Terrestrornithes ("land birds") is a group of birds with controversial content. The clade was proposed in 2007 to unite the Charadriiformes (shore birds) and their possible close relatives, the Dendrornithes (most predatory and perching birds). It may also include a group known as the Mirandornithes, the flamingos and grebes, though the placement of this group is highly uncertain and they may be members of the Metaves instead.[1]

Terrestrornithes
Temporal range:
Late Cretaceous-Holocene, 75–0 Ma
Least sandpiper, Calidris minutilla
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Clade: Neoaves
Clade: Terrestrornithes
Livezey & Zusi, 2007
Subclades

A rough consensus of current research is reproduced below, based on Naish (2012).[1]

Terrestrornithes

Mirandornithes? (flamingos & grebes)

Charadriiformes (shorebirds)

Dendrornithes?
Afroaves

Accipitriformes (eagles & hawks)

Coliiformes (mousebirds)

Strigiformes (owls)

Picocoraciae

Coracii (rollers & hornbills)

Piciformes (woodpeckers & toucans)

Australaves

Cariamidae (seriamas)

Eufalconimorphae

Falconidae (falcons)

Psittacopasserae

Psittaciformes (parrots)

Passeriformes (songbirds, crows & kin)

References edit

  1. ^ a b Naish, D. (2012). "Birds." Pp. 379-423 in Brett-Surman, M.K., Holtz, T.R., and Farlow, J. O. (eds.), The Complete Dinosaur (Second Edition). Indiana University Press (Bloomington & Indianapolis).