Birds

Class Aves

Subclass Neornithes:

This is a list of the taxonomic orders in the subclass Neornithes, or modern birds. This list uses the traditional classification (the so-called Clements order), revised by the Sibley-Monroe classification. The subclass Neornithes has two extant superorders: Palaeognathae and Neognathae. 

Superorder Palaeognathae:

The name of the superorder is derived from paleognath, the ancient Greek for "old jaws" in reference to the skeletal anatomy of the palate, which is described as more primitive and reptilian than that in other birds. The Palaeognathae consists of two orders which comprise 49 existing species.

1. Struthioniformes — ostriches, emus, kiwis, and allies
2. Tinamiformes — tinamous

Superorder Neognathae:

The superorder Neognathae comprises 27 orders which have a total of nearly ten thousand species. The Neognathae have undergone adaptive radiation to produce the staggering diversity of form (especially of the bill and feet), function, and behaviour that are seen today.

Galloanserae

1. Anseriformes — waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans, screamers)
2. Galliformes — fowl (pheasants, quail, partridge, turkey, cracids, megapodes, guinefowl etc.)

Neoaves

1. Charadriiformes — gulls, button-quails, plovers and allies
2. Gaviiformes — loons
3. Podicipediformes — grebes
4. Procellariiformes — albatrosses, petrels, and allies
5. Sphenisciformes — penguins
6. Pelecaniformes — pelicans and allies
7. Phaethontiformes — tropicbirds
8. Ciconiiformes — storks and allies
9. Cathartiformes — New World vultures
10. Phoenicopteriformes — flamingos
11. Falconiformes — falcons, eagles, hawks and allies
12. Gruiformes — cranes, rails, kagu, trumpeters, sunbittern and other relatives
13. Pteroclidiformes — sandgrouse
14. Columbiformes — doves and pigeons
15. Psittaciformes — parrots and allies
16. Cuculiformes —  cuckoos and turacos
17. Opisthocomiformes — hoatzin
18. Strigiformes — owls
19. Caprimulgiformes — nightjars and allies
20. Apodiformes — swifts and hummingbirds
21. Coraciiformes — kingfishers and allies
22. Piciformes — woodpeckers and allies
23. Trogoniformes — trogons
24. Coliiformes — mousebirds
25. Passeriformes — passerines

The radically different Sibley-Monroe classification (Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy), based on molecular data, found widespread adoption in a few aspects, as recent molecular, fossil, and anatomical evidence supported the Galloanserae.

Above: Demoiselle crane, Anthropoides virgo

Above: African white-backed duck, Thalassornis leuconotus