Scolopacidae - Taxonomy

Taxonomy

This large family is often further subdivided into groups of similar birds. These groups do not necessarily consist of a single genus, but as presented here they do form distinct monophyletic evolutionary lineages. The groups, with species numbers in parentheses, are:

• Curlews

Genus Numenius (8 species, of which 1–2 recently extinct)

• Upland Sandpiper

Genus Bartramia (monotypic)

• Godwits

Genus Limosa (4 species)

• Dowitchers

Genus Limnodromus (3 species)

• Snipe and woodcocks

Genera Coenocorypha, Lymnocryptes, Gallinago and Scolopax (nearly 30 species, plus some 6 extinct)

• Phalaropes

Genus Phalaropus (3 species)

• Shanks and tattlers

Genera Xenus, Actitis, and Tringa which now includes Catoptrophorus and Heteroscelus (16 species)

• Polynesian sandpipers

Genus Prosobonia (1 extant species, 3–5 extinct)

• Calidrids and turnstones

Roughly 25 species, mostly in Calidris which might be split up into several genera. Other genera currently accepted are Aphriza, Eurynorhynchus, Limicola, Tryngites, and Philomachus, in addition to the 2 Arenaria turnstones.