A radical change in the sequence of Non-passerine Orders and Families in the OSME Region (For example, sandgrouse move to 9th from the top of 58 from 17th from the bottom)

Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse Nyctiperdix lichtensteinii, Oman, 7/3/2016. Photo: A.Al-Sirhan 

OSME Region List 5.1

The OSME Region List has recently been updated and is now available on our website: https://osme.org/ORL

IOC World Bird List v9.2 presents the difficult resequencing of the Non-passerine Orders, and the resequencing of many Scientific Families within many of these Orders. Its purpose is better to align families according to their genetic relationships at that level. It remains to be seen whether the scale of future taxonomic revisions will reduce because changes in general will mostly be within Scientific families. Considerable changes have been made to ‘traditional’ sequences and to indicate each major change, the ORL5.2 Non-passerine section has the double symbol ❆❆ placed after the first Family name in each ‘transplanted’ sequence. (Note that the Passeriformes comprise but a single Order, which allowed gradual and piecemeal resequencing over and number of years, a process much less complex than for the Non-passerine Orders).

For the ORL, the Non-passerine section Family sequence is now:

Struthionidae Ostriches
Numididae Guineafowl
Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
Caprimulgidae Nightjars
Apodidae Swifts
Otididae Bustards
Cuculidae Cuckoos
Pteroclidae Sandgrouse
Columbidae Pigeons, Doves
Rallidae Rails, Crakes, Coots
Gruidae Cranes
Podicipedidae Grebes
Phoenicopteridae Flamingos
Turnicidae Buttonquail
Burhinidae Stone-curlews, Thick-knees
Haematopodidae Oystercatchers
Dromadidae Crab-plover
Ibidorhynchidae Ibisbill
Recurvirostridae Stilts, Avocets
Charadriidae Plovers
Pluvianidae Egyptian Plover
Rostratulidae Painted-snipes
Jacanidae Jacanas
Scolopacidae Sandpipers, Snipes
Glareolidae Coursers, Pratincoles
Laridae Noddies, Skimmers, Gulls
‘Sternidae’ Terns (Not a true family)
Stercorariidae Skuas
Alcidae Auks
Phaethontidae Tropicbirds
Gaviidae Divers
Oceanitidae Austral Storm Petrels
Diomedeidae Albatrosses
Hydrobatidae Northern Storm Petrels
Procellariidae Petrels, Shearwaters
Ciconiidae Storks
Fregatidae Frigatebirds
Sulidae Gannets, Boobies
Phalacrocoracidae Cormorants, Shags
Anhingidae Darters
Threskiornithidae Ibises, Spoonbills
Ardeidae Herons, Bitterns, Egrets
Scopidae Hamerkop
Pelecanidae Pelicans
Pandionidae Ospreys
Accipitridae Kites, Hawks, Eagles
Tytonidae Barn Owls
Strigidae Owls
Upupidae Hoopoes
Bucerotidae Hornbills
Coraciidae Rollers
Alcedinidae Kingfishers
Meropidae Bee-eaters
Picidae Woodpeckers
Falconidae Falcons
Cacatuidae Cockatoos
Psittacidae New World Parrots
Psittaculidae Old World Parrots

Addendum

Just a reminder, especially for national compilers of bird records and reports for Around the Region in Sandgrouse, that as detailed in v4.5 of the ORL, v4.5, all Sylvia Warblers in the OSME Region, except Blackcap and Garden Warbler, are now placed in the genus Curruca.

Mike Blair

Listmaster

OSME Region List

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *