A Checklist of the BirdsA Checklist of the BirdsA Checklist of the Birds A Checklist of the Birds of Greeceof Greeceof Greeceof Greece

The Hellenic Rarities CommitteeThe Hellenic Rarities CommitteeThe Hellenic Rarities CommitteeThe Hellenic Rarities CommitteeDretakis Michalis1, Nikos Probonas2, Kostas

Papaconstantinou2 Theodoros Kominos2 and George

http://rarities.ornithologiki.gr/en/index.php

Papaconstantinou , Theodoros Kominos and George Handrinos3

Hellenic Bird Ringing Center

1 2 3

Hellenic Rarities CommitteeHellenic Rarities CommitteeHellenic Rarities CommitteeHellenic Rarities CommitteeE t bli h t i 2004 5 bE t bli h t i 2004 5 b Establishment in 2004, 5 membersEstablishment in 2004, 5 members With the collaboration of HOS With the collaboration of HOS -- HBRC HBRC Records that have been submitted: Records that have been submitted: 771771 Accepted Records:Accepted Records: 677677 Accepted Records: Accepted Records: 677677 Not Accepted Records: Not Accepted Records: 9494

Hellenic Bird Ringing Center

Previous ChecklistsPrevious Checklists First Checklists: von MFirst Checklists: von Műűhle (1844), Reiser (1905)hle (1844), Reiser (1905) ““Catalogus Faunae GraeciaeCatalogus Faunae Graeciae” (1969” (1969--1973)1973) ““Red Data BookRed Data Book” (1992)” (1992)Red Data BookRed Data Book (1992) (1992) ““The Birds of GreeceThe Birds of Greece” (1997)= 422 species” (1997)= 422 species Since 2004, HRC Unofficial List ( in HOS’ and Since 2004, HRC Unofficial List ( in HOS’ and

HRC’s webHRC’s web-- sites)sites)))

More species today:More species today:

a) records that have been accepted ) p

b) splits / taxonomic changes

Presentation of the current Greek ListPresentation of the current Greek ListFive Species CategoriesFive Species Categories

AA S i th t d d iS i th t d d i AA: : Species that were recorded in an Species that were recorded in an apparently natural state at least once apparently natural state at least once i 1 J 1950i 1 J 1950since 1 January 1950since 1 January 1950

BB:: Species that were recorded in an apparentlySpecies that were recorded in an apparentlyBB: : Species that were recorded in an apparently Species that were recorded in an apparently natural state at least once between 1 January natural state at least once between 1 January 1800 and 31 December 1949, but not ever1800 and 31 December 1949, but not ever1800 and 31 December 1949, but not ever 1800 and 31 December 1949, but not ever since.since.

CC: : Species that, although Species that, although introduced, now derive from the introduced, now derive from the ,,resulting selfresulting self--sustaining sustaining populations (6 subcategories populations (6 subcategories --BOU).BOU).))

C1C1 Naturalized introduced Naturalized introduced species: species that havespecies: species that havespecies: species that have species: species that have occurred only as a result of occurred only as a result of introduction introduction (Psittacula krameri)(Psittacula krameri)

C2 C2 Naturalized established Naturalized established species: species with established species: species with established populations resulting from populations resulting from p p gp p gintroduction by Man, but which introduction by Man, but which also occur in an apparently also occur in an apparently natural state natural state (Cygnus olor)(Cygnus olor)( yg )( yg )

C4C4 Naturalized feral species: Naturalized feral species: domesticated species with domesticated species with populations established in thepopulations established in thepopulations established in the populations established in the wild wild ((Columba liviaColumba livia))

DD Species that would otherwise Species that would otherwise appear in Category A except that appear in Category A except that there is reasonable doubt that theythere is reasonable doubt that theythere is reasonable doubt that they there is reasonable doubt that they have ever occurred in a natural have ever occurred in a natural state. Species in Category D only state. Species in Category D only p g y yp g y yare not included in the Greek List. are not included in the Greek List. ((Gyps rueppelliGyps rueppelli) )

EE Species that have been recorded Species that have been recorded as introductions, humanas introductions, human--assisted assisted t t ft t ftransporters or escapes from transporters or escapes from captivity and whose breeding captivity and whose breeding populations (if any) are thought notpopulations (if any) are thought notpopulations (if any) are thought not populations (if any) are thought not to be selfto be self--sustaining. Species in sustaining. Species in Category E are not included in the Category E are not included in the G k Li tG k Li t ((C t tC t t ))Greek List. Greek List. ((Cygnus atratusCygnus atratus))

A few species have been placed inA few species have been placed inA few species have been placed in A few species have been placed in more than one category (e.g. Amore than one category (e.g. A--C1).C1).

Status codesStatus codesRBRB: : Resident BreederResident BreederMBMB: Migrant Breeder: Migrant BreederMBMB: Migrant Breeder: Migrant BreederOBOB: Occasional Breeder (one or more successful breeding : Occasional Breeder (one or more successful breeding

attempts since 1 January 1950).attempts since 1 January 1950).FBFB F B d ( b di tt t i k i 31F B d ( b di tt t i k i 31FBFB: Former Breeder (no breeding attempt is known since 31 : Former Breeder (no breeding attempt is known since 31

December 1949)December 1949)ExtExt: Exctinct (Former Resident with no record since 31 December: Exctinct (Former Resident with no record since 31 DecemberExtExt: Exctinct (Former Resident with no record since 31 December : Exctinct (Former Resident with no record since 31 December

1949)1949)NBNB: Naturalized Breeder : Naturalized Breeder WVWV Wi t Vi itWi t Vi itWVWV: Winter Visitor: Winter VisitorPMPM: Passage Migrant: Passage MigrantVV: Vagrant (11: Vagrant (11--50 records)50 records)VV: Vagrant (11: Vagrant (11 50 records)50 records)AccAcc: Accidental (1: Accidental (1--10 records)10 records)V and Acc : descriptions are requiredV and Acc : descriptions are required(denoted by (denoted by †† within the systematic list)within the systematic list)

The problem of subspeciesThe problem of subspecies

Lack of validity in many cases Lack of validity in many cases GG Not enough studies in GreeceNot enough studies in Greece

Recent publicationsRecent publications –– more taxamore taxaRecent publications Recent publications more taxamore taxa

Passer (domesticus) italiaePasser (domesticus) italiae casecase

Troglodytes troglodytesTroglodytes troglodytes casecase

Examples of presentation of speciesExamples of presentation of species

Anser anser Anser anser (Linnaeus) A (Linnaeus) A Σταχτόχηνα Greylag GooseΣταχτόχηνα Greylag GooseΣταχτόχηνα Greylag Goose Σταχτόχηνα Greylag Goose Subspecies in Greece:Subspecies in Greece: anser anser (Linnaeus)(Linnaeus) RBRB--WVWV--PM; PM; rubrirostrisrubrirostris (Swinhoe) WV(Swinhoe) WVrubrirostrisrubrirostris (Swinhoe) WV(Swinhoe) WV

Anser caerulescens Anser caerulescens (Linnaeus) (Linnaeus) † † A A Λευκόχηνα Snow GooseΛευκόχηνα Snow GooseΛευκόχηνα Snow Goose Λευκόχηνα Snow Goose Subspecies in Greece: undetermined; Acc Subspecies in Greece: undetermined; Acc One record: one adult Delta Evrou 31One record: one adult Delta Evrou 31One record: one adult Delta Evrou, 31 One record: one adult Delta Evrou, 31 December 2002 December 2002 -- 31 January 2003.31 January 2003.

Ordering major groupsOrdering major groups Greek birds belong to Greek birds belong to Neognathae.Neognathae. “The Birds of Greece”“The Birds of Greece” and other previous and other previous

bli ti h f ll d th t f Vbli ti h f ll d th t f Vpublications have followed the taxonomy of Voous publications have followed the taxonomy of Voous ( 1977), starting from ( 1977), starting from Gaviiformes Gaviiformes Due to modern evolutionary studiesDue to modern evolutionary studies NeognathaeNeognathae Due to modern evolutionary studies Due to modern evolutionary studies NeognathaeNeognathae

are split to are split to GalloanseraeGalloanserae (ordering first) and (ordering first) and NeoavesNeoaves (all remaining birds). (all remaining birds). ( g )( g ) The The GalloanseraeGalloanserae are composed of two ‘sister’ are composed of two ‘sister’

groupsgroups AnseriformesAnseriformes (waterfowl)(waterfowl) and and GalliformesGalliformes. .

Another major change is to list Another major change is to list PodicipediformesPodicipediformes betweenbetweenPodicipediformesPodicipediformes betweenbetweenPhoenicopteriformesPhoenicopteriformes and and AccipitriformesAccipitriformes

This, because modern studies show aThis, because modern studies show aThis, because modern studies show a This, because modern studies show a relation of Flamingos and Grebe which relation of Flamingos and Grebe which consists a group known asconsists a group known asconsists a group known as consists a group known as ““Mirandoniformes”Mirandoniformes” ((Ibis Ibis 149: 853149: 853––857). 857).

Other examples of differencesOther examples of differences

Splits of Large GullsSplits of Large Gulls

Larus cachinnans split to 3 species

armenicusarmenicus

i h h llicachinnans

michahellis

Genus changes Major Example in Paridae family:Genus changes Major Example in Paridae family:

Parus caeruleus Cyanistes caeruleus

Parus majorParus cristatus LophophanesParus cristatus Lophophanes

cristatusParus ater Periparus aterParus ater Periparus aterParus lugubris Poecile lugubrisParus montanus Poecile montanaParus palustris Poecile palustrisp p

Examples of differencesExamples of differences Lanius meridionalis caseLanius meridionalis case

ConclusionsConclusionsConclusionsConclusions No 422 increased up to 442 species (21 No 422 increased up to 442 species (21 -- 1)1)p p (p p ( )) One species (One species (Calidris subminutaCalidris subminuta) was removed ) was removed

from the listfrom the list Subspecies are listed only if fully documented Subspecies are listed only if fully documented

Species TotalSpecies Total Cat A: 436Cat A: 436 Cat A: 436Cat A: 436 Cat B: 4Cat B: 4

C t C 2C t C 2 Cat C: 2 Cat C: 2 (introduced bird species have increased, but only (introduced bird species have increased, but only

ith f f t bli h d l ti )ith f f t bli h d l ti )with a few years of established populations)with a few years of established populations)

Further Studies?Further Studies?

What is going on in Avian Systematic?What is going on in Avian Systematic?

How we will clarify the actual taxonomic status of How we will clarify the actual taxonomic status of the subspecies of birds occurring in Greece?the subspecies of birds occurring in Greece?the subspecies of birds occurring in Greece? the subspecies of birds occurring in Greece?

Wh i i t k b t? Wh ?Wh i i t k b t? Wh ? Who is going to work about? Who cares?Who is going to work about? Who cares?

Do we really need a Bird Taxonomic Committee Do we really need a Bird Taxonomic Committee in Greece?in Greece?

And nowAnd nowAnd now….And now….

This is just the start of more lists on the wayThis is just the start of more lists on the wayThis is just the start of more lists on the way This is just the start of more lists on the way Local lists Local lists –– people’s needspeople’s needs Please submit your Record Forms to the HRC! Please submit your Record Forms to the HRC!

http://rarities.ornithologiki.gr/en/index.phphttp://rarities.ornithologiki.gr/en/index.phphttp://rarities.ornithologiki.gr/en/index.phphttp://rarities.ornithologiki.gr/en/index.php Need for more studies in systematicNeed for more studies in systematic

This work never stop…This work never stop… Thank youThank you Thank youThank you