AviList: A Global Checklist for Bird Conservation
- vidyarthee2021
- Jun 16
- 2 min read
AviList, the first-ever unified global checklist of bird species, has been officially launched. It aims to streamline global bird taxonomy and support more effective bird conservation policies and research.
What is AviList?
AviList is a comprehensive global bird species checklist, consolidating data from previous standards like the International Ornithological Committee (IOC) and Clements lists.
It offers the most updated and authoritative bird taxonomy for global conservation planning, scientific research, and policy coordination.
Key Features
Species Count: Lists 11,131 species and 19,879 subspecies.
Taxonomic Scope: Covers 2,376 genera, 252 families, and 46 orders.
Collaborative Model: Developed by a consortium including:
BirdLife International
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
American Ornithologists’ Society
International Ornithologists’ Union
Avibase
Updated Annually to keep up with taxonomic research and conservation needs.
Why It Matters?
A unified taxonomy ensures consistent global communication, essential for:
Species-level conservation efforts
Environmental impact assessments
Global treaties like CMS and CITES
Enables tracking of species under threat and aligns with SDG Goal 15: Life on Land.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper 3: Environment and Biodiversity – Conservation efforts, Species databases.
Important for Prelims under International conservation initiatives, BirdLife International, and Biodiversity databases.
Prelims Practice Question:
Q. Consider the following statements about AviList:
It is a unified global checklist of mammals maintained by UNEP.
It has replaced the IOC and Clements bird lists.
AviList includes over 10,000 bird species.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: B. 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect as AviList pertains to birds, not mammals.
Statements 2 and 3 are correct: it replaces the IOC and Clements lists and includes over 11,000 bird species.
Mains Practice Question (GS Paper 3)
Explain the significance of unified global biodiversity databases like AviList in achieving international conservation targets. What challenges remain in standardizing such taxonomic efforts?
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