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This article lists livingorders andfamilies ofbirds. In total there are about 11,000 species of birds described as of 2024,[1] though one estimate of the real number places it at almost 20,000.[2] The orderpasserines (perching birds) alone accounts for well over 5,000 species.
Taxonomy is very fluid in the age ofDNA analysis, so comments are made where appropriate, and all numbers are approximate. In particular seeSibley-Ahlquist taxonomy for a very different classification.
Cladogram of modern bird relationships based on Stilleret al (2024).,[3] showing the 44 orders recognised by the IOC.[4]
ThePalaeognathae or "old jaws" is one of the two superorders recognized within the taxonomic class Aves and consist of theratites andtinamous. The ratites are mostly large and long-legged,flightless birds, lacking akeeled sternum. Traditionally, all the ratites were place in the orderStruthioniformes. However, recent genetic analysis has found that the group is not monophyletic, as it is paraphyletic with respect to thetinamous, so the ostriches are classified as the only members of the order Struthioniformes and other ratites placed in other orders.[5][6]
Africa; 2 species
South America; 2 species
Australasia; 4 species
Australasia; 5 species
Madagascar
New Zealand
South America; 45 species
Nearly all living birds belong to the subclassNeognathae or "new jaws". With theirkeeled sternum (breastbone), unlike the ratites, they are known ascarinatae.
Worldwide; 250 species
Worldwide; 150 species
Worldwide; 19 species
Worldwide; 6 species
Worldwide; 300 species
Africa, Europe, Asia; 16 species
Madagascar; 3 species
Worldwide; 97 species
South America; 1 species
Americas; 7 species
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Asia and Australasia; 14 species
Australasia; 10 species
Worldwide; 478 species
Worldwide; 150 species
Africa; 23 species
Africa and Eurasia; 27 species
South America; 1 species
Worldwide; 164 species
Worldwide; 350 species
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Neotropics and New Caledonia; 2 species
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Oceanic; 3 species
North America, Eurasia; 5 species
Antarctic and southern waters; 17 species
Pan-oceanic; 120 species
Worldwide; 19 species
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Worldwide; 59 species
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Worldwide; 108 species
Worldwide; 260 species
Worldwide; 250 species
Sub-Saharan Africa; 6 species
Madagascar; 1 species
Sub-Saharan Africa, Americas, Asia; 35 species
Old World, New Guinea; 64 species
Worldwide; 144 species
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Worldwide except Australasia; 400 species
South America; 2 species
Worldwide; 60 species
Pan-tropical, southern temperate zones; 330 species
Worldwide; 6,500 species
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