BIRD ORDERS OF THE WORLD

Representative families of all of the bird orders of the world. Classification of orders follows IOC list.

Tinamiformes
Tinamidae

1
Red-winged Tinamou Rhynchotus rufescens

Struthioniformes
Struthionidae

2
Common Ostrich Struthio camelus

Rheiformes
Rheidae

3
Greater Rhea Rhea americana

Casuariiformes
Casuariidae

4
5
Double-wattled Cassowary Casuafalcorius casuarius

Casuariiformes
Dromaiidae

Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae

Apterygiformes
Apterygidae

6
Brown Kiwi Apteryx australis

Anseriformes
Anhimidae

7
Southern Screamer Chauna torquata

8
Anseriformes
Anatidae

Magpie Goose Anseranas semipalmata

Anseriformes
Anatidae

9
Snow Goose Chen caerulescens

Anseriformes
Anatidae

10
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

Galliformes
Megapodidae

11
Maleo Macrocephalon maleo

Galliformes
Tetraonidae

12
Willow Ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus

Galliformes
Phasianidae

13
Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus

Galliformes
Phasianidae

14
Swinhoe's Pheasant Lophura swainhoii

Galliformes
Meleagridae

15
Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo

Gaviiformes

16
Gaviidae

Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica

Sphenisciformes
Spheniscidae

17
King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus

Procellariiformes
Diomedeidae

18
19
Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans

Procellariiformes
Procellariidae

Greater Shearwater Puffinus gravis

Procellariiformes
20
Hydrobatidae

Wilson's Storm-Petrel Oceanites oceanicus

Podicipediformes

21
Podicipedidae

Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus

Phoenicopteriformes
Phoenicopteridae

22
Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor

Phaethontiformes
Phaethontidae

23
Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus

Ciconiiformes
Ciconiidae

24
White Stork Ciconia ciconia

Pelecaniformes
Pelecanidae

25
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis

Pelecaniformes
Ardeidae

26
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias

Pelecaniformes
Threskiornithidae

27
Buff-necked Ibis Theristicus caudatus

Suliformes
Fregatidae

28
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens

Suliformes
Phalacrocoracidae

29
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus

Suliformes
Sulidae

30
Red-footed Booby Sula sula

Accipitriformes
Cathartidae

31
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura

Accipitriformes
Accipitridae

32
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Accipitriformes
Accipitridae

33
Ruppell's Vulture Gyps rueppellii

Accipitriformes
Sagittariidae

34
Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius

Otidiformes
Otididae

35
Great Bustard Otis tarda

Mesitornithiformes
Mesitornithidae

36
Bensch's Monia Monias benschi

Cariamiformes
Cariamidae

37
38
Red-legged Seriema Cariama cristata

Eurypygiformes
Rhynochetidae

Kagu Rhynochetos jubatus

Gruiformes
39
Rallidae

Virginia Rail Rallus limicola

Gruiformes
Gruidae

40
41
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis

Gruiformes
Heliornithidae

Sungrebe Heliornis fulica

Charadriiformes
42
Glareolidae

Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum

Charadriiformes
Scolopacidae

43
Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus

Charadriiformes
Chionidae

44
Snowy Sheathbill Chionis alba

Charadriiformes
Stercorariidae

45
Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus

Charadriiformes
Laridae

46
Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Charadriiformes
Alcidae

47
Atlantic Puffin Fratercula arctica

Pterocliformes
Pteroclididae

48
Crowned Sandgrouse Pterocles coronatus

Columbiformes
Columbidae

49
Jambu Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus jambu

Opisthocoformes
Opisthocomidae

50
Hoatzin Opisthocomus hoazin

Musophagiformes
Musophagidae

51
Violet Turaco Musophaga violacea

Musophagiformes
Musophagidae

52
Knysna Turaco Tauraco corythaix

Cuculiformes
Cuculidae

53
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana

Cuculiformes
Cuculidae

54
Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus

Strigiformes
Strigidae

55
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus

Caprimulgiformes
Podargidae

56
Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides

Caprimulgiformes
Aegothelidae

57
58
Large Owlet-Nightjar Aegotheles insignis

Caprimulgiformes
Nyctibiidae

59
60
Common Potoo Nyctibius griseus

Caprimulgiformes
Caprimulgidae

61
European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus

Apodiformes

62
Apodidae

White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis

Apodiformes
Trochillidae

63
Garnet-throated Hummingbird Lamprolaima rhami

Coliiformes
Coliidae

64
Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus

Trogoniformes
Trogonidae

65
66
Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno

Leptosomiformes
Leptosomatidae

Cuckoo Roller Leptosomus discolor

Coraciiformes
67
Alcedinidae

Rufous-backed Kingfisher Ceyx rufidorsa

Coraciiformes
Meropidae

68
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster

Coraciiformes
Coraciidae

69
Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus

Bucerotiformes

70
Upupidae

Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops

Bucerotiformes
Bucerotidae

71
Rhinoceros Hornbill Buceros rhinoceros

Piciformes
Capitonidae

72
Red-headed Barbet Eubucco bourcierii

Piciformes
Ramphastidae

73
Red-breasted Toucan Ramphastos dicolorus

Piciformes
Ramphastidae

74
Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus

Piciformes
Picidae

75
76
Crimson-crested Woodpecker Campephilus melanoleucos

Falconiformes
Falconidae

77
78
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

Psittaciformes
Psittacidae

Scarlet Macaw Ara macao

79
Psittaciformes
Psittacidae

Brown-hooded Parrot Pionopsitta haematotis

Passeriformes
Eurylaimidae

80
81
Black-and-red Broadbill Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos

Passeriformes
Dendrocolaptidae

82
83
Great Rufous Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes major

Passeriformes
Cotingidae

Blue Cotinga Cotinga nattererii

Passeriformes
84
Pittidae

Banded Pitta Pitta guajana

Passeriformes
Hirundinidae

85
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Passeriformes
Picathartidae

86
Red-headed Rockfowl Picathartes oreas

Passeriformes
Maluridae

87
Superb Fairywren Malurus cyaneus

Passeriformes
Nectariniidae

88
Marico Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis

89
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IOC World Bird List

version 9.1

1. Home
2. IOC Lists
3. Classification
4. Updates
5. BOW
6. The Project
7. English Names
8. Original Participants
9. Reviews

"Wisdom Orders of Birds

begins
with DRAFT, 5/4/2019
putting Table 1-1 A higher classification of modern birds
the right

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name on a Improving sets of DNA sequences are revolutionizing the Avian Tree of Life and call for substantial revisions of the higher
thing" classification of birds, especially the sequence of the Orders (Hackett et al. 2008, Cracraft 2013, Jarvis et al. 2014, Prum et al. 2015,
(Old Suh et al. 2015). The revised sequence of Orders below is a step towards our goal of deciphering the evolutionary history of the
Chinese major groups of birds. Species totals in parentheses are tallied from the IOC World Bird List, 8.1 (Gill and Donsker 2018). Thanks to
Proverb) Steve Preddy for tree pdf.

The ratites (paleognaths) are the sister group to the rest

PALEOGNATHAE Ratites
of living birds.

Struthioniformes Ostriches (2)

Rheiformes Rheas (2)

Kiwis are sister to tinamous/emus+cassowaries (Cracraft

Apterygiformes Kiwis (5)
2013, Prum et al. 2015).

Casuariiformes Emu, cassowaries (4)

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 Tinamou relationships within the ratites are uncertain
(Hackett et al. 2008, Baker et al. 2010, Haddrath and
Tinamiformes Tinamous (47)
Baker 2012), but are treated provisionally as sister to
emus, cassowaries (Prum et al. 2015).

NEOGNATHAE The neognaths are the sister group to the paleognaths

Landfowl (Galliformes) and Waterfowl (Anseriformes)

GALLOANSERES together (Galloanseres) are sister to all other extant non-
paleognath birds (Neoaves).

Landfowl: Grouse, quail, pheasants,

Landfowl (Galliformes) are sister to the Waterfowl
Galliformes francolins, guineafowl,
(Anseriformes).
moundbuilders (300)

Waterfowl: Ducks, geese, swans, Waterfowl (Anseriformes) are sister to the Landfowl
Anseriformes
screamers (177) (Galliformes).

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 Neoaves has a basal unresolved polytomy of at least 9
Orders, some of which (e.g. Telluraves,
NEOAVES Aequornithes) are supraordinal groups, and some of
which (e.g. Opisthocomiformes) are orders with no close
relatives (Prum et al. 2015, Suh et al. 2016).

The Caprimulgiform birds define a spectacular basal

Nightjars, frogmouths, potoos,
adaptive radiation of Neoaves. Owlet-nightjars, swifts
Caprimulgiformes oilbirds, owlet-nightjars, swifts,
and hummingbirds were previously separated in the
hummingbirds (604)
Apodiformes,

Turacos are sister to bustards (Otidiformes) and cuckoos

Musophagiformes Turacos (23) (Cuculiformes) (Prum et al. 2015) or to bustards alone
(Jarvis et al. 2014).

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 Now in their own Order, the bustards are sister group to
Otidiformes Bustards (26) turacos (Musophagiformes)(Jarvis et al. 2014) or cuckoos
(Cuculiformes) (Hackett et al. 2008, Prum et al. 2015).

Cuckoos are sister to bustards (Otidiformes) (Prum et al.

Cuculiformes Cuckoos (149) 2015) or the turacos (Musophagiformes) (Jarvis et al.
2014).

Now in their own Order, the mesites of Madagascar are

sister to sandgrouse (Pterocliformes) and in turn pigeons
Mesitornithiformes Mesites (3)
(Columbiformes) (Hackett et al. 2008, Jarvis et al. 2014,
Prum et al. 2015).

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 Sandgrouse are sister to the mesites
Pterocliformes Sandgrouse (16) (Mesitornithiformes) (Hackett et al. 2008, Jarvis et al.
2014, Prum et al. 2015).

Pigeons are the sister group to an Old World clade

consisting of sandgrouse (Pterocliformes) and
the mesites (Mesitornithiformes). Together they form
Columbiformes Pigeons (344)
the clade Columbimorphae at or near the base of
Neoaves (Hackett et al. 2008, Jarvis et al. 2014, Prum et
al. 2015).

Long recognized to be an artificial assemblage of taxa,

the revised core Gruiformes represents on the branches
Diverse terrestrial and marshbirds:
of the basal polytomy. This Order now includes 7
rails and allies, flufftails, finfoots,
Gruiformes families: rails (Rallidae), flufftails (Sarothuridae), finfoots
cranes, limpkin, and trumpeters
(Heliornithidae), trumpeters (Psophiidae), cranes
(188)
(Gruidae), and Limpkin (Aramidae) (Hackett et al. 2008,
Prum et al. 2015).

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 Grebes and flamingos (Phoenicopteriformes) are ancient
sister taxa and members of the basal polytomy,
Podicipediformes Grebes (23)
potentially related to shorebirds (Charadriiformes)
(Hackett et al. 2008, Mayr 2008, Prum et al. 2015).

Flamingos and grebes (Podicipediformes) are ancient

sister taxa, potentially related to shorebirds
Phoenicopteriformes Flamingos (6)
(Charadriiformes) (Hackett et al. 2008, Mayr 2008, Prum
et al. 2015).

Shorebirds and relatives: sandpipers,

plovers, phalaropes, stilts, jacanas,
Shorebirds and diving birds in the Charadriiformes are an
Charadriiformes painted snipes, pratincoles, gulls and
ancient and diverse adaptive radiation of waterbirds.
terns, seedsnipes, sheathbills,
skimmers, skuas, auks (383)

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 The Sunbittern and Kagu are removed from the
Gruiformes to a new Order Eurypygiformes, which with
Eurypygiformes Sunbittern, Kagu (2) tropicbirds (Phaethontiformes) is sister to the Core
Waterbirds (Aequornithes) (Hackett et al. 2008, Prum et
al. 2015).

Tropicbirds together with Sunbittern and Kagu

Phaethontiformes Tropicbirds (3) (Eurypygiformes) are sister to Core Waterbird clade
(Prum et al. 2015).

Aequornithes Core Waterbirds

Loons are the sister group to penguins (Sphenisciformes)

Gaviiformes Loons (5) + tube-nosed seabirds (Procellariiformes) (Prum et al.
2015).

Penguins are sister to the tube-nosed seabirds

Sphenisciformes Penguins (18)
(Procellariiformes).

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 The tube-nosed seabirds are sister to penguins
Tube-nosed seabirds: petrels,
(Sphenisciformes). Albatrosses are the sister group to
Procellariiformes shearwaters, albatrosses, storm
all other tubenoses (Prum et al. 2015, cf Hackett et al.
petrels, diving petrels (147)
2008).

The Order Ciconiiformes includes only the storks

(Ciconiidae). Ibises and spoonbills (Threskiornithidae)
Ciconiiformes Storks (19) and herons (Ardeidae) are members of the
Pelecaniformes (Hackett et al. 2008, Jarvis et al. 2014,
Prum et al. 2015).

Totipalmate water and diving birds:

The Suliform waterbirds are sister to the wading birds
Suliformes frigatebirds, cormorants, anhingas,
(Pelecaniformes) (Prum et al. 2005).
and boobies (61)

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 Ibis, herons, pelican, Hammerkop, The relationships among Pelecaniform bird families
Pelecaniformes
Shoebill (118) remain uncertain (Hackett et al. 2008, Prum et al. 2015).

The Hoatzin is one of the most ancient, living bird

lineages and a distinct higher level taxon of uncertain
Opisthocomiformes Hoatzin (1)
relationship to either the Aequornithes or the Teluraves
(Prum et al. 2015).

Telluraves Core Landbirds

Raptors (Accipitriformes) are a basal member of the Core

Raptors including New World Landbirds clade. New World vultures are a deep basal
Accipitriformes
Vultures (266) split and sister to the rest of the Accipitriformes (Prum et
al. 2015).

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Strigiformes Owls (243) Owls are basal members of the Core Landbirds.

Coliiformes Mousebirds (6) Mousebirds are basal members of the Core Landbirds.

Formerly included in the Coraciiformes, the Cuckoo

Roller is the only member of an ancient lineage that is
Leptosomiformes Cuckoo Roller (1) the sister group to Trogoniformes, Bucerotiformes,
Coraciiformes and Piciformes (Hackett et al. 2008, Prum
et al. 2015).

Trogons are embedded in the Core Landbirds as the

Trogoniformes Trogons, quetzals (43) sister group to the Bucerotiformes, Coraciiformes, and
Piciformes (Prum et al. 2015).

100
 Separation of the hornbills and hoopoes from the
Hornbills, hoopoes, wood hoopoes Coraciiformes as the Order Bucerotiformes maintains
Bucerotiformes
(74) monophyly of the Coraciiformes (Hackett et al. 2008,
Prum et al. 2015).

Kingfishers and allies: rollers, todies, The kingfishers, rollers and allies form the sister group to
Coraciiformes
motmots, bee-eaters (177) the Piciformes (Prum et al. 2015).

The diverse Piciformes includes jacamars,

puffbirds honeyguides, wrynecks, barbets and toucans
Piciformes Woodpeckers and allies (445)
as well as woodpeckers worldwide (Hackett et al. 2008,
Prum et al. 2015).

Seriemas are moved from the traditional Gruiformes to

their own Order, sister in turn to the terminal landbird
Cariamiformes Seriamas (2)
clade Australaves (Hackett et al. 2008, Jarvis et al. 2014,
Prum et al. 2015).

101
Australaves Terminal Landbird Clade

The falcons and caracaras (Falconiformes) are not

relatives of other raptors in the Accipitriformes, but
rather are a separate lineage and Order in the terminal
Falconiformes Falcons (67)
landbird clade Australaves which includes parrots and
the Passeriformes (Hackett et al. 2008, Jarvis et al. 2014,
Prum et al. 2015).

Parrots (Psittaciformes) are the sister group to the

Psittaciformes Parrots (398) Passeriformes (Hackett et al. 2008, Jarvis et al. 2014,
Prum et al. 2015).

The Passeriformes, or perching birds, include the

majority of all world bird species. The New Zealand
Passeriformes Perching birds (6456)
Wrens (Acanthisittidae) are the sister group to all
passerines, including both suboscines and oscines.

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© 2019 IOC World Bird List | Log in | Updated 20-Jan-2019 with version 9.1
IOC World Bird List v 9.1 by Frank Gill & David Donsker (Eds) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

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