis, and the remaining coracoid may do so too (Dyke, 2001).
Apart from these unequivocal presbyornithids, there are some genera which are tentatively assigned to
this family pending the discovery of more complete material. As many fossils from the Early Palaeogene
show somewhat ambiguous characters, it is not easy to place these early modern birds unequivocally
into one lineage or another. That they were ecologically generalized and are usually known from very
few fossil remains only serves to worsen this situation.
Possible genera of presbyornithids include:
● Teviornis
Proherodius
of which the former is known from Late Cretaceous deposits in Mongolia and the latter from the Early
Eocene of England. There are some other, undescribed, presbyornithid or possible presbyornithid
remains, such as the partial right scapula BMNH PAL 4989, which was considered part of Headonornis
hantoniensis, but cannot be positively refererred to a known taxon.
References
● Dyke, Gareth J. (2001): The Fossil Waterfowl (Aves: Anseriformes) from the Eocene of
England. American Museum Novitates 3354: 1-15. PDF fulltext
● Wetmore, Alexander (1926): Fossil birds from the Green River Deposits of Easter Utah. Annals
of the Carnegie Museum 16: 391-402.
External links
● Reconstruction of Presbyornis at critters.pixel-shack.com

Pteroclididae
Sandgrouse
The sandgrouse are a group of 16 near passerine bird
species in the order Pteroclidiformes. They are restricted
to treeless open country in the Old World, such as plains
and semi-deserts.
Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but

sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and
sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to
watering holes at dawn and dusk.
Legs are feathered down to the toes, and genus Syrrhaptes

Pallas's Sandgrouse
has the toes feathered as well.
Two to three eggs are laid directly on the ground. They are Kingdom: Animalia
buff or greenish with cryptic markings. Most species are
resident, but Pallas's Sandgrouse is eruptive.
Phylum: Chordata
Sandgrouse are traditionally placed in two genera. Two

central Asian species in Syrrhaptes, and the rest in Class: Aves
Pterocles, but recent research casts some doubt on this
division. Order: Pteroclidiformes
● Order Pteroclidiformes Family: Pteroclididae

❍ Family Pteroclididae
Bonaparte, 1831
■ Genus Syrrhaptes
■ Tibetan Sandgrouse, S.
Genera
tibetanus Pterocles
Pallas's Sandgrouse, S. Syrrhaptes
paradoxus
■ Genus Pterocles
■ Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, P. alchata
Namaqua Sandgrouse, P. namaqua

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, P. exustus
Spotted Sandgrouse, P. senegallus
Black-bellied Sandgrouse, P. orientalis
Crowned Sandgrouse, P. coronatus
Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, P. gutturalis
Burchell's Sandgrouse, P. burchelli
Masked Sandgrouse, P. personatus
Black-faced Sandgrouse, P. decoratus
Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse, P. lichtensteinii
Double-banded Sandgrouse, P. bicinctus
Painted Sandgrouse, P. indicus
Four-banded Sandgrouse, P. quadricinctus
External links
● Sandgrouse videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Bird families - R
Rallidae | Raphidae | Regulidae | Rostratulidae
Rallidae
Raphidae
Regulidae
Rostratulidae
Raphidae
Raphidae
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
A drawing of a dodo from c.
1880, which belonged to the Family: Raphidae
Raphidae family. Poche, 1904
The Raphidae is a family of extinct flightless birds, part of the order Columbiformes, comprising the Genera
genera Pezophaps and Raphus. The former comprised the species Pezophaps solitaria (the Rodrigues Pezophaps (extinct)
Solitaire); the latter Raphus cucullatus (the Dodo). Recent genetic evidence tends to support the Raphus (extinct)
submergence of the family within the Columbidae.
Both were native to the Mascarene Islands, Indian Ocean, and become extinct through human hunting and predation
by introduced non-native predators following Western colonisation in the 1600s.
The Réunion Sacred Ibis, until recently considered a third extinct member of the Raphidae, has now been reclassified
as belonging to the order Ciconiiformes.
Rostratulidae
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Painted Snipes
Painted snipe are three distinctive wader species placed together in their own family Rostratulidae.
They are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but much more brightly
coloured.
The female is brighter than the male and takes the lead in courtship. The male incubates the eggs,
usually four, in a nest on the ground or floating for about 20 days.
All three species live in reedy swamps, and their diet consists of annelid worms and other invertebrates,
which they find with their long bills.
Species of Painted Snipe

Greater Painted Snipe
Female (Rostralata benghalensis)
The Greater Painted Snipe (Rostralata benghalensis) is found in marshes in Africa, India and South-
east Asia.
Kingdom: Animalia
The Australian Painted Snipe (Rostratula australia) is a rare, nomadic and declining species found
only in Australia (Lane & Rogers 2000) Phylum: Chordata
The Lesser Painted Snipe ( Nycticryptes semicollaris), inhabits grassy marshland in southern South
Class: Aves
America.
External links
● Painted snipe videos on the Internet Bird Collection] Family: Rostratulidae
Ridgway, 1919
● Greater Painted Snipe
● Painted Snipe
Distribution of Greater Painted Snipe

Species
● Rostralata benghalensis
● Rostratula australis
Illustration of Greater Painted ● Nycticryptes semicollaris
Snipe from Hume and
Marshall, Gamebirds of India,
Burmah and Ceylon.
References
● Lane, B.A.; & Rogers, D.I. (2000). The Australian Painted Snipe, Rostratula (benghalensis) australis: an Endangered
species?. Stilt 36: 26-34

Bird families - S
Scolopacidae | Scrub-bird | Shrike | Silky-flycatcher | Sitella | Sparrow | Spheniscidae | Strigidae
| Sturnidae | Sugarbird | Sulidae | Sylviidae | Sylviornithidae
Scolopacidae
Scrub-bird
Shrike
Silky-flycatcher
Sitella
Sparrow
Spheniscidae
Strigidae
Sturnidae
Sugarbird
Sulidae
Sylviidae
Sylviornithidae
Strigidae
Typical owls
Typical owls (family Strigidae) are one of the two generally
accepted families of owls, the other being the barn owls (family
Tytonidae).
The nearly 200 species are, in taxonomic order:
● White-fronted Scops Owl, Otus sagittatus

Andaman Scops Owl, Otus balli
Reddish Scops Owl, Otus rufescens
Serendib Scops Owl, Otus thilohoffmanni
Sandy Scops Owl, Otus icterorhynchus
Sokoke Scops Owl, Otus ireneae
Flores Scops Owl, Otus alfredi
Great Horned Owl
Mountain Scops Owl, Otus spilocephalus
Rajah Scops Owl, Otus brookii Scientific classification
Javan Scops Owl, Otus angelinae Kingdom: Animalia
Mentawai Scops Owl, Otus mentawi
Indian Scops Owl, Otus bakkamoena
Phylum: Chordata
Collared Scops Owl, Otus (bakkamoena) lettia
Sunda Scops Owl, Otus lempiji
Japanese Scops Owl, Otus semitorques Class: Aves
Wallace's Scops Owl, Otus silvicola
Palawan Scops Owl, Otus fuliginosus Order: Strigiformes
Philippine Scops Owl, Otus megalotis
Mindanao Scops Owl, Otus mirus
Luzon Scops Owl, Otus longicornis Family: Strigidae
Mindoro Scops Owl, Otus mindorensis Vigors, 1825
Pallid Scops Owl, Otus brucei Genera
Oriental Scops Owl, Otus sunia
Flammulated Owl, Otus flammeolus
Moluccan Scops Owl, Otus magicus
Mantanani Scops Owl, Otus mantananensis
Ryukyu Scops Owl, Otus elegans
Sulawesi Scops Owl, Otus manadensis
Sangihe Scops Owl, Otus collari Aegolius: saw-whet owls
Biak Scops Owl, Otus beccarii Asio: eared owls
Seychelles Scops Owl, Otus insularis Athene
Simeulue Scops Owl, Otus umbra Bubo: horned owls
Enggano Scops Owl, Otus enganensis Ciccaba
Nicobar Scops Owl, Otus alius Glaucidium: pygmy owls
Pemba Scops Owl, Otus pembaensis Jubula
Comoro Scops Owl, Otus pauliani Lophostrix
Anjouan Scops Owl, Otus capnodes Micrathene: elf owls
Moheli Scops Owl, Otus moheliensis Mimizuku
Mayotte Scops Owl, Otus mayottensis Nesasio
Malagasy Scops Owl, Otus rutilus Ninox
Torotoroka Scops Owl, Otus madagascariensis Otus: scops owls
Sao Tome Scops Owl, Otus hartlaubi Pseudoscops
Western Screech Owl, Otus kennicottii Pulsatrix
Balsas Screech Owl, Otus seductus Pyrroglaux: palau owls
Pacific Screech Owl, Otus cooperi Sceloglaux
Whiskered Screech Owl, Otus trichopsis Scotopelia
Eastern Screech Owl, Otus asio Speotyto
Tropical Screech Owl, Otus choliba Strix: earless owls
Koepcke's Screech Owl, Otus koepckeae Surnia: hawk owls
West Peruvian Screech Owl, Otus roboratus Uroglaux
Bare-shanked Screech Owl, Otus clarkii Xenoglaux
Bearded Screech Owl, Otus barbarus
Rufescent Screech Owl, Otus ingens
Colombian Screech Owl, Otus colombianus
Cinnamon Screech Owl, Otus petersoni
Cloud-forest Screech Owl, Otus marshalli
Tawny-bellied Screech Owl, Otus watsonii
Guatemalan Screech Owl, Otus guatemalae
Vermiculated Screech Owl, Otus vermiculatus
Hoy's Screech Owl, Otus hoyi
Variable Screech Owl, Otus atricapillus
Long-tufted Screech Owl, Otus sanctaecatarinae
Puerto Rican Screech Owl, Otus nudipes
White-throated Screech Owl, Otus albogularis
Palau Owl, Pyrroglaux podarginus
Cuban Screech Owl, Gymnoglaux lawrencii
Northern White-faced Owl, Ptilopsis leucotis
Southern White-faced Owl, Ptilopsis granti
Mindanao Eagle Owl, Mimizuku gurneyi
See horned owl for more on the following horned and eagle owls.
● Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus
Magellanic Horned Owl, Bubo magellanicus
Rock Eagle Owl, Bubo bengalensis
Cape Eagle Owl, Bubo capensis
Grayish Eagle Owl, Bubo cinerascens
Fraser's Eagle Owl, Bubo poensis
Usambara Eagle Owl, Bubo vosseleri
Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, Bubo nipalensis
Barred Eagle Owl, Bubo sumatranus
Shelley's Eagle Owl, Bubo shelleyi
Verreaux's Eagle Owl, Bubo lacteus
Dusky Eagle Owl, Bubo coromandus
Akun Eagle Owl, Bubo leucostictus
Philippine Eagle Owl, Bubo philippensis
Blakiston's Fish Owl, Bubo blakistoni
Brown Fish Owl, Bubo zeylonensis
Tawny Fish Owl, Bubo flavipes
Buffy Fish Owl, Bubo ketupu
Snowy Owl, Bubo scandiaca
Pel's Fishing Owl, Scotopelia peli
Rufous Fishing Owl, Scotopelia ussheri
Vermiculated Fishing Owl, Scotopelia bouvieri
● Spotted Wood Owl, Strix seloputo

Mottled Wood Owl, Strix ocellata
Brown Wood Owl, Strix leptogrammica
Spotted Owl, Strix occidentalis
Barred Owl, Strix varia
Fulvous Owl, Strix fulvescens
Rusty-barred Owl, Strix hylophila
Rufous-legged Owl, Strix rufipes
Chaco Owl, Strix chacoensis
Ural Owl, Strix uralensis
Pere David's Owl, Strix davidi
Great Grey Owl, Strix nebulosa
African Wood Owl, Strix woodfordii
Mottled Owl, Ciccaba virgata
Black-and-white Owl, Ciccaba
nigrolineata
Black-banded Owl, Ciccaba huhula
Rufous-banded Owl, Ciccaba albitarsis
Crested Owl, Lophostrix cristata
Maned Owl, Jubula lettii
Spectacled Owl, Pulsatrix perspicillata
Tawny-browed Owl, Pulsatrix
koeniswaldiana
Band-bellied Owl, Pulsatrix melanota
Eurasian Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium
passerinum
Collared Owlet, Glaucidium brodiei
Pearl-spotted Owlet, Glaucidium perlatum
Northern Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium californicum
Mountain Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium gnoma
Guatemalan Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium cobanense
Cape Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium hoskinsii
Costa Rican Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium costaricanum
Cloud-forest Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium nubicola
Andean Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium jardinii
Colima Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium palmarum
Tamaulipas Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium sanchezi
Central American Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium griseiceps
Subtropical Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium parkeri
Yungas Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium bolivianum Tawny Owl
Amazonian Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium hardyi
Least Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium minutissimum
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium brasilianum
Tucuman Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium tucumanum
Peruvian Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium peruanum
Austral Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium nanum
Cuban Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium siju
Red-chested Owlet, Glaucidium tephronotum
Sjostedt's Owlet, Glaucidium sjostedti
Asian Barred Owlet, Glaucidium cuculoides
Javan Owlet, Glaucidium castanopterum
Jungle Owlet, Glaucidium radiatum
Chestnut-backed Owlet, Glaucidium castanonotum
African Barred Owlet, Glaucidium capense
Chestnut Owlet, Glaucidium castaneum
Albertine Owlet, Glaucidium albertinum
Long-whiskered Owlet, Xenoglaux loweryi
Elf Owl, Micrathene whitneyi
Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia
Spotted Owlet, Athene brama
Forest Owlet, Athene blewitti
Tengmalm's Owl or Boreal Owl, Aegolius funereus
Northern Saw-whet Owl, Aegolius acadicus
Unspotted Saw-whet Owl, Aegolius ridgwayi
Buff-fronted Owl, Aegolius harrisii
Rufous Owl, Ninox rufa
Powerful Owl, Ninox strenua
Barking Owl, Ninox connivens
Sumba Boobook, Ninox rudolfi
Southern Boobook, Ninox novaeseelandiae, sometimes split as
Morepork, Ninox novaeseelandiae,
Southern Boobook, Ninox boobook
Andaman Hawk Owl, Ninox affinis
Brown Hawk Owl, Ninox scutulata
White-browed Owl, Ninox superciliaris
Philippine Hawk Owl, Ninox philippensis
Ochre-bellied Hawk Owl, Ninox ochracea
Cinnabar Hawk Owl, Ninox ios
Moluccan Hawk Owl, Ninox squamipila
Christmas Island Hawk Owl, Ninox natalis
Jungle Hawk Owl, Ninox theomacha
Manus Hawk Owl, Ninox meeki
Speckled Hawk Owl, Ninox punctulata
Bismarck Hawk Owl, Ninox variegata
New Britain Hawk Owl, Ninox odiosa
Solomon Hawk Owl, Ninox jacquinoti
Papuan Hawk Owl, Uroglaux dimorpha
Jamaican Owl, Pseudoscops grammicus
Striped Owl, Pseudoscops clamator
Stygian Owl, Asio stygius
Long-eared Owl, Asio otus
African Long-eared Owl, Asio abyssinicus
Madagascar Long-eared Owl, Asio madagascariensis
Marsh Owl, Asio capensis
Fearful Owl, Nesasio solomonensis
External links
● ITIS - Strigidae Taxonomy
● Typical owl videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Sylviornithidae
Back | Home | Up
Sylviornis
Sylviornis is an extinct genus of galliform bird containing a single Conservation status: Prehistoric
species, S. neocaledoniae, the Sylviornis or New Caledonian Giant
Megapode. Technically, however, it has recently been found not to Scientific classification
be a megapode, but the sole known member of its own family, the
Sylviornithidae; at the time of its description, it was believed to be a Kingdom: Animalia
ratite. The Sylviornis was never encountered alive by scientists, but
it is known from many thousands of subfossil bones found in Phylum: Chordata
deposits, some of them from the Holocene, on New Caledonia and
the adjacent Île des Pins. Class: Aves
The Sylviornis was a huge, flightless bird, 1.70 meters long

altogether, and weighing around 30 kg. It had a large skull with a Order: Galliformes
high and laterally compressed beak surmounted by a bony knob. Its
legs were rather short, but had strong toes with long nails. The Family: Sylviornithidae
skeleton has a number of peculiarities and differences that make the Mourer-Chauviré &
Sylviornis stand apart from all other known birds: the clavicles were Balouet, 2005
not fused to a furcula, the number of caudal vertebrae was very Genus: Sylviornis
high, and the ribcage and pelvis were almost dinosaurian in Poplin, 1980
appearance. The wings were reduced to small stubs. Species: S. neocaledoniae
A large proportion - up to 50% in some deposits - of the remains

found were from juvenile animals. Thus, it has been theorized that Binomial name
the Sylviornis had a clutch of at least two, more probably closer to Sylviornis neocaledoniae
10 eggs, and that the average lifespan was not much more than 5-7 Poplin, 1980
years, which would be extremely low for such a large bird. Apparently, the bird did not incubate its eggs
but built a mound similar to the megapodes. Tumuli on the Île des Pins which were initially believed to
be graves were found to contain no human remains or grave goods, and it has been hypothesized that
they were in reality the incubation mounts of Sylviornis. As these mounds are up to 5 m high and 50 m
wide even after nearly 4 millennia, they seem too large to have been made by the Giant Scrubfowl, an
extinct New Caledonian species of megapode.
Little can be said about the Sylviornis' lifestyle. It was probably a slow-moving browser, and the
structure of the bill and feet suggest that roots and tubers it dug up formed a major part of its diet.
Extinction
The bird was hunted to extinction by the Lapita ancestors of the Kanak people, who settled New
Caledonia around 1500 BC. Predation by feral dogs and pigs probably also played a part. The legacy of
the Sylviornis persists in Kanak oral history in the form of stories giving a rough description of the bird
and some of its habits. A native name was du.
References
● Mourer-Chauviré, Cécile & Balouet, J. C. (2005): Description of the skull of the genus Sylviornis
Poplin, 1980 (Aves, Galliformes, Sylviornithidae new family), a giant extinct bird from the
Holocene of New Caledonia. In: Alcover, J. A. & Bover, P. (eds.): Proceedings of the
International Symposium "Insular Vertebrate Evolution: the Palaeontological Approach".
Monografies de la Societat d’Història Natural de les Balears 12: 205-118.
● Poplin, François (1980): Sylviornis neocaledoniae n. g., n. sp. (Aves), ratite éteint de la Nouvelle-
Calédonie. Comptes Rendus de l'Academie des Sciences Paris sér. D 290: 691-694 [Article in
French]

Bird families - T
Tanager | Tapaculo | Teratornithidae | Tetraonidae | Thamnophilidae | Threskiornithidae | Trochilidae
| Troglodytidae | Turdidae | Turnagridae | Tyrant flycatcher | Tytonidae
Tanager
Tapaculo
Teratornithidae
Tetraonidae
Thamnophilidae
Threskiornithidae
Trochilidae
Troglodytidae
Turdidae
Turnagridae
Tyrant flycatcher
Tytonidae
Teratornithidae
Teratornithidae
Teratorns were very large birds of prey who lived in North and Conservation status: Fossil
South America from Miocene to Pleistocene. They were somewhat
close to modern condors and as such, they are more closely related Scientific classification
to storks rather than Accipitridae which includes most other diurnal
Kingdom: Animalia
predatory birds, including Old World vultures; however, Rhys
(1980) put the family Teratornithidae in the order Accipitriformes.
They include some of the largest known flying birds. So far, four Phylum: Chordata
species have been identified:
Class: Aves
● Teratornis merriami (Miller, 1909). This is by far the best-
known species. Over a hundred specimens have been found,
mostly from La Brea Tar Pits. It stood about 75 cm (29.5 in) Order: Ciconiiformes
tall with estimated wingspan of perhaps 3.5 to 3.8 metres
(11.5 to 12.5 ft), and weighed about 15 kg (33 lbs); making it Family: Teratornithidae
slightly bigger than extant condors. It became extinct at the L. H. Miller, 1909
end of Pleistocene, some 10 000 years ago. Teratornis is
Greek for "monster bird".
● Aiolornis incredibilis (Howard, 1952), previously known as Teratornis incredibilis. This species
is fairly poorly known, finds from Nevada and California include several wing bones and part of
the beak. They show remarkable similarity with merriami but are uniformly about 40% larger:
this would translate to wingspan of about 5 metres (16.5 ft) for incredibilis. The finds are dated
from Pliocene to late Pleistocene which is considerable chronological spread, and thus it is
uncertain whether they actually represent the same species.
● Cathartornis gracilis (Miller, 1910). This species is known only from a couple of leg bones
found from La Brea Ranch. Compared to T. merriami, remains are slightly shorter and clearly
more slender, indicating more gracile body build.
● Argentavis magnificens (Campbell & Tonni, 1980). A partial skeleton of this enormous teratorn
was found from La Pampa, Argentina. It is the oldest known teratorn, dating to late Miocene,
about 6 to 8 million years ago, and one of the very few teratorn finds in South America. Initial
discovery included portions of the skull, incomplete humerus and several other wing bones. Even
conservative estimates put its wingspan at 6 meters and up (some 20 ft), and it may have been as
much as 8 metres (26 ft). Weight of the bird was estimated to have been around 80 kg (176 lbs).
Estimated weight and wing area rival those of the largest pterosaurs.
Another form, "Teratornis" olsoni, was described from the Pleistocene of Cuba, but its exact affinities
are not completely resolved; it might not be a teratorn at all. There are also undescribed fossils from
southwestern Ecuador, but apart from these forms, teratorns were restricted to North America (Campbell
& Tonni, 1983).
Description and ecology

Despite their size, there is little doubt that even the largest teratorns could fly. Visible marks of the
attachments of contour feathers can be seen on Argentavis wing bones. This defies some earlier theories
that modern birds like condors, swans, and bustards represent the ultimate size limit for flying birds.
Wing loading of Argentavis was relatively low for its size, a bit more than a turkey (Campbell & Tonni,
1983), and if there were any significant wind present, the bird could probably get airborne merely by
spreading its wings, just like modern Albatrosses. It is noteworthy that South America during Miocene
probably featured strong and steady westerly winds, as the Andes were still forming and not yet very
high.
T. merriami was small enough to take off with a simple jump and a few flaps. The fingerbones are
mostly fused as in all birds, but the former index finger has partially evolved into a wide shelf at least in
T. merriami, and as condors have a similar adaptation, probably other species, too. Wing length
estimates vary considerably but more likely than not were on the upper end of the range, because this
bone structure serves to bear the load of the massive primaries
Traditionally, teratorns have been described as large scavengers, very much like oversized condors,
owing to considerable similarity with condors. However, the long beaks and wide gapes of teratorns are
more like the beaks of eagles and other actively predatory birds, rather than vultures. Most likely
teratorns swallowed their prey whole; Argentavis could technically swallow up to hare-sized animals in
a single piece. Although they undoubtely engaged in opportunistic scavenging, they seem to have been
active predators most of the time (Campbell & Tonni, 1983). It is noteworthy that teratorns have
relatively longer and stouter legs than Old World vultures, thus it seems possible that teratorns would
stalk their prey on the ground, and take off only to fly to another feeding ground, or their nests;
especially Cathartornis seems well-adapted for such a lifestyle. Argentavis may have been an exception,
as its sheer bulk would have made it a less effective hunter, but better adapted to taking over other
predators' kills. As teratorns were not habitual scavengers, they most likely had completely feathered
heads, unlike vultures.
As with other large birds, a clutch probably had only one or two eggs; the young would be cared for for
more than half a year, and take several years to reach maturity, probably up to a dozen in Argentavis
(Palqvist & Vizcaíno, 2003).
References
● Campbell, Kenneth E. Jr. & Tonni, E. P. (1983): Size and locomotion in teratorns. Auk 100(2):
390-403 PDF fulltext
● Miller, Love H. (1909): Teratornis, a new avian genus from Rancho La Brea. University of
California Publications, Bulletin of the Department of Geology 5: 305-317.
● Palmqvist, Paul & Vizcaíno, Sergio F. (2003): Ecological and reproductive constraints of body
size in the gigantic Argentavis magnificens (Aves, Theratornithidae) from the Miocene of
Argentina. Ameginiana 40(3): 379-385. PDF fulltext
● Rhys, David (1980): Argentavis magnificens: World's Largest Flying Bird. Origins 7(2): 87-88.
HTML abstract

Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae
The family Threskiornithidae includes 36 species of
large terrestrial and wading birds, falling into two
subfamilies, the ibises and the spoonbills. It was
formerly known as Plataleidae. The spoonbills and ibises
are related to other groups of long-legged wading birds in
the order Ciconiiformes, including the storks, the herons,
and the bitterns.
Members of the family have long, broad wings with 11

primary feathers and about 20 secondaries. They are
strong fliers and, rather surprisingly, given their size and
weight, very capable soarers. The body tends to be
elongated, the neck more so, with rather long legs. The
bill is also long, decurved in the case of the ibises,
straight and distinctively flattened in the spoonbills.
They are distributed almost worldwide, being found near

almost any area of standing or slow-flowing fresh or Australian White Ibis
brackish water. Ibises are also found in drier areas, Scientific classification
including city rubbish tips. All are diurnal; spending the
day feeding on a wide range of invertebrates and small Kingdom: Animalia
vertebrates: ibises by probing in soft earth or mud,
spoonbills by swinging the bill from side to side in Phylum: Chordata
shallow water. At night, they roost in trees near water.
They are gregarious, feeding, roosting, and flying
Class: Aves
together, often in formation.
Nesting is colonial in ibises, more often in small groups Order: Ciconiiformes

or singly in spoonbills, nearly always in trees
overhanging water, but sometimes on islands or small Family: Threskiornithidae
islands in swamps. Generally, the female builds a large Richmond, 1917
structure out of reeds and sticks brought by the male.
Subfamilies
Typical clutch size is 2 to 5; hatching is asynchronic.
Both sexes incubate in shifts, and after hatching feed the Threskionithinae (ibises)
young by partial regurgitation. Two or three weeks after Plateinae (spoonbills)
hatching, the young no longer need to be brooded continuously and may leave the nest, often forming
creches but returning to be fed by the parents.
External links
● Threskiornithidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Bird families - V
Vanga | Vangidae | Vireo
Vanga
Vangidae
Vireo
Bird families - W
Waxwing
Back | Home | Up
Waxwing
Bucorvinae
Home | Up | Next
Ground-hornbill
The Ground-hornbills (Bucorvinae) are a subfamily of the
hornbill family Bucerotidae, with a single genus Bucorvus and two
extant species:
● Abyssinian Ground-hornbill Bucorvus abyssinicus (also

known as Northern Ground-hornbill)
Southern Ground-hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri
The subfamily is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa - Abyssinian

Ground-hornbill being found in a belt from Senegal east to
Ethiopia, with Southern Ground-hornbill occurring in the south
and east of the continent.
A prehistoric ground-hornbill, Bucorvus brailloni, has been Southern Ground Hornbill

described from fossil bones. (Bucorvus leadbeateri)
Ground hornbills are large, with adults around a metre tall. Both
species are ground-dwelling, unlike other hornbills. Some Kingdom: Animalia
ornithologists raise the Ground-hornbills to family level on
account of this and other distinctive features. Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Home | Up | Bucorvinae | Buphaginae | Pseudochelidoninae

Order: Coraciiformes
| Anatinae | Anserinae | Buteoninae | Chordeilinae | Drongo
| Euphoniinae | Fantail | Ground-hornbill | Mancallinae | Merginae
| Monarchinae | Palaeeudyptinae | Phaethornithinae Family: Bucerotidae
| Pseudochelidoninae | Rhipidurinae | Saxicolinae | Tadorninae
| Vanellinae | Woodcreeper Subfamily: Bucorvinae
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation Genus: Bucorvus
License. It uses material from the Wikipedia. Lesson, 1830
Species
Bucorvus leadbeateri
Bucorvus abyssinicus
Anatinae
Anatinae
The Anatinae is one of the subfamilies of the family
Anatidae, which includes the swans, geese and ducks.
The Anatinae subfamily contains three groups of ducks:
● The dabbling duck group, of worldwide distribution,

include usually 8 genera and some 50-60 living
species. Salvadori's Teal and the Crested Duck are
sometimes separated from Anas in monotypic genera. Adult White-winged Wood Duck
(Cairina scutulata)
● The 3 known genera and 4 known species of moa- Scientific classification
nalos are all extinct. They formerly occurred on the
Hawaiian Islands and were derived from dabbling Kingdom: Animalia
ducks.
Phylum: Chordata
● 16 living or recently extinct species of diving ducks,
of worldwide distribution, in presently 3 genera; Class: Aves
Marmaronetta was formerly included with the
dabbling ducks but is now treated here. Phylogenetic
analysis of the probably extinct Pink-headed Duck, Order: Anseriformes
previously treated separately in Rhodonessa, has
suggested that it belongs into Netta (Livezey, 1998), Family: Anatidae
but this approach has been questioned (Collar et al.,
2001). Molecular studies, which would probably
resolve this question, have not been conducted to date. Subfamily: Anatinae
Leach, 1820
Genera
References
● Collar, Nigel J.; Andreev, A. V.; Chan, S.; Crosby, M.
J.; Subramanya, S. & Tobias, J. A. (editors) (2001):
Pink-headed Duck. In:Threatened Birds of Asia: The
BirdLife International Red Data Book, p.489-501.
BirdLife International. ISBN 0-946888-44-2 HTML
fulltext
● Livezey, Brad C. (1998): A phylogenetic analysis of ● Dabbling ducks
modern pochards (Anatidae: Aythini). Auk 113(1): 74– ❍ Amazonetta
93. PDF fulltext Aix

Anas
Cairina
Callonetta
Home | Up | Bucorvinae | Buphaginae | Pseudochelidoninae Chenonetta
| Anatinae | Anserinae | Buteoninae | Chordeilinae | Drongo Nettapus
Pteronetta
| Euphoniinae | Fantail | Ground-hornbill | Mancallinae
● moa-nalos
| Merginae | Monarchinae | Palaeeudyptinae | Phaethornithinae ❍ Chelychelynechen
| Pseudochelidoninae | Rhipidurinae | Saxicolinae | Tadorninae Thambetochen
| Vanellinae | Woodcreeper Ptaiochen
● Diving ducks
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation ❍ Marmaronetta
License. It uses material from the Wikipedia. Netta

Aythya
Anserinae
Anserinae
The Anserinae is a subfamily of the waterfowl family Anatidae. It
includes the swans and geese; this article deals with the swans and
true geese in the subfamily Anserinae. See swan and goose, and
the individual species, for more details. A number of other
waterbirds, mainly related to the shelducks, have "goose" as part
of their name; see the family page at Anatidae for these and others.
Species of swan and goose:

● Genus Cygnus - swans A Canada Goose
❍ Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus. Arctic North Scientific classification
America, Europe and Asia, wintering further south.
Kingdom: Animalia
Bewick's Swan, Cygnus bewickii. Siberia, wintering
on the coasts of the North, Caspian and Yellow Seas
and Japan. Often considered a subspecies of C. Phylum: Chordata
columbianus.
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus. Subarctic Europe Class: Aves
and Asia, wintering further south.
Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinator. Subarctic
North America, wintering further south. Order: Anseriformes
Mute Swan Cygnus olor. Temperate Europe and
Asia, mainly resident. Family: Anatidae
❍ Black Swan Cygnus atratus. Australia, resident or
nomadic.
Subfamily: Anserinae
■ New Zealand Swan, Cygnus atratus
Vigors, 1825
sumnerensis. New Zealand, possibly
Chatham Islands, resident. Conservation Genera
status: Prehistoric
❍ Black-necked Swan Cygnus melanocoryphus.
Southern South America, wintering further north.
● Genus Coscoroba
❍ Coscoroba Swan Coscoroba coscoroba. Southern
South America, wintering further north.

● Genus Sarcidiornis ● Cygnus (including Olor)
❍ Mascarene Swan, Sarcidiornis mauritania Coscoroba
(mauritianus) an extinct species which lived in the Sarcidiornis (extinct)
Mascarene Islands, last observed in Mauritius in ● Anser
1668 [1]. ● Chen
● Branta
● Genus Anser - grey geese ● Cereopsis
❍ Greylag Goose Anser anser. Temperate Europe and
Cnemiornis (extinct)
Asia.
White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons. Arctic North
America, Europe and Asia, wintering further south.
Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus. Subarctic Europe and Asia, wintering
further south.
Bean Goose Anser fabalis. Arctic and subarctic Europe and Asia, wintering further south.
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus. Arctic Atlantic Ocean shores, wintering further
south in western Europe.
Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus. Mountains of temperate central Asia, wintering further
south in India.
Swan Goose Anser cygnoides. Temperate eastern Asia, wintering further south.
● Genus Chen - white geese (sometimes merged into Anser)

❍ Snow Goose Chen caerulescens or Anser caerulescens. Arctic and subarctic North
America, wintering further south.

Ross's Goose Chen rossii or Anser rossii. Arctic North America, wintering further south.
Emperor Goose Chen canagica or Anser canagicus. Arctic Pacific Ocean shores, wintering
a short distance further south.
● Genus Branta - black geese

❍ Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis. Arctic Atlantic Ocean shores, wintering further south in
western Europe.
Canada Goose Branta canadensis. Arctic to temperate North America, wintering further
south or resident.
Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii. Arctic to temperate North America, wintering further
south or resident.
Hawaiian Goose or Nēnē, Branta sandvicensis. Hawaii, resident.
Nēnē-nui, Branta hylobadistes. Hawaii, resident. Conservation status: Prehistoric
Brent Goose Branta bernicla.
Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis. Arctic Asia, wintering further in southeast Europe.
● Genus Cereopsis
❍ Cape Barren Goose Cereopsis novaehollandiae. Southern Australia, resident or nomadic.
Distinct from other geese and often placed in a subfamily of its own.
● Genus Cnemiornis - New Zealand geese Conservation status: Prehistoric

❍ South Island Goose Cnemiornis calcitrans. New Zealand, South Island, resident.

North Island Goose Cnemiornis gracilis. New Zealand, North Island, resident.

Buteoninae
Buteoninae
Buteoninae is a bird of prey subfamily which consists of medium
to large broad-winged species.
They have large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from
their prey, strong legs and powerful talons. They also have
extremely keen eyesight to enable them to spot potential prey from
a distance.
This subfamily contains the buzzards and true eagles.
Species
SUBFAMILY BUTEONINAE
● Genus Geranoaetus
❍ Black-chested Buzzard-eagle, Geranoaetus
melanoleucus Common Buzzard

● Genus Buteo
❍ Common Buzzard, Buteo buteo
Kingdom: Animalia
Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
Long-legged Buzzard, Buteo rufinus Phylum: Chordata
Rough-legged Buzzard, Buteo lagopus
Ferruginous Hawk, Buteo regalis
Class: Aves
Red-shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus
Broad-winged Hawk, Buteo platypterus
Swainson's Hawk, Buteo swainsoni Order: Falconiformes
Roadside Hawk, Buteo magnirostris
Ridgway's Hawk, Buteo ridgwayi Family: Accipitridae
White-rumped Hawk, Buteo leucorrhous
Short-tailed Hawk, Buteo brachyurus
White-throated Hawk, Buteo albigula Subfamily: Buteoninae
White-tailed Hawk, Buteo albicaudatus
Galápagos Hawk, Buteo galapagoensis Genera
Red-backed Hawk, Buteo polyosoma
Puna Hawk, Buteo poecilochrous See article text
Gray Hawk, Buteo nitidus
Zone-tailed Hawk, Buteo albonotatus
Hawaiian Hawk, Buteo solitarius
Rufous-tailed Hawk, Buteo ventralis
Madagascar Buzzard, Buteo brachypterus
● Genus Parabuteo
❍ Harris' Hawk, Parabuteo unicinctus
● Genus Buteogallus
❍ Common Black Hawk, Buteogallus anthracinus
Mangrove Black Hawk, Buteogallus subtilis

Great Black Hawk, Buteogallus urubitinga
Rufous crab Hawk, Buteogallus aequinoctialis
Savanna Hawk, Buteogallus meridionalis
● Genus Busarellus
❍ Black-collared Hawk, Busarellus nigricollis
● Genus Leucopternis
❍ Plumbeous Hawk, Leucopternis plumbea
Slate-coloured Hawk, Leucopternis schistacea

Barred Hawk, Leucopternis princeps
Black-faced Hawk, Leucopternis melanops
White-browed Hawk, Leucopternis kuhli
White-necked Hawk, Leucopternis lacernulata
Semiplumbeous Hawk, Leucopternis semiplumbea
White Hawk, Leucopternis albicollis
Grey-backed Hawk, Leucopternis occidentalis
Mantled Hawk, Leucopternis polionota
● Genus Kaupifalco
❍ Lizard Buzzard, Kaupifalco monogrammicus
● Genus Butastur
❍ Grasshopper Buzzard, Butastur rufipennis
● Genus Harpyhaliaetus
❍ Crowned Solitary Eagle, Harpyhaliaetus coronatus
● Genus Morphnus
❍ Crested Eagle, Morphnus guianensis
● Genus Harpia
❍ Harpy Eagle, Harpia harpyja
● Genus Pithecophaga
❍ Philippine Eagle, Pithecophaga jefferyi
● Genus Harpyopsis
❍ New Guinea Eagle, Harpyopsis novaeguineae
● Genus Oroaetus
❍ Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Oroaetus isidori
● Genus Spizastur
❍ Black-and-white Hawk-eagle, Spizastur melanoleucus
● Genus Spizaetus
❍ Cassin's Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus africanus
Changeable Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus cirrhatus

Mountain Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus nipalensis
Blyth's Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus alboniger
Javan Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus bartelsi
Sulawesi Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus lanceolatus
Philippine Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus philippensis
Wallace's Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus nanus
Black Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus tyrannus
Ornate Hawk-eagle, Spizaetus ornatus
● Genus Lophaetus
❍ Long-crested Eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis - possibly belongs into Ictinaetus
● Genus Stephanoaetus
❍ Crowned Hawk-eagle, Stephanoaetus coronatus
● Genus Polemaetus
❍ Martial Eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus
● Genus Hieraaetus
❍ Little Eagle, Hieraaetus morphnoides

● Genus Aquila
❍ Bonelli's Eagle, Aquila fasciata - formerly Hieraaetus fasciatus

Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti
● Genus Ictinaetus
❍ Black Eagle, Ictinaetus malayensis
● Genus Haliaeetus
❍ White-tailed Eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla

● Genus Ichthyophaga
❍ Lesser Fish-eagle, Ichthyophaga humilis

Chordeilinae
Nighthawk
Nighthawks are birds of the nightjar family in the New World
subfamily Chordeilinae.
They are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs
and very short bills that usually nest on the ground and catch
flying insects. Nightjars are sometimes referred to as goatsuckers
from the mistaken belief that they suck milk from goats (the Latin
for goatsucker is Caprimulgus).
Nighthawks have small feet, of little use for walking, and long
pointed wings. Their soft plumage is crypically coloured to
resemble bark or leaves. Some species, unusual for birds, perch
along a branch, rather than across it. This helps to conceal them
during the day. They lay two patterned eggs directly onto bare
ground.
They are mostly active in the late evening and early morning or at
night, and feed predominantly on moths and other large flying
insects. Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
Nighthawks are similar in most respects to the nightjars of the Old
World, but have shorter bills and less soft plumage. Nighthawks Kingdom: Animalia
are less strictly nocturnal than many Old World nightjars, and may
be seen hunting when there is still light in the sky. Phylum: Chordata
Species Class: Aves
● Band-tailed Nighthawk, Nyctiprogne leucopyga

Nacunda Nighthawk, Podager nacunda
Rufous-bellied Nighthawk Lurocalis rufiventris
Short-tailed Nighthawk, Lurocalis semitorquatus Family: Caprimulgidae
Antillean Nighthawk, Chordeiles gundlachii
Lesser Nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis Subfamily: Chordeilinae
Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
Least Nighthawk, Chordeiles pusillus
Sand-colored Nighthawk, Chordeiles rupestris Genera
Nyctiprogne
Podager
Lurocalis
Home | Up | Bucorvinae | Buphaginae | Pseudochelidoninae Chordeiles
| Anatinae | Anserinae | Buteoninae | Chordeilinae | Drongo
| Euphoniinae | Fantail | Ground-hornbill | Mancallinae | Merginae | Monarchinae | Palaeeudyptinae
| Phaethornithinae | Pseudochelidoninae | Rhipidurinae | Saxicolinae | Tadorninae | Vanellinae
| Woodcreeper
Mancallinae
Mancalla
The Mancallinae were a sub-family of prehistoric flightless auks Conservation status: Fossil
that lived on the Pacific coast of today's California and Mexico from
the late Miocene Epoch to the Early Pleistocene. They are Fossil range: Late Miocene - Early
Pleistocene
sometimes collectively referred to as Lucas auks after the scientist
who described the first species, Frederic Augustus Lucas.
They had evolved along somewhat similar lines as the Great Auk, Kingdom: Animalia
their North Atlantic ecological counterpart, but their decidedly
stubbier wings were in some aspects more convergent with penguins.
Phylum: Chordata
Compared with the subarctic Great Auk, they were also smaller (see
also: Bergmann's Rule): Praemancalla species have been estimated Class: Aves
to have weighed about 3 kg. Most Mancalla forms weighed
somewhat less (about 2.4 kg), with M. milleri being a smaller (1.65 Order: Charadriiformes
kg) and M. emlongi a much larger bird (3.8 kg) than the rest
(Livezey, 1988). The last species thus stood around 55-60 cm high
in life. Family: Alcidae
Evolution and systematics Subfamily: Mancallinae

Lucas, 1901
● Family Alcidae Genera

❍ Subfamily Mancallinae Alcodes
■ Genus Alcodes Praemancalla
■ Alcodes ulnulus Mancalla
■ Genus Praemancalla
■ Praemancalla lagunensis (Howard, 1966)
■ Praemancalla wetmorei (Howard, 1976)
■ Genus Mancalla
■ Mancalla californiensis (Lucas, 1901)
■ Mancalla diegense (Miller, 1937)
■ Mancalla milleri (Howard, 1970)
■ Mancalla cedrosensis (Howard, 1971)
■ Mancalla emlongi (Olson, 1981)
There seems to exist a further, undescribed species which differs somewhat from the others in the
proportion of the wing bones (Livezey, 1988).
The mancallines probably evolved from proto-puffins (Livezey, 1988), which must have been birds not
dissimilar to the Rhinoceros Auklet. Accordingly, their status as a subfamily has been questioned as this
would make the Alcinae (true auks) paraphyletic. However, the mancallines were a very distinct and
unique evolutionary lineage and are thus usually retained as a subfamily. They must have diverged from
flying ancestors during the mid-Miocene, roughly 15 mya.
Alcodes is known from a single ulna found in Late Miocene (Clarendonian, 9-12 mya) deposits at
Laguna Hills, California. While assignment of such a fragmentary fossil is always problematical, the
ulna is a fairly distinctive bone and that of Alcodes is quite peculiar. However, it is more allied with the
Mancallines as a matter of convenience; additional material would be needed to confirm this relationship
(Olson, 1985). From the bone's measurements, it seems probable that this species was flightless
(Livezey, 1988) and judging from its age, it either represents an earlier development parallelling
Mancalla, or a third lineage of flightless auks.
Praemancalla is known from Clarendonian to Early Pliocene remains. It is similar to Mancalla, but less
extreme in its adaptations and it is quite possibly that the latter genus evolved from one of the 2 known
species. Mancalla was a common species throughout the Pliocene, appearing in the Hemphillian stage of
the Late Miocene (5-9 mya), and spreading in the Pliocene, with 4 species apparently coexisting at one
time on the coast of southern California (Olson, 1985).
As with many marine birds, the mancalline auks were much affected by the extinction crisis in the late
Pliocene oceans. This cocincided with the diversification of marine mammals, but may ultimately have
been caused by increased supernova activity in the vicinity of the solar system (Comins & Kaufmann).
Despite their apparent awkwardness, they seem to have been quite well adapted for flightless birds, with
the fossil record suggesting that the last remnants did not disappear until the Early Pleistocene (c. 7
mya), some time after the ecological changes had passed their peak.
References
● Comins, Niel F. & Kaufmann, William J., III (2005): Discovering the Universe (7th edition).
Susan Finnemore Brennan, New York City. ISBN 0-7167-7584-0
● Livezey, Bradley C. (1988): Morphometrics of flightlessness in the Alcidae. Auk 105(4): 681–
698. PDF fulltext
● Lucas, F. A. (1901): A flightless auk, Mancalla californiensis, from the Miocene of California.
Proceedings of the U.S. National Museum 24: 133-134.
● Olson, Storrs L. (1985): The fossil record of birds. In: Farner, D.S.; King, J.R. & Parkes,
Kenneth C. (eds.): Avian Biology 8: 79-238. Academic Press, New York.

Palaeeudyptinae
Palaeeudyptinae
The New Zealand Giant Penguins, Palaeeudyptinae, are an extinct Conservation status: Fossil
subfamily of penguins. It includes several genera of medium-sized
Fossil range: Middle/Late Eocene -?
to very large species - including Palaeeudyptes marplesi and
Middle Miocene
Anthropornis nordenskjoeldi which grew 150 centimeters tall or
even larger, and the massive Pachydyptes ponderosus which
weighed at least as much as an adult human male. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
They belonged to an evolutionary lineage more primitive than
modern penguins. In some taxa at least, the wing, while already
having lost the avian feathering, had not yet transformed into the Phylum: Chordata
semi-rigid flipper found in modern penguin species: While the ulna
and the radius were already flattened to increase propelling capacity, Class: Aves
the elbow and wrist joints still retained a higher degree of flexibility
than the more rigidly lockable structure found in modern genera.
Order: Sphenisciformes
The decline and eventual disappearance of this subfamily seems to
be connected by increased competition as mammal groups such as
cetaceans and pinnipeds became better-adapted to a marine lifestyle Family: Spheniscidae
in the Oligocene and Miocene.
Subfamily: Palaeeudyptinae
The members of this subfamily are known from fossils found in Simpson, 1946
New Zealand, Antarctica, and possibly Australia, dating from the
Genera
Middle or Late Eocene to the Late Oligocene; the Australian Middle
Miocene genus Anthropodyptes is also often assigned to this Palaeeudyptes
subfamily, as are the remaining genera of primitive penguins except Archaeospheniscus
those from Patagonia. Indeed, it was long assumed that all Anthropornis
prehistoric penguins which cannot be assigned to extant genera Pachydyptes
belonged into the Palaeeudyptinae; this view is generally considered Platydyptes
obsolete today. It is likely that some of the unassigned New Zealand/ and see article text
Antarctican/Australian genera like Delphinornis do indeed belong Synonyms
into this subfamily, but it is just as probable that others, such as Anthropornithidae Simpson, 1946
Duntroonornis and Korora, represent another, smaller and possibly
somewhat more advanced lineage.
The Palaeeudyptinae as originally defined (Simpson, 1946) contained only the namesake genus, the
remainder being placed in the Anthropornithidae. The arrangement followed here is based on the review
of Marples (1962) who synonymized the two, with updates to incorporate more current findings.
References
● Marples, B. J. (1962): Observations on the history of penguins. In: Leeper, G. W. (ed.), The
evolution of living organisms. Melbourne, Melbourne University Press: 408-416.
● Simpson, George Gaylord (1946): Fossil penguins. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 87: 7-99. PDF
fulltext

Phaethornithinae
Hermit
The Hermits are tropical hummingbirds in the subfamily
Phaethornithinae, comprising about 34 species in six
genera.
Their plumage typically involves greens, browns, rufous

or grey. They lack the iridescent plumage of many other
hummingbird species, and the male and female plumages
of hermits are often very similar, only a few species
showing the strong sexual dimorphism usually associated
with hummingbirds.
Hermits in the main genus, Phaethornis, have a long The Saw-billed Hermit (Ramphodon naevius) is
decurved bill with a red or yellow base to the lower among the most primitive living hummingbird
species.
mandible, and their two central tail feathers are elongated
and tipped with white. The crown of the head is flat, and Scientific classification
two pale facial stripes enclose a dusky mask. Kingdom: Animalia
Hermits usually form leks and congregate on traditional Phylum: Chordata

display grounds, where females visit to choose a mate.
However, male hermits are less aggressively territorial
than other male hummingbirds. Class: Aves
Hermits are closely associated with heliconias. The Order: Apodiformes

flowers are an important food source accessible to the
long decurved bill typical of this group of forest
Family: Trochilidae
hummingbirds. Many species, including the Rufous-
breasted Hermit, also use the plant for nesting, attaching
their conical nest to the underside of one of the plant’s Subfamily: Phaethornithinae
Jardine, 1833
broad leaves.
Genera
Species
● Genus Ramphodon
❍ Saw-billed Hermit, Ramphodon naevius
● Genus Eutoxeres Ramphodon
❍ White-tipped Sicklebill, Eutoxeres aquila Eutoxeres
Buff-tailed Sicklebill, Eutoxeres condamini Glaucis
Threnetes
● Genus Glaucis Anopetia
❍ Hook-billed Hermit, Glaucis dohrnii Phaethornis
Rufous-breasted Hermit, Glaucis hirsuta
Bronzy Hermit, Glaucis aenea
● Genus Threnetes
❍ Band-tailed Barbthroat, Threnetes ruckeri
Pale-tailed Barbthroat, Threnetes niger
● Genus Anopetia
❍ Broad-tipped Hermit, Anopetia gounellei
● Genus Phaethornis
❍ White-whiskered Hermit, Phaethornis yaruqui
Green Hermit, Phaethornis guy

White-bearded Hermit, Phaethornis hispidus
❍ Long-billed Hermit, Phaethornis longirostris
■ Mexican Hermit, Phaethornis (longirostris) mexicanus
■ Baron's Hermit, Phaethornis (longirostris) baroni
❍ Long-tailed Hermit, Phaethornis superciliosus
Great-billed Hermit, Phaethornis malaris

Tawny-bellied Hermit, Phaethornis syrmatophorus
Koepcke's Hermit, Phaethornis koepckeae
Needle-billed Hermit, Phaethornis philippii
Straight-billed Hermit, Phaethornis bourcieri
Pale-bellied Hermit, Phaethornis anthophilus
Scale-throated Hermit, Phaethornis eurynome
Planalto Hermit, Phaethornis pretrei
Sooty-capped Hermit, Phaethornis augusti
Buff-bellied Hermit, Phaethornis subochraceus
Dusky-throated Hermit, Phaethornis squalidus
Streak-throated Hermit, Phaethornis rupurumii
Little Hermit, Phaethornis longuemareus
Minute Hermit, Phaethornis idaliae
Cinnamon-throated Hermit, Phaethornis nattereri
Reddish Hermit, Phaethornis ruber
White-browed Hermit, Phaethornis stuarti
Black-throated Hermit, Phaethornis atrimentalis
❍ Stripe-throated Hermit, Phaethornis striigularis
■ Dusky Hermit, Phaethornis (striigularis) saturatus
❍ Gray-chinned Hermit, Phaethornis griseogularis
References
5: Barn-owls to Hummingbirds. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. ISBN 84-87334-25-3
● ffrench, Richard; O'Neill, John Patton & Eckelberry, Don R. (2003): A guide to the birds of
Trinidad and Tobago. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-6759-1
● Hilty, Steven L. (2003): Birds of Venezuela. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-6418-5
● Stiles, F. Gary & Skutch, Alexander Frank (1989): A guide to the birds of Costa Rica.
Comistock, Ithaca. ISBN 0-8014-9600-4

Tadorninae
Tadorninae
The Tadorninae is a subfamily of the Anatidae, the
biological family that includes the ducks and most duck-
like waterfowl such as the (geese and swans).
This subfamily includes the shelducks, sheldgeese and

steamer-ducks. This group of larger, often semi-terrestrial
waterfowl can be seen as intermediate between geese
(Anserinae) and ducks.
This group is largely tropical or Southern Hemisphere in

distribution, with only two species, the common Shelduck
and the Ruddy Shelduck breeding in northern temperate Comb Duck
regions, though the Crested Shelduck (presumed extinct) Scientific classification
was also a northern species.
Kingdom: Animalia
Most of these species have a distinctive plumage, but
there is no pattern as to whether the sexes are alike, even Phylum: Chordata
within a single genus.
Class: Aves
There are 10 extant genera and 23 living species (one is
probably extinct):
Order: Anseriformes
● Sarkidiornis (South America, Africa, India)
❍ Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos Family: Anatidae
● Pachyanas (Chatham Islands, extinct) Subfamily: Tadorninae

❍ Chatham Island Duck Pachyanas
chathamica
● Tadorna, shelducks (Europe, Africa, Australasia, Genera
7 species)
❍ Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
Cape Shelduck Tadorna cana

Australian Shelduck Tadorna tadornoides
Paradise Shelduck Tadorna variegata
Crested Shelduck Tadorna cristata
Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Sarkidiornis
Radjah Shelduck Tadorna radjah Pachyanas (extinct)
● Malacorhynchus (Australia, 1 living species, 1 Tadorna
extinct) Malacorhynchus
❍ Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus Centrornis (extinct)
membranaceus Cyanochen
Scarlett's Duck Malacorhynchus scarletti Chloephaga
● Centrornis (Madagascar, extinct) Neochen
❍ Madagascar Sheldgoose Centrornis majori Alopochen
● Alopochen (Africa, 1 living species, 2-3 extinct) Hymenolaimus
❍ Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus Merganetta
Réunion Shelduck Alopochen kervazoi Tachyeres
Mauritius Shelduck Alopochen mauritianus
Madagascar Shelduck Alopochen sirabensis (may be the same as A. mauritianus)
● Neochen (South America)
❍ Orinoco Goose Neochen jubata
● Chloephaga, sheldgeese (South America, 5 species)

❍ Andean Goose Chloephaga melanoptera
Magellan Goose Chloephaga picta

Kelp Goose Chloephaga hybrida
Ashy-headed Goose Chloephaga poliocephala
Ruddy-headed Goose Chloephaga rubidiceps
● Cyanochen (Ethiopia)
❍ Blue-winged Goose Cyanochen cyanopterus
● Hymenolaimus (New Zealand)

❍ Blue Duck Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos
● Merganetta (Andes Mts., South America)

❍ Torrent Duck Merganetta armata
● Tachyeres, steamer ducks (South America, 4 species).

❍ Flying Steamer Duck Tachyeres patachonicus
Magellanic Flightless Steamer Duck Tachyeres pteneres

White-headed Flightless Steamer Duck Tachyeres leucocephalus
Falkland Flightless Steamer Duck Tachyeres brachypterus

Vanellinae
Lapwings
Lapwings are medium-sized wading birds belonging to
the subfamily Vanellinae of the family Charadriidae,
which also includes the plovers and dotterels. A lapwing
can be thought of as a larger plover.
The traditional terms plover, lapwing, and dotterel were

coined long before modern understandings of the
relationships between different groups of birds emerged:
in consequence, several of the lapwings (subfamily
Vanellinae) are still called "plovers", and the reverse also
applies.
While authorities are generally agreed that there about 24

species of lapwing, classifications within the subfamily
remain confused. At one extreme, Peters recognised no
less than 19 different genera; other workers have gone as Blacksmith Lapwing (Vanellus armatus)
far as to group all the lapwings into the single genus, Scientific classification
Vanellus. Current opinion appears to be that a more Kingdom: Animalia
moderate position is appropriate.
Phylum: Chordata
These long-legged waders mostly have strongly patterned
plumage. Although the most familiar northern
hemisphere lapwing, Northern Lapwing, has a wispy Class: Aves
crest, only two other species do so. Red or yellow facial
wattles are a more typical decoration. Order: Charadriiformes
A group of lapwings is called a "deceit".

Family: Charadriidae
List of species in taxonomic order Subfamily: Vanellinae

Bonaparte, 1842
● Red-kneed Dotterel, Erythrogonys cinctus
Northern Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus Genera
White-headed Plover, Vanellus albiceps
Southern Lapwing, Vanellus chilensis
Grey-headed Lapwing, Vanellus cinereus
Crowned Lapwing, Vanellus coronatus ● Erthrogonys
Long-toed Lapwing, Vanellus crassirostris ● Vanellus
River Lapwing or Spur-winged Lapwing, Vanellus
duvaucelii
Red-wattled Lapwing, Vanellus indicus
Masked Lapwing, Vanellus miles
Spur-winged Lapwing or Spur-winged Plover, Vanellus spinosus
Banded Lapwing, Vanellus tricolor
Blacksmith Lapwing, Vanellus armatus
Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Vanellus malabaricus
Senegal Lapwing, Vanellus lugubris
Black-winged Lapwing, Vanellus melanopterus
African Wattled Lapwing, Vanellus senegallus
Spot-breasted Lapwing, Vanellus melanocephalus
Brown-chested Lapwing, Vanellus superciliosus
Javanese Wattled Lapwing, Vanellus macropterus
Pied Lapwing, Vanellus cayanus
Andean Lapwing, Vanellus resplendens
Only Northern, Sociable, White-tailed Lapwing, Grey-headed and Brown-chested Lapwings are
migratory species.
Spur-winged, Blacksmith, River, Southern, Andean and Pied Lapwings are boldly patterned, red-eyed
species with a spurred carpal joint.
Many species have wattles which can be small (Black-headed, Spot-breasted, Red-wattled and Banded
Lapwings) or large (White-headed Plover, African Wattled, Yellow-wattled, Javanese Wattled, or
Masked Lapwings).
External links
● Lapwing videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Nestorini
Nestor
The genus Nestor, the only genus of the Nestorinae subfamily,
contains two parrot species from New Zealand and one species
from Norfolk Island, Australia. The Norfolk Island Kākā is extinct.
● Kea, Nestor notabilis

● Kākā, Nestor meridionalis
❍ North Island Kākā, Nestor meridionalis
septentrionalis
❍ South Island Kākā, Nestor meridionalis
meridionalis
● Norfolk Island Kākā, Nestor productus (extinct)
Home | Up | Darwin's finches | Nestorini | Platycercini
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation Kaka

License. It uses material from the Wikipedia. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Family: Psittacidae
Subfamily: Nestorinae
Genus: Nestor
Lesson, 1830
Species
N. notabilis
N. meridionalis
N. productus
Platycercini
Back | Home | Up
Platycercinae
A broad-tailed parrot is any of about 35-40 species belonging to
the tribe Platycercini, sometimes considered a subfamily
(Platycercinae). The members of the subfamily are small to
medium in size, and all are native to Australasia, Australia in Kingdom: Animalia
particular, but also New Zealand, New Caledonia, and nearby
islands. Phylum: Chordata
TRIBE PLATYCERCINI
Class: Aves
● Genus Prosopeia
❍ Crimson Shining Parrot, Prosopeia splendens Order: Psittaciformes
Masked Shining Parrot, Prosopeia personata
Red Shining Parrot, Prosopeia tabuensis Family: Psittacidae
● Genus Eunymphicus
Subfamily: Psittacinae
❍ Horned Parakeet, Eunymphicus cornutus
Uvea Parakeet, Eunymphicus uvaeensis

Tribe: Platycercini
● Genus Cyanoramphus
❍ Black-fronted Parakeet, Cyanoramphus zealandicus Genera
(extinct, c.1850) Prosopeia
Society Parakeet, Cyanoramphus ulietanus (extinct, Eunymphicus
late 18th century) Cyanoramphus
Antipodes Parakeet, Cyanoramphus unicolor Platycercus
Red-crowned Parakeet, Cyanoramphus Barnardius
novaezelandiae Purpureicephalus
❍ Subantarctic Red-crowned Parakeet, Cyanoramphus
Lathamus
erythrotis Northiella
■ Reischek's Parakeet, Cyanoramphus
Psephotus
(erythrotis) hochstetteri Neopsephotus
❍ Yellow-fronted Parakeet, Cyanoramphus auriceps
Neophema
Chatham Parakeet, Cyanoramphus forbesi Melopsittacus
Malherbe's Parakeet, Cyanoramphus malherbi Pezoporus
● Genus Platycercus
❍ Western Rosella, Platycercus icterotis
❍ Crimson Rosella, Platycercus elegans
■ Adelaide Rosella, Platycercus (elegans) adelaidae
Yellow Rosella, Platycercus (elegans) flaveolus

❍ Green Rosella, Platycercus caledonicus
❍ Pale-headed Rosella, Platycercus adscitus
■ Eastern Rosella, Platycercus (adscitus) eximius
❍ Northern Rosella, Platycercus venustus
● Genus Barnardius - sometimes included in Platycercus

❍ Australian Ringneck, Barnardius zonarius (includes Port Lincoln, Mallee Ringneck,
Cloncurry and Twenty Eight parakeets)
● Genus Purpureicephalus
❍ Red-capped Parrot, Purpureicephalus spurius
● Genus Lathamus
❍ Swift Parrot, Lathamus discolor
● Genus Northiella - often included in Psephotus

❍ Blue Bonnet, Northiella haematogaster
● Genus Psephotus
❍ Red-rumped Parrot, Psephotus haematonotus
Mulga Parrot, Psephotus varius

Golden-shouldered Parrot, Psephotus chrysoptergius
Hooded Parrot, Psephotus dissimilis
Paradise Parrot, Psephotus pulcherrimus (extinct, late 1920s)
● Genus Melopsittacus
❍ Budgerigar, Melopsittacus undulatus
● Genus Neopsephotus - sometimes included in Neophema

❍ Bourke's Parrot, Neopsephotus bourkii
● Genus Neophema
❍ Blue-winged Parrot, Neophema chrysostoma
Elegant Parrot, Neophema elegans

Rock Parrot, Neophema petrophilla
Orange-bellied Parrot, Neophema chrysogaster
Turquoise Parrot, Neophema pulchella
Scarlet-chested Parrot, Neophema splendida
● Genus Pezoporus
❍ Ground Parrot, Pezoporus wallicus
Night Parrot, Pezoporus occidentalis - formerly Geopsittacus
Home | Up | Darwin's finches | Nestorini | Platycercini
List of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds
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This list is based on the Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and
Antarctic Birds list, May 2002 update, with the doubtfuls omitted. It
● 1 Struthioniiformes
includes the birds of Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, and the
● 2 Podicipediformes
surrounding ocean and islands.
● 3 Sphenisciformes
● Australian call-ups are based on the List of Australian birds. ● 4 Procellariiformes
● 5 Pelecaniformes
● 6 Ciconiiformes
Struthioniiformes
● 7 Phoenicopteriformes
● 8 Anseriformes
● Casuariidae
● 9 Falconiformes
❍ Emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae - Aus
King Island Emu, Dromaius ater - Aus, extinct ● 10 Galliformes

Kangaroo Island Emu, Dromaius baudinianus - Aus, ● 11 Turniciformes
extinct ● 12 Gruiformes
● Casuariidae ● 13 Charadriiformes
❍ Southern Cassowary, Casuarius casuarius - Aus ● 14 Columbiformes
● Struthionidae ● 15 Psittaciformes
❍ Ostrich, Struthio camelus - Aus, introduced, considered
● 16 Cuculiformes
locally extinct ● 17 Strigiformes
● Apterygidae ● 18 Caprimulgiformes
❍ Brown Kiwi, Apteryx australis - NZ
● 19 Apodiformes
Little Spotted Kiwi, Apteryx owenii - NZ
● 20 Coraciiformes
Great Spotted Kiwi, Apteryx haastii - NZ
● 21 Passeriformes
● 22 See also
Podicipediformes
● Podicipedidae
❍ Australasian Grebe, Tachybaptus novaehollandiae - Aus, NZ
Hoary-headed Grebe, Poliocephalus poliocephalus - Aus, NZ

New Zealand Dabchick, Poliocephalus rufopectus - NZ
Great Crested Grebe, Podiceps cristatus - Aus, NZ
Sphenisciformes
● Spheniscidae
❍ King Penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus - Aus, NZ
Emperor Penguin, Aptenodytes forsteri - Aus, NZ

Gentoo Penguin, Pygoscelis papua - Aus, NZ
Adelie Penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae - Aus, NZ
Chinstrap Penguin, Pygoscelis antarctica - Aus, NZ
Rockhopper Penguin, Eudyptes chrysocome - Aus, NZ
Fiordland Penguin, Eudyptes pachyrhynchus - Aus, NZ
Snares Penguin, Eudyptes robustus - Aus, NZ
Erect-crested Penguin, Eudyptes sclateri - Aus, NZ
Macaroni Penguin, Eudyptes chrysolophus - Aus, NZ
Yellow-eyed Penguin, Megadyptes antipodes - NZ
Little Penguin, Eudyptula minor - Aus, NZ
Magellanic Penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus - Aus, NZ
Procellariiformes
● Diomedeidae
❍ Wandering Albatross, Diomedea exulans - Aus, NZ
Royal Albatross, Diomedea epomophora - Aus, NZ

Black-footed Albatross, Diomedea nigripes - NZ
Black-browed Albatross, Diomedea melanophris - Aus, NZ
Shy Albatross, Diomedea cauta - Aus, NZ
Grey-headed Albatross, Diomedea chrysostoma - Aus, NZ
Yellow-nosed Albatross, Diomedea chlororhynchos - NZ
Buller's Albatross, Diomedea bulleri - Aus, NZ
Sooty Albatross, Phoebetria fusca - Aus, NZ
Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Phoebetria palpebrata - Aus, NZ
● Procellariidae
❍ Southern Giant Petrel, Macronectes giganteus - Aus
Northern Giant Petrel, Macronectes halli - Aus

Southern Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialoides - Aus, NZ
Antarctic Petrel, Thalassoica antarctica - Aus, NZ
Cape Petrel, Daption capense - Aus, NZ
Snow Petrel, Pagodroma nivea - Aus
Kerguelen Petrel, Lugensa brevirostris - Aus, NZ
Tahiti Petrel, Pseudobulweria rostrata - Aus, NZ
Great-winged Petrel, Pterodroma macroptera - Aus, NZ
White-headed Petrel, Pterodroma lessonii - Aus, NZ
Providence Petrel, Pterodroma solandri - Aus
Magenta Petrel, Pterodroma magentae
Kermadec Petrel, Pterodroma neglecta - Aus, NZ
Herald Petrel, Pterodroma arminjoniana - Aus
Phoenix Petrel, Pterodroma alba - NZ
Soft-plumaged Petrel, Pterodroma mollis - Aus, NZ
Mottled Petrel, Pterodroma inexpectata - Aus, NZ
Juan Fernandez Petrel, Pterodroma externa - Aus, NZ
White-necked Petrel, Pterodroma cervicalis - Aus, NZ
Barau's Petrel, Pterodroma baraui - Aus
Black-winged Petrel, Pterodroma nigripennis - Aus, NZ
Chatham Petrel, Pterodroma axillaris - NZ
Cook's Petrel, Pterodroma cookii - Aus, NZ
Stejneger's Petrel, Pterodroma longirostris - NZ
Pycroft's Petrel, Pterodroma pycrofti - NZ
Gould's Petrel, Pterodroma leucoptera - Aus, NZ
Blue Petrel, Halobaena caerulea - Aus, NZ
Broad-billed Prion, Pachyptila vittata - Aus, NZ
Salvin's Prion, Pachyptila salvini - Aus, NZ
Antarctic Prion, Pachyptila desolata - Aus, NZ
Slender-billed Prion, Pachyptila belcheri - Aus, NZ
Fairy Prion, Pachyptila turtur - Aus, NZ
Fulmar Prion, Pachyptila crassirostris - Aus, NZ
Bulwer's Petrel, Bulweria bulwerii - Aus
White-chinned Petrel, Procellaria aequinoctialis - Aus, NZ
Westland Petrel, Procellaria westlandica - Aus, NZ
Black Petrel, Procellaria parkinsoni - Aus
Grey Petrel, Procellaria cinerea - Aus, NZ
Cory's Shearwater, Calonectris diomedea - NZ
Streaked Shearwater, Calonectris leucomelas - Aus
Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus pacificus - Aus, NZ
Buller's Shearwater, Puffinus bulleri - Aus, NZ
Flesh-footed Shearwater, Puffinus carneipes - Aus, NZ
Pink-footed Shearwater, Puffinus creatopus - Aus, NZ
Great Shearwater, Puffinus gravis - Aus
Sooty Shearwater, Puffinus griseus - Aus
Short-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris - Aus, NZ
Christmas Shearwater, Puffinus nativitatis - NZ
Manx Shearwater, Puffinus puffinus - Aus, NZ
Fluttering Shearwater, Puffinis gavia - Aus, NZ
Hutton's Shearwater, Puffinus huttoni - Aus, NZ
Audubon's Shearwater, Puffinus lherminieri - Aus
Little Shearwater, Puffinus assimilis - Aus, NZ
● Procellariidae
❍ South Georgian Diving Petrel, Pelecanoides georgicus - Aus
Common Diving Petrel, Pelecanoides urinatrix - Aus

● Hydrobatidae
❍ Wilson's Storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus - Aus
Grey-backed Storm-petrel, Garrodia nereis - Aus

White-faced Storm-petrel, Pelagodroma marina - Aus
Black-bellied Storm-petrel, Fregetta tropica - Aus
White-bellied Storm-petrel, Fregetta grallaria - Aus
Leach's Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa - Aus
Matsudaira's Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma matsudairae - Aus
Pelecaniformes
● Pelecanidae
❍ Australian Pelican, Pelecanus conspicillatus - Aus
● Sulidae
❍ Cape Gannet, Morus capensis - Aus
Australasian Gannet, Morus serrator - Aus

Masked Booby, Sula dactylatra - Aus
Red-footed Booby, Sula sula - Aus
Brown Booby, Sula leucogaster - Aus
Abbott's Booby, Papasula abbotti - Aus
● Anhingidae
❍ Darter, Anhinga melanogaster - Aus
● Phalacrocoracidae
❍ Great Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo - Aus, NZ
Pied Cormorant, Phalacrocorax varius - Aus, NZ

Little Black Cormorant, Phalacrocorax sulcirostris - Aus, NZ
Black-faced Cormorant, Phalacrocorax fuscescens - Aus
Little Pied Cormorant, Phalacrocorax melanoleucos - Aus, NZ
Spotted Cormorant, Phalacrocorax punctatus - NZ
Pitt Cormorant, Phalacrocorax featherstoni - NZ
King Shag, Phalacrocorax carunculatus - NZ
Stewart Island Shag, Phalacrocorax chalconotus - NZ
Chatham Shag, Phalacrocorax onslowi - NZ
Auckland Shag, Phalacrocorax colensoi - NZ
Campbell Shag, Phalacrocorax campbelli - NZ
Bounty Shag, Phalacrocorax ranfurlyi - NZ
Kerguelen Shag, Leucocarbo verrucosus
● Fregatidae
❍ Great Frigatebird, Fregata minor - Aus
Lesser Frigatebird, Fregata ariel - Aus

Christmas Frigatebird, Fregata andrewsi - Aus
● Phaethontidae
❍ Red-tailed Tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda - Aus, NZ
White-tailed Tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus - Aus
Ciconiiformes
● Ardeidae
❍ White-necked Heron, Ardea pacifica - Aus, NZ
Great-billed Heron, Ardea sumatrana - Aus

Great Egret, Ardea alba - Aus, NZ
Pied Heron, Ardea picata - Aus
Intermediate Egret, Ardea intermedia - Aus, NZ
Swinhoe's Egret, Egretta eulophotes
Cattle Egret, Ardea ibis - Aus, NZ
White-faced Heron, Egretta novaehollandiae - Aus, NZ
Little Egret, Egretta garzetta - Aus, NZ
Eastern Reef Egret, Egretta sacra - Aus, NZ
Striated Heron, Butorides striatus - Aus
Black-crowned Night Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax - Aus
Nankeen Night Heron, Nycticorax caledonicus - Aus
Malayan Night Heron, Gorsachius melanolophus - Aus
Little Bittern, Ixobrychus minutus - Aus, NZ
New Zealand Little Bittern, Ixobrychus novaezelandiae - NZ, extinct
Yellow Bittern, Ixobrychus sinensis - Aus
Black Bittern, Ixobrychus flavicollis - Aus
Australasian Bittern, Botaurus poiciloptilus - Aus, NZ
● Ciconiidae
❍ White Stork, Ciconia ciconia
Black-necked Stork, Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus - Aus

● Threskiornithidae
❍ Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus - Aus, NZ
Australian White Ibis, Threskiornis molucca - Aus, NZ

Straw-necked Ibis, Threskiornis spinicollis - Aus
Royal Spoonbill, Platalea regia - Aus, NZ
Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Platalea flavipes - Aus, NZ
Phoenicopteriformes
● Phoenicopteridae
❍ Greater Flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber - Aus
Anseriformes
● Anseranatidae
❍ Magpie Goose, Anseranas semipalmata - Aus
● Anatidae
❍ Plumed Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna eytoni - Aus
Wandering Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna arcuata - Aus

Argentine Ruddy Duck, Oxyura vittata
Blue-billed Duck, Oxyura australis - Aus, NZ
Musk Duck, Biziura lobata - Aus
Freckled Duck, Stictonetta naevosa - Aus
Mute Swan, Cygnus olor - Aus
Black Swan, Cygnus atratus - Aus
Canada Goose, Branta canadensis - Aus
Cape Barren Goose, Cereopsis novaehollandiae - Aus
Paradise Shelduck, Tadorna variegata - Aus, NZ
Australian Shelduck, Tadorna tadornoides - Aus
Radjah Shelduck, Tadorna radjah - Aus
Green Pygmy Goose, Nettapus pulchellus - Aus
Cotton Pygmy Goose, Nettapus coromandelianus - Aus
Australian Wood Duck, Chenonetta jubata - Aus
Pink-eared Duck, Malacorhynchus membranaceus - Aus
Blue Duck, Hymenolaimus malacorhynchus - NZ
Chiloe Widgeon, Anas sibilatrix
Chilean Teal, Anas flavirostris
Grey Teal, Anas gibberifrons - Aus
Chestnut Teal, Anas castanea - Aus
Brown Teal, Anas chlorotis - NZ
Auckland Teal, Anas aucklandica - NZ
Campbell Teal, Anas nesiotis - NZ
Northern Pintail, Anas acuta - Aus
Brown Pintail, Anas georgica
Eaton's Pintail, Anas eatoni
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos - Aus
Pacific Black Duck, Anas superciliosa - Aus
Garganey, Anas querquedula - Aus
Australasian Shoveler, Anas rhynchotis - Aus
Northern Shoveler, Anas clypeata - Aus
Hardhead, Aythya australis - Aus
New Zealand Scaup, Aythya novaeseelandiae - NZ
Auckland Merganser, Mergus australis - NZ
Falconiformes
● Accipitridae
❍ Pacific Baza, Aviceda subcristata - Aus
Black-shouldered Kite, Elanus axillaris - Aus

Letter-winged Kite, Elanus scriptus - Aus
Black Kite, Milvus migrans - Aus
Brahminy Kite, Haliastur indus - Aus
Whistling Kite, Haliastur sphenurus - Aus
White-bellied Sea-eagle, Haliaeetus leucogaster - Aus
Spotted Harrier, Circus assimilis - Aus
Swamp Harrier, Circus approximans - Aus, NZ
Grey Goshawk, Accipiter novaehollandiae - Aus
Brown Goshawk, Accipiter fasciatus - Aus
Collared Sparrowhawk, Accipiter cirrhocephalus - Aus
Gurney's Eagle, Aquila gurneyi - Aus
Wedge-tailed Eagle, Aquila audax - Aus
Little Eagle, Hieraaetus morphnoides - Aus
Black-breasted Buzzard, Hamirostra melanosternon - Aus
Square-tailed Kite, Lophoictinia isura - Aus
Red Goshawk, Erythrotriorchis radiatus - Aus
Osprey, Pandion haliaetus - Aus
● Falconidae
❍ Brown Falcon, Falco berigora - Aus
Nankeen Kestrel, Falco cenchroides - Aus

Australian Hobby, Falco longipennis - Aus
New Zealand Falcon, Falco novaeseelandiae - NZ
Grey Falcon, Falco hypoleucos - Aus
Black Falcon, Falco subniger - Aus
Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus - Aus
Galliformes
● Megapodiidae
❍ Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Megapodius reinwardt - Aus
Malleefowl, Leipoa ocellata - Aus

Australian Brush-turkey, Alectura lathami - Aus
● Phasianidae
❍ Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo - Aus, introduced
● Odontophoridae
❍ California Quail, Callipepla californica - Aus, introduced
● Phasianidae
❍ Red Junglefowl, Gallus gallus - Aus, introduced
Indian Peafowl, Pavo cristatus - Aus, NZ, introduced
Common Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus - Aus, NZ, introduced
Chukar, Alectoris chukar - NZ, introduced
Stubble Quail, Coturnix pectoralis - Aus
New Zealand Quail, Coturnix novaezelandiae - NZ, extinct
Brown Quail, Coturnix ypsilophora - Aus
King Quail, Coturnix chinensis - Aus
Turniciformes
● Turnicidae
❍ Red-backed Button-quail, Turnix maculosa - Aus
Painted Button-quail, Turnix varia - Aus

Chestnut-backed Button-quail, Turnix castanota - Aus
Buff-breasted Button-quail, Turnix olivii - Aus
Black-breasted Button-quail, Turnix melanogaster - Aus
Little Button-quail, Turnix velox - Aus
Red-chested Button-quail, Turnix pyrrhothorax - Aus
Gruiformes
● Gruidae
❍ Sarus Crane, Grus antigone - Aus
Brolga, Grus rubicunda - Aus

● Rallidae
❍ Red-necked Crake, Rallina tricolor - Aus
Red-legged Crake, Rallina fasciata - Aus

Buff-banded Rail, Gallirallus philippensis - Aus
Weka, Gallirallus australis - NZ
Lord Howe Woodhen, Gallirallus sylvestris - Aus
Chatham Island Rail, Gallirallus modestus - NZ, extinct
Lewin's Rail, Rallus pectoralis - Aus
Bush-hen, Amaurornis olivaceus - Aus
Baillon's Crake, Porzana pusilla - Aus
Australian Spotted Crake, Porzana fluminea - Aus
Ruddy-breasted Crake, Porzana fusca - Aus
Spotless Crake, Porzana tabuensis - Aus
White-browed Crake, Porzana cinerea - Aus
Chestnut Rail, Eulabeornis castaneoventris - Aus
Watercock, Gallicrex cinerea - Aus
Purple Gallinule, Porphyrio martinica
Purple Swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio - Aus, NZ
Takahe, Porphyrio mantelli - NZ
Dusky Moorhen, Gallinula tenebrosa - Aus
Black-tailed Native-hen, Gallinula ventralis - Aus
Tasmanian Native-hen, Gallinula mortierii - Aus
Eurasian Coot, Fulica atra - Aus
● Otididae
❍ Australian Bustard, Ardeotis australis - Aus
Charadriiformes
● Pedionomidae
❍ Plains-wanderer, Pedionomus torquatus - Aus
● Rostratulidae
❍ Painted Snipe, Rostratula benghalensis - Aus
● Jacanidae
❍ Comb-crested Jacana, Irediparra gallinacea - Aus
Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Hydrophasianus chirurgus - Aus

● Chionididae
❍ Pale-faced Sheathbill, Chionis alba
Black-faced Sheathbill, Chionis minor - Aus

● Burhinidae
❍ Bush Stone-curlew, Burhinus grallarius - Aus
Beach Stone-curlew, Esacus neglectus - Aus

● Haematopodidae
❍ Pied Oystercatcher, Haematopus longirostris - Aus
South Island Pied Oystercatcher, Haematopus finschi - Aus, NZ

Chatham Island Oystercatcher, Haematopus chathamensis - NZ
Sooty Oystercatcher, Haematopus fuliginosus - Aus
Variable Oystercatcher, Haematopus unicolor - NZ
● Recurvirostridae
❍ Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus - Aus
Black Stilt, Himantopus novaezelandiae - NZ

Banded Stilt, Cladorhynchus leucocephalus - Aus
Red-necked Avocet, Recurvirostra novaehollandiae - Aus
● Charadriidae
❍ Pacific Golden Plover, Pluvialis fulva - Aus

Grey Plover, Pluvialis squatarola - Aus
New Zealand Dotterel, Charadrius obscurus - NZ
Ringed Plover, Charadrius hiaticula - Aus
Little Ringed Plover, Charadrius dubius - Aus
Kentish Plover, Charadrius alexandrinus - Aus
Red-capped Plover, Charadrius ruficapillus - Aus
Double-banded Plover, Charadrius bicinctus - Aus
Lesser Sand Plover, Charadrius mongolus - Aus
Greater Sand Plover, Charadrius leschenaultii - Aus
Caspian Plover, Charadrius asiaticus - Aus
Oriental Plover, Charadrius veredus - Aus
Inland Dotterel, Charadrius australis - Aus
Three-banded Plover, Charadrius tricollaris
Black-fronted Dotterel, Elseyornis melanops - Aus
Hooded Plover, Thinornis rubricollis - Aus
Shore Plover, Thinornis novaeseelandiae - NZ
Wrybill, Anarhynchus frontalis - NZ
Red-kneed Dotterel, Erythrogonys cinctus - Aus
Banded Lapwing, Vanellus tricolor - Aus
Masked Lapwing, Vanellus miles - Aus
Northern Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus
Blacksmith Lapwing, Vanellus armatus
● Scolopacidae
❍ Latham's Snipe, Gallinago hardwickii - Aus
Pin-tailed Snipe, Gallinago stenura - Aus

Swinhoe's Snipe, Gallinago megala - Aus
Chatham Island Snipe, Coenocorypha pusilla - NZ
New Zealand Snipe, Coenocorypha aucklandica - NZ
Black-tailed Godwit, Limosa limosa - Aus
Hudsonian Godwit, Limosa haemastica - Aus
Bar-tailed Godwit, Limosa lapponica - Aus
Little Curlew, Numenius minutus - Aus
Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus - Aus
Bristle-thighed Curlew, Numenius tahitiensis
Eastern Curlew, Numenius madagascariensis - Aus
Upland Sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda - Aus
Spotted Redshank, Tringa erythropus - Aus
Common Redshank, Tringa totanus - Aus
Marsh Sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis - Aus
Common Greenshank, Tringa nebularia - Aus
Lesser Yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes - Aus
Solitary Sandpiper, Tringa solitaria
Green Sandpiper, Tringa ochropus - Aus
Wood Sandpiper, Tringa glareola - Aus
Terek Sandpiper, Xenus cinereus - Aus
Common Sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos - Aus
Grey-tailed Tattler, Heteroscelus brevipes - Aus
Wandering Tattler, Heteroscelus incana - Aus
Ruddy Turnstone, Arenaria interpres - Aus
Asian Dowitcher, Limnodromus semipalmatus - Aus
Great Knot, Calidris tenuirostris - Aus
Red Knot, Calidris canutus - Aus, NZ
Sanderling, Calidris alba - Aus
Little Stint, Calidris minuta - Aus
Red-necked Stint, Calidris ruficollis - Aus
Long-toed Stint, Calidris subminuta - Aus
Least Sandpiper, Calidris minutilla
White-rumped Sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis - Aus
Baird's Sandpiper, Calidris bairdii - Aus
Pectoral Sandpiper, Calidris melanotos - Aus
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Calidris acuminata - Aus
Dunlin, Calidris alpina - Aus
Curlew Sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea - Aus
Stilt Sandpiper, Micropalama himantopus - Aus
Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Tryngites subruficollis - Aus
Broad-billed Sandpiper, Limicola falcinellus - Aus
Ruff, Philomachus pugnax - Aus
Wilson's Phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor - Aus
Red-necked Phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus - Aus
Grey Phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius - Aus
● Glareolidae
❍ Oriental Pratincole, Glareola maldivarum - Aus
Australian Pratincole, Stiltia isabella - Aus

● Laridae
❍ Great Skua, Catharacta skua
South Polar Skua, Catharacta maccormicki - Aus

Pomarine Jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus - Aus
Arctic Jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus - Aus, NZ
Long-tailed Jaeger, Stercorarius longicauda - Aus
Pacific Gull, Larus pacificus - Aus
Black-tailed Gull, Larus crassirostris - Aus
Kelp Gull, Larus dominicanus - Aus, NZ
Silver Gull, Larus novaehollandiae - Aus, NZ
Black-billed Gull, Larus bulleri - NZ
Black-headed Gull, Larus ridibundus - Aus
Laughing Gull, Larus atricilla - Aus
Franklin's Gull, Larus pipixcan - Aus
Sabine's Gull, Larus sabini - Aus
Gull-billed Tern, Sterna nilotica - Aus
Caspian Tern, Sterna caspia - Aus, NZ
Lesser Crested Tern, Sterna bengalensis - Aus
Crested Tern, Sterna bergii - Aus
Roseate Tern, Sterna dougallii - Aus
White-fronted Tern, Sterna striata - Aus
Black-naped Tern, Sterna sumatrana - Aus
Common Tern, Sterna hirundo - Aus
Arctic Tern, Sterna paradisaea - Aus
Antarctic Tern, Sterna vittata - Aus
Kerguelen Tern, Sterna virgata
Black-fronted Tern, Sterna albostriatus - NZ
Little Tern, Sterna albifrons - Aus
Fairy Tern, Sterna nereis - Aus
Bridled Tern, Sterna anaethetus - Aus
Sooty Tern, Sterna fuscata - Aus
Whiskered Tern, Chlidonias hybridus - Aus
White-winged Black Tern, Chlidonias leucopterus - Aus
Black Tern, Chlidonias niger - Aus
Common Noddy, Anous stolidus - Aus
Black Noddy, Anous minutus - Aus
Lesser Noddy, Anous tenuirostris - Aus
Grey Ternlet, Procelsterna albivittata - Aus
White Tern, Gygis alba - Aus
Columbiformes
● Columbidae
❍ Rock Dove, Columba livia - Aus, introduced
White-throated Pigeon, Columba vitiensis - Aus

White-headed Pigeon, Columba leucomela - Aus
Laughing Turtle-dove, Streptopelia senegalensis - Aus, introduced
Spotted Turtle-dove, Streptopelia chinensis - Aus, introduced
Barbary Dove, Streptopelia risoria - introduced
Brown Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia amboinensis - Aus
Emerald Dove, Chalcophaps indica - Aus
Common Bronzewing, Phaps chalcoptera - Aus
Brush Bronzewing, Phaps elegans - Aus
Flock Bronzewing, Phaps histrionica - Aus
Crested Pigeon, Ocyphaps lophotes - Aus
Spinifex Pigeon, Geophaps plumifera - Aus
Partridge Pigeon, Geophaps smithii - Aus
Squatter Pigeon, Geophaps scripta - Aus
White-quilled Rock-pigeon, Petrophassa albipennis - Aus
Chestnut-quilled Rock-pigeon, Petrophassa rufipennis - Aus
Diamond Dove, Geopelia cuneata - Aus
Peaceful Dove, Geopelia striata - Aus
Bar-shouldered Dove, Geopelia humeralis - Aus
Wonga Pigeon, Leucosarcia melanoleuca - Aus
Norfolk Island Ground-dove, Gallicolumba norfolciensis - Aus, extinct
Banded Fruit-dove, Ptilinopus cinctus - Aus
Wompoo Fruit-dove, Ptilinopus magnificus - Aus
Superb Fruit-dove, Ptilinopus superbus - Aus
Rose-crowned Fruit-dove, Ptilinopus regina - Aus
Elegant Imperial Pigeon, Ducula concinna - Aus
Christmas Island Imperial Pigeon, Ducula whartoni - Aus
Collared Imperial Pigeon, Ducula mullerii - Aus
Pied Imperial Pigeon, Ducula bicolor - Aus
Topknot Pigeon, Lopholaimus antarcticus - Aus
New Zealand Pigeon, Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae - Aus, NZ
Psittaciformes
● Cacatuidae
❍ Palm Cockatoo, Probosciger aterrimus - Aus
Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus banksii - Aus

Glossy Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus lathami - Aus
Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus funereus - Aus
Short-billed Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus latirostris - Aus
Long-billed Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus baudinii - Aus
Gang-gang Cockatoo, Callocephalon fimbriatum - Aus
Galah, Eolophus roseicapilla - Aus
Long-billed Corella, Cacatua tenuirostris - Aus
Western Corella, Cacatua pastinator - Aus
Little Corella, Cacatua sanguinea - Aus
Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, Cacatua leadbeateri - Aus
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Cacatua galerita - Aus
Cockatiel, Nymphicus hollandicus - Aus
● Psittacidae
❍ Rainbow Lorikeet, Trichoglossus haematodus - Aus
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus - Aus

Varied Lorikeet, Psitteuteles versicolor - Aus
Musk Lorikeet, Glossopsitta concinna - Aus
Little Lorikeet, Glossopsitta pusilla - Aus
Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Glossopsitta porphyrocephala - Aus
Eclectus Parrot, Eclectus roratus - Aus
Red-cheeked Parrot, Geoffroyus geoffroyi - Aus
Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Cyclopsitta diophthalma - Aus
Australian King Parrot, Alisterus scapularis - Aus
Red-winged Parrot, Aprosmictus erythropterus - Aus
Superb Parrot, Polytelis swainsonii - Aus
Regent Parrot, Polytelis anthopeplus - Aus
Princess Parrot, Polytelis alexandrae - Aus
Green Rosella, Platycercus caledonicus - Aus
Crimson Rosella, Platycercus elegans - Aus
Eastern Rosella, Platycercus eximius - Aus
Pale-headed Rosella, Platycercus adscitus - Aus
Northern Rosella, Platycercus venustus - Aus
Western Rosella, Platycercus icterotis - Aus
Australian Ringneck, Barnardius zonarius - Aus
Red-capped Parrot, Purpureicephalus spurius - Aus
Blue Bonnet, Northiella haematogaster - Aus
Swift Parrot, Lathamus discolor - Aus
Red-rumped Parrot, Psephotus haematonotus - Aus
Mulga Parrot, Psephotus varius - Aus
Golden-shouldered Parrot, Psephotus chrysopterygius - Aus
Hooded Parrot, Psephotus dissimilis - Aus
Paradise Parrot, Psephotus pulcherrimus - Aus
Antipodes Island Parakeet, Cyanoramphus unicolor - NZ
Red-crowned Parakeet, Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae - Aus, NZ
Yellow-crowned Parakeet, Cyanoramphus auriceps - NZ
Budgerigar, Melopsittacus undulatus - Aus
Bourke's Parrot, Neophema bourkii - Aus
Blue-winged Parrot, Neophema chrysostoma - Aus
Elegant Parrot, Neophema elegans - Aus
Rock Parrot, Neophema petrophila - Aus
Orange-bellied Parrot, Neophema chrysogaster - Aus
Turquoise Parrot, Neophema pulchella - Aus
Scarlet-chested Parrot, Neophema splendida - Aus
Ground Parrot, Pezoporus wallicus - Aus
Night Parrot, Pezoporus occidentalis - Aus
Kea, Nestor notabilis - NZ
Kākā, Nestor meridionalis - NZ
Norfolk Island Kaka, Nestor productus - Aus
Kakapo, Strigops habroptilus - NZ
Cuculiformes
● Cuculidae
❍ Common Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
African Cuckoo, Cuculus gularis

Oriental Cuckoo, Cuculus saturatus - Aus
Pallid Cuckoo, Cuculus pallidus - Aus
Brush Cuckoo, Cuculus variolosus - Aus
Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo, Cuculus castaneiventris - Aus
Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Cacomantis flabelliformis - Aus
Black-eared Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx osculans - Aus
Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo, Chrysococcyx basalis - Aus
Shining Bronze-cuckoo, Chrysococcyx lucidus - Aus, NZ
Little Bronze-cuckoo, Chrysococcyx minutillus - Aus
Gould's Bronze-cuckoo, Chrysococcyx russatus - Aus
Common Koel, Eudynamys scolopacea - Aus
Long-tailed Cuckoo, Eudynamys taitensis - Aus, NZ
Channel-billed Cuckoo, Scythrops novaehollandiae - Aus
● Centropodidae
❍ Pheasant Coucal, Centropus phasianinus - Aus
Strigiformes
● Strigidae
❍ Buffy Fish-owl, Ketupa ketupu

Powerful Owl, Ninox strenua - Aus
Rufous Owl, Ninox rufa - Aus
Barking Owl, Ninox connivens - Aus
Southern Boobook, Ninox novaeseelandiae - Aus, NZ
Brown Hawk-owl, Ninox scutulata - Aus
Christmas Island Hawk-owl, Ninox natalis - Aus
Laughing Owl, Sceloglaux albifacies
● Tytonidae
❍ Greater Sooty Owl, Tyto tenebricosa - Aus
Lesser Sooty Owl, Tyto multipunctata - Aus

Masked Owl, Tyto novaehollandiae - Aus
Barn Owl, Tyto alba - Aus
Grass Owl, Tyto capensis - Aus
Caprimulgiformes
● Podargidae
❍ Tawny Frogmouth, Podargus strigoides - Aus
Papuan Frogmouth, Podargus papuensis - Aus
Marbled Frogmouth, Podargus ocellatus - Aus
● Caprimulgidae
❍ White-throated Nightjar, Eurostopodus mystacalis - Aus
Spotted Nightjar, Eurostopodus argus - Aus

Large-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus macrurus - Aus
Savanna Nightjar, Caprimulgus affinis - Aus
● Aegothelidae
❍ Australian Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles cristatus - Aus
Apodiformes
● Apodidae
❍ Glossy Swiftlet, Collocalia esculenta - Aus
White-rumped Swiftlet, Collocalia spodiopygius - Aus

Uniform Swiftlet, Collocalia vanikorensis - Aus
White-throated Needletail, Hirundapus caudacutus - Aus
Fork-tailed Swift, Apus pacificus - Aus
House Swift, Apus affinis - Aus
Coraciiformes
● Alcedinidae
❍ Azure Kingfisher, Alcedo azurea - Aus
Little Kingfisher, Alcedo pusilla - Aus

● Halcyonidae
❍ Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Tanysiptera sylvia - Aus
Laughing Kookaburra, Dacelo novaeguineae - Aus

Blue-winged Kookaburra, Dacelo leachii - Aus
Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Syma torotoro - Aus
Forest Kingfisher, Todiramphus macleayii - Aus
Red-backed Kingfisher, Todiramphus pyrrhopygia - Aus
Sacred Kingfisher, Todiramphus sanctus - Aus
Collared Kingfisher, Todiramphus chloris - Aus
● Meropidae
❍ Rainbow Bee-eater, Merops ornatus - Aus
● Coraciidae
❍ Broad-billed Roller, Eurystomus glaucurus
Dollarbird, Eurystomus orientalis - Aus

Passeriformes
● Tyrannidae
❍ Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus
Dark-faced Ground Tyrant, Muscisaxicola macloviana

● Acanthisittidae
❍ Rifleman, Acanthisitta chloris - NZ
Bush Wren, Xenicus longipes - NZ

Rock Wren, Xenicus gilviventris - NZ
Stephens Island Wren, Traversia lyalli - NZ
● Pittidae
❍ Red-bellied Pitta, Pitta erythrogaster - Aus
Blue-winged Pitta, Pitta moluccensis - Aus

Noisy Pitta, Pitta versicolor - Aus
Rainbow Pitta, Pitta iris - Aus
● Menuridae
❍ Albert's Lyrebird, Menura alberti - Aus
Superb Lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae - Aus

● Atrichornithidae
❍ Rufous Scrub-bird, Atrichornis rufescens - Aus
Noisy Scrub-bird, Atrichornis clamosus - Aus

● Climacteridae
❍ White-throated Treecreeper, Cormobates leucophaeus - Aus
White-browed Treecreeper, Climacteris affinis - Aus

Red-browed Treecreeper, Climacteris erythrops - Aus
Brown Treecreeper, Climacteris picumnus - Aus
Black-tailed Treecreeper, Climacteris melanura - Aus
Rufous Treecreeper, Climacteris rufa - Aus
● Maluridae
❍ Purple-crowned Fairy-wren, Malurus coronatus - Aus
Superb Fairy-wren, Malurus cyaneus - Aus

Splendid Fairy-wren, Malurus splendens - Aus
Variegated Fairy-wren, Malurus lamberti - Aus
Lovely Fairy-wren, Malurus amabilis - Aus
Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Malurus pulcherrimus - Aus
Red-winged Fairy-wren, Malurus elegans - Aus
White-winged Fairy-wren, Malurus leucopterus - Aus
Red-backed Fairy-wren, Malurus melanocephalus - Aus
Southern Emu-wren, Stipiturus malachurus - Aus
Mallee Emu-wren, Stipiturus mallee - Aus
Rufous-crowned Emu-wren, Stipiturus ruficeps - Aus
Grey Grasswren, Amytornis barbatus - Aus
Black Grasswren, Amytornis housei - Aus
White-throated Grasswren, Amytornis woodwardi - Aus
Carpentarian Grasswren, Amytornis dorotheae - Aus
Striated Grasswren, Amytornis striatus - Aus
Short-tailed Grasswren, Amytornis merrotsyi - Aus
Eyrean Grasswren, Amytornis goyderi - Aus
Thick-billed Grasswren, Amytornis textilis - Aus
Dusky Grasswren, Amytornis purnelli - Aus
Kalkadoon Grasswren, Amytornis ballarae - Aus
● Meliphagidae
❍ Red Wattlebird, Anthochaera carunculata - Aus, NZ
Yellow Wattlebird, Anthochaera paradoxa - Aus

Little Wattlebird, Anthochaera chrysoptera - Aus
Western Wattlebird, Anthocaera lunulata - Aus
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Acanthagenys rufogularis - Aus
Striped Honeyeater, Plectorhyncha lanceolata - Aus
Helmeted Friarbird, Philemon buceroides - Aus
Silver-crowned Friarbird, Philemon argenticeps - Aus
Noisy Friarbird, Philemon corniculatus - Aus
Little Friarbird, Philemon citreogularis - Aus
Regent Honeyeater, Xanthomyza phrygia - Aus
Blue-faced Honeyeater, Entomyzon cyanotis - Aus
Bell Miner, Manorina melanophrys - Aus
Noisy Miner, Manorina melanocephala - Aus
Yellow-throated Miner, Manorina flavigula - Aus
Black-eared Miner, Manorina melanotis - Aus
Macleay's Honeyeater, Xanthotis macleayana - Aus
Tawny-breasted Honeyeater, Xanthotis flaviventer - Aus
Lewin's Honeyeater, Meliphaga lewinii - Aus
Yellow-spotted Honeyeater, Meliphaga notata - Aus
Graceful Honeyeater, Meliphaga gracilis - Aus
White-lined Honeyeater, Meliphaga albilineata - Aus
Bridled Honeyeater, Lichenostomus frenatus - Aus
Eungella Honeyeater, Lichenostomus hindwoodi - Aus
Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Lichenostomus chrysops - Aus
Singing Honeyeater, Lichenostomus virescens - Aus
Varied Honeyeater, Lichenostomus versicolor - Aus
Mangrove Honeyeater, Lichenostomus fasciogularis - Aus
White-gaped Honeyeater, Lichenostomus unicolor - Aus
Yellow Honeyeater, Lichenostomus flavus - Aus
White-eared Honeyeater, Lichenostomus leucotis - Aus
Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Lichenostomus flavicollis - Aus
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Lichenostomus melanops - Aus
Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Lichenostomus cratitius - Aus
Grey-headed Honeyeater, Lichenostomus keartlandi - Aus
Yellow-plumed Honeyeater, Lichenostomus ornatus - Aus
Grey-fronted Honeyeater, Lichenostomus plumulus - Aus
Fuscous Honeyeater, Lichenostomus fuscus - Aus
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater, Lichenostomus flavescens - Aus
White-plumed Honeyeater, Lichenostomus penicillatus - Aus
Black-chinned Honeyeater, Melithreptus gularis - Aus
Strong-billed Honeyeater, Melithreptus validirostris - Aus
Brown-headed Honeyeater, Melithreptus brevirostris - Aus
White-throated Honeyeater, Melithreptus albogularis - Aus
White-naped Honeyeater, Melithreptus lunatus - Aus
Black-headed Honeyeater, Melithreptus affinis - Aus
Stitchbird, Notiomystis cincta - NZ
Green-backed Honeyeater, Glycichaera fallax - Aus
Brown Honeyeater, Lichmera indistincta - Aus
White-streaked Honeyeater, Trichodere cockerelli - Aus
Painted Honeyeater, Grantiella picta - Aus
Crescent Honeyeater, Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera - Aus
New Holland Honeyeater, Phylidonyris novaehollandiae - Aus
White-cheeked Honeyeater, Phylidonyris nigra - Aus
White-fronted Honeyeater, Phylidonyris albifrons - Aus
Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Phylidonyris melanops - Aus
Brown-backed Honeyeater, Ramsayornis modestus - Aus
Bar-breasted Honeyeater, Ramsayornis fasciatus - Aus
Rufous-banded Honeyeater, Conopophila albogularis - Aus
Rufous-throated Honeyeater, Conopophila rufogularis - Aus
Grey Honeyeater, Conopophila whitei - Aus
Eastern Spinebill, Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris - Aus
Western Spinebill, Acanthorhynchus superciliosus - Aus
Banded Honeyeater, Certhionyx pectoralis - Aus
Black Honeyeater, Certhionyx niger - Aus
Pied Honeyeater, Certhionyx variegatus - Aus
Dusky Honeyeater, Myzomela obscura - Aus
Red-headed Honeyeater, Myzomela erythrocephala - Aus
Scarlet Honeyeater, Myzomela sanguinolenta - Aus
Bellbird, Anthornis melanura - NZ
Tui, Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae - NZ
Crimson Chat, Epthianura tricolor - Aus
Orange Chat, Epthianura aurifrons - Aus
Yellow Chat, Epthianura crocea - Aus
White-fronted Chat, Epthianura albifrons - Aus
Gibberbird, Ashbyia lovensis - Aus
● Pardalotidae
❍ Spotted Pardalote, Pardalotus punctatus - Aus
Forty-spotted Pardalote, Pardalotus quadragintus - Aus

Red-browed Pardalote, Pardalotus rubricatus - Aus
Striated Pardalote, Pardalotus striatus - Aus
Eastern Bristlebird, Dasyornis brachypterus - Aus
Rufous Bristlebird, Dasyornis broadbenti - Aus
Western Bristlebird, Dasyornis longirostris - Aus
Pilotbird, Pycnoptilus floccosus - Aus
Rockwarbler, Origma solitaria - Aus
Fernwren, Oreoscopus gutturalis - Aus
Yellow-throated Scrubwren, Sericornis citreogularis - Aus
White-browed Scrubwren, Sericornis frontalis - Aus
Tasmanian Scrubwren, Sericornis humilis - Aus
Atherton Scrubwren, Sericornis keri - Aus
Large-billed Scrubwren, Sericornis magnirostris - Aus
Tropical Scrubwren, Sericornis beccarii - Aus
Scrubtit, Acanthornis magnus - Aus
Chestnut-rumped Heathwren, Hylacola pyrrhopygia - Aus
Shy Heathwren, Hylacola cauta - Aus
Striated Fieldwren, Calamanthus fuliginosus - Aus
Rufous Fieldwren, Calamanthus campestris - Aus
Redthroat, Pyrrholaemus brunneus - Aus
Speckled Warbler, Chthonicola sagittata - Aus
Weebill, Smicrornis brevirostris - Aus
Brown Gerygone, Gerygone mouki - Aus
Grey Warbler, Gerygone igata - NZ
Chatham Island Warbler, Gerygone albofrontata - NZ
Norfolk Island Gerygone, Gerygone modesta - Aus
Dusky Gerygone, Gerygone tenebrosa - Aus
Mangrove Gerygone, Gerygone levigaster - Aus
Western Gerygone, Gerygone fusca - Aus
Lord Howe Gerygone, Gerygone insularis - Aus
Large-billed Gerygone, Gerygone magnirostris - Aus
Green-backed Gerygone, Gerygone chloronotus - Aus
Fairy Gerygone, Gerygone palpebrosa - Aus
White-throated Gerygone, Gerygone olivacea - Aus
Rusty-tailed Gerygone, Gerygone ruficauda - NZ, extinct
Mountain Thornbill, Acanthiza katherina - Aus
Brown Thornbill, Acanthiza pusilla - Aus
Inland Thornbill, Acanthiza apicalis - Aus
Tasmanian Thornbill, Acanthiza ewingii - Aus
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, Acanthiza uropygialis - Aus
Slaty-backed Thornbill, Acanthiza robustirostris - Aus
Western Thornbill, Acanthiza inornata - Aus
Buff-rumped Thornbill, Acanthiza reguloides - Aus
Slender-billed Thornbill, Acanthiza iredalei - Aus
Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Acanthiza chrysorrhoa - Aus
Yellow Thornbill, Acanthiza nana - Aus
Striated Thornbill, Acanthiza lineata - Aus
Southern Whiteface, Aphelocephala leucopsis - Aus
Chestnut-breasted Whiteface, Aphelocephala pectoralis - Aus
Banded Whiteface, Aphelocephala nigricincta - Aus
● Petroicidae
❍ Jacky Winter, Microeca fascinans - Aus
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher, Microeca flavigaster - Aus

Yellow-legged Flycatcher, Microeca griseoceps - Aus
Scarlet Robin, Petroica multicolor - Aus
New Zealand Tomtit, Petroica macrocephala - NZ
Red-capped Robin, Petroica goodenovii - Aus
Flame Robin, Petroica phoenicea - Aus
Rose Robin, Petroica rosea - Aus
Pink Robin, Petroica rodinogaster - Aus
New Zealand Robin, Petroica australis - NZ
Black Robin, Petroica traversi - NZ
Hooded Robin, Melanodryas cucullata - Aus
Dusky Robin, Melanodryas vittata - Aus
Pale-yellow Robin, Tregellasia capito - Aus
White-faced Robin, Tregellasia leucops - Aus
Eastern Yellow Robin, Eopsaltria australis - Aus
Western Yellow Robin, Eopsaltria griseogularis - Aus
White-breasted Robin, Eopsaltria georgiana - Aus
Mangrove Robin, Eopsaltria pulverulenta - Aus
White-browed Robin, Poecilodryas superciliosa - Aus
Grey-headed Robin, Heteromyias albispecularis - Aus
Northern Scrub-robin, Drymodes superciliaris - Aus
Southern Scrub-robin, Drymodes brunneopygia - Aus
● Orthonychidae
❍ Logrunner, Orthonyx temminckii - Aus
Chowchilla (bird), Orthonyx spaldingii - Aus

● Pomatostomidae
❍ Grey-crowned Babbler, Pomatostomus temporalis - Aus
White-browed Babbler, Pomatostomus superciliosus - Aus

Hall's Babbler, Pomatostomus halli - Aus
Chestnut-crowned Babbler, Pomatostomus ruficeps - Aus
● Cinclosomatidae
❍ Eastern Whipbird, Psophodes olivaceus - Aus
Western Whipbird, Psophodes nigrogularis - Aus
Chirruping Wedgebill, Psophodes cristatus - Aus
Chiming Wedgebill, Psophodes occidentalis - Aus
Spotted Quail-thrush, Cinclosoma punctatum - Aus
Chestnut Quail-thrush, Cinclosoma castanotus - Aus
Cinnamon Quail-thrush, Cinclosoma cinnamomeum - Aus
Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush, Cinclosoma castaneothorax - Aus
● Neosittidae
❍ Varied Sittella, Daphoenositta chrysoptera - Aus
● Pachycephalidae
❍ Whitehead, Mohoua albicilla - NZ
Yellowhead, Mohoua ochrocephala - NZ

Brown Creeper, Mohoua novaeseelandiae - NZ
Crested Shrike-tit, Falcunculus frontatus - Aus
Crested Bellbird, Oreoica gutturalis - Aus
Olive Whistler, Pachycephala olivacea - Aus
Red-lored Whistler, Pachycephala rufogularis - Aus
Gilbert's Whistler, Pachycephala inornata - Aus
Golden Whistler, Pachycephala pectoralis - Aus
Mangrove Golden Whistler, Pachycephala melanura - Aus
Grey Whistler, Pachycephala simplex - Aus
Rufous Whistler, Pachycephala rufiventris - Aus
White-breasted Whistler, Pachycephala lanioides - Aus
Little Shrike-thrush, Colluricincla megarhyncha - Aus
Bower's Shrike-thrush, Colluricincla boweri - Aus
Sandstone Shrike-thrush, Colluricincla woodwardi - Aus
Grey Shrike-thrush, Colluricincla harmonica - Aus
● Dicruridae
❍ Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Machaerirhynchus flaviventer - Aus
Black-faced Monarch, Monarcha melanopsis - Aus

Black-winged Monarch, Monarcha frater - Aus
Spectacled Monarch, Monarcha trivirgatus - Aus
White-eared Monarch, Monarcha leucotis - Aus
Frilled Monarch, Arses telescophthalmus - Aus
Pied Monarch, Arses kaupi - Aus
Broad-billed Flycatcher, Myiagra ruficollis - Aus
Leaden Flycatcher, Myiagra rubecula - Aus
Satin Flycatcher, Myiagra cyanoleuca - Aus
Shining Flycatcher, Myiagra alecto - Aus
Restless Flycatcher, Myiagra inquieta - Aus
Magpie-lark, Grallina cyanoleuca - Aus
Rufous Fantail, Rhipidura rufifrons - Aus
Grey Fantail, Rhipidura fuliginosa - Aus, NZ
Mangrove Grey Fantail, Rhipidura phasiana - Aus
Northern Fantail, Rhipidura rufiventris - Aus
Willie Wagtail, Rhipidura leucophrys - Aus
Spangled Drongo, Dicrurus bracteatus - Aus
● Campephagidae
❍ Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina novaehollandiae - Aus
Barred Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina lineata - Aus

White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina papuensis - Aus
Cicadabird, Coracina tenuirostris - Aus
Ground Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina maxima - Aus
White-winged Triller, Lalage sueurii - Aus
Varied Triller, Lalage leucomela - Aus
● Oriolidae
❍ Yellow Oriole, Oriolus flavocinctus - Aus
Olive-backed Oriole, Oriolus sagittatus - Aus

Figbird, Sphecotheres viridis - Aus
● Artamidae
❍ White-breasted Woodswallow, Artamus leucorynchus - Aus
Masked Woodswallow, Artamus personatus - Aus, NZ

White-browed Woodswallow, Artamus superciliosus - Aus, NZ
Black-faced Woodswallow, Artamus cinereus - Aus
Dusky Woodswallow, Artamus cyanopterus - Aus
Little Woodswallow, Artamus minor - Aus
Black Butcherbird, Cracticus quoyi - Aus
Grey Butcherbird, Cracticus torquatus - Aus
Black-backed Butcherbird, Cracticus mentalis - Aus
Pied Butcherbird, Cracticus nigrogularis - Aus
Pied Currawong, Strepera graculina - Aus
Black Currawong, Strepera fuliginosa - Aus
Grey Currawong, Strepera versicolor - Aus
Australian Magpie, Gymnorhina tibicen - Aus, NZ
● Paradisaeidae
❍ Paradise Riflebird, Ptiloris paradiseus - Aus
Victoria's Riflebird, Ptiloris victoriae - Aus

Magnificent Riflebird, Ptiloris magnificus - Aus
Trumpet Manucode, Manucodia keraudrenii - Aus
● Corvidae
❍ Rook, Corvus frugilegus - NZ, introduced
Australian Raven, Corvus coronoides - Aus

Forest Raven, Corvus tasmanicus - Aus
Little Raven, Corvus mellori - Aus
Little Crow, Corvus bennetti - Aus
Torresian Crow, Corvus orru - Aus
● Corcoracidae
❍ White-winged Chough, Corcorax melanorhamphos - Aus
Apostlebird, Struthidea cinerea - Aus

● Callaeidae
❍ Kokako, Callaeas cinerea - NZ
Saddleback, Philesturnus carunculatus - NZ

Huia, Heteralocha acutirostris - NZ
● Laniidae
❍ Brown Shrike, Lanius cristatus - Aus
Red-backed Shrike, Lanius collurio

● Ptilonorhynchidae
❍ Spotted Catbird, Ailuroedus melanotis - Aus
Green Catbird, Ailuroedus crassirostris - Aus

Tooth-billed Bowerbird, Scenopoeetes dentirostris - Aus
Golden Bowerbird, Prionodura newtoniana - Aus
Regent Bowerbird, Sericulus chrysocephalus - Aus
Satin Bowerbird, Ptilonorhynchus violaceus - Aus
Spotted Bowerbird, Chlamydera maculata - Aus
Western Bowerbird, Chlamydera guttata - Aus
Great Bowerbird, Chlamydera nuchalis - Aus
Fawn-breasted Bowerbird, Chlamydera cerviniventris - Aus
● Turnagridae
❍ Piopio, Turnagra capensis - NZ
● Alaudidae
❍ Singing Bushlark, Mirafra javanica - Aus
Skylark, Alauda arvensis - Aus

● Motacillidae
❍ Richard's Pipit, Anthus novaeseelandiae - Aus, NZ
Correndera Pipit, Anthus correndera

Red-throated Pipit, Anthus cervinus - Aus
Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla flava - Aus
Citrine Wagtail, Motacilla citreola - Aus
Grey Wagtail, Motacilla cinerea - Aus
White Wagtail, Motacilla alba - Aus
Black-backed Wagtail, Motacilla lugens - Aus
● Prunellidae
❍ Dunnock, Prunella modularis - NZ
● Passeridae
❍ House Sparrow, Passer domesticus - Aus, NZ, introduced
Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus - Aus, introduced

Zebra Finch, Taeniopygia guttata - Aus
Double-barred Finch, Taeniopygia bichenovii - Aus
Long-tailed Finch, Poephila acuticauda - Aus
Black-throated Finch, Poephila cincta - Aus
Masked Finch, Poephila personata - Aus
Crimson Finch, Neochmia phaeton - Aus
Star Finch, Neochmia ruficauda - Aus
Plum-headed Finch, Neochmia modesta - Aus
Red-browed Finch, Neochmia temporalis - Aus
Diamond Firetail, Stagonopleura guttata - Aus
Beautiful Firetail, Stagonopleura bella - Aus
Red-eared Firetail, Stagonopleura oculata - Aus
Painted Finch, Emblema pictum - Aus
Nutmeg Mannikin, Lonchura punctulata - Aus
Yellow-rumped Mannikin, Lonchura flaviprymna - Aus
Chestnut-breasted Mannikin, Lonchura castaneothorax - Aus
Java Sparrow, Lonchura oryzivora - Aus
Pale-headed Munia, Lonchura pallida - Aus
Pictorella Mannikin, Heteromunia pectoralis - Aus
Blue-faced Parrot-Finch, Erythrura trichroa - Aus
Gouldian Finch, Erythrura gouldiae - Aus
● Fringillidae
❍ Common Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs - Aus, NZ, introduced
European Greenfinch, Carduelis chloris - Aus, NZ, introduced

European Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis - Aus, NZ, introduced
Common Redpoll, Carduelis flammea - Aus, NZ, introduced
Long-tailed Meadowlark, Sturnella loyca - introduced
● Emberizidae
❍ Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella - Aus, NZ, introduced
Cirl Bunting, Emberiza cirlus - NZ, introduced

● Nectariniidae
❍ Yellow-bellied Sunbird, Nectarinia jugularis - Aus
● Dicaeidae
❍ Mistletoebird, Dicaeum hirundinaceum - Aus
Red-capped Flowerpecker, Dicaeum geelvinkianum - Aus

● Hirundinidae
❍ White-rumped Swallow, Tachycineta leucorrhoa
White-backed Swallow, Cheramoeca leucosternus - Aus

Sand Martin, Riparia riparia
Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica - Aus
Welcome Swallow, Hirundo neoxena - Aus
Red-rumped Swallow, Hirundo daurica - Aus
Tree Martin, Hirundo nigricans - Aus
Fairy Martin, Hirundo ariel - Aus
Asian House Martin, Hirundo dasypus - Aus
● Pycnonotidae
❍ Red-whiskered Bulbul, Pycnonotus jocosus - Aus
● Sylviidae
❍ Clamorous Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus stentoreus - Aus
Oriental Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus orientalis - Aus

Arctic Warbler, Phylloscopus borealis - Aus
Tawny Grassbird, Megalurus timoriensis - Aus
Little Grassbird, Megalurus gramineus - Aus
Fernbird, Bowdleria punctata - NZ
Chatham Island Fernbird, Bowdleria rufescens - NZ
Spinifexbird, Eremiornis carteri - Aus
Rufous Songlark, Cincloramphus mathewsi - Aus
Brown Songlark, Cincloramphus cruralis - Aus
Zitting Cisticola, Cisticola juncidis - Aus
Golden-headed Cisticola, Cisticola exilis - Aus
● Zosteropidae
❍ Christmas Island White-eye, Zosterops natalis - Aus
Pale White-eye, Zosterops citrinellus - Aus

Yellow White-eye, Zosterops luteus - Aus
Silvereye, Zosterops lateralis - Aus, NZ
Robust White-eye, Zosterops strenuus - Aus
Slender-billed White-eye, Zosterops tenuirostris - Aus
White-chested White-eye, Zosterops albogularis - Aus
● Muscicapidae
❍ Blue Rock Thrush, Monticola solitarius - Aus
Bassian Thrush, Zoothera lunulata - Aus

Russet-tailed Thrush, Zoothera heinei - Aus
Common Blackbird, Turdus merula - Aus
Island Thrush, Turdus poliocephalus - Aus
Song Thrush, Turdus philomelos - Aus
Narcissus Flycatcher, Ficedula narcissina - Aus
Blue-and-White Flycatcher, Cyanoptila cyanomelana - Aus
● Sturnidae
❍ Tasman Starling, Aplonis fusca - Aus
Metallic Starling, Aplonis metallica - Aus

Singing Starling, Aplonis cantoroides - Aus
Common Starling, Sturnus vulgaris - Aus, NZ, introduced
Purple-backed Starling, Sturnus sturninus
Common Myna, Acridotheres tristis - Aus, NZ, introduced
See also
● Birds of Australia
Home | Up | List of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds | List of Australian birds
Home | Up
H5N1
WHO pandemic phases
1. Low risk
2. New virus
3. Self limiting
4. Person to person
5. Epidemic exists
6. Pandemic exists
Flu
H5N1 flu refers to the transmission and infection of H5N1. H5N1 flu is a concern due to the global
spread of H5N1 that constitutes a pandemic threat. This article is about the transmission of the H5N1
virus, infection by that virus, the resulting symptoms of that infection (having or coming down with
influenza or more specifically avian flu or even more specifically H5N1 flu which can include
pneumonia), and the medical response including treatment.
Infected birds pass on H5N1 through their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Other birds may pick up
the virus through direct contact with these excretions or when they have contact with surfaces
contaminated with this material. Because migratory birds are among the carriers of the H5N1 virus it
may spread to all parts of the world. Past outbreaks of avian flu have often originated in crowded
conditions in southeast and east Asia, where humans, pigs, and poultry live in close quarters. In these
conditions a virus is more likely to mutate into a form that more easily infects humans.
The majority of H5N1 flu cases have been reported in southeast and east Asia. Once an outbreak is
detected, local authorities often order a mass slaughter of birds or animals affected. If this is done
promptly, an outbreak of avian flu may be prevented. However, the United Nations (UN) World Health
Organization (WHO) has expressed concern that not all countries are reporting outbreaks as completely
as they should. China, for example, is known to have initially denied past outbreaks of severe acute
respiratory syndrome (SARS) and HIV, although there have been some signs of improvement regarding
its openess in recent months, particularly with regard to H5N1.
H5N1 infections in humans are generally caused by bird to human transmission of the virus. Until May
2006, the WHO estimate of the number of human to human transmission had been "two or three cases".
On May 24, 2006, Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, director of the United States Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention in Atlanta, estimated that there had been "at least three." On May 30, Maria Cheng, a WHO
spokeswoman, said there were "probably about half a dozen," but that no one "has got a solid
number."[1] A few isolated cases of suspected human to human transmission exist.[2] with the latest
such case in June 2006 (among members of a family in Sumatra).[3] No pandemic strain of H5N1 has
yet been found. The key point is that, at present, "the virus is not spreading efficiently or sustainably
[4]
among humans."
There is also concern, although no definitive proof, that other animals — particularly cats — may be
able to act as a bridge between birds and humans. So far several cats have been confirmed to have died
from H5N1 and the fact that cats have regular close contact with both birds and humans means
monitoring of H5N1 in cats will need to continue.
H5N1 vaccines for chickens exist Cumulate Human Cases of and Deaths from H5N1
and are sometimes used, although As of October 31, 2006
there are many difficulties that
make deciding if it helps more or
hurts more especially difficult.
H5N1 pre-pandemic vaccines exist
in quantities sufficient to inoculate
[5]
a few million people and might
be useful for priming to "boost the
immune response to a different
H5N1 vaccine tailor-made years
later to thwart an emerging
[6]
pandemic". H5N1 pandemic
vaccines and technologies to
rapidly create them are in the
H5N1 clinical trials stage but can
not be verified as useful until after
there exists a pandemic strain.
Contents
● 1 Avian flu in birds
● 2 Transmission by wild
birds (waterfowl)
● 3 Prevention
● 4 Environmental survival
● 5 Incubation
● 6 Symptoms
● 7 Treatment
● 8 Mortality rate
❍ 8.1 Mortality rate
in planning reports
● 9 Notes and references
● 10 Further reading
Notes:
● Source WHO Confirmed Human Cases of H5N1

Avian flu in birds ● "[T]he incidence of human cases peaked, in each of the three years in
which cases have occurred, during the period roughly corresponding
to winter and spring in the northern hemisphere. If this pattern
According to Avian Influenza by continues, an upsurge in cases could be anticipated starting in late
Timm C. Harder and Ortrud 2006 or early 2007." Avian influenza – epidemiology of human
Werner: H5N1 cases reported to WHO
kx
● The regression curve for deaths is y = a + e , and is shown extended
Following an incubation through the end of November, 2006.
period of usually a few days
(but rarely up to 21 days),
depending upon the characteristics of the isolate, the dose of inoculum, the species, and age of
the bird, the clinical presentation of avian influenza in birds is variable and symptoms are fairly
[7]
unspecific. Therefore, a diagnosis solely based on the clinical presentation is impossible. The
symptoms following infection with low pathogenic AIV may be as discrete as ruffled feathers,
transient reductions in egg production or weight loss combined with a slight respiratory disease.
[8]
Some LP strains such as certain Asian H9N2 lineages, adapted to efficient replication in
[9][10]
poultry, may cause more prominent signs and also significant mortality. In its highly
pathogenic form, the illness in chickens and turkeys is characterised by a sudden onset of severe
[11][12]
symptoms and a mortality that can approach 100% within 48 hours.
Poultry farming practices have changed due to H5N1:
● killing millions of poultry

● vaccinating poultry against bird flu
● vaccinating poultry workers against human flu
● limiting travel in areas where H5N1 is found
● increasing farm hygiene
● reducing contact between livestock and wild birds
● reducing open-air wet markets
● limiting workers contact with cock fighting
● reducing purchases of live fowl
[13]
● improving veterinary vaccine availability and cost.
For example, after nearly two years of using mainly culling to control the virus, the Vietnamese
government in 2005 adopted a combination of mass poultry vaccination, disinfecting, culling,
[14]
information campaigns and bans on live poultry in cities.
Webster et al write
Transmission of highly pathogenic H5N1 from domestic poultry back to migratory waterfowl in
western China has increased the geographic spread. The spread of H5N1 and its likely
reintroduction to domestic poultry increase the need for good agricultural vaccines. In fact, the
root cause of the continuing H5N1 pandemic threat may be the way the pathogenicity of H5N1
[15]
viruses is masked by cocirculating influenza viruses or bad agricultural vaccines."
Dr. Robert Webster explains: "If you use a good vaccine you can prevent the transmission within poultry
and to humans. But if they have been using vaccines now [in China] for several years, why is there so
much bird flu? There is bad vaccine that stops the disease in the bird but the bird goes on pooping out
virus and maintaining it and changing it. And I think this is what is going on in China. It has to be.
Either there is not enough vaccine being used or there is substandard vaccine being used. Probably both.
It’s not just China. We can’t blame China for substandard vaccines. I think there are substandard
[16]
vaccines for influenza in poultry all over the world." In response to the same concerns, Reuters
reports Hong Kong infectious disease expert Lo Wing-lok saying, "The issue of vaccines has to take top
priority," and Julie Hall, in charge of the WHO's outbreak response in China, saying China's
[17]
vaccinations might be masking the virus." The BBC reported that Dr Wendy Barclay, a virologist at
the University of Reading, UK said: "The Chinese have made a vaccine based on reverse genetics made
with H5N1 antigens, and they have been using it. There has been a lot of criticism of what they have
done, because they have protected their chickens against death from this virus but the chickens still get
infected; and then you get drift - the virus mutates in response to the antibodies - and now we have a
[18]
situation where we have five or six 'flavours' of H5N1 out there."
Transmission by wild birds (waterfowl)
The spread of avian influenza in the eastern

hemisphere.
According to the United Nations FAO: there is no denying the fact that wild water fowl most likely play
a role in the avian influenza cycle and could be the initial source for AI viruses, which may be passed on
through contact with resident water fowl or domestic poultry, particularly domestic ducks. The virus
undergoing mutations could circulate within the domestic and possibly resident bird populations until
HPAI arises. This new virus is pathogenic to poultry and possibly to the wild birds that it arose from.
Wild birds found to have been infected with HPAI were either sick or dead. This could possibly affect
the ability of these birds to carry HPAI for long distances. However, the findings in Qinghai Lake-
China, suggest that H5N1 viruses could possibly be transmitted between migratory birds. Additionally,
the new outbreaks of HPAI in poultry and wild birds in Russia, Kazakhstan, Western China and
Mongolia may indicate that migratory birds probably act as carriers for the transport of HPAI over
longer distances. Short distance transmission between farms, villages or contaminated local water bodies
is likewise a distinct possibility. The AI virus has adapted to the environment in ways such as: 1) the use
of water for survival and to spread 2) has evolved in a reservoir (ducks) strictly tied to water. The water
in turn influences movement, social behaviour and migration patterns of water bird species. It is
therefore of great importance to know the ecological strategy of influenza virus as well, in order to fully
understand this disease and to control outbreaks when they occur. There remains a body of data and
analysis missing on the collection and detection of HPAI viruses in wild birds. Finding HPAI viruses in
wild birds may be a rare event, but if the contact with susceptible species occurs it can cause an outbreak
[19]
at the local level or in distant areas.
Prevention
The current method of prevention in animal populations is to destroy infected animals, as well as
animals suspected of being infected. In southeast Asia, millions of domestic birds have been slaughtered
to prevent the spread of the virus.
The probability of a "humanized" form of H5N1 emerging through genetic recombination in the body of
a human co-infected with H5N1 and another influenza virus type (a process called reassortment) could
be reduced by influenza vaccination of those at risk for infection by H5N1. It is not clear at this point
whether vaccine production and immunization could be stepped up sufficiently to meet this demand.
Additionally, vaccination of only humans would not address the possibility or reassortment in pigs, cats,
or other mammal hosts.
If an outbreak of pandemic flu does occur, its spread might be slowed by increasing hygiene in aircraft,
and by examining airline cabin air filters for presence of H5N1 virus.
The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises travelers to areas of Asia where
[20]
outbreaks of H5N1 have occurred to avoid poultry farms and animals in live food markets . Travelers
should also avoid surfaces that appear to be contaminated by feces from any kind of animal, especially
poultry.
There are several H5N1 vaccines for several of the avian H5N1 varieties. H5N1 continually mutates
rendering them, so far for humans, of little use. While there can be some cross-protection against related
flu strains, the best protection would be from a vaccine specifically produced for any future pandemic
flu virus strain. Dr. Daniel Lucey, co-director of the Biohazardous Threats and Emerging Diseases
graduate program at Georgetown University has made this point, "There is no H5N1 pandemic so there
can be no pandemic vaccine." [21] However, "pre-pandemic vaccines" have been created; are being
refined and tested; and do have some promise both in furthering research and preparedness for the next
pandemic [22]. Vaccine manufacturing companies are being encouraged to increase capacity so that if a
pandemic vaccine is needed, facilities will be available for rapid production of large amounts of a
vaccine specific to a new pandemic strain.
[23]
It is not likely that use of antiviral drugs could prevent the evolution of a pandemic flu virus.
Environmental survival
Avian flu virus can last forever at a temperature dozens of degrees below freezing, as is found in the
northern most areas that migratory birds frequent.
Heat kills H5N1 (i.e. inactivates the virus):
● Over 30 days at 0ºC (32.0ºF) (over one month at freezing temperature)

● 6 days at 37ºC (98.6ºF) (one week at human body temperature)
● 30 minutes 60ºC (140.0ºF) (half hour at a temperature that causes first and second degree burns
[24]
in humans in ten seconds)
Inactivation of the virus also occurs under the following conditions:
● Acidic pH conditions
Presence of oxidizing agents such as sodium dodecyl sulfate, lipid solvents, and B-propiolactone
Exposure to disinfectants: formalin, iodine compounds [25]
Incubation
[26]
The human incubation period of avian influenza A (H5N1) is 2 to 17 days . Once infected, the virus
can spread by cell-to-cell contact, bypassing receptors. So even if a strain is very hard to initially catch,
[27]
once infected, it spreads rapidly within a body.
Symptoms
Avian influenza HA bind alpha 2-3 sialic acid receptors while human influenza HA bind alpha 2-6 sialic
acid receptors. Usually other differences also exist. There is as yet no human form of H5N1, so all
humans who have caught it so far have caught avian H5N1.
Human flu symptoms usually include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, conjunctivitis and, in
severe cases, severe breathing problems and pneumonia that may be fatal. The severity of the infection
will depend to a large part on the state of the infected person's immune system and if the victim has been
exposed to the strain before, and is therefore partially immune. No one knows if these or other
symptoms will be the symptoms of a humanized H5N1 flu.
Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu in a human is far worse, killing over 50% of humans that catch it. In
one case, a boy with H5N1 experienced diarrhea followed rapidly by a coma without developing
[28]
respiratory or flu-like symptoms.
There have been studies of the levels of cytokines in humans infected by the H5N1 flu virus. Of
particular concern is elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), a protein that is associated
with tissue destruction at sites of infection and increased production of other cytokines. Flu virus-
induced increases in the level of cytokines is also associated with flu symptoms including fever, chills,
vomiting and headache. Tissue damage associated with pathogenic flu virus infection can ultimately
result in death [29]. The inflammatory cascade triggered by H5N1 has been called a 'cytokine storm' by
some, because of what seems to be a positive feedback process of damage to the body resulting from
immune system stimulation. H5N1 type flu virus induces higher levels of cytokines than the more
common flu virus types such as H1N1 [30] Other important mechanisms also exist "in the acquisition of
[31]
virulence in avian influenza viruses" according to the CDC.
The NS1 protein of the highly pathogenic avian H5N1 viruses circulating in poultry and waterfowl in
Southeast Asia is currently believed to be responsible for the enhanced proinflammatory cytokine
response. H5N1 NS1 is characterized by a single amino acid change at position 92. By changing the
amino acid from glutamic acid to aspartic acid, researchers were able to abrogate the effect of the H5N1
NS1. This single amino acid change in the NS1 gene greatly increased the pathogenicity of the H5N1
influenza virus.
In short, this one amino acid difference in the NS1 protein produced by the NS RNA molecule of the
H5N1 virus is believed to be largely responsible for an increased pathogenicity (on top of the already
increased pathogenicity of its hemagglutinin type which allows it to grow in organs other than lungs)
that can manifest itself by causing a cytokine storm in a patient's body, often causing pneumonia and
death.
Treatment
Neuraminidase inhibitors are a class of drugs that includes zanamivir and oseltamivir, the latter being
licensed for prophylaxis treatment in the United Kingdom. Oseltamivir inhibits the influenza virus from
spreading inside the user's body [23]. It is marketed by Roche as Tamiflu. This drug has become a focus
for some governments and organizations trying to be seen as making preparations for a possible H5N1
pandemic. In August 2005, Roche agreed to donate three million courses of o be deployed by the WHO
to contain a pandemic in its region of origin. Although Tamiflu is patented, international law gives
governments wide freedom to issue compulsory licenses for life-saving drugs.
A second class of drugs, which include amantadine and rimantadine, target the M2 protein, but are
ineffective against H5N1. Unlike zanamivir and oseltamivir, these drugs are inexpensive and widely
available and the WHO had initially planned to use them in efforts to combat an H5N1 pandemic.
However, the potential of these drugs was considerably lessened when it was discovered that farmers in
China have been administering amantadine to poultry with government encouragement and support
since the early 1990s, against international livestock regulations; the result has been that the strain of the
virus now circulating in South East Asia is largely resistant to these medications and hence significantly
[32]
more dangerous to humans .
However, recent data suggest that some strains of H5N1 are susceptible to the older drugs. An
analysis of more than 600 H5N1 viruses collected in Southeast Asia showed that most samples
from China and Indonesia lacked genetic characteristics signaling resistance to amantadine,
whereas most samples from Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia had those characteristics. The
report was published by the Journal of Infectious Diseases. The new WHO guidelines were
drawn up by an international group of clinicians with experience treating H5N1 patients, along
with other experts, at a meeting in late March. The panel systematically reviewed and graded the
evidence for the drugs' effectiveness. Since no results from controlled trials of medication use in
H5N1 cases are available, "Overall, the quality of the underlying evidence for all
recommendations was very low," the 138-page WHO report states. The evidence includes results
of lab and animal studies and indirect evidence from studies of antiviral use in patients with
seasonal influenza. The recommendations are classified as "strong" or "weak," depending on the
quality of the relevant evidence. The WHO says that if a patient has a confirmed or strongly
suspected H5N1 case and NIs are available, "Clinicians should administer oseltamivir treatment
(strong recommendation); zanamivir might be used as an alternative (weak recommendation)."
Oseltamivir comes in capsule form, whereas zanamivir is taken with an inhaler. The WHO says
zanamivir has lower bioavailability outside the respiratory tract than oseltamivir, but it may be
[33]
active against some strains of oseltamivir-resistant H5N1 virus.
Mortality rate
A strain of H5N1 killed chickens Human Mortality from H5N1
in 1959 in Scotland and turkeys in As of October 31, 2006
1991 in England. This strain was
"highly pathogenic" (deadly to
birds) but caused neither illness
nor death in humans.[34] "The
precursor of the H5N1 influenza
virus that spread to humans in
1997 was first detected in
Guangdong, China, in 1996, when
it caused a moderate number of
deaths in geese and attracted very
little attention." [35] In 1997, in
Hong Kong, 18 humans were
infected and 6 died in the first
known case of H5N1 infecting
[36]
humans. H5N1 had evolved
from a zero mortality rate to a 33%
mortality rate. Source WHO Confirmed Human Cases of H5N1
By 2003 H5N1 infection was ● The thin line represents average mortality of recent cases. The thicker
detected in three flocks in the line represents mortality averaged over all cases.
Republic of Korea. This strain ● According to WHO: "Assessment of mortality rates and the time
caused asymptomatic infections in intervals between symptom onset and hospitalization and between
symptom onset and death suggests that the illness pattern has not
humans and has died out, meaning
changed substantially during the three years."[2]
that its low mortality level is no
more relevant than the 1959
[37] [38]
strain's low mortality rate. The apparently extinct strain that caused Vietnam's human deaths
from H5N1 in 2003, 2004 and 2005 also had a lower case mortality rate than the currently existing
[38] [39]
strains. Changes are occurring in H5N1 that are increasing its pathogenicity in mammals.
In 2005, 42 of 97 people confirmed by the WHO to be infected with H5N1 died -- or 43%. From
January 1, 2006 to October 31, 2006, the case fatality ratio has been higher, with 74 deaths among 109
WHO-confirmed cases [40]-- or 68%. This has been interpreted by some to mean that the virus itself is
becoming more deadly over time. [41] The global case fatality ratio is, nonetheless, a crude summary of
a complex situation with many contributing factors. In particular, if an influenza pandemic arises from
one of the currently circulating strains of Asian lineage HPAI A(H5N1), the mortality rates for the
resulting human adapted influenza strain cannot be predicted with any confidence.
H5N1 is currently much better adapted to birds than to other hosts, which is why the disease it causes is
called a bird flu. No pandemic strain of H5N1 has yet been found. The precise nature and extent of the
genetic alterations that might change one of the currently circulating avian flu strains into a human flu
strain cannot be known in advance. While many of the current H5N1 strains circulating in birds can
[42][43]
generate a dangerous cytokine storm in healthy adult humans , the ultimate pandemic strain might
arise from a less-lethal strain, or its current level of lethality might be lost in the adaptation to a human
host.
The global case fatality ratio looks only to the official tally of cases confirmed by the WHO. It takes no
account of other cases, such as those appearing in press reports. Nor does it reflect any estimate of the
global extent of mild, asymptomatic, or other cases which are undiagnosed, unreported by national
governments to the WHO, or for any reason cannot be confirmed by the WHO. While the WHO's case
count is clearly the most authoritative, these unavoidable limitations result in an unknown number of
cases being omitted from it. The problem of overlooked but genuine cases is emphasized by occasional
reports in which later serology reveals antibodies to the H5N1 infection in the blood of persons who
were never known to have bird flu, and who then are confirmed by the WHO only retroactively as
"cases." Press reports of such cases, often poultry handlers, have appeared in various countries. The
largest number of asymptomatic cases was recently confirmed among Korean workers who had assisted
[44]
in massive culls of H5N1-infected poultry. This relatively benign Korean strain of H5N1 has died
out, and the remaining strains of H5N1 have a higher case fatality rate in humans.
Unconfirmed cases have a potentially huge impact on the case fatality ratio. This mathematical impact is
well-understood by epidemiologists, and is easy to see in theory. For example, if for each confirmed
case reported by the WHO we assume that there has been another mild and unreported case, the actual
global number of cases would be double the current number of WHO-confirmed cases. The fatality ratio
for H5N1 infections would then be calculated as the same number of deaths, but divided by a doubled
number for total cases, resulting in a hypothetical death ratio of half the currently-reported fatality ratio.
Such a result would indicate to epidemiologists that the world was confronting an H5N1 virus that is
less-lethal than currently assumed, although possibly one that was more contagious and difficult to track.
A case-fatality ratio based on an accurate and all-inclusive count of cases would be invaluable, but
unfortunately it is impossible to attain. The ability to diagnose every case of H5N1 as it arises does not
exist. A few reported studies have attempted to gather preliminary data on this crucial statistic, by
carrying out systematic blood testing of neighbors and contacts of fatal cases in villages where there had
[45] [46]
been confirmed H5N1 fatalities. This testing failed to turn up any overlooked mild cases. These
methodical studies of contacts provide significant evidence that the high death rate among confirmed
cases in the villages where these studies were carried out cannot be simply attributed to a wholesale
failure to detect mild cases. Unfortunately, these studies are likely to remain too few and sketchy to
define the complex situation worldwide regarding the lethality of the varying H5N1 clades. The testing
and reporting necessary for mass serology studies to determine the incidence of overlooked cases for
each existing clade and strain of H5N1 worldwide would be prohibitively costly.
Hence the precise allocation of infections by the various H5N1 clades across the spectrum including
lethal, serious, mild, and asymptomatic cases is likely to remain unknown in both humans and the
hundreds of other species it can infect. Scientists are very concerned about what we do know about
H5N1; but even more concerned about the vast amount of important data that we don't know about
H5N1 and its future mutations.
A case fatality ratio of over 50% provides a grim backdrop for the fact that the currently circulating
H5N1 strains have certain genetic similarities with the Spanish Influenza pandemic virus. In that
pandemic, 50 million to 100 million people worldwide were killed during about a year in 1918 and 1919
[47]
. The highly lethal second and third waves of the 1918 Spanish flu evolved through time into toward
a less virulent and more transmissible human form. Although the overall fatality rate for the Spanish Flu
was at most 1% to 2% of the population, the lethal waves of the Spanish Flu are not reported to have
emerged with anything like the over-50% case fatality ratio observed to date in human H5N1 infection.
Unfortunately, a human H5N1 pandemic might emerge with initial lethality resembling that over-50%
case fatality now observed in pre-pandemic H5N1 human cases, rather than with the still-high 1-2%
[48]
seen with the Spanish Flu or with the lower rates seen in the two more recent influenza pandemics.
Review of patient ages and outcomes reveals that H5N1 attacks are especially lethal in pre-adults and
[49]
young adults, while older victims tend to have milder attacks and to survive. This is consistent with
the frequent development of a cytokine storm in the afflicted.[50] Very few persons over 50 years of age
died after suffering a H5N1 attack. Instead, the age-fatality curve of H5N1 influenza attacks in humans
resembles that of the 1918 Spanish pandemic flu, and is the opposite of the mortality curve of seasonal
flu strains, since seasonal influenza preferentially kills the elderly and does not kill by cytokine storm.
Another factor complicating any attempt to predict lethality of an eventual pandemic strain is that many
human victims of the current H5N1 influenza have been blood relatives (but rarely spouses) of other
victims. This data suggests that the victims' genetic susceptibility may have played a role in the human
cases registered to date.
Mortality rate in planning reports
Governments and other organizations at many levels and in many places have produced "planning"
reports that, among other things, have offered speculation on the mortality rate of an eventual H5N1
pandemic. One such report stated that "over half a million Americans could die and over 2.3 million
[51]
could be hospitalized if a moderately severe strain of a pandemic flu virus hits the U.S." . No one
[52]
knew if "moderately severe" was an accurate guess or not. A report entitled A Killer Flu? projected
that, with an assumed (guessed) contraction rate of just 25%, and with a severity rate as low as that of
the two lowest severity flu pandemics of the 1900s, a modern influenza A pandemic would cause 180
thousand deaths in the US, while a pandemic equaling the 1918 Spanish Flu in level of lethality would
cause one million deaths in the US. Again, the report offered no evidence that an emerging H5N1 flu
[53]
pandemic would be between these figures .
The current avian flu, in humans, is fatal in over 50% of confirmed cases. Yet early projections like
those above have assumed that such a lethal avian strain would surely lose genes contributing to its
lethality in humans as it made the adaptations necessary for ready transmission in the human population.
This optimistic assumption cannot be relied on, as the WHO reported in November 2006. Initial
[54]
outbreaks of an H5N1 pandemic could rival the current lethality of over 50%. Further information
necessary to make an accurate projection of initial lethality of an H5N1 pandemic does not exist, as no
data was collected that could show the pre-pandemic virulence in any potential flu strain until after the
last pandemic of the 20th Century. There is no basis for assuming that an H5N1 pandemic will emerge
with only the far lower 1-2% lethality rate of the Spanish Flu, once assumed to be a worst case scenario.
There exists no reliable prediction of the mortality rate of an H5N1 pandemic, and it would be
irresponsible to confine planning to only optimistic assumptions out of step with the currently observed
case fatality ratio.
Although marred by unrealistically low ranges of assumed mortality, the earlier planning reports
nevertheless show convincingly that we are not prepared even for a pandemic as severe as the milder
[55]
pandemics of the past century. , let alone the much higher case fatality ratios seen more recently.

1. ^ Donald G. McNeil Jr.. "Human Flu Transfers May Exceed Reports", New York Times, June 4,
2006.
2. ^ "Seven Indonesian Bird Flu Cases Linked to Patients", Bloomberg, May 23, 2006.
3. ^ WHO confirms human transmission< in Indonesian bird flu cluster.
4. ^ "Avian influenza – situation in Indonesia – update 17", WHO, June 6, 2006.
5. ^ HHS has enough H5N1 vaccine for 4 million people. CIDRAP (July 5, 2006).
6. ^ Study supports concept of 2-stage H5N1 vaccination. CIDRAP (October 13, 2006).
7. ^ A.R. Elbers, G. Kock and A. Bouma (2005). "Performance of clinical signs in poultry for the
detection of outbreaks during the avian influenza A (H7N7) epidemic in The Netherlands in
2003". Avian Pathol 34.
8. ^ I. Capua and F. Mutinelli (2001). "Low pathogenicity (LPAI) and highly pathogenic (HPAI)
avian influenza in turkeys and chicken". A Colour Atlas and Text on Avian Influenza.
9. ^ S. Bano S, K. Naeem K, S.A. Malik (2003). "Evaluation of pathogenic potential of avian
influenza virus serotype H9N2 in chicken". Avian Dis 47, Suppl.
10. ^ C Li, K Yu, G TiaG, D Yu, L Liu, B Jing, J Ping, H. Chen (2005). "Evolution of H9N2
influenza viruses from domestic poultry in Mainland China". Virology 340.
11. ^ D.E. Swayne, D.L. Suarez (2000). "Highly pathogenic avian influenza". Rev Sci Tech 19.
12. ^ Timm C. Harder and Ortrud Werner. Avian Influenza. Influenza Report.
13. ^ The Threat of Global Pandemics. Council on Foreign Relations (June 16, 2005). Retrieved on
2006-09-15.
14. ^ "Vietnam to unveil advanced plan to fight bird flu", Reuters, April 28, 2006.
15. ^ Robert G. Webster et al (January, 2006). "H5N1 Outbreaks and Enzootic Influenza". Emerging
Infectious Diseases. Retrieved on 2006-09-15.
16. ^ "Expert: Bad vaccines may trigger China bird flu", MSNBC, December 30, 2005. Retrieved on
2006-09-15.
17. ^ "China H5N1 outbreak puts vaccines under spotlight", Reuters, March 19, 2006. Retrieved on
2006-09-15. This reference is apparently no longer available online via Reuters. It is available as
of 21 August, 2006 at [1]
18. ^ Bird flu vaccine no silver bullet. BBC (February 22, 2006). Retrieved on 2006-09-15.
19. ^ Wild birds and Avian Influenza. FAO. Retrieved on 2006-09-15.
20. ^ National Center for Infectious Diseases, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (March
24, 2005). Interim Guidance about Avian Influenza A (H5N1) for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad.
Travel Notices. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved on 2006-10-27.
21. ^ Jennifer Schultz. "Bird flu vaccine won't precede pandemic", United Press International,
November 28, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-10-27.
22. ^ Promising research into vaccines includes:
❍ Martin Enserink (August 12, 2005). "Avian Influenza: 'Pandemic Vaccine' Appears to
Protect Only at High Doses". Science 309: 996. DOI:10.1126/science.309.5737.996b.

❍ "GlaxoSmithKline Initiates Human Trial Programme With Two H5N1 Pandemic Flu
Vaccines", March 30, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-27.

❍ "Murtha eager to speed vaccine", January 28, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-27. A
promising new bird flu vaccine developed by University of Pittsburgh researchers could
provide better protection and be made more quickly than other experimental vaccines.
ab
23. ^ Oseltamivir (Tamiflu). National Institutes of Health (January 13, 2000). Revised on January
10, 2001.
24. ^ Hot Water Burn & Scalding Graph. Retrieved on 2006-09-15.
25. ^ Avian flu biofacts. CIDRAP.
26. ^ Full text article online: The Writing Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO)
Consultation on Human Influenza A/H5 (September 29, 2005). "Avian Influenza A (H5N1)
Infection in Humans". New England Journal of Medicine 353: 1374-1385.
27. ^ T Jacob John (November 12, 2005). Bird Flu: Public Health Implications for India. Economic
and Political Weekly.
28. ^ (February 17, 2005) "Fatal Avian Influenza A (H5N1) in a Child Presenting with Diarrhea
Followed by Coma". New England Journal of Medicine 352 (7): 686-691.
29. ^ Robert G. Webster and Elizabeth Jane Walker (2003). "Influenza: The world is teetering on the
edge of a pandemic that could kill a large fraction of the human population". American Scientist
91: 122.
30. ^ M. C. Chan et al (2005). "Proinflammatory cytokine responses induced by influenza A (H5N1)
viruses in primary human alveolar and bronchial epithelial cells". Respiratory Research 6.
31. ^ Martin Hirst, Caroline R. Astell, Malachi Griffith, Shaun M. Coughlin, Michelle Moksa,
Thomas Zeng et al (December 2004). "Novel Avian Influenza H7N3 Strain Outbreak, British
Columbia". Emerg Infect Dis.
32. ^ Alan Sipress. "Bird Flu Drug Rendered Useless: Chinese Chickens Given Medication Made for
Humans", Washington Post, June 18, 2005.
33. ^ "WHO sees role for older antivirals in some H5N1 cases", CIDRAP, May 22, 2006.
34. ^ "Situation (poultry) in Asia: need for a long-term response, comparison with previous
outbreaks", Disease Outbreak News: Avian influenza A(H5N1), WHO, March 2, 2004. Retrieved
on 2006-10-27.
35. ^ Robert G. Webster, Malik Peiris, Honglin Chen, and Yi Guan (January 2006). H5N1 Outbreaks
and Enzootic Influenza. CDC. Retrieved on 2006-10-28.
36. ^ WHO (October 28, 2005). H5N1 avian influenza: timeline.
37. ^ "Five Koreans had H5N1 virus but no illness", CIDRAP, September 21, 2006.
ab
38. ^ WHO (August 18, 2006). Antigenic and genetic characteristics of H5N1 viruses and
candidate H5N1 vaccine viruses developed for potential use as pre-pandemic vaccines. Contains
latest Evolutionary "Tree of Life" for H5N1
39. ^ Chen H, Deng G, Li Z, Tian G, Li Y, Jiao P, Zhang L, Liu Z, Webster RG, Yu K. (2004). "The
evolution of H5N1 influenza viruses in ducks in southern China". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A.
101 (28): 10452-10457. PubMed. Full Text
40. ^ Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/(H5N1) Reported to
WHO. WHO (October 31, 2006).
41. ^ H5N1 Getting Deadlier. based on the article Bird Flu Fatality Rate in Humans Climbs to 64%
as Virus Spreads.
42. ^ Clinical study points to cytokine storm in H5N1 cases. CIDRAP News (September 11, 2006).
43. ^ Menno D de Jong et al (September 10, 2006). "Fatal outcome of human influenza A (H5N1) is
associated with high viral load and hypercytokinemia". Nature. Published online.
44. ^ Five Koreans had H5N1 virus but no illness (Sep 21,2006). CIDRAP. Retrieved on 2006-08-
23.
45. ^ "Mild H5N1 cases weren’t found missed in Cambodian outbreak study", CIDRAP, March 27,
2006.
46. ^ "Cambodian study suggests mild H5N1 cases are rare", CIDRAP, September 7, 2006.
47. ^ The Threat of Pandemic Influenza: Are We Ready? Workshop Summary (2005). NAP.
Retrieved on 2006-08-21.
48. ^ http://www.cbc.ca/cp/health/061102/x110210.html
49. ^ Human Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Cases by Age Group and Country.
50. ^ "Immediate Treatment Needed for Bird Flu Cases, Study Says", New York Times, September
11, 2006.
51. ^ Pandemic Flu Projection Says More Than Half Million Could Die in U.S.. Senior Journal (June
24, 2005).
52. ^ Healthy Americans Full report PDF.
53. ^ A Dramatic Disconnect. Newsweek. estimates two million dead in the US, for example
54. ^ http://www.cbc.ca/cp/health/061102/x110210.html
55. ^ Dr. Martin Meltzer of the Centers for Disease Control, an expert on the societal impact of
diseases, warns that “There is no healthcare system anywhere in the world that can cope with
even a mild pandemic like the one in 1968.” Meltzer MI, Lancet Asia Forum, Singapore, May
2006
Further reading
● WHO Avian influenza resource (updated).
● CDC Facts About Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus.
● FAO information on Avian Influenza - Latest news, Disease Card, Maps, Animations.
● Avian Influenza (Bird Flu): Agricultural and Wildlife Considerations. CIDRAP.
● Avian Influenza: Preparing for a Pandemic. American Family Physician.
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Larus
Home | Up
Larus
Larus is a large genus of seabirds to which most gulls
belong. It has a world-wide distribution, and many of its
species are abundant and well-known birds in their ranges.
They are in general medium to large birds, typically grey

or white, often with black markings on the head or wings.
They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet.
The taxonomy of the large gulls in the Herring and Lesser

Black-backed complex is very complicated, different
authorities recognising between two and eight species.
List of species in taxonomic order

Herring Gull
● Dolphin Gull, Larus scoresbii Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Belcher's Gull, Larus belcheri
Olrog's Gull, Larus atlanticus
Black-tailed Gull, Larus crassirostris Phylum: Chordata
Grey Gull, Larus modestus
Heermann's Gull, Larus heermanni Class: Aves
Common Gull or Mew Gull, Larus canus Order: Charadriiformes
Ring-billed Gull, Larus delawarensis Family: Laridae
California Gull, Larus californicus
Genus: Larus
Kelp Gull, Larus dominicanus Linnaeus, 1758
Western Gull, Larus occidentalis species
Yellow-footed Gull, Larus livens Many, see list
Herring Gull, Larus argentatus
East Siberian Herring Gull, Larus vegae
●
A Silver Gull at the pier of Sale, Australia
A Herring Gull (front) and a Lesser Black-

backed Gull (behind) in Poland: two
species with clear differences.
● Armenian Gull, Larus armenicus
Red-billed Gull, Larus scopulinus
Black-billed Gull, Larus bulleri
Brown-hooded Gull, Larus maculipennis
Andean Gull, Larus serranus
Lava Gull, Larus fuliginosus
Ring species
The Larus gulls interbreed in a ring around the arctic
A classic example of ring species is the Larus gulls circumpolar species ring. The range of these gulls
forms a ring around the North Pole. The Herring gull, which lives primarily in Great Britain, can breed
with the American Herring gull (living in North America), which can also breed with the Vega Herring
gull, which can breed with Birula's gull, which can breed with Heuglin's gull, which can breed with the
Siberian lesser black-backed gull (all four of these live across the top of Siberia), which can breed with
the Lesser Black-backed Gull back in Northern Europe, including Great Britain. However, the Lesser
Black-backed gull and Herring gull are sufficiently different that they cannot interbreed; thus the group
of gulls forms a ring species. A recent genetic study has shown that this example is far more complicated
than presented here. For more information about this, see "The herring gull complex is not a ring
species", D Liebers, P de Knijff, AJ Helbig, Biological Sciences, 2004 Volume 271.
References
● Harrison, Peter (1988): Seabirds (2nd ed.). Christopher Helm, London ISBN 0-7470-1410-8
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Recurvirostra
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Avocets
The four species of Avocets are waders in the same bird
family as the stilts. They are found in warm or hot climates.
They have long legs and long, thin, upcurved bills which
they sweep from side to side when feeding in the brackish
or saline wetlands they prefer. The plumage is pied,
sometimes also with some red.
The avocets have webbed feet and they will readily swim.
Their diet consists of aquatic insects and other small
creatures.
They nest on the ground in loose colonies. In estuarine

settings they may feed on exposed bay muds or mudflats.
The four species, all in the genus Recurvirostra are:
● Pied Avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta

American Avocet, Recurvirostra americana
Red-necked Avocet, Recurvirostra novaehollandiae Pied Avocet
Andean Avocet, Recurvirostra andina (Recurvirostra avosetta)
Kingdom: Animalia
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Phylum: Chordata
Family: Recurvirostridae
Genus: Recurvirostra
Linnaeus, 1758
Species
● Recurvirostra avosetta
● Recurvirostra americana
● Recurvirostra novaehollandiae
● Recurvirostra andina

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Birds World

Birds | Aviculture | Bird migration flyways | Bird topography | Birds by classification

Birds range in size from the tiny hummingbirds to the huge

by MultiMedia and Nicolae Sfetcu

❍ 5.2 Social systems and parental care

● 6 Birds and humans

Relationships between bird orders according the

Extinct bird orders

For a complete listing of prehistoric bird groups, see Fossil birds.

Shoebill, Balaeniceps rex

Snowy Owl, Bubo scandiacus

Anatomy of a typical bird

Social systems and parental care

Birds and humans

Chinstrap Penguin, Pygoscelis

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Flock of Barnacle Geese during autumn migration

Long-distance land bird migration

Broad-winged long distance migrants

Short-distance land bird migration

Wildfowl and waders

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● Struthioniformes: mainly southern hemisphere; 12 species, 2 extinct

Casuariidae: emus and cassowaries

● Anseriformes: worldwide; 150 species

Cracidae: chachalacas, guans and curassows

● Gaviiformes: North America, Eurasia; 5 species

● Podicipediformes: worldwide; 20 species

● Procellariiformes: pan-oceanic; 93 species

Procellariidae: fulmars, prions, shearwaters, gadfly and other petrels

Sulidae: gannets and boobies

● Turniciformes: Old World, 15 species

● Gruiformes: worldwide; 196 species

Rostratulidae: painted snipe

● Columbiformes: worldwide; 300 species

Columbidae: pigeons and doves

Strigidae: typical owls

Hemiprocnidae: tree swifts

● Coliiformes: Sub-Saharan Africa; 6 species

● Trogoniformes: Sub-Saharan Africa, Americas, Asia; 35 species

● Coraciiformes: worldwide; 192 species

Halcyonidae: tree kingfishers

● List of African birds

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Bald Eagle at Combe Martin

Birders at J "Ding" Darling reserve, Sanibel, Florida.

❍ 6.2 Otherwise famous

❍ 6.3 Birders in fiction

Seawatching is a type of birdwatching where observers based at a coastal watchpoint (such as a

Birding vs. birdwatching

Famous for birding/ornithology

● Members of the band British Sea Power

● Stephen Maturin in the Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey–Maturin series

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Extinct bird species

The Ostrich and related ratites.

● Elephant bird, Aepyornis maximus (Madagascar, 16th century?)