Hello Short-billed Gull!
Written by Andy McCormick
Andy McCormick, Volunteer and Former Board President of Eastside Audubon
The American Ornithological Society’s Committee on Classification and Nomenclature of North and Middle American Birds (NACC) has published the 2021 Checklist Supplement which includes changes to bird taxonomy in North and Central America. The most impactful change for U. S. birders is the split of the Mew Gull. In the following discussion the new genera and species names are provided in parentheses.
The name Mew Gull is now dropped, and the North American species is called Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus). The European and Asian species are now considered subspecies of Common Gull. In Europe it will still be called Common Gull (Larus canus) and the Asian subspecies is known as “Kamchatka Gull” but its official name is Common Gull.
NEW GENERA
The Spruce Grouse (Canachites canadensis) will have its own genus, which it has had in the past. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) is considered different enough from birds remaining in the genus Regulus (Golden-crowned Kinglet, and the Euro-Asian Firecrest and Goldcrest) to warrant its own genus.
OTHER SPLITS
The Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) and Neotropic Cormorant (N. brasilianum) have been split from the genus Phalocrocorax, in which Great Cormorant remains. Brandt’s (Urile penicillatus), Red-faced (U. urile), and Pelagic Cormorant (U. pelagicus) are now in the genus Urile. Five-striped Sparrow (Amphispizopsis quinquestriata) has been split from Amphisipza into its own genus.
NEW LUMP
Southern Caracara has been lumped with Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) and gives up its name.
HAWAIIAN BIRDS
Folks birding in Hawaii will find two changes. Java Sparrow (Padda oryzivora) and Lavender Waxbill (Glaucestrilda caerulescens) now each have their own genus.
There are other changes among North and Middle American birds and for those interested in all the details, please refer to the The ABA Listing & Taxonomy report by Michael Retter from which this information is taken. We are grateful for his annual summary of the AOS Checklist changes.
Photo credit by Mick Thompson.