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How many bird families have you seen? (1 Viewer)

ovenbird43

Well-known member
United States
Couldn't help but start this one... taking a break from trudging from this stack of grading. A life bird is always species but for me there's an extra thrill in seeing a bird species from a new family. I've seen most of the families present in the New World, mainly missing the Caribbean endemics, old world warblers, and a few small southern families (seedsnipe, penguins). This summer I will be adding a whole bunch of new ones during my first visit to Africa- yay!

I suppose the more ambitious of you may find it fun to count how many species per family you've seen.

Nice even 100, although I'm not certain what the consensus is on Coerebidae and Donacobiidae:

Rheidae
Tinamidae
Anatidae
Anhimidae
Cracidae
Phasianidae
Odontophoridae
Gaviidae
Podicipedidae
Diomedeidae
Procellariidae
Hydrobatidae
Fregatidae
Sulidae
Pelecanidae
Anhingidae
Phalacrocoracidae
Ardeidae
Threskiornithidae
Ciconiidae
Cathartidae
Accipitridae
Falconidae
Aramidae
Rallidae
Gruidae
Psophiidae
Cariamidae
Heliornithidae
Eurypygidae
Burhinidae
Charadriidae
Jacanidae
Haematopodidae
Recurvirostridae
Scolopacidae
Laridae
Stercorariidae
Alcidae
Columbidae
Psittacidae
Cuculidae
Opisthocomidae
Tytonidae
Strigidae
Caprimulgidae
Nyctibiidae
Steatornithidae
Apodidae
Trochilidae
Trogonidae
Alcedinidae
Momotidae
Galbulidae
Bucconidae
Capitonidae
Ramphastidae
Picidae
Furnariidae
Dendrocolaptidae
Thamnophilidae
Formicariidae
Conopophagidae
Rhinocryptidae
Tyrannidae
Tityridae
Cotingidae
Pipridae
Laniidae
Vireonidae
Corvidae
Alaudidae
Hirundinidae
Timaliidae
Paridae
Remizidae
Aegithalidae
Certhiidae
Sittidae
Troglodytidae
Donacobiidae
Cinclidae
Regulidae
Polioptilidae
Turdidae
Mimidae
Sturnidae
Motacilllidae
Bombycillidae
Ptilogonatidae
Parulidae
Peucidramidae
Coerebidae
Thraupidae
Emberizidae
Cardinalidae
Icteridae
Fringillidae
Passeridae
Estrildidae
 
128 by my own system, which is most similar to IOC. Mostly NA and Palearctic families, with some additional groups from a couple of work related trips to Africa and Australia.

Of "regularly occurring" families within the ABA area, I still need Fregatidae, Aramidae, and Phaethonidae. Actually I need those period!
 
It looks like I've seen 182 out of 224 families going by Clements. Just because I wanted to procrastinate from writing a paper on natural resource law in the U.S. or make final revisions to my thesis, I added up the number of species seen per family and figured out the percentage of the total I've seen also.

1 Struthionidae (Ostrich) 100.00%
1 Dromaiidae (Emu) 100.00%
6 Tinamidae (Tinamous) 12.77%
1 Anhimidae (Screamers) 33.33%
85 Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl) 51.52%
2 Megapodiidae (Megapodes) 9.52%
11 Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows) 22.00%
4 Numididae (Guineafowl) 66.67%
6 Odontophoridae (New World Quail) 19.35%
54 Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies) 30.51%
4 Gaviidae (Loons) 80.00%
11 Podicipedidae (Grebes) 50.00%
4 Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos) 66.67%
3 Spheniscidae (Penguins) 17.65%
5 Diomedeidae (Albatrosses) 33.33%
20 Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels) 24.39%
5 Hydrobatidae (Storm-Petrels) 20.83%
2 Phaethontidae (Tropicbirds) 66.67%
13 Ciconiidae (Storks) 68.42%
4 Fregatidae (Frigatebirds) 80.00%
8 Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets) 80.00%
16 Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags) 40.00%
4 Anhingidae (Anhingas) 100.00%
6 Pelecanidae (Pelicans) 75.00%
1 Scopidae (Hamerkop) 100.00%
45 Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns) 70.31%
17 Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills) 53.13%
6 Cathartidae (New World Vultures) 85.71%
1 Pandionidae (Osprey) 100.00%
137 Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites) 58.05%
1 Sagittariidae (Secretary-bird) 100.00%
40 Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras) 61.54%
33 Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots) 22.76%
1 Heliornithidae (Finfoots) 33.33%
1 Eurypygidae (Sunbittern) 100.00%
14 Otididae (Bustards) 53.85%
1 Aramidae (Limpkin) 100.00%
1 Psophiidae (Trumpeters) 33.33%
8 Gruidae (Cranes) 53.33%
8 Burhinidae (Thick-knees) 88.89%
37 Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings) 56.06%
1 Dromadidae (Crab Plover) 100.00%
6 Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers) 50.00%
6 Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets) 66.67%
6 Jacanidae (Jacanas) 75.00%
55 Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies) 58.51%
3 Turnicidae (Buttonquail) 18.75%
11 Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers) 64.71%
1 Thinocoridae (Seedsnipes) 25.00%
1 Rostratulidae (Painted-Snipes) 33.33%
61 Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers) 61.62%
5 Stercorariidae (Skuas and Jaegers) 71.43%
5 Alcidae (Auks, Murres, and Puffins) 20.83%
7 Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse) 43.75%
89 Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves) 27.99%
9 Cacatuidae (Cockatoos) 42.86%
72 Psittacidae (Parrots) 20.93%
18 Musophagidae (Turacos) 78.26%
1 Opisthocomidae (Hoatzin) 100.00%
54 Cuculidae (Cuckoos) 38.03%
3 Tytonidae (Barn-Owls) 20.00%
43 Strigidae (Owls) 22.51%
1 Aegothelidae (Owlet-Nightjars) 11.11%
3 Podargidae (Frogmouths) 23.08%
24 Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and allies) 25.81%
3 Nyctibiidae (Potoos) 42.86%
38 Apodidae (Swifts) 38.00%
3 Hemiprocnidae (Treeswifts) 75.00%
96 Trochilidae (Hummingbirds) 28.57%
5 Coliidae (Mousebirds) 83.33%
28 Trogonidae (Trogons) 63.64%
5 Momotidae (Motmots) 38.46%
42 Alcedinidae (Kingfishers) 45.16%
21 Meropidae (Bee-eaters) 80.77%
8 Coraciidae (Rollers) 66.67%
1 Upupidae (Hoopoes) 50.00%
6 Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills) 75.00%
35 Bucerotidae (Hornbills) 61.40%
12 Bucconidae (Puffbirds) 34.29%
7 Galbulidae (Jacamars) 38.89%
29 Lybiidae (African Barbets) 70.73%
16 Megalaimidae (Asian Barbets) 55.17%
5 Capitonidae (New World Barbets) 35.71%
1 Semnornithidae (Toucan-Barbets) 50.00%
15 Ramphastidae (Toucans) 42.86%
10 Indicatoridae (Honeyguides) 58.82%
106 Picidae (Woodpeckers) 48.40%
8 Eurylaimidae (Broadbills) 50.00%
9 Pittidae (Pittas) 28.13%
69 Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers) 23.39%
49 Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds) 22.17%
5 Formicariidae (Antthrushes) 45.45%
7 Grallariidae (Antpittas) 14.00%
2 Conopophagidae (Gnateaters) 20.00%
5 Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos) 9.09%
1 Melanopareiidae (Crescentchests) 25.00%
112 Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers) 27.25%
18 Cotingidae (Cotingas) 27.27%
13 Pipridae (Manakins) 24.07%
14 Tityridae (Tityras and allies) 48.28%
4 Ptilonorhynchidae (Bowerbirds) 20.00%
4 Climacteridae (Australasian Treecreepers) 57.14%
8 Maluridae (Fairywrens) 29.63%
46 Meliphagidae (Honeyeaters) 25.84%
2 Pardalotidae (Pardalotes) 50.00%
19 Acanthizidae (Thornbills and Allies) 30.16%
2 Pomatostomidae (Pseudo-Babblers) 40.00%
1 Orthonychidae (Logrunners) 33.33%
1 Psophodidae (Whipbirds and Wedgebills) 20.00%
20 Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises) 66.67%
8 Prionopidae (Helmetshrikes and Allies) 66.67%
31 Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies) 64.58%
1 Machaerirhynchidae (Boatbills) 50.00%
4 Artamidae (Woodswallows) 36.36%
8 Cracticidae (Bellmagpies and Allies) 61.54%
1 Pityriaseidae (Bristlehead) 100.00%
3 Aegithinidae (Ioras) 75.00%
27 Campephagidae (Cuckoo-shrikes) 33.33%
1 Neosittidae (Sittellas) 50.00%
10 Pachycephalidae (Whistlers and Allies) 17.86%
24 Laniidae (Shrikes) 80.00%
13 Vireonidae (Vireos) 25.00%
17 Oriolidae (Old World Orioles) 56.67%
13 Dicruridae (Drongos) 52.00%
10 Rhipiduridae (Fantails) 22.22%
20 Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers) 20.62%
48 Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies) 40.00%
2 Corcoracidae (White-winged Chough and Apostlebird) 100.00%
1 Paradisaeidae (Birds-of-paradise) 2.50%
9 Petroicidae (Australasian Robins) 19.15%
3 Chaetopidae (Rockjumpers) 100.00%
1 Eupetidae (Rail-babbler and Ifrita) 50.00%
2 Nicatoridae (Nicators) 66.67%
38 Alaudidae (Larks) 39.58%
51 Hirundinidae (Swallows) 61.45%
7 Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers) 87.50%
30 Paridae (Chickadees and Tits) 50.85%
5 Remizidae (Penduline-Tits) 38.46%
11 Cettiidae (Bush-Warblers and Allies) 36.67%
4 Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits) 40.00%
10 Sittidae (Nuthatches) 41.67%
1 Tichodromidae (Wallcreeper) 100.00%
6 Certhiidae (Creepers) 75.00%
31 Troglodytidae (Wrens) 38.75%
7 Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers) 46.67%
3 Cinclidae (Dippers) 60.00%
83 Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls) 67.48%
3 Regulidae (Kinglets) 50.00%
28 Phylloscopidae (Leaf-Warblers) 40.58%
17 Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies) 31.48%
14 Megaluridae (Grassbirds and Allies) 26.92%
1 Donacobiidae (Donacobius) 100.00%
87 Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies) 61.70%
22 Sylviidae (Old World Warblers) 29.33%
2 Promeropidae (Sugarbirds) 100.00%
1 Irenidae (Fairy-bluebirds) 50.00%
3 Hyliotidae (Hyliotas) 75.00%
137 Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers) 50.55%
67 Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies) 37.02%
89 Timaliidae (Babblers) 30.90%
18 Zosteropidae (White-eyes) 15.93%
11 Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers) 32.35%
46 Sturnidae (Starlings) 39.32%
2 Buphagidae (Oxpeckers) 100.00%
7 Chloropseidae (Leafbirds) 63.64%
13 Dicaeidae (Flowerpeckers) 29.55%
76 Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters) 58.02%
2 Prunellidae (Accentors) 15.38%
37 Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits) 56.06%
3 Bombycillidae (Waxwings) 100.00%
1 Ptilogonatidae (Silky-flycatchers) 25.00%
50 Parulidae (New World Warblers) 43.86%
1 Coerebidae (Bananaquit) 100.00%
85 Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies) 37.95%
90 Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and Allies) 28.30%
20 Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies) 41.67%
41 Icteridae (Troupials and Allies) 39.42%
69 Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies) 32.86%
16 Passeridae (Old World Sparrows) 41.03%
65 Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies) 56.03%
69 Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies) 49.29%
9 Viduidae (Indigobirds) 45.00%


Cheers,
Benji
 
Bu**er what I have seen - I haven't seen any :-

Psophiidae ( Trumpeters )
Mesitornithidae ( Mesites )
Rhynochetidae ( Kagu )
Brachypteraciidae ( Ground-rollers )
Leptosomatidae ( Courol )
Conophagidae ( Gnateaters )
Oxyruncidae ( Sharpbill )
Philepittidae ( Asites )
Vangidae ( Vanga-shrikes )
Rhabdornithidae ( Phillipine creepers / Rhabdornis' )
Drepandidae ( Hawaiian Honeycreepers )

Thankfully they are( mainly ) all suitably obscure families from obscure places, so I'll have to wander off into the wilds again :t: B :)

Chris
 
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