World Birds I.O.C. Version 9.2 Part II

Blue-throated Hillstar (Oreotrochilus cyanolaemus) ©Sci-news

Blue-throated Hillstar (Oreotrochilus cyanolaemus) ©Sci-news

The post yesterday, I.O.C. 9.2 Update A Few Days Ago, was to inform you off the latest update. New birds aren’t usually discovered as much as the DNA studies they are providing better insight into how the birds are related. So, they like to shuffle things around, like the 5 new Families. The new species added are many times from subspecies being elevated to full species status.

Today, we will try to figure out who the new species are. As I type this, I have no clue until some investigation begins. So, Let’s Begin!

Version 9.2 (June 22, 2019)

The IOC World Bird List 9.2 contains 10,758 extant species (and 158 extinct species)  classified in 40 Orders,  250 Families and 2,320 Genera.  The list also includes 20,034 subspecies, their ranges and  authors.

Updates include:

SPECIES ADDED:                25 

SPECIES DELETED:             5

ENGLISH NAMES:              9

TAXONOMY:                         37 including  sequence of Orders,  five new Families, and genera of  Petroicidae
Add Species

I know some of this below is confusing for some, but is beneficial for many birdwatchers.

Added Species:

Stejneger’s Scoter (Melanitta stejnegeri) – Split of Stejneger’s Scoter M. stejnegeri from White-winged Scoter M. deglandi
Australian Tern (Gelochelidon macrotarsa) – Split of G. macrotarsa is based on morphological differences
Malagasy Palm Swift (Cypsiurus gracilis) – from African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus split
Green-headed Hillstar (Oreotrochilus stolzmanni) – Newly described species based on striking plumage differences from Andean Hillstar (Oreotrochilus estella stolzmanni)
Blue-throated Hillstar (Oreotrochilus cyanolaemus) – Newly described species based on striking plumage differences from Andean Hillstar O. (estella) stolzmanni
Indochinese Roller (Coracias affinis) – Morphologically distinct Indochinese Roller is sister to Purple-winged Roller (C. temmincki) not to Indian Roller despite narrow hybrid zone
Small-headed Elaenia (Elaenia sordida) – Elaenia sordida is split (9.2) from Highland Elaenia based on mtDNA genetics and vocal
Ceara? Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus atlanticus) – Split of monotypic Ceara? Woodcreeper is based on genetic, morphological and vocal distinctions
Biak Whistler (Pachycephala [Colluricincla] melanorhyncha) – The endemic Biak Little ‘Shrikethrush’ C. m. melanorhyncha is a whistler, sister to Pachycephala phaionota. Elevated from ssp Colluricincla to species of Pachycephala. Rename

Little Shrikethrush spp Colluricincla spp – The following splits (9.2) of subspecies groups of the [Arafura] Little Shrikethrush species complex are based on genetics and morphology (Marki et al. 2018, Schodde pers. comm).
Variable Shrikethrush (Colluricincla fortis) – Arafura [Little] Shrikethrush C. megarhyncha Split (9.2) of Variable Shrikethrush includes ssp trobriandi and despecta (with neos and superflua)
Waigeo Shrikethrush (Colluricincla affinis) – Variable Shrikethrush C. fortis Split Waigeo Shrikethrush is monotypic
Mamberamo Shrikethrush (Colluricincla obscura) – Waigeo Shrikethrush C. affinis Split (9.2) of Mamberamo Shrikethrush includes ssp hybridus
Tagula Shrikethrush (Colluricincla discolor) – Split (9.2) monotypic Tagula Shrikethrush
Sepik-Ramu Shrikethrush (Colluricincla tappenbecki) -Split (9.2) of Sepik-Ramu Shrikethrush C. tappenbecki includes ssp madaraszi and maeandrina.
Rufous Shrikethrush (Colluricincla rufogaster) – Split (9.2) of Rufous Shrikethrush includes ssp griseata and goodsoni. Ssp aelptes and normani are included in goodsoni; gouldii and synaptica are included in nominate rufogaster.
Stejneger’s Scoter (Melanitta stejnegeri) – Split (9.2) of Stejneger’s Scoter M. stejnegeri from White-winged Scoter M. deglandi based on lack of hybridization and on morphological characters that include the black rather than brown flanks (deglandi also has brown tinged scapulars), a more obvious hook “nose” on stejnegeri, a longer white post-ocular mark on stejnegeri, and different bill coloration.
Australian Tern (Gelochelidon macrotarsa) – Split of G. macrotarsa is based on morphological differences (Rogers et al. 2005, HBW, Schodde pers. comm).
Malagasy Palm Swift (Cypsiurus gracilis) – Split of Malagasy Palm Swift from African Palm Swift (C. parvus) based on vocalizations and plumage coloration. Includes griveaudi on Comoro Is.
Green-headed Hillstar (Oreotrochilus stolzmanni) – Green-headed Hillstar is split from O. estella based on plumage differences and mtDNA relationship to O. melanogaster.
Blue-throated Hillstar (Oreotrochilus cyanolaemus) – Newly described species based on striking plumage differences from Andean Hillstar O. (estella) stolzmanni.. Genomic analysis of estella species complex desired. New Hummingbird Species Discovered in Ecuador
Indochinese Roller (Coracias affinis) – Morphologically distinct Indochinese Roller is sister to Purple-winged Roller (C. temmincki) not to Indian Roller despite narrow hybrid zone.
Small-headed Elaenia (Elaenia sordida) – Elaenia sordida is split (9.2) from Highland Elaenia based on mtDNA genetics and vocals (Rheindt et al. 2008, Minns 2017, HBW, SACC 806). ENG Small-headed Elaenia follows SACC.

Ceara Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus atlanticus) ©HBW

Ceara? Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus atlanticus) –  Split of monotypic Ceara? Woodcreeper is based on genetic, morphological and vocal distinctions. ENG: Ceara?
Biak Whistler (Pachycephala [Colluricincla] melanorhyncha) – The endemic Biak Little ‘Shrikethrush’ C. m. melanorhyncha is a whistler, sister to Pachycephala phaionota. Elevated from ssp Colluricincla to species of Pachycephala. Rename
Little Shrikethrush spp (Colluricincla) spp – The following splits (9.2) of subspecies groups of the [Arafura] Little Shrikethrush species complex are based on genetics and morphology, Schodde pers. comm).
Variable Shrikethrush (Colluricincla fortis) – Split (9.2) of Variable Shrikethrush includes ssp trobriandi and despecta (with neos and superflua)
Waigeo Shrikethrush (Colluricincla affinis) – Split Waigeo Shrikethrush is monotypic
Mamberamo Shrikethrush (Colluricincla obscura) – Split (9.2) of Mamberamo Shrikethrush includes ssp hybridus
Tagula Shrikethrush (Colluricincla discolor) – Split (9.2) monotypic Tagula Shrikethrush
Sepik-Ramu Shrikethrush (Colluricincla tappenbecki) – Split (9.2) of Sepik-Ramu Shrikethrush C. tappenbecki includes ssp madaraszi and maeandrina.
Rufous Shrikethrush (Colluricincla rufogaster) – Split (9.2) of Rufous Shrikethrush includes ssp griseata and goodsoni. Ssp aelptes and normani are included in goodsoni; gouldii and synaptica are included in nominate rufogaster.
Hill Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis whitei) – C. whitei is split (9.2) from C. banyumas based on genetics and vocalizations. Includes subspecies lekhakuni, deignani, coerulifrons. Note transfer of established English name Hill Blue Flycatcher to C. whitei.
Indochinese Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis sumatrensis) – Widespread Indochinese Blue Flycatcher is split (9.2) from Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher based on morphology and vocalizations. Includes sumatrensis, indochina, lamprus.
Morotai White-eye (Zosterops dehaani) – Split of Morotai White-eye Z. dehaani from Cream-throated White-eye is based on distinct plumage, exceptional dawn song and submontane/montane ecology
Wakatobi White-eye (Zosterops flavissimus) – Split of Wakatobi White-eye is based on morphology, genetics, and vocalizations (O’Connell et al. 2019)
Campina Thrush (Turdus arthuri) – Split (9.2) of Campina Thrush T. arthuri from Black-billed Thrush T. ignobilis is based on sympatry without intergradation at two Colombian localities.
Pantepui Thrush (Turdus murinus) – Pantepui Thrush is split (9.2) from Black-billed Thrush T. ignobilis based on genetic divergence
Yucatan Gnatcatcher (Polioptila albiventri) – Split (9.2) of Yucatan Gnatcatcher P. albiventris from White-lored Gnatcatcher is based on genetic and vocal distinctions
Nicholson’s Pipit (Anthus nicholsoni) – Split (9.2) of South African pops of Long-billed Pipit is based on their allopatric distributions (southern and East African populations separated by ca. 1 800 km), their non-migratory nature and their high cyt b sequence divergence values. Includes palliditinctus, leucocraspedon, petricolus, and primarius.

***

Barbery Falcon now Perregrine Falcon ©Drew Avery

Barbary Falcon now Perregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides) ssp©Drew Avery

Deleted Species (I can only find 4)
Schouteden’s Swift (Schoutedenapus schoutedeni) DEL AL Scarce Swift S. myioptilus Deemed to be darker juvenile or sub-adult Scarce Swifts subspecies chapini (Fishpool 2019)
Barbary Falcon (Falco pelegrinoides)SSP of Peregrine Falcon F. peregrinus Barbary Falcon (including subspecies babylonicus) is genetically similar to other subspecies of Peregrine Falcon and treated thus. Demoted back to SSP
Negro Stipple-throated Antwren (Epinecrophylla pyrrhonota)SSP Negro Stipple-throated Antwren was split from [Napo] Stipple-throated Antwren, but vocalizations are identical and morphological differences slight. Demoted back to SSP
Yasuni Antwren (Epinecrophylla fjeldsaai) – SSP Yasuni Stipple-throated Antwren was split from [Napo] Stipple-throated Antwren, but vocalizations are identical and morphological differences slight. Demoted back to SSP

“He determines and counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by their names. Great is our Lord and of great power; His understanding is inexhaustible and boundless.” (Psalms 147:4-5 AMP)

If the Lord knows the names of all the stars, I wonder what names He calls the Birds by?

Still need to rework the Indexes – Stay Tuned

White-Eye Changes from I.O.C. Ver 9.1

Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus) by W Kwong

Japanese White-eye now the Warbling White-eye (Zosterops japonicus) by W Kwong

“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,” (Psalms 17:8 KJV)

Now that all the indexes are updated, I thought you might find it interesting what they did to the White-eye family. The they are part of the Zosteropidae family. Wikipedia gives this about them:

“White-eyes are mostly of undistinguished appearance, the plumage being generally greenish olive above, and pale grey below. Some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their common name implies, many species have a conspicuous ring of tiny white feathers around their eyes.[1] The scientific name of the group also reflects this latter feature, being derived from the Ancient Greek for “girdle-eye”. They have rounded wings and strong legs. Like many other nectivorous birds, they have slender, pointed bills, and brush-tipped tongues.[1] The size ranges up to 15 cm (5.9 in) in length.

All the species of white-eyes are sociable, forming large flocks which only separate on the approach of the breeding season. They build tree nests and lay two to four unspotted pale blue eggs.[citation needed] 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 follow.

White-eyes are the city bird of Kurayoshi City, in Tottori, Japan.”

Oriental now Indian White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus) by Nikhil Devasar

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Psalms 32:8 KJV)

Below are all the White-eyes and their new names or species. This is not the whole Zosteropidae Family. There is one Black-eye in here. [As of the 9.1 Version Update]

Megazosterops
Giant White-eye (Megazosterops palauensis)
Apalopteron
Bonin White-eye (Apalopteron familiare)
Cleptornis
Golden White-eye (Cleptornis marchei)
Rukia
Teardrop White-eye (Rukia ruki)
Long-billed White-eye (Rukia longirostra)
Tephrozosterops
Rufescent Darkeye (Tephrozosterops stalkeri)
Lophozosterops
Grey-hooded White-eye (Lophozosterops pinaiae)
Mindanao White-eye (Lophozosterops goodfellowi)
Streak-headed White-eye (Lophozosterops squamiceps)
Mees’s White-eye (Lophozosterops javanicus)
Cream-browed White-eye (Lophozosterops superciliaris)
Crested White-eye (Lophozosterops dohertyi)
Heleia
Spot-breasted Heleia (Heleia muelleri)
Thick-billed Heleia (Heleia crassirostris)
Oculocincta
Pygmy White-eye (Oculocincta squamifrons)
Woodfordia
Bare-eyed White-eye (Woodfordia superciliosa)
Sanford’s White-eye (Woodfordia lacertosa)
Zosterops
Marianne White-eye (Zosterops semiflavus)
Karthala White-eye (Zosterops mouroniensis)
Mauritius Olive White-eye (Zosterops chloronothos)
Reunion Olive White-eye (Zosterops olivaceus)
Mauritius Grey White-eye (Zosterops mauritianus)
Reunion Grey White-eye (Zosterops borbonicus)

Mountain Blackeye (Chlorocharis emiliae) ©WikiC

“He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?” (Psalms 94:9 KJV)

Mountain Blackeye (Zosterops emiliae)
Chestnut-flanked White-eye (Zosterops erythropleurus)
Warbling White-eye (Zosterops japonicus) was Japanese White-eye
Swinhoe’s White-eye (Zosterops simplex) Added
Hume’s White-eye (Zosterops auriventer) Added
Lowland White-eye (Zosterops meyeni)
Indian White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus) was Oriental White-eye
Sangkar White-eye (Zosterops melanurus) Added
Sri Lanka White-eye (Zosterops ceylonensis)
Rota White-eye (Zosterops rotensis)
Bridled White-eye (Zosterops conspicillatus)
Citrine White-eye (Zosterops semperi)
Plain White-eye (Zosterops hypolais)
Black-capped White-eye (Zosterops atricapilla)
Everett’s White-eye (Zosterops everetti)
Yellowish White-eye (Zosterops nigrorum)
Yellow-ringed White-eye (Zosterops wallacei)
Javan White-eye (Zosterops flavus)
Lemon-bellied White-eye (Zosterops chloris)
Ashy-bellied White-eye (Zosterops citrinella)
Pale-bellied White-eye (Zosterops consobrinorum)
Pearl-bellied White-eye (Zosterops grayi)
Golden-bellied White-eye (Zosterops uropygialis)
Black-ringed White-eye (Zosterops anomalus)
Cream-throated White-eye (Zosterops atriceps)
Sangihe White-eye (Zosterops nehrkorni)
Black-crowned White-eye (Zosterops atrifrons)
Togian White-eye (Zosterops somadikartai)
Seram White-eye (Zosterops stalkeri)
Black-fronted White-eye (Zosterops minor)
Tagula White-eye (Zosterops meeki)
Bismarck White-eye (Zosterops hypoxanthus)
Biak White-eye (Zosterops mysorensis)
Capped White-eye (Zosterops fuscicapilla)
Buru White-eye (Zosterops buruensis)
Ambon White-eye (Zosterops kuehni)
Papuan White-eye (Zosterops novaeguineae)
Yellow-throated White-eye (Zosterops metcalfii)
Christmas White-eye (Zosterops natalis)
Canary White-eye (Zosterops luteus)
Louisiade White-eye (Zosterops griseotinctus)
Rennell White-eye (Zosterops rennellianus)
Vella Lavella White-eye (Zosterops vellalavella)
Gizo White-eye (Zosterops luteirostris)
Ranongga White-eye (Zosterops splendidus)
Solomons White-eye (Zosterops kulambangrae)
Dark-eyed White-eye (Zosterops tetiparius)
Kolombangara White-eye (Zosterops murphyi)
Grey-throated White-eye (Zosterops rendovae)
Malaita White-eye (Zosterops stresemanni)
Santa Cruz White-eye (Zosterops sanctaecrucis)
Vanikoro White-eye (Zosterops gibbsi)
Samoan White-eye (Zosterops samoensis)
Fiji White-eye (Zosterops explorator)
Vanuatu White-eye (Zosterops flavifrons)
Small Lifou White-eye (Zosterops minutus)
Green-backed White-eye (Zosterops xanthochroa)
Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis)
Slender-billed White-eye (Zosterops tenuirostris)
Robust White-eye (Zosterops strenuus)
White-chested White-eye (Zosterops albogularis)
Large Lifou White-eye (Zosterops inornatus)
Kosrae White-eye (Zosterops cinereus)
Grey-brown White-eye (Zosterops ponapensis)
Olive-colored White-eye (Zosterops oleagineus)
Dusky White-eye (Zosterops finschii)
Socotra White-eye (Zosterops socotranus) Added
Principe White-eye (Zosterops ficedulinus)
Annobon White-eye (Zosterops griseovirescens)
Sao Tome White-eye (Zosterops feae)
Black-capped Speirops (Zosterops lugubris)
Principe Speirops (Zosterops leucophaeus)
Mbulu White-eye (Zosterops mbuluensis) Added
Abyssinian White-eye (Zosterops abyssinicus)
Pale White-eye (Zosterops flavilateralis) Added
Seychelles White-eye (Zosterops modestus)
Aldabra White-eye (Zosterops aldabrensis)Added
Kirk’s White-eye (Zosterops kirki)
Mayotte White-eye (Zosterops mayottensis)
Malagasy White-eye (Zosterops maderaspatanus)
Taita White-eye (Zosterops silvanus)
South Pare White-eye (Zosterops winifredae) Added
Orange River White-eye (Zosterops pallidus)
Cape White-eye (Zosterops virens)
Southern Yellow White-eye (Zosterops anderssoni) Added
Mount Cameroon Speirops (Zosterops melanocephalus)
Fernando Po Speirops (Zosterops brunneus)
Forest White-eye (Zosterops stenocricotus)
Heuglin’s White-eye (Zosterops poliogastrus) was Montane White-eye
Kikuyu White-eye (Zosterops kikuyuensis)

Montane White-eye (Zosterops poliogastrus eurycricotus) subspecies now the Broad-ringed White-eye (Zosterops eurycricotus) ©WikiC

“The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.” (Proverbs 20:12 KJV)

Broad-ringed White-eye (Zosterops eurycricotus) Added
Northern Yellow White-eye (Zosterops senegalensis) was African Yellow White-eye
Green White-eye (Zosterops stuhlmanni) Added
Pemba White-eye (Zosterops vaughani)


I.O.C. Version 9.1 (Last Name First List, Now updated)

*


Zosteropidae Family

Woodstock and the I.O.C. 9.1 Update

World Bird Names – I.O.C. Version 9.1

 

World Bird Names – I.O.C. Version 9.1

Australian Boobook (Ninox boobook) by Ian Montgomery

Southern now Australian Boobook (Ninox boobook) by Ian Montgomery

The new version of the World Bird Names from the I. O. C. raised the count to “10,738 extant species and 158 extinct species of birds of the world (Version 9.1), with subspecies (20,046) and annotations.” These birds are classified into Classification of 40 Orders, 245 Families (plus 1 Incertae sedis), 2313 Genera (World Bird Names)

Version 8.2 had 10, 711 birds listed. That is a total gain of 27 birds. This is one of the largest increases I have noticed since starting to keep track of the versions. With the DNA studies ongoing, they are finding enough differences to raise these birds to species status.

In August of 2009, about the time I started the Birds of the World pages and doing these updates, I wrote: “Considering that there are over 10,300 birds, I may be awhile. Actually, the 224 bird families are the most important. So, that will be the starting place.” That is over 400 new birds that have been added in that time span.

It also helps me understand why the Lord didn’t need to place one pair of every living species in the world on the Ark. We know that the birds and creatures were created “after their kind or families.” They have been reproducing after their kinds and the variations are showing up, but yet a Stork kind is still a Stork kind. Looking through these additions and changes, it appears the “White-eye” kind/family group have been very busy.

“Every animal, every creeping thing, every bird, and whatever creeps on the earth, according to their families, went out of the ark.” (Genesis 8:19 NKJV)

Did every species of White-eyes or Storks need to be on the ark?

Reunion Olive White-eye (Zosterops olivaceus) ©WikiC

Reunion Olive White-eye (Zosterops olivaceus) ©WikiC

I’ll be busy for a while updating my pages again in the Birds of the World section. The Taxonomic changes haven’t even been looked at yet. Updates will be given as they are changed. Stay tuned!

Additions and Deletions:

The code indicates whether the bird was raised from a subspecies (AS), or (NEW), or (DEL) which is usually placed back as a subspecies.

ENGLISH NAME  (SCIENTIFIC NAME) CHANGE  CODE
Chaco Nothura (Nothura chacoensis) DEL AL
Rote Boobook (Ninox rotiensis) ADD AS
Timor Boobook (Ninox fusca) ADD AS
Alor Boobook (Ninox plesseni) ADD AS
Buru Boobook (Ninox hantu) ADD AS
Green-backed Hillstar (Urochroa leucura) ADD AS
Dry-forest Sabrewing (Campylopterus calcirupicola) ADD NEW
Chiriqui Foliage-gleaner (Automolus exsertus) ADD AS
Rufous-breasted Antpitta (Grallaricula leymebambae) ADD AS
Tapajos Antpitta (Myrmothera subcanescens) ADD AS
Spotted Scrubwren (Sericornis maculatus) ADD AS
Erlanger’s Lark (Calandrella erlangeri) DEL SSP
Rufous-capped Lark  (Calandrella eremica) ADD AS
Albertine Sooty Boubou (Laniarius holomelas) ADD AS
Steppe Grey Shrike (Lanius pallidirostris) DEL AL
Chivi Vireo (Vireo chivi) ADD AS
Western Square-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus occidentalis) ADD NEW
Sharpe’s Drongo (Dicrurus sharpei) ADD AS
Fanti Drongo (Dicrurus atactus) ADD AS
Glossy-backed Drongo  (Dicrurus divaricatus) ADD AS
Rote Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus rotiensis) ADD NEW

Montane White-eye (Zosterops poliogastrus eurycricotus) ©WikiC

Mountain White-eye (Zosterops montanus) DEL AL
Swinhoe’s White-eye (Zosterops simplex) ADD AS
Enganno White-eye (Zosterops salvadorii) DEL AL
Hume’s White-eye (Zosterops auriventer) ADD AS
Sangkar White-eye (Zosterops melanurus) ADD AS
Socotra White-eye (Zosterops socotranus) ADD AS
Mbulu White-eye (Zosterops mbuluensis) ADD AS
Pale White-eye (Zosterops flavilateralis) ADD AS
Aldabra White-eye  (Zosterops aldabrensis) ADD AS
South Pare White-eye  (Zosterops winifredae) ADD AS
Southern Yellow White-eye (Zosterops anderssoni)  ADD AS
Broad-ringed White-eye  (Zosterops eurycricotus) ADD AS
Green White-eye (Zosterops stuhlmanni)  ADD AS
Chattering Gnatwren (Ramphocaenus sticturus) ADD AS
Himalayan Shortwing (Brachypteryx cruralis) ADD AS
Chinese Shortwing (Brachypteryx sinensis) ADD AS
Taiwan Shortwing (Brachypteryx goodfellowi) ADD AS
Cherrie’s Tanager (Ramphocelus costaricensis) DEL AL

Lesser Shortwing (Brachypteryx leucophris) ©Flickr Dave Curtis

Additions and Deletions – Version 9.1

Name Changes

PREVIOUS IOC LISTS SCIENTIFIC NAME IOC LIST V9.1
Southern Boobook (Ninox boobook) – Australian Boobook
Hantu Boobook (Ninox squamipila) –  Seram Boobook
Bicolored Mouse-warbler (Aethomyias nigrorufus) –  Bicolored Scrubwren
White-tailed Hillstar (Urochroa bougueri) – Rufous-gaped Hillstar
Square-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus ludwigii)  – Common Square-tailed Drongo
Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus)  – Warbling White-eye
Oriental White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosa) – Indian White-eye
Montane White-eye (Zosterops poliogastrus) – Heuglin’s White-eye
African Yellow White-eye (Zosterops senegalensis) – Northern Yellow White-eye
Long-billed Gnatwren (Ramphocaenus melanurus) – Trilling Gnatwren
Yellow-throated Petronia (Gymnoris superciliaris) – Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow
Bush Petronia (Gymnoris dentata) – Sahel Bush Sparrow
Yellow-spotted Petronia (Gymnoris pyrgita) – Yellow-spotted Bush Sparrow
Passerini’s Tanager (Ramphocelus passerinii) – Scarlet-rumped Tanager

Name Changes – Version 9.1

Yellow-spotted Petronia Now Yellow-spotted Bush Sparrow (Gymnoris pyrgita) ©WikiC

Plus, there were numerous changes in Taxonomy. Here is the link to those changes and why they were changed:

Taxonomic Updates Version 9.1

Birds of the World

I.O.C. Version 8.1 Update Completed

Yellow-Breasted Chat (Icteria virens) USGS

Yellow-Breasted Chat (Icteria virens) USGS

“The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the island, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest.” (Isaiah 34:14 KJV)

The I.O.C. Version 8.1 Update is finally completed on this blog. After issues with my Excel spreadsheet, all the pages are now current. It must have been some feathers from that family of birds they through up in the air. :) See: Hang On To Your Hat – I.O.C. 8.1 Update Underway the Thamnophilidae – Antbirds Family).

There actually was so many changes that I am only going to mention some of them. Here are the new families. The birds were taken from various families and given new places to dwell. Listed are the families at the end of the Passeriformes Order. Some were divided and others had avian wonders pulled from families and placed in these new ones. DNA research is the reason for Most of this shuffling.

Western Chat-Tanager (Calyptophilus tertius) ©Flickr Rafy Rodriguez

Emberizidae – Buntings – Split of New World Sparrows
Passerellidae – New World Sparrows – New
Calyptophilidae – Chat-tanagers – New
Phaenicophilidae – Hispaniolan Tanagers – New
Nesospingidae – Puerto Rican Tanager – New
Spindalidae – Spindalises – New
Zeledoniidae – Wrenthrush – New
Teretistridae – Cuban Warblers – New
Icteriidae – Yellow-breasted Chat – New
Icteridae – Oropendolas, Orioles and Blackbirds – Same
Parulidae – New World Warblers – Gave up birds
Mitrospingidae – Mitrospingid Tanagers – New
Cardinalidae – Cardinals, Grosbeaks and allies – Same
Thraupidae – Tanagers and allies – Gave up birds

“The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.” (Psalms 104:16-17 KJV)

I realize that for most casual birdwatchers, this means very little. Yet, some birders take photos, myself included, and we like to put the correct name on the birds. Also, my photos are stored by families. This helps when writing articles or just trying to find a photo. The desire is that these updates also assist those reading and using the blog.

There are other changes and the best way to find them is by going to these pages from the I.O.C.:

Be sure to check out the Birds of the World pages:

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Dividing the Buntings and Sparrows – I.O.C. 8.1

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) ©WikiC

Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge? (Job 37:16 KJV)

This latest I.O.C. list of World Bird Names is quite an undertaking. As these ornithologists from around the world gain information from the DNA studies, their thinking of Bird Families change. When the Lord created the world and the birds, He placed the DNA in living creatures and man, knowing that one day it would be discovered. With that said, they keep arranging birds different families.

The New World Sparrows and the Buntings were placed in one family called Emberizidae. Now the 44 Buntings own that family – Emberizidae – Buntings and the 136 New World Sparrows have been pulled out and are now in the new Passerellidae – New World Sparrows Family.

Sudan Golden Sparrow (Passer luteus) by Dan

Sudan Golden Sparrow (Passer luteus) by Dan

I realize many casual birdwatchers do well to put a name on a bird, let alone know what family to which they belong. Yet, when you look in a Bird Guide to find the name of the bird, it helps to know that they are divided into families.

This is just one of the new pages that have been adding to this site with the newest IOC update. Stay tuned, I’m still building pages. I have 8 or 9 more I am in the process of completing.

Emberizidae – Buntings

Passerellidae – New World Sparrows

New World Sparrows (Passerellidae) | HBW Alive

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Latest I.O.C. Update is Version 7.2 – Taxonomy and Finished

Sandhill Cranes – Adult and Juvenile in our yard 8/27/10

The latest I.O.C. Birds of the World Version 7.2 is now completed on this site. [As far as I know] Just finished updating all the Indexes for the birds by the First Name and by the Last Name. I trust this will continue to assist in finding just that bird you are looking for. [I find it easier to find the birds on Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures, than out in the field trying to find them. :0) ]

Indexes:

The last two articles, Latest I.O.C. Update is Version 7.2 – Name Changes  and the Species Changes listed those changes. Today’s updates are in the Taxonomy. Some of these were changes in genera, a few were spelling corrections, a couple of them shuffled some birds around.

Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) by Lee at Wings of Asia

Five Cranes had a change of genus fron Grus:

  • Siberian Crane (Leucogeranus leucogeranus)
  • Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)
  • White-naped Crane (Antigone vipio)
  • Sarus Crane (Antigone antigone)
  • Brolga (Antigone rubicunda)
Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus) ©WikiC

Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmeus) ©WikiC

The Surfbird, Ruff, Broad-billed Sandpipe, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, and the Buff-breasted Sandpiper were all changed to the Calidris genus.

Rufous-rumped Antwren (Euchrepomis callinota) ©Neotropical Birds

Four Antwrens were changed from the Terenura genus to the Euchrepomis genus. They are the Rufous-rumped Antwren, Chestnut-shouldered Antwren, Yellow-rumped Antwren, and the Ash-winged Antwren.

Two Bulbuls; the Olive Bulbul had a spelling correction from virescens to viridescens, and the Buff-vented Bulbul is Iole crypta.

And last of all, two Laughingthrushes, the Black-chined and Kerala, have a new genus of Montecincla.

Most casual birdwatchers are not too concerned about these kinds of changes, but those who work with photos and life lists, etc. have an interest.

Until the next update, it is hoped that the indexes and information will be helpful.

“They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge.”  (Proverbs 8:9 NKJV)

Birds of the World

I. O. C. 6.1 Updated

White-rimmed Brushfinch ©Dusan M Brinkhuizen

White-rimmed Brushfinch ©Dusan M Brinkhuizen

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NKJV)

Well, they released a new I.O.C. version of World Bird Names. This version is 6.1 and I have been working on updating the site to reflect the new changes. It was not a really huge change, thankfully. In fact, they only added five new species and deleted one.

The IOC World Bird List 6.1 contains 10,615 extant species (and 154 extinct species)  classified in 40 Orders,  239 Families (plus 2 Incertae Sedis) and 2283 Genera and 20,601 Subspecies.

The new species are:

  • ‘Tschui’s’ Nightjar (Systellura decussata)
  • ‘Western’ [Striolated] Puffbird (Nystalus obamai)
  • Sedge Wren (Cistothorus stellaris)
  • Bundok Flycatcher (Ficedula luzoniensis)
  • Merida Brushfinch (Atlapetes meridae)

The Roosevelt Stipple-throated Antwren (Epinecrophylla dentei) was deleted.

Common Loon (Gavia immer) with young by Raymond Barlow

Common Loon (Gavia immer) with young by Raymond Barlow

There were some name changes, the biggest one was the forty (40) Brush Finch being renamed Brushfinch.

Here are the other name changes:

  • Great Northern Loon (Gavia immer) back to Common Loon  – Revert to established (North American) name
  • Crowned Solitary Eagle (Buteogallus coronatus) to Chaco Eagle
  • Montane Solitary Eagle (Buteogallus solitarius) to Solitary Eagle
  • Andean Snipe (Gallinago jamesoni) to Jameson’s Snipe
  • Scaly-throated Earthcreeper (Upucerthia dumetaria) to Scale-throated Earthcreeper
  • Macgregor’s Bowerbird (Amblyornis macgregoriae) to MacGregor’s Bowerbird
  • Macgregor’s Honeyeater (Macgregoria pulchra) to MacGregor’s Honeyeater
  • Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis) to Grass Wren
  • Hood Mockingbird (Mimus macdonaldi) to Espanola Mockingbird
Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak (Parkerthraustes humeralis) Drawing ©WikiC

Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak (Parkerthraustes humeralis) Drawing ©WikiC

Then in the Taxonomy changes; here are those changes:

The biggest change here was moving the Yellow-shouldered ((Parkerthraustes humeralis) out of the Card family and placing it in the Thraupidae Family because it is actually a Tanager.

  • Lesser Moorhen (Paragallinula angulata)
  • Spot-flanked Gallinule (Porphyriops melanops)
  • Mascarene Parrot (Mascarinus mascarinus)
  • Chapada Flycatcher (Suiriri affinis)
  • Dickcissel (Spiza americana)  Resequence Spiza as sister to blue cardinals (Cyanocompsa)

All the indexes are up to date except the Last Name – First Name listings. Because it was such a small amount of changes, they will be updated on the next update. The First Name – Last Name indexes are all corrected to the 6.1 Version. (That is the one most people search.)

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Birds of the World

Birds of the World Families

First Name – Last Name

Last Name – First Name

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I.O.C. Version 5.4 Updated on Blog

Amur Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone incei) ©WikiC

Amur Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone incei) ©WikiC

Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him…. (Genesis 2:19-20 NKJV)

A couple of days ago this blog’s Birds of the World indexes were finally updated. With company, a memorial, travel, health, housework, etc., etc. it is finally up to date. In New Kingfisher Species, you were notified of the new 21 Kingfishers in the I.O.C. Version 5.4 update.

This Version now lists 10,612 extant species and 153 extinct species of birds of the world (Version 5.4), with subspecies (20,757) and annotations. There are 40 Orders, 239 Families (plus 2 Incertae sedis), 2282 Genera. The overall count was 33 new species added, including the 21 Kingfishers.

Here are the other 12 new Species added: (none were deleted this time)

Taiwan Bamboo Partridge (Bambusicola sonorivox) ©WikiC

Taiwan Bamboo Partridge (Bambusicola sonorivox) ©WikiC

“As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, So is he who gets riches, but not by right; It will leave him in the midst of his days, And at his end he will be a fool.” (Jeremiah 17:11 NKJV)

Taiwan Bamboo Partridge (Bambusicola sonorivox)
Subantarctic Shearwater (Puffinus elegans)
Desert Owl (Strix hadorami)
Roosevelt Stipple-throated Antwren (Epinecrophylla dentei)
Perija Tapaculo (Scytalopus perijanus)
Cryptic Treehunter (Cichlocolaptes mazarbarnetti)
Amur Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone incei)
‘Blyth’s/Oriental’ Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone affinis)
Papuan Scrub Robin (Drymodes beccarii)
North Island Robin (Petroica longipes)
Norfolk Robin (Petroica multicolor)
Highland Rush Warbler (Bradypterus centralis)

They also changed the English names of these birds:

Indian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi) by Nikhil Devasar

Indian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi) by Nikhil Devasar

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “HE CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR OWN CRAFTINESS”; and again, “THE LORD KNOWS THE THOUGHTS OF THE WISE, THAT THEY ARE FUTILE.” (1 Corinthians 3:19-20 NKJV)

Rough-faced Shag (Leucocarbo carunculatus) – to – New Zealand King Shag
Bronze Shag (Leucocarbo chalconotus) – to – Stewart Shag
Paradise Parakeet (Psephotellus pulcherrimus) – to – Paradise Parrot
Hume’s Owl (Strix butleri) – to – Omani Owl
Tuamoto Kingfisher (Todiramphus gambieri) – to – Mangareva Kingfisher
Micronesian Kingfisher (Todiramphus cinnamominus) – to – Guam Kingfisher
Variable Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx lepidus) – to – Moluccan Dwarf Kingfisher
Silvery Kingfisher (Ceyx argentatus) – to – Southern Silvery Kingfisher
Asian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi) – to – Indian Paradise Flycatcher
New Zealand Robin (Petroica australis) – to – South Island Robin

They also made these species taxonomy changes:

Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus pacificus_Ardenna pacifica) by Ian

Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus pacificus to Ardenna pacifica) by Ian

“And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” (Genesis 1:22 NKJV)

(Puffinus pacificus) to Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna pacifica)
(Puffinus bulleri) to Buller’s Shearwater (Ardenna bulleri)
(Puffinus griseus) to Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea)
(Puffinus tenuirostris) to Short-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris)
(Puffinus creatopus) to Pink-footed Shearwater (Ardenna creatopus)
(Puffinus carneipes) to Flesh-footed Shearwater (Ardenna carneipes)
(Puffinus gravis) to Great Shearwater (Ardenna gravis)
(Petroica multicolor) to Pacific Robin (Petroica pusilla)
(Leucosticte sillemi) to Sillem’s Mountain Finch (Carpodacus sillemi)

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Birds of the World

ORDERS

Families

Species Index

New Kingfisher Species – I.O.C. Version 5.4

I.O.C. Update 5.4 Version

Good News

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Here We Go Again – IOC Version 3.3

Narrow-billed Tody (Todus angustirostris) ©WikiC

Narrow-billed Tody (Todus angustirostris) ©WikiC

Well, here we go again updating the Birds of the World pages. I knew when I finally got version 3.2 finished that they would be releasing the newest updates. So, while I have been sticking close to home for several weeks while fighting a virus, the updates have been worked on. Most were routine, but 3 families; Accipitridae – Kites, Hawks and EaglesCaprimulgidae – Nightjars and the Fringillidae – Finches have undergone major Taxonomic Updates. The first two families are finished, but I still have the Finches to do. (Update 2/23 – Finished 3.3 Version – Indexes included)

There are now 10,476 extant species and 149 extinct species of birds of the world (Version 3.3), not counting supspecies. There are 40 Orders, 231 Families (plus 6 Incertae sedis), 2268 Genera, for a total of 237 Family pages to update. The first 109 pages are done (Non-Passerines), and the last 100 are finished, minus the Finches. (Don’t ask why I worked that way because I have no answer.) I have less than 40 left to do.

While I have been working on them more photos, drawings and video links have been added. I have really been putting a push on to try to get 100% of each family completed. Because it takes time and effort, I made some Awards for the effort. If 100% of the species have a photo or a video then this Award is posted:

100 Percent of Photos

If 100% completed with almost all photos, but some Drawings because Photos can’t be found, at least by me, then this is the Award:

100 Percent of Images

Then if everything is complete except nothing for an Extinct bird can be found, then this is the Award:

100 Percent of Images-Extinct

It may seem silly, but it helps to feel like something is being accomplished.

While I have been going through the families some really neat birds have been spotted and want to share some of them with you. The Narrow-billed Tody (Todus angustirostris) up at the top comes from the Todidae – Todies Family (100 %). Wikipedia says,”The todies are a family, Todidae, of Caribbean birds in the order Coraciiformes, which also includes the kingfishers, bee-eaters and rollers. The family has one genus, Todus. These are small, near passerine species of forests of the Greater Antilles: Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Cuba, with adjacent islands, have one species each, and Hispaniola has two, the Broad-billed Tody in the lowlands (including Gonâve Island) and the Narrow-billed Tody in the highlands.” I think considering his small size, he looks like he has an “attitude.”

Fischer's Turaco (Tauraco fischeri) ©WikiC

Fischer’s Turaco (Tauraco fischeri) ©WikiC

Here is another of the Lord’s creations that just blew me away when I saw it. This Fischer’s Turaco (Tauraco fischeri) is just fantastic. The whole Musophagidae – Turacos Family (100 %) is really colorful. Again, from Wikipedia, “The turacos make up the bird family Musophagidae (literally “banana-eaters”), which includes plantain-eaters and go-away-birds. In southern Africa both turacos and go-away-birds are commonly known as louries. They are semi-zygodactylous – the fourth (outer) toe can be switched back and forth. The second and third toes, which always point forward, are conjoined in some species. Musophagids often have prominent crests and long tails; the turacos are noted for peculiar and unique pigments giving them their bright green and red feathers.”

Crested Coua (Coua cristata) by Lee LPZ

Crested Coua (Coua cristata) by Lee LPZ

One sad note, we did ride over to Tampa this week to renew our annual pass to Lowry Park Zoo and found out that the beautiful Crested Couas had died. The man we were talking to didn’t go into detail, but said something tragic happened to both. That has always been one of my favorites in their aviary. Couas are members of the Cuculidae – Cuckoos Family.

Many people make list of the birds they see and that is really neat and enjoyable. Many try to see how many they see each year, in each state, county or country, etc. Doing these pages are starting to become a list of all the birds that I have seen a photo, video, or drawing of. Not sure if it counts for anything, but it is enjoyable and amazing to see the variety and beauty of God’s Omnipotent and Omniscient Hand at work. Yes, I would like to see all 10,000 plus of the birds, but it is not my main ambition in life. The verses in Matthew 16:24-26 keep coming to mind as the work has progressed.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:24-26 KJV)

Enjoy the birds, but let their beauty draw you to their Creator.

Wordless Birds

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