The American Ornithologists' Union (AOU) has an ordered checklist of North
and Central American birds based on the AOU's current view of the taxonomic
sequence. You can view/download this list for free as an Excel file or PDF
on their web site: http://www.aou.org/checklist/index.php3

I have an Excel file that is a subset of this list (945 species found in the
US), and has a number for each species representing its place in the AOU
order at: http://www.westerngrebe.com/AOU/

These lists don't explain the reasons behind the ordering, they just show
the ordering. However, if you click on the supplements at the AOU site, you
can gain some insight into why/how they re-order the list periodically.

Scott Carpenter
Portland, Oregon

On 6/3/07, jlrosso at aol.com <jlrosso at aol.com > wrote:
>
> It is my understanding that the checklist reflects the ornithological
> understanding of birds going from most primitive to most recent in terms of
> evolution. The loons and grebes were around millions of years (give or take)
> before we had finches.
>
> But alas I am beginning to hear that this order is being updated and newer
> field guides and checklists will start off with shorebirds instead of the
> loons. I have already seen one field guide that started off with shorebirds
> (the title escapes me).
>
> I am very curious in the answers other people will offer.
>
> Jim Rosso
> Arlington, VA
> birdcentral.net
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TheMartins
> To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> Sent: Sun, 3 Jun 2007 8:45 am
> Subject: [Tweeters] Dumb Question: Order of Checklists
>
> I'm a fairly casual bird enthusiast, but I've noticed that at least most
>
> bird checklists follow the same order of listing birds. Loons are at the
> beginning and finches are near the end. I should take a course in biology,
> but maybe someone could explain in lay terms the reason or the methodology
>
> for listing in a certain order. I think it is wonderful most lists follow
> the same order, but it might help to know the basis for the order.
>
> Thanks for taking the time to help.
>
> Dick Martin
> Wenatchee Valley
>
> mailto: themartins at tndmartin.com
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> Tweeters at u.washington.eduhttp://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
>
> ------------------------------
> AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free
> from AOL at *AOL.com * <http://www.aol.com?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000437>.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> Tweeters at u.washington.edu
> http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
>
>