BIO 527 2008 A simplified phylogeny of major groups of North American passerines(based on Gill 3rd edition)

You are responsible for knowing the following families, as well as the general phylogenetic relationships shown below. Note that these are only North American familiesTo determine the position of other families relative to these see the text website

9-primaried oscines = Parulidae, Icteridae Emberizidae, Thraupidae, Cardinalidae, Fringillidae

Motacillidae Passeridae

Sittidae, Certhiidae, Troglodytidae, Polioptilidae

Cinclidae, Turdidae, Sturnidae, Mimidae Bombycillidae,

Regulidae

Paridae, Remizidae, Alaudidae, Hirundinidae

Vireonidae, Laniidae, Corvidae, Paradiseidae

Tyrannidae (and 12 other families in other parts of the world)Eurylaimidae (broadbills)Eurylaimidae (broadbills)

Suboscines

Oscines

Non-passerines

Paridae

Alaudidae

Remizidae

Hirundinidae

Paridae includes the Chickadee and Titmouse

In Arizona they include:

Bridled Titmouse

Juniper Titmouse

Mountain Chickadee Mexican Chickadee

Black-capped Chickadee

Across the US

Carolina Chickadee

Boreal Chickadee

Chestnut-backed ChickadeeGrey-headed Chickadee

Oak Titmouse

Northern Tufted Titmouse

Black-crested Titmouse

Across the WorldThe Grey-headed Chickadee is also found across Europe and Asia

Tail-titmouse

Fir-titmouse

Bonnet-titmouseBlue tit or Great tit

Cabbage-titmouse

Bag-titmouse

Pasture-titmouseSwamp-titmouse

Often called tits in Europe and Asia and titmouse in North America

57 species around the world

Facts:

• Know for their “chick-a dee dee dee” call• Form wintering flocks (with the exception of the

Oak and Juniper Titmouse who are territorial year round)

• Make caches of insects• Most are secondary cavity nesters• No sexual dimorphism (songs are different)• Important pest control

Verdin Common Bushtit

F. Remizidae - small parid-like balls of fluff

F. Alaudidae Horned Lark

Burrowers“Plain Jane” swallows

Bank Swallow

F Hirundinidae)

Rough-winged

Breast band

Secondary cavity nesters

Tree Swallow Violet-green Swallow

White above eye & on rump

Mud nesters

Retort mud nest - Cliff and Cave Swallows

Cup nest Barn Swallows

Remember: Apodiformes- swifts – Apodidae convergent on swallows but related to hummers!

BIO 527 2008 A simplified phylogeny of major groups of North American passerines(based on Gill 3rd edition)

You are responsible for knowing the following families, as well as the general phylogenetic relationships shown below. Note that these are only North American familiesTo determine the position of other families relative to these see the text website

9-primaried oscines = Parulidae, Icteridae Emberizidae, Thraupidae, Cardinalidae, Fringillidae

Motacillidae Passeridae

Sittidae, Certhiidae, Troglodytidae, Polioptilidae

Bombycillidae, Cinclidae, Turdidae, Sturnidae, Mimidae

Regulidae

Paridae, Remizidae, Alaudidae, Hirundinidae

Vireonidae, Laniidae, Corvidae, Paradiseidae

Tyrannidae (and 12 other families in other parts of the world)Eurylaimidae (broadbills)Eurylaimidae (broadbills)

Suboscines

Oscines

Non-passerines

White-capped DipperSouth America

Rufous-throated DipperBolivia and Argentina

Brown DipperAsia and Japan White-throated Dipper

Europe and Middle East

American Dipper AKA Water OuzelCinclus mexicanus

North and Central America

Oak Creek CanyonWet Beaver Creek

Fossil CreekWhite Mountains

Chunky or Round

Short Tail

Near Fast-Flowing Stream

Gray BodyBrownish Head

White Eyelid

Swimming and Diving for Food

•Uropygial Gland 10X Larger

•4,200 Contour Feathers

•Heavy Coat of Down

•Overheating a Concern

•Withstand Air Temps of -40°C•Water Temps 0°C

•Only Dive for 15 Seconds

Keeping Dry and Warm

Feeding Behavior•Dipping Head in Water

•Diving

•Eat Various Insect Larvae•Caddisflies

•Mayflies

•Stoneflies

•Small Fishes

•Indicator Species

Nesting Behavior

•Monogamous

•Chose Site Near River

•Wet Materials Before Use

•Use Moss, Leaves, and Grass

•Lay 4-5 Eggs

•Young Leave Nest at 24-26 Days

•Altricial Young

•Often Use Same Nest the Following Year

F Mimidae General Description

• Long-tailed• Short rounded wings• Slender billed• Sexes indistinguishable• Dull gray and brown, some black or

blue gray• Red, yellow, or white irises

Nests

• Build somewhat messy, bulky twig nests in dense growth

• 2-5 eggs hatch in 12-13 days• 2 or 3 broods a year• Pairs often stay together for more

than one breeding season

Mockingbirds• New World passerine birds• 17 spp in 3 genera• Best known for the habit of mimicking

the song of other birds• Fiercely defending their nests• Identify by white flashes in wings

and tail

Catbirds• 2 spp, Gray Catbird (NA), Black Catbird

(C.A.)• Produce a cat like bark using both sides of

the syrinx• Generally found in bushy habitats including

riparian, ponderosa, and desert habitats

• Grey Catbird» Small bill, black» Uniform gray » Black cap» Under tail rufous» Monogomous» Very defensive of nests

Thrashers• 15 spp• Name refers to feeding behavior

F. Turdidae Thrushes and allies

Mountain

Eastern

WesternBluebirds

Townsend’s Solitaire

Swainson’s

Hermit

Spotted thrushes

F. Bombycillidae waxwings

F. Ptilogonatidae Phainopepla

Cedar Waxwing Bohemian

F. Sturnidae European Starling

Superb and Glossy Starling of Africa