List of birds by population
This is list of bird species by global population, divided by bird classification. While numbers are estimates, they have been made by the experts in their fields. For more information on how these estimates were ascertained, see Wikipedia's articles on population biology and population ecology. Contributing organizations include the IUCN, BirdLife International, and Partners in Flight.
This list is incomplete, because experts have not estimated all bird numbers. For example, the spectacled flowerpecker was only discovered in 2010, and has yet to be classified with a Linnean name, but would add to the other 73 new bird species described by ornithologists from 2000 – 2009.[1][2][3] Global population estimates for many of these at this time would be absurd.
All numbers are estimates, because they are taken by observation, and a given number of 50 slender-billed curlews does not necessarily mean there are 10 more of this species than the black stilt, which has been estimated at 40: there is a possibility that the latter species has a larger population than the former.[4][5] This list should not be taken that literally. An estimate of 250 shore dotterels compared with 4,500 – 5,000 wrybills, on the other hand, means that the latter has well over one order of magnitude more individuals than the former.[6][7] The wrybill only has approximately one tenth the population of great skuas (48,000), which are outnumbered ~10:1 by the pigeon guillemot (470,000).[8][9] It is these large differences between species that this list tries to convey.
By taxonomy
List by taxonomic order | Birds included | # of quantified species / # of total species (%)1 | Example of less common species | Example of more common species | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anseriformes | Waterfowl: ducks, geese, swans. | 89 / 166 (54%) | Laysan duck (CR) | Mallard (LC) | ||
Pop: 521[10] | Pop: > 17,000,000[11] | |||||
Apodiformes | Swifts, hummingbirds. | 86 / 441 (20%) | Juan Fernández firecrown (CR) | Chimney swift (NT) | ||
Pop: 2,500 – 3,000[12] | Pop: 15,000,000[13] | |||||
Caprimulgiformes | Nightjars, nighthawks, potoos. | 19 / 125 (15%) | Puerto Rican nightjar (EN) | European nightjar (LC) | ||
Pop: 1,400 – 2,000[14] | Pop: 2,000,000 – 6,000,000[15] | |||||
Charadriiformes | Waders, gulls, auks. | 181 / 352 (51%) | Shore dotterel (EN) | Thick-billed murre (LC) | ||
Pop: 250[6] | Pop: > 22,000,000[16] | |||||
Ciconiiformes | Storks, herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills. | 52 / 115 (45%) | Storm's stork (EN) | White-faced ibis (LC) | ||
Pop: 400 – 500[17] | Pop: 1,200,000[18] | |||||
Columbiformes | Doves, pigeons. | 94 / 321 (29%) | Socorro dove (EW) | Rock dove (LC) | ||
Pop: 100[19] | Pop: 260,000,000[20] | |||||
Coraciiformes | Kingfishers, hornbills, motmots, bee-eaters. | 38 / 219 (17%) | Narcondam hornbill (EN) | Rainbow bee-eater (LC) | ||
Pop: 320- 340[21] | Pop: > 1,000,000[22] | |||||
Cuculiformes | Cuckoos. | 22 / 165 (13%) | Black-hooded coucal (CR) | Common cuckoo (LC) | ||
Pop: 70[23] | Pop: 25,000,000 – 100,000,000[24] | |||||
Falconiformes | Diurnal birds of prey. | 164 / 310 (53%) | Madagascar fish eagle (CR) | Common kestrel (LC) | ||
Pop: 360[25] | Pop: > 5,000,000[26] | |||||
Galliformes | Gamebirds. | 121 / 288 (42%) | Bornean peacock-pheasant (EN) | Willow ptarmigan (LC) | ||
Pop: 1,000 – 2,499[27] | Pop: > 40,000,000[28] | |||||
Gaviiformes | Loons. | 4 / 5 (80%) | Yellow-billed loon (NT) | Pacific loon (LC) | ||
Pop: 16,000 – 32,000[29] | Pop: 930,000 – 1,600,000[30] | |||||
Gruiformes | Cranes, crakes, rails. | 92 / 206 (45%) | Lord Howe woodhen (EN) | American coot (LC) | ||
Pop: 220 – 230[31] | Pop: 6,000,000[32] | |||||
Pelecaniformes | Pelicans, frigatebirds, gannets, boobies, cormorants. | 36 / 65 (55%) | Flightless cormorant (VU) | Red-footed booby (LC) | ||
Pop: 1,679[33] | Pop: > 1,000,000[34] | |||||
Phoenicopteriformes | Flamingos. | 5 / 6 (83%) | Andean flamingo (VU) | Lesser flamingo (NT) | ||
Pop: 38,000[35] | Pop: 2,220,000 – 3,240,000[36] | |||||
Piciformes | Woodpeckers, toucans, barbets. | 43 / 410 (10%) | Ivory-billed woodpecker (CR) | Great spotted woodpecker (LC) | ||
Pop: 0 – 50[37] | Pop: 73,500,000 – 216,000,000[38]2 | |||||
Podicipediformes | Grebes. | 11 / 19 (58%) | New Zealand grebe (VU) | Black-necked grebe (LC) | ||
Pop: 1,900 – 2,000[39] | Pop: 3,900,000 – 4,200,000[40] | |||||
Procellariiformes | Albatrosses and petrels. | 116 / 129 (90%) | New Zealand storm petrel (CR) | Short-tailed shearwater (LC) | ||
Pop: < 50[41] | Pop: > 23,000,000[42] | |||||
Psittaciformes | Parrots. | 134 / 356 (38%) | Kakapo (CR) | Red-tailed black cockatoo (LC) | ||
Pop: 126[43] | Pop: > 100,000[44] | |||||
Sphenisciformes | Penguins. | 16 / 18 (89%) | Galapagos penguin (EN) | Macaroni penguin (VU) | ||
Pop: 1,800[45] | Pop: 18,000,000[46]3 | |||||
Strigiformes | Owls. | 72 / 197 (37%) | Forest owlet (CR) | Short-eared owl (LC) | ||
Pop: 70 – 400[47] | Pop: > 2,000,000[48] | |||||
Struthioniformes | Ratites. | 6 / 11 (55%) | Little spotted kiwi (NT) | Southern brown kiwi (VU) | ||
Pop: > 1,200[49] | Pop: 29,800[50] | |||||
Tinamiformes | Tinamous. | 9 / 47 (19%) | Slaty-breasted tinamou (LC) | Little tinamou (LC) | ||
Pop: 20,000 – 49 999[51] | Pop: 500,000 – 4,999,999[52] | |||||
Trogoniformes | Trogons, quetzals. | 9 / 44 (20%) | Javan trogon (EN) | Collared trogon (LC) | ||
Pop: 350 – 1,500[53] | Pop: 5,000,000 – 50,000,000[54] | |||||
See also
Notes
- 1.^ Amount of quantified species contained in the list as of 04:24, Saturday, January 2, 2016 (UTC). The amount of species in each order is according to the IUCN and BirdLife International; bird taxonomy is currently in flux and these figures may soon change.
- 2.^ Preliminary estimate.
- 3.^ Mature only.
References
- ↑ Reuters. "Spectacled flowerpecker" bird found in Borneo, scientificamerican.com, 13 January 2010, accessed on 15 January 2010.
- ↑ Walton, Doreen, science reporter. New bird species found in rainforests of Borneo, BBC News, news.bbc.co.uk, 14 January 2010, accessed on 15 January 2010.
- ↑ Pennak, Sara (18 January 2012). "State of observed species: A decade of species discovery in review" (PDF). Arizona State University: International Institute for Species Exploration. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Himantopus novaezelandiae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Numenius tenuirostris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- 1 2 BirdLife International (2012). "Thinornis novaeseelandiae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Anarhynchus frontalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Stercorarius skua". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Cepphus columba". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Anas laysanensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Anas platyrhynchos". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Sephanoides fernandensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Chaetura pelagica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-01.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Caprimulgus noctitherus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Caprimulgus europaeus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Uria lomvia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Ciconia stormi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Plegadis chihi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Zenaida graysoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Columba livia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Aceros narcondami". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Merops ornatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Tauraco fischeri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Cuculus canorus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Eutriorchis astur". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Falco tinnunculus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Polyplectron schleiermacheri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Lagopus lagopus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Gavia adamsii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Gavia pacifica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Gallirallus sylvestris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Fulica americana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Phalacrocorax harrisi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Sula sula". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-15.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Phoenicoparrus andinus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Phoeniconaias minor". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Campephilus principalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Dendrocopos major". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Poliocephalus rufopectus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Podiceps nigricollis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Oceanites maorianus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Puffinus tenuirostris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-17.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Strigops habroptila". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Calyptorhynchus banksii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-17.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Spheniscus mendiculus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Eudyptes chrysolophus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Heteroglaux blewitti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-21.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Asio flammeus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Apteryx owenii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Apteryx australis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Crypturellus boucardi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Crypturellus soui". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Apalharpactes reinwardtii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Trogon collaris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. IUCN. Retrieved 2012-12-21.