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September 17, 2002

Taxonomic recommendations for British birds and changes to the British List

In the October issue of the British Ornithologists Union's journal, Ibis, the BOU publishes the latest taxonomic recommendations for British birds by the Taxonomic Sub-committee of the BOU Records Committee (Knox et al. 2002. Ibis 144: 707-710). A full copy of the paper can be viewed at www.bou.org.uk.

The following changes to the British List take immediate effect.

Anseriformes and Galliformes move to the start of the list

Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) note new generic name

Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata) remove from Category A

Macqueen?s Bustard (Chlamydotis macqueenii) add to Category B (the only record since 31 December 1949 is currently under review) (split from Houbara Bustard (C. undulata))

Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) note the correct spelling of the scientific name

Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola treat as monotypic

Eastern Olivacaeous Warbler (Hippolais pallida) replaces Olivaceous Warbler (H. pallida) on Category A

Western Olivaceous Warbler (Hippolais opaca) added to Category A (split from (H. pallida))

Sykes's Warbler (Hippolais rama) add to Category A (split from (H. caligata))

Arctic Warbler (Phylloscopus borealis) the British records should be treated as belonging to the nominate race

Iberian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus ibericus) note the correct scientific name

Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla) note the correct spelling of the scientific name

Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) add to Category A (split from (C. corone))

Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) note the correct spelling of the scientific name

Pine Bunting (Emberiza leucocephalos) note the correct spelling of the scientific name

Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus) treat as monotypic


These changes bring the British List to 564 species

(Category A = 541; Category B = 14; Category C = 9).


In addition, the following change should be noted:


Category D species (Category D does not form part of the British List totals)

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus note new scientific name (split from P. ruber)


Reference

Knox, A.G., Collinson, M., Helbig, A.J., Parkin, D.P. and Sangster, G. 2002. Taxonomic recommendations for British birds. Ibis 144: 707-710.


ENDS


BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION

The Natural History Museum, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 6AP, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1 442 890 080 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7942 6150 Email: bou@bou.org.uk

Website: www.bou.org.uk / www.ibis.ac.uk

Posted by Surfbirds at September 17, 2002 11:18 PM

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