The Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World: Third Edition

This is the most accurate and comprehensive checklist of birds ever published in a single volume. First published over twenty years ago, The Howard and Moore Checklist was the first such compact list to include not only all the known species in the world but subspecies too. This new edition of the highly respected reference volume has been fully revised and updated throughout. Enlarged significantly, it has benefited from the input of five regional consultants--one for each of the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australasia, and the Palaearctic--who have assisted with a thorough and rigorous reassessment of all taxonomic data. This review has led to the inclusion of many valuable new footnotes and references; there are some 4,000 footnotes explaining taxonomic choices, and 3,000 references. All authorities for newly described taxa (whether recognized now or not) are given with full references, for the first time in any checklist.


The introductory sections set forth the rationale of the sequence of families adopted as well as key concepts and new developments in the study of avian taxonomy; discussed are the relative attributes of the Biological Species Concept and the Phylogenic Species Concept, which are critical to our understanding of taxonomy and related issues. Also covered are new developments in taxonomy; those areas where consensus is fast developing are highlighted. Finally, all main entries and synonyms are indexed by English and scientific names--the latter to subspecies level for the first time.

• The most accurate and comprehensive taxonomic checklist of birds of the world ever published in a single volume


• Now in its third, thoroughly revised and updated edition


• Existing data rigorously referenced by a team of regional experts


• All species and subspecies described since the mid-1980s fully referenced, for the first time in any checklist


• Around 4,000 footnotes explaining taxonomic choices, and 3,000 references including all authorities for recently described taxa


• Introductory sections discuss the rationale behind the list sequence, as well as key concepts and new developments in the study of avian taxonomy.


• All taxa fully indexed by English and scientific names--the latter to subspecies level for the first time

Edward C. Dickinson is the author of three books, including A Field Guide to the Birds of South-east Asia and A Guide to the Birds of the Philippines. He is currently Research Associate with the National Museum of Natural History of the Netherlands, Leiden.