AviList: First Unified Global Checklist of Bird Species

Context:

Published in Down to Earth (DTE) – AviList is the world’s first standardized, unified global bird species checklist.

Overview:

• What is AviList?
  A comprehensive and authoritative global checklist of birds that consolidates multiple taxonomies into a single standard.
• Coverage:
  • Species: 11,131
  • Subspecies: 19,879
  • Genera: 2,376
  • Families: 252
  • Orders: 46
• Developed by:
  The Working Group on Avian Checklists—a collaboration between:
  • BirdLife International
  • Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  • Avibase
  • American Ornithological Union (AOU)
  • International Ornithological Union (IOU)

Key Institutions Involved:

• BirdLife International: Global leader in bird conservation and Red List assessments.
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology: U.S.-based bird research center behind tools like eBird.
• AOU (American Ornithological Union): Promotes bird science and conservation in North America.
• IOU (International Ornithological Union): Fosters international research collaborations.
• IOC (International Ornithological Committee): Maintains the widely used IOC World Bird List.

Why is AviList Important?

1. Standardization of Taxonomy

• Replaces previously used lists like the IOC and Clements Checklist.
• Reduces inconsistency in species naming across studies and regions.

2. Enhanced Conservation Planning

• Helps in identifying and prioritizing threatened bird species using a consistent reference.
• Supports global and regional biodiversity strategies.

3. Scientific Collaboration & Data Sharing

• Facilitates interoperability of bird data across platforms such as eBird, Avibase, and habitat studies.
• Enables uniformity in ornithological research globally.

4. Policy and Research Integration

• Provides a common taxonomic language for scientists, policymakers, conservationists, and global treaties.
• Aids in informed decision-making and international policy formulation for bird protection.