Phainoptila

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Cladus: Sarcopterygii
Cladus: Rhipidistia
Cladus: Tetrapodomorpha
Cladus: Eotetrapodiformes
Cladus: Elpistostegalia
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Classis: Reptilia
Cladus: Eureptilia
Cladus: Romeriida
Subclassis: Diapsida
Cladus: Sauria
Infraclassis: Archosauromorpha
Cladus: Crurotarsi
Divisio: Archosauria
Cladus: Avemetatarsalia
Cladus: Ornithodira
Subtaxon: Dinosauromorpha
Cladus: Dinosauriformes
Cladus: Dracohors
Cladus: Dinosauria
Ordo: Saurischia
Cladus: Eusaurischia
Subordo: Theropoda
Cladus: Neotheropoda
Cladus: Averostra
Cladus: Tetanurae
Cladus: Avetheropoda
Cladus: Coelurosauria
Cladus: Tyrannoraptora
Cladus: Maniraptoromorpha
Cladus: Maniraptoriformes
Cladus: Maniraptora
Cladus: Pennaraptora
Cladus: Paraves
Cladus: Eumaniraptora
Cladus: Avialae
Infraclassis: Aves
Cladus: Euavialae
Cladus: Avebrevicauda
Cladus: Pygostylia
Cladus: Ornithothoraces
Cladus: Ornithuromorpha
Cladus: Carinatae
Parvclassis: Neornithes
Cohors: Neognathae
Cladus: Neoaves
Cladus: Telluraves
Cladus: Australaves
Ordo: Passeriformes
Subordo: Passeri
Infraordo: Passerida

‎Infraclassis: Aves
Cohors: Neognathae
Cladus: Neoaves
Ordo: Passeriformes
Subordo: Passeri
Infraordo: Passerida
Superfamiliae: Certhioidea – Muscicapoidea – Passeroidea – Sylvioidea

Familiae incertae sedis: Hyliotidae – Paridae – Regulidae – Remizidae – Stenostiridae
Name

Passerida Nitzsch, 1820
References

Ericson, P. G. P., & Johansson, U. S. (2003). Phylogeny of Passerida (Aves: Passeriformes) based on nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 29: 126–138.
Johansson, U. S., Fjeldså, J., & Bowie, R. C. K. (2008). Phylogenetic relationships within Passerida (Aves: Passeriformes): a review and a new molecular phylogeny based on three nuclear intron markers. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 48: 858–876.
Jønsson, K. A., & Fjeldså, J. (2006). A phylogenetic supertree of oscine passerine birds (Aves: Passeri). Zoologica Scripta 35: 149–186.
Fuchs, J., Fjeldså, J, Bowie, R.C.K., Voelker, G. & Pasquet, E. 2006. The African warbler genus Hyliota as a lost lineage in the Oscine songbird tree: molecular support for an African origin of the Passerida. Molecular phylogenetics and evolution 39(1): 186–197 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2005.07.020 Paywall Reference page.

Vernacular names
English: Passerida
日本語: スズメ小目
中文: 燕雀小目

Passerida is, under the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, one of two parvorders contained within the suborder Passeri (standard taxonomic practice would place them at the rank of infraorder). While more recent research suggests that its sister parvorder, Corvida, is not a monophyletic grouping, the Passerida as a distinct clade are widely accepted.

Systematics and phylogeny

The Passerida quite certainly consist of the 3 major subclades outlined by Sibley & Ahlquist (1990). However, their content has been much revised. In addition, it has turned out that not all passeridan lineages neatly fit into this arrangement. The kinglets are so distinct that they might actually form a separate infraorder, as they are only slightly less basal than the Corvoidea or the Picathartidae. See Jønsson & Fjeldså (2006) for details on phylogeny.
Superfamily Sylvioidea

Mostly smallish insectivores, distribution centered on the Indo-Pacific region. Few occur in the Americas,[1][2] highest diversity of families probably in subtropical East Asia and tropical Africa. Relationships of the latter are still not well-resolved as of 2019.

Includes the "Old World babblers" and "Old World warbler", two highly paraphyletic "wastebin taxa" which for long united the bulk of the thrush-sized and sparrow-sized sylvioids, respectively. Sometimes, they were even united with the muscicapoids as one huge "family" including most "songsters". Usually skulking in shrubby vegetation, many are extremely drab (most of birdwatchers' "little brown jobs" belong here) and rely on complex and often melodious vocalizations as social signals; others are less accomplished singers but produce a diversity of squeaking and twittering calls. The sexes usually look alike, though in some the males are noticeably brighter, typically with vivid yellow, green and blackish hues. Red plumage is usually due to phaeomelanins rather than carotins, and blue coloration is rarely found in this superfamily. Even in the more colorful species the plumage is usually quite cryptic in the natural habitat, but numerous have contrasting facial patterns.

Leiothrichidae: laughingthrushes and allies
Pellorneidae: fulvettas, ground babblers
Timaliidae: babblers, scimitar babblers
Zosteropidae: white-eyes
Sylviidae: sylviid babblers
Cettiidae: cettia bush warblers and allies
Scotocercidae: streaked scrub warbler
Erythrocercidae: yellow flycatchers
Aegithalidae: bushtits
Hyliidae: doubtfully distinct from Cettiidae; not recognised by Gill and Donsker who consider the genera Hylia and Pholidornis as Incertae sedis.[3]
Phylloscopidae: leaf warblers and allies.
Pycnonotidae: bulbuls
Hirundinidae: swallows, martins
Bernieridae: Madagascan warblers
Donacobiidae: black-capped donacobius
Locustellidae: grassbirds and allies
Acrocephalidae: reed warblers and allies
Pnoepygidae: cupwings
Cisticolidae: cisticolas and allies
Macrosphenidae: crombecs, African warblers
Alaudidae: larks
Panuridae: bearded reedling
Nicatoridae: nicators

Superfamily Muscicapoidea

Generally middle-sized insectivores, with frugivory also very important; near-global distribution centered on Old World tropics. One family is endemic to the Americas, two are almost cosmopolitan, but half the families are absent or nearly so from the Americas (and Australia). Many have strong legs and are capable of running on the ground quickly. Some brightly colored (often with dark bluish hues and/or iridescence) and in such cases usually strongly sexually dimorphic; more often, however, sexes rather alike, with drab brownish plumage spotted and streaked (particularly on the underside) for camouflage. Many have highly accomplished, complex, melodious and loud songs; a considerable number is capable of sophisticated vocal mimicry.

Cinclidae: dippers
Muscicapidae: Old World flycatchers and chats. Monophyly needs confirmation.
Turdidae: thrushes and allies. Monophyly needs confirmation.
Buphagidae: oxpeckers. Formerly usually included in Sturnidae.
Sturnidae: starlings and possibly Philippine creepers. Placement of latter in Muscicapoidea seems robust, but inclusion in Sturnidae requires confirmation; possibly distinct family Rhabdornithidae.
Mimidae: mockingbirds and thrashers

Superfamily Passeroidea

Mostly smallish herbivores, near-global distribution centered on Palearctic and Americas. Often pronounced sexual dimorphism with males among the most colorful birds alive. Songs tend to be fairly simple warbling and chirping, with many species relying as much or more on visual mating displays. Includes the nine-primaried oscines (probably a subclade). The basal radiation is mostly found in the Old World, with only Motacillidae naturally occurring in the Americas and Estrildidae in Australia.

The nine-primaried oscines unite most birds commonly called "sparrows" in North American and "finches" in European English, as well as a number of other mostly American groups. They are divided into the fringillid radiation which is largely restricted to the Old World, and the numerous emberizoid families of the Americas, of which in turn only Emberizidae and the Arctic circumpolar Calcariidae have reached the Old World unaided by humans. Besides these, the singular olive warbler from North to Central America apparently represents a very ancient "living fossil" passeroid; its relationships were long disputed as its outward appearance and ecology resemble Setophaga warblers, but its anatomy is in some aspects convergent or symplesiomorphic with sylvioids.

Passeridae: true sparrows
Prunellidae: accentors
Urocynchramidae: Przewalski's finch. Recently split from Fringillidae; tentatively placed here.
Estrildidae: estrildid finches (waxbills, munias, etc.)
Ploceidae: weavers. Certain members of Ploceidae, such as the long-tailed widowbird are well known for their elaborate sexual ornaments.
Viduidae: indigobirds and whydahs
Nine-primaried oscines
Motacillidae: wagtails and pipits
Peucedramidae: olive warbler
Fringillidae: true finches. Includes the Hawaiian honeycreepers
Emberizoidea: New World nine-primaried oscine radiation[4][5][6]
Icteridae: grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles
Parulidae: New World warblers
Icteriidae: yellow-breasted chat
Phaenicophilidae: Hispaniolan tanagers
Zeledoniidae: wrenthrush
Teretistridae: Cuban warblers
Thraupidae: tanagers and allies
Mitrospingidae: mitrospingid tanagers and allies
Rhodinocichlidae: rosy thrush tanager
Calyptophilidae: chat-tanagers
Nesospingidae: Puerto Rican tanager
Spindalidae: spindalises
Cardinalidae: cardinals
Emberizidae: buntings
Passerellidae: American sparrows
Calcariidae: snow buntings and longspurs

Passerida incertae sedis

Rather basal Passerida, most of which seem to constitute several small but distinct superfamilies. Most occur in Asia, Africa and North America.

Possible superfamily "Dicaeoidea" – sunbirds and flowerpeckers. Small frugivores/nectarivores of the Old World tropics, typically sexually dimorphic, with bright and/or iridescent colors in males. Songs are simple chirping whistles.
Nectariniidae: sunbirds
Dicaeidae: flowerpeckers
Possible superfamily Bombycilloidea – waxwings and allies. Mid-sized, mostly Holarctic frugivores; plumage silky and dark to greyish-brownish, with little if any sexual dimorphism. Ringing calls and usually quite vocal, but no dedicated song.
Bombycillidae: waxwings
Dulidae: palmchat. Tentatively placed here.
Ptiliogonatidae: silky flycatchers. Tentatively placed here.
Hypocoliidae: hypocolius. Tentatively placed here.
†Mohoidae: Hawaiian honeyeaters. Tentatively placed here.
Possible superfamily Paroidea – titmice and allies. Small, round-headed, with tiny pointed bills. Forage acrobatically among twigs, mostly eating small insects and seeds. Generally Palaearctic, ranging into the Old World tropics and North America. Little if any sexual dimorphism; may be brownish-grey or fairly bright and multicolored. In any case head plumage usually either fairly uniform and greyish, or with black markings, and/or crested. Songs usually repetitive chirped phrases.
Paridae: tits, chickadees and titmice
Remizidae: penduline tits. Sometimes included in Paridae.
Stenostiridae: stenostirids ("flycatcher-tits"). A newly assembled family; sometimes included in Paridae.
Possible superfamily Certhioidea (or Sittoidea) – wrens and allies. Insectivores, usually tiny. Expert climbers, most are capable of running up vertical trees or cliffs, some can even climb head-downwards. Predominantly palearctic, but two families entirely or almost so American, and one restricted to the Old World tropics. Little sexual dimorphism; plumage either greyish and fairly uniform at least on the upperside, or brown above, lighter below, and heavily streaked. Clear whistled vocalizations, usually melodic and louder than one would expect from birds of their size. Songs often complex, e.g. with social duetting, and apparently very important in species recognition.
Sittidae: nuthatches
Tichodromadidae: wallcreeper. Tentatively placed here.
Certhiidae: treecreepers
Troglodytidae: wrens
Polioptilidae: gnatcatchers
Possible monotypic superfamily N.N.: sugarbirds (Promeropidae).
Relatives of the Australasian honeyeaters; 2 species restricted to the Cape Floral Region and mainly feeding on Proteaceae nectar and associated insects. Medium-sized, with extremely long tails; drab coloration resembling a muscicapoid, sexes almost alike. Vocalizations similar to honeyeaters; males have specialized wing feathers that produce noise during courtship flights.
Possible monotypic superfamily N.N.: hyliotas (Hyliotidae; formerly in Sylviidae).
4 species of smallish insectivorous "warblers" from tropical African woodlands. Two- or three-toned, medium grey to blackish above, more or less intense yellowish below, some species with white wing markings. Sexual dimorphism slight; whistling calls.
Possible monotypic superfamily Reguloidea – kinglets (Regulidae).
Tentatively placed here; may belong in Certhioidea. Some 5 species of tiny rotund Holarctic woodland insectivores. The smallest songbirds, and as a family the smallest living birds altogether by average length.[7] Greenish-brownish above, dull whitish below, and with a bright yellow to red central patch on the top of the head. Rapid twittering high-pitched chirps, easier heard than seen. Unlike hummingbirds which lay only 2 eggs per clutch and can live up to a dozen years or more, kinglets are (together with some small quails) the most r-selected birds alive, with clutch sizes of around 10 eggs, a maximum lifespan of merely around 5 years even in captivity, and an annual mortality of 80%.

Probably not Passerida

These lineages have been assigned to the Passerida in recent times, often based on DNA-DNA hybridization data. However, they are probably more basal among the songbirds and would belong either to the Corvoidea or the allied basal lineages. Most of them are either African or Wallacean groups.

Aegithinidae: ioras. Formerly in Irenidae, and may be closely related; possibly Corvoidea closely related to cuckooshrikes.
Chloropseidae: leafbirds. Formerly in Irenidae, and may be closely related.
Irenidae; fairy-bluebirds. Formerly in "Timaliidae" or Pycnonotidae.
Melanocharitidae: berrypeckers and longbills. Formerly in Dicaeidae; possibly Corvoidea closely related to cuckooshrikes.
Paramythiidae: tit berrypecker and crested berrypeckers. Formerly in Dicaeidae or Melanocharitidae; possibly Corvoidea closely related to whipbirds.
Picathartidae: rockfowl. Formerly in "Timaliidae", but possibly close to rockjumpers (Chaetops) and sometimes considered the basal living branch of the Passerida.
Chaetopidae: rockjumpers. Possibly close to rockfowls (Picathartes).
Platysteiridae: wattle-eyes or puffback flycatchers. Formerly in Muscicapidae; probably Corvoidea closely related to bush-shrikes.