Recent molecular comparisons have better defined relationships among high-level taxonomic groups in birds. To reflect new data and classification changes, NCBI is improving our Taxonomy resource. As previously announced, we updated the higher-level classification of birds (Aves) with the introduction of a new major taxonomic group (clade).
What’s new?
The new clade, Neoaves, comprises about 95% of all birds. The Neoaves contain six major superordinal clades:
- Aequornithes (core water birds)
- Telluraves (core land birds)
- Columbimorphae (pigeons, sandgrouse and mesites)
- Otidimorphae (cuckoos, roadrunners, turacos and bustards)
- Strisores (nightjars, nighthawks, potoos, swifts and hummingbirds)
- Mirandornithes (flamingos and grebes)
This update affects 23 million nucleotide records and improves the otherwise flat lineage of birds. These changes will not affect organism names at species rank and below.
Check it out in the Taxonomy Browser.
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