kids encyclopedia robot

List of fossil bird genera facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
For a list of birds extinct in Late Quaternary prehistoric times and (usually) known from specimens not completely fossilized, see List of Late Quaternary prehistoric bird species. For birds that have gone extinct since the year 1500, see List of extinct bird species since 1500.
Archaeopteryx lithographica - cast of Humboldt Museum specimen
A replica of the Berlin specimen of Archaeopteryx, one of the most famous prehistoric "birds". Scientists now think it was a close relative of birds, but probably not a direct ancestor.

Birds today are amazing creatures, but did you know they evolved from certain feathered dinosaurs? There isn't a clear line between birds and non-avian dinosaurs, except that birds survived a huge event called the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event (when the dinosaurs died out), and non-avian dinosaurs did not. For this article, a 'bird' means any member of the group called Avialae. Some dinosaur groups that might or might not be true birds are listed below as Proto-birds.

This page is all about prehistoric birds that we only know from their fossils. These birds went extinct a very long time ago, long before humans had a big impact on the planet. Even though early humans ate birds and their eggs, our population and tools weren't enough to seriously affect bird numbers until much later. Instead, these birds died out because of natural events like bolide impacts (when space rocks hit Earth), big climate changes caused by Earth's orbit, or huge volcanic eruptions. Sometimes, species also went extinct because newer, more competitive animals evolved and took their place. For example, many seabirds disappeared during the mid-Tertiary period, partly because marine mammals (like whales and dolphins) were evolving a lot at that time and competing for food.

It's often hard to figure out how these ancient birds are related to each other. Many are only known from small pieces of bone. Also, since they are completely fossilized, we can't get information from their DNA or other genetic material. These birds are classified with a special "Fossil" conservation status.

Before the late 1800s, people sometimes thought of fossils as a type of mineral. So, they gave them scientific names like Osteornis ("bone-bird") or Ornitholithus ("bird fossil"). Today, Ornitholithus is still used for fossil bird eggs. Sometimes, other animals like pterosaurs (flying reptiles) were also mistakenly put into these "bird" groups.

Contents

Ancient Bird Groups: A Timeline of Evolution

We'll look at these prehistoric birds in the order they likely appeared in history, from the oldest to the more recent. This helps us understand how birds changed over millions of years.

Early Avialae: The First Bird-like Creatures

These are the most basic "birds." Many still had long, bony tails with separate bones, unlike modern birds. Some of these might not be direct ancestors of today's birds, but they were definitely close relatives of early birds.

  • †Anchiornis huxleyi (Lived around 160 million years ago)
  • †Aurornis xui (Lived around 160 million years ago)
  • †Balaur bondoc (Lived around 70 million years ago)
  • †Jixiangornis orientalis (Lived around 120 million years ago)
  • †Xiaotingia zhengi (Lived around 160 million years ago)
  • †Yandangornithiformes
    • †Yandangornithidae
      • †Yandangornis longicaudatus (Late Cretaceous period)
  • †Archaeopterygiformes
    • †Archaeopterygidae
      • †Wellnhoferia grandis (Late Jurassic period) – possibly the same as Archaeopteryx.
      • †Archaeopteryx (Late Jurassic period) – a very famous early bird-like dinosaur.
  • †Jeholornithiformes
    • †Jeholornithidae
      • †Dalianraptor cuhe (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Jeholornis (Early Cretaceous period)

Basal Pygostylia: Shorter Tails Emerge

These were the first birds to have a modern pygostyle. This is a short, fused tailbone, which is much shorter than the long bony tails of earlier bird-like dinosaurs. This change helped birds control their tail feathers better for flight.

  • †Chongmingia zhengi (Lived around 120 million years ago)
  • †Confuciusornithiformes
    • †Proornis coreae (Name not officially recognized)
    • †Zhongornis haoae (Possibly a confuciusornithid)
    • †Confuciusornithidae
      • †Changchengornis hengdaoziensis (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Eoconfuciusornis zhengi (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Evgenavis nobilis (Lived around 100 million years ago)
      • †Confuciusornis (Early Cretaceous period) – known for its long tail feathers.
  • †Omnivoropterygiformes
    • †Omnivoropterygidae

Enantiornithes: The "Opposite Birds"

Iberomesornis-model-2
Reconstruction of Iberomesornis romerali, a tiny primitive enantiornithine. It was no bigger than a modern-day finch.

This was a very successful group of early birds during the Cretaceous period. They had a unique shoulder joint that was "opposite" to modern birds, which is how they got their name. Many were small, like modern finches.

  • Basal Enantiornithes and Enantiornithes incerta sedis (meaning their exact placement is uncertain)
    • †Cerebavis cenomanica (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Cruralispennia multidonta (Lived around 120 million years ago)
    • †Dalingheornis liweii (Early Cretaceous period)
    • †Dunhuangia cuii (Lived around 120 million years ago)
    • †Elsornis keni (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Feitianius paradisi (Lived around 120 million years ago)
    • †Holbotia ponomarenkoi (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Houornis caudatus (Early Cretaceous period)
    • †Laevisoolithidae (These are fossil bird eggs, not bones)
    • †Linyiornis amoena (Lived around 120 million years ago)
    • †Monoenantiornis sihedangia (Lived around 120 million years ago)
    • †Paraprotopteryx gracilis (Early Cretaceous period)
    • †Parvavis chuxiongensis (Lived around 120 million years ago)
    • †Piscivorenantiornis inusitatus (Lived around 120 million years ago)
    • †Pterygornis dapingfangensis (Lived around 120 million years ago)
    • †Xiangornis shenmi (Early Cretaceous period)
    • †Yuanjiawaornis viriosus (Lived around 120 million years ago)
    • †Kurzholiidae
      • †Kuszholia mengi (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Iberomesornithiformes
      • †Iberomesornithidae
        • †Iberomesornis romerali (Early Cretaceous period)
    • †Liaoningornithiformes
      • †Liaoningornithidae
        • †Eoalulavis hoyasi (Early Cretaceous period)
        • †Liaoningornis longidigitris (Early Cretaceous period)
  • Basal Euenantiornithes (more advanced enantiornithines)
    • †Catenoleimus anachoretus (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Cratoavis cearensis (Lived around 115 million years ago)
    • †Elbretornis bonapartei (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Eocathayornis walkeri (Early Cretaceous period)
    • †Flexomornis howei (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Fortunguavis xiaotaizicus (Lived around 120 million years ago)
    • †Grabauornis lingyuanensis (Lived around 120 million years ago)
    • †Huoshanornis huji (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Largirostrornis sexdentoris (Early Cretaceous period)
    • †Lectavis bretincola (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Martinavis (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Musivavis amabilis (Early Cretaceous period)
    • †Yungavolucris brevipedalis (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Liaoxiornithiformes
      • †Liaoxiornithidae
        • †Liaoxiornis delicatus (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Pengornithidae
      • †Chiappeavis magnapremaxillo (Lived around 120 million years ago)
      • †Eopengornis martini (Lived around 120 million years ago)
      • †Pengornis houi (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Parapengornis eurycaudatus (Lived around 120 million years ago)
    • †Protopterygiformes
      • †Protopterygidae
        • †Jibeinia luanhera (Early Cretaceous period)
        • †Protopteryx fengningensis (Early Cretaceous period)
        • †Hebeiornis fengningensis (Lived around 120 million years ago)
  • †Eoenantiornithiformes
    • †Eoenantiornithidae
      • †Dapingfangornis sentisorhinus (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Eoenantiornis buhleri (Early Cretaceous period)
    • †Bohaiornithidae
      • †Beiguornis khinganensis (Lived around 120 million years ago)
      • †Bohaiornis guoi (Lived around 120 million years ago)
      • †Longusunguis kurochkini (Lived around 120 million years ago)
      • †Parabohaiornis martini (Lived around 120 million years ago)
      • †Shenqiornis mengi (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Sulcavis geeorum (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Zhouornis hani (Lived around 120 million years ago)
  • †Longipterygiformes
    • †Longipterygidae
      • †Boluochia zhengi (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Camptodontus yangi (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Longipteryx chaoyangensis (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Longirostravis hani (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Otogornis genghisi (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Rapaxavis pani (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Shanweiniao cooperorum (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Shengjingornis yangi (Early Cretaceous period)
  • †Cathayornithiformes
    • †Alethoalaornithidae
      • †Alethoalaornis agitornis (Early Cretaceous period)
    • †Concornithidae
      • †Concornis lacustris (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Qiliania graffini (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Noguerornis gonzalezi (Early Cretaceous period)
    • †Cathyornithidae
      • †Gracilornis jiufotangensis (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Longchengornis sanyanensis (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Sinornis santensis (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Cathayornis (Early Cretaceous period)
  • †Enantiornithiformes
    • †Avisauridae
      • †Cuspirostrisornis houi (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Avisaurus (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Bauxitornis mindszentyae (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Enantiophoenix electrophyla (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Halimornis thompsonae (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Gettyia (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Intiornis inexpectatus (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Mirarce (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Mystiornis cyrili (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Neuquenornis volans (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Soroavisaurus australis (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Gobipterygidae
      • †Gobipipus reshetovi (Lived around 80 million years ago)
      • †Gobipteryx minuta (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Vescornis hebeiensis (Early Cretaceous period)
    • †Enantiornithidae
      • †Enantiornis leali (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Gurilynia nessovi (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Wyleyia valdensis (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Nanantius (Early-?Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Alexornithidae
      • †Abavornis bonaparti (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Alexornis antecedens (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Explorornis (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Incolornis (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Kizylkumavis cretacea (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Lenesornis maltschevskyi (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Sazavis prisca (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Zhyraornis (Late Cretaceous period)

Basal Euornithes: Closer to Modern Birds

These birds were very similar to modern birds, but some still had old features like teeth or small claws on their wings. They had the modern, plowshare-shaped pygostyle and a proper tail fan, just like most birds we see today.

  • †Archaeorhynchus spathula (Lived around 120 million years ago)
  • †Changmaornis houi (Lived around 120 million years ago)
  • †Changzuiornis ahgmi (Lived around 120 million years ago)
  • †Gargantuavis philoinos (Lived around 70 million years ago) – a very large bird.
  • †Hollanda luceria (Lived around 80 million years ago)
  • †Horezmavis eocretaceous (Lived around 100 million years ago)
  • †Iteravis huchzermeyeri (Lived around 120 million years ago)
  • †Jianchangornis microdonta (Lived around 120 million years ago)
  • †Jiuquanornis niui (Lived around 120 million years ago)
  • †Juehuaornis zhangi (Lived around 120 million years ago)
  • †Palaeopteryx thomsoni (Actually a dinosaur, not a bird)
  • †Platanavis nana (Lived around 90 million years ago)
  • †Schizooura lii (Lived around 120 million years ago)
  • †Tingmiatornis arctica (Lived around 90 million years ago)
  • †Vorona berivotrensis (Lived around 70 million years ago)
  • †Xinghaiornis lini (Lived around 120 million years ago)
  • †Yumenornis huangi (Lived around 120 million years ago)
  • †Zhongjianornis yangi (Lived around 120 million years ago)
  • †Patagopterygidae
    • †Alamitornis minutus (Lived around 80 million years ago)
    • †Patagopteryx deferrariisi (Lived around 80 million years ago)
  • †Hongshanornithidae
    • †Archaeornithura meemannae (Lived around 130 million years ago)
    • †Hongshanornis longicresta (Early Cretaceous period)
    • †Longicrusavis houi (Early Cretaceous period)
    • †Parahongshanornis chaoyangensis (Early Cretaceous period)
    • †Tianyuornis cheni (Lived around 120 million years ago)
  • †Chaoyangiiformes
    • †Chaoyangiidae
      • †Chaoyangia beishanensis (Lived around 120 million years ago)
  • †Songlingornithiformes
    • †Songlingornithidae
      • †Piscivoravis lii (Lived around 120 million years ago)
      • †Songlingornis linghensis (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Yixianornis grabaui (Early Cretaceous period)
      • †Yanornis (Early Cretaceous period)

Basal Ornithurae: The Lineage to Modern Birds

These are early members of the group that includes all living birds. Many still had some primitive features, but they were on the path to becoming the birds we know today.

  • Limenavis patagonica (Late Cretaceous period)
  • Palintropidae
    • Palintropus retusus (Late Cretaceous period)
  • †Ambiortiformes
    • †Ambiortidae
      • †Ambiortus dementjevi (Late Cretaceous period)
  • †Apsaraviformes
    • †Apsaravidae
      • †Apsaravis ukhaana (Late Cretaceous period)
  • †Gansuiformes
    • †Gansuidae
      • †Gansus (Early Cretaceous period) – an early diving bird.
  • †Ichthyornithiformes
    • †Apatornithidae
      • †Apatornis celer (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Guildavis tener (Cretaceous period)
      • †Iaceornis marshi (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Ichthyornithidae
      • Ichthyornis (Late Cretaceous period) – a toothed seabird.
  • †Hesperornithiformes (Large, toothed, loon-like diving birds)
Hesperornis BW
Hesperornis
    • †Chupkaornis keraorum (Lived around 80 million years ago)
    • †Potamornis skutchi (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Pasquiaornis (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Enaliornithidae
      • †Enaliornis (Early Cretaceous period)
    • †Baptornithidae
      • †Baptornis (Lived around 80 million years ago)
    • †Brodavidae
      • Brodavis (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Judinornithidae
      • †Judinornis nogontsavensis (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Hesperornithidae
      • †Fumicollis hoffmani (Lived around 80 million years ago)
      • †Parahesperornis alexi (Late Cretaceous period)
      • †Hesperornis (Late Cretaceous period) – a famous flightless diving bird.

Neornithes: All Modern Birds and Their Ancestors

This group includes all the birds alive today and their closest extinct relatives.

Unresolved and Basal Forms

These are ancient modern birds that are hard to place into specific modern bird groups. Many from the Late Cretaceous and early Paleogene periods are likely ancestors to several modern bird orders. Later ones might be extinct branches outside of today's bird families.

  • †Australornis lovei (Late early Paleocene epoch)
  • †Gallornis straeleni (Late Cretaceous period)
  • †Ceramornis major (Late Cretaceous period)
  • †Torotix clemensi (Late Cretaceous period)
  • †Novacaesareala hungerfordi (Late Cretaceous/Early Palaeocene)
  • †"Palaeotringa" vetus (Late Cretaceous/Early Palaeocene)
  • †Volgavis marina (Early Palaeocene)
  • †Tshulia litorea (Late Paleocene)
  • †Eupterornis remensis (Paleocene)
  • †Gradiornis walbeckensis (Paleocene)
  • †"Messelornis" russelli (Paleocene)
  • †Walbeckornis creber (Paleocene)
  • †Argillipes (Early Eocene epoch)
  • †Coturnipes cooperi (Early Eocene epoch)
  • †Fluviatilavis antunesi (Early Eocene epoch)
  • †Mopsitta tanta (Early Eocene epoch)
  • †Neanis schucherti (Early Eocene epoch)
  • †Paleophasianus meleagroides (Early Eocene epoch)
  • †Precursor parvus (Early Eocene epoch)
  • †Procuculus minutus (Early Eocene epoch)
  • †Pulchrapollia (Early Eocene epoch)
  • †Palaeopsittacus georgei (Early – middle Eocene epoch)
  • †Amitabha urbsinterdictensis (Middle Eocene epoch)
  • †Eociconia sangequanensis (Middle Eocene epoch)
  • †Protocypselomorphus manfredkelleri (Middle Eocene epoch)
  • †Pumiliornis tessellatus (Middle Eocene epoch)
  • †Ludiortyx hoffmanni (Late Eocene epoch)
  • †Minggangia changgouensis (Late Eocene epoch)
  • †Petropluvialis simplex (Late Eocene epoch)
  • †"Phasianus" alfhildae (Late Eocene epoch)
  • †Telecrex grangeri (Late Eocene epoch)
  • †Zheroia kurochkini (Late Eocene epoch)
  • †"Falco" falconellus (Eocene epoch)
  • †Agnopterus (Late Eocene – Late Oligocene epoch)
  • †Plesiocathartes (Late Eocene –? Early Miocene epoch)
  • †Botauroides parvus (Eocene epoch)
  • †Aminornis excavatus (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †Ciconiopsis antarctica (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †Climacarthrus incompletus (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †Cruschedula revola (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †Dolichopterus viator (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †Loncornis erectus (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †Loxornis clivus (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †Manu antiquus (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †Palaeocrex rex (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †Palaeopapia eous (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †Paracygnopterus scotti (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †"Pararallus" hassenkampi (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †Riacama caliginea (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †Smiliornis penetrans (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †Teracus littoralis (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †Teleornis impressus (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †Pseudolarus guaraniticus (Early Oligocene – Miocene epoch)
  • †"Anas" creccoides (Early-mid Oligocene epoch)
  • †"Charadrius" sheppardianus (Middle Oligocene epoch)
  • †Megagallinula harundinea (Middle Oligocene epoch)
  • †"Palaeorallus" alienus (Middle Oligocene epoch)
  • †"Vanellus" selysii (Middle Oligocene epoch)
  • †Anserpica kiliani (Late Oligocene epoch)
  • †Gnotornis (Late Oligocene epoch)
  • †Guguschia nailiae (Late Oligocene epoch)
  • †Tiliornis senex (Late? Oligocene epoch)
  • †Gaviella pusilla (Oligocene? epoch)
  • †"Anas" skalicensis (Early Miocene epoch)
  • †Chenornis graculoides (Early Miocene epoch)
  • †"Propelargus" olseni (Early Miocene epoch)
  • †Anisolornis excavatus (Middle Miocene epoch)
  • †"Ardea" perplexa (Middle Miocene epoch)
  • †"Cygnus herrenthalsi" (Middle Miocene epoch)
  • †"Anas" risgoviensis (Late Miocene epoch)
  • †"Ardea" aureliensis (Late Miocene epoch)
  • †Eoneornis australis (Miocene epoch)
  • †Eutelornis patagonica (Miocene epoch)
  • †Protibis cnemialis (Miocene epoch)
  • †"Limnatornis" paludicola (Miocene epoch)
  • †"Picus" gaudryi (Miocene epoch)
  • †"Ardea" lignitum (Late Pliocene epoch)
  • †Bathoceleus hyphalus (Pliocene epoch)
  • †"Homalopus" (Pliocene epoch)
  • †"Liptornis hesternus" (Pliocene epoch)
  • †Proceriavis martini (Pliocene epoch)
  • †Protopelicanus cuvieri (Pliocene epoch)
  • †Eurofluvioviridavis robustipes (Middle Eocene epoch)
  • †Archaeotrogonidae
    • †Hassiavis laticauda (Lived around 50 million years ago)
    • †Archaeotrogon (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)
  • †Cimolopterygidae
    • †Cimolopteryx (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Lamarqueavis (Late Cretaceous period)
  • †Cladornithidae
    • †Cladornis pachypus (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †Eremopezidae
    • †Eremopezus eocaenus (Late Eocene epoch)
  • †Gracilitarsidae
    • Eutreptodactylus itaboraiensis (Late Paleocene epoch)
    • Gracilitarsus mirabilis (Middle Eocene epoch)
  • Halcyornithidae
    • †Halcyornis toliapicus (Early Eocene epoch)
    • †Cyrilavis (Early Eocene epoch)
  • †Juncitarsidae
    • †Kashinia magnum (Lived around 40 million years ago)
    • †Juncitarsus (Lived around 40 million years ago)
  • Laornithidae
    • Laornis edvardsianus (Late Cretaceous? period)
  • †Lonchodytidae
    • †Lonchodytes estesi (Late Cretaceous/?Early Palaeocene)
  • †Palaeospizidae
    • †Palaeospiza bella (Late Eocene epoch)
  • †Parvicuculidae
    • †Parvicuculus minor (Early Eocene epoch)
  • †Remiornithidae
    • †Remiornis heberti (Paleocene epoch)
  • †Sylphornithidae
    • †Sylphornis bretouensis (Middle Eocene epoch)
    • †Oligosylphe mourerchauvireae (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †Tytthostonychidae
    • †Tytthostonyx glauconiticus (Late Cretaceous/Early Palaeocene)
  • †Zygodactylidae
    • †Eozygodactylus americanus (Lived around 50 million years ago)
    • †Zygodactylus (Early Oligocene – Middle? Miocene)
    • †Primoscens minutus (Lived around 50 million years ago)
    • †Primozygodactylus (Lived around 50 million years ago)
  • †"Graculavidae"
    • †Limosavis (Late Cretaceous –? Early Palaeocene)
    • †Palaeotringa (Late Cretaceous/Early Palaeocene)
    • †Telmatornis priscus (Late Cretaceous? period)
    • †Zhylgaia aestiflua (Early Paleocene epoch)
    • †Scaniornis lundgreni (Early/Middle Paleocene)
    • †Dakotornis cooperi (Paleocene epoch)

Struthioniformes: Ancient Ostriches

This group includes ostriches and their extinct relatives, known as ratites (large, flightless birds).

  • Struthionidae (Ostriches)
    • †Palaeotis weigelti (Middle Eocene epoch)
    • †Remiornis heberti (Lived around 60 million years ago)
    • †Orientornis linxiaensis (Lived around 8 million years ago)
    • Prehistoric species of extant genera
      • Struthio (Early Miocene – Recent)

Casuariiformes: Cassowaries and Emus

This group includes cassowaries, emus, and their extinct ratite relatives.

  • Casuariidae (Emus and cassowaries)
    • †Diogenornis fragilis (Early Eocene epoch)
    • †Emuarius (Late Oligocene – Late Miocene)
    • Prehistoric species of extant genera

Rheiformes: Rheas

This group includes rheas and their extinct ratite relatives.

  • †Opisthodactylidae
    • †Opisthodactylus (Miocene epoch)
  • Rheidae (Rheas)
    • †Heterorhea dabbenei (Pliocene epoch)
    • †Hinasuri nehuensis (Lived around 5 million years ago)
    • Prehistoric species of extant genera
      • Rhea (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)

Dinornithiformes: Moas

This group includes the famous Moas, which were giant flightless birds from New Zealand.

  • †Megalapterygidae (Upland moas)
    • †Megalapteryx didinus (Lived until the 15th century AD)
  • †Dinornithidae (Great moas)
    • †Dinornis (Lived until the 15th century AD)
  • †Emeidae (Lesser moas)

Apterygiformes: Kiwis

This group includes kiwis, the small, flightless birds from New Zealand.

Lithornithiformes: False Tinamous

This group includes extinct birds that looked a bit like tinamous (a type of bird from Central and South America).

  • †Lithornithidae (False tinamous)
    • †Fissuravis weigelti (Lived around 50 million years ago)
    • †Pseudocrypturus cercanaxius (Early/middle Eocene epoch)
    • †Paracathartes howardae (Lived around 50 million years ago)
    • †Lithornis (Paleocene – Early Eocene)

Tinamiformes: Tinamous

This group includes tinamous, which are ground-dwelling birds found in Central and South America.

  • Tinamidae (Tinamous)
    • †Querandiornis romani (Early/Middle Pleistocene epoch)
    • †Roveretornis (Lived around 5 million years ago)
    • Prehistoric species of extant genera
      • Eudromia
      • Nothura
      • Crypturellus

Vegaviiformes: Ancient Waterfowl Relatives

This is a group of extinct birds that are thought to be related to modern waterfowl, like ducks and geese.

  • †Neogaeornis wetzeli (Late Cretaceous period)
  • †Polarornis gregorii (Late Cretaceous period)
  • †Vegavis iaai (Late Cretaceous period) – important because it shows modern bird groups existed before the dinosaur extinction.
  • †Maaqwi cascadensis (Late Cretaceous period)
  • †Australornis lovei (Paleocene epoch)

Anseriformes: Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Dromornis BW
Dromornis
Genyornis BW
Genyornis

This group includes modern ducks, geese, and swans, as well as some very large extinct birds.

  • Basal and Unresolved Forms
    • †Anatalavis (Late Cretaceous/Early Paleocene– Early Eocene)
    • †Romainvillia stehlini (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)
    • †Saintandrea chenoides (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Proherodius oweni (Early Eocene epoch)
    • †Paranyroca magna (Early Miocene epoch)
    • †Garganornis ballmanni (Lived around 7 million years ago)
  • Anhimidae (Screamers)
    • †Chaunoides antiquus (Lived around 25 million years ago)
  • †Dromornithidae (Australian mihirungs or "demon ducks")
    • †Barawertornis tedfordi (Late Oligocene – Early Miocene)
    • †Bullockornis planei (Middle Miocene) – known as the "Demon-Duck of Doom."
    • †Ilbandornis (Late Miocene)
    • †Dromornis (Late Miocene – Pliocene) – includes the massive Stirton's Thunder Birds.
  • Anseranatidae (Magpie-geese)
    • †Eoanseranas handae (Lived around 25 million years ago)
  • †Presbyornithidae
    • †Teviornis gobiensis (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Headonornis hantoniensis (Lived around 30 million years ago)
    • †Presbyornis (Paleocene– Early Oligocene)
    • †Telmabates (Lived around 50 million years ago)
    • †Wilaru (Lived around 25 million years ago)
  • Anatidae (Ducks, geese, and swans)
    • †Allgoviachen tortonica (Late Miocene epoch)
    • †Annakacygna (Late Miocene epoch)
    • †Bonibernicla ponderosa (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Eonessa anaticula (Middle Eocene epoch)
    • †Cygnavus (Early Oligocene – Early Miocene)
    • †Cygnopterus (Middle Oligocene – Early Miocene)
    • †Mionetta (Late Oligocene – Early Miocene)
    • †Notochen bannockburnensis (Early Miocene epoch)
    • †Australotadorna alecwilsoni (Late Oligocene – Early Miocene)
    • †Pinpanetta (Late Oligocene – Early Miocene)
    • †Dunstanetta johnstoneorum (Early/Middle Miocene)
    • †Manuherikia (Early/Middle Miocene)
    • †Matanas enrighti (Early/Middle Miocene)
    • †Miotadorna (Early/Middle Miocene)
    • †Megalodytes morejohni (Middle Miocene)
    • †Sinanas diatomas (Middle Miocene)
    • †Dendrochen (Late Miocene)
    • †Presbychen abavus (Late Miocene)
    • †Afrocygnus chauvireae (Late Miocene – Early Pliocene)
    • †Balcanas pliocaenica (Early Pliocene)
    • †Wasonaka yepomerae (Middle Pliocene)
    • †Paracygnus plattensis (Late Pliocene)
    • †Anabernicula (Late Pliocene? – Late Pleistocene)
    • †Eremochen russelli (Pliocene epoch)
    • †Tirarinetta kanunka (Pliocene epoch)
    • †Brantadorna (Middle Pleistocene)
    • †Nannonetta invisitata (Late Pleistocene)
    • †Aldabranas cabri (Late Pleistocene)
    • †Ankonetta larriestrai (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Cayaoa bruneti (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Chenoanas (Lived from the Miocene to Pliocene)
    • †Helonetta brodkorbi (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Mioquerquedula minutissima (Middle – Late? Miocene)
    • †Proanser major (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Shiriyanetta hasegawai (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Pleistoanser bravardi (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Lavadytis pyrenae (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Asiavis phosphatica (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Nogusunna conflictoides (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Sharganetta mongolica (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Protomelanitta (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Bambolinetta lignitifila (Early Pliocene epoch)
    • †Heteroanser vicinus (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • Prehistoric species of extant genera
      • Biziura (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Dendrocygna (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Somateria (Middle Oligocene – Recent)
      • Bucephala (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Clangula (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Aix (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Cygnus (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Chloephaga (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Histrionicus (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Mergus (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Anas (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Anser (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Aythya (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Branta (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Oxyura (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Chendytes (Early Pleistocene epoch)
      • Lophodytes (Late Pleistocene – Recent)
      • Neochen (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Tadorna (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)

Galliformes: Chickens and Their Relatives

This group includes domestic chickens, pheasants, quails, and turkeys.

  • Placement Unresolved
    • †Archaealectrornis sibleyi (Oligocene epoch)
    • †Archaeophasianus (Oligocene? - Late Miocene)
    • †Austinornis lentus (Late Cretaceous period)
    • †Chambiortyx cristata (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †"Cyrtonyx" tedfordi (Late Miocene epoch)
    • †Linquornis gigantis (Middle Miocene epoch)
    • †Namaortyx sperrgebietensis (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Palaealectoris incertus (Early Miocene epoch)
    • †Palaeoalectoris songlinensis (Middle Miocene epoch)
    • †Palaeonossax senectus (Late Oligocene epoch)
    • †Palaeortyx (Middle Eocene -? Early Pliocene)
    • †Procrax brevipes (Middle Eocene? - Early Oligocene)
    • †Shandongornis (Middle Miocene epoch)
    • †Sobniogallus albinojamrozi (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Taoperdix (Late Oligocene epoch)
  • †Gallinuloididae
    • †Gallinuloides wyomingensis (Early/middle Eocene)
    • †Paraortygoides (Early – middle Eocene)
  • †Paraortygidae
    • †Pirortyx major (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Scopelortyx klinghardtensis (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Paraortyx (Lived around 20 million years ago)
  • †Quercymegapodiidae
    • †Taubacrex granivora (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene)
    • †Ameripodius (Late Oligocene – Early Miocene)
    • †Quercymegapodius (Middle Eocene – Early Oligocene)
  • Megapodidae (Megapodes)
    • †Ngawupodius minya (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • Prehistoric species of extant genera
      • †Leipoa gallinacea
  • Cracidae (Guans and curassows)
    • †Boreortalis laesslei (Early Miocene epoch)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Ortalis (Early Miocene – Recent)
  • Odontophoridae (New World quails)
    • †Nanortyx inexpectatus (Early Oligocene epoch)
    • †Neortyx peninsularis (Early Pleistocene epoch)
    • †Miortyx (Early Miocene epoch)
    • Prehistoric species of extant genera
      • †Cyrtonyx cooki (Late Miocene? epoch)
      • †Callipepla shotwelli (Middle Pliocene epoch)
      • †Colinus hibbardi (Late Pliocene epoch)
      • †Colinus suilium (Early Pleistocene epoch)
      • †Dendrortyx? sp. (Late Pleistocene epoch)
  • Phasianidae (Pheasants, quails, partridges, grouse and turkeys)
    • †Bantamyx georgicus (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Centuriavis lioae (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Diangallus mious (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Lophogallus naranbulakensis (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Megalocoturnix cordoni (Early Pliocene epoch)
    • †Miophasianus (Lived from the Miocene to Pliocene)
    • †Proagriocharis kimballensis (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene)
    • †Palaeocryptonyx (Late Pliocene epoch)
    • †Pliogallus (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
    • †Plioperdix (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
    • †Rustaviornis georgicus (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Rhegminornis calobates (Early Miocene epoch)
    • †Schaubortyx keltica (Middle Eocene – Early Oligocene)
    • †Shandongornis (Middle Miocene epoch)
    • †Shanxiornis fenyinis (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Tologuica (Middle Miocene epoch)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Coturnix (Late Oligocene – Recent)
      • Bambusicola (Late Miocene – Recent)
      • Phasianus (Late Miocene)
      • Crossoptilon (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Lophura (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Gallus (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene – Recent)
      • Lagopus (Early? Pliocene – Recent)
      • Meleagris (Early Pliocene – Recent)
      • Pavo (Early Pliocene – Recent)
      • Tetrao (Early Pliocene – Recent)
      • Lyrurus (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Francolinus (Late Pliocene – Recent)
      • Perdix (Early Pleistocene – Recent)
      • Syrmaticus (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Bonasa (Early/Middle Pleistocene – Recent)
      • Dendragapus (Late Pleistocene – Recent)
      • Alectoris (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)

Charadriiformes: Gulls, Auks, and Shorebirds

This group includes a wide variety of birds like gulls, auks (like puffins), and shorebirds (like sandpipers).

  • Basal and Unresolved Taxa
    • †"Morsoravis" (Late Paleocene/Early Eocene)
    • †Jiliniornis (Middle Eocene epoch)
    • †Boutersema (Early Oligocene epoch)
    • †Turnipax (Early Oligocene epoch)
    • †Elorius (Early Miocene epoch)
    • †"Larus desnoyersii" (Early Miocene epoch)
    • †"Larus pristinus" (Early Miocene epoch)
    • †"Totanus" teruelensis (Late Miocene epoch)
    • †"Actitis" balcanica (Late Pliocene epoch)
  • Scolopacidae (Waders and snipes)
    • †Paractitis (Early Oligocene epoch)
    • †Mirolia (Middle Miocene epoch)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Limosa (Late Eocene? – Recent)
      • Tringa (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene? – Recent)
      • Gallinago (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene – Recent)
      • Scolopax (Early/Middle Pliocene? – Recent)
      • Phalaropus (Middle Pliocene – Recent)
      • Actitis (Late Pliocene – Recent)
      • Numenius (Late Pleistocene – Recent)
  • Jacanidae (Jacanas)
    • Nupharanassa (Early Oligocene epoch)
    • Janipes (Lived around 30 million years ago)
    • Prehistoric species of extant genera
      • Jacana farrandi (Lived around 10 million years ago)
  • Laridae (Gulls)
    • Laricola (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene)
    • Gaviota (Middle/Late Miocene)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Larus (Middle Miocene – Recent)
  • Alcidae (Auks)
    • Hydrotherikornis (Late Eocene epoch)
    • Pseudocepphus (Middle – Late Miocene)
    • Petralca (Early –? Late Oligocene)
    • Miocepphus (Middle Miocene)
    • Alcodes (Late Miocene)
    • Praemancalla (Late Miocene – Early Pliocene)
    • Mancalla (Late Miocene – Early Pleistocene)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Cepphus (Late Miocene – Recent)
      • Cerorhinca (Late Miocene – Recent)
      • Uria (Late Miocene – Recent)
      • Aethia (Late Miocene – Recent)
      • Alca (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene – Recent)
      • Synthliboramphus (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene – Recent)
      • Fratercula (Early Pliocene – Recent)
      • Pinguinus (Early Pliocene – Recent)
      • Brachyramphus (Late Pliocene – Recent)
      • Ptychoramphus (Late Pliocene – Recent)
  • Stercorariidae (Skuas and jaegers)
    • Prehistoric species of extant genera
      • Stercorarius shufeldti (Middle Pleistocene)
  • Glareolidae (Pratincoles)
    • Paractiornis (Early Miocene epoch)
    • Mioglareola (Early Miocene epoch)
    • Prehistoric species of extant genera
      • Glareola neogena (Lived around 10 million years ago)
  • Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
    • Prehistoric species of extant genera
      • Burhinus lucorum (Early Miocene epoch)
      • Burhinus aquilonaris (Lived around 10 million years ago)
  • Charadriidae (Plovers)
    • Limicolavis (Early Miocene epoch)
    • Viator (Late Pleistocene epoch)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Vanellus (Middle/Late Pleistocene – Recent)
    • Additional prehistoric species of extant genera
      • Oreopholus orcesi (Lived around 10 million years ago)
  • Recurvirostridae (Avocets)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Himantopus (Late Miocene – Recent)
    • Additional prehistoric species of extant genera
      • Recurvirostra sanctaeneboulae (Lived around 10 million years ago)

Gastornithiformes: Giant "Terror Ducks"

This group includes the diatrymas, which were huge, flightless birds from the Paleogene period. They are often called "terror ducks" because of their size and powerful beaks.

  • Gastornithidae
    • †Ornitholithes biroi (Fossil eggs, possibly from Gastornis)
    • †Ornithoformipes controversus (Fossil footprints)
    • †Rivavipes giantess (Fossil footprints)
    • †"Diatryma" cotei (Middle-Late Eocene)
    • †Gastornis (Late Paleocene – middle Eocene) – a very large, flightless bird.

Gruiformes: Rails and Cranes

This group includes modern rails and cranes, though it's a very diverse group and some relationships are still being studied.

  • Placement Unresolved
    • †Rupelrallus (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • †Songziidae (Possibly not a valid group)
    • †Songzia (Eocene epoch)
  • †Eogruidae
    • †Sonogrus gregalis (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)
    • †Eogrus (Middle/Late Eocene – Late Miocene/Early Pliocene)
    • †Ergilornithinae
    • †Proergilornis minor (Early/middle Oligocene)
    • †Ergilornis (Early/middle Oligocene)
    • †Amphipelargus (Lived from the Miocene to Pliocene)
  • †Geranoididae
    • †Eogeranoides campivagus (Early Eocene epoch)
    • †Geranoides jepseni (Early Eocene epoch)
    • †Geranodornis aenigma (Middle Eocene epoch)
    • †Galligeranoides boriensis (Lived around 50 million years ago)
    • †Palaeophasianus (Early Eocene epoch)
    • †Paragrus (Early Eocene epoch)
  • †Parvigruidae
    • †Parvigrus pohli (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • Aramidae
    • †Badistornis aramus (Middle Oligocene epoch)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Aramus paludigrus (Middle Miocene epoch)
  • Gruidae (Cranes)
    • †Camusia quintanai (Late Miocene epoch)
    • †Aramornis (Middle Miocene epoch)
    • †Palaeogrus (Middle Eocene – Middle Miocene)
    • †Geranopsis hastingsiae (Late Eocene– Early Oligocene)
    • †Eobalearica tugarinovi (Late? Eocene epoch)
    • †Pliogrus (Early Pliocene epoch)
    • †Probalearica mongolica (Late Oligocene? – Middle Pliocene)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Balearica (Early Miocene – Recent)
      • Grus (Middle/Late Miocene – Recent)
  • Rallidae (Rails)
    • †Aletornis (Middle Eocene epoch)
    • †Australlus (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Baselrallus intermedius (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Belgirallus (Early Oligocene epoch)
    • †Creccoides osbornii (Late Pliocene/Early Pleistocene)
    • †Eocrex (Early Eocene epoch)
    • †Euryonotus (Pleistocene epoch)
    • †Fulicaletornis venustus (Middle Eocene epoch)
    • †Ibidopsis hordwelliensis (Late Eocene epoch)
    • †Latipons (Middle Eocene epoch)
    • †Miofulica dejardini (Middle Miocene epoch)
    • †Miorallus major (Middle – Late Miocene)
    • †Palaeoaramides (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene – Late Miocene)
    • †Palaeorallus (Early Eocene epoch)
    • †Paraortygometra porzanoides (Late Oligocene/?Early Miocene –? Middle Miocene)
    • †Parvirallus (Early – middle Eocene)
    • †Pastushkinia zazhigini (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Pleistorallus flemingi (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Quercyrallus (Late Eocene –? Late Oligocene)
    • †Rallicrex (Middle/Late Oligocene)
    • †Rhenanorallus rhenanus (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Wanshuina lii (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Youngornis (Middle Miocene epoch)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Rallus (Middle Miocene – Recent)
      • Porzana (Middle? Miocene – Recent)
      • Gallinula (Late Oligocene – Recent)
      • Fulica (Early Pliocene – Recent)
      • Laterallus (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Coturnicops (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Porphyrio (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)

Eurypygiformes: Sunbitterns and Kagus

This group includes the sunbittern and kagu, unique birds from South America and New Caledonia.

  • †Aptornithidae
    • †Aptornis proasciarostratus (Lived around 20 million years ago)
  • Eurypygidae
    • †Eoeurypyga olsoni (Lived around 50 million years ago)
  • †Messelornithidae (Messel-birds)
    • †Pellornis mikkelseni (Lived around 50 million years ago)
    • †Itardiornis hessae (Lived around 40 million years ago)
    • †Messelornis (Lived around 50 million years ago)

Cariamiformes: Seriemas and Terror Birds

This group includes seriemas from South America and the famous extinct "Terror Birds."

  • †Itaboravis elaphrocnemoides (Lived around 50 million years ago)
  • †Walbeckornis creber (Lived around 60 million years ago)
  • †Qianshanornithidae
    • †Qianshanornis rapax (Lived around 50 million years ago)
  • †Salmilidae
Salmila robusta
Salmila
    • †Salmila robusta (Lived around 50 million years ago)
  • †Ameghinornithidae
    • †Strigogyps (Lived from the Eocene to Oligocene)
  • †Bathornithidae
    • †Eutreptornis uintae (Late Eocene epoch)
    • †Neocathartes grallator (Late Eocene epoch)
    • †Paracrax (Early/middle Oligocene – Late Oligocene)
    • †Bathornis (Early Oligocene – Early Miocene)
Paraphysornis BW
Paraphysornis
  • †Idiornithidae
    • †Dynamopterus (Middle Eocene –? Middle Oligocene)
    • †Talantatos (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)
    • †Gypsornis (Late Eocene epoch)
    • †Propelargus (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)
    • †Occitaniavis elatus (Lived around 40 million years ago)
    • †Ibidopodia (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene)
  • †Phorusrhacidae (Terror birds)
    • †Lavocatavis africana (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Patagorhacos terrificus (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Eleutherornis (Late Eocene epoch)
    • †Paleopsilopterus itaboraiensis (Middle Paleocene epoch)
    • †Procariama simplex (Late Miocene – Early Pliocene)
    • †Psilopterus (Middle Oligocene – Late Miocene)
    • †Llallawavis scagliai (Lived around 3 million years ago)
    • †Mesembriornis (Late Miocene – Late Pliocene)
    • †Patagornis marshi (Early – Middle Miocene)
    • †Andrewsornis abbotti (Middle – Late Oligocene)
    • †Andalgalornis steulleti (Late Miocene – Early Pliocene)
    • †Phorusrhacos longissimus (Early – Middle Miocene)
    • †Devincenzia pozzi (Late Miocene – Early Pliocene)
    • †Titanis walleri (Early – Late Pliocene) – a huge terror bird from North America.
    • †Kelenken guillermoi (Early – Late Pliocene) – one of the largest terror birds.
    • †Physornis fortis (Middle – Late Oligocene)
    • †Paraphysornis brasiliensis (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene)
    • †Brontornis burmeisteri (Early – Middle Miocene) – possibly the largest terror bird.
  • Cariamidae (Seriemas)
    • †Riacama caliginea (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Pseudolarus guaraniticus (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Smiliornis penetrans (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Noriegavis santacrucensis (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • Prehistoric species of extant genera
      • Chunga (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)

Otidiformes: Bustards

This group includes bustards, which are large, ground-dwelling birds.

  • Otididae (Bustards)
    • †Gryzaja odessana (Lived around 5 million years ago)
    • †Ioriotis gabunii (Lived around 5 million years ago)
    • †Miootis compactus (Lived around 5 million years ago)
    • †Pleotis liui (Lived around 5 million years ago)
    • Prehistoric species of extant genera
      • Chlamydotis (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Tetrax (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Otis (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)

Phoenicopteriformes: Flamingos

This group includes flamingos and their extinct relatives.

  • Placement Unresolved
    • †Phoeniconotius eyrensis (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene)
  • †Palaelodidae (Swimming-flamingos)
    • †Adelalopus hoogbutseliensis (Early Oligocene epoch)
    • †Palaelodus (Middle Oligocene –? Middle Pleistocene)
    • †Megapaloelodus (Late Oligocene – Early Pliocene)
  • Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
    • †Harrisonavis croizeti (Lived around 15 million years ago)
    • †Leakeyornis aethiopicus (Lived around 15 million years ago)
    • †Elornis (Middle? Eocene – Early Oligocene)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Phoenicopterus (Middle Oligocene – Recent)

Podicipediformes: Grebes

This group includes grebes, which are diving water birds.

  • Podicipedidae (Grebes)
    • †Miobaptus (Early Miocene epoch)
    • †Miodytes serbicus (Lived around 15 million years ago)
    • †Pliolymbus baryosteus (Late Pliocene – Early? Pleistocene)
    • †Thiornis sociata (Late Miocene –? Early Pliocene)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Aechmophorus (Late Pliocene – Recent)
      • Podilymbus (Late Pliocene – Recent)
      • Podiceps (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene – Recent)

Phaethontiformes: Tropicbirds

This group includes tropicbirds, which are seabirds found in tropical oceans.

  • †Prophaethontidae
    • †Lithoptila abdounensis (Late Paleocene – Early Eocene)
    • †Prophaethon shrubsolei (Late Paleocene ?– Early Eocene)
  • Phaethontidae (Tropicbirds)
    • ?†Proplegadis fisheri (Early Eocene epoch)
    • †Phaethusavis pelagicus (Early Eocene epoch)
    • †Heliadornis (Miocene epoch)

Ciconiiformes: Storks and Herons

This diverse group includes storks, herons, and their relatives.

  • †Ciconiidae (Storks)
    • †Ciconiopsis antarctica (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Palaeoephippiorhynchus dietrichi (Early Oligocene epoch)
    • †Grallavis edwardsi (Early Miocene epoch)
    • †Pelargosteon tothi (Early Pleistocene epoch)
    • †Sanshuiornis zhangi (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Ciconia (Early Miocene? – Recent)
      • Mycteria (Middle Miocene – Recent)
      • Ephippiorhynchus (Late Miocene – Recent)
      • Leptoptilos (Late Miocene – Recent)
      • Jabiru (Early Pliocene – Recent)
  • Scopidae (Hammerkop)
    • Prehistoric species of extant genera
      • †Scopus xenopus (Lived around 15 million years ago)
  • Threskiornithidae (Ibises)
    • †Gerandibis paganus (Lived around 15 million years ago)
    • †Rhynchaeites messelensis (Middle Eocene epoch)
    • †Vadaravis brownae (Lived around 50 million years ago)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Geronticus (Middle Miocene – Recent)
      • Platalea (Lived from the Miocene to Recent)
      • Plegadis (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Theristicus (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Eudocimus (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
  • Balaenicipitidae (Shoebills)
    • Goliathia andrewsi (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)
    • Paludiavis richae (Late Miocene epoch)

Procellariiformes: Albatrosses and Petrels

This group includes albatrosses, petrels, and storm-petrels, which are seabirds known for their long-distance flights.

  • Placement Unresolved
    • †Eopuffinus kazachstanensis (Late Paleocene epoch)
    • †Makahala mirae (Lived around 50 million years ago)
    • †Proaestrelata (Lived around 10 million years ago)
  • †Marinavidae
    • †Marinavis longirostris (Lived around 50 million years ago)
  • †Tytthostonychidae
    • †Tytthostonyx glauconiticus (Late Cretaceous/Early Palaeocene)
  • †Diomedeoididae
    • †Rupelornis (Early Oligocene– Early Miocene)
  • Oceanitidae
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Oceanites (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
  • Diomedeidae (Albatrosses)
    • †Murunkus subitus (Middle Eocene epoch)
    • †Plotornis (Early – Middle Miocene)
    • †Tydea septentrionalis (Early Oligocene epoch)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Diomedea (Middle Miocene – Recent)
      • Phoebastria (Middle Miocene – Recent)
      • Thalassarche (Late Miocene – Recent)
  • Hydrobatidae (Storm-petrels)
    • †Primodroma bournei (Early Eocene epoch)
    • Prehistoric species of extant genera
      • †"Oceanodroma" hubbsi (Middle/Late Miocene)
  • Procellariidae (Petrels)
    • †Argyrodyptes microtarsus (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)
    • †Pterodromoides minoricensis (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Calonectris (Early Pliocene – Recent)
      • Fulmarus (Middle Miocene – Recent)
      • Pachyptila (Late Miocene– Recent)
      • Pelecanoides (Early/Middle Miocene – Recent)
      • "Pterodroma" (Pleistocene – Recent)
      • Puffinus (Early Oligocene – Recent)

Gaviiformes: Loons

This group includes loons (also called divers), which are diving water birds.

  • †Gaviella pusilla (Lived around 30 million years ago)
  • †Nasidytes ypresianus (Early Eocene epoch)
  • Gaviidae (Loons)
    • †Colymboides (Late Eocene – Early Miocene)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Gavia (Early Miocene – Recent)

Sphenisciformes: Penguins

Waimanu BW
Waimanu
Icadyptes BW
Icadyptes

This group includes all penguins, from the earliest known species to those alive today.

  • Unresolved and Basal Forms
    • †Waimanu (Early – Late Palaeocene) – one of the earliest known penguins.
    • †Perudyptes devriesi (Middle Eocene epoch)
  • Spheniscidae (Penguins)
    • †Kaiika maxwelli (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Palaeoapterodytes ictus (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Tereingaornis moisleyi (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Crossvallia unienwillia (Late Paleocene epoch)
    • †Anthropornis (Mid-Eocene –? Early Oligocene) – a giant penguin.
    • †Archaeospheniscus (Mid-/Late Eocene – Late Oligocene)
    • †Delphinornis (Mid-/Late Eocene –? Early Oligocene)
    • †Palaeeudyptes (Mid-/Late Eocene – Late Oligocene)
    • †Icadyptes salasi (Late Eocene epoch) – a large, ancient penguin.
    • †Inkayacu paracasensis (Late Eocene epoch)
    • †Pachydyptes ponderosus (Late Eocene epoch)
    • †Marambiornis exilis (Late Eocene–? Early Oligocene)
    • †Mesetaornis polaris (Late Eocene –? Early Oligocene)
    • †Tonniornis (Late Eocene –? Early Oligocene)
    • †Wimanornis seymourensis (Late Eocene –? Early Oligocene)
    • †Arthrodytes andrewsi (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene – Early Miocene)
    • †Duntroonornis parvus (Late Oligocene epoch)
    • †Kairuku (Late Oligocene epoch)
    • †Korora oliveri (Late Oligocene epoch)
    • †Platydyptes (Late Oligocene epoch)
    • †Eretiscus tonnii (Early Miocene epoch)
    • †Palaeospheniscus (Early? – Late Miocene/Early Pliocene)
    • †Paraptenodytes (Early – Late Miocene/Early Pliocene)
    • †Anthropodyptes gilli (Middle Miocene epoch)
    • †Madrynornis mirandus (Late Miocene epoch)
    • †Pseudaptenodytes (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene)
    • †Dege hendeyi (Early Pliocene epoch)
    • †Marplesornis novaezealandiae (Early Pliocene epoch)
    • †Nucleornis insolitus (Early Pliocene epoch)
    • †Inguza predemersus (Late Pliocene epoch)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Pygoscelis (Middle/Late Miocene – Recent)
      • Spheniscus (Middle/Late Miocene – Recent)
      • Aptenodytes (Early? Pliocene – Recent)
      • Eudyptes (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)

Pterocliformes: Sandgrouse

This group includes sandgrouse, which are birds found in dry regions.

  • Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)
    • †Gerandia calcaria (Early Miocene epoch)
    • †Leptoganga sepultus (Lived around 15 million years ago)
    • †Archaeoganga (Lived around 15 million years ago)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Syrrhaptes (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)

Columbiformes: Doves and Pigeons

This group includes all doves and pigeons.

  • Columbidae (Doves and pigeons)
    • Arenicolumba (Early Miocene epoch)
    • Rupephaps (Early Miocene epoch)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Columba (Early Pliocene – Recent)
      • Patagioenas (Early Pliocene – Recent)

Psittaciformes: Parrots

This group includes all parrots, parakeets, and lories.

  • Unresolved and Basal Fossil Parrots:
    • Psittacopes (Early/middle Eocene)
    • Serudaptus (Lived around 50 million years ago)
  • Pseudasturidae
  • Messelasturidae
    • Tynskya eocaena (Early Eocene epoch)
    • Messelastur gratulator (Middle Eocene epoch)
  • Vastanavidae
    • Vastanavis (Early Eocene epoch)
  • Quercypsittidae
    • Quercypsitta (Late Eocene epoch)
  • Cacatuidae
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Cacatua (Early Miocene – Recent)
  • Psittacidae (Parrots, parakeets and lories)
    • Archaeopsittacus (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene)
    • Xenopsitta (Early Miocene epoch)
    • Bavaripsitta (Middle Miocene epoch)
    • Extant and recently extinct genera present in the fossil record
      • Conuropsis (Early? Miocene – Holocene)
      • Nandayus (Late Pliocene – Recent)
      • Cyanoliseus (Middle Pleistocene – Recent)
      • Aratinga (Late Pleistocene – Recent)
      • Rhynchopsitta (Late Pleistocene – Recent)
  • Strigopidae (New Zealand parrots, kakapo)

Opisthocomiformes: Hoatzins

This group includes the unique hoatzin, a bird from the Amazon and Orinoco basins.

  • Opisthocomidae
    • †Foro panarium (Early Eocene epoch)
    • †Hoatzi panarium (Lived around 50 million years ago)
    • †Onychopteryx simpsoni (Early Eocene epoch)
    • †Protoazin parisiensis (Lived around 50 million years ago)
    • †Namibiavis senutae (Late Oligocene epoch)
    • †Hoazinavis lacustris (Miocene epoch)
    • †Hoazinoides magdalenae (Late Miocene epoch)

Musophagiformes: Turacos

This group includes turacos, colorful birds from Africa.

  • Placement Unresolved
    • †Veflintornis (Middle Miocene epoch)

Cuculiformes: Cuckoos

This group includes cuckoos and their allies.

  • Placement Unresolved
    • Eocuculus (Late Eocene epoch)
    • Dynamopterus (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)
    • Neococcyx (Early Oligocene epoch)
    • Cursoricoccyx (Early Miocene epoch)
  • Cuculidae (Cuckoos)

Accipitriformes: Hawks, Eagles, and Vultures

Teratornis BW
Teratornis

This group includes hawks, eagles, and Old World vultures, as well as the giant extinct teratorns.

  • †Teratornithidae (Teratorns)
    • †Argentavis magnificens (Late Miocene epoch) – one of the largest flying birds ever.
    • †Aiolornis incredibilis (Early Pliocene – Late Pleistocene)
    • †Oscaravis olsoni (Pleistocene epoch)
    • †Cathartornis gracilis (Lived around 1 million years ago)
    • †Taubatornis campbelli (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Teratornis (Early Pleistocene – Late Pleistocene) – includes Merriam's teratorn.
  • Cathartidae (New World vultures)
    • †Brasilogyps faustoi (Late Oligocene – Early Miocene)
    • †Kuntur cardenasi (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Pleistovultur nevesi (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Tapinopus ellioti (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • †Diatropornis ellioti (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene –? Middle Oligocene)
    • †Phasmagyps patritus (Early Oligocene epoch)
    • †Hadrogyps aigialeus (Middle Miocene epoch)
    • †Pliogyps (Late Miocene – Late Pliocene)
    • †Perugyps diazi (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene)
    • †Dryornis (Early Miocene – Late Pliocene)
    • †Aizenogyps toomeyae (Late Pliocene epoch)
    • †Breagyps clarki (Late Pleistocene epoch)
    • †Geronogyps reliquus (Late Pleistocene epoch)
    • †Wingegyps cartellei (Late Pleistocene epoch)
    • †Parasarcoramphus milneedwardsi (Lived around 10 million years ago)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Sarcoramphus (Middle Pliocene –? Recent)
      • Gymnogyps (Early Pleistocene – Recent)
      • Vultur (Pliocene – Recent)
  • †Horusornithidae
    • †Horusornis vianeyliaudae (Late Eocene epoch)
  • Pandionidae (Ospreys)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Pandion (Early Oligocene – Recent)
  • Sagittariidae (Secretarybirds)
    • †Amanuensis pickfordi (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Pelargopappus (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene – Late Oligocene/Early Miocene)
  • Accipitridae (Hawks, eagles and Old World vultures)
    • Milvoides (Late Eocene epoch)
    • Aquilavus (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene – Early Miocene)
    • Palaeocircus (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)
    • Palaeastur (Early Miocene epoch)
    • Pengana (Early Miocene epoch)
    • Promilio (Early Miocene epoch)
    • Proictinia (Early – Late Miocene/Early Pliocene)
    • Neophrontops (Early/middle Miocene – Late Pleistocene)
    • Mioaegypius (Middle Miocene epoch)
    • Apatosagittarius (Late Miocene epoch)
    • Gansugyps (Late Miocene epoch)
    • Palaeoborus (Miocene epoch)
    • Qiluornis (Miocene epoch)
    • Thegornis (Miocene epoch)
    • Garganoaetus (Early Pliocene epoch)
    • Amplibuteo (Late Pliocene – Late Pleistocene)
    • Cryptogyps (Middle – Late Pleistocene)
    • Neogyps (Late Pleistocene epoch)
    • Palaeohierax (Lived from the Miocene to Pliocene)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Haliaeetus (Early Oligocene – Recent)
      • Buteo (Middle Oligocene – Recent)
      • Aquila (Middle Miocene – Recent)
      • Buteogallus (Middle Miocene – Recent)
      • "Hieraaetus" (Middle Miocene – Recent)
      • Milvus (Early Pleistocene – Recent)
      • Gyps (Middle Pleistocene – Recent)
      • Aegypius (Middle Pleistocene – Recent)
    • Additional prehistoric species of extant genera
      • Spizaetus grinnelli (Late Pleistocene)
      • Spizaetus pliogryps (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Gypaetus georgii (Late Miocene epoch)
      • Neophron lolis (Late Miocene epoch)

Falconiformes: Falcons

This group includes falcons and caracaras.

  • †Masillaraptoridae
    • †Masillaraptor parvunguis (Middle Eocene epoch)
    • †Danielsraptor phorusrhacoides (Early Eocene epoch)
  • Falconidae (Falcons)
    • †Lagopterus minutus (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Parvulivenator watteli (Early Eocene epoch)
    • †Stintonornis mitchelli (Early Eocene epoch)
    • †Badiostes patagonicus (Early Miocene epoch)
    • †Pediohierax ramenta (Middle Miocene epoch)
    • †Thegornis musculosus (Lived around 20 million years ago)
    • †Petrosushkinia pliocaena (Early Pliocene epoch)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Milvago (Late Pleistocene -–Recent)
      • Falco (Late Miocene – Recent)

Steatornithiformes: Oilbirds

This group includes oilbirds, which are nocturnal, fruit-eating birds.

  • Paraprefica (Early Eocene?)
  • Steatornithidae (Oilbirds)
    • †Prefica nivea (Lived around 50 million years ago)
    • Prehistoric species of extant genera
      • Steatornis sp. (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
  • Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
    • †Euronyctibius kurochkini (Lived around 40 million years ago)

Podargiformes: Frogmouths

This group includes frogmouths, which are nocturnal birds with wide, flat beaks.

  • †Fluvioviridavidae
    • †Fluvioviridavis platyrhamphus (Early Eocene epoch)
  • Podargidae (Frogmouths)
    • †Masillapodargus longipes (Lived around 50 million years ago)
    • †Quercypodargus olsoni (Lived around 40 million years ago)

Caprimulgiformes: Nightjars

This group includes nightjars, which are nocturnal birds known for their camouflage.

  • Caprimulgidae (Nightjars)
    • †Ventivorus ragei (Lived around 40 million years ago)
    • Prehistoric species of extant genera
      • Caprimulgus (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)

Aegotheliformes: Owlet-Nightjars

This group includes owlet-nightjars, small, nocturnal birds from Australasia.

  • Aegothelidae
    • †Quipollornis koniberi (Early/Middle Miocene)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Aegotheles (Early/Middle Miocene – Recent)

Apodiformes: Swifts and Hummingbirds

This group includes swifts (fast-flying birds) and hummingbirds (tiny, hovering birds).

  • †Wyomingcypselus pohli (Lived around 50 million years ago)
  • †Procypseloides mourerchauvireae (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene – Early Miocene)
  • †Laputavis robusta (Lived around 50 million years ago)
  • †Palescyvus escampensis (Lived around 40 million years ago)
  • †Scaniacypselus (Early – middle Eocene)
  • †Aegialornithidae
    • †Primapus lacki (Early Eocene epoch)
    • †Aegialornis (Early? – Late Eocene)
  • †Eocypselidae
    • †Eocypselus (Late Paleocene ?- Early Eocene)
  • †Cypselavidae
    • †Parargornis messelensis (Middle Eocene epoch)
    • †Argornis caucasicus (Late Eocene epoch)
    • †Cypselavus gallicus (Late Eocene Early Oligocene)
  • †Jungornithidae
    • †Jungornis (Early Oligocene epoch)
  • Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
    • †Eurotrochilus (Early Oligocene epoch)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Collocalia (Early Miocene – Recent)
      • Apus (Middle/Late Miocene – Recent)
      • Chaetura (Late Miocene – Recent)
      • Tachornis (Late Pleistocene – Recent)

Coliiformes: Mousebirds

This group includes mousebirds, small, soft-feathered birds from Africa.

  • Unresolved and Basal Forms
    • †Botauroides parvus (Eocene epoch)
    • †Eobucco brodkorbi (Lived around 50 million years ago)
    • †Eocolius walkeri (Early Eocene epoch)
    • †Limnatornis (Early Miocene epoch)
    • †Uintornis (Lived around 50 million years ago)
  • Family †Chascacocoliidae
    • Genus †Chascacocolius (Late Paleocene ?- Early Eocene)
  • Family †Selmeidae
    • †Selmes absurdipes (Middle Eocene ?-Late Oligocene)
  • Family †Sandcoleidae
    • †Sandcoleus copiosus (Paleocene epoch)
    • †Anneavis anneae (Lived around 60 million years ago)
    • †Eoglaucidium pallas (Lived around 50 million years ago)
  • Family Coliidae
    • †Primocolius (Late Eocene/Oligocene)
    • †Oligocolius (Early Oligocene epoch)
    • †Masillacolius brevidactylus (Middle Eocene epoch)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Colius (Lived from the Miocene to Recent)

Zealandornithidae: New Zealand Birds

This is an extinct family of birds from New Zealand.

  • †Zealandornis relictus (Early Miocene epoch)

Strigiformes: Owls

This group includes all owls and barn owls.

  • Unresolved and Basal Forms
    • Berruornis (Late Paleocene epoch)
    • Palaeoglaux (Middle – Late Eocene)
    • Palaeobyas (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)
    • Palaeotyto (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)
  • Ogygoptyngidae
    • Ogygoptynx (Middle/Late Paleocene)
  • Protostrigidae
    • Eostrix (Early – middle Eocene)
    • Minerva (Middle – Late Eocene)
    • Oligostrix (Middle Oligocene epoch)
  • Sophiornithidae
    • Sophiornis (Lived around 40 million years ago)
  • Strigidae (Typical owls)
    • Mioglaux (Late Oligocene? – Early Miocene)
    • Intulula (Early/Middle –? Late Miocene)
    • Alasio (Middle Miocene epoch)
    • Oraristrix (Late Pleistocene epoch)
    • Miosurnia (Late Miocene epoch)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Strix (Early Miocene – Recent)
      • Bubo (Late Miocene? – Recent)
      • Asio (Late Pliocene – Recent)
      • Athene (Late Pliocene – Recent)
      • Glaucidium (Late Pliocene – Recent)
      • Surnia (Late Pliocene – Recent)
      • Pulsatrix (Late Pleistocene – Recent)
  • Tytonidae (Barn owls)
    • Nocturnavis (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)
    • Selenornis (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)
    • Necrobyas (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene – Early Miocene)
    • Prosybris (Early Oligocene? – Early Miocene)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Tyto (Late Miocene – Recent)

Coraciiformes: Rollers and Allies

This group includes rollers, kingfishers, and bee-eaters.

  • Basal and Unresolved Forms
    • †Quasisyndactylus longibrachis (Middle Eocene epoch)
    • †Paracoracias occidentalis (Lived around 50 million years ago)
    • †Cryptornis antiquus (Late Eocene epoch)
    • †Protornis glarniensis (Oligocene epoch)
  • †Geranopteridae
    • †Geranopterus (Late Eocene – Early Miocene)
  • †Eocoraciidae
    • †Eocoracias brachyptera (Middle Eocene epoch)
  • †Primobucconidae
    • †Primobucco (Early – middle Eocene)
  • Todidae (Todies)
    • †Palaeotodus (Late Eocene – Early Oligocene)
  • Motmotidae (Motmots)
  • Coraciidae
    • †Miocoracias chenevali (Lived around 15 million years ago)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Eurystomus (Lived from the Miocene to Recent)

Bucerotiformes: Hornbills

This group includes hornbills and woodhoopoes.

  • †Messelirrisoridae
    • †Messelirrisor (Middle Eocene epoch)
  • Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes)
    • †Phirriculus pinicola (Lived around 15 million years ago)
  • Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
    • †Euroceros bulgaricus (Late Miocene epoch)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Bucorvus (Lived from the Miocene to Recent)

Trogoniformes: Trogons

This group includes trogons, colorful birds found in tropical forests.

  • Trogonidae (Trogons)
    • †Foshanornis songi (Lived around 15 million years ago)
    • †Septentrogon madseni (Late Paleocene/Early Eocene)
    • †Paratrogon gallicus (Early Miocene epoch)
    • †Primotrogon (Middle Eocene – Early Oligocene)

Piciformes: Woodpeckers and Toucans

This group includes woodpeckers, toucans, and barbets.

  • Placement Unresolved
    • Rupelramphastoides (Early Oligocene epoch)
    • Capitonides (Early – Middle Miocene)
  • Miopiconidae
    • Miopico (Lived around 15 million years ago)
  • Lybiidae (African barbets)
  • Galbulidae
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Galbula hylochoreutes (Middle Miocene epoch)
  • Picavidae
    • Picavus (Lived around 15 million years ago)
  • Picidae (Woodpeckers)
    • Palaeopicus (Late Oligocene epoch)
    • Palaeonerpes (Early Pliocene epoch)
    • Pliopicus (Early Pliocene epoch)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Campephilus (Late Pleistocene – Recent)
      • Colaptes (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
      • Dendrocopos (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)

Passeriformes: Perching Birds

This is the largest group of birds, including songbirds, crows, finches, and many more.

  • Placement Unresolved
    • Resoviaornis (Early Oligocene epoch)
    • Wieslochia (Early Oligocene epoch)
    • Certhiops (Early Miocene epoch)
    • "Palaeostruthus" eurius (Pliocene epoch)
  • Eurylaimidae (Broadbills)
  • Palaeoscinidae
    • Palaeoscinis (Late Miocene epoch)
  • Furnariidae (Ovenbirds)
    • †Pseudoseisuropsis (Early Pleistocene – Late Pleistocene)
    • Prehistoric species of extant genera
      • Pseudoseisura cursor (Early/Middle Pleistocene)
      • Cinclodes major (Middle Pleistocene)
  • Menuridae (Lyrebirds)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Menura (Early Miocene – Recent)
  • Meliphagidae (Honeyeaters)
  • Orthonychidae (Logrunners)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Orthonyx (Middle/Late Miocene – Recent)
  • Oriolidae (Old World orioles)
    • Longmornis (Early Miocene epoch)
  • Artamidae (Woodswallows, butcherbirds, currawongs and Australian magpie)
  • Corvidae (Crows, ravens, jays and magpies)
    • Miocorvus (Middle Miocene epoch)
    • Miopica (Middle Miocene epoch)
    • Miocitta (Late Miocene epoch)
    • Protocitta (Early Pleistocene epoch)
    • Henocitta (Middle Pleistocene epoch)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Corvus (Late Miocene — Recent)
      • Pica (Late Pliocene/Early Pleistocene – Recent)
      • Pyrrhocorax (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
  • Laniidae (Shrikes)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Lanius (Early Miocene – Recent)
  • Regulidae (Kinglets)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Regulus (Late Pliocene – Recent)
  • Hirundinidae (Swallows and martins)
  • Megaluridae (Grass-warblers and allies)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      •  ?Locustella (Late Miocene – Recent)
  • Acrocephalidae (Marsh- and tree-warblers)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      •  ?Acrocephalus (Late Miocene – Recent)
  • Muscicapidae (Old World flycatchers and chats)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Luscinia (Late Miocene – Recent)
  • Turdidae (Thrushes)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      •  ?Turdus (Middle? Miocene – Recent)
  • Alaudidae (Larks)
    • Eremarida (Late Miocene epoch)
  • Motacillidae (Wagtails)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Motacilla (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
  • Fringillidae (Finches)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Loxia (Late Pliocene – Recent)
    • Additional prehistoric species of extant genera
      • Coccothraustes simeonovi (Late Pliocene)
      • Coccothraustes balcanicus (Lived from the Pliocene to Recent)
  • Icteridae (Grackles and New World orioles)
    • Pandanaris (Pleistocene epoch)
    • Pyelorhamphus (Pleistocene epoch)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Euphagus (Late Pleistocene – Recent)
  • Cardinalidae (Cardinals)
  • Emberizidae (Buntings and New World sparrows)
    • Pampaemberiza (Middle Pleistocene epoch)
    • Extant genera present in the fossil record
      • Ammodramus (Late Miocene – Recent)
    • Additional prehistoric species of extant genera
      • Pipilo angelensis (Pleistocene epoch)

Avialans incertae sedis

These are fossil bird-like creatures that scientists can't quite place into any of the main groups with certainty. While some "proto-birds" are known well enough to be placed in a family, these are often known from very few, broken remains. It's even possible some of them might not be true birds, but other types of feathered dinosaurs.

  • †"Ichthyornis" minusculus (Late Cretaceous period)
  • †Qinornis paleocenica (Early/Middle Paleocene)

See also

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
List of fossil bird genera Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.