Taxonomy

Analysis of avian DNA, biometrics and vocalisations add to our understanding of bird species all the time. We cover all the 'splits', lumps and discoveries.

Taxonomy

New species of hummingbird proposed in Bahamas

A new study has proposed that Bahama Woodstar - a common and familiar sight across the Bahama Archipelago - actually comprises two species.

12/02/2015

This Azorean Chaffinch of the subspecies <em>moreletti</em> is certainly distinctive, and a split is hinted at, though not confirmed in the new study. Photo: Froth82 (commons.wikimedia.org).

Taxonomy

Atlantic Chaffinch subspecies to be split?

A new study recommends that several Atlantic subspecies of Chaffinch are revised with a view to a split.

27/01/2015

This male Blackish Antbird from its core range in the central Amazonian region remains as it was, but has now lost a western subspecies to a split. Photo: Hector Bottai (commons.wikimedia.org).

Taxonomy

Another Amazonian cryptic species split

Another cryptic Amazonian ant-eating species has been found to conceal more species level forms - in the case one of the antbirds.

27/01/2015

Despite its superficial similarity to other wren-babblers, Spotted Wren-babbler has been found to be a parallel-evolved species belonging to its own family, and derived from a more ancient lineage. Photo: Ramki Sreenivasan (Conservation India).

Taxonomy

Cryptic single-species bird family discovered

While birders are accustomed to DNA analysis identifying new species, it has now uncovered a whole new family.

22/12/2014

Glowing Puffleg giving a demonstration of how it got its English name. Photo: Keith Bowers (commons.wikimedia.org).

Taxonomy

Hummingbirds a-gogo

New research has found that there were once, probably are, and almost certainly will be many more species of hummingbird than are known at...

14/04/2014

Hume's Lesser Whitethroat in Hyderabad, India. Photo: J M Garg (commonswikimedia.org).

Ornithology

Sorting out Lesser Whitethroat

A new analysis of the confusing Central Asian Lesser Whitethroat subspecies has helped more clearly define the limits of each.

03/03/2014

The hummingbird White-bearded Helmetcrest has just been split from Bearded, along with three other new species. Image: Ã‰mile Parzudaki (commons.wikimedia.org).

Taxonomy

Helmetcrest splits

A widespread but distinctive South American hummingbird has now been split into four full species.

03/03/2014

Hooded Crow, like this bird in Jerusalem, Israel, could be merely a stable colour morph rather than the full species we currently believe it to be. Photo: SuperJew (commons.wikimedia.org).

Taxonomy

Crows in black and white

A genetic survey of corvid museum specimens has revealed that crows readily switched plumage colours during their evolution, suggests new...

27/02/2014

Scaly-breasted Wren-babbler, here photographed in Himachal Pradesh, India, was hiding a new species in the Chinese part of its range. Photo: J M Garg (commons.wikimedia.org).

Taxonomy

Wren-babbler split

Analysis of the voice and genes of a Chinese mountain wren-babbler has indicated that there are two species present.

27/02/2014

This newly re-christened Sagebrush Sparrow Fort Rock State Park, Oregon, has arisen as a result of the splits in Sage Sparrow. Photo: Innotata (commons.wikimedia.org).

Taxonomy

AOU changes

A key split features in the American Ornithologists’ Union's latest round of taxonomic revisions, but other predicted changes have been put...

27/02/2014

This captive Thick-billed Parrot at Queens Zoo, New York, USA, is now likely to be lumped with the rarer Maroon-fronted Parrot in its native Mexico. Photo: Futureman1199 (commons.wikimedia.org).

Taxonomy

Parrots lumped

Molecular research indicates that two Mexican parrot species should be lumped together as subspecies.

27/02/2014

Crested Lark, seen here in Dubai, UAE, has long been mooted for potential splits. Photo: Nepenthes (commons.wikimedia.org).

Taxonomy

Up with the larks

A comprehensive study of the lark family has resulted in several potential splits and lumps being revealed in Crested and Thekla Lark.

27/02/2014

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