August 2014
Overview
Go directly to 2014 Updates & Corrections
This is the ninth installment of Updates and Corrections to the sixth edition of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World; because the Clements Checklist is tightly interwoven with the taxonomy for eBird, the checklist now is referred to as the eBird/Clements Checklist. The entire checklist (including the 2014 Updates and Corrections) is available as a downloadable spreadsheet (in Excel and .csv formats); this year’s spreadsheet version is eBird/Clements Checklist 6.9.
The spreadsheet contains 14 fields (data columns); the new column is marked with an asterisk:
Sort 6.9 – reflects the sequence of species, groups, and subspecies in eBird/Clements Checklist 6.9
Change – a brief note to signal that a change from Clements Checklist 6.8 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. In all cases, please consult the Updates and Corrections – August 2014 page for a full explanation of these changes.
Text for website – a brief explanation of the change from Clements Checklist 6.8 occurred for that entry. Please consult the Updates and Corrections page [link] for a more complete explanation of these changes.
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 6.8 – reflecting the sequence of species in Clements Checklist 6.8
Sort 6.7 – reflecting the sequence of species in Clements Checklist 6.7
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 6.9:
SUMMARY STATISTICS
Species 10,404
Subspecies 20,768
Groups 2,851
Families 234 (with 1 additional, extinct, family)
SPECIES
In this year’s updates, we add 12 new species, that is, species for which there was no entry at all in the previous edition of the eBird/Clements Checklist. Four of these are species that only recently were discovered and described – two from South America, one from the Philippines, and one from the Western Palearctic – whereas the others are species that had been overlooked until recent taxonomic revisions highlighted the distinctiveness of these poorly known birds. Another 78 species are newly recognized in Clements Checklist due to “splits.” There also is a loss of 12 species due to “lumps” (9 species) and species now considered to be invalid (3 species).
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-fifth supplement to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds (July 2014). We also are current with decisions of the South American Classification Committee (SACC) through 31 July 2014.
GROUPS
eBird/Clements Checklist has adopted the concept of the group, which initially was developed by 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 6.9, we add 538 new groups, but with over 10,000 species to consider, the task of implementing all potential groups still is far from done. With this revision, Jacob C. Cooper deserves a tremendous debt of gratitude from our team for his thorough review of groups for species in Africa, and a large number of the new additions were ones that he researched and recommended.
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:
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
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
Three new orders are added, all in the ratites, for a total of 37 extant orders. We recognize five new families. Consequently the total number of extant families in the eBird/Clements Checklist increases to 234, with an additional extinct family included as well.
The 234 extant 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. We also provide the number of families in each order (in parentheses, after the name of each order), and the number of species in each family (in parentheses, after the name of each family).
STRUTHIONIFORMES (1) | ||
1 |
Struthionidae | Ostrich (1) |
RHEIFORMES (1) | ||
2 |
Rheidae | Rheas (2) |
TINAMIFORMES (1) | ||
3 |
Tinamidae | Tinamous (47) |
CASUARIIFORMES (2) | ||
4 |
Casuariidae | Cassowaries (3) |
5 |
Dromaiidae | Emu (3) |
APTERYGIFORMES (1) | ||
6 |
Apterygidae | Kiwis (5) |
ANSERIFORMES (3) | ||
7 |
Anhimidae | Screamers (3) |
8 |
Anseranatidae | Magpie Goose (1) |
9 |
Anatidae | Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl (164) |
GALLIFORMES (5) | ||
10 |
Megapodiidae | Megapodes (22) |
11 |
Cracidae | Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows (54) |
12 |
Numididae | Guineafowl (6) |
13 |
Odontophoridae | New World Quail (33) |
14 |
Phasianidae | Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies (173) |
GAVIIFORMES (1) | ||
15 |
Gaviidae | Loons (5) |
PODICIPEDIFORMES (1) | ||
16 |
Podicipedidae | Grebes (22) |
PHOENICOPTERIFORMES (1) | ||
17 |
Phoenicopteridae | Flamingos (6) |
SPHENISCIFORMES (1) | ||
18 |
Spheniscidae | Penguins (18) |
PROCELLARIIFORMES (4) | ||
19 |
Diomedeidae | Albatrosses (15) |
20 |
Procellariidae | Shearwaters and Petrels (85) |
21 |
Pelecanoididae | Diving-Petrels (4) |
22 |
Hydrobatidae | Storm-Petrels (25) |
PHAETHONTIFORMES (1) | ||
23 |
Phaethontidae | Tropicbirds (3) |
CICONIIFORMES (1) | ||
24 |
Ciconiidae | Storks (19) |
SULIFORMES (4) | ||
25 |
Fregatidae | Frigatebirds (5) |
26 |
Sulidae | Boobies and Gannets (10) |
27 |
Phalacrocoracidae | Cormorants and Shags (40) |
28 |
Anhingidae | Anhingas (4) |
PELECANIFORMES (5) | ||
29 |
Pelecanidae | Pelicans (8) |
30 |
Balaenicipitidae | Shoebill (1) |
31 |
Scopidae | Hamerkop (1) |
32 |
Ardeidae | Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns (64) |
33 |
Threskiornithidae | Ibises and Spoonbills (33) |
ACCIPITRIFORMES (4) | ||
34 |
Cathartidae | New World Vultures (7) |
35 |
Sagittariidae | Secretary-bird (1) |
36 |
Pandionidae | Osprey (1) |
37 |
Accipitridae | Hawks, Eagles, and Kites (243) |
OTIDIFORMES (1) | ||
38 |
Otididae | Bustards (26) |
MESITORNITHIFORMES (1) | ||
39 |
Mesitornithidae | Mesites (3) |
EURYPYGIFORMES (2) | ||
40 |
Rhynochetidae | Kagu (1) |
41 |
Eurypygidae | Sunbittern (1) |
GRUIFORMES (6) | ||
42 |
Rallidae | Rails, Gallinules, and Coots (141) |
43 |
Sarothruridae | Flufftails (9) |
44 |
Heliornithidae | Finfoots (3) |
45 |
Aramidae | Limpkin (1) |
46 |
Psophiidae | Trumpeters (3) |
47 |
Gruidae | Cranes (15) |
CHARADRIIFORMES (19) | ||
48 |
Chionidae | Sheathbills (2) |
49 |
Pluvianellidae | Magellanic Plover (1) |
50 |
Burhinidae | Thick-knees (10) |
51 |
Pluvianidae | Egyptian Plover (1) |
52 |
Recurvirostridae | Stilts and Avocets (9) |
53 |
Ibidorhynchidae | Ibisbill (1) |
54 |
Haematopodidae | Oystercatchers (12) |
55 |
Charadriidae | Plovers and Lapwings (67) |
56 |
Pedionomidae | Plains-wanderer (1) |
57 |
Thinocoridae | Seedsnipes (4) |
58 |
Rostratulidae | Painted-Snipes (3) |
59 |
Jacanidae | Jacanas (8) |
60 |
Scolopacidae | Sandpipers and Allies (96) |
61 |
Turnicidae | Buttonquail (16) |
62 |
Dromadidae | Crab Plover (1) |
63 |
Glareolidae | Pratincoles and Coursers (17) |
64 |
Stercorariidae | Skuas and Jaegers (7) |
65 |
Alcidae | Auks, Murres, and Puffins (25) |
66 |
Laridae | Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers (99) |
PTEROCLIFORMES (1) | ||
67 |
Pteroclidae | Sandgrouse (16) |
COLUMBIFORMES (1) | ||
68 |
Columbidae | Pigeons and Doves (329) |
CUCULIFORMES (3) | ||
69 |
Musophagidae | Turacos (23) |
70 |
Opisthocomidae | Hoatzin (1) |
71 |
Cuculidae | Cuckoos (145) |
STRIGIFORMES (2) | ||
72 |
Tytonidae | Barn-Owls (18) |
73 |
Strigidae | Owls (207) |
CAPRIMULGIFORMES (5) | ||
74 |
Aegothelidae | Owlet-Nightjars (10) |
75 |
Podargidae | Frogmouths (15) |
76 |
Caprimulgidae | Nightjars and Allies (97) |
77 |
Nyctibiidae | Potoos (7) |
78 |
Steatornithidae | Oilbird (1) |
APODIFORMES (3) | ||
79 |
Apodidae | Swifts (104) |
80 |
Hemiprocnidae | Treeswifts (4) |
81 |
Trochilidae | Hummingbirds (338) |
COLIIFORMES (1) | ||
82 |
Coliidae | Mousebirds (6) |
TROGONIFORMES (1) | ||
83 |
Trogonidae | Trogons (44) |
CORACIIFORMES (11) | ||
84 |
Todidae | Todies (5) |
85 |
Momotidae | Motmots (13) |
86 |
Alcedinidae | Kingfishers (95) |
87 |
Meropidae | Bee-eaters (28) |
88 |
Coraciidae | Rollers (12) |
89 |
Brachypteraciidae | Ground-Rollers (5) |
90 |
Leptosomidae | Cuckoo-Roller (1) |
91 |
Upupidae | Hoopoes (2) |
92 |
Phoeniculidae | Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills (8) |
93 |
Bucorvidae | Ground-Hornbills (2) |
94 |
Bucerotidae | Hornbills (59) |
GALBULIFORMES (2) | ||
95 |
Bucconidae | Puffbirds (36) |
96 |
Galbulidae | Jacamars (18) |
PICIFORMES (7) | ||
97 |
Lybiidae | African Barbets (42) |
98 |
Megalaimidae | Asian Barbets (34) |
99 |
Capitonidae | New World Barbets (14) |
100 |
Semnornithidae | Toucan-Barbets (2) |
101 |
Ramphastidae | Toucans (35) |
102 |
Indicatoridae | Honeyguides (17) |
103 |
Picidae | Woodpeckers (230) |
CARIAMIFORMES (1) | ||
104 |
Cariamidae | Seriemas (2) |
FALCONIFORMES (1) | ||
105 |
Falconidae | Falcons and Caracaras (65) |
PSITTACIFORMES (4) | ||
106 |
Strigopidae | New Zealand Parrots (4) |
107 |
Cacatuidae | Cockatoos (21) |
108 |
Psittaculidae | Old World Parrots (179) |
109 |
Psittacidae | New World and African Parrots (167) |
PASSERIFORMES (126) | ||
110 |
Acanthisittidae | New Zealand Wrens (4) |
111 |
Calyptomenidae | African and Green Broadbills (6) |
112 |
Eurylaimidae | Asian and Grauer’s Broadbills (9) |
113 |
Sapayoidae | Sapayoa (1) |
114 |
Philepittidae | Asities (4) |
115 |
Pittidae | Pittas (49) |
116 |
Thamnophilidae | Typical Antbirds (232) |
117 |
Melanopareiidae | Crescentchests (4) |
118 |
Conopophagidae | Gnateaters (10) |
119 |
Grallariidae | Antpittas (53) |
120 |
Rhinocryptidae | Tapaculos (57) |
121 |
Formicariidae | Antthrushes (11) |
122 |
Furnariidae | Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers (298) |
123 |
Tyrannidae | Tyrant Flycatchers (419) |
124 |
Oxyruncidae | Sharpbill (1) |
125 |
Cotingidae | Cotingas (66) |
126 |
Pipridae | Manakins (54) |
127 |
Tityridae | Tityras and Allies (33) |
128 |
Menuridae | Lyrebirds (2) |
129 |
Atrichornithidae | Scrub-birds (2) |
130 |
Ptilonorhynchidae | Bowerbirds (20) |
131 |
Climacteridae | Australasian Treecreepers (7) |
132 |
Maluridae | Fairywrens (28) |
133 |
Meliphagidae | Honeyeaters (183) |
134 |
Dasyornithidae | Bristlebirds (3) |
135 |
Pardalotidae | Pardalotes (4) |
136 |
Acanthizidae | Thornbills and Allies (64) |
137 |
Pomatostomidae | Pseudo-Babblers (5) |
138 |
Orthonychidae | Logrunners (3) |
139 |
Cnemophilidae | Satinbirds (3) |
140 |
Melanocharitidae | Berrypeckers and Longbills (10) |
141 |
Mohouidae | Whiteheads (3) |
142 |
Paramythiidae | Tit Berrypecker, Crested Berrypecker (2) |
143 |
Callaeidae | Wattlebirds (3) |
144 |
Notiomystidae | Stitchbird (1) |
145 |
Psophodidae | Whipbirds and Wedgebills (5) |
146 |
Cinclosomatidae | Quail-thrushes and Jewel-babblers (10) |
147 |
Platysteiridae | Wattle-eyes and Batises (30) |
148 |
Vangidae | Vangas (39) |
149 |
Malaconotidae | Bushshrikes and Allies (49) |
150 |
Machaerirhynchidae | Boatbills (2) |
151 |
Artamidae | Woodswallows (11) |
152 |
Cracticidae | Bellmagpies and Allies (13) |
153 |
Pityriaseidae | Bristlehead (1) |
154 |
Aegithinidae | Ioras (4) |
155 |
Campephagidae | Cuckooshrikes (87) |
156 |
Neosittidae | Sittellas (2) |
157 |
Pachycephalidae | Whistlers and Allies (57) |
158 |
Oreoicidae | Australo-Papuan Bellbirds (3) |
159 |
Laniidae | Shrikes (32) |
160 |
Vireonidae | Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis (62) |
161 |
Oriolidae | Old World Orioles (35) |
162 |
Dicruridae | Drongos (25) |
163 |
Rhipiduridae | Fantails (50) |
164 |
Monarchidae | Monarch Flycatchers (98) |
165 |
Corvidae | Crows, Jays, and Magpies (125) |
166 |
Corcoracidae | White-winged Chough and Apostlebird (2) |
167 |
Paradisaeidae | Birds-of-Paradise (41) |
168 |
Petroicidae | Australasian Robins (46) |
169 |
Picathartidae | Rockfowl (2) |
170 |
Chaetopidae | Rockjumpers (2) |
171 |
Eupetidae | Rail-babbler (1) |
172 |
Panuridae | Bearded Reedling (1) |
173 |
Nicatoridae | Nicators (3) |
174 |
Alaudidae | Larks (94) |
175 |
Hirundinidae | Swallows (86) |
176 |
Stenostiridae | Fairy Flycatchers (9) |
177 |
Paridae | Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice (59) |
178 |
Remizidae | Penduline-Tits (12) |
179 |
Aegithalidae | Long-tailed Tits (11) |
180 |
Sittidae | Nuthatches (27) |
181 |
Tichodromidae | Wallcreeper (1) |
182 |
Certhiidae | Treecreepers (11) |
183 |
Troglodytidae | Wrens (82) |
184 |
Polioptilidae | Gnatcatchers (16) |
185 |
Cinclidae | Dippers (5) |
186 |
Pycnonotidae | Bulbuls (141) |
187 |
Regulidae | Kinglets (6) |
188 |
Pnoepygidae | Cupwings (5) |
189 |
Macrosphenidae | African Warblers (21) |
190 |
Cettiidae | Bush-Warblers and Allies (36) |
191 |
Phylloscopidae | Leaf-Warblers (76) |
192 |
Acrocephalidae | Reed-Warblers and Allies (61) |
193 |
Locustellidae | Grassbirds and Allies (60) |
194 |
Donacobiidae | Donacobius (1) |
195 |
Bernieridae | Malagasy Warblers (11) |
196 |
Cisticolidae | Cisticolas and Allies (147) |
197 |
Sylviidae | Sylviid Warblers (32) |
198 |
Paradoxornithidae | Parrotbills, Wrentit, and Allies (36) |
199 |
Zosteropidae | Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies (130) |
200 |
Timaliidae | Tree-Babblers, Scimitar-Babblers, and Allies (52) |
201 |
Pellorneidae | Ground Babblers and Allies (56) |
202 |
Leiothrichidae | Laughingthrushes and Allies (144) |
203 |
Promeropidae | Sugarbirds (5) |
204 |
Irenidae | Fairy-bluebirds (2) |
205 |
Hyliotidae | Hyliotas (4) |
206 |
Muscicapidae | Old World Flycatchers (313) |
207 |
Turdidae | Thrushes and Allies (162) |
208 |
Mimidae | Mockingbirds and Thrashers (34) |
209 |
Sturnidae | Starlings (122) |
210 |
Buphagidae | Oxpeckers (2) |
211 |
Chloropseidae | Leafbirds (11) |
212 |
Dicaeidae | Flowerpeckers (47) |
213 |
Nectariniidae | Sunbirds and Spiderhunters (140) |
214 |
Prunellidae | Accentors (13) |
215 |
Motacillidae | Wagtails and Pipits (65) |
216 |
Urocynchramidae | Przevalski’s Rosefinch (1) |
217 |
Elachuridae | Spotted Elachura (1) |
218 |
Bombycillidae | Waxwings (3) |
219 |
Mohoidae | Hawaiian Honeyeaters (5) [extinct] |
220 |
Ptiliogonatidae | Silky-flycatchers (4) |
221 |
Dulidae | Palmchat (1) |
222 |
Hylocitreidae | Hylocitrea (1) |
223 |
Hypocoliidae | Hypocolius (1) |
224 |
Peucedramidae | Olive Warbler (1) |
225 |
Calcariidae | Longspurs and Snow Buntings (6) |
226 |
Parulidae | New World Warblers (114) |
227 |
Thraupidae | Tanagers and Allies (386) |
228 |
Emberizidae | Buntings and New World Sparrows (172) |
229 |
Cardinalidae | Cardinals and Allies (48) |
230 |
Icteridae | Troupials and Allies (104) |
231 |
Fringillidae | Finches, Euphonias, and Allies (217) |
232 |
Passeridae | Old World Sparrows (42) |
233 |
Ploceidae | Weavers and Allies (116) |
234 |
Estrildidae | Waxbills and Allies (140) |
235 |
Viduidae | Indigobirds (20) |
FUTURE UPDATES
The next annual revision that incorporates revisions to the taxonomy and nomenclature of eBird/Clements Checklist will be released in August 2015.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Please continue to report potential errors, corrections and suggestions for improvement to eBird/Clements Checklist (please send taxonomic changes, suggestions, or questions to cornellbirds@cornell.edu). 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.
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 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:
Richard Alcorn, Margaret Alcorn, Desmond Allen, Mike Andersen, Svetlana Ashby, Vaughan Ashby, Jan Axel Cubilla, Ron Batie, David Bishop, Nik Borrow, Simon Boyes, Mike Burrell, Ken Burton, Pete Chalmers, Steve Chalmers, Jamie Chavez, Paul Clapham, Ken Cole, Steve Collins, Jacob Cooper, Andrew Core, Peter Derven, Robert Dowsett, Andrew Dreelin, Josh Engel, Roger Evans, Andrew Farnsworth, Pedro Fernandes, Shawneen Finnegan, Stuart Fisher, Rob Fowler, Benjamin Freeman, Kimball Garrett, Alan Grenon, Paul Gurn, Mary Gustafson, Alireza Hashemi, Mark Hodgson, Peter Hosner, Rich Hoyer, Rob Hutchinson, Praveen J, Jesper Bay Jacobsen, Alvaro Jaramillo, Simon Kingston, Ethan Kistler, Richard Klim, Oliver Komar, Yann Kolbeinsson, Peter Kovalik, Thomas Kuenzel, Raman Kumar, Laurie Bingaman Lackey, Niels Larsen, Jack Levene, Tony Leukering, Dali Lin, Robert Lockett, Noel Luff, Colin Lunt, Glenn Mahler, James Maley, Matt Medler, Tony Menart, Steven Mlodinow, Atefeh Moosavian, Joe Morlan, Colby Neuman, Mark O’Brien, Michael O’Brien, Ryan O’Donnell, Steve Olesen, Georges Olioso, Vernon Parker, Harvey L. Patten, Tommy Pedersen, Thane Pratt, Steve Preddy, Suhel Quader, Van Remsen, Colin Richardson, Peter Roberts, Steve Rose, Phil Rostron, Rex Rowan, Reid Rumelt, Matt Sadowski, Holger Schritt, Jacob Socolar, Roger Staples, Gavino Stebel, Erik Streufert, Jane Tatchell, Michael N. Trevor, and Bill Volkert, as well as the wider community of eBird users, the always astute members of the Taxonomy and Nomenclature group on BirdForum, 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); Thomas A. Fredericks (eBird Database Administrator); and Don Roberson.