Classification of modern bird orders

Classification of modern bird orders

Neornithes   Palaeognathae  Struthioniformes Tinamiformes  Neognathae    Other birds (Neoaves) Galloanserae  Anseriformes Galliformes

Basal divergences of modern birds                               based on Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy

Cladogram showing a 2012 classification of Neoaves,        based on several phylogenetic studies.

This is a list of the taxonomic orders in the subclass Neornithes, or modern birds. This list uses the traditional classification (the so-called Clements order), revised by the Sibley-Monroe classification. The list of birds gives a more detailed summary of the orders, including families.

Subclass Neornithes

The subclass Neornithes has two extant superorders –

Superorder Palaeognathae:

The name of the superorder is derived from paleognath, the ancient Greek for "old jaws" in reference to the skeletal anatomy of the palate, which is described as more primitive and reptilian than that in other birds. The Palaeognathae consists of two orders which comprise 49 existing species.

Struthioniformes—ostriches, emus, kiwis, and allies

Tinamiformes—tinamous

Superorder Neognathae:

The superorder Neognathae comprises 27 orders which have a total of nearly ten thousand species. The Neognathae have undergoneadaptive radiation to produce the staggering diversity of form (especially of the bill and feet), function, and behaviour that are seen today.

The orders comprising the Neognathae are:

Anseriformes—waterfowl

Galliformes—fowl

Charadriiformes—gulls, button-quails, plovers and allies

Gaviiformes—loons

Podicipediformes—grebes

Procellariiformes—albatrosses, petrels, and allies

Sphenisciformes—penguins

Pelecaniformes—pelicans and allies

Phaethontiformes—tropicbirds

Ciconiiformes—storks and allies

Cathartiformes—New World vultures

Phoenicopteriformes—flamingos

Falconiformes—falcons, eagles, hawks and allies

Gruiformes—cranes and allies

Pteroclidiformes—sandgrouse

Columbiformes—doves and pigeons

Psittaciformes—parrots and allies

Cuculiformes—cuckoos and turacos

Opisthocomiformes—hoatzin

Strigiformes—owls

Caprimulgiformes—nightjars and allies

Apodiformes—swifts and hummingbirds

Coraciiformes—kingfishers and allies

Piciformes—woodpeckers and allies

Trogoniformes—trogons

Coliiformes—mousebirds

Passeriformes—passerines

The radically different Sibley-Monroe classification (Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy), based on molecular data, found widespread adoption in a few aspects, as recent molecular, fossil, and anatomical evidence supported the Galloanserae.