Australaves, Piciformes: Studying all 13 protein-coding mitochondrial genes of 176 (out of 385) species, Fuchs et al. (2026) provided an incomplete species-level phylogeny of the woodpeckers and allies. The resulting phylogeny largely conforms to previous ones, but Indicator proved to be non-monophyletic and Melanerpes aurifrons was shown to be paraphyletic with respect to M. carolinus. Finally, the genus Prodotiscus was excluded from the Indicatoridae. This finding is surprising and needs to be verified. (link)

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Sylviida, Aegithaloidea, Phylloscopidae, Phylloscopus tokaraensis: Based on genome-wide SNPs, Saitoh et al. (2026) desribed a new, cryptic species of leaf warbler, Phylloscopus tokaraensis. The new species was split from P. ijimae. (link)

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Corvides, Monarchidae, Chasiempis: Based on thousands of UCEs, Campillo et al. (2026) provided a timetree of the 'elepaio from Hawaii. The authors confirmed the presence of three species in the complex and found no evidenve of intraspecific differentiation. (link)

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Muscicapida, Muscicapoidea, Sturnidae, Aplonis: Based on UCEs and subspecies-level sampling of all extant and three extict species, Gyllenhaal et al. (2026) provided a timetree of Aplonis starlings. Two species, A. striata and A. panayensis, were found to be non-monophyletic.  (link) [Thanks for pointing out, Jim]

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Meliphagida, Meliphagidae, Myzomela: Based on UCEs and multi-locus sequence data of nearly all recognised taxonomic diversity, Vinciguerra et al. (2026) provided a timetree of the myzomelas. Three traditional species complexes (cardinalis, obscura, and sanguinolenta) turned out to be non-monophyletic, one traditional species (rosenbergii) should be split into two species (rosenbergii and longirostris). (link) [Note that Jimmy Gaudin posted a proposal for an updated Myzomela classification on BirdForum. (link)]

Australaves, Passeriformes, Tyranni, Furnariida, Thamnophilidae, Thamnomanes: Based on an analysis of one mitochondrial gene (ND2), four nuclear introns, and broad taxon sampling, Batalha‑Filho et al. (2026) provided a timetree of the T. caesius / T. schistogynus species complex. The authors, however, refrained from making any taxonomic recommendations. (link) Chronoclassification would recognise only a single species with three subspecies and four infrasubspecies. The 12 mitochondrial phylogroups of T. caesius would be classified merely as races.

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Muscicapida, Muscicapoidea, Turdidae: Based on DNA sequences of 155 Turdidae species downloaded from the GenBank database (comprising five mitochondrial genes and three nuclear introns), Dantur et al. (2026) provided a timetree of the thrushes and allies. (link) I adjusted my turdid classification accordingly. 

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Passerida, Nectariniidae: Based on two mitochondrial genes (ATP6, NADH2) and four nuclear introns (BRM, CHDZ, MB, TGFB2), Nicolaï et al. (2024) studied the intrinsic phylogeny of the sunbirds. (link) Many genera proved to be non-monophyletic. I adjusted my nectariniid classification accordingly. [Thanks for pointing out where to find the hidden tree file, Jim]

Galloanserae, Anseriformes: Based on 17 published and seven newly sequenced genomes across all families, Wang et al. (2026) studied the phylogenetic relationships and divergence times among waterfowl. (link) Intriguingly, separate analysis of seven classes of DNA datasets resulted in different topologies. Further studies with broader sampling of relevant genera are obviously needed. 

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Passerida, Parulidae: Based on more than 4 000 UCEs and dense taxon sampling covering all extant genera, Bennett et al. (2025) studied the intrinsic phylogeny of the New World (or wood-) warblers, but without providing a  timetree. (link) I adjusted my parulid classification accordingly. [Note, however, that chronoclassification  would  recognise only one genus instead of 18 genera, because crown-Parulidae are younger than 10 Ma. (5.8 Ma according to Oliveros et al. 2019; 7.5 Ma according to Barker et al. 2015; and 8.9 Ma according to Claramunt et al. 2025]

Afroaves, Coraciimorphae, Coraciiformes, Alcedinidae, Todiramphus: Based on whole genome data and comprehensive sampling of museum specimens, McCullough et al. (2026) studied the phylogenetic relationships among Todiramphus kingfishers. While the principal relationships have been resolved, some species could not be confidently placed. A timetree has not been provided. (link)

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Passerida, Fringillidae, Euphonia hirundinacea: Based on 132,149 SNPs of 41 samples (including outgroup), Vázquez-López et al. (2026) investigated the phylogeography of the Yellow-throated Euphonia. (link) Without discussing species or subspecies limits, the authors recognised two subspecies, E. h. hirundinacea and E. h. gnatho. [Based on an estimated divergence time of ~2.7 Ma, however, chronoclassifcation would recognise two species instead of subspecies.]

Strisores, Apodiformes, Trochilidae: Based on 2,949 nuclear loci, sampled from 47 (out of ~356 described) species representing all major clades, da Fonseca et al. (2026) provided an updated timetree of hummingbirds. Most remarkably, the traditional subfamily Lesbiinae proved to be non-monophyletic, since the Brilliants and Coquettes are not sister clades. (link) I adjusted my trochilid timetree and classification accordingly. 

Australaves, Psittaciformes, Psittacidae, Arini, Pyrrhura: Based on whole-genome sequences, Morin-Lagos et al. (2026) studied the intrinsic phylogeny of the diverse Neotropical parrot genus Pyrrhura. As several traditionally recognised species proved to be non-monophyletic (amazonum, melanura, perlata, picta, roseifrons and rupicola), further research and a major revision will be necessary. (link) [Thanks for pointing out, Jim]

Avian Tree of Life: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology released an interactive online tool for viewing the time-calibrated phylogenetic relationships among birds: the illustrated Birds of the World Phylogeny Explorer. Updates will be provided annually. (link)

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Corvides, Corvoidea, Corvidae, Garrulus glandarius: Based on two mitochondrial DNA sequences (cyt b and control region), Wolf et al. (2026) studied the phylogenetic relationships within the Eurasian Jay species complex. The authors identified eight subspecies groups, but didn’t consider representatives of the “minor”-group from Morocco and north-western Algeria. (link)

Australaves, Passeriformes, Tyranni, Tyrannides, Tyrannida, Tyrannidae, Platyrinchus mystaceus: Based on genomic and vocal data, Bocalini et al. (2026) proposed to split the White-throated Spadebill into three species. (link)

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Corvides, Orioloidea, Vireonidae, Hylophilus:  Based on DNA sequences of one mitochondrial gene (ND2) and three nuclear genes (MUSK, ACO1, and SPIN1), van Els et al. (2026) proposed the recognition of a new greenlet species from central Bolivia, Hylophilus moxensis. (link) [Thanks for pointing out, Jim]

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Sylviida, Zosteropidae, Zosterops lateralis: Based on SNPs of 114 individuals from 12 (out of 16) currently recognised subspecies, Estandía et al. (2025) provided evidence that the Silvereye comprises two principal clades. It is not clear, however, whether these two clades represent a monophyletic entity (i.e. one species) or independent lineages (i.e. two species). (link) [Since the authors didn't provide a timetree, a chronoclassification cannot be applied]

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Sylviida, Sylviidae, Curruca melanocephala: Based on two mitochondrial genes (COI and Cyt b), one nuclear gene (TGFB2), and genomic SNPs, Nasuelli et al. (2025) investigated the phylogeography of the Sardinian Warbler. The authors identified four intraspecific clades corresponding to the following subfamilies: momus in Israel, leucogastra in the Canary Islands, valverdei from Western Sahara and Morocco, and melanocephala from the rest of the distribution range. (five subspecies are listed in AviList v2025). (link) [Chronoclassification would recognise two subspecies and two infrasubspecies]

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Sylviida, Alaudidae, Ammomanes cinctura: Based on genome-wide SNPs of 15 individuals from four representative populations, Liu et al. (2025) provided evidence that the three subspecies of the Bar-tailed Lark currently recognised are not monophyletic. (link) However, due to conflicting divergence time estimates from mitochondrial (Cyt b) vs. nuclear DNA, the authors recommend to retain the taxonomic status quo for the moment. 

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Meliphagida, Meliphagidae, Melidectes: Based on whole genomes from 124 individuals across all six currently recognised Melidectes species (torquatus, leucostephes, ochromelas, foersteri, rufocrissalis, and belfordi), Müller et al. (2025) provided evidence that M. rufocrissalis should be included in M. belfordi (contra AviList checklist v2025.) (link) [Chronoclassification would recognise just three species.]

Australaves, Passeriformes, Tyranni, Tyrannides, Thamnophilidae, Sakesphorus:  Based on UCEs from 26 individuals of S. canadensis (Black-crested Antshrike) and 30 individuals of S. luctuosus  (Glossy Antshrike), Barbosa et al. (2025) showed that S. pulchellus should be included in S. canadensis (contra Avilist checklist v2025). (link)

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Passerida, Thraupidae, Tachyphonus phoenicius: Based on genomic data, da Cunha Nunes et al. (2025) studied the phylogeography of the Red-shouldered Tanager. (link) As a result, the authors proposed to revalidate Tachyphonus saucius Strickland, 1844 to nominate the distinct northern Amazonian population. 

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Passerida, Emberizoidea, Icteridae, Lampropsar tangrinus: Based on a combination of more than two thousand UCEs and all 13 protein-coding mitochondrial genes, Schultz et al. (2026) studied the phylogeography of the Velvet-fronted Grackle. (link) The authors proposed to distinguish three separate species. [Note that chronoclassification would recognise only two species]

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Corvides, Orioloidea, Pachycephalidae, Pachycephala: Based on a combination of 3,145 autosomal nuclear regions, Irestedt et al. (2025) reconstructed the intrinsic phylogeny (but no timetree) of a group of typical whistlers, genus Pachycephala (arctitorquis, griseonota, johni, lanioides, leucogastra, monacha, and rufiventris). (link) The authors found three species (P. griseonotata, P. monacha, and P. leucogastra) not to be monophyletic. Taxonomic recommendations are provided. 

Australaves, Passeriformes, Tyranni, Tyrannides, Thamnophilidae, Hypocnemis: Based on 2,222 UCEs and 30 exons loci from 58 specimens representing all currently recognised species and all but one subspecies, Cronemberger et al. (2026) provided an updated intrinsic phylogeny of the warbling antbirds. (link) Hypocnemis rondoni was found to be nested within H. striata. To make the latter monophyletic, a new species, H. implicata was proposed. In addition, the authors proposed to upgrade the subspecies H. hypoxantha ochraceiventris to species status. 

Strisores, Apodiformes, Trochilidae, Lampornis: Based on mitochondrial and microsatellite data, Jiménez et al. (2025) showed that genetic groups within Lampornis viridipallens, the Green-throated Mountain-gem, do not match currently recognized subspecies. (link) 

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Corvides, Corvoidea, Monarchidae, Symposiachrus: Based on genomic data, Gyllenhaal et al. (2025) studied the phylogenetic relationships among members of the Symposiachrus barbatus complex occupying the Solomon Islands (Solomon Monarchs: S. barbatus, browni, malaitae, and vidua). (link) Most remarkably, the inferred relationships were not concordant with the most likely colonisation history based on a stepping-stone colonisation model. Using population genetic simulations, the authors demonstrated that such a result could be driven by bias resulting from gene flow, when one population is differentially isolated. This finding may point to a general issue in phylogeographic inferences. 

Australaves, Passeriformes, Tyranni, Tyrannides, Tyrannidae, Pseudocolopteryx: Based on genome- wide ddRADseq data, Jordan et al. (2025) provided new data on the phylogenetic relationships among the doraditos. (link) The monophyly of one species, P. flaviventris, remains uncertain and is in need of further investigation. 

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Corvides, Cinclosomatidae, Ptilorrhoa: Based on distinctive morphological and vocal characters, Woxvold et al. (2025) described a new species of jewel-babbler, Ptilorrhoa urrissia, from the Southern Fold Mountains in Papua New Guinea. (link) [Thanks for pointing out Jim]

Palaeognathae, Tinamiformes, Tinamidae: Morais et al. (2025) described a new species of Tinamus  (formerly Crypturellus), T. resonans, from western Amazonia, Brazil. (link) [Thanks for pointing out Jim]

Australaves, Passeriformes, Tyranni, Tyrannides, Thamnophilidae, Myrmotherula: Based on a combination of mtDNA sequences (ND2 and ND3 genes) and diagnostic differences in vocal and plumage characters, in two companion papers Chesser et al. (2025) (link) and Isler et al. (2025) (link) provided evidence that two Myrmotherula species (M. longipennis and M. menetriesii) should be split into three species, respectively. Divergence times, however, have not been determined. 

Hieraves, Strigiformes, Strigidae, Striginae, Pulsatrix: Based on a combination of UCEs from 16 individuals and mtDNA-ND2 genes from 38 individuals of Pulsatrix spp., Bolívar-Leguizamón et al. (2025) proposed elevating the traditional subspecies Pulsatrix perspicillata pulsatrix to species status. (link) [Thanks for pointing out Jim]

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Muscicapida, Muscicapidae, Saxicola: Based on mitogenomic data, Jiang et al. (2025) provided a timetree of the intrinsic phylogenetic relationships of 12 (out of 13) recognised species of stonechats (with only S. macrorhynchus being missing). In addition, their results support the species status of S. stejnegeri rather than a subspecies of S. maurus (free pdf) 

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Passerida, Emberizoidea, Parulidae, Leiothlypis: Based on whole-genome data, Rice & Manthey (2025) provided a timetree of the six species currently recognised in the wood-warbler genus Leiothlypis. (preprint, free pdf) [Note, however, that chronoclassification would recognise only two species, and two subspecies]

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Corvides, Cinclosomatidae, Ptilorrhoa: Based on phylogeographic sampling and whole-genome resequencing of the Jewel-babblers, Blom et al. (2025) provided convincing evidence that the Blue Jewel-babbler (Ptilorrhoa caerulescens), as currently defined, is not monophyletic. To achieve monophyly, the authors suggest to recognise a new species, Ptilorrhoa nigricrissus (Salvadori, 1876). (free pdf) I adjusted my cinclosomatid classification accordingly.  [Thanks for pointing out Jim]

Columbaves, Columbimorphae, Columbiformes, Columbidae, Claravinae: Based on three mitochondrial genes, Vogeley et al. (2025) studied the phylogenetic relationships of the critically endangered Blue-eyed Ground Dove, Columbina cyanopis. The authors recovered C. cyanopis as a sister clade to Paraclaravis, from which it diverged ~10 mya. As a consequence, the authors propose the revalidation of the genus Oxypelia Salvadori, 1893. (abstract) I adjusted both my columbid timetree and classification accordingly. [Thanks for pointing out, Jim]

Strisores, Caprimulgiformes, Caprimulgidae, Eurostopodus: Based on UCEs of all seven Eurostopodus species, McCullough et al. (2025) provided evidence that Eurostopodus is sister to all other nightjars, while Lyncornis is sister to the rest of the family Caprimulgidae. (pdf)

AviList checklist v2025: The first edition of the unified global checklist of extant and recently extinct (after ~1500 AD) bird species and subspecies is online and free for download. (link) To support the harmonisation effort, I decided to follow AviList in recognising 46 orders, 252 families, 2,376 genera, 11,131 species, and 19,879 subspecies, although it is not based on chronoclassification.

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Sylviida, Locustelloidea, Locustellidae, Robsonius: Based on published phylogenetic evidence, Sangster et al. (2025) erected a new subfamily, Robsoniinae, for the ground warblers, genus Robsonius. (free pdf) I adjusted my locustellid classification accordingly. (link)

Order-level avian phylogeny: Based on published phylogenomic data, Zhao et al. (2025) presented a meta-analysis (macrophylogeny) of higher-level avian relationships. In their preprint paper, the authors also showed principal divergence times to be largely concordant among studies. (pdf) Although there are some incongruencies with the results of Stiller et al. (2024), for the moment I’m not going to change my order-level avian timetree.

Galloanserae, Galliformes, Phasianidae, Alectoris: Based on two mitochondrial loci (control region and Cyt-b), Kabasakal et al. (2025) provided a timetree of the Palaearctic partridge genus Alectoris. Seven species are recognised (A. barbara, A. chukar, A. greaca, A. magna, A. melanocephala, A. philbyi, and A. rufa). The authors point out, however, that Alectoris chukar, as currently defined, may have to be divided into two or more species in the future. (view pdf)

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Corvides, Corvoidea, Paradisaeidae: Based on DNA sequences of the genomes of nearly all bird-of-paradise species and 10 museum specimens of putative hybrid origin, Blom et al. (2024) proposed a new phylogeny of the Paradisaeidae (pdf). I adjusted my bird-of-paradise classification accordingly. (Paradisaeidae)

Australaves, Passeriformes: Based on a set of 43 passerine fossils, Luo et al. (2025) provided an updated evolutionary timescale of the perching birds. In their preprint publication, the authors place the passerine crown age in the Eocene. (pdf) The estimated divergence times closely match those of Stiller et al. (2024). [The fact that a large number of traditionally recognised passerine families are extraordinarily young prompted me to propose a family-level chronoclassification of Australaves. link]

Palaeognathae, Tinamiformes, Tinamidae: Bertelli et al. (2025) suggested fundamental taxonomic rearrangements in tinamous. Most importantly, the authors disentangled the perceived misapplication of Tinamus to various tinamid taxa, concluding that Tinamus Hermann, 1783 is valid with type species soui Hermann, 1783 currently placed in Crypturellus. As a consequence, it would be necessary to reassign current Crypturellus to Tinamus Hermann, and former invalid Tinamus Latham to Pezus Spix, 1825 [Note, however, that Jimmy Gaudin pointet out to me that the latter must be replaced by Crypturus Illiger, 1811, because it is a new name for Tinamus Latham, 1790, which has the same type species, Tetrao major Gmelin, 1789]. In addition, the authors proposed a new genus, Paranothoprocta, for the Brushland Tinamou, while missing to propose a new genus for Nothura species (to the exclusion of boraquira). However, there is no reason to treat these cases differently, because both new genera would be of approximately the same age. I updated my tinamid classification accordingly. (abstract)

Columbaves, Columbimorphae, Columbiformes, Columbidae: Based on whole genome sequencing, Oswald et al. (2025) clarified the phylogenetic position of the Blue-headed Quail-dove, Starnoenas cyanocephala. (pdf) According to their results, this Cuba-endemic species represents the sister group to the Columbinae, and thus deserves subfamily status. I adjusted my columbid timetree accordingly. [Thanks for pointing out Jim]

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Passerida, Emberizoidea, Parulidae: Based on thousands of UCEs and mitogenomes, Zhao et al. (2025) studied the phylogeny of the New World warblers/wood-warblers. (abstract) (graphical abstract) In their nearly complete species-level phylogeny, most traditional genera proved to be monophyletic, with Basileuterus being the only exception. The phylogenetic placement of several taxa remains unresolved (cf. polytomies in supplementary figure S3). I adjusted my parulid classification according to the graphical abstract, highlighting uncertain relationships by question marks.  

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Muscicapida, Muscicapoidea, Sturnidae sensu lato: Considering five newly sequenced mitogenomes, Han et al. (2024) provided an updated phylogeny of Buphagidae, Mimidae and Sturnidae. (free pdf) I updated the respective passerine families accordingly. 

Australaves, Psittaciformes: Based on available genome-wide markers (and integrating sequences of four additional species), Smith et al. (2024) provided both a timetree and a revised classification for parrots. (free pdf) I adjusted my psittaciform phylogeny and classification accordingly.

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Passerida, Passeridae: Based on novel mitogenome sequences and genome-wide SNP data for all snowfinch species endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Islam et al. (2024) provided a revised phylogeny of snowfinches. (free reading) 

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Sylviida, Hirundinidae: Based on thousands of UCEs, Schield et al. (2024) provided an updated timetree of the swallows and allies (Hirundinidae). The genus Phedina proved to be non-monophyletic. A taxonomic solution, however, still has to be proposed. (journal abstract) (author pdf)

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Passerida, Emberizoidea, Cardinalidae, Habia:  Scott et al. (2024) proposed a new genus, Driophlox, for four species currently assigned to the genus Habia Blyth, 1840. (abstract)

Higher phylogeny: Based on 63,430 intergenic DNA sequences of 363 bird species representing 218 families, Stiller et al. (2024) provided an updated order-level avian timetree, recognising four main clades of Neoaves: Mirandornithes, Columbaves, Telluraves, and the new Elementaves (preview pdf). I adjusted my order-level timetree accordingly. As a byproduct of the same study, Mirarab et al. (2024) reported that a ~21-Mb region on chicken chromosome 4 shows a phylogenetic signal strongly supporting an alternative phylogeny, placing Columbimorphae as sister to Mirandornithes. (pdf)

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Passerida, Estrildoidea, Prunellidae, Prunella: Based on the study of thousands of genome-wide intronic and exonic loci, Jiang et al. (2024) provided an updated phylogeny of the accentors. (free pdf)

Australaves, Passeriformes, Passeri, Passerides, Sylviida, Sylvioidea, Zosteropidae: Based on three mitochondrial genes (ND2, Cyt b, COI), Vinciguerra et al. (2023) provided a timetree of white-eyes, sampling all genera except Rukia and almost 90% of species. (abstract)