HIGHTLIGHTS OF CHANGES in this 15th edition

Influential new publications include major efforts which combine molecular and fossil evidence to construct a comprehensive phylogeny of birds, perhaps most importantly Prum et al. (2015). Winkler et al. (2015), the AOU, the SACC, and the IOC have now rearranged the sequence of orders and families; Clements intends to do so in 2018. According, I have now resequenced all orders and families, generally following Winkler et al. (2015) but preferring AOU and/or SACC when the families involved are primarily New World families. So my current sequence is a mishmash of 3 current phylogenies.

Barker et al. (2004) first suggested a close relationship between three ground-dweller "babblers" in central Africa and the Sugarbirds (Promeropidae) of southern Africa. Many global checklists placed the three genera [Modulatrix, Arcanator and Kakamega] within the Promeropidae, as did I. More recent genetic work, including nuclear DNA (Johansson et al. 2008), showed a strong divergence between these groups. Most recently Winkler et al. (2015) and other works confirm that the divergence is ancient, and the three skulking ground-dwellers are elevated to family level. Winkler et al. (2015) call the new family Modulatricidae. rather than Arcanatoridae as does IOC, so I tentatively do so also. This now splits the three Dapplethroats [Modulatricidae] from the Sugarbirds.

In last year's edition of this list, I adopted some of the recommendations of Barker et al. (2013) that raised various Caribbean landbirds to Family level but chose broader Family groups for others [see an essay from my 13th edition discussing the proposals in more detail). I understand that the AOU is now (2017) considering the Barker et al. (2013) splits. The Winkler et al. (2015) book on bird families adopted almost all of the proposals. Although I have concerns about the younger ages of these proposed families (e.g., 11-14 mya while most passerine families exceed a 18-20 mya cutoff for divergence from other clades), I adopted three more of the Barker et al. (2013) splits: (a) I separate Wrenthrush [Zeledoniidae] and Cuban Warblers [Teretristidae] into two Families; (b) create the Spindalises [Spindalidae] from the genera Spindalis and Nesospingus, thus leaving the Caribbean Tanagers [Phaenicophilidae] composed of the genera Phaenicophilus, Xenoligea, and Microligea; and (c) elevate the two Chat-tanagers of Hispaniola to their own family [Calyptophilidae].

Net result: + 4 families

I remain conservative about Puerto Rican Tanager, genus Nesospingus, lumping it with Spindalises [it looks rather like a female spindalis] and it is closely related, and with Yellow-breasted Chat [Icteria], awaiting more evidence as to whether it remains a New World warbler, or should be with the Icterids, or should become the youngest family of all.

There has been a trend towards higher numbers of Families in recent years — welcomed by some, criticized by others — and that has played havoc with longterm travel plans of (some) birders (like me). The newest Bird Families book [Winkler et al. 2015] has 243 families, including two I do not yet accept — Puerto Rican Tanager ["Nesospingidae'] and Crested Jay ["Platylophidae;" recent genetic evidence suggests it is related to shrikes, not jays (some call it "Jay-Shrike") but its true level of divergence from shrikes is not yet clearly understood]. My list in this edition has 253 families, twelve of which differ from the Bird Families book: Ground-Hornbills [also split by Clements, IOC], Old World Parrots & Lories [Psittaculidae; also split by Clements, IOC, AOU, SACC], Sharpbill [Oxyruncidae; split by SACC, Clements], Butcherbirds [Cracticidae split from Artamidae Woodswallows, adopted by Clements], Shrike-babblers and Silktails [both splits recommended by Jønsson et al. (2016) on evidence of ancient divergences], Erpornis, Bristle-flycatchers [Erythrocercidae; also split by IOC], Hylias, Wallcreeper [Tichodromidae; also split by Clements, IOC], Parrotbills & allies [Paradoxornithidae; also split by Clements], and Cinnamon Ibon.
In short, this Family list incorporates all of the extant families adopted by Clements, or IOC [except Bananaquit, which is a tanager; Burns et al. 2014], and the newest two proposals in Jønsson et al. (2016).