UPDATED DECEMBER 08, 2024
Excepting Passeriformes and Trochilidae, South America has 356 genera, 247 breeding in Brazil and 109 absents in country (64 breeding in continent, 45 no breeding). Brazil includes, thus, 247 of 311 breeding genera in continent (79.42%).
Here we present a conspectus of the diversity of Avialia in South America, organized by orders and families, with an emphasis on Brazilian diversity. In each family we list the South American genera absent in Brazil, with the exception of Trochilidae, where we list all the genera in the family, and Passeriformes, whose data we imported from another blog by the same author. There are also some notes of Mexican diversity.
The survey carried out here is based on Birds of the World Online, with many specific notes from Wikipedia, and we focus exclusively on breeding species in each country, excluding vagrants and regular migrants. Inevitably, some numbers may contain non-breeding birds, so the data will eventually be updated and accurate.
According to the data collected here, Colombia has (81:682/)1,765 breeding birds, Brazil (80:646/)1,679 and Mexico (85/432)904.
1. RHEIFORMES
Rheidae ‣ one genus, present in Brazil with a single species. Absent in Colombia and Mexico.
2. TINAMIFORMES
Tinamidae ‣ 5 genera in Brazil plus four absents: Nothocercus (Costa Rica to Bolivia), Nothoprocta (Ecuador to Argentina and Paraguay), Eudromia (Paraguay to Chile), Tinamotis (Peru to Argentina and Chile). Colombia (4/)19 spp., Brazil (5/)23 and Mexico (2/)4.
3. ANSERIFORMES
Anhimidae ‣ two genera. Brazil and Colombia (2/)2 spp. each. Absent in Mexico.
Anatidae (only breedings) ‣ 14 genera in Brazil plus seven no breedings: Chloephaga (breeding only in PR, BL, CH, AR, vagant in Brazil), Tachyeres (breeding only in AR, CH), Lophonetta (PR, BL, CH, AR), Speculanas (breeding only in AR, CH), Merganetta (breeding in VZ, CL, EC, PR, BL, CH, AR), Mareca (breeding only in AR, CH, UR, vagant in Brazil), Oxyura (breeding in AR, CH, vagant in Brazil). Brazil has (12/)18 spp., Colombia (10/)13 and Mexico (8/)13.
Breeding in Mexico: Dendrocygna (2), Cairina (1), Spathula (2), Mareca (1), Anas (4), Aythya (1), Nomonyx (1) and Oxyura (1). Breeding in Colombia: Dendrocygna (3), Sarkidiornis (1), Oressochen (1), Amazonetta (1), Cairina (1), Merganetta (1), Spathula (1), Anas (2), Nomonyx (1) and Oxyura (1). Breeding in Brazil: Dendrocygna (3), Sarkidiornis (1), Oressochen (1), Amazonetta (1), Callonetta (1), Cairina (1), Spathula (2), Anas (3), Netta (2), Mergus (1), Heteronetta (1) and Nomonyx (1).
No breeding in South America: Aythya, Aix, Anser, Bucephala, Branta and Tadorna.
4. GALLIFORMES
Cracidae ‣ six genera in Brazil plus three absents: Aburria (Venezuela to Bolivia), Pauxi (Venezuela to Bolivia) and Chamaepetes (Costa Rica to Bolivia). Colombia has (9/)26 spp., Brazil (6/)25 and Mexico (5/)8.
Odontophoridae ‣ two genera in Brazil plus one absent, Rhynchothrix (AMC, CL, EC). Mexico has (8/)15 spp., Colombia (3/)10 and Brazil only (2/)4.
5. PHOENICOPTERIFORMES
Phoenicopteridae ‣ none species breeds in Brazil, but two genera breeds in South America: Phoenicopterus (only in Argentina for P. chilensis/SEE; Venezuela and Ecuador for P. ruber, SEE, vagant in Brazil) and Phoenicoparrus (Peru to Argentina and Chile, vagant in Brazil). Mexico has one breeding species, in Yucatan region.
6. PODICIPEDIFORMES
Podicipedidae (only breedings)▸ 4 breeding genera in South America, all in Brazil. Mexico has (4/)5 spp., Colombia (3/)4 and Brazil (4/)4.
7. COLUMBIFORMES
Columbidae ‣ nine genera in Brazil plus two unbreeds: Metriopelia (Colombia to Argentina) and Zentrygon (Mexico to Argentina). Excludes Old World Streptopelia, Columba, Chalcophaps, Geopelia and Spilopelia. Leptotrygon now inside in Geotrygon. (10/)35 spp. in Colombia, (8/)21 in Brazil and (9/)23 in Mexico.
8. CUCULIFORMES
Cuculidae ‣ all eight South American genera breeds in Brazil. Colombia has (7/)20 spp., Brazil (8/)18 and Mexico (7/)11.
9. CAPRIMULGIFORMES
Caprimulgidae ‣ 12 genera in Brazil and one absent: Uropsalis (Venezuela to Argentina). Brazil has (12/)23 spp., Colombia (11/)22 and Mexico (7/)14.
Nyctibiidae ‣ two genera in South America, both in Brazil. Colombia has (2/)6 spp, Brazil (2/)5 and Mexico (1/)2. Colombia has Nyctibius maculosus absent of Brazil.
Steatornithidae ‣ a monotypic family breeding in Brazil. Absent in Mexico.
Apodidae ‣ six genera in South America, all in Brazil. Excludes Old World Apus. Brazil has (6/)18 spp., Colombia (6/)17 and Mexico (5/)10.
Trochilidae ‣ 109 genera worldwide. Colombia has (65/)164 spp. (18 endemics), Brazil (33/)84 (18 endemics), Mexico (28/)59 (18 endemics). All genera listeds below. Brazilian genera in black bold. Trochilidae has 9 lineages, all in Brazil except Patagoninae, monotypic with Patagona gigas Vieillot, 1824, from SW Colombia to NW Argentina and Chile (Wikipedia).
LIST OF GENERA
AdelomyiaAbeilliaAglaiocercusAglaeactisAndrodonAmaziliaAnthocephalaAnopetiaAphantochroaAnthracothoraxAtthisArchilochusAvocettulaAugastesBoissonneauaBasilinnaCalothoraxCalliphloxCampylopterusCalypteChalcostigmaChaetocercusChionomesaChalybura
ChlorostilbonChlorestesChrysuroniaChrysolampisColibriCoeligenaCynanthusCyanophaiaDiscosuraDamophilaDoryferaDorichaElliotomyia
EnsiferaElviraEugenesEriocnemisEulidiaEulampisEupherusaEupetomenaFlorisugaEutoxeresGoethalsiaGlaucisHaplophaediaGoldmaniaHeliangelusHeliactinHeliomasterHeliodoxaHylocharisHeliothryxKlaisHylonymphaLampornisLafresnayaLepidopygaLamprolaimaLeucippusLesbiaLoddigesiaLeucochlorisMellisugaLophornisMicrocheraMetalluraMyrmiaMicrostilbonOcreatusMyrtisOreonymphaOpisthoproraOrthorhyncusOreotrochilusPanterpeOxypogonPhaeochroaPatagonaPhlogophilusPhaethornisPolytmusPolyonymusRamphodonPterophanesRhodopisRamphomicronSchistesSapphoSephanoidesSelasphorusSaucerottia
SternoclytaStephanoxisTaphrospilusTaphrolesbiaThalaphorus
ThaumasturaThaluraniaThrenetes
TilmaturaTrochilusTopazaUrosticteUrochroa
10. OPISTHOCOMIFORMES
Opisthocomidae ‣ a single species from northern South America, absent in Mexico.
11. GRUIFORMES
Rallidae ‣ all 16 genera in South America breeds in Brazil. Excludes Crex, from Old World. Brazil has (15/)30 spp., Colombia (15/)27 and Mexico (11/)18.
Heliornithidae ‣ a single species from E Mexico to S Brazil, absent in Caribbean.
Aramidae ‣ a single species from Florida and E Mexico to NE Argentina, including Caribbean.
Psophiidae ‣ all three species in Brazil. Absent in Mexico. (1/)3 spp. in Brazil, only (1/)1 in Colombia.
12. CHARADRIIFORMES
Chionidae ‣ no breeds in Brazil, Colombia or Mexico, but one occur in South America: Chionis, breeding in southern waters off Argentina and Chile.
Pluvianellidae ‣ a single genus, Pluvianellus, breeding only in Argentina and Chile.
Burhinidae ‣ a single Neotropical species, from S Mexico to Costa Rica, E Colombia to Amapa state in Brazil, and Caribbean.
Recurvirostridae ‣ one breeding genus in Brazil plus another, Recurvirostra (in South America, breeding only from central Andes). Brazil and Colombia one breeding spp. each, Mexico (2/)2.
Haematopodidae ‣ a single genus in South America. Brazil and Colombia has a single breeding species, Mexico has (1/)2.
Charadriidae (only breedings) ‣ three genera in Brazil plus two: Oreopholus (breeding in Argentina and Chile, vagant in Brazil) and Phegornis (Peru to Argentina and Chile). Excludes Pluvialis (non breeding in South America, regular migrant in Brazil). Mexico has (3/)6 spp., Brazil (3/)5 and Colombia (3/)4.
Breedings in Mexico are Charadrius (1), Venellus (1) and Anarhynchus (4). Brazil breedings are Venellus (1), Hoploxypterus (1) and Anarhynchus (3). Colombia breedings are Venellus (2), Hoploxypterus (1) and Anarhynchus (1).
Thinocoridae ‣ 0 + Thinocorus (breeding in Argentina and Chile) and Attagis (Ecuador to Argentina, Chile).
Rostratulidae ‣ 1; no breeds in Mexico neither in Colombia.
Jacanidae ‣ 1; a single species in each country: Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.
Scolopacidae ‣ 1 (Gallinago); excludes non South America breeding Bartramia (vagant in Brazil), Limosa (vagant in Brazil), Arenaria (vagant in Brazil), Xenus (accidental in Brazil), Calidris (vagant in Brazil), Limnodromus (vagant in Brazil), Phalaropus (vagant in Brazil), Actitis (vagant in Brazil), Tringa (vagant in Brazil). Brazil has (1/)2 spp., Colombia (1/)4 (two andean, two widely); none species breeds in Mexico.
Glareolidae ‣ 0; excludes Glareola (accidental records in Brazil, breeds only in Old World, mainly in Africa).
Stercorariidae ‣ 0 + Stercorarius (breeding in Northern Hemisphere, but two only in South America, in Argentina and Chile); none species breeds in Brazil, Colombia or Mexico.
Laridae (only breedings) ‣ 11 + Creagrus (breeding only in Galapagos and Molpelo in Colombia), Leucophaeus (breeding only in Argentina, Chile, Galapagos and North America), Larosterna (breeds in Peru and Chile); excludes Chlidonias (no breeds in South America), Ichthyaetus (breeding only in Old World), Rissa (no breeding in South America, neither in Mexico), Xema (breeding only in Artic), Hydrocoloeus (breeds only in North America and Eurasia), Hydroprogne (no breeding in South America). Mexico has (9/)16 spp., Brazil also (11/)16, and Colombia (9/)11.
Brazilian breedings: Chroicocephalus (2), Larus (1), Rhynchops (1), Gygis (1), Anous (2), Onychoprion (1), Sternula (2), Phaetusa (2), Geolochelidon (1), Sterna (2) and Thalasseus (2). Colombia breedings: Creagrus (1), Rhynchops (1), Anous (2), Onychoprion (1), Sternula (1), Phaetusa (1), Geolochelidon (1), Sterna (1) and Thalasseus (2). Mexican breedings: Leucophaeus (1), Larus (3), Rhynchops (1), Anous (2), Onychoprion (2), Sternula (1), Geolochelidon (1), Sterna (2) and Thalasseus (3).
13. EURYPYGIFORMES
Eurypygidae ‣ a single species from Guatemala to C Brazil.
14. PHAETHONTIFORMES
Phaethontidae ‣ one genus breeds in South America. Brazil has (1/)3 breeding species, Mexico (1/)1 and Colombia (1/)2.
15. SPHENISCIFORMES
Spheniscidae ‣ none breeds in Brazil. Aptenodytes (breeding range includes Argentina and Chile), Spheniscus (breeding range includes coasts of Ecuador to Argentina) and Eudyptes (breeding range includes Argentina and Chile) breeds in South America. None species breeds in Brazil, Colombia or Mexico.
16. PROCELLARIIFORMES
Diomedeidae ‣ none breeds in Brazil. Phoebastria breeds only in Hawaii, Guadalupe island of Mexico, Japan, and Galapagos; Thalassarche in South America breeds in Falklands and islands off Chile. Excludes Diomedea (no breeds in South America) and Phoebetria (no breeds in South America). No species breeds in Colombia neither Brazil, and only one breeds in Mexico.
Oceanitidae ‣ none breeds in Brazil. Oceanites in South America breeds in Chile and some places in Tierra del Fuego. O. gracilis has only one nest known, is a remote island in Chile. Fregetta breeds, in South America, only in islands off Chile. Garrodia in South America, breeds only in Falklands. Excludes Pelaagodroma (no breeds in South America) and Nesofregetta (breeds in southern Pacific and islands off Chile). No species breeds in Brazil, Colombia or Mexico.
Hydrobatidae ‣ none breeds in Brazil. Hydrobates (7) cited from South America: H. leucorhous (no breeds in South America/SEE), H. tethys (Ecuador and N Peru, SEE), H. hornbyi (Chile, expected from Peru, SEE), H. markhami (N Chile and Peru/SEE), H. castro (invalid by some sources), H. melania (no breeds in South America, SEE), and H. microsoma (breeds only in Mexico, SEE). None breed in Brazil neither Colombia. Mexico has 7 spp. breeding in Hydrobates.
Procellariidae ‣ two genera in Brazil plus Macronectes (in South America breeds only in Chile and Argentina), Pachyptila (in South America breeds in Falklands), Procellaria (in South America breeds in Falklands), Ardenna (breeds in Argentina and Chile at South America) and Pelecanoides (breeds in Peru, Chile and Argentina in South America). Excludes: Fulmarus (breeds only in north of 40º N parallel), Thalassoica (no breeds in South America), Daption (no breeds in South America), Aphrodroma (no breeds in South America), Holobaena (no breedings in South America), Calonectris (no breeds in New World) and Pseudobulweria (no breeds in South America).
In Brazil only (2/)2 spp. breeds. Mexican breedings: Puffinus (3) and Ardenna (1). No species breeds in Colombia.
17. CICONIIFORMES
Ciconiidae ‣ three genera and species in South America, all in Brazil and Colombia. Mexico (2/)2.
18. SULIFORMES
Fregatidae ‣ only one genus in tropical America. Brazil has (1/)3 spp., Mexico (1/)2 and Colombia (1/)1.
Sulidae ‣ one genus breeding in South America. Excludes Morus (no breeds in New World). Mexico has (1/)5 breding species, Brazil (1/)3 and Colombia (1/)4.
Anhingidae ‣ a single species in Neotropics, from Florida to S Brazil and NE Argentina.
Phalacrocoracidae ‣ one genus in Brazil plus Poikilocarbo (Peru to Argentina, SEE) and Leucocarbo (breeds from Peru to Argentina, SEE). Mexico has (2/)3 breeding species, Brazil and Colombia one each.
19. PELECANIFORMES
Pelecanidae ‣ only Pelecanus (P. occidentalis breeds in Colombia, Venezuela/SEE, and P. thagus breed from Ecuador to Chile/SEE). In Mexico breeds only Pelecanus occidentalis. None species breeds in Brazil.
Ardeidae ‣ 14 genera in South America, all in Brazil. Excludes Ardeola (breeds natively only in Old World). Colombia has (13/)23 spp., Brazil (13/)21 and Mexico (10/)16. Two Colombian species does not occur in Brzil: Tigrisoma mexicana and Butorides virescens.
Threskiornithidae ‣ all 7 South American genera breeds in Brazil, which has (7/)8 spp., Colombia (7/)9 and Mexico has (3/)4. One Colombian species does not occur in Brazil, Endocimus albus.
20. CATHARTIFORMES
Cathartidae ‣ three genera in Brazil plus one, Vultur. Brazil has (3/)5 spp., Colombia one more (Andean condor) and Mexico one more (California condor), one less (Cathartes melambrotus).
21. ACCIPITRIFORMES
Pandionidae ‣ no breeds in South America. Pandion breeds only in Canada, NW Mexico, U.S.A. and Eurasia.
Accipitridae ‣ 23 genera in Brazil plus two: Cryptoleucopteryx (Panama to Peru) and Morphnarchus (Costa Rica to Ecuador). Excludes Milvus (no breeding in New World). Colombia has (26/)46 spp. (excludes 5 migrants, 4 in Buteo, one in Ictinia), Brazil (24/)43 spp. (excludes 3 migrants, 2 in Buteo, one in Ictinia) and Mexico has (25/)34 spp. (excludes 4 migrants, 3 in Buteo, one in Ictinia).
22. STRIGIFORMES
Tytonidae ‣ a single species in New World, widely widespread.
Strigidae ‣ ten genera in Brazil plus one, Xenoglaux (endemic to Peru). Mexico has (11/)29 spp., Colombia (9/)27 and Brazil only (9/)20.
23. TROGONIFORMES
Trogonidae ‣ two genera in South America, both in Brazil. Colombia has (2/)17 spp., Brazil (2/)11 and Mexico (3/)9.
24. CORACIIFORMES
Momotidae ‣ three genera in Brazil plus Hylomanes (SE Mexico to NW Colombia). Colombia has (4/)6 spp., Mexico (4/)6 and Brazil (3/)4.
Alcedinidae ‣ two genera in New World, both widely. Colombia has (2/)5 spp., Brazil (2/)5 and Mexico (2/)4. Exceludes Megaceryle alcyion, a no breeds species in America Latina.
25. GALBULIFORMES
Bucconidae ‣ 8 genera in Brazil plus two: Hapaloptila (Colombia to Peru) and Hypnelus (2, Colombia and Venezuela). Colombia has (10/)26 spp, Brazil (8/)26, Mexico only (2/)2.
Galbulidae ‣ six genera, all in Brazil. Brazil has (5/)15 spp., Colombia (4/)13 and Mexico (1/)1.
26. PICIFORMES
Capitonidae ‣ two genera, both in Brazil. Colombia has (2/)8 spp., Brazil (2/)7. Absent in Mexico.
Semnornithidae ‣ absent in Brazil, includes only Semnornis (Costa Rica do Ecuador).
Ramphastidae ‣ 4 genera in Brazil plus one, Andigena (Venezuela to Bolivia). Colombia has (5/)21 spp., Brazil (4/)20 and Mexico (3/)3.
Picidae ‣ 8 genera in South America, all in Brazil. Excludes Sphyrapicus (no breeds in South America, vagant in San Andeas, Colombia). Brazil has (8/)49 spp., Colombia (8/)43 and Mexico (7/)27.
27. CARIAMIFORMES
Cariamidae ‣ one in Brazil plus one, Chunga (S Bolivia, N Argentina and W Paraguay). Brazil has (1/)1 sp. Absent in Mexico and Colombia.
28. FALCONIFORMES
Falconidae ‣ 7 genera in Brazil plus Spiziapteryx (Argentina, SE Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay). Brazil has (6/)16 and Colombia (6/)16 (excluding, for both, Falco columbarius and F. peregrinus), and Mexico has (5/)12 (includes Ibycter americanus, excludes F. columbarius).
29. PSITTACIFORMES
Psittacidae ‣ 26 genera breeds in Brazil plus 7: Psilopsiagon (Peru to Argentina), Bolborgynchus (Mexico to Venezuela and Bolivia), Hapalopsittaca (Venezuela to Peru), Enicognathus (Argentina and Chile), Cyanoliseus (Argentina and Chile), Leptosittaca (Colombia to Peru), Ognorhynchus (endemic to Colombia). Brazil has (26/)83 spp., Colombia (20/)56 and Mexico has (13/)31.
30. PASSERIFORMES (ALMANAQUE Z)