Changes in Taxonomy

This page shows a comparison between the BirdLife Australia (v1.1) taxonomy used on an early version of the website and the latest v3 list (which is available for download here).

Splits and Lumps in Taxonomy

Whilst most of us think we know what a 'species' is, scientists called taxonomists are continually assessing the genetic makeup and other aspects of species, and this can result in changes. Not all taxonomists agree, and different lists (taxonomies) may have different sets of species!

Sometimes they decide that what were previously regarded as two separate species, such as Rufous Fantail and Arafura Fantail, are in fact sufficiently closely related that they are best regarded as a single species - in this case the Rufous Fantail. This is called a 'lump'.

As far as this website is concerned, this is very simple: all photos that were originally uploaded as Rufous or Arafura Fantails are now re-assigned to Rufous Fantail. In the case of newer lumps we update the comment on the photos to say what the original species was. You can no longer upload an image as Arafura Fantail, or search for Arafura Fantail in the lists.

On other occasions they decide that what was previously thought of as a single species, such as Thick-billed Grasswren, contains sufficient differences that it deserves to be regarded as two or more species - in this case Thick-billed Grasswren and Western Grasswren. This is called a 'split'.

Splits are much more complex for us to handle. We have photos of 'Thick-billed Grasswren' and now they may be of either species. In some cases it is easy to determine (eg. based on range), in others very hard. Our solution to this (using Thick-billed Grasswren as an example) is as follows:

All existing photos of Thick-billed Grasswren are assigned to a new name: 'Thick-billed Grasswren complex'.

Over time the original photographers or the moderators will attempt to assign such images to the correct new species. To assist in this, when editing an image of a 'complex' the list of new species will be shown.

When you upload you have to make a choice of Thick-billed or Western Grasswren. Because you may not have realised the species has been split there will be an indication of this on the upload page if you select Thick-billed.

If you search for images of 'Thick-billed Grasswren complex' you will get all images of that name, together with any images of the new species - Thick-billed or Western Grasswren.

If you search for one of the new species - e.g. Western Grasswren - you will get images of that species and the complex.

Note that in this example the name of one of the new species is the same as the name of the original single species. In some splits (e.g. Rockhopper Penguin into Northern and Southern) this is not the case.

For completeness, note that the following splits and lumps were made when we moved from the Christidis & Boles taxonomy (used on our old website) to BirdLife v1.1 (used on this site since February 2016):

Lumps:

Imperial Shag and Kerguelen Shag lumped as Imperial Shag

White-lined Honeyeater and Kimberley Honeyeater lumped as White-lined Honeyeater

Rufous Fantail and Arafura Fantail lumped as Rufous Fantail

Scarlet Robin and Pacific Robin lumped as Scarlet Robin

Eastern Yellow Wagtail and Green-headed Yellow Wagtail lumped as Yellow Wagtail

Splits:

Wandering Albatross split into Wandering Albatross, Amsterdam Albatross, Tristan Albatross and Antipodean Albatross

Royal Albatross split into Northern Royal Albatross and Southern Royal Albatross

Black-browed Albatross split into Black-browed Albatross and Campbell Albatross

Shy Albatross split into Shy Albatross, White-capped Albatross, Chatham Albatross and Salvin's Albatross

Yellow-nosed Albatross split into Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross and Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross

Rockhopper Penguin split into Southern Rockhopper Penguin and Northern Rockhopper Penguin

Macaroni Penguin split into Macaroni Penguin and Royal Penguin

Ground Parrot split into Western Ground Parrot and Eastern Ground Parrot (this split has been reversed in the upgrade to v2)

Little Bronze-Cuckoo split into Little Bronze-Cuckoo and Gould's Bronze-Cuckoo (this split has been reversed in the upgrade to v2)

Thick-billed Grasswren split into Thick-billed Grasswren and Western Grasswren

Changes from BWL v1.1 to BWL v2.1

Lumps Species being lumped New species Previous Common Name Previous Scientific Name New Common Name New Scientific Name Family Order Status Population Little Bronze-Cuckoo Chalcites minutillus Little Bronze-Cuckoo Chalcites minutillus Cuckoos (Cuculidae) Cuculiformes Least concern Australian Gould's Bronze-Cuckoo Chalcites russatus Variable Goshawk Accipiter hiogaster Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus Eagles, Kites, Goshawks (Accipitridae) Accipitriformes Least concern Australian Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus Tasman Parakeet Cyanoramphus cookii Red-fronted Parakeet Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae Parrots, Lorikeets and Rosellas (Psittaculidae) Psittaciformes Critically endangered Australian Red-fronted Parakeet Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae Eastern Ground Parrot Pezoporus wallicus Ground Parrot Pezoporus wallicus Parrots, Lorikeets and Rosellas (Psittaculidae) Psittaciformes Least concern Endemic Western Ground Parrot Pezoporus flaviventris

Splits Species that is split New species from split Previous Common Name Previous Scientific Name Family Order New Common Name New Scientific Name Status Population Emerald Dove complex Chalcophaps indica Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae) Columbiformes Brown-capped Emerald-Dove Chalcophaps longirostris Least concern Australian Grey-capped Emerald-Dove Chalcophaps indica Near threatened Australian Gull-billed Tern complex Gelochelidon nilotica Gulls, Terns and Noddies (Laridae) Charadriiformes Common Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Least concern Non-breeding Australian Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon macrotarsa Least concern Endemic (breeding only) Macaroni Penguin complex Eudyptes chrysolophus Penguins (Spheniscidae) Sphenisciformes Macaroni Penguin Eudyptes chrysolophus Near threatened Australian Royal Penguin Eudyptes schlegeli Near threatened Endemic (breeding only) Rockhopper Penguin complex Eudyptes chrysocome Penguins (Spheniscidae) Sphenisciformes Northern Rockhopper Penguin Eudyptes moseleyi Vagrant Vagrant Southern Rockhopper Penguin Eudyptes chrysocome Vulnerable Australian Wandering Albatross complex Diomedea exulans Albatrosses (Diomedeidae) Procellariformes Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans Critically endangered Australian Antipodean Albatross Diomedea antipodensis Endangered Non-breeding Amsterdam Albatross Diomedea amsterdamensis Vagrant No confirmed record Tristan Albatross Diomedea dabbenena Vagrant Australian Royal Albatross complex Diomedea epomophora Albatrosses (Diomedeidae) Procellariformes Northern Royal Albatross Diomedea sanfordi Endangered Non-breeding Southern Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora Vulnerable Non-breeding Yellow-nosed Albatross complex Thalassarche chlororhynchos Albatrosses (Diomedeidae) Procellariformes Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos Vagrant Vagrant Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche carteri Endangered Non-breeding Black-browed Albatross complex Thalassarche melanophrys Albatrosses (Diomedeidae) Procellariformes Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris Endangered Australian Campbell Albatross Thalassarche impavida Vulnerable Non-breeding Shy Albatross complex Thalassarche cauta Albatrosses (Diomedeidae) Procellariformes Shy Albatross Thalassarche cauta Vulnerable Endemic (breeding only) White-capped Albatross Thalassarche steadi Vulnerable Non-breeding Chatham Albatross Thalassarche eremita Vagrant Vagrant Salvin's Albatross Thalassarche salvini Vulnerable Non-breeding Great-winged Petrel complex Pterodroma macroptera Petrels and Shearwaters (Procellariidae) Procellariformes Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma macroptera Least concern Australian Grey-faced Petrel Pterodroma gouldi Least concern Non-breeding Little Shearwater complex Puffinus assimilis Petrels and Shearwaters (Procellariidae) Procellariformes Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis Least concern Australian Subantarctic Shearwater Puffinus elegans Least concern Non-breeding Sooty Owl complex Tyto tenebricosa Masked Owls (Tytonidae) Strigiformes Greater Sooty Owl Tyto tenebricosa Least concern Australian Lesser Sooty Owl Tyto multipunctata Least concern Endemic Southern Boobook complex Ninox novaeseelandiae Hawk-Owls (Strigidae) Strigiformes Southern Boobook Ninox boobook Least concern Australian Tasmanian Boobook Ninox leucopsis Least concern Endemic New Zealand Boobook Ninox novaeseelandiae Critically endangered Australian Rainbow Lorikeet complex Trichoglossus haematodus Parrots, Lorikeets and Rosellas (Psittaculidae) Psittaciformes Coconut Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus Least concern Non-breeding Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus moluccanus Least concern Endemic Red-collared Lorikeet Trichoglossus rubritorquis Least concern Endemic Double-eyed Fig-Parrot complex Cyclopsitta diophthalma Parrots, Lorikeets and Rosellas (Psittaculidae) Psittaciformes Double-eyed Fig-Parrot Cyclopsitta diophthalma Least concern Australian Coxen's Fig-Parrot Cyclopsitta coxeni Endangered Endemic Thick-billed Grasswren complex Amytornis textilis Fairy-wrens, Emu-wrens and Grasswrens (Maluridae) Passeriformes Western Grasswren Amytornis textilis Least concern Endemic Thick-billed Grasswren Amytornis modestus Least concern Endemic

Other changes

The following 12 species have been added in the latest list Common Name Scientific Name Family Order Status Population Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope Ducks, Geese and Swans (Anatidae) Anseriformes Vagrant Vagrant Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae) Columbiformes Vagrant Vagrant Slaty-backed Gull Larus schistisagus Gulls, Terns and Noddies (Laridae) Charadriiformes Vagrant Vagrant Heinroth's Shearwater Puffinus heinrothi Petrels and Shearwaters (Procellariidae) Procellariformes Vagrant Vagrant Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis Eagles, Kites, Goshawks (Accipitridae) Accipitriformes Vagrant Vagrant Oriental Scops-owl Otus sunia Hawk-Owls (Strigidae) Strigiformes Vagrant Vagrant Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida Pittas (Pittidae) Passeriformes Vagrant Vagrant Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki Old world flycatchers (Muscicapidae) Passeriformes Vagrant Vagrant Siberian Blue Robin Luscinia cyane Old world flycatchers (Muscicapidae) Passeriformes Vagrant Vagrant Siberian Thrush Geokichla sibirica Thrushes (Turdidae) Passeriformes Vagrant Vagrant Trindade Petrel Pterodroma arminjoniana Petrels and Shearwaters (Procellariidae) Procellariformes Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri Snipe, Sandpipers, Godwits, Curlew, Stints and Phalaropes (Scolopacidae) Charadriiformes No confirmed record

The following 14 species are no longer in the list - either because there is no accepted record or because they are extinct Common Name Scientific Name Norfolk Island Ground-Dove Gallicolumba norfolciensis Linchi Swiftlet Collocalia linchi Asian Drongo-Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris Rufous-bellied Kookaburra Dacelo gaudichaud Kerguelen Pintail Anas eatoni Vanuatu Petrel Pterodroma occulta Oriental Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus orientalis Black-nest Swiftlet Aerodramus maximus Edible-nest Swiftlet Aerodramus fuciphagus Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus Silver-backed Needletail Hirundapus cochinchinensis Common Paradise-Kingfisher Tanysiptera galatea Wallacean Cuckoo-shrike Coracina personata New Zealand Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa

The following 6 species have had both common and scientific names changed - usually as a result of a split or lump of a species with wider distribution New Common Name New Scientific Name Previous Common Name Previous Scientific Name Family Order Status Population Australian Swiftlet Aerodramus terraereginae White-rumped Swiftlet Aerodramus spodiopygius Swifts and Swiftlets (Apodidae) Caprimulgiformes Least concern Australian Grey Noddy Procelsterna albivitta Grey Ternlet Procelsterna cerulea Gulls, Terns and Noddies (Laridae) Charadriiformes Least concern Australian Tropical Shearwater Puffinus bailloni Audubon's Shearwater Puffinus lherminieri Petrels and Shearwaters (Procellariidae) Procellariformes Vagrant Vagrant Australian Little Bittern Ixobrychus dubius Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus Herons, Egrets and Bitterns (Ardeidae) Pelecaniformes Least concern Australian Australasian Darter Anhinga novaehollandiae Australian Darter Anhinga melanogaster Darter (Anhingidae) Pelecaniformes Least concern Australian Northern Boobook Ninox japonica Brown Hawk-Owl Ninox scutulata Hawk-Owls (Strigidae) Strigiformes Vagrant Vagrant

The following 8 species have had their common name changed New Common Name Scientific Name Previous Common Name Family Order Status Population Blue-tailed Imperial-Pigeon Ducula concinna Elegant Imperial-Pigeon Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae) Columbiformes Vagrant Vagrant Whistling Hawk-cuckoo Hierococcyx nisicolor Hodgson's Hawk-cuckoo Cuckoos (Cuculidae) Cuculiformes Vagrant Vagrant Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus saturatus Himalayan Cuckoo Cuckoos (Cuculidae) Cuculiformes Least concern Non-breeding Pied Stilt Himantopus leucocephalus Black-winged Stilt Stilts and Avocets (Recurvirostridae) Charadriiformes Least concern Australian Australian Painted-snipe Rostratula australis Australian Painted Snipe Painted Snipe (Rostratulidae) Charadriiformes Endangered Endemic Chinese Goshawk Accipiter soloensis Chinese Sparrowhawk Eagles, Kites, Goshawks (Accipitridae) Accipitriformes Vagrant Vagrant Green Oriole Oriolus flavocinctus Yellow Oriole Orioles and Figbirds (Oriolidae) Passeriformes Least concern Australian Australasian Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae Australian Pipit Pipits and Wagtails (Motacillidae) Passeriformes Least concern Australian

The following 91 species have had their scientific name changed Common Name New Scientific Name Previous Scientific Name Family Order Status Population Radjah Shelduck Radjah radjah Tadorna radjah Ducks, Geese and Swans (Anatidae) Anseriformes Least concern Australian Garganey Spatula querquedula Anas querquedula Ducks, Geese and Swans (Anatidae) Anseriformes Least concern Vagrant Australasian Shoveler Spatula rhynchotis Anas rhynchotis Ducks, Geese and Swans (Anatidae) Anseriformes Least concern Australian Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata Anas clypeata Ducks, Geese and Swans (Anatidae) Anseriformes Vagrant Vagrant Brown Quail Synoicus ypsilophorus Coturnix ypsilophora Pheasants and Quail (Phasianidae) Galliformes Least concern Australian King Quail Synoicus chinensis Excalfactoria chinensis Pheasants and Quail (Phasianidae) Galliformes Least concern Australian Barbary Dove Streptopelia roseogrisea Streptopelia risoria Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae) Columbiformes Introduced Introduced Brown Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia phasianella Macropygia amboinensis Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae) Columbiformes Least concern Australian Peaceful Dove Geopelia placida Geopelia striata Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae) Columbiformes Least concern Australian Banded Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus alligator Ptilinopus cinctus Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae) Columbiformes Least concern Endemic Pallid Cuckoo Heteroscenes pallidus Cacomantis pallidus Cuckoos (Cuculidae) Cuculiformes Least concern Endemic (breeding only) Lord Howe Woodhen Hypotaenidia sylvestris Gallirallus sylvestris Crakes, Rails and Swamphens (Rallidae) Gruiformes Endangered Endemic Buff-banded Rail Hypotaenidia philippensis Gallirallus philippensis Crakes, Rails and Swamphens (Rallidae) Gruiformes Least concern Australian Ruddy-breasted Crake Zapornia fusca Porzana fusca Crakes, Rails and Swamphens (Rallidae) Gruiformes Vagrant Vagrant Baillon's Crake Zapornia pusilla Porzana pusilla Crakes, Rails and Swamphens (Rallidae) Gruiformes Least concern Australian Spotless Crake Zapornia tabuensis Porzana tabuensis Crakes, Rails and Swamphens (Rallidae) Gruiformes Least concern Australian Pale-vented Bush-hen Amaurornis moluccana Amaurornis olivaceus Crakes, Rails and Swamphens (Rallidae) Gruiformes Least concern Australian Sarus Crane Antigone antigone Grus antigone Cranes (Gruidae) Gruiformes Least concern Australian Brolga Antigone rubicunda Grus rubicunda Cranes (Gruidae) Gruiformes Least concern Australian Beach Stone-curlew Esacus magnirostris Esacus giganteus Stone-curlews (Burhinidae) Charadriiformes Least concern Australian American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica Pluvialis dominicus Plovers, Dotterel and Lapwings (Charadriidae) Charadriiformes Vagrant Vagrant Hooded Plover Thinornis cucullatus Thinornis rubricollis Plovers, Dotterel and Lapwings (Charadriidae) Charadriiformes Vulnerable Endemic Ruff Calidris pugnax Philomachus pugnax Snipe, Sandpipers, Godwits, Curlew, Stints and Phalaropes (Scolopacidae) Charadriiformes Least concern Vagrant Broad-billed Sandpiper Calidris falcinellus Limicola falcinellus Snipe, Sandpipers, Godwits, Curlew, Stints and Phalaropes (Scolopacidae) Charadriiformes Least concern Non-breeding Buff-breasted Sandpiper Calidris subruficollis Tryngites subruficollis Snipe, Sandpipers, Godwits, Curlew, Stints and Phalaropes (Scolopacidae) Charadriiformes Vagrant Vagrant Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius Phalaropus fulicaria Snipe, Sandpipers, Godwits, Curlew, Stints and Phalaropes (Scolopacidae) Charadriiformes Vagrant Vagrant Red-backed Button-quail Turnix maculosus Turnix maculosa Button-quail (Turnicidae) Charadriiformes Least concern Australian South Polar Skua Catharacta maccormicki Stercorarius maccormicki Skuas and Jaegers (Stercorariidae) Charadriiformes Vagrant Vagrant Brown Skua Catharacta antarcticus Stercorarius lonnbergi Skuas and Jaegers (Stercorariidae) Charadriiformes Least concern Australian Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus Onychoprion fuscata Gulls, Terns and Noddies (Laridae) Charadriiformes Least concern Australian New Zealand Storm-Petrel Fregetta maoriana Oceanites maorianus Southern Storm-Petrels (Oceanitidae) Procellariformes Vagrant Vagrant Kerguelen Petrel Aphrodroma brevirostris Lugensa brevirostris Petrels and Shearwaters (Procellariidae) Procellariformes Least concern Non-breeding Striated Heron Butorides striata Butorides striatus Herons, Egrets and Bitterns (Ardeidae) Pelecaniformes Least concern Australian Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Ardea ibis Herons, Egrets and Bitterns (Ardeidae) Pelecaniformes Least concern Australian Australian White Ibis Threskiornis moluccus Threskiornis molucca Ibis and Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae) Pelecaniformes Least concern Australian Imperial Shag Phalacrocorax atriceps Leucocarbo atriceps Cormorants and Shags (Phalacrocoracidae) Pelecaniformes Near threatened Australian Buffy Fish-Owl Ketupu ketupu Bubo ketupu Hawk-Owls (Strigidae) Strigiformes Vagrant Vagrant Little Kingfisher Ceyx pusillus Ceyx pusilla Kingfishers (Alcedinidae) Coraciiformes Least concern Australian Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo Zanda funereus Calyptorhynchus funereus Cockatoos and Corellas (Cacatuidae) Psittaciformes Least concern Endemic Baudin's Black-Cockatoo Zanda baudinii Calyptorhynchus baudinii Cockatoos and Corellas (Cacatuidae) Psittaciformes Endangered Endemic Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo Zanda latirostris Calyptorhynchus latirostris Cockatoos and Corellas (Cacatuidae) Psittaciformes Endangered Endemic Galah Eolophus roseicapilla Eolophus roseicapillus Cockatoos and Corellas (Cacatuidae) Psittaciformes Least concern Endemic Major Mitchell's Cockatoo Cacatua leadbeateri Lophochroa leadbeateri Cockatoos and Corellas (Cacatuidae) Psittaciformes Least concern Endemic Mulga Parrot Psephotellus varius Psephotus varius Parrots, Lorikeets and Rosellas (Psittaculidae) Psittaciformes Least concern Endemic Hooded Parrot Psephotellus dissimilis Psephotus dissimilis Parrots, Lorikeets and Rosellas (Psittaculidae) Psittaciformes Least concern Endemic Golden-shouldered Parrot Psephotellus chrysopterygius Psephotus chrysopterygius Parrots, Lorikeets and Rosellas (Psittaculidae) Psittaciformes Endangered Endemic Rufous Treecreeper Climacteris rufus Climacteris rufa Treecreepers (Climacteridae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Black-tailed Treecreeper Climacteris melanurus Climacteris melanura Treecreepers (Climacteridae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Macleay's Honeyeater Xanthotis macleayanus Xanthotis macleayana Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic White-eared Honeyeater Nesoptilotis leucotis Lichenostomus leucotis Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Yellow-throated Honeyeater Nesoptilotis flavicollis Lichenostomus flavicollis Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic White-gaped Honeyeater Stomiopera unicolor Lichenostomus unicolor Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Yellow Honeyeater Stomiopera flava Lichenostomus flavus Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Graceful Honeyeater Microptilotis gracilis Meliphaga gracilis Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Australian White-lined Honeyeater Microptilotis albilineata Meliphaga albilineata Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Bridled Honeyeater Bolemoreus frenatus Lichenostomus frenatus Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Eungella Honeyeater Bolemoreus hindwoodi Lichenostomus hindwoodi Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Singing Honeyeater Gavicalis virescens Lichenostomus virescens Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Varied Honeyeater Gavicalis versicolor Lichenostomus versicolor Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Australian Mangrove Honeyeater Gavicalis fasciogularis Lichenostomus fasciogularis Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Grey-headed Honeyeater Ptilotula keartlandi Lichenostomus keartlandi Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Yellow-plumed Honeyeater Ptilotula ornata Lichenostomus ornatus Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Grey-fronted Honeyeater Ptilotula plumula Lichenostomus plumulus Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Fuscous Honeyeater Ptilotula fusca Lichenostomus fuscus Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Yellow-tinted Honeyeater Ptilotula flavescens Lichenostomus flavescens Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic White-plumed Honeyeater Ptilotula penicillata Lichenostomus penicillatus Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Yellow-faced Honeyeater Caligavis chrysops Lichenostomus chrysops Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Speckled Warbler Pyrrholaemus sagittatus Chthonicola sagittata Thornbills and Gerygones (Acanthizidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Chestnut-rumped Heathwren Calamanthus pyrrhopygius Calamanthus pyrrhopygia Thornbills and Gerygones (Acanthizidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Shy Heathwren Calamanthus cautus Calamanthus cauta Thornbills and Gerygones (Acanthizidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Large-billed Scrubwren Sericornis magnirostra Sericornis magnirostris Thornbills and Gerygones (Acanthizidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Scrubtit Acanthornis magna Acanthornis magnus Thornbills and Gerygones (Acanthizidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Cicadabird Edolisoma tenuirostris Coracina tenuirostris Cuckoo-shrikes and Trillers (Campephagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Australian Black Butcherbird Melloria quoyi Cracticus quoyi Woodswallows, Currawongs, Butcherbirds and Magpie (Artamidae) Passeriformes Least concern Australian Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen Cracticus tibicen Woodswallows, Currawongs, Butcherbirds and Magpie (Artamidae) Passeriformes Least concern Australian Paradise Riflebird Lophorina paradiseus Ptiloris paradiseus Birds of Paradise (Paradisaeidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Victoria's Riflebird Lophorina victoriae Ptiloris victoriae Birds of Paradise (Paradisaeidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Magnificent Riflebird Lophorina magnificus Ptiloris magnificus Birds of Paradise (Paradisaeidae) Passeriformes Least concern Australian Yellow-legged Flycatcher Kempiella griseoceps Microeca griseoceps Australian Robins (Petroicidae) Passeriformes Least concern Australian White-breasted Robin Quoyornis georgianus Eopsaltria georgiana Australian Robins (Petroicidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Mangrove Robin Peneothello pulverulenta Peneonanthe pulverulenta Australian Robins (Petroicidae) Passeriformes Least concern Australian Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis Nectarinia jugularis Sunbirds (Nectariniidae) Passeriformes Least concern Australian Gouldian Finch Chloebia gouldiae Erythrura gouldiae Weaver Finches (Estrildidae) Passeriformes Near threatened Endemic Tawny Grassbird Cincloramphus timoriensis Megalurus timoriensis Grassbirds (Locustellidae) Passeriformes Least concern Australian Little Grassbird Poodytes gramineus Megalurus gramineus Grassbirds (Locustellidae) Passeriformes Least concern Australian Spinifexbird Poodytes carteri Eremiornis carteri Grassbirds (Locustellidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic Arctic Warbler Sericercus borealis Phylloscopus borealis Leaf Warblers (Phylloscopidae) Passeriformes Vagrant Vagrant Rosy Starling Pastor roseus Sturnus roseus Starlings (Sturnidae) Passeriformes Vagrant Vagrant Purple-backed Starling Agropsar sturninus Sturnus sturninus Starlings (Sturnidae) Passeriformes Vagrant Vagrant Chestnut-cheeked Starling Agropsar philippensis Sturnus philippensis Starlings (Sturnidae) Passeriformes Vagrant Vagrant Common Myna Acridotheres tristis Sturnus tristis Starlings (Sturnidae) Passeriformes Introduced Introduced

Changes from BWL v2.1 to BWL v3

Splits Species that is split New species from split Previous Common Name Previous Scientific Name Family Order New Common Name New Scientific Name Status Population Intermediate Egret complex Ardea intermedia Herons, Egrets and Bitterns (Ardeidae) Pelecaniformes Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia Vagrant Vagrant Plumed Egret Ardea plumifera Least concern Australian Blue-faced Honeyeater complex Entomyzon cyanotis Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Blue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotis Least concern Australian White-quilled Honeyeater Entomyzon albipennis Least concern Endemic White-naped Honeyeater complex Melithreptus lunatus Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Gilbert's Honeyeater Melithreptus chloropsis Least concern Endemic White-naped Honeyeater Melithreptus lunatus Least concern Endemic Black-chinned Honeyeater complex Melithreptus gularis Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Golden-backed Honeyeater Melithreptus laetior Least concern Endemic Black-chinned Honeyeater Melithreptus gularis Near threatened Endemic White-lined Honeyeater complex Microptilotis albilineata Honeyeaters and Chats (Meliphagidae) Passeriformes Kimberley Honeyeater Microptilotis fordianus Least concern Endemic White-lined Honeyeater Microptilotis albilineatus Least concern Endemic Rufous Fieldwren complex Calamanthus campestris Thornbills and Gerygones (Acanthizidae) Passeriformes Western Fieldwren Calamanthus montanellus Least concern Endemic Rufous Fieldwren Calamanthus campestris Least concern Endemic Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush complex Cinclosoma castaneothorax Whipbirds and Wedgebills (Cinclosomatidae) Passeriformes Western Quail-thrush Cinclosoma marginatum Least concern Endemic Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush Cinclosoma castaneothorax Least concern Endemic Cinnamon Quail-thrush complex Cinclosoma cinnamomeum Whipbirds and Wedgebills (Cinclosomatidae) Passeriformes Nullarbor Quail-thrush Cinclosoma alisteri Least concern Endemic Cinnamon Quail-thrush Cinclosoma cinnamomeum Least concern Endemic Crested Shrike-tit complex Falcunculus frontatus () Passeriformes Northern Shrike-tit Falcunculus whitei Least concern Endemic Western Shrike-tit Falcunculus leucogaster Least concern Endemic Eastern Shrike-tit Falcunculus frontatus Least concern Endemic Grey Whistler complex Pachycephala simplex Whistlers, Shrike-thrushes and allies (Pachycephalidae) Passeriformes Grey-headed Whistler Pachycephala griseiceps Least concern Australian Brown Whistler Pachycephala simplex Least concern Australian Grey Butcherbird complex Cracticus torquatus Woodswallows, Currawongs, Butcherbirds and Magpie (Artamidae) Passeriformes Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus Least concern Endemic Silver-backed Butcherbird Cracticus argenteus Least concern Endemic Rufous Fantail complex Rhipidura rufifrons Fantails (Rhipiduridae) Passeriformes Rufous Fantail Rhipidura rufifrons Least concern Australian Arafura Fantail Rhipidura dryas Least concern Australian Grey Fantail complex Rhipidura fuliginosa Fantails (Rhipiduridae) Passeriformes Grey Fantail Rhipidura albiscapa Least concern Australian New Zealand Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa Extinct Restless Flycatcher complex Myiagra inquieta Monarch and Flycatchers (Monarchidae) Passeriformes Paperbark Flycatcher Myiagra nana Least concern Australian Restless Flycatcher Myiagra inquieta Least concern Australian Scarlet Robin complex Petroica multicolor Australian Robins (Petroicidae) Passeriformes Scarlet Robin Petroica boodang Least concern Australian Norfolk Island Robin Petroica multicolor Endangered Endemic Lemon-bellied Flycatcher complex Microeca flavigaster Australian Robins (Petroicidae) Passeriformes Kimberley Flycatcher Microeca tormenti Least concern Endemic Lemon-bellied Flycatcher Microeca flavigaster Least concern Australian Crimson Finch complex Neochmia phaeton Weaver Finches (Estrildidae) Passeriformes Black-bellied Crimson Finch Neochmia phaeton Least concern Australian White-bellied Crimson Finch Neochmia evangelinae Near threatened Australian

Other changes

The following 12 species have been added in the latest list Common Name Scientific Name Family Order Status Population Zoe's Imperial-Pigeon Ducula zoeae Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae) Columbiformes Vagrant Vagrant Orange-fronted Fruit-dove Ptilinopus aurantiifrons Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae) Columbiformes Vagrant Vagrant Silver-backed Needletail Hirundapus cochinchinensis Swifts and Swiftlets (Apodidae) Caprimulgiformes Vagrant Vagrant Common Swift Apus apus Swifts and Swiftlets (Apodidae) Caprimulgiformes Vagrant Vagrant Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus Cuckoos (Cuculidae) Cuculiformes Vagrant Vagrant Slaty-breasted Rail Lewinia striata Crakes, Rails and Swamphens (Rallidae) Gruiformes Vagrant Vagrant Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata Crakes, Rails and Swamphens (Rallidae) Gruiformes Vagrant Vagrant Band-rumped Storm-Petrel Hydrobates castro Northern Storm-Petrels (Hydrobatidae) Procellariformes Vagrant Vagrant Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii Snipe, Sandpipers, Godwits, Curlew, Stints and Phalaropes (Scolopacidae) Charadriiformes Vagrant Vagrant Crow-billed Drongo Dicrurus annectens Drongos (Dicruridae) Passeriformes Vagrant Vagrant Kamchatka Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus examinandus Leaf Warblers (Phylloscopidae) Passeriformes Vagrant Vagrant Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Pipits and Wagtails (Motacillidae) Passeriformes Vagrant Vagrant

The following 18 species were not processed in the new species table Common Name Scientific Name Emerald Dove complex Chalcophaps indica Little Shearwater complex Puffinus assimilis Great-winged Petrel complex Pterodroma macroptera Gull-billed Tern complex Gelochelidon nilotica Rainbow Lorikeet complex Trichoglossus haematodus Double-eyed Fig-Parrot complex Cyclopsitta diophthalma Southern Boobook complex Ninox novaeseelandiae Sooty Owl complex Tyto tenebricosa Wandering Albatross complex Diomedea exulans Royal Albatross complex Diomedea epomophora Black-browed Albatross complex Thalassarche melanophrys Shy Albatross complex Thalassarche cauta Yellow-nosed Albatross complex Thalassarche chlororhynchos Rockhopper Penguin complex Eudyptes chrysocome Macaroni Penguin complex Eudyptes chrysolophus Thick-billed Grasswren complex Amytornis textilis Unknown/not in list Hybrid

The following 5 species have had both common and scientific names changed - usually as a result of a split or lump of a species with wider distribution New Common Name New Scientific Name Previous Common Name Previous Scientific Name Family Order Status Population Papuan Pitta Erythropitta macklotii Red-bellied Pitta Pitta erythrogaster Pittas (Pittidae) Passeriformes Least concern Australian Common Cicadabird Edolisoma tenuirostre Cicadabird Edolisoma tenuirostris Cuckoo-shrikes and Trillers (Campephagidae) Passeriformes Least concern Australian Frill-necked Monarch Arses lorealis Frilled Monarch Arses telescopthalmus Monarch and Flycatchers (Monarchidae) Passeriformes Least concern Australian Oriental Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus orientalis Great Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus Reed-Warblers (Acrocephalidae) Passeriformes Least concern Non-breeding Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Pipits and Wagtails (Motacillidae) Passeriformes Least concern Non-breeding

The following 18 species have had their common name changed New Common Name Scientific Name Previous Common Name Family Order Status Population Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Northern Mallard Ducks, Geese and Swans (Anatidae) Anseriformes Introduced Introduced Red Turtle-Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica Red Collared-Dove Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae) Columbiformes Vagrant Vagrant Pied Imperial Pigeon Ducula bicolor Pied Imperial-Pigeon Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae) Columbiformes Vagrant Vagrant Black-banded Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus alligator Banded Fruit-Dove Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae) Columbiformes Least concern Endemic Great Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius Pied Cormorant Cormorants and Shags (Phalacrocoracidae) Pelecaniformes Least concern Australian Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Ringed Plover Plovers, Dotterel and Lapwings (Charadriidae) Charadriiformes Vagrant Vagrant Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew Snipe, Sandpipers, Godwits, Curlew, Stints and Phalaropes (Scolopacidae) Charadriiformes Critically endangered Non-breeding Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius Grey Phalarope Snipe, Sandpipers, Godwits, Curlew, Stints and Phalaropes (Scolopacidae) Charadriiformes Vagrant Vagrant Brown Noddy Anous stolidus Common Noddy Gulls, Terns and Noddies (Laridae) Charadriiformes Least concern Australian Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii Crested Tern Gulls, Terns and Noddies (Laridae) Charadriiformes Least concern Australian Tasman Morepork Ninox novaeseelandiae New Zealand Boobook Hawk-Owls (Strigidae) Strigiformes Critically endangered Australian Christmas Island Boobook Ninox natalis Christmas Island Hawk-Owl Hawk-Owls (Strigidae) Strigiformes Vulnerable Endemic Oriental Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis Dollarbird Dollarbird (Coraciidae) Coraciiformes Least concern Australian Bluebonnet Northiella haematogaster Blue Bonnet Parrots, Lorikeets and Rosellas (Psittaculidae) Psittaciformes Least concern Endemic Black-eared Catbird Ailuroedus melanotis Spotted Catbird Bowerbirds and Catbirds (Ptilonorhynchidae) Passeriformes Least concern Australian Mangrove Fantail Rhipidura phasiana Mangrove Grey Fantail Fantails (Rhipiduridae) Passeriformes Least concern Australian Eurasian Magpie Pica pica Black-billed Magpie Crows and Ravens (Corvidae) Passeriformes Vagrant Vagrant Australian Yellow White-eye Zosterops luteus Yellow White-eye True Babblers (Zosteropidae) Passeriformes Least concern Endemic