HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World

sobrecoberta-Checklist-arbre-03.aiJosep del Hoyo, Nigel J. Collar
David A. Christie, Andrew Elliott,  Lincoln D. C. Fishpool

Published by Lynx Edicions in association with BirdLife International

[box type=”info” align=”alignright” ]Product details ID:ILCHK01 ISBN-13: 978-84-96553-94-1 Language: English Format: 31 x 24 cm, Hardback Pages: 904 Publication date: July 2014 357 plates, 8,290 bird illustrations (including 242 new and 783 improved), 4,428 distribution maps, 34 full-page reference maps, 2,126 bibliographical references. [/box]

The first ever Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World is really two works in one. It is a complete checklist whose taxonomy incorporates the most up-to-date information and an exhaustive methodology (Tobias et al. 2010) in an entirely systematic and consistent way. At the same time, it contains illustrations and distribution maps for every bird species in the world. This includes the original artwork from the HBW series.

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Taxonomic Results

In this Checklist, a modern, broad version of the Biological Species Concept (BSC) has been applied, with the aid of the scoring system to evaluate differences in morphology, vocalizations, ecology and geographical relationships published in Ibis by Tobias et al. (2010)*. For the non-passerines, this has resulted in relatively few lumps (21) but a much higher number of splits, 462 in total at the time of writing, compared with the taxonomy presented in the HBW series.

About HBW

The Handbook of the Birds of the World (HBW) is the first work ever to illustrate and deal in detail with all the living species of birds. The 17-volume encyclopaedia contains texts and illustrations from 277 authors and 33 illustrators from 40 countries. The highly acclaimed series is the starting point for this Checklist, so the project already includes the work of a large group of specialists from around the world.

 

About BirdLife International

BirdLife International is the world’s largest nature conservation Partnership. Together we are 120 BirdLife Partners worldwide – one per country – and growing, with 13 million members and supporters, over 7,000 local conservation groups and 7,400 staff.
BirdLife’s vision is a world rich in biodiversity, where people and nature live in harmony. We are driven by our belief that local people, working for nature in their own places but connected nationally and internationally through our global Partnership, are the key to sustaining all life on this planet. This unique local-to-global approach delivers high- impact and long-term conservation for the benefit of nature and people.
BirdLife is widely recognised as the world leader in bird conservation. Rigorous science informed by practical feedback from projects on the ground in important sites and habitats enables us to implement successful conservation programmes for birds and all nature. As BirdLife is the official Red List Authority for birds for the IUCN and the taxonomy presented in this Checklist is the basis for the Red List decisions, this work has important implications for conservation.
BirdLife International would like this ongoing Checklist to be as participatory, open and transparent as possible. An online system will be established where anyone interested can provide information and comments on the work, and these will be considered for future editions.

 

About the Authors

Josep del Hoyo: Editor, Handbook of the Birds of the World (1992–2013); Director, HBW Alive; Member, BirdLife International Global Council (2004–2013); Vice- president, Spanish Ornithological Society SEO/BirdLife (1994–2008).
Nigel J. Collar: Leventis Fellow in Conservation Biology, BirdLife International; Author, Threatened Birds of Africa and related islands (1985), Threatened Birds of the Americas (1992), Threatened Birds of Asia (2001).
David A. Christie: Assistant Editor, British Birds (1973–2002); Editor, Handbook of the Birds of the World (2003–2013); Author, Woodpeckers: An Identification Guide to the Woodpeckers of the World (1995), The Macmillan Birder’s Guide to European and Middle Eastern Birds (1996), Raptors of the World (2001, 2005).
Andrew Elliott: Editor, Handbook of the Birds of the World (1992–2013).
Lincoln D. C. Fishpool: Global Science Co-ordinator (IBAs), BirdLife International; Author, Important Bird Areas in Africa and Associated Islands: Priority Sites for Conservation (2001).

For more information:

Read this article from the June issue of World Birdwatch for some insights into the new taxonomy and methodology of the Checklist.