The subclass that contains all modern birds.
Unresolved and basal forms These modern birds are known from remains that cannot be placed in relation to any one modern group and are neither
autapomorphic enough to assign them to own orders. Especially the
Late Cretaceous/early
Paleogene taxa are probably
basal to several modern orders, while later
Paleogene taxa often represent extinct lineages outside the modern families. •
Australornis lovei (late early
Paleocene) •
Gallornis straeleni (Late Cretaceous) •
Ceramornis major (Late Cretaceous) – charadriiform? • "Presbyornithidae" gen. et sp. indet. (Barun Goyot Late Cretaceous of Udan Sayr, Mongolia) - anseriform (presbyornithid)? •
Torotix clemensi (Late Cretaceous) – pelecaniform, charadriiform, procellariiform or phoenicopteriform • Neornithes incerta sedis (Nemegt Late Cretaceous of S Mongolia) - phalacrocoracid? • Neornithes incerta sedis AMNH FR 25272 (Lance Creek Late Cretaceous of Converse County, US) - phalacrocoracid? • Neornithes incerta sedis PVPH 237 (Portezuelo Late Cretaceous of Sierra de Portezuelo, Argentina) - galliform? • Neornithes incerta sedis UCMP 117598 (Hell Creek Late Cretaceous of Bug Creek West, US) • Neornithes incerta sedis UCMP 117599 (Hell Creek Late Cretaceous of Bug Creek West, US) – anseriform? •
"Lonchodytes" pterygius (Late Cretaceous/?Early Palaeocene) – charadriiform? •
Novacaesareala hungerfordi (Late Cretaceous/Early Palaeocene) – related to
Torotix? •
"Palaeotringa" vetus (Lance Late Cretaceous of Wyoming – Hornerstown Late Cretaceous/?Early Palaeocene of New Jersey, US) - gruiform? anseriform (presbyornithid)? •
Volgavis marina (Early Palaeocene of Volgograd, Russia) – charadriiform? phalacrocoraciform? •
Tshulia litorea (Late Paleocene of Zhylga, Kazakhstan) •
Eupterornis remensis (Paleocene of Cernay, France) – charadriiform (larid?)? gaviiform? •
Gradiornis walbeckensis (Paleocene of Walbeck, Germany) – cariamid? •
"Messelornis" russelli (Paleocene of Cernay, France) – messelornithid? •
Walbeckornis creber (Paleocene of Walbeck, Germany) – charadriiform? messelornithid? • Neornithes incerta sedis (Late Paleocene/Early Eocene of Ouled Abdoun Basin, Morocco) – charadriiform, ciconiiform, gruiform? •
Argillipes (London Clay Early Eocene of England) – galliform? •
A. aurorum •
A. magnus •
A. paralectoris •
Coturnipes cooperi (Early Eocene of England, and Virginia, US?)– galliform, falconiform? •
Fluviatilavis antunesi (Early Eocene of Silveirinha, Portugal)– charadriiform? •
Mopsitta tanta (Early Eocene) – threskiornithid (may belong in
Rhynchaeites), psittacid? •
Neanis schucherti (Early Eocene)– coraciiform (primobucconid), piciform? •
Paleophasianus meleagroides (Willwood Early Eocene of Bighorn County, US)– galliform (tetraonine or cracid) or gruiform (aramid)? •
Precursor parvus (Early Eocene)– several species? psittaciform (pseudasturid or psittacid) + charadriiform (glareolid)? •
"Precursor" litorum •
"Precursor" magnus •
Procuculus minutus (Early Eocene of Bognor Regis, England)– cuculiform (parvicuculid), coraciiform (primobucconid), close to
Primapus? •
Pulchrapollia (Early Eocene) – psittaciform (pseudasturid or psittacid)? •
P. gracilis •
P. olsoni [
Primobucco olsoni ] • Neornithes incerta sedis USNM 496384 (Nanjemoy Early Eocene of Virginia, US)– parvicuculid? aegithalornithid? •
Palaeopsittacus georgei (Early – middle Eocene of NW Europe) – caprimulgiform (podargid?) or quercypsittid? •
Amitabha urbsinterdictensis (Bridger middle Eocene of Forbidden City, US) - galliform (phasianid) or gruiform (rallid?)? •
Eociconia sangequanensis (middle Eocene of China)– ciconiiform (ciconiid)? •
Protocypselomorphus manfredkelleri (middle Eocene of Messel, Germany)– caprimulgiform, apodiform or ancestral to both •
Pumiliornis tessellatus (middle Eocene of Messel, Germany) •
Ludiortyx hoffmanni (Late Eocene) – rallid, quercymegapodid? [Includes
Tringa hoffmanni ;
Palaeortyx blanchardi ;
Palaeortyx hoffmanni ;
Ludiortyx blanchardi ;
Eortyx hoffmanni ] •
Minggangia changgouensis (Late Eocene of China) – rallid, threskiornithid? •
Petropluvialis simplex (Late Eocene of England)– may be same as
Palaeopapia; anseriform? •
"Phasianus" alfhildae (Washakie B Late Eocene of Haystack Butte, US)– gruiform, ciconiiform, phoenicopteriform? •
Telecrex grangeri (Irdin Manha Late Eocene of Chimney Butte, Mongolia)– meleagrid or gruiform (rallid?) • Neornithes incerta sedis AMNH FR 2941 (Irdin Manha Late Eocene of Chimney Butte, China) – falconiform (accipitrid)? gruiform (
Eogrus)? •
Zheroia kurochkini (Late Eocene of Kazakhstan) – gruiform? pelagornithid? •
"Falco" falconellus (or
falconella; Eocene of Wyoming, US) – falconiform (falconid)? •
Agnopterus (Late Eocene– Late Oligocene of Europe)– phoenicopteriform or anseriform •
A. laurillardi •
A. sicki •
A. turgaiensis [
Cygnopterus lambrechti ] •
Plesiocathartes (Late Eocene–? Early Miocene of SW Europe) - cathartid, leptosomid? •
P. europaeus •
P. gaillardi •
P. wyomingensis •
P. major •
P. geiselensis •
P. kelleri •
Botauroides parvus (Eocene of Wyoming, US) – coliiform? •
Aminornis excavatus (Deseado Early Oligocene of Rio Deseado, Argentina) – gruiform (aramid)? •
Ciconiopsis antarctica (Deseado Early Oligocene of Patagonia, Argentina) – ciconiiform (ciconiid)? •
Climacarthrus incompletus (Deseado Early Oligocene of Argentina) – falconiform (accipitrid)? A
nomen dubium •
Cruschedula revola (Deseado Early Oligocene of Golfo San Jorge, Argentina) Aves
incertae sedis; A
nomen dubium •
Dolichopterus viator [
Dolicopterus ;
Camaskelus ;
Camaskelus ;
Dolicopterus viator ;
Camaskelus palustris ;
Camaskelus palustris ] (Early Oligocene of Ronzon, France) – charadriiform (charadriid)? Not
Dolicopterus as sometimes claimed •
Loncornis erectus (Deseado Early Oligocene of Rio Deseado, Argentina)– gruiform (aramid)? •
Loxornis clivus – anatid? (Deseado Early Oligocene of Argentina) •
Manu antiquus (Early Oligocene) – pelagornithid? procellariiform (diomedeid)? •
Palaeocrex rex (Early Oligocene of Trigonias Quarry, US) – gruiform (rallid)? •
Palaeopapia eous [
Howardia ;
Howardia eous ] (Hampstead Early Oligocene of Isle of Wight, England) – anseriform? •
Paracygnopterus scotti (Early Oligocene of Belgium and England) – anseriform (anatid)? •
"Pararallus" hassenkampi (Sieblos Dysodil Early Oligocene of Sieblos, Germany) •
Riacama caliginea (Deseado Early Oligocene of Argentina) – gruiform? •
Smiliornis penetrans (Deseado Early Oligocene of Argentina)– gruiform? •
Teracus littoralis [
leracus Aymard 1856 ;
leracus littoralis ] (Early Oligocene of France) •
Teleornis impressus (Deseado Early Oligocene of Argentina)– anatid? •
Pseudolarus guaraniticus (Deseado Early Oligocene – Miocene of Argentina) – gruiform? • Neornithes incerta sedis BMNH PAL 4989 (Hampstead Early Oligocene of Isle of Wight, England) – formerly
"Ptenornis" and included in
Headonornis; anseriform? •
"Anas" creccoides (Early-mid Oligocene of Belgium) – anseriform? •
"Charadrius" sheppardianus (Florissant middle Oligocene of Florissant, US) – charadriiform (charadriid?) •
Megagallinula harundinea (Indricotherium middle Oligocene of Chelkar-Teniz, Kazakhstan) •
"Palaeorallus" alienus (middle Oligocene of Tatal-Gol, Mongolia)– galliform? •
"Vanellus" selysii (middle Oligocene of Rupelmonde, Belgium) – charadriiform (charadriid)? •
Anserpica kiliani (Late Oligocene of France) – gruiform (gruid?) or anseriform (anseranatid?)? •
Gnotornis (Brule Late Oligocene of Shannon County, US) – gruiform (aramid)? •
G. aramiellus •
G. roardeola •
G. walkeri •
Guguschia nailiae (Late Oligocene of Pirəkəşkül, Azerbaijan) – anseriform (anserine)? pelagornithid (same as
Caspiodontornis)? •
Tiliornis senex (Late? Oligocene of Argentina)– phoenicopteriform? A
nomen dubium • Neornithes incerta sedis QM F40203 (Late Oligocene of Riversleigh, Australia)– gruiform (rallid)? •
Gaviella pusilla (Oligocene? of Wyoming, US)– gaviiform? plotopterid? •
"Anas" skalicensis (Early Miocene of "Skalitz", Czech Republic) - anseriform? •
Chenornis graculoides (Early Miocene) - Anseriformes (Anatidae) or Pelecaniformes (Phalacrocoracidae)? •
"Propelargus" olseni (Hawthorne Early Miocene of Tallahassee, US) – ciconiiform? • Neornithes incerta sedis MNHN SA 1259-1263 (Early/Middle Miocene of Sansan, France) – passeriform? •
Anisolornis excavatus (Santa Cruz Middle Miocene of Karaihen, Argentina) – gruiform, galliform, tinamiform? •
"Ardea" perplexa (Middle Miocene of Sansan, France) – ardeid? strigiform? •
"Cygnus herrenthalsi" (Middle Miocene of Belgium) •
"Anas" risgoviensis (Late Miocene of Bavaria, Germany) – anseriform? •
"Ardea" aureliensis (Late Miocene of France) – ardeid? •
Eoneornis australis (Miocene of Argentina) – anatid? A
nomen dubium •
Eutelornis patagonica (Miocene of Argentina) – anatid? •
Protibis cnemialis (Miocene of Argentina) – ciconiiform (threskiornithid)? •
"Limnatornis" paludicola (Miocene of France) – coliid? phoeniculid? •
"Picus" gaudryi (Miocene of France) – piciform? •
"Ardea" lignitum (Late Pliocene of Germany) – ardeid? strigid (genus
Bubo)? •
Bathoceleus hyphalus (Pliocene of New Providence, Bahamas) – picid? •
"Homalopus" – piciform? Preoccupied by a
subgenus of
Cryptocephalus leaf beetles described in 1835. •
"Liptornis hesternus" [
Liptornis cuvierii] – pelecaniform (pelecanid)? A
nomen dubium •
Proceriavis martini – pelagornithid? •
Protopelicanus cuvieri – pelecaniform (pelecanid)? pelagornithid? •
Eurofluvioviridavis robustipes (middle Eocene of Messel, Germany) •
Archaeotrogonidae –
basal Cypselomorphae? • Archaeotrogonidae gen. et sp. indet. (Early Eocene) •
Hassiavis laticauda •
Archaeotrogon (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene) •
Cimolopterygidae – charadriiform? •
Cimolopteryx (Late Cretaceous) •
C. rara •
C. maxima •
Lamarqueavis (Late Cretaceous) •
L. australis •
L. minima [
Cimolopteryx minima ] •
L. petra [
Cimolopteryx petra ] •
Cladornithidae Wetmore 1930 [Cladornithes ; Cladornidae ] (pelecaniform? •
Cladornis pachypus (Deseado Early Oligocene of Patagonia, Argentina) •
Eremopezidae – pelecaniform? ratite? •
Eremopezus eocaenus (Late Eocene) - includes
Stromeria fajumensis •
Gracilitarsidae – close to Sylphornithidae? •
Eutreptodactylus itaboraiensis (Late Paleocene of Brazil) - a
nomen dubium •
Gracilitarsus mirabilis (middle Eocene of Messel, Germany) •
Halcyornithidae – psittaciform (= Pseudasturidae?), coraciiform? •
Halcyornis toliapicus (London Clay Early Eocene of England) •
Cyrilavis (Green River Early Eocene of C US) - psittaciform (halcyornithid or psittacid)? •
C. olsoni [
Primobucco olsoni ] •
C. colburnorum •
Juncitarsidae •
Kashinia magnum [
Tenuicrus ;
Tenuicrus magnum ] – phoenicopteriform? •
Juncitarsus – phoenicopteriform? •
Laornithidae – charadriiform? gruiform? pelagornithid? •
Laornis edvardsianus [
Laopteryx (sic) ] (Late Cretaceous?) •
Lonchodytidae •
Lonchodytes estesi (Late Cretaceous/?Early Palaeocene) – gaviiform/pelecaniform? procellariiform? •
Palaeospizidae – passeriform? coraciiform? coliiform? •
Palaeospiza bella (Late Eocene of Florissant Fossil Beds, US) •
Parvicuculidae – cypselomorph, cuculiform, coraciiform (primobucconid)? •
Parvicuculus minor (Early Eocene of NW Europe) •
Remiornithidae (Paleocene of France) – palaeognath? •
Remiornis heberti [
Remiornis minor ] •
Sylphornithidae – cuculiform? coraciiform? close to Gracilitarsidae? •
Sylphornis bretouensis (middle Eocene of France) •
Oligosylphe mourerchauvireae (Borgloon Early Oligocene of Hoogbutsel, Belgium) •
Tytthostonychidae – procellariiform, pelecaniform? •
Tytthostonyx glauconiticus (Late Cretaceous/Early Palaeocene) •
Zygodactylidae [Primoscenidae ]–
near passerine •
Eozygodactylus americanus •
Zygodactylus (Early Oligocene – Middle? Miocene of C Europe) •
Z. ignotus •
Z. luberonensis •
Z. grivensis •
Primoscens minutus •
Primozygodactylus •
P. ballmanni •
P. danielsi •
P. major •
P. eunjooae •
"Graculavidae" [Dakotornithidae Erickson 1975;
Scaniornithidae;
Telmatornithidae Cracraft 1972] – a paraphyletic
form taxon, the "transitional shorebirds" •
Limosavis [
Graculavus ] (Late Cretaceous –? Early Palaeocene) – charadriiform? •
L. velox [
Graculavus velox ] •
L. augustus [
Graculavus augustus ] •
Palaeotringa (Late Cretaceous/Early Palaeocene) – charadriiform? •
Telmatornis priscus [
Telmatornis affinis ;
Graculavus pumilis ;
Palaeotringa vetus ] (Late Cretaceous?) – charadriiform? gruiform? podicipediform? •
Zhylgaia aestiflua (Early Paleocene) – presbyornithid? •
Scaniornis lundgreni (Early/Middle Paleocene) – phoenicopteriform? •
Dakotornis cooperi (Paleocene of North Dakota, US) •
Placement unresolved • "Graculavidae" gen. et sp. indet. (Gloucester County, US) ===
Struthioniformes===
Ostrich and related
ratites. •
Struthionidae [Struthiolithidae ; Palaeotididae ] (ostriches) •
Palaeotis weigelti [
Palaeogrus geiseltalensis ;
Ornitocnemus geiseltalensis ] (middle Eocene) •
Remiornis heberti •
Orientornis linxiaensis [
Struthio linxiaensis ] •
Prehistoric species of extant genera •
Struthio [
Palaeostruthio ;
Struthiolithus ootaxa;
Struthio (
Pachystruthio) ;
Megaloscelornis ] (Early Miocene – Recent) ===
Casuariiformes===
Cassowaries,
emus and related ratites. •
Casuariidae Kaup 1847 [Dromaiidae Huxley 1868; Dramaiinae Gray 1870; Dramiceiidae Richmond 1908; Dramaeidae Newton 1896] (emus and cassowaries) •
Diogenornis fragilis (Early Eocene) – possible casuariiform •
Emuarius (emuwaries) (Late Oligocene – Late Miocene) •
Prehistoric species of extant genera •
Dromaius [
Tachea ;
Emou ;
Peronista ;
Metapteryx ] (emus) (Middle Miocene – Recent) •
Casuarius [
Cela ;
Cela ;
Rhea ;
Chelarga ;
Oxyporus ;
Thrasys ;
Cassowara ;
Hippalectryo ] ===
Rheiformes===
Rheas and related ratites. •
Opisthodactylidae •
Opisthodactylus (Miocene) – rheid? •
Rheidae [Rheinae ] (rheas) •
Heterorhea dabbenei (Pliocene) •
Hinasuri nehuensis •
Prehistoric species of extant genera •
Rhea [
Rhea ;
Pterocnemia ;
Toujou ;
Tujus ] ===
Dinornithiformes===
Moas. •
Megalapterygidae - (Upland moas) •
Megalapteryx didinus [
Palaeocasuarius ;
Dinornis didinus ;
Megalapteryx benhami ;
Megalapteryx hamiltoni ;
Megalapteryx hectori ;
Megalapteryx tenuipes ;
Anomalopteryx didina ;
Palaeocasuarius velox ;
Palaeocasuarius elegans ;
Palaeocasuarius haasti ] •
Dinornithidae [Palapteryginae ; Palapterygidae ; Dinornithnideae ] (great moas) •
Dinornis [
Palapteryx ;
Megalornis ;
Movia ;
Moa ;
Owenia ;
Tylopteryx ] •
Emeidae [Emeinae ; Anomalopterygidae ; Anomalapteryginae ] (lesser moas) •
Anomalopteryx didiformis (Little bush moas) •
Emeus crassus Reichenbach 1853 (Eastern moas) •
Euryapteryx (Broad-billed or turkey moas) •
Pachyornis (Stout moas) Two unnamed
Saint Bathans Fauna species. ===
Apterygiformes=== •
Apterygidae [Apteryginae ] (Kiwis) •
Proapteryx micromeros ===
Lithornithiformes === •
Lithornithidae (False tinamous) •
Fissuravis weigelti •
Pseudocrypturus cercanaxius (Green River Early/middle Eocene of C US) •
Paracathartes howardae •
Lithornis [
Promusophaga ;
Pediorallus ;
Parvigyps ] (Paleocene – Early Eocene) ===
Tinamiformes=== •
Tinamidae [Crypturidae ; Tinamotidae ; Eudromiidae ; Rhynchotidae ] (tinamous) •
Querandiornis romani (Ensenada Early/Middle Pleistocene of Argentina) •
Roveretornis • Tinamidae gen. et sp. indet. MACN-SC Fleagle Collection (Early – Middle Miocene of S Argentina) - at least 2 species •
Prehistoric species of extant genera •
Eudromia [non
Eudromias ;
Calodromas Calodromus ;
Calopezus ;
Tinamisornis ;
Roveretornis ] •
Nothura [
Cayetanornis ] •
Crypturellus [
Microcrypturus ;
Crypturornis ;
Orthocrypturus ] ===
Vegaviiformes=== •
Neogaeornis wetzeli Lambrecht 1929 (Late Cretaceous) •
Polarornis gregorii Chatterjee 2002 (Late Cretaceous) •
Vegavis iaai (Late Cretaceous) •
Maaqwi cascadensis (Late Cretaceous) •
Australornis lovei (Paleocene) ===
Anseriformes=== '' '' The group that includes modern
ducks and
geese. •
Basal and unresolved forms •
Anatalavis [
Nettapterornis ] (Late Cretaceous/Early Paleocene– Early Eocene)– anseranatid or basal. •
A. rex [
Telmatornis rex ] •
A. oxfordi [
Nettapterornis oxfordi ] •
Romainvillia stehlini (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)– anseranatide or anatide •
Saintandrea chenoides •
Proherodius oweni (Early Eocene) – presbyornithid? •
Paranyroca magna (Early Miocene) – anatide or own family? •
Garganornis ballmanni •
Anhimidae [Palamedeinae ; Palamedeidae ] (screamers) •
Chaunoides antiquus •
Dromornithidae – Australian mihirungs or "demon ducks" •
Barawertornis tedfordi (Late Oligocene – Early Miocene) •
Bullockornis planei (Demon-Duck of Doom) (Middle Miocene) •
Ilbandornis (Late Miocene) •
I. woodburnei •
I. lawsoni •
Dromornis (Late Miocene – Pliocene) •
D. australis •
D. stirtoni (Stirton's Thunder Birds) •
Anseranatidae (magpie-geese •
Eoanseranas handae (Hand's Dawn Magpie Goose) • Anseranatidae gen. et sp. nov (Late Oligocene) •
Presbyornithidae [Telmabatidae ] •
Teviornis gobiensis (Late Cretaceous) •
Headonornis hantoniensis [
Agnopterus hantoniensis ;
Presbyornis hantoniensis ;
Ptenornis] – only BMNH PAL 30325 belongs to this bird, may belong to
Presbyornis. •
Presbyornis [
Nautilornis ;
Coltonia ] (Paleocene– Early Oligocene) •
P. isoni •
P. mongoliensis •
P. recurvirostrus [
Coltonia recurvirostra ] •
P. pervetus [
Nautilornis avus ;
Nautilornis proavitus ] •
Telmabates •
T. antiquus •
T. howardae •
Wilaru •
W. tedfordi •
W. prideauxi •
Anatidae [Cnemiornithidae ; Cygnidae ; Anseridae ; Cereopsidae ; Fuligulidae ; Merganidae ; Mergidae ; Plectropteridae ; Erismaturidae ; Tadornidae ] (ducks, geese and swans) •
Allgoviachen tortonica (Late Miocene) •
Annakacygna (Late Miocene) •
A. hajimei •
A. yoshiiensis •
Bonibernicla ponderosa [
Branta woolfendeni Bickart 1990] •
Eonessa anaticula (Middle Eocene) •
Cygnavus (Early Oligocene – Early Miocene) •
C. senckenbergi Lambrecht 1931 •
C. formosus Korochkin 1968 •
Cygnopterus Lambrecht 1931 (middle Oligocene – Early Miocene)– sometimes included in
Cygnavus •
C. neogradiensis Kessler & Hir 2009 •
C. affinis (Beneden 1883) Lambrecht 1931 [
Sula affinis Beneden 1883;
Palaeopapia hamsteadiensis Harrison & Walker 1979b] •
Mionetta Livezey & Martin 1988 (Late Oligocene – Early Miocene) •
M. robusta (Milne-Edwards 1868) Mlíkovský 2002 [
Anas robusta Milne-Edwards, 1868;
Anserobranta robusta (Milne-Edwards 1868) Cheneval 1987] •
M. arvernensis (Lydekker 1891a) [
Aythya arvernensis (Lydekker 1891a) Brodkorb 1964;
Fuligula arvernensis Lydekker, 1891a] •
M. blanchardi (Milne-Edwards 1863) Livezey & Martin 1988 [
Anas blanchardi Milne-Edwards 1863;
Palaeortyx phasianoides Milne-Edwards 1869;
Anas macroptera Milne-Edwards 1871 Nomen nudum;
Taoperdix phasianoides (Milne-Edwards 1869) Brodkorb 1964;
Dendrochen blanchardi (Milne-Edwards 1863) Cheneval 1983b] •
M. consobrina (Milne-Edwards 1867) Livezey & Martin 1988 [
Anas consobrina Milne-Edwards 1867;
Dendrochen consobrina (Milne-Edwards 1867) Cheneval 1983b] •
M. natator (Milne-Edwards 1867) Livezey & Martin 1988 [
Anas natator Milne-Edwards 1867;
Querquedula natator (Milne-Edwards 1867) Brodkorb 1962;
Dendrochen natator (Milne-Edwards 1867) Cheneval 1983b] •
Notochen bannockburnensis (Early Miocene) •
Australotadorna alecwilsoni Worthy 2009 (Late Oligocene – Early Miocene) •
Pinpanetta Worthy 2009 (Late Oligocene – Early Miocene) •
P. tedfordi Worthy 2009 •
P. vickersrichae Worthy 2009 •
P. fromensis Worthy 2009 •
Dunstanetta johnstoneorum Worthy et al. 2007 (Johnstone's ducks) (Early/Middle Miocene) •
Manuherikia Worthy et al. 2007 (Early/Middle Miocene) •
M. lacustrina Worthy et al. 2007 (Manuherikia duck) •
M. minuta Worthy et al. 2007 (Minute Manuherikia duck) •
M. douglasi Worthy et al. 2008 (Douglas' duck) •
Matanas enrighti Worthy et al. 2007 (Enright's ducks) (Early/Middle Miocene) •
Miotadorna Worthy et al. 2007 (Early/Middle Miocene) •
M. sanctibathansi Worthy et al. 2007 (St. Bathans shelducks) (Early/Middle Miocene) •
M. catrionae Tennyson et al. 2022 (Catriona's shelduck) (late Early/early Middle Miocene) (synonym of
M. sanctibathansi) •
Megalodytes morejohni Howard 1992 (Middle Miocene) •
Sinanas diatomas Yeh 1980 (Middle Miocene) •
Dendrochen Miller 1944 (Late Miocene) •
D. integra (Miller 1944) Cheneval 1987 [
Querquedula integra Miller 1944;
Anas integra (Miller 1944);
Spatula integra (Miller 1944)] •
D. oligocaena (Tugarinov 1940) [
Anas oligocaena Tugarinov 1940] •
D. robusta Miller 1944 •
Presbychen abavus Wetmore 1930 (Late Miocene) •
Afrocygnus chauvireae Louchart et al. 2005 (Late Miocene – Early Pliocene) •
Balcanas pliocaenica (Early Pliocene) – may belong in
Tadorna •
Wasonaka yepomerae Howard 1966 (Middle Pliocene) •
Paracygnus plattensis Short 1969 (Late Pliocene) •
Anabernicula Ross 1935 (Late Pliocene? – Late Pleistocene) •
A. minuscula (Wetmore 1924) [
Branta minuscula Wetmore 1924] (Late Pliocene of Benson, Arizona) •
A. oregonensis Howard 1964b •
A. gracilenta Ross 1935 •
Eremochen russelli Brodkorb 1961 (Pliocene) •
Tirarinetta kanunka Worthy 2008 (Pliocene) •
Brantadorna Howard 1964 (Middle Pleistocene) •
B. downsi Howard 1964 •
B. robusta (Short 1970) Livezey 1997 [
Anabernicula robusta Short 1970] •
Nannonetta invisitata Campbell 1979 (Late Pleistocene) •
Aldabranas cabri Harrison & Walker 1978 (Late Pleistocene) •
Ankonetta larriestrai Cenizo & Agnolín 2010 •
Cayaoa bruneti Tonni 1979 •
Chenoanas Zelenkov 2012 •
C. asiatica Zelenkov et al. 2018 •
C. deserta Zelenkov 2012 •
C. sansaniensis (Milne-Edwards 1867) (Middle Miocene of Siberia and Late Miocene of France) •
Cryptogyps (Middle – Late Pleistocene) •
Neogyps (Late Pleistocene) •
Palaeohierax – includes
"Aquila" gervaisii •
Placement unresolved • Accipitridae gen. et sp. indet. AMNH FR 7434 (Early Eocene) • Accipitridae gen. et sp. indet. (Early Oligocene) • Accipitridae gen. et sp. indet. (Early/Middle Miocene) • Accipitridae gen. et sp. indet. MPEF-PV-2523 (Late Miocene) • Accipitridae gen. et sp. indet. (Early/Middle Pliocene) –
Parabuteo? • Accipitridae gen. et sp. indet. (Late Pliocene/Early Pleistocene) –
Buteo? • Accipitridae gen. et sp. indet. (Egypt) •
"Aquila" danana (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene) – formerly also
Geranoaetus or
Buteo •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Haliaeetus (Early Oligocene – Recent) •
Buteo (middle Oligocene – Recent) •
Aquila (Middle Miocene – Recent) •
Buteogallus (Middle Miocene – Recent) – might include
Harpyhaliaetus •
"Hieraaetus" (Middle Miocene – Recent) – doubtfully distinct from
Aquila •
Milvus (Early Pleistocene – Recent) •
Gyps (Middle Pleistocene – Recent) •
Aegypius (Middle Pleistocene – Recent) •
Additional prehistoric species of extant genera •
Spizaetus grinnelli (Rancho La Brea Late Pleistocene of California, US) – formerly
Geranoaetus or
Buteo •
Spizaetus pliogryps – formerly
Aquila •
Gypaetus georgii (Late Miocene) •
Neophron lolis (Late Miocene) ===
Falconiformes=== •
Masillaraptoridae •
Masillaraptor parvunguis (middle Eocene of Messel, Germany) •
Danielsraptor phorusrhacoides (early Eocene of Essex, England) •
Falconidae – falcons •
Lagopterus minutus •
Parvulivenator watteli (Early Eocene) •
Stintonornis mitchelli (Early Eocene) •
Badiostes patagonicus (Early Miocene) •
Pediohierax ramenta [
Falco ramenta ] - (Middle Miocene) •
Thegornis musculosus [
Thegornis debilis ;
Buteo musculosus ] •
Petrosushkinia pliocaena [
Sushkinia ;
Sushkinia pliocaena ] (Early Pliocene) • Falconidae gen. et sp. indet. (Late Miocene) •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Milvago (Late Pleistocene -–Recent) •
M. alexandri •
M. brodkorbi •
Falco (Late Miocene – Recent) •
F. antiquus •
F. bakalovi •
F. bulgaricus •
F. chowi •
F. hezhengensis •
F. medius •
F. oregonus •
F. pisanus •
F. umanskajae ===
Steatornithiformes=== •
Paraprefica (Early Eocene?) •
P. kelleri •
P. major •
Steatornithidae – oilbirds •
Prefica nivea •
Prehistoric species of extant genera •
Steatornis sp. •
Nyctibiidae – potoos •
Euronyctibius kurochkini ===
Podargiformes=== •
Fluvioviridavidae •
Fluvioviridavis platyrhamphus (Green River Early Eocene of N America) •
Podargidae – frogmouths •
Masillapodargus longipes •
Quercypodargus olsoni ===
Caprimulgiformes=== •
Caprimulgidae – nightjars •
Ventivorus ragei •
Prehistoric species of extant genera •
Caprimulgus •
C. piurensis ===
Aegotheliformes=== Owlet-nightjars •
Aegothelidae •
Quipollornis koniberi (Early/Middle Miocene) •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Aegotheles (Early/Middle Miocene – Recent) •
A. savesi (New Caledonian owlet-nightjar) •
A. zealandivetus ===
Apodiformes=== Swifts and hummingbirds. •
Wyomingcypselus pohli •
Procypseloides mourerchauvireae (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene – Early Miocene) •
Laputavis robusta [
Laputa ;
Laputa robusta ] •
Palescyvus escampensis •
Scaniacypselus (Early – middle Eocene) •
S. wardi •
S. szarskii [
Aegialornis szarskii ;
Primapus szarskii ] •
Aegialornithidae •
Primapus lacki [?
Procuculus minutus ] (Early Eocene) ?apodid •
Aegialornis [
Tachyornis ;
Belornis ;
Mesogiornis ](Early? – Late Eocene) •
A. leenhardti •
A. germanicus •
A. gallicus [
Tachyornis hirundo ] •
A. wetmorei [
Mesogiornis wetmorei ] •
A. broweri [
Mesogiornis broweri ] •
Eocypselidae – apodiform (hemiprocnid?)? caprimulgiform?
basal Cypselomorphae? •
Eocypselus (Late Paleocene ?- Early Eocene of NC Europe) •
E. vincenti •
E. rowei •
Cypselavidae •
Parargornis messelensis (middle Eocene) jungornithid, trochilid, basal as
Argornis? •
Argornis caucasicus (Late Eocene) ?Trochilidae •
Cypselavus gallicus (Late Eocene Early Oligocene) aegialornithid or hemiprocnid •
Jungornithidae •
Jungornis (Early Oligocene of N Caucasus, Russia) •
J. tesselatus •
J. geraldmayri •
Trochilidae hummingbirds •
Eurotrochilus (Early Oligocene) •
E. inexpectatus •
E. noniewiczi •
Placement unresolved • Trochilidae sp. et gen. indet. (Bahamas, West Indies) • Trochilidae sp. et gen. indet. (Brazil) •
Apodidae – swifts •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Collocalia (Early Miocene – Recent) •
Apus (Middle/Late Miocene – Recent) •
Chaetura (Late Miocene – Recent) •
Tachornis (Late Pleistocene – Recent) ===
Coliiformes=== Mousebirds and relatives •
Unresolved and basal forms •
Botauroides parvus (Eocene of Wyoming, US) •
Eobucco brodkorbi - sandcoleid? •
Eocolius walkeri (London Clay Early Eocene of Walton-on-the-Naze, England) - sandcoleid or coliid •
Limnatornis (Early Miocene of Saint-Gérand-le-Puy, France) - coliid? (
Urocolius?) • Coliiformes gen. et sp. indet. (Late Miocene of Kohfidisch, Austria) •
Uintornis - sandcoleid? •
Family Chascacocoliidae • Genus
Chascacocolius (Late Paleocene ?- Early Eocene) - basal? sandcoleid? •
Family Selmeidae •
Selmes absurdipes (Middle Eocene ?-Late Oligocene of C Europe) - coliid? (synonym of
Primocolius?) •
Family Sandcoleidae •
Sandcoleus copiosus (Paleocene) •
Anneavis anneae •
Eoglaucidium pallas •
Family Coliidae •
Primocolius (Late Eocene/Oligocene of Quercy, France) •
Oligocolius (Early Oligocene of Frauenweiler, Germany) •
Masillacolius brevidactylus (middle Eocene of Messel, Germany) •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Colius [
Necrornis ] ===
Zealandornithidae=== •
Zealandornis relictus (Early Miocene of Otago, New Zealand) ===
Strigiformes=== Owls and barn owls •
Unresolved and basal forms •
Berruornis (Late Paleocene) – basal? Sophornithidae? • Strigiformes gen. et sp. indet. (Late Paleocene) •
Palaeoglaux (middle – Late Eocene) – own family Palaeoglaucidae or Strigidae? •
Palaeobyas (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene) – Tytonidae? Sophiornithidae? •
Palaeotyto (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene) – Tytonidae? • Strigiformes gen. et spp. indet. (Early Oligocene) •
Ogygoptyngidae •
Ogygoptynx (Middle/Late Paleocene) •
Protostrigidae •
Eostrix (Early – middle Eocene) •
Minerva (middle – Late Eocene) – formerly
Protostrix, includes
"Aquila" ferox,
"Aquila" lydekkeri, and
"Bubo" leptosteus •
Oligostrix (middle Oligocene) •
Sophiornithidae •
Sophiornis •
Strigidae – typical owls •
Mioglaux (Late Oligocene? – Early Miocene) – includes
"Bubo" poirreiri •
Intulula (Early/Middle –? Late Miocene) – includes
"Strix/Ninox" brevis •
Alasio (Middle Miocene) – includes
"Strix" collongensis •
Oraristrix (Late Pleistocene) •
Miosurnia (Late Miocene) •
Placement unresolved •
"Otus" wintershofensis (Early/Middle Miocene) – may be close to extant genus
Ninox •
"Strix" edwardsi (Middle/Late? Miocene) •
"Asio" pygmaeus (Early Pliocene) • Strigidae
gen. et sp. indet. UMMP V31030 (Late Pliocene) –
Strix/Bubo? •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Strix (Early Miocene – Recent) •
Bubo (Late Miocene? – Recent) •
Asio (Late Pliocene – Recent) •
Athene (Late Pliocene – Recent) •
Glaucidium (Late Pliocene – Recent) •
Surnia (Late Pliocene – Recent) •
Pulsatrix (Late Pleistocene – Recent) •
Tytonidae – barn owls •
Nocturnavis (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene) •
Selenornis (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene) •
Necrobyas (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene – Early Miocene) •
Prosybris (Early Oligocene? – Early Miocene) •
Placement unresolved • Tytonidae
gen. et sp. indet. TMT 164 (Middle Miocene) •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Tyto (Late Miocene – Recent) ===
Coraciiformes=== Rollers and allies. Probably paraphyletic. •
Basal and unresolved forms •
Quasisyndactylus longibrachis (middle Eocene) – alcediniform, basal? •
Paracoracias occidentalis •
Cryptornis antiquus (Late Eocene) – bucerotid? geranopterid? •
Protornis glarniensis (Oligocene) – basal to motmotids and meropids? • Coraciiformes gen. et spp. indet. PQ 1216, QU 15640 (Late Eocene) – 2 species •
Geranopteridae •
Geranopterus (Late Eocene – Early Miocene) •
G. alatus •
G. bohemicus [
Nupharanassa bohemica ] •
G. milneendwardsi •
Eocoraciidae •
Eocoracias brachyptera (middle Eocene) •
Primobucconidae •
Primobucco [
Neanis ] (Early – middle Eocene) •
P. kestneri [
Neanis kestneri ] •
P. frugilegus •
P. mcgrewi •
P. perneri •
Todidae – todies •
Palaeotodus Olson 1976 (Late Eocene of France – Early Oligocene of WC Europe and Wyoming) •
P. emryi •
P. escampsiensis •
P. itardiensis •
Motmotidae – motmots •
Placement unresolved • Momotidae gen. et sp. indet. (Late Miocene) •
Coraciidae •
Miocoracias chenevali •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Eurystomus •
E. beremedensis ===
Bucerotiformes=== •
Messelirrisoridae •
Messelirrisor Mayr 1998 (middle Eocene) •
M. halcyorostris •
M. parvus •
M. grandis •
Phoeniculidae (woodhoopoes) •
Phirriculus pinicola •
Bucerotidae – hornbills •
Euroceros bulgaricus (Late Miocene of Hadzhidimovo, Bulgaria) •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Bucorvus •
B. brailloni ===
Trogoniformes=== •
Trogonidae – trogons •
Foshanornis songi •
Septentrogon madseni Kristoffersen 2002 (Fur Late Paleocene/Early Eocene of Ejerslev, Denmark) •
Paratrogon gallicus [
Trogon gallicus ] (Early Miocene of France) •
Primotrogon [
Masillatrogon ] (middle Eocene of Messel, Germany? - Early Oligocene of France) •
P. wintersteini •
P. pumilio [
Masillatrogon pumilio ] •
Placement unresolved • Trogonidae gen. et sp. indet. 1 (NW Europe) • Trogonidae gen. et sp. indet. 2 (NW Europe) ===
Piciformes=== •
Placement unresolved • Piciformes gen. et sp. indet. IRScNB Av 65 (Early Oligocene) •
Rupelramphastoides (Early Oligocene) – ramphastid? • Piciformes gen. et sp. indet. SMF Av 429 (Late Oligocene) •
Capitonides (Early – Middle Miocene) – ramphastid? "capitonid" (Lybiidae, Megalaimidae)? own family Capitonididae? • Pici gen. et sp. indet. (Middle Miocene) – "capitonid" (Lybiidae, Megalaimidae?) •
Miopiconidae •
Miopico •
Lybiidae – African barbets • Lybiidae gen. et sp. indet. (Late Miocene) – extant genus
Pogoniulus? •
Galbulidae •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Galbula hylochoreutes (Middle Miocene of La Venta, Colombia) •
Picavidae •
Picavus •
Picidae – woodpeckers •
Palaeopicus (Late Oligocene) •
Palaeonerpes (Early Pliocene) •
Pliopicus (Early Pliocene) •
Placement unresolved • Picidae gen. et sp. indet. (Middle Miocene) • Picidae gen. et sp. indet. (Late Miocene) • cf.
Colaptes DMNH 1262 (Early Pliocene of Ainsworth, US) •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Campephilus (Late Pleistocene – Recent) •
Colaptes •
Dendrocopos •
Additional prehistoric subspecies of extant species •
Melanerpes superciliaris ssp. (Little Exuma, Bahamas) •
Melanerpes superciliaris ssp. (New Providence, Bahamas) ===
Passeriformes=== •
Placement unresolved • Passeriformes gen. et spp. indet. (Early Eocene) – several species, oscine? •
Resoviaornis (Early Oligocene) •
Wieslochia (Early Oligocene) • Passeriformes gen. et spp. indet. (Late Oligocene) – several suboscine and oscine species •
Certhiops (Early Miocene of Germany) – basal
Certhioidea • Passeriformes gen. et sp. indet. (Early/Middle Miocene) – suboscine? • Passeriformes gen. et spp. indet. (Early/Middle Miocene) – several species, oscine? • Passeriformes gen. et spp. indet. (Middle Miocene) – several species, basal? • Passeriformes gen. et spp. indet. (Middle Miocene) – several species, oscine? • Passeriformes gen. et spp. indet. (Late Miocene) –
Sylvioidea •
"Palaeostruthus" eurius (Pliocene) •
Eurylaimidae – broadbills •
Placement unresolved • Eurylaimidae gen. et sp. indet. (Early Miocene) •
Palaeoscinidae •
Palaeoscinis (Late Miocene) •
Furnariidae – ovenbirds •
Pseudoseisuropsis •
P. nehuen (Early Pleistocene of Argentina) •
P. cuelloi (Late Pleistocene of Uruguay) •
P. wintu (Early Pleistocene of Argentina) •
Prehistoric species of extant genera •
Pseudoseisura cursor (Ensenada Early/Middle Pleistocene of Anchorena, Argentina) •
Cinclodes major (Middle Pleistocene of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina) •
Menuridae – lyretails •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Menura (Early Miocene – Recent) •
Meliphagidae – honeyeaters •
Placement unresolved • Meliphagidae gen. et spp. indet. (Middle/Late Miocene – Pliocene of Riversleigh, Australia) – at least 7 spp., some may be from extant genera •
Orthonychidae – logrunners •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Orthonyx (Middle/Late Miocene – Recent) •
Oriolidae – Old World orioles •
Longmornis (Early Miocene of Riversleigh, Australia) •
Artamidae – woodswallows, butcherbirds, currawongs and Australian magpie •
Placement unresolved • Artamidae gen. et sp. indet. (Early/Middle Miocene) – cracticine •
Corvidae – crows, ravens, jays and magpies •
Miocorvus (Middle Miocene) •
Miopica (Middle Miocene) •
Miocitta (Late Miocene) •
Protocitta (Early Pleistocene) •
Henocitta (Middle Pleistocene) •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Corvus (Late Miocene — Recent) •
Pica (Late Pliocene/Early Pleistocene – Recent) •
Pyrrhocorax •
Placement unresolved • Corvidae gen. et sp. indet. (Early Pliocene) • Corvidae gen. et sp. indet. (Early/Middle Pleistocene) – probably belongs in extant genus •
Laniidae – shrikes •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Lanius (Early Miocene – Recent) •
Regulidae – kinglets •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Regulus (Late Pliocene – Recent) •
Hirundinidae – swallows and martins •
Placement unresolved • Hirundinidae gen. et spp. indet. (Early Pliocene of Langebaanweg, South Africa) – 2 species •
Megaluridae – grass-warblers and allies •
Extant genera present in the fossil record • ?
Locustella (Late Miocene – Recent) •
Acrocephalidae – marsh- and tree-warblers •
Extant genera present in the fossil record • ?
Acrocephalus (Late Miocene – Recent) •
Muscicapidae – Old World flycatchers and chats •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Luscinia (Late Miocene – Recent) •
Turdidae – thrushes •
Extant genera present in the fossil record • ?
Turdus (Middle? Miocene – Recent) •
Alaudidae – larks •
Eremarida (Late Miocene of Hrabarsko, Bulgaria) •
Motacillidae – wagtails •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Motacilla •
Fringillidae – finches •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Loxia (Late Pliocene – Recent) •
Additional prehistoric species of extant genera •
Coccothraustes simeonovi (Late Pliocene of Varshets, Bulgaria) •
Coccothraustes balcanicus •
Icteridae – grackles and New World orioles •
Pandanaris (Pleistocene) •
Pyelorhamphus (Pleistocene) •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Euphagus (Late Pleistocene – Recent) •
Cardinalidae – cardinals •
Placement unresolved •
Passerina sp. (Early Pliocene of Yepómera, Mexico) •
Emberizidae – buntings and New World sparrows •
Pampaemberiza (Middle Pleistocene of Necochea, Argentina) •
Extant genera present in the fossil record •
Ammodramus (Late Miocene – Recent) – including
Palaeostruthus •
Additional prehistoric species of extant genera •
Pipilo angelensis (Pleistocene of Rancho La Brea, US) ==Avialans
incertae sedis==