We’ve just finished updating the Birdstack database to conform with version 2.4 of the IOC’s world bird list. This update also includes all changes made in IOC version 2.3.
If your data was affected by any splits or lumps, you will have a notification. For help with the upgrade process, check the taxonomic updates help page and the taxonomic updates screencast.
Highlights for North American birders include the re-splitting of Mexican Duck (Anas diazi) from Mallard. See the IOC comments and my blog post for more details.
And another biggie is the re-splitting of Yellow-rumped Warbler into the eastern Myrtle Warbler, the western Audubon’s Warbler, and two non-migratory species in Mexico and Guatemala. Details in the IOC notes.
Other splits abound and can be perused from the IOC update pages, along with all the other changes. The IOC is currently changing many English names to better conform with tradition and regional authorities, and shuffling of families and genera continues as scientific data accumulates. Highlights and details are on the IOC site, as mentioned above.
Happy birding, researching, and possibly even armchair ticking!