August 2013

OVERVIEW

Go directly to Updates and Corrections

This is the eighth installment of Updates and Corrections to the sixth edition of The Clements Checklist of birds of the world; because the Clements Checklist now is tightly interwoven with the taxonomy for eBird, the checklist now is referred to as the eBird/Clements Checklist. The entire checklist (including the 2013 Updates and Corrections) is available as a downloadable spreadsheet (in Excel and .csv formats); this year’s spreadsheet version is eBird/Clements Checklist 6.8.

The spreadsheet contains 14 fields (data columns); the new column is marked with an asterisk:

Change – a brief note to signal that a change from Clements Checklist 6.7 occurred for that entry. Sometimes only a single change is made per entry; sometimes several changes are made, although only one or two may be noted in the spreadsheet.

Change comment – A brief explanation of the change from Clements Checklist 6.7 occurred for that entry.

Sort 6.8 * – reflecting the sequence of species in eBird/Clements Checklist 6.7

Category – reflecting whether the entry on that line is a species; a subspecies; a monotypic group (i.e., a group that is equivalent to a single subspecies); or a polytypic group (a group composed of two or more subspecies). So, the total number of subspecies recognized in Clements Checklist is the sum of all entries listed as “subspecies” and as “group (monotypic).”

Scientific name

English name

Range

Order

Family

Extinct – an entry in this column means that the species or subspecies is extinct

Extinct year – reflects the year the species or subspecies went extinct (or, since the extinction date rarely is known with certainty, the last year in which it was reported); “xxxx” is used when the date of extinction was not readily accessible.

Sort 6.7 – reflecting the sequence of species in Clements Checklist 6.7

Sort 6.6 – reflecting the sequence of species in Clements Checklist 6.6

Page 6.0 – reflecting the page number of the species in the last (sixth) print edition

Here is a brief review of the changes that are introduced in the eBird/Clements Checklist 6.8 (complete documentation of all changes will be posted soon on the Updates and Corrections pages):

SUMMARY STATISTICS

Species             10324

Subspecies       20864

Groups               2345

Families             229 (with 1 additional, extinct, family)

SPECIES

In this year’s updates, we add 27 (!) new species, that is, species for which there was no entry at all in the previous edition of the eBird/Clements Checklist, most of which are species that only recently were discovered and described. Another 63 species are newly recognized in Clements Checklist due to “splits.” There also is a loss of 6 species due to “lumps.”

As before, we update the taxonomy and nomenclature of species for North America, based on decisions of the North American Checklist Committee (NACC), through the Fifty-third supplement to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds (July 2012). The most important change for the United States, Canada, and Mexico is the split of Sage Sparrow (Artemisiospiza belli) into two species, Bell’s Sparrow (Artemisiospiza belli) and Sagebrush Sparow (Artemisiospiza nevadensis).

We also are current with decisions of the South American Classification Committee (SACC)  through 6 August 2013.

Also noteworthy are the provisional additions of 15 recently described species from Brazil (none of which have yet been vetted by SACC), and of the descriptions of four new species of owls from southeast Asia: a masked-owl (Seram Masked-Owl Tyto almae), a scops owl (Rinjani Scops-Owl Otus jolandae), and two boobooks (Cebu Boobook Ninox rumseyi and Camiguin Boobook Ninox leventisi).

GROUPS

eBird/Clements Checklist has adopted the concept of the group, which initially was developed for eBird, a free, global online system to manage your bird records and bird lists. A “group” is a distinctive (field identifiable) subspecies or group of subspecies. The group is not a formal taxonomic unit, but often represents a potential future split (and so groups are a valuable taxonomic tool for the savvy birder).

Groups first were added to Clements Checklist in December 2009 (Clements Checklist 6.5). In the eBird/Clements Checklist 6.8, we add 138 new groups, but with over 10,000 species to consider, the task of implementing all potential groups still is far from done.

Some of our attempts at arranging subspecies into groups are incomplete: one or more distinctive subspecies have been identified as groups, but the remaining subspecies have been left “hanging” – they do not belong to any of the groups we have created in that species, but we have yet to form one or more new groups to accommodate them. These “hanging” subspecies now are highlighted in two ways: 1) the sequence of subspecies and naming of the groups within the species always make it clear that these are not included in a group (i.e., they follow a monotypic group or the species as a whole, so are clearly not a component of any groups listed above; and 2) in the spreadsheet we have color coded these “hanging” subspecies in gray to further clarify that their status with respect to groups remains unresolved.

Species with partially formulated (“hanging”) groups are the following:

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
Dunlin Calidris alpina
Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle
Black Noddy Anous minutus
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia
Streak-chested Antpitta Hylopezus perspicillatus
Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner Automolus ochrolaemus
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus
Common Raven Corvus corax
Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris
African Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus caroli
Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus
Red-backed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys
Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida
Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis
Tropical Parula Setophaga pitiayumi
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Golden Tanager Tangara arthus
Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra

We welcome any help in assigning these “hanging subspecies” to groups, especially if it can be supported by published references.

HIGHER LEVEL TAXONOMY

There are several important changes in the higher taxonomy of birds that are introduced in eBird/Clements Checklist 6.8. There are significant revisions of the families Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies), Timaliidae (Tree-Babblers, Scimitar-Babblers, and Allies), Pellorneidae (Ground Babblers and Allies), and Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes and Allies).

We recognize three new families and lose another one due to a “lump”. Consequently the total number of extant families in the eBird/Clements Checklist increases to 229, with an additional extinct family included as well.

The 230 families accepted by Clements Checklist are listed below, with the names of orders in bold CAPITAL lettering and the names of newly recognized families in bold, and with an additional extinct family listed in brackets.

STRUTHIONIFORMES

1

Struthionidae Ostrich

2

Rheidae Rheas

3

Casuariidae Cassowaries

4

Dromaiidae Emu

5

Apterygidae Kiwis
TINAMIFORMES

6

Tinamidae Tinamous
ANSERIFORMES

7

Anhimidae Screamers

8

Anatidae Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl
GALLIFORMES

9

Megapodiidae Megapodes

10

Cracidae Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows

11

Numididae Guineafowl

12

Odontophoridae New World Quail

13

Phasianidae Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies
GAVIIFORMES

14

Gaviidae Loons
PODICIPEDIDAE

15

Podicipedidae Grebes
PHOENICOPTERIFORMES

16

Phoenicopteridae Flamingos
SPHENISCIFORMES

17

Spheniscidae Penguins
PROCELLARIIFORMES

18

Diomedeidae Albatrosses

19

Procellariidae Shearwaters and Petrels

20

Hydrobatidae Storm-Petrels

21

Pelecanoididae Diving-Petrels
PHAETHONTIFORMES

22

Phaethontidae Tropicbirds
CICONIIFORMES

23

Ciconiidae Storks
SULIFORMES

24

Fregatidae Frigatebirds

25

Sulidae Boobies and Gannets

26

Phalacrocoracidae Cormorants and Shags

27

Anhingidae Anhingas
PELECANIFORMES

28

Pelecanidae Pelicans

29

Balaenicipitidae Shoebill

30

Scopidae Hamerkop

31

Ardeidae Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns

32

Threskiornithidae Ibises and Spoonbills
ACCIPITRIFORMES

33

Cathartidae New World Vultures

34

Sagittariidae Secretary-bird

35

Pandionidae Osprey

36

Accipitridae Hawks, Eagles, and Kites
OTIDIFORMES

37

Otididae Bustards
MESITORNITHIFORMES

38

Mesitornithidae Mesites
EURYPYGIFORMES

39

Rhynochetidae Kagu

40

Eurypygidae Sunbittern
GRUIFORMES

41

Rallidae Rails, Gallinules, and Coots

42

Sarothruridae Flufftails

43

Heliornithidae Finfoots

44

Aramidae Limpkin

45

Psophiidae Trumpeters

46

Gruidae Cranes
CHARADRIIFORMES

47

Chionidae Sheathbills

48

Pluvianellidae Magellanic Plover

49

Burhinidae Thick-knees

50

Pluvianidae Egyptian Plover

51

Recurvirostridae Stilts and Avocets

52

Ibidorhynchidae Ibisbill

53

Haematopodidae Oystercatchers

54

Charadriidae Plovers and Lapwings

55

Pedionomidae Plains-wanderer

56

Thinocoridae Seedsnipes

57

Rostratulidae Painted-Snipes

58

Jacanidae Jacanas

59

Scolopacidae Sandpipers and Allies

60

Turnicidae Buttonquail

61

Dromadidae Crab Plover

62

Glareolidae Pratincoles and Coursers

63

Stercorariidae Skuas and Jaegers

64

Alcidae Auks, Murres, and Puffins

65

Laridae Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers
PTEROCLIFORMES

66

Pteroclidae Sandgrouse
COLUMBIFORMES

67

Columbidae Pigeons and Doves
CUCULIFORMES

68

Musophagidae Turacos

69

Opisthocomidae Hoatzin

70

Cuculidae Cuckoos
STRIGIFORMES

71

Tytonidae Barn-Owls

72

Strigidae Owls
CAPRIMULGIFORMES

73

Aegothelidae Owlet-Nightjars

74

Podargidae Frogmouths

75

Caprimulgidae Nightjars and Allies

76

Nyctibiidae Potoos

77

Steatornithidae Oilbird
APODIFORMES

78

Apodidae Swifts

79

Hemiprocnidae Treeswifts

80

Trochilidae Hummingbirds
COLIIFORMES

81

Coliidae Mousebirds
TROGONIFORMES

82

Trogonidae Trogons
CORACIIFORMES

83

Todidae Todies

84

Momotidae Motmots

85

Alcedinidae Kingfishers

86

Meropidae Bee-eaters

87

Coraciidae Rollers

88

Brachypteraciidae Ground-Rollers

89

Leptosomidae Cuckoo-Roller

90

Upupidae Hoopoes

91

Phoeniculidae Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills

92

Bucerotidae Hornbills

93

Bucorvidae Ground-Hornbills
GALBULIFORMES  

94

Bucconidae Puffbirds

95

Galbulidae Jacamars
PICIFORMES

96

Lybiidae African Barbets

97

Megalaimidae Asian Barbets

98

Capitonidae New World Barbets

99

Semnornithidae Toucan-Barbets

100

Ramphastidae Toucans

101

Indicatoridae Honeyguides

102

Picidae Woodpeckers
CARIAMIFORMES

103

Cariamidae Seriemas
FALCONIFORMES

104

Falconidae Falcons and Caracaras
PSITTACIFORMES

105

Strigopidae New Zealand Parrots

106

Cacatuidae Cockatoos

107

Psittacidae Parrots
PASSERIFORMES

108

Acanthisittidae New Zealand Wrens

109

Calyptomenidae African and Green Broadbills

110

Eurylaimidae Asian and Grauer’s Broadbills

111

Sapayoidae Sapayoa

112

Philepittidae Asities

113

Pittidae Pittas

114

Thamnophilidae Typical Antbirds

115

Melanopareiidae Crescentchests

116

Conopophagidae Gnateaters

117

Grallariidae Antpittas

118

Rhinocryptidae Tapaculos

119

Formicariidae Antthrushes

120

Furnariidae Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers

121

Tyrannidae Tyrant Flycatchers

122

Oxyruncidae Sharpbill

123

Cotingidae Cotingas

124

Pipridae Manakins

125

Tityridae Tityras and Allies

126

Menuridae Lyrebirds

127

Atrichornithidae Scrub-birds

128

Ptilonorhynchidae Bowerbirds

129

Climacteridae Australasian Treecreepers

130

Maluridae Fairywrens

131

Meliphagidae Honeyeaters

132

Dasyornithidae Bristlebirds

133

Pardalotidae Pardalotes

134

Acanthizidae Thornbills and Allies

135

Pomatostomidae Pseudo-Babblers

136

Orthonychidae Logrunners

137

Cnemophilidae Satinbirds

138

Melanocharitidae Berrypeckers and Longbills

139

Paramythiidae Tit Berrypecker, Crested Berrypecker

140

Callaeidae Wattlebirds

141

Notiomystidae Stitchbird

142

Psophodidae Whipbirds and Wedgebills

143

Cinclosomatidae Quail-thrushes and Jewel-babblers

144

Platysteiridae Wattle-eyes and Batises

145

Vangidae Vangas

146

Malaconotidae Bushshrikes and Allies

147

Machaerirhynchidae Boatbills

148

Artamidae Woodswallows

149

Cracticidae Bellmagpies and Allies

150

Pityriaseidae Bristlehead

151

Aegithinidae Ioras

152

Campephagidae Cuckooshrikes

153

Neosittidae Sittellas

154

Pachycephalidae Whistlers and Allies

155

Laniidae Shrikes

156

Vireonidae Vireos

157

Oriolidae Old World Orioles

158

Dicruridae Drongos

159

Rhipiduridae Fantails

160

Monarchidae Monarch Flycatchers

161

Corvidae Crows, Jays, and Magpies

162

Corcoracidae White-winged Chough and Apostlebird

163

Paradisaeidae Birds-of-paradise

164

Petroicidae Australasian Robins

165

Picathartidae Rockfowl

166

Chaetopidae Rockjumpers

167

Eupetidae Rail-babbler

168

Panuridae Bearded Reedling

169

Nicatoridae Nicators

170

Alaudidae Larks

171

Hirundinidae Swallows

172

Stenostiridae Fairy Flycatchers

173

Paridae Chickadees and Tits

174

Remizidae Penduline-Tits

175

Aegithalidae Long-tailed Tits

176

Sittidae Nuthatches

177

Tichodromidae Wallcreeper

178

Certhiidae Treecreepers

179

Troglodytidae Wrens

180

Polioptilidae Gnatcatchers

181

Cinclidae Dippers

182

Pycnonotidae Bulbuls

183

Regulidae Kinglets

184

Pnoepygidae Cupwings

185

Macrosphenidae African Warblers

186

Cettiidae Bush-Warblers and Allies

187

Phylloscopidae Leaf-Warblers

188

Acrocephalidae Reed-Warblers and Allies

189

Locustellidae Grassbirds and Allies

190

Donacobiidae Donacobius

191

Bernieridae Malagasy Warblers

192

Cisticolidae Cisticolas and Allies

193

Sylviidae Sylvids

194

Paradoxornithidae Parrotbills, Wrentit, and Allies

195

Zosteropidae Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies

196

Timaliidae Tree-Babblers, Scimitar-Babblers, and Allies

197

Pellorneidae Ground Babblers and Allies

198

Leiothrichidae Laughingthrushes and Allies

199

Promeropidae Sugarbirds

200

Irenidae Fairy-bluebirds

201

Hyliotidae Hyliotas

202

Muscicapidae Old World Flycatchers

203

Turdidae Thrushes and Allies

204

Mimidae Mockingbirds and Thrashers

205

Sturnidae Starlings

206

Buphagidae Oxpeckers

207

Chloropseidae Leafbirds

208

Dicaeidae Flowerpeckers

209

Nectariniidae Sunbirds and Spiderhunters

210

Prunellidae Accentors

211

Motacillidae Wagtails and Pipits

212

Urocynchramidae Przevalski’s Rosefinch

213

Bombycillidae Waxwings

214

Mohoidae Hawaiian Honeyeaters     [extinct]

215

Ptilogonatidae Silky-flycatchers

216

Dulidae Palmchat

217

Hylocitreidae Hylocitrea

218

Hypocoliidae Hypocolius

219

Peucedramidae Olive Warbler

220

Calcariidae Longspurs and Snow Buntings

221

Parulidae New World Warblers

222

Thraupidae Tanagers and Allies

223

Emberizidae Buntings and New World Sparrows

224

Cardinalidae Cardinals and Allies

225

Icteridae Troupials and Allies

226

Fringillidae Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies

227

Passeridae Old World Sparrows

228

Ploceidae Weavers and Allies

229

Estrildidae Waxbills and Allies

230

Viduidae Indigobirds

FUTURE UPDATES

The next annual revision that incorporates revisions to the taxonomy and nomenclature of eBird/Clements Checklist will be released in August 2014.

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Please continue to report potential errors, corrections and suggestions for improvement to eBird/Clements Checklist. Many of the errors that you find are ones that would have taken a long time to notice, so we appreciate your help, and we do want to hear from you. Please keep in mind, of course, that the easiest corrections or proposed revisions are the ones that are accompanied by a supporting reference or citation.

Tom Fredericks logged many hours in checking the list for inaccuracies and inconsistencies. Denis Lepage, who runs Avibase, carefully reviewed our files, compared with other taxonomies, pointed out errors, and helped with many taxonomic issues through this process; we are extremely grateful for his generous assistance. Normand David and Frank D. Steinheimer provided critical advice on some nomenclatural issues. We take full responsibility, of course, for any remaining errors. We also are grateful to Bruce Beehler, Terry Chesser, Thane Pratt,and George Sangster for providing advance copies of works in progress.

We also thank the following for their help in pointing out errors in eBird/Clements Checklist or for directing us to important literature for our consideration:

Margaret Alcorn, Vaughan Ashby, John Baur, Jerry Blinn, Stephen Boddington, Sander Bot, Frederick Brammer, Ron Braun, Paul Brooks, Ken Burton, Duncan Campbell, Michael Carmody, Susan Connolly Carmody, Robert Carr, Steve Chalmers, Paul Clapham, Andrew Core, Andrew Duff, Benjamin Freenman, Bert Frenz, Mat and Cathy Gilfedder, Alan Grenon, Bryan Guarente, C. Michael Hogan, Jesper Bay Jacobsen, Rolf Jensen, Oscar Johnson, Raphaël Jordan, Robbin D. Knapp, Peter Kovalik, Niels Larsen, Jack Levene, Robert Lockett, Mark Lockwood, Peter Lowther, Noel Luff, Clive Mann, Curtis Marantz, Jay McGowan, Glenn Mertz, Joe Morlan, Michael O’Brien, Steve Preddy, Paul Prevett, Van Remsen, Michael Retter, Colin Richardson, Steve Rose, John Schillemans, Bengt-Eric Sjölinder, Phil Tizzard, Andrew Whittaker, Sean Williams, Bob Winckler, Jack Windsor, Diane Winer, and no doubt others who we may have inadvertently overlooked.

Thanks to all for your support, and we look forward to your feedback.

Thomas S. Schulenberg (Avian Taxonomist); Marshall J. Iliff, Brian L. Sullivan, and Christopher L. Wood (eBird Project Leaders); and Don Roberson.