The ABA Checklist has been updated to reflect changes to taxonomy and linear sequence (“checklist order”) reported in the 63rd Supplement to the American Ornithological Society’s Check-list of the Birds of North America, and reported earlier this month in the journal Ornithology by the society’s Committee on Classification and Nomenclature of North and Middle American Birds.

Additionally, the ABA Checklist Committee has revised and updated the ABA Checklist, adding five (5) species—two (2) based on distributional records, two (2) based on establishment on nonindigenous populations, and one (1) based on a taxonomic split by the American Ornithological Society. These additions are as follow:

Bat Falcon, Falco rufigularis

The ABA Area’s first Bat Falcon was photographed by Rebecca Gelernter at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Texas, on Dec. 8, 2021. The bird was subsequently seen and well-documented by scores of birders, as it stayed in the areas for several weeks. Widespread in the Neotropics and reaching as far north as Tamaulipas, this iconic raptor was somewhat expected—but nevertheless much appreciated!—in the ABA Area.

Red-Masked Parakeet, Psittacara erythrogenys

The Red-masked Parakeet, indigenous to western South America, was added to the California Bird Records Committee Checklist on June 29, 2022, based on a well-established population or populations in Southern California. The ABA Checklist Committee added it to the ABA Checklist shortly thereafter.

Lilac-crowned Parrot, Amazona finschi

The Lilac-crowned Parrot, indigenous to western Mexico, was added to was added to the California Bird Records Committee Checklist on Jan. 2, 2022, based on a well-established population in Southern California. The ABA Checklist Committee (CLC) added it to the ABA Checklist in the summer of 2022.

Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush, Monticola saxatilis

A Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush was discovered and well-photographed on June 24, 2022, in Utqiaġvik, Alaska, by Knut Hansen, establishing the first ABA Area record of this Palearctic species. It was showing well for a WINGS birding tour that arrived the next day, and was enjoyed by many.

Chihuahuan Meadowlark, Sturnella lilianae 

The AOS Check-list Committee split the Eastern Meadowlark into two species, including the newly christened Chihuahuan Meadowlark of the southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico. The other species in this pair, widespread in the eastern ABA Area, retains the name Eastern Meadowlark, S. magna. Elevating the Chihuahuan Meadowlark to full species status was based largely on the research of Johanna Beam, a recent ABA Young Birder of the Year active in ABA programs and initiatives. For more on the meadowlark split consult Michael Retter’s Checklist Supplement Redux, v. 2022.

Click here to see the entire updated ABA Checklist.

And click here to see the AOS supplement, available to all as a free download from the AOS website.

On behalf of birders everywhere, the ABA is grateful to the AOS for providing this thorough and informative paper for free to everybody.