List of extinct birds

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The bird taxa that were extinct prehistorically in the late Quaternary and mostly only incompletely fossilized are listed under Late Quaternary Avifauna .

The bird taxa, which has been extinct since 1500, can be found under the list of modern-day extinct birds .

A copy of the "Berlin copy" of Archeopteryx , probably the most famous bird fossil

It is generally accepted that birds descend from feathered dinosaurs (theropods) and that no clear separation can be made between birds and dinosaurs . However, in contrast to the dinosaurs, some bird species have apparently survived the great extinction of species at the Cretaceous-Tertiary border . The term "bird" is used quite broadly in this article - it includes all members of the Aves class . Some groups of dinosaurs that may or may not have been real birds can be found under “Proto-birds”.

This page contains a list of prehistoric bird taxa based exclusively on fully fossilized finds. The listed taxa all died out before the late Quaternary and it can therefore be ruled out that humans were decisively involved in these events. Causes of extinction are more likely to be stochastically distributed abiotic events such as B. meteorite impacts, gigantic volcanic eruptions and climate changes triggered by the earth's orbit shifts. Another explanation for the extinction of species may be of a biological nature and is based on evolutionary shifts initiated by advancing or competing taxa - what is striking in this context is the enormously high extinction of species among seabirds during the Middle Tertiary , which at least partially coincides with the simultaneous Explain the spread of the competing marine mammals.

A precise taxonomic position is usually very difficult to determine, since many taxa are often only preserved in fragments and have also undergone complete fossilization, which thwarted an explanatory DNA , RNA or protein sequence analysis . The taxa appearing in this article should be regarded as "fossil" and thus as extinct.

Taxonomic list of fossilized prehistoric birds

Superordinate taxa are shown in their probable or suspected phylogenetic arrangement. Taxa at the genus level or lower are listed in ascending chronological order (i.e. older taxa are listed first). The superordinate groupings of the non-neornithes are based on the phylogenetic relationships already proposed by Luis Chiappe, but at the same time incorporate more recent research results. The subdivisions are comprehensive in ascending order:

 
 
 
 Proto-birds
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Basal birds
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Basal pygostylia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Enantiornithes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Basal ornithurae
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hesperornithes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ichthyornithes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Neornithes
 
 

Note: Taxonomic assignments, especially for the genera from Pygostylia to Neornithes, are still very provisional and are therefore subject to further changes.

† " Proto-birds "

This section contains very early fossils, some of which may well be considered the remains of the first birds. The remainder are considered theropods , but their systematic position with regard to birds is controversial. Most scientists consider this subgroup to be close relatives of birds - especially the strange Alvarezsauridae . Some researchers go even further and rank them right below the birds. In any case, these fossil forms clearly show that feathered wings and other typical bird characteristics are not only found in real birds, but also developed independently in various related lateral lines within the theropods.

See also the articles Archeopterygiformes , Deinonychosauria and Origin of Birds .

The Scansoriopterygidae are possibly the closest relatives of Archeopteryx

† Basal birds

Most primitive birds, as a rule, have a long bony tail, the vertebrae do not yet show any adhesions.

Omnivoropterygiformes

† Basal pygostylia

The first birds with a modern pygostyle : the tail vertebrae simultaneously experience a reduction in their number and grow together. It may be a paraphyletic group. Two types of pygostyle are known:

It is not yet certain whether the birds' pygostyle actually represent synapomorphies .

† Enantiornithes

"Opposite birds" due to the joint connection between the shoulder blade and the raven bone, which is different from that of modern birds . They are an extinct subclass from the Mesozoic Era . Together with the ornithuromorpha (which include the modern birds) they are placed among the ornithothoraces . The birds adapted to flying in a modern way, even if there are individual differences. So it was z. B. by modifying the shoulder blades possible to lift the wings high above the bird's back. The individual shoulder bones often differ markedly in the individual subgroups of the Ornithothoraces; this, together with the different formation of the pygostyle in the enantiornithes and the ornithuromorpha, possibly calls into question the monophyly of the ornithocera.

Reconstruction of an Iberomesornis romerali , a tiny primitive enantiornithid.
He was no bigger than today's finch .

Enantiornithiformes

† Basal ornithures

Also known as ornithuromorpha . These are essentially modern birds, but many taxa still have primitive features such as B. teeth or wing claws. Like modern birds, they have a plow-sharp pygostyle and a bird-typical tail. The taxonomy of this group is confusing - the term "Ornithurae" was first proposed by Ernst Haeckel in 1866 and its definition has been revised several times since then. The Ornithuromorpha, however, are perhaps just a synonym of the Ornithothoraces (or the Pygostylia ).

  • Taxa of unexplained and basal position
    • Gansus (Lower Cretaceous) - basal
    • Archaeorhynchus (Lower Cretaceous) - basal?
    • Apsaravis (Upper Cretaceous) - an Ambiortide?
    • Limenavis (Upper Cretaceous) - a (paleognathic) Neornithes?
    • "cf. Parahesperornis " (Upper Crayon of the Nemegt Formation, Tsagaan Kushu, Mongolia) - a Hesperornithiformes?
    • Ornithurae gen. Et sp. indet. RBCM.EH2005.003.0001 (Upper Cretaceous Northumberland Formation, Hornby Island, Canada)
    • Ornithurae gen. Et sp. indet. TMP 98.68.145 (Upper Cretaceous Dinosaur Park Formation, Iddesleigh, Canada) - a Hesperornithiformes?
    • Carinatae gen. Et sp. indet. NHMM / RD 271 (Upper Cretaceous Maastricht Formation, CBR-Romontbos Quarry, Belgium) - an Ichthyornithes?
  • Ambiortidae

Yanornithiformes

† Hesperornithes

Skull of a Hesperornis with the characteristic teeth.

Large, toothed diving birds similar to the loons .

† Ichthyornithes

Toothed birds comparable to today's seagulls .

Neornithes

This subclass includes all modern birds.

Taxa of unexplained and basal position
These morphologically modern-looking birds are only known from fossil remains, but cannot be associated with any of the existing modern groups. The degree of their autapomorphism is not enough to classify them as independent orders. Many taxa from the Upper Cretaceous or from the Palaeogene are likely to represent extremely original representatives of modern orders.

  • † Gallornis (Lower Cretaceous -? Upper Cretaceous) - a Phoenicopteriformes, Anseriformes or Galliformes
  • † Ceramornis (Upper Cretaceous) - a Charadriiformes?
  • † " Cimolopteryx " (Upper Cretaceous) - a Charadriiformes?
  • † Palintropus (Upper Cretaceous) - a Quercymegapodiid or a Charadriiformes
  • "Presbyornithidae" gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Cretaceous of the Barun Goyot Formation, Udan Sayr, Mongolia) - a (presbyornithid) Anseriformes?
  • † Teviornis (Upper Cretaceous) - a Presbyornithid?
  • † Torotix (Upper Cretaceous) - a Pelecaniformes, Charadriiformes, Procellariiformes or a Phoenicopteriformes
  • † Neornithes incerta sedis "Kurochkin 1995" (Upper Cretaceous of the Nemegt Formation, Southern Mongolia) - a Phalacrocoracidae?
  • † Neornithes incerta sedis AMNH FR 25272 (Upper Cretaceous Lance Creek Formation, Converse County, USA) - a Phalacrocoracidae?
  • † Neornithes incerta sedis PVPH 237 (Upper Cretaceous of the Portezuelo Formation, Sierra de Portezuelo, Argentina) - a Galliformes?
  • † Neornithes incerta sedis UCMP 117598 (Upper Cretaceous Hell Creek Formation, Bug Creek West, USA)
  • † Neornithes incerta sedis UCMP 117599 (Upper Cretaceous Hell Creek Formation, Bug Creek West, USA) - an Anseriformes?
  • † Lonchodytes (Upper Cretaceous /? Lower Palaeocene) - a Gaviiformes / Pelecaniformes? a procellariiformes?
  • † "Lonchodytes" pterygius (Upper Cretaceous /? Lower Palaeocene) - a Charadriiformes?
  • † Novacaesareala (Upper Cretaceous / Lower Paleocene) - related to Torotix ?
  • † "Palaeotringa" vetus (Upper Cretaceous of the Lance Creek Formation, Wyoming - Upper Cretaceous /? Lower Paleocene of the Hornerstown Formation, New Jersey, USA) - a Gruiformes? a (presbyornithider) Anseriformes?
  • † Volgavis (Lower Paleocene of Volgograd, Russia) - a Charadriiformes?
  • † Qinornis (Lower / Middle Paleocene of the Fangou Formation, Luonan County, China)
  • † Eupterornis (Paleocene of Cernay, France) - a (larider?) Charadriiformes? a Gaviiformes?
  • † Argilliornis (Lower Eocene of London Clay, England) - a (pelagornithider?) Procellariiformes
  • † Argillipes (Lower Eocene of the London Clay, England) - a Galliformes?
  • † Coturnipes (Lower Eocene of England and Virginia, USA?) - a falconiform? Galliformes
  • † Fluviatitavis (Lower Eocene from Silveirinha, Portugal) - a Charadriiformes?
  • † Neanis (Lower Eocene) - a Primobucconide, a Piciformes?
  • † Neptuniavis (Lower Eocene of the London Clay, England) - a Pelagornithid or a Procellariidae
  • † Onychopteryx (Lower Eocene of Argentina) - a Falconid? A noun dubium
  • † Paleophasianus (Lower Eocene of the Willwood Formation, Bighorn County, USA) - a (tetraonine or cracider) Galliformes or an (aramid) Gruiformes?
  • † Paracathartes (Lower Eocene of the central western USA) - a lithornithiform?
  • † Parvigyps (Lower Eocene of London Clay, England) - a Falconiformes?
  • † Pediorallus (Lower Eocene of the London Clay, England) - a Lithornithiformes or a Galliformes?
  • † Percolinus (Lower Eocene of London Clay, England) - a Galliformes?
  • † " Precursor " (Lower Eocene) - several types? One (pseudasturider or psittacider) Psittaciformes and one (glareolider)? Charadriiformes
  • † Procuculus (Lower Eocene by Bognor Regis, England) - a Parvicuculide? A primobucconide? Located near Primapus ?
  • † Pulchrapollia (Lower Eocene) - includes "Primobucco" olsoni - a (pseudasturider or psittacider)? Psittaciformes
  • † Vastanavis (Lower Eocene of Vastan, India) - a (otidider)? Gruiformes
  • † Neornithes incerta sedis USNM 496384 (Lower Eocene of the Nanjemoy Formation, Virginia, USA) - a parvicuculide? an aegithalornithid?
  • † "Green River Palaeognath" USNM 336103 (Lower / Middle Eocene of the Green River Formation)
  • † Palaeopsittacus (Lower - Middle Eocene Northwestern Europe) - a (podargider?) Caprimulgiformes or a Quercypsittide?
  • † Eocathartes (Middle Eocene of Germany) - a Cathartide?
  • † Geiseloceros (Middle Eocene of Germany) - a Coraciiformes?
  • † Hassiavis (Middle Eocene from Messel, Germany) - an Archaeotrogonide, a Piciformes?
  • † Protocypselomorphus (Middle Eocene von Messel, Germany) - a Caprimulgiformes, an Apodiformes or their ancestor
  • † Pumiliornis (Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany)
  • † Eobalearica (Upper? Eocene of Ferghana, Uzbekistan) - a (gruider) Gruiformes?
  • † Ludiortyx (Upper Eocene) - a Rallide, a Quercymegapodid? Includes "Tringa" hoffmanni , "Palaeortyx" blanchardi , "P." Hoffmanni
  • † Minggangia (Upper Eocene of China) - a Rallide, a Threskiornithidae?
  • † Petropluvialis (Upper Eocene of England) - possibly identical to Palaeopapia ; an anseriformes?
  • † "Phasianus" alfhildae (Upper Eocene Washakie Formation, Washakie B, Haystack Butte, USA) - a Gruiformes, Ciconiiformes or Phoenicopteriformes?
  • † Talantatos (Upper Eocene of the Paris Basin, France) - a (cariamider, idiornithider?) Gruiformes? Includes possibly Elaphrocnemus and Filholornis
  • † Telecrex (Upper Eocene of the Chimney Butte, Irdin Manha Formation, Inner Mongolia, China) - a (rallider?) Meleagride or Gruiformes?
  • † Neornithes incertae sedis AMNH FR 2941 (Upper Eocene of the Chimney Butte, Irdin Manha Formation, China) - a (accipitridaer) Falconiformes? a Gruiformes ( Eogrus )?
  • † "Falco" falconellus (or falconella ; Eocene of Wyoming, USA) - a (falconider) Falconiformes?
  • † "Colymboides" anglicus (Upper Eocene / Lower Oligocene from Hordwell, England) - a Gaviiformes? Formerly included in Palaeopapia eous
  • † Filholornis (Upper Eocene / Lower Oligocene of France) - a Musophagide, Cracide, Carimide, or Idiornithide? May be part of Talantatos
  • † Geranopsis (Upper Eocene - Lower Oligocene of the Hordwell Formation, England) - a (gruider) Gruiformes? Or a (anseranatider)? Anseriformes?
  • † Elaphrocnemus (Lower Eocene? - Middle Oligocene of the Quercy Phosphorite, Quercy, France) - an Idiornithid? Might belong to Talantatos
  • † Agnopterus (Upper Eocene - Lower Oligocene of Europe) - a Phoenicopteriformes or an Anseriformes, includes "Cygnopterus" lambrechti
  • † Plesiocathartes (Upper Eocene -? Lower Miocene of Southwestern Europe) - a Cathartid, a Leptosomid?
  • † Botauroides (Eocene Wyomings, USA) - a Coliiformes?
  • † Aminornis (Lower Oligocene of the Deseado Formation, Rio Deseado, Argentina) - an (aramid) Gruiformes?
  • † Ciconiopsis (Lower Oligocene of the Deseado Formation, Rio Deseado, Argentina) - a Ciconiide?
  • † Climacarthrus (Lower Oligocene of the Deseado Formation, Rio Deseado, Argentina) - an Accipitridae? A noun dubium
  • † Cruschedula (Lower Oligocene of the Deseado Formation, San Jorge, Argentina) - an Accipitridae? A noun dubium
  • † Dolicopterus (Lower Oligocene of Ronzon, France) - a (charadriidaer) Charadriiformes? It is not about Dolichopterus as so often claimed
  • † Loncornis (Lower Oligocene of the Deseado Formation, Rio Deseado, Argentina) - an (aramid) Gruiformes?
  • † Loxornis (Lower Oligocene of the Deseado Formation, Rio Deseado, Argentina) - an anatoid?
  • † Manu (Lower Oligocene) - a (Diomedeider) Procellariiformes?
  • † Palaeocrex (Lower Oligocene of the Trigonias Quarry, USA) - a Rallide?
  • † Palaeopapia (Lower Oligocene of the Isle of Wight, England) - an Anseriformes?
  • † Paracygnopterus (Lower Oligocene of Belgium and England) - an Anatidae?
  • † "Pararallus" hassenkampi (Lower Oligocene of the Sieblos layers, Sieblos, Germany)
  • † Riacama (Lower Oligocene of the Deseado Formation, Argentina) - a Gruiformes?
  • † Smiliornis (Lower Oligocene of the Deseado Formation, Argentina) - a Gruiformes?
  • † Teracus (Lower Oligocene of France)
  • † Teleornis (Lower Oligocene of the Deseado Formation, Argentina) - an anatid?
  • † Pseudolarus (Lower Oligocene - Miocene of the Deseado Formation, Argentina) - a Gruiformes?
  • † Neornithes incerta sedis BMNH PAL 4989 (Lower Oligocene of the Isle of Wight, England) - once " Ptenornis " and classified under Headonornis ; an anseriformes?
  • † "Anas" creccoides (Lower - Middle Oligocene of Belgium) - an Anseriformes?
  • † "Charadrius" sheppardianus (Middle Oligocene of the Florissant Fossil Beds, USA) - a (charadriidaer) Charadriiformes?
  • † Limicorallus (Middle Oligocene of the Indricotherium Formation, Chelkar-Teniz, Kazakhstan) - an anatid?
  • † Megagallinula (Middle Oligocene of the Indricotherium Formation, Chelkar-Teniz, Kazakhstan)
  • † "Palaeorallus" alienus (Middle Oligocene of Tatal-Gol, Mongolia) - a Galliformes?
  • † "Vanellus" selysii (Middle Oligocene from Rupelmonde, Belgium) - a (charadriidaer) Charadriiformes?
  • † Anserpica (Upper Oligocene of France) - a (gruider?) Gruiformes or an (anseranatider?) Anseriformes?
  • † Gnotornis (Upper Oligocene of the Brule Formation, Shannon County, USA) - an (aramid) Gruiformes?
  • † Tiliornis (Upper? Oligocene of Argentina) - a Phoenicopteriformes? A noun dubium
  • † Neornithes incerta sedis QM F40203 (Upper Eocene from Riversleigh, Australia) - a (rallider) Gruiformes?
  • † Gaviella (Oligocene? From Wyoming, USA) - a Gaviiformes? A plotopterid?
  • † "Anas" Skalicensis (Lower Miocene from "Skalitz", Czech Republic) - an Anseriformes?
  • † Chenornis (Lower Miocene) - an (anatid) Anseriformes or a (phalacrocoracidaer) Pelecaniformes?
  • † "Propelargus" olseni (Lower Miocene of the Hawthorne Formation, Tallahassee, USA) - a Ciconiiformes?
  • † Neornithes incerta sedis MNHN SA 1259-1263 (Lower / Middle Miocene of Sansan, France) - a Passeriformes?
  • † Anisolornis (Middle Miocene of the Santa Cruz Formation, Karaihen, Argentina) - a Gruiformes, Galliformes, Tinamiformes?
  • † "Ardea" perplexa (Middle Miocene of Sansan, France) - an Ardeide? A strigiform?
  • † "Cygnus herrenthalsi" (Middle Miocene of Belgium)
  • † "Anas" risgoviensis (Upper Miocene of Bavaria, Germany) - an Anseriformes?
  • † "Ardea" aureliensis (Upper Miocene of France) - an Ardeide?
  • † Eoneornis (Miocene of Argentina) - an anatid? A noun dubium
  • † Eutelornis (Miocene of Argentina) - an anatid?
  • † Protibis (Miocene of Argentina) - a (threskiornithidaer) Ciconiiformes?
  • † "Limnatornis" paludicola (Miocene of France) - a colid? A phoeniculide?
  • † "Picus" gaudryi (Miocene of France) - a Piciformes?
  • † "Ardea" lignitum (Upper Pliocene of Germany) - an Ardeide? A strigidae (genus Bubo )?
  • † "Gavia" portisi (Upper Pliocene by Orciano Pisano, Italy) - a Gaviiformes? A noun dubium
  • † Bathoceleus (Pliocene of New Providence, Bahamas) - a Picide?
  • † " Homalopus " - a Piciformes? The genus name is already used by a subgenus of Cryptocephalus , a leaf beetle that was described as early as 1835.
  • † Juncitarsus - a Phoenicopteriformes?
  • † Kashinia - a Phoenicopteriformes?
  • † " Liptornis " - a (pelecanider) Pelecaniformes? A noun dubium
  • † Pseudocrypturus - a lithornithiform?
  • † Archaeotrogonidae - basal Cypselomorphae ?
    • Archaeotrogonidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Lower Eocene)
    • Archaeotrogon (Upper Eocene / Lower Oligocene)
  • † Cladornithidae - Pelecaniformes?
    • Cladornis (Lower Oligocene of the Deseado Formation Patagonia, Argentina)
  • † Eleutherornithidae
  • † Eocypselidae - (hemiprocnide?) Apodiformes? Caprimulgiformes? Basal Cypselomorphae ?
    • Eocypselus (Upper Paleocene? - Lower Eocene Northern Europe)
  • † Eremopezidae - ratites?
  • † Foratidae - Cuculiformes?
    • Foro (Lower Eocene)
  • † Fluvioviridavidae
  • † Gracilitarsidae - close relatives of the Sylphornithidae?
  • † Halcyornithidae - (pseudasturide?) Psittaciformes, Coraciiformes?
    • Halcyornis (Lower Eocene of London Clay, England)
  • † Laornithidae - Charadriiformes? Gruiformes?
  • † Messelasturidae - Accipitridae? basal to strigiformes?
    • Tynskya (Lower Eocene of North America and England)
    • Messelastur (Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany)
  • † Palaeospizidae - Passeriformes? Coraciiformes?
    • Palaeospiza (Florissant Fossil Beds, Upper Eocene, USA)
  • † Parvicuculidae - Cypselomorphes, Cuculiformes, Primobucconide?
  • † Remiornithidae - Palaeognathes?
  • † Sylphornithidae - Cuculiformes? Coraciiformes? Closely related to Gracilitarsidae?
    • Sylphornis (Middle Eocene France)
    • Oligosylphe (Lower Oligocene of the Borgloon Formation, Hoogbutsel, Belgium)
  • † Tytthostonygidae - Procellariiformes, Pelecaniformes?
  • † Zygodactylidae - passerine birds , includes Primoscenidae
  • † " Graculavidae " - a paraphyletic mixed taxon, "transitional Limikole"
    • Graculavus (Upper Cretaceous -? Lower Paleocene) - a Charadriiformes?
    • Palaeotringa (Upper Cretaceous / Lower Paleocene) - a Charadriiformes?
    • Telmatornis (Upper Cretaceous?) - a Charadriiformes? A Gruiformes? A podicipediformes?
    • Zhylgaia (Onteres Paleocene) - a Presbyornithid?
    • Scaniornis (Lower / Middle Paleocene) - a Phoenicopteriformes?
    • Dakotornis (Paleocene of North Dakota, USA)
    • Insecure assignment
      • "Graculavidae" gen. Et sp. indet. (Gloucester County, USA)

Struthioniformes - ratites

Ostriches and related ratites .

† Lithornithiformes

  • Lithornithidae - Lithornithide
    • Promusophaga (Lower Eocene)
    • Lithornis (Lower Eocene)

Tinamiformes - cockles

  • Tinamidae - cockles
    • † Querandiornis (Lower / Middle Pleistocene of the Ensenada Formation, Argentina)
    • Insecure assignment
      • Tinamidae gen. Et sp. indet. MACN-SC Fleagle Collection (Lower - Middle Miocene of Southern Argentina) - at least 2 species
    • Prehistoric species of existing genera
      • Eudromia sp. (Upper Miocene of La Pampa Province, Argentina)
      • Eudromia olsoni (Upper Pliocene of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina)
      • Nothura parvula (Upper Pliocene of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina) - formerly Cayeornis
      • Eudromia intermedia (Pliocene of Argentina) - once Tinamisornis
      • Nothura paludosa (Argentine Pleistocene)

Anseriformes - goose birds

Statues of two Mihirung Bullockornis planei in King's Park , Perth .

The group includes modern ducks and geese .

  • Taxa in a basal and uncertain position
    • † Vegavis (Upper Cretaceous) - more closely related to the Presbyornithidae and the Anatidae than to the Anseranatidae
    • † Anatalavis (Upper Cretaceous / Lower Paleocene - Lower Eocene) - an Anseranatide or a taxon basal. Includes "Telmatornis" rex .
    • † Romainvillia (Upper Eocene / Lower Oligocene) - Anseranatidae or Anatidae
    • † Proherodius (Lower Eocene) - a presbyornithid?
    • † Paranyroca (Early Miocene) - Anatidae or own family?
  • Anhimidae - defensive birds
    • † Chaunoides
  • † Dromornithidae - Australian birds or "demon ducks". The last genus ( Genyornis ) was still encountered by humans.
  • Anseranatidae - Magpie geese
    • Anseranatidae gen. Et sp. nov (Upper Oligocene)
  • † Presbyornithidae
    • Presbyornis (Paleocene - Lower Oligocene)
    • Head honor - only BMNH PAL 30325 belongs to this bird, possibly a presbyor .
    • Telmabates
  • Anatidae - ducks, geese, and swans
    • † Eonessa (Eocene)
    • † Cygnavus (Lower Oligocene - Lower Miocene)
    • † Cygnopterus (Middle Oligocene - Lower Miocene) - sometimes under Cygnavus out
    • † Guguschia (Oligocene)
    • † Mionetta (Upper Oligocene - Lower Miocene) - includes "Anas" blanchardi , "A." consobrina and "A." natator
    • † Dunstanetta (Lower / Middle Miocene)
    • † Manuherikia (Lower / Middle Miocene)
    • † Matanas (Lower / Middle Miocene)
    • † Miotadorna (Lower / Middle Miocene)
    • † Megalodytes (Middle Miocene)
    • † Sinanas (Middle Miocene)
    • † Anserobranta (Upper Miocene) - includes "Anas" robusta , dubious status
    • † Dendray (Upper Miocene) - includes "Anas" integra
    • † Presbytes (Upper Miocene)
    • † Afrocygnus (Upper Miocene? - Lower Pliocene)
    • † Balcanas (Lower Pliocene) - may belong to Tadorna
    • † Wasonaka (Middle Pliocene)
    • † Paracygnus (Upper Pliocene)
    • † Anabernicula (Upper Pliocene? - Upper Pleistocene)
    • † Eremochen (Pliocene)
    • † Brantadorna (Middle Pleistocene)
    • † Nannonetta (Upper Pleistocene of Peru)
    • † Aldabranas (Upper Pleistocene)
    • † Archaeocygnus (Pleistocene)
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • "Anas" luederitzensis (Lower Miocene of the Kalahari, Lüderitz Bay, Namibia)
      • "Oxura" doksana (Lower Miocene)
      • Anatidae gen. Et sp. indet. MNZ S42797 (Lower / Middle Miocene)
      • "Aythya" chauvirae (Middle Miocene) - 2 species
      • "cf. Megalodytes" (Middle Miocene)
      • Anatidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Middle Miocene) - several species
      • "Anas" meyerii (Middle Miocene)
      • "Anas" velox (Middle - Upper? Miocene) - possibly includes "A." meyerii
      • "Anas" isarensis (Upper Miocene from Aumeister, Germany)
      • Anatidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Miocene)
      • "Anas" eppelsheimensis (Lower Pliocene of Eppelsheim, Germany)
      • "Chenopis" nanus (Pleistocene) - at least 2 taxa, possibly still living species
    • Recent or recently extinct genera
      • Somateria (Middle Oligocene? - recent)
      • Bucephala (Middle Miocene - recent)
      • Clangula (Middle Miocene - recent)
      • Cygnus (Upper Miocene - recent)
      • Histrionicus (Middle Miocene - rezent) - includes Ocyplonessa with a
      • Mergus (Middle Miocene - recent)
      • Anas (Upper Miocene - recent)
      • Anser (Upper Miocene - recent) - includes heterochons
      • Branta (Upper Miocene - recent)
      • Oxyura (Upper Pliocene / Lower Pleistocene - recent)
      • Aythya (Lower Pleistocene - recent)
      • Chendytes (Lower Pleistocene - Holocene)
      • Lophodytes (Upper Pleistocene - recent)
      • Neochen (Upper Pleistocene - recent)

Galliformes - chicken birds

The group includes the domestic chicken and its relatives.

  • Taxa of unexplained status
    • † Austinornis (Upper Cretaceous) - temporarily classified here; formerly as Graculavus / Ichthyornis / Pedioecetes lentus designated
    • † Procrax (Middle Eocene? - Lower Oligocene) - a Cracide? A gallinuloid?
    • † Palaeortyx (Middle Eocene - Lower Miocene) - a Phasianide or an Odontophoride
    • † Palaeonossax (Upper Oligocene) - a Cracide?
    • † Taoperdix (Upper Oligocene)
    • † Archaeal Electrornis (Oligocene) - a Phasianide?
    • † Galliformes gen. Et sp. indet. MCZ 342506 (Oligocene) - formerly under Gallinuloides ; a phasianid?
    • † Archaeophasianus (Oligocene? - Upper Miocene) - a Tetraonid or a Phasianide
    • † Palaealectoris (Lower Miocene) - a Tetraonid?
    • † Linquornis (Middle Miocene)
    • † Shandongornis (Middle Miocene)
    • † "Cyrtonyx" tedfordi (Upper Miocene)
  • † Gallinuloididae
    • Gallinuloides (Lower / Middle Eocene)
    • Paraortygoides (Lower Eocene of London Clay, Walton-on-the-Naze, England - Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany)
  • † Paraortygidae
    • Pirortyx
    • Paraortyx
  • † Quercymegapodiidae
    • Quercymegapodius (Middle Eocene - Lower Oligocene)
    • Taubacrex (Upper Oligocene / Lower Miocene of Brazil)
    • Ameripodius (Upper Oligocene - Lower Miocene of Brazil and France)
  • Megapodidae - large foot fowl
    • † Ngawupodius
    • Prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Leipoa gallinacea - formerly Progura
  • Cracidae - Hokkohenner
    • † Boreortalis (Lower Miocene) - possibly identical to Ortalis
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
  • Phasianidae - Pheasants (pheasants, quails, partridges, turkeys and other ground birds)
    • † Amitabha (Middle Eocene of the Bridger Formation, Forbidden City, USA)
    • † Schaubortyx (Middle Eocene - Lower Oligocene)
    • † Rhegminornis (Lower Miocene of Bell, USA)
    • † Proagriocharis (Upper Miocene of the Kimball Formation / Lower Pliocene of Lime Creek, USA)
    • † Chauvireria (Upper Pliocene of Varshets, Bulgaria)
    • † Palaeocryptonyx (Upper Pliocene of Southwest Europe)
    • † Miogallus
    • † Miophasianus
    • † Palaeoperdix
    • † Pliogallus
    • † Plioperdix
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • "Tympanuchus" stirtoni (Lower Miocene)
      • Tetraoninae gen. Et sp. indet. (Middle Miocene of the Sajóvölgyi Formation, Mátraszõlõs, Hungary)
      • Meleagridae gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Miocene of Westmoreland County, USA)
      • "Tympanuchus" lulli (Pleistocene? Of New Jersey)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
    • Additional prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Lagopus atavus (Upper Pliocene)
      • Lagopus balcanicus (Upper Pliocene of Varshets, Bulgaria)
      • Tetrao partium (Upper Pliocene - Lower Pleistozân)
      • Tetrao praeurogallus (Lower Pleistocene)
      • Tetrao conjugens
      • Tetrao macropus
      • Tetrao rhodopensis
      • Bonasa praebonasia
      • Prehistoric subspecies of recent species
  • Odontophoridae - New World Quail
    • † Nanortyx (Lower Oligocene of the Cypress Hills Formation, North Calf Creek, Canada)
    • † Miortyx (Lower Miocene of the Rosebud Formation, Flint Hill, USA)
    • † Neortyx (Lower Pleistocene from Reddick, USA)
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • † Odontophoridae gen. Et sp. indet. KUVP 9393 (Lower / Middle Oligocene of the White River Formation, Logan County, USA)
    • Prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Cyrtonyx cooki (Upper Miocene of Upper Sheep Creek, USA)
      • Callipepla ? shotwelli (Middle Pliocene of the McKay Reservoir, USA) - formerly Lophortyx
      • Colinus hibbardi (Upper Pliocene of the Rexroad Formation, Rexroad, USA)
      • Colinus sp. (Upper Pliocene by Benson, USA)
      • Colinus suilium (Lower Pleistocene of the southeastern USA)
      • Dendrortyx ? sp. (Upper Pleistocene of the San Josecito Cave, Mexico)

Charadriiformes - plover-like

Seagulls , alken birds and other Limikole

  • Taxa of a basal and unexplained position
    • † Charadriiformes gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Chalk) - Burhinide? basal?
    • † "Morsoravis" (Upper Paleocene / Lower Eocene) - a noun nudum ?
    • † Jiliniornis (Middle Eocene) - a Charadriidae?
    • † Boutersemia (Lower Oligocene) - a glareolide?
    • † Turnipax (Lower Oligocene) - a turnicide?
    • † Elorius (Lower Miocene)
    • † "Larus" desnoyersii (Lower Miocene of Southeast France) - a Laride? A stercoraride?
    • † "Larus" pristinus (Lower Miocene of the John Day Formation, Willow Creek, USA) - a Laride?
    • † Charadriiformes gen. Et spp. indet. (Lower / Middle Miocene) - different species, including probably a laride
    • † Charadriiformes gen. Et sp. indet. (Middle Miocene)
    • † "Totanus" teruelensis (Upper Miocene of Los Mansuetos, Spain) - a Scolopacid? A laride?
    • † "Actitis" balcanica (Upper Pliocene of Varshets, Bulgaria) - a scolopacid? A Charadriidae?
  • Scolopacidae - snipe birds
    • † Paractitis (Lower Oligocene)
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Scolopacidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Middle - Upper Miocene)
      • Scolopacidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Lower Pliocene)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
      • Limosa (Upper Eocene? - recent)
      • Tringa (Upper Eocene / Oligocene Lower - rezent) - includes Totanus with a
      • Common Snipe (Upper Miocene / Lower Pliocene - recent)
      • Scolopax (Lower / Middle Pliocene? - recent)
      • Phalaropus (Middle Pliocene - recent)
      • Actitis (Upper Pliocene - recent)
      • Numenius (Upper Pleistocene - rezent) - includes Palnumenius with a
  • Jacanidae - Jacanidae
    • † Nupharanassa (Lower Oligocene)
    • † Janipes
    • Prehistoric species of recent genera
      • † Jacana farrandi
  • Laridae - seagulls
    • † Laridae gen. Et sp. indet. (Lower Oligocene)
    • † Laricola (Upper Oligocene / Lower Miocene) - a Laride? Formerly "Larus" elegans and "L." totanoides
    • † Gaviota (Middle / Upper Miocene)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
      • Larus (Middle Miocene - recent)
  • Alcidae - alken birds
    • † hydrothermal cores (Upper Eocene of Oregon, USA)
    • † Miocepphus (Middle Miocene of the central eastern USA)
    • † Alcodes (Upper Miocene of Orange County, USA)
    • † Praemancalla (Upper Miocene - Upper Pliocene of Orange County, USA)
    • † Mancalla (Upper Miocene - Lower Pleistocene of western North America)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
  • Stercorariidae - Skuas
    • Prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Stercorarius sp. (Middle Miocene)
      • Stercorarius shufeldti (Fossil Lake Mid Pleistocene, Oregon, USA)
      • Prehistoric subspecies of recent species
  • Glareolidae - curlew -like
    • † Paractiornis (Lower Miocene of the Agate Fossil Beds, Sioux County, USA)
    • † Mioglareola (Lower Miocene of the Czech Republic) - formerly "Larus" dolnicensis
    • Prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Glareola neogena
  • Burhinidae - Triele
    • Prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Burhinus lucorum (Lower Miocene)
      • Burhinus aquilonaris
      • Burhinus sp. (Cuba, Caribbean)
      • Burhinus sp. (Upper Pleistocene from Las Higueruelas, Spain)
      • Prehistoric subspecies of recent species
  • Charadriidae - plover
    • † Limicolavis (Lower Miocene of the John Day Fossil Beds, Malheur County, USA)
    • † Viator (Upper Pleistocene of Talara, Peru) - possibly identical to Vanellus (or Belanopteryx , if applicable)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
      • Vanellus (Upper Pleistocene - rezent) - includes Belanopteryx with a
    • Additional prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Oreopholus orcesi
  • Recurvirostridae - Avocets
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
    • Additional prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Recurvirostra sanctaeneboulae

† Gastornithiformes

Reconstruction of Diatryma, Gastornis sp.

The Diatrymas are a group of flightless birds from the Paleocene, whose assignment has not yet been clarified. They are usually placed with the Gruiformes, but are now regarded as a separate order that is closer to the Anseriformes.

  • Gastornithidae
    • Gastornis (Upper Paleocene - Middle Eocene) - includes Diatryma with a
    • Gasthornithidae gen. Et sp. indet. YPM PU 13258 (Lower Eocene) - possibly a young form of Gastornis giganteus
    • "Diatryma" cotei (Middle - Upper Eocene)
    • Zhongyuanus

Gruiformes - crane birds

This group includes today's railing birds and cranes . Probably paraphyletic .

  • Taxa of unexplained status
    • † Propelargus (Upper Eocene / Lower Oligocene) - a Cariamide or an Idiornithide
    • † Rupelrallus (Lower Oligocene) - a Rallide? A parvigruid?
    • † Badistornis (Middle Oligocene) - an aramid?
    • † Probalearica (Upper Oligocene? - Middle Pliocene) - a Gruide? A noun dubium ?
    • † "Gruiformes" gen. Et sp. indet. MNZ S42623 (Lower / Middle Miocene) - Aptornithidae ?
    • † Aramornis (Middle Miocene) - a Gruide? An aramid?
    • † Euryonotus (Pleistocene) - a Rallide?
    • † Occitaniavis - a Cariamide or Idiornithide concludes Geranopsis elatus with a
  • † Parvigruidae
    • Parvigrus (Lower Oligocene from Pichovet, France)
  • † Songziidae - possibly a noun nudum
  • Rallidae - railing birds
    • † Eocrex (Lower Eocene)
    • † Palaeorallus (Lower Eocene)
    • † Parvirallus (Lower - Middle Eocene)
    • † Aletornis (Middle Eocene) - includes Protogrus with a
    • † Fulicaletornis (Middle Eocene)
    • † Latipons (Middle Eocene)
    • † Ibidopsis (Upper Eocene)
    • † Quercyrallus (Upper Eocene -? Upper Oligocene)
    • † Belgirallus (Lower Oligocene)
    • † Rallicrex (Middle / Upper Oligocene)
    • † Palaeoaramides (Upper Oligocene / Lower Miocene - Upper Miocene)
    • † Paraortygometra (Upper Oligocene /? Lower Miocene -? Middle Miocene)
    • † Pararallus (Upper Oligocene? - Upper Miocene) - possibly belongs to the Palaeoaramides
    • † Miofulica (Middle Miocene)
    • † Youngornis (Middle Miocene)
    • † Miorallus (Middle - Upper Miocene)
    • † Creccoides (Upper Pliocene / Lower Pleistocene)
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Rallidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Oligocene)
      • Rallidae gen. Et spp. indet. (Lower / Middle Miocene) - several species
      • Rallidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Middle Miocene)
      • Rallidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Miocene)
      • Rallidae gen. Et sp. indet. UMMP V55013 / -14; UMMP V55012 / V45750 / V45746 (Upper Pliocene)
      • Rallidae gen. Et sp. indet. UMMP V29080 (Upper Pliocene)
      • Rallidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Bermuda, western Atlantic)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
    • Additional prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Coturnicops avita (Upper Pliocene of the Glenns Ferry Formation, Hagerman, USA)
      • Laterallus insignis (Upper Pliocene of the Rexroad Formation, Rexroad, USA)
      • Laterallus sp. (Upper Pliocene of the Macasphalt Shell Pit, USA)
  • † Eogruidae
    • Eogrus (Middle / Upper Eocene of the Irdin Manha Formation - Upper Miocene / Lower Pliocene of the Tung Gur Formation, Mongolia)
    • Sonogrus (Upper Eocene / Lower Oligocene of the Ergilin Dzo Formation, Khor Dzan, Mongolia)
  • † Ergilornithidae - may belong to the Eogruidae
    • Ergilornis (Lower / Middle Oligocene of Ergil-Obo, Mongolia)
    • Proergilornis (Lower / Middle Oligocene of Ergil-Obo, Mongolia)
    • Amphipelargus
    • Urmiornis - possibly belongs to Amphipelargus
  • Gruidae - cranes
    • † Palaeogrus (Middle Eocene of Germany and Italy - Middle Miocene of France)
    • † Camusia (Upper Miocene of Menorca, Mediterranean area)
    • † Pliogrus (Lower Pliocene of Eppelsheim, Germany)
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Gruidae gen. Et sp. indet. - formerly Grus conferta (Upper Miocene / Lower Pliocene of the Contra Costa County, USA)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
      • Balearica (Lower Miocene - rezent) - includes Basityto and Grus excelsa / Ornithocnemis excelsus with a
      • Grus (Middle / Upper Miocene - recent)
  • † Messelornithidae - Birds of Messel
  • † Salmilidae
    • Salmila
  • † Ameghinornithidae
    • Strigogyps - probably includes Aenigmavis and Ameghinornis with a
  • † Geranoididae
    • Eogeranoides (Lower Eocene of the Willwood Formation, Foster Gulch, USA)
    • Geranoides (Lower Eocene of the Willwood Formation, South Elk Creek, USA)
    • Palaeophasianus (Lower Eocene of the Willwood Formation, Bighorn County, USA)
    • Paragrus (Lower Eocene of central western USA)
    • Geranodornis (Middle Eocene of the Bridger Formation, Church Buttes, USA)
  • † Bathornithidae
    • Eutreptornis (Upper Eocene of the Uinta Formation, Ouray Agency, USA)
    • Neocathartes (Upper Eocene)
    • Palaeogyps (Lower Oligocene of central western North America)
    • Bathornithidae gen. Nov. (Lower - Middle Oligocene of the central USA) - formerly Bathornis celeripes and B. cursor
    • Paracrax (Lower / Middle Oligocene of Gerry's Ranch, USA - Upper Oligocene of Brule Formation, South Dakota, USA) - includes Oligocorax / Phalacrocorax mediterraneus with a
    • Bathornis (Lower Oligocene - Lower Miocene of the central United States)
Reconstruction of the famous "terror bird" Phorusrhacos longissimus .
  • † Idiornithidae
    • Idiornis (Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany? - Middle Oligocene of the Quercy Phosphorite, Quercy, France)
    • Gypsornis (Upper Eocene of the Montmartre Formation, Montmartre, France)
    • Oblitavis
  • † Phorusrhacidae - terror birds
  • Cariamidae - Seriemas
    • Prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Chunga incerta
  • Otididae - bustards
    • † Gryzaja
    • Prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Otis khosatzkii (Upper Pliocene of Varshets, Bulgaria)
      • Chlamydotis affinis

Phoenicopteriformes - Flamingos

  • Taxa of unexplained status
    • † Phoeniconotius (Upper Oligocene of the Etadunna Formation / Lower Miocene of Lake Pitikanta, Australia)
  • † Palaelodidae - Swimming flamingos
    • Adelalopus (Lower Oligocene of the Borgloon Formation, Hoogbutsel, Belgium)
    • Palaelodus (Middle Oligocene - Middle Pleistocene)
    • Megapaloelodus (Upper Oligocene - Lower Pliocene)
  • Phoenicopteridae - Flamingos
    • † Elornis (? Middle Eocene - Lower Oligocene) - includes Actiornis with a
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Phoenicopteridae gen. Et sp. indet. (Middle? - Upper Miocene)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record

Podicipediformes - grebes

  • Podicipedidae - grebes
    • † Miobaptus (Lower Miocene)
    • † Thiornis (Upper Miocene -? Lower Pliocene)
    • † Pliolymbus (Upper Pliocene - Lower? Pleistocene)
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Podicipedidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Pliocene) - formerly under parvus Podiceps out
      • Podicipedidae gen. Et sp. indet. UMMP 49592, 52261, 51848, 52276, KUVP 4484 (Upper Pliocene)
      • Podicipedidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Pliocene / Lower Pleistocene)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record

Ciconiiformes - wading birds

This diverse group includes storks , herons and New World vultures .

  • Taxa of unexplained status
    • † Proplegardis (Lower Eocene of the London Clay, England) - a Threskiornithidae?
    • † "Teratornis" olsoni - a terator nithid?
  • Ardeidae - herons
    • † Proardea (Upper Eocene? - Upper Oligocene)
    • † Xenerodiops (Lower Oligocene)
    • † Zeltornis (Lower Miocene)
    • † Ardeagradis
    • † Calcardea
    • † Proardeola - possibly identical to Proardea
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • "Anas" basaltica (Upper Oligocene)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
  • Scopidae - hammerheads
    • Prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Scopus xenopus
  • Threskiornithidae - Ibises
    • † Threskiornithidae gen. Et sp. indet. NMMP-KU 1301 (Middle Eocene of the Pondaung Formation, Paukkaung, Myanmar) - a Threskiornithidae?
    • † Rhynchaeites
    • Prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Plegadis paganus (Upper Oligocene / Lower Miocene of France) - formerly Eudocimus
      • Plegadis gracilis (Upper Pliocene of the central western USA)
      • Plegadis pharangites (Upper Pliocene of the central western USA)
      • Theristicus wetmorei
      • Eudocimus leiseyi
      • Eudocimus  ? peruvianus
      • Eudocimus sp. (Florida)
  • † Teratornithidae - Teratornithide
  • Cathartidae - New World Vulture
    • † Diatropornis (Upper Eocene / Lower Oligocene -? Middle Oligocene)
    • † Phasmagyps (Lower Oligocene)
    • † Brazilian type (Upper Oligocene - Lower Miocene)
    • † Hadrogyps (Middle Miocene)
    • † Pliogyps (Upper Miocene - Upper Pliocene)
    • † Perugyps (Upper Miocene / Lower Pliocene)
    • † Dryornis (Lower - Upper? Pliocene) - possibly belongs to the modern genus Vultur
    • † Aizenogyps (Upper Pliocene)
    • † Breagyps (Upper Pleistocene)
    • † Geronogyps (Upper Pleistocene)
    • † Wingegyps (Upper Pleistocene)
    • † Parasarcoramphus
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Cathartidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Oligocene of Mongolia)
      • Cathartidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Miocene / Lower Pliocene of the Lee Creek Mine, USA)
      • Cathartidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Middle Pliocene of Argentina)
      • Cathartidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Cuba)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
  • Balaenicipitidae - Shoebills
    • † Goliathia (Upper Eocene / Lower Oligocene of Egypt)
    • † Paludavis (Upper Miocene of Tunisia and Pakistan)
  • Ciconiidae - storks
    • † Palaeoephippiorhynchus (Lower Oligocene of Fayyum, Egypt)
    • † Grallavis (Lower Miocene of Saint-Gérand-le-Puy, France and Djebel Zelten , Libya) - possibly identical to Prociconia
    • † Prociconia (Upper Pleistocene Brazil) - may belong to the modern genus Jabiru or Ciconia
    • † Pelargosteon (Lower Pleistocene)
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Ciconiidae gen. Et sp. indet. - formerly Aquilavus / Cygnus bilinicus (Lower Miocene)
      • Ciconiidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Miocene)
      • cf. Leptoptilos gen. et sp. indet. - formerly L. siwalicensis (Upper Miocene? - Upper Pliocene)
      • Ciconiidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Pleistocene) - Ciconia or Mycteria ?
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
      • Ciconia (Lower Miocene - rezent) - includes Xenorhynchus with a
      • Mycteria (Middle Miocene - recent)
      • Ephippiorhynchus (Upper Miocene - recent)
      • Leptoptilos (Upper Miocene - rezent) - includes Cryptociconia with a
      • Jabiru (Lower Pliocene - recent)

Pelecaniformes - oarpods

This group includes the modern day pelicans and cormorants . It should be paraphyletic . The tropical bird branch does not belong to this group, relationships to the Procellariiformes and the Sphenisciformes have to be examined in more detail.

  • Basal and unexplained taxa
    • † "Sula" ronzoni (Lower Oligocene of Ronzon, France) - formerly Mergus and Prophalacrocorax
  • † Prophaethontidae
  • Phaethontidae - tropical birds
    • † Heliadornis
  • Fregatidae - frigate birds
  • Sulidae - gannets
    • † Masillastega (Middle Eocene)
    • † Eostega (Middle / Upper Eocene)
    • † Empheresula (Upper Oligocene - Middle Miocene)
    • † Microsula (Upper Oligocene - Middle Miocene)
    • † Sarmatosula (Middle Miocene)
    • † Miosula (Upper Miocene)
    • † Palaeosula (? Lower Pliocene)
    • † Rhamphastosula (Lower Pliocene)
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Sulidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Oligocene from Thalberg, Germany)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
      • Morus (Lower Miocene - recent)
      • Sula (Middle Pliocene - recent)
  • Phalacrocoracidae - cormorants and shags
    • † Nectornis (? Upper Oligocene / Lower Miocene of Central Europe - Middle Miocene of Bes-Konak, Turkey) - includes Oligocorax miocaenus with a
    • † " Valenticarbo " (Upper Pliocene / Lower Pleistocene) - a noun dubium
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • † "Oligocorax" sp. (Upper Oligocene from Enspel, Germany)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
      • Phalacrocorax (Oligocene? - recent) - possibly several genera. Closes Australocorax , Miocorax and Pliocarbo with a
  • † Plotopteridae
    • Phocavis
    • Tonsala
    • Copepteryx
    • Plotopterum
  • † Protoplotidae
    • Protoplotus (Paleocene? - Middle Eocene of Sumatra)
  • Anhingidae - darters
    • † Meganhinga (Lower Miocene)
    • † Macranhinga (Middle / Upper Miocene -? Lower Pliocene)
    • † Anhingidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Middle / Upper Miocene)
    • † Giganhinga (Upper Pliocene / Lower Pleistocene)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
  • † Pelagornithidae
    • Dasornis (Lower Eocene of London Clay, England)
    • Macrodontopteryx (Lower Eocene of the London Clay, England)
    • Odontopteryx (Lower Eocene of the London Clay, England)
    • Pseudodontornis (Lower Eocene of the London Clay, England)
    • Gigantornis (Middle Eocene of Nigeria)
    • Cyphornis (Eocene of Vancouver, Canada)
    • Osteodontornis (Lower Oligocene - Pliocene)
    • Pelagornis
      • Pelagornis miocaenus (Lartet 1857; early and middle Miocene of France)
      • Pelagornis mauretanicus (Mourer-Chauviré & Geraada 2008; late Pliocene of Morocco)
      • Pelagornis chilensis (Gerald Mayr & Rubilar-Rogers 2010; middle Miocene to early Pliocene of Chile)
    • Caspiodontornis
    • Palaeochenoides
    • Tympanoneisiotes
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • ? Pelagornithidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Middle Eocene)
  • Pelecanidae - Pelicans
    • † Protopelicanus
    • † Miopelecanus
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record

Procellariiformes - tubular noses

This group includes the modern albatrosses , petrels and storm petrels .

  • Taxa of unexplained status
    • Primodroma (Lower Eocene)
  • † Diomedeoididae
    • Rupelornis (Lower Oligocene of Belgium)
    • Diomedeoides (Lower Oligocene? -Lower Miocene of Central Europe and Iran) - includes Frigidafons , possibly identical to Rupelornis
  • Diomedeidae - Albatrosses
    • † Muruncus (Middle Eocene)
    • † Plotornis (Lower - Middle Miocene) - includes "Puffinus" arvernensis with a
    • † Tydea (Lower Oligocene of the North Sea Basin)
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Diomedeidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Oligocene of South Carolina)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
  • Hydrobatidae - petrels
    • Prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Oceanodroma hubbsi (Middle / Upper Miocene of the Capistrano Formation, Orange County, USA)
      • Oceanodroma sp.
      • Pelagodroma sp. 1
      • Pelagodroma sp. 2
  • Procellariidae - petrels
    • † Argyrodyptes (Lower Miocene of the Patagonia Formation, Patagonia, Argentina)
    • † Pterodromoides
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
  • Pelecanoididae - diving petrels
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record

Gaviiformes - loons-like

  • Gaviidae - Loons
    • † Colymboides (Upper Eocene - Lower Miocene) - includes Hydrornis with a
    • † Petralca (Lower Miocene of Austria)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
      • Gavia (Lower Miocene - recent)

Sphenisciformes - penguins

  • Taxa of a basal and unexplained position
    • † Waimanu (Lower - Upper Paleocene)
    • † Perudyptes - a basal taxon? (Middle Eocene)
    • Sphenisciformes gen. Et sp. indet. CADIC P 21 (Middle Eocene)
  • Spheniscidae - penguins
    • † Crossvallia (Upper Paleocene)
    • † Anthropornis (Middle Eocene? - Lower Oligocene)
    • † Archaeospheniscus (Middle Eocene / Upper Eocene - Upper Oligocene)
    • † Delphinornis (Middle / Upper Eocene? - Lower Oligocene)
    • † Palaeeudyptes (Middle / Upper Eocene - Upper Oligocene)
    • † Icadyptes (Upper Eocene)
    • † Pachydyptes (Upper Eocene)
    • † Marambiornis (Upper Eocene -? Lower Oligocene)
    • † Mesetaornis (Upper Eocene -? Lower Oligocene)
    • † Tonniornis (Upper Eocene -? Lower Oligocene)
    • † Wimanornis (Upper Eocene -? Lower Oligocene)
    • † Arthrodytes (Upper Eocene - Lower Miocene)
    • † Duntroonornis (Upper Oligocene)
    • † Korora (Upper Oligocene)
    • † Platydyptes (Upper Oligocene)
    • † Chubutodyptes (Lower Miocene)
    • † Eretiscus (Lower Miocene of Patagonia)
    • † Paraptenodytes (Lower - Upper Miocene / Lower Pliocene)
    • † Palaeospheniscus (lower? - Upper Miocene / Lower Pliocene)
    • † Anthropodyptes (Middle Miocene)
    • † Madrynornis (Upper Miocene)
    • † Pseudaptenodytes (Upper Miocene / Lower Pliocene)
    • † Marplesornis (Pliocene)
    • † Dege
    • † Nucleornis
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Spheniscidae gen. Et sp. indet (Upper Oligocene / Lower Miocene of Hakataramea, New Zealand)

Pteroclidiformes - flying fowl

Columbiformes - pigeon birds

  • Columbidae - pigeons
    • † Gerandia (Lower Miocene)
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • † Columbidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Lower / Middle Miocene)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record

Psittaciformes - parrots

Unsafe and Basal Parrot Fossils:

  • † Mopsitta (Lower Eocene) - a Psittacid?
  • † Psittacopes (Lower / Middle Eocene)
  • † Serudaptus - a Pseudasturide or a Psittacide?
  • † Pseudasturidae (= Halcyornithidae ?)
    • Pseudasturidae FU 125 gen. Et sp. indet. (Lower Eocene)
    • Pseudasturides - formerly Pseudasturides
  • † Quercypsittidae
  • Cacatuidae
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
  • Psittacidae - actual parrots
    • † Archaeopsittacus (Upper Oligocene / Lower Miocene)
    • † Xenopsitta (Lower Miocene)
    • † Psittacidae gen. Et spp. indet. (Lower / Middle Miocene) - several species
    • † Bavaripsitta (Middle Miocene)
    • † Psittacidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Middle Miocene) - erroneously dispar Pararallus found includes "Psittacus" lartetianus with a
    • Recent and recently extinct genera

Opisthocomiformes - Hoatzine

  • Opisthocomidae
    • † Hoazinoides (Upper Miocene)
    • † Hoatzi - possibly identical to Foro

Cuculiformes - cuckoo birds

Cuckoos, turacos and the like.

  • Taxa of unexplained status
    • Cuculiformes gen. Et sp. indet. (Lower Eocene)
  • Musophagidae - Turacus
    • † Veflintornis (Middle Miocene) - formerly Apopempsis
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Musophagidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Oligocene - Middle Miocene of Central Western Europe)
      • "Apopempsis" africanus (Lower Miocene) - formerly Musophaga , possibly belongs to Veflintornis
      • Musophagidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Egypt)
  • Cuculidae - cuckoos
    • † Eocuculus (Upper Eocene)
    • † Dynamopterus (Upper Eocene / Lower Oligocene)
    • † Neococcyx (Lower Oligocene)
    • † Cursoricoccyx (Lower Miocene)
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Cuculidae gen. Et sp. indet. (lower Pliocene)

Accipitriformes - birds of prey

  • Unsafe and basal taxa
    • † Masillaraptor (Middle Eocene from Messel, Germany) - basal?
  • † Horusornithidae
  • Pandionidae - Osprey
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
      • Pandion (Lower Oligocene - recent)
  • Sagittariidae - Secretaries
    • † Pelargopappus (Upper Eocene / Lower Oligocene - Upper Oligocene / Lower Miocene of France) - formerly Amphiserpentarius / Amynoptilon / Pelargopsis
  • Accipitridae - hawks
    • † Milvoides (Upper Eocene)
    • † Aquilavus (Upper Eocene / Lower Oligocene - Lower Miocene)
    • † Palaeocircus (Upper Eocene / Lower Oligocene)
    • † Palaeastur (Lower Miocene)
    • † Pengana (Lower Miocene)
    • † Promilio (Lower Miocene)
    • † Proictinia (Lower - Upper Miocene / Lower Pliocene)
    • † Apatosagittarius (Upper Miocene)
    • † Palaeoborus (Miocene)
    • † Thegornis (Miocene)
    • † Garganoaetus (Lower Pliocene)
    • † Neophrontops (Lower / Middle Miocene - Upper Pleistocene) - formerly as Neophron referred
    • † Amplibuteo (Upper Pliocene of Peru - Upper Pleistocene) - may belong to the recent genus Harpyhaliaetus (or Buteogallus )
    • † Neogyps
    • † Palaeohierax - includes "Aquila" gervaisii with a
    • † Wetmoregyps - formerly Morphnus daggetti
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Accipitridae gen. Et sp. indet. AMNH FR 7434 (Lower Eocene)
      • Accipitridae gen. Et sp. indet. (Lower Oligocene)
      • Accipitridae gen. Et sp. indet. (Lower / Middle Miocene)
      • Accipitridae gen. Et sp. indet. (Lower / Middle Pliocene) - Parabuteo ?
      • Accipitridae gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Pliocene / Lower Pleistocene) - Buteo ?
      • Accipitridae gen. Et sp. indet. (Egypt)
      • "Aquila" danana (Upper Miocene / Lower Pliocene) - formerly also Geranoaetus or Buteo
    • Recent species in the fossil record
      • Haliaeetus (Lower Oligocene - recent)
      • Buteo (Middle Oligocene - recent)
      • Aquila (Middle? Miocene - recent)
      • Buteogallus (Middle Miocene - rezent) - eventually closes Harpyhaliaetus with a
      • " Hieraaetus " (Middle Miocene - recent) - probably identical to Aquila
      • Milvus (Lower Pleistocene - recent)
      • Gyps (Middle Pleistocene - recent)
    • Additional prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Spizaetus grinnelli (Upper Pleistocene of Rancho La Brea Tar Pits, California, USA) - formerly Geranoaetus or Buteo
      • Spizaetus pliogryps - formerly Aquila

Falconiformes

  • Falconidae - falconies
    • † Parvulivenator (Lower Eocene)
    • † Stinton Ornis (Lower Eocene)
    • † Badiostes (Lower Miocene)
    • † Pediohierax (Middle Miocene) - formerly Falco ramenta
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Falconidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Miocene)
      • "Sushkinia" pliocaena (Lower Pliocene) - might belong to Falco ?
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
      • Falco (Upper Miocene? - recent)
      • Milvago (Upper Pleistocene - recent)
      • Caracara (Upper Pleistocene - recent) - formerly Polyborus

Caprimulgiformes - swallow-like

Night swallows, day sleepers and the like. Obviously paraphyletic .

  • Taxa of unexplained status
    • † Paraprefica (Lower Eocene?) - a steatornithide or a nyctibiide
  • Steatornithidae - fat swallow
    • † Prefica
    • Prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Steatornis sp.
  • Podargidae - owl swallow
    • † Masillapodargus
    • † Quercypodargus
  • Nyctibiidae - day sleepers
    • † Euronyctibius
  • Caprimulgidae - Nightjars
    • † Ventivorus

Aegotheliformes - Cave Dwarf

  • Aegothelidae
    • † Quipollornis (Lower / Middle Miocene)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record

Apodiformes - sailing birds

Sailors and hummingbirds.

  • Taxa of a basal and unexplained position
    • † Primapus (Lower Eocene) - an aegial ornithid or an apodid
    • † Parargornis (Middle Eocene) - a young ornithid, a trochilid, basal as well as Argornis ?
    • † Argornis (Upper Eocene) - a basal taxon for Jungornithidae and Trochilidae
    • † Cypselavus (Upper Eocene - Lower Oligocene) - an aegialornithid or a hemiprocnide
  • † Aegialornithidae
  • † Jungornithidae
    • Jungornis (Lower Oligocene of the North Caucasus, Russia)
    • Palescyvus
    • Laputavis
  • Trochilidae - hummingbirds
    • † Eurotrochilus (Lower Oligocene from Frauenweiler, Germany)
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Trochilidae sp. et gen. indet. (Bahamas, Caribbean)
      • Trochilidae sp. et gen. indet. (Brazil)
  • Apodidae - sailors
    • † Scaniacypselus (Lower - Middle Eocene)
    • † Procypseloides (Upper Eocene / Lower Oligocene - Lower Miocene)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
      • Collocalia (Lower Miocene - recent)
      • Apus (Middle / Upper Miocene - recent)
      • Tachornis (Upper Pleistocene - recent)

Coliiformes - mouse birds

Mouse birds and relatives

  • Taxa of a basal and unexplained position
    • † Chascacocolius (Upper Paleocene? - Lower Eocene) - basal? A sandcolide?
    • † Eocolius (Lower Eocene) - a Sandcoleide or a Coliide
    • † Selmes (Middle Eocene? - Upper Oligocene) - a Coliide?, Possibly identical to Primocolius
    • † Limnatornis (Lower Miocene) - a Coliid? ( Urocolius ?) Closes "Picus" consobrinus with a
    • † "Picus" archiaci (Lower Miocene) - Limnatornis ? A colid? ( Urocolius ?)
    • † Coliiformes gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Miocene) - Coliids? ( Colius , Urocolius ?)
    • † Eobucco - a sand colloid?
    • † Uintornis - a sand colloid?
  • † Sandcoleidae
    • Anneavis
    • Eoglaucidium
    • Sandcoleus
  • Coliidae - mouse birds
    • † Primocolius (Upper Eocene / Oligocene)
    • † Oligocolius (Upper Oligocene)
    • † Masillacolius (Middle Eocene)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
    • Colius (Miocene? - recent)
    • † Necrornis (Middle Miocene) - (monotypical "Necrornis" palustris = Colius palustris )

Strigiformes - owls

  • Taxa of a basal and unexplained position
    • † Berruornis (Upper Paleocene) - basal? A sophornithid?
    • † Strigiformes gen. Et ap. indet. (Upper Paleocene)
    • † Palaeoglaux (Middle - Upper Eocene) - own family Palaeoglaucidae or Strigidae?
    • † Palaeobyas (Upper Eocene / Lower Oligocene) - a Tytonide? A sophiornithid?
    • † Palaeotyto (Upper Eocene / Lower Oligocene) - a Tytonide?
    • † Strigiformes gen. Et spp. indet. (Lower Oligocene)
  • † Ogygoptyngidae
    • † Ogygoptynx (Middle / Upper Paleocene)
  • † Protostrigidae
    • Eostrix (Lower - Middle Eocene)
    • Minerva (Middle - Upper Eocene) - formerly Protostrix closes, "Aquila" ferox , "Aquila" lydekkeri and "Bubo" leptosteus with a
    • Oligostrix (Middle Oligocene)
  • † Sophiornithidae
    • Sophiornis
  • Strigidae - real owls
    • † Mioglaux (Upper Oligocene - Lower Miocene) - includes "Bubo" poirreiri with a
    • † Intutula (Lower / Middle - Upper Miocene) - includes "Strix / Ninox" brevis with a
    • † Alasio (Middle Miocene) - includes "Strix" collongensis with a
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • † "Otus" wintershofensis (Lower / Middle Miocene) - to be located near the genus Ninox ?
      • † "Strix" edwardsi (Upper Miocene)
      • † "Asio" pygmaeus (Lower Pliocene)
      • Strigidae gen. Et sp. indet. UMMP V31030 (Upper Pliocene) - Strix / Bubo ?
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
      • Strix (Lower Miocene - recent)
      • Bubo (Upper Miocene? - recent)
      • Asio (Upper Pliocene - recent)
      • Athena (Upper Pliocene - recent)
      • Glaucidium (Upper Pliocene - recent)
      • Aghia (Upper Pliocene - recent)
      • Pulsatrix (Upper Pleistocene - recent)
  • Tytonidae - Barn Owls
    • † Necrobyas (Upper Eocene / Lower Oligocene - Lower Miocene)
    • † Prosybris (Lower Oligocene? - Lower Miocene)
    • † Nocturnavis
    • † Selenornis
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
      • Tyto (Upper Miocene - recent)

Coraciiformes - toothed birds

Racken and the like.

  • Taxa of a basal and unexplained position
    • † Quasisyndactylus (Middle Eocene) - an Alcediniformes, basal?
    • † Cryptornis (Upper Eocene) - a Bucerotide? A geranopterid?
    • † Coraciiformes gen. Et spp. indet. PQ 1216, QU 15640 (Upper Eocene) - 2 species
  • † Geranopteridae
    • Geranopterus (Upper Eocene - Lower Miocene) - includes "Nupharanassa" bohemica with a
  • † Eocoraciidae
    • Eocoracias (Middle Eocene)
  • † Primobucconidae - a Coraciiformes?
    • Primobucco (Lower - Middle Eocene)
  • Todidae - Todis
    • † Palaeotodus
  • Motmotidae - saw backs
    • † Protornis (Oligocene)
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Momotidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Miocene)
  • † Messelirrisoridae
  • Bucerotidae - hornbills
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record

Trogoniformes - trogons

  • Trogonidae - Trogons
    • † Septentrogon (Upper Paleocene / Lower Eocene of the Fur Formation, Ejerslev, Denmark)
    • † Primotrogon (Middle Eocene of Messel, Germany? - Lower Oligocene of France)
    • † Paratrogon (Lower Miocene of France)
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Trogonidae gen. Et sp. indet. 1 (northwest Europe)
      • Trogonidae gen. Et sp. indet. 2 (northwest Europe)

Piciformes - woodpecker birds

  • Taxa of unexplained status
    • † Piciformes gen. Et sp. indet. IRScNB Av 65 (Lower Oligocene)
    • † Rupelramphastoides (Lower Oligocene) - a Ramphastide?
    • † Piciformes gen. Et sp. indet. SMF Av 429 (Upper Oligocene)
    • † Capitonides (Lower - Middle Miocene) - a Ramphastide? A "Capitonide" (Lybiidae, Megalaimidae)? Own family Capitonididae?
    • † Pici gen. Et sp. indet. (Middle Miocene) - a "Capitonide" (Lybiidae, Megalaimidae?)
  • † Miopiconidae
    • Miopico
  • Lybiidae - African bearded birds
    • † Lybiidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Miocene) - recent genus Pogoniulus ?
  • Picidae - woodpeckers
    • † Palaeopicus (Upper Oligocene)
    • † Palaeonerpes (Lower Pliocene)
    • † Pliopicus (Lower Pliocene)
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Picidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Middle Miocene)
      • Picidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Miocene)
      • cf. Colaptes DMNH 1262 (Lower Pliocene of Ainsworth, USA)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record

Passeriformes - passerine birds

  • Taxa of unexplained status
    • † Passeriformes gen. Et spp. indet. (Lower Eocene) - multiple species, Oscine?
    • † Wieslochia (Lower Oligocene)
    • † Passeriformes gen. Et spp. indet. (Upper Oligocene) - various suboscine and oscine species
    • † Passeriformes gen. Et sp. indet. (Lower / Middle Miocene) - Suboscine?
    • † Passeriformes gen. Et spp. indet. (Lower / Middle Miocene) - multiple species, Oscine?
    • † Passeriformes gen. Et spp. indet. (Middle Miocene) - several species, basal position?
    • † Passeriformes gen. Et spp. indet. (Middle Miocene) - different types, Oscine?
    • † "Palaeostruthus" eurius (Pliocene)
  • Eurylaimidae - broad jaws
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Eurylaimidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Lower Miocene)
  • † Palaeoscinidae
    • Paleoscinis (Upper Miocene)
  • Furnariidae - pottery birds
    • † Pseudoseisuropsis (Upper Pleistocene Uruguay)
    • Prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Pseudoseisura cursor (Lower / Middle Pleistocene of the Ensenada Formation, Anchorena, Argentina)
      • Cinclodes major (Middle Pleistocene of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina)
  • Menuridae - lyre tails
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
      • Menura (Lower Miocene - recent)
  • Meliphagidae - honeyeater
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Meliphagidae gen. Et spp. indet. (Middle / Upper Miocene - Pliocene of Riversleigh, Australia) - at least 7 subspecies, some of which belong to recent genera
  • Orthonychidae - barrel flutes
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
      • Orthonyx (Middle / Upper Miocene - recent)
  • Oriolidae - Orioles and Fig Orioles
    • † Longimornis (Lower Miocene of Riversleigh, Australia)
  • Artamidae - starlings , crow stranglers, strangler crows, flute birds
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Artamidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Lower / Middle Miocene) - a Cracticine
  • Corvidae - corvids
    • † Miocorvus (Middle Miocene)
    • † Miopica (Middle Miocene)
    • † Miocitta (Upper Miocene)
    • † Protocitta (Lower Pleistocene)
    • † Henocitta (Middle Pleistocene)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • Corvidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Lower Pliocene)
      • Corvidae gen. Et sp. indet. (Lower / Middle Pleistocene) - probably belongs to a recent genus
  • Laniidae - shrike
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
      • Lanius (Lower Miocene - recent)
  • Regulidae - golden cockerel
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
  • Megaluridae - whorls and the like
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
  • Acrocephalidae - Reed Warbler
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
  • Motacillidae - stilts and pipiters
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
  • Fringillidae - finches
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
      • Loxia (Upper Pliocene - recent)
    • Additional prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Coccothraustes simeonovi (Upper Pliocene of Varshets, Bulgaria)
      • Coccothraustes balcanicus
  • Icteridae - starlings
    • † Pandanaris (Pleistocene)
    • † Pyelorhamphus (Pleistocene)
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
  • Cardinalidae - Cardinals
    • Taxa of unexplained status
      • ? Passerina sp. (Lower Pliocene of Yepómera, Mexico)
  • Emberizidae - bunting
    • Recent genera appearing in the fossil record
      • Ammodramus (Upper Miocene - rezent) - includes Palaeostruthus with a
    • Additional prehistoric species of recent genera
      • Pipilo angelensis (Pleistocene of Rancho La Brea Tar Pits, USA)

Avian incertae sedis

These fossil taxa cannot be assigned to any main group with certainty. The "proto-birds" mentioned at the beginning come from an uncertain basic position within the evolutionary spread of birds (and their immediate precursors), but the findings are significant enough to be able to determine their relationships at the family level . The now following taxa are based on finds that are sufficient for scientific designation and also allow an assignment to pygostyls or more modern birds, but are completely unsuitable for further phylogenetic purposes. Some of them are so fragmentary that a possible assignment to non-bird- like reptiles such as dinosaurs cannot necessarily be ruled out at the present time.

  • † Aberratiodontus (Lower Cretaceous) - an enantiornithine? (own family?) Identical to Yanornis ?
  • † Holbotia (Lower Cretaceous from Andaikhudag, Mongolia) - a basal pygostyle?
  • † Hongshanornis (Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation, China) - a pygostyle? An ornithurine?
  • † " Jibeinia " (Lower Cretaceous) - a Euenantiornithine? A noun dubium
  • † Nanantius (Lower Cretaceous) - an enantiornithine?
  • † Otogornis (Lower Cretaceous from Yijinhuoluo, Yike Zhaomeng, China) - a basal pygostyle? An enantiornithine?
  • † Paraprotopteryx (Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation, Fengning, China) - an enantiornithine?
  • † Protopteryx (Lower Cretaceous China) - an enantiornithine?
  • † Wyleyia (Lower Cretaceous) - a basal enantiornithine? A (paleognathic) neornithine?
  • † Aves gen. Et sp. indet. Collection of the Sahat Sakhan Dinosaur Research Center, no number (Lower Cretaceous Sao Khua Formation, Khok Kong, Thailand) - an ornithurine?
  • † Aves? gen. et sp. indet. NMC 50852 (Lower Cretaceous / Upper Cretaceous Region of Kem Kem, Morocco) - a bird-like? A dromaeosaurid (closely related to Rahonavis )?
  • † Apatornis (Upper Cretaceous) - an (anseriform) neornithine?
  • † " Cerebavis " (Upper Cretaceous) - an enantiornithine? A noun dubium
  • † " Elopteryx " (Upper Cretaceous) - a Pygostyle? A non-avian dinosaur? A noun dubium
  • † Euornithes gen. Et sp. indet. (Upper Cretaceous of the Bissekty Formation, Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan)
  • † Gargantuavis (Upper Cretaceous) - an (enantiornithine) pygostyle? A basal ornithurine?
  • † Hulsanpes (Upper Cretaceous) - a basal avian? a non-avian dinosaur?
  • † Iaceornis (Upper Cretaceous Gove County, USA) - a neornithine or a basal ornithurine
  • † Ornithurae gen. Et sp. indet. IGM 100/1309 (Upper Cretaceous of the Nemegt Formation, Tsagaan Kushu, Mongolia) - a Presbyornithid?
  • † Ornithurae gen. Et sp. indet. IGM 100/1310 (Upper Cretaceous of the Nemegt Formation, Tsagaan Kushu, Mongolia) - a basal taxon?
  • † Horezmavis (Upper Cretaceous of the Bissekty Formation, Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan) - a (gobipterygiform) enantiornithine, a basal ornithurine or a Gruiformes
  • † "Ichthyornis" minusculus (Upper Cretaceous of the Bissekty Formation, Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan) - an enantiornithine?
  • † cf. Nanantius (Upper Cretaceous of the Bissekty Formation, Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan) - an enantiornithine?
  • † Neogeornis (Upper Cretaceous) - a (gaviiform or procellariiform?) Baptornithid or Neornithine
  • † Patagopteryx (Upper Cretaceous) - an (enantiornithine?) Pygostyle?
  • † Piksi (Upper Crayon of the Two Medicine Formation, Montana) - an ornithothoracine (perhaps a separate branch), a basal ornithurine or neornithine?
  • † Platanavis (Upper Cretaceous Bissekty Formation, Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan)
  • † Potamornis (Upper Cretaceous) - a hesperornithid? A baptornithid? An enaliornithid?
  • † Vorona (Upper Cretaceous) - an enantiornithine? A basal ornithuromorph?
  • † UCMP 143274 (Upper Cretaceous Lance (Creek) Formation, Niobrara County, USA) - a Psittaciformes? A non-avian?
  • † Polar Ornis (Upper Cretaceous or Eocene) - a Gaviiformes or a Pygostyle, possibly identical to Neogeornis
  • † Yandangornis (Upper Cretaceous) - a basal avian? A non-avian dinosaur?
  • † Guildavis (Wallace County Chalk, USA) - a neornithine or basal ornithurine
  • † "Cathayornis" aberransis
  • † "Cathayornis" caudatus
  • † Dalingheornis - an enantiornithine?
  • † Gobipipus
  • † "Ichthyornis" maltshevskyi
  • † Chaoyangidae - an (ornithurine?) Pygostyle, a Yanornithiformes?
    • Chaoyangia (Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation, Liaoning, China)
  • Zhyraornithidae - an enantiornithiform, an ornithurine?

† Liaoningornithiformes

† Eurolimnornithiformes

† Palaeocursornithiformes

literature

  • Chiappe, Luis M. (2001): The rise of birds. In : Briggs, Derek EG & Crowther, PR (eds.): Palaeobiology II: A Synthesis : 102-106. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
  • Chiappe, Luis M. (2002): Basal bird phylogeny: problems and solutions. In: Chiappe, LM and Witmer, LM (eds.): Mesozoic Birds: Above the Heads of Dinosaurs : 448-472. University of California Press, Berkeley, USA.
  • Clarke, Julia A .; Zhou, Zhonghe & Zhang, Fucheng (2006): Insight into the evolution of avian flight from a new clade of Early Cretaceous ornithurines from China and the morphology of Yixianornis grabaui . Journal of Anatomy 208 (3): 287-308. doi: 10.1111 / j.1469-7580.2006.00534.x .
  • Gauthier, Jacques A. & de Queiroz, Kevin (2001): Feathered dinosaurs, flying dinosaurs, crown dinosaurs, and the name "Aves". In: Gauthier, Jacques & Gall, LF (eds.): New Perspectives on the Origin and Early Evolution of Birds: Proceedings of the International Symposium in Honor of John H. Ostrom : 7-41. Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
  • Mortimer, Michael (2004): The Theropod Database: Phylogeny of taxa ( Memento of March 27, 2007 in the Internet Archive ). Retrieved 2007-OCT-29.
  • Olson, Storrs L. (1985): The fossil record of birds. In: Farner, DS; King, JR & Parkes, Kenneth C. (eds.): Avian Biology 8 : 79-238. Academic Press, New York.
  • Sereno, Paul Callistus (2005): TaxonSearch: Stem Archosauria . Version 1.0, November 07, 2005. Retrieved 2007-APR-30.

See also

Web links

Commons : Aves fossils  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Sereno (2005)
  2. ↑ Chiappe (2001, 2002)
  3. ↑ See e.g. B. Mortimer (2004), Sereno (2005)
  4. ↑ Clarke et al (2006)
  5. ^ Fide Gauthier & de Queiroz (2001)
  6. ↑ Fide Chiappe (2002)
  7. ^ UB Göhlich & G. Mayr: The alleged early Miocene Auk Petralca austriaca is a Loon (Aves, Gaviiformes): restudy of a controversial fossil bird. In: Historical Biology , Volume 30, Number 8, 2017, pp. 1076-1083 doi: 10.1080 / 08912963.2017.1333610 ( digitized version ).