Distribution code
Throughout this website distributions are indicated by a code that is based on the following world-map scheme:
Based on the code shown above, the distribution of a
given bird taxon is indicated by a block of nine boxes, with each box representing a defined region of the word (see
figure below). If a bird taxon does occur in a given region, the box representing that region is filled with the corresponding colour. White boxes indicate that a given bird taxon is not
naturally occurring in that part of the world.
The system of colour-code boxes is most easily explained by a number of selected examples:
Example 1: This typical colour code indicates the distribution of a bird taxon in the Americas.
Example 2: This typical colour code indicates the worldwide distribution of a bird taxon.
Example 3: This typical colour code indicates the disjunct distribution of a bird taxon in South America and Australia.
Example 4: This deviating colour code indicates the distribution of a taxon that breeds primarily on oceanic islands.
Example 5: This deviating colour code symbolises the distribution of a migratory taxon breeding in Eurasia and
wintering in Africa.