Hello Michael,
Have a look at worldbirdnames.org <http://worldbirdnames.org/> which sets out
the IOC homepage and gives details of who does what and where. Frank Gill is is
the overall chair, ably assisted by Sally Conyne and David Donsker, and they
call on a wide range of contacts from all sorts of disciplines, using
scientists and also the input of citizen scientists/ dedicated amateurs who may
have expertise relating to particular questions or species. Dick Schodde is one
of the Australian experts on tap, you can see a listing on the homepage.
They review the torrent of literature that emerges, and make decisions based on
available evidence, usually relating to peer-reviewed papers. Some things get
accepted, others not, they even have holding categories for potential splits.
They do not oversee genetic testing, these days that is just a part of the
techniques used to make judgements on what constitutes a species.
English names are decided by a general consensus- if a name is felt to be
inappropriate or could be improved then anyone can make a representation to
them and see what follows. I recently got Makira Thrush adopted in place of San
Cristobal Thrush for instance, and there has been a very long and gradual
process of replacing names that were imposed without consultation, usually by
Americans, or were felt to be unsuitable.
World checklist bodies these days really come down to 4:
IOC, Updated avery 3 months
Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World (Dickinson et al
2013 and 2014). No updates since publication, but highly authoritative for
sources, though taxonomy quite conservative
Cornell/Clements Updated annually, good for New World species but more
contentious for the Old World
HBW-BirdLIfe Passerines list just published, now the most liberal of them all
with about 10965 species recognised. Updates promised to be regular and with
consolation, but a work in progress as too early as yet
An interesting one to look at also is Taxonomy in Flux (TiF) by John Boyd, his
own take on such matters and a stimulating read.
Hope this helps
Phil Gregory
<>
ornithological writer/tour leader/tour facilitator
Field Guides / Sicklebill Safaris / Cassowary House / Cassowary Tours
PO Box 387
Kuranda
QLD 4881
Australia
Ph: +61 7 40 937 318
Email: <>
Website1: http://www.sicklebillsafaris.com <http://www.sicklebillsafaris.com/>
OR www.birder.travel <http://www.birder.travel/>
Website 2: http://www.cassowary-house.com.au
<http://www.cassowary-house.com.au/>
Website 3: http://www.cassowarytours.com.au <http://www.cassowarytours.com.au/>
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