I am passionate about the natural world and have a love for photographing the many different flora and fauna I come across. Recently I have been surprised at how I have become somewhat hooked with birdwatching, I always noticed birds around but now I am more acutely aware of the various types of birds and their different features.
I have written posts on some of my favorite types of birds (like the Birds of Prey), but in this post I wanted to share a list of Orders and Families of some of the different types of birds.
Taxonomy is the science of categorizing and naming living organisms, with the aim to create a system that reflects the relationships between species. This is achieved using a hierarchical system to classify organisms into more specific categories. The highest level of classification is the Domain, followed by Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and then Species, In some cases you can then group based on sub-species or other parameters.
At the highest level, all organisms are grouped into three main domains; Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya, domains then get further divided into kingdoms (e.g., Animalia) and so on until we get to the level of an individual species.
Birds fall into the Domain Eukarya, and then the the Kingdom Animalia, They then fall into the Phylum Cordata (meaning animal with a backbone), and subsequently the Class Aves.
Clearly there are many different groups of birds, so this then gets split based on the Order, and the Family which I have included below. I didn't bother including Species or Genus as this list would becoming far to big, but this gives an idea at least of the Families birds fall into, and the Orders.
In the list below, the far left entry is the Order (solid dot), whilst the indented (hollow dot) is the Family with the common name of animals in this family in brackets (i.e., Owls). It should be noted that this list is subject to change as there has been a fair bit of re-classification across the board with the advent of DNA sequencing, this means that whilst previously birds were grouped based on appearance or specific characteristics, DNA sequencing may now show a bird is less related to the family it is assigned to, and more related to a different family so it gets re-assigned. I am sharing this as much for my own benefit and much of it will be rambling, so as always do your own research before relying on any information, this is intended as a guide and should not be relied on for anything important.
- Accipitriformes
- Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
- Pandionidae (Osprey)
- Sagittariidae (Secretarybird)
- Anseriformes
- Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
- Anhimidae (Screamers)
- Anseranatidae (Magpie Goose)
- Apterygiformes
- Apterygidae (Kiwis)
- Bucerotiformes
- Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
- Bucorvidae (Ground-Hornbills)
- Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitarbills)
- Upupidae (Hoopoes)
- Caprimulgiformes
- Aegothelidae (Owlet-nightjars)
- Apodidae (Swifts)
- Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
- Hemiprocnidae (Treeswifts)
- Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
- Podargidae (Frogmouths)
- Steatornithidae (Oilbird)
- Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
- Cariamiformes
- Cariamidae (Seriemas)
- Casuariiformes
- Casuariidae (Cassowaries and Emu)
- Cathartiformes
- Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
- Charadriiformes
- Alcidae (Auks, Murres, and Puffins)
- Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
- Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
- Chionidae (Sheathbills)
- Dromadidae (Crab-Plover)
- Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
- Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
- Ibidorhynchidae (Ibisbill)
- Jacanidae (Jacanas)
- Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
- Pedionomidae (Plains-wanderer)
- Pluvianellidae (Magellanic Plover)
- Pluvianidae (Egyptian Plover)
- Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
- Rostratulidae (Painted-Snipes)
- Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
- Stercorariidae (Skuas and Jaegers)
- Thinocoridae (Seedsnipes)
- Turnicidae (Buttonquail)
- Ciconiiformes
- Ciconiidae (Storks)
- Coliiformes
- Coliidae (Mousebirds)
- Columbiformes
- Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
- Coraciiformes
- Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
- Brachypteraciidae (Ground-Rollers)
- Coraciidae (Rollers)
- Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
- Momotidae (Motmots)
- Todidae (Todies)
- Cuculiformes
- Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
- Eurypygiformes
- Eurypygidae (Sunbittern)
- Rhynochetidae (Kagu)
- Falconiformes
- Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
- Galbuliformes
- Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
- Galbulidae (Jacamars)
- Galliformes
- Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
- Megapodiidae (Megapodes)
- Numididae (Guineafowl)
- Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
- Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
- Gaviiformes
- Gaviidae (Loons)
- Gruiformes
- Aramidae (Limpkin)
- Gruidae (Cranes)
- Heliornithidae (Finfoots)
- Psophiidae (Trumpeters)
- Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
- Sarothruridae (Flufftails)
- Leptosomiformes
- Leptosomidae (Cuckoo-roller)
- Mesitornithiformes
- Mesitornithidae (Mesites)
- Musophagiformes
- Musophagidae (Turacos)
- Opisthocomiformes
- Opisthocomidae (Hoatzin)
- Otidiformes
- Otididae (Bustards)
- Passeriformes
- Acanthisittidae (New Zealand Wrens)
- Acanthizidae (Thornbills and Allies)
- Acrocephalidae (Reed Warblers and Allies)
- Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits)
- Aegithinidae (Ioras)
- Alaudidae (Larks)
- Artamidae (Woodswallows, Bellmagpies, and Allies)
- Atrichornithidae (Scrub-birds)
- Bernieridae (Malagasy Warblers)
- Bombycillidae (Waxwings)
- Buphagidae (Oxpeckers)
- Calcariidae (Longspurs and Snow Buntings)
- Callaeidae (Wattlebirds)
- Calyptomenidae (African and Green Broadbills)
- Calyptophilidae (Chat-Tanagers)
- Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
- Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
- Certhiidae (Treecreepers)
- Chaetopidae (Rockjumpers)
- Chloropseidae (Leafbirds)
- Cinclidae (Dippers)
- Cinclosomatidae (Quail-thrushes and Jewel-babblers)
- Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
- Climacteridae (Australasian Treecreepers)
- Cnemophilidae (Satinbirds)
- Conopophagidae (Gnateaters)
- Corcoracidae (White-winged Chough and Apostlebird)
- Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
- Cotingidae (Cotingas)
- Dasyornithidae (Bristlebirds)
- Dicaeidae (Flowerpeckers)
- Dicruridae (Drongos)
- Donacobiidae (Donacobius)
- Dulidae (Palmchat)
- Elachuridae (Spotted Elachura)
- Emberizidae (Old World Buntings)
- Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
- Eulacestomatidae (Ploughbill)
- Eupetidae (Rail-babbler)
- Eurylaimidae (Asian and Grauer's Broadbills)
- Falcunculidae (Shrike-tits)
- Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
- Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
- Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
- Grallariidae (Antpittas)
- Hirundinidae (Swallows)
- Hyliotidae (Hyliotas)
- Hylocitreidae (Hylocitrea)
- Hypocoliidae (Hypocolius)
- Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
- Icteriidae (Yellow-breasted Chat)
- Ifritidae (Ifrita)
- Irenidae (Fairy-bluebirds)
- Laniidae (Shrikes)
- Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes and Allies)
- Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)
- Machaerirhynchidae (Boatbills)
- Macrosphenidae (African Warblers)
- Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies)
- Maluridae (Fairywrens)
- Melampittidae (Melampittas)
- Melanocharitidae (Berrypeckers and Longbills)
- Melanopareiidae (Crescentchests)
- Meliphagidae (Honeyeaters)
- Menuridae (Lyrebirds)
- Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
- Mitrospingidae (Mitrospingid Tanagers)
- Modulatricidae (Dapple-throat and Allies)
- Mohoidae (Hawaiian Honeyeaters)
- Mohouidae (Whiteheads)
- Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
- Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
- Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
- Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
- Neosittidae (Sittellas)
- Nesospingidae (Puerto Rican Tanager)
- Nicatoridae (Nicators)
- Notiomystidae (Stitchbird)
- Oreoicidae (Australo-Papuan Bellbirds)
- Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
- Orthonychidae (Logrunners)
- Oxyruncidae (Sharpbill, Royal Flycatcher, and Allies)
- Pachycephalidae (Whistlers and Allies)
- Panuridae (Bearded Reedling)
- Paradisaeidae (Birds-of-Paradise)
- Paramythiidae (Tit Berrypecker and Crested Berrypecker)
- Pardalotidae (Pardalotes)
- Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
- Parulidae (New World Warblers)
- Passerellidae (New World Sparrows)
- Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
- Pellorneidae (Ground Babblers and Allies)
- Petroicidae (Australasian Robins)
- Peucedramidae (Olive Warbler)
- Phaenicophilidae (Hispaniolan Tanagers)
- Philepittidae (Asities)
- Phylloscopidae (Leaf Warblers)
- Picathartidae (Rockfowl)
- Pipridae (Manakins)
- Pittidae (Pittas)
- Pityriasidae (Bristlehead)
- Platylophidae (Crested Shrikejay)
- Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises)
- Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
- Pnoepygidae (Cupwings)
- Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
- Pomatostomidae (Pseudo-Babblers)
- Promeropidae (Sugarbirds)
- Prunellidae (Accentors)
- Psophodidae (Whipbirds and Wedgebills)
- Ptiliogonatidae (Silky-flycatchers)
- Ptilonorhynchidae (Bowerbirds)
- Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
- Regulidae (Kinglets)
- Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
- Rhagologidae (Mottled Berryhunter)
- Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
- Rhipiduridae (Fantails)
- Rhodinocichlidae (Thrush-Tanager)
- Sapayoidae (Sapayoa)
- Scotocercidae (Bush Warblers and Allies)
- Sittidae (Nuthatches)
- Spindalidae (Spindalises)
- Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
- Sturnidae (Starlings)
- Sylviidae (Sylviid Warblers, Parrotbills, and Allies)
- Teretistridae (Cuban Warblers)
- Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
- Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
- Tichodromidae (Wallcreeper)
- Timaliidae (Tree-Babblers, Scimitar-Babblers, and Allies)
- Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
- Troglodytidae (Wrens)
- Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
- Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
- Urocynchramidae (Przevalski's Pinktail)
- Vangidae (Vangas, Helmetshrikes, and Allies)
- Viduidae (Indigobirds)
- Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
- Zeledoniidae (Wrenthrush)
- Zosteropidae (White-eyes, Yuhinas, and Allies)
- Pelecaniformes
- Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
- Balaenicipitidae (Shoebill)
- Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
- Scopidae (Hamerkop)
- Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
- Phaethontiformes
- Phaethontidae (Tropicbirds)
- Phoenicopteriformes
- Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
- Piciformes
- Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
- Indicatoridae (Honeyguides)
- Lybiidae (African Barbets)
- Megalaimidae (Asian Barbets)
- Picidae (Woodpeckers)
- Ramphastidae (Toucans)
- Semnornithidae (Toucan-Barbets)
- Podicipediformes
- Podicipedidae (Grebes)
- Procellariiformes
- Diomedeidae (Albatrosses)
- Hydrobatidae (Northern Storm-Petrels)
- Oceanitidae (Southern Storm-Petrels)
- Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels)
- Psittaciformes
- Cacatuidae (Cockatoos)
- Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
- Psittaculidae (Old World Parrots)
- Strigopidae (New Zealand Parrots)
- Pterocliformes
- Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)
- Rheiformes
- Rheidae (Rheas)
- Sphenisciformes
- Spheniscidae (Penguins)
- Strigiformes
- Strigidae (Owls)
- Tytonidae (Barn-Owls)
- Struthioniformes
- Struthionidae (Ostriches)
- Suliformes
- Anhingidae (Anhingas)
- Fregatidae (Frigatebirds)
- Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
- Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
- Tinamiformes
- Tinamidae (Tinamous)
- Trogoniformes
- Trogonidae (Trogons)
I hope this list is of interest, I am sharing it as much for myself to be able to more easily work out which Order & Family specific birds may belong to, I have also included some of the various bird pictures I have captured over the years below. These images are usually edited with Lightroom CC, Topaz Sharpen AI, Topaz DeNoise AI (if needed), and Aurora HDR (if needed).
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