What it does
The IOC World Bird List provides an evolutionary classification of birds and English names under explicit naming guidelines.
Use the list when you need a consistent taxonomic treatment for bird names. The project explains that other global lists have somewhat different goals and philosophies. Record the version when comparing names across references so a difference can be traced to the treatment being used.
IOC states that version 15.2 is its final update and consists of Excel spreadsheets, without the usual BOW pages or update charts. The editors recommend AviList for subsequent work. Treat IOC as a versioned reference when reproducing an older taxonomic comparison.
Sources
- IOC World Bird List – Version 15.2 (Oct 26, 2026)