South American Classification Committee Proposals that need to be done 
last updated 29 July 2026
done    
high priority
wait for NACC
recycle NACC proposal
Issue WGAC passed WGAC rejected Type Family/Order New data? Old problem/field guide split Author? agreed to do affects NACC
criteria for subfamily recognition n/a n/a higher-level classification general Remsen Remsen
criteria for species recognition n/a n/a species limits general Remsen Remsen
criteria for genus-family-order delimitation n/a n/a higher-level classification general Remsen Remsen
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
Split tarapacaensis from Pterocnemia pennata species limits Rheidae X
Generic limits and linear sequence in Tinamidae generic limits Tinamidae Almeida et al. (2025)
Multiple species in Crypturellus obsoletus     species limits Tinamidae Laverde-R. & Cadena (2014)   Remsen                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Species limits in Crypturellus erythropus group species limits Tinamidae Laverde-R. & Cadena (2014)
re-evaluate Neochen/Oressochen decision generic limits Anatidae NACC rejected merger in NACC proposal 2019B-1 Chesser asked 5/11/19 wait for better data
Split Anas spinicauda species limits Anatidae X
Evaluate Tachyeres ketru new species evaluation Anatidae López-Lanús & Costa (2026) 
species limits in Chloephaga species limits Anatidae Bulgarella et al. (2014) Eitnear asked but no official response
sequence of species in Penelope n/a n/a linear sequence Cracidae Remsen
Pipile species limits species limits Cracidae Tomotani et al. (2026) X Remsen
merge Pipile into Aburria generic limits Cracidae Tomotani et al. (2026)
Reduce Odontophoridae to subfamily of Phasianidae n/a n/a higher-level classification Odontophoridae Kimball et al. (2011) Remsen NACC
Species limits Colinus leucopogon/C. cristatus species limits Odontophoridae NACC
recognize Podicephorus generic limits Podicipedidae Bochenski 1994, Storer 1996
sequence of genera in Phoenicopteridae n/a n/a linear sequence Phoenicopteridae Frias-Soler et al. (2022)
recognize Paraclaravis and resurrect Oxypelia     generic limits Columbidae  Vogeley et al. (2026)   Remsen                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
change Rock Pigeon to Rock Dove n/a n/a English names Columbidae NACC rejected proposal 2018A-5 Remsen NACC rejected -- need to recycle NACC
add subfamilies in Cuculidae n/a n/a higher-level classification Cuculidae Stiller et al. (2024) NACC
Merge Neormorphus squamiger into N. geoffroyi species limits Cuculidae Payne (2005) Zimmer
Change Bahian Nighhawk to Plain-tailed Nighthawk (or at least Bahia Nighthawk) n/a n/a English names Caprimulgidae Whitney et al. (2003) Zimmer
add subfamilies in Apodidae n/a n/a higher-level classification Apodidae Cracraft (2013)
add subfamilies in Trochilidae n/a n/a higher-level classification Trochilidae McGuire et al. (2014) Remsen
species limits in Phaethornis bourcieri Araújo-Silva et al. (2017)
linear sequence in Campylopterus n/a n/a linear sequence Trochilidae McGuire et al. (2014) Remsen
new species of Patagona species limits Trochilidae Williamson et al.
sequence of species in Heliodoxa n/a n/a linear sequence Trochilidae McGuire et al. (2014) Remsen
split inca from Coeligena torquata species limits Trochilidae Doengan et al. (2015) Stiles
split conradi from Coeligena torquata species limits Trochilidae Doengan et al. (2015) Stiles
split eos and consita from Coeligena bonapartei species limits Trochilidae Doengan et al. (2015) Stiles
split clarisse and spencei from Heliangelus amethysticollis species limits Trochilidae Doengan et al. (2015) Stiles
continue to recognize Heliangelus zusii species limits Trochilidae Perez-Eman et al. (2018) wait Graves response
English name of Popelairia letitiae n/a n/a English names Trochilidae Graves 1999 Stiles?
continued recognition of Eriocnemis godini species limits Trochilidae Graves 1996 Stiles
Merge Loddigesia into Eriocnemis generic limits Trochilidae McGuire et al. (2014) Stiles
Merge Microstilbon into Chaetocercus generic limits Trochilidae McGuire et al. (2014) Stiles
Split Amazilis azuay from A. amazilia species limits Trochilidae Cowles et al. (2022) Bonaccorso (waiting on vocal data)
English name of Hylocharis grayi n/a n/a English names Trochilidae Donegan et al. (2015) Stiles
linear sequence of genera in Rallidae n/a n/a linear sequence Rallidae García-R et al. (2020)
Transfer viridis and schomburgki to Rufirallus  generic limits Rallidae Kirchman et al. (2021), Depino et al. (2023)  Areta
generic limits in Laterallus/Anurolimnas generic limits Rallidae García-R et al. (2014) Remsen wait better taxon-sampling? NACC
resurrect Hapalocrex generic limits Rallidae García-R et al. (2014), Kirchman et al. (2021), Depino et al. (2023)  Areta
recognize Paragallinula generic limits Rallidae Sangster et al. (2015), Garcia et al. (2020), Kirchman et al. (2021) 
linear sequence in Fulica n/a n/a linear sequence Rallidae García-R et al. (2014) Remsen
Porphyrula martinica/-us nomenclature Rallidae Elliott (2020)
linear sequence of species in Charadrius n/a n/a linear sequence Charadriidae Dos Remedios et al. 2015 Remsen NACC already passed but came up with different sequence
English name of Rufous-chested Dotterel n/a n/a English names Charadriidae Del Hoyo & Collar (2014) Pearman
Species limits in Himantopus species limits Recurvirostridae Harvey et al. (2014)
Species limits in Catharacta species limits Stercorariidae Mota et al. (2023)  Remsen
split Larus smithsonianus species limits Laridae Crochet et al. (2002) recycle NACC proposal NACC already passed
split Australian macrotarsa from Gelochelidon nilotica species limits Laridae NACC proposal - entirely extralimal recycle NACC proposal
split Phaethon catesbyi from P. lepturus species limits Phaethontidae Howell and Zufelt (2019) wait NACC
split Royal Albatrosses species limits Diomedeidae Onley & Scofield 2007 etc
split Black-browed Albatrosses species limits Diomedeidae Burg & Croxall 2001 etc, Onley & Scofield 2007 etc NACC
split Yellow-nosed Albatrosses species limits Diomedeidae Burg & Croxall 2001 etc NACC
split up Oceandoroma castro species limits Diomedeidae Smith et al. 2007
split up Oceandoroma leucorrhoa species limits Hydrobatidae Howell et al. 2009 NACC?
split up Calonectris species limits Procellariidae see NACC proposal recycle NACC proposal
split up Puffinus lherminieri species limits Procellariidae see NACC proposal recycle NACC proposal
Change Phalacrocorax bougnavillii to bougainvilliorum nomenclature Phalacrocoracidae Elliott (2020)
split bransfieldensis from P. atriceps species limits Phalacrocoracidae X
Elevate Threskiornithidae to Order rank n/a n/a higher-level classification Threskiornithidae Mayr 2014 X Remsen NACC - submitted
Split Harpiprion from Theristicus generic limits Threskiornithidae X
Elevate Elaninae to family rank n/a n/a higher-level classification Accipitridae Starikov & Wink 2020 NACC
Recognize subfamily for Gampsonyx n/a n/a higher-level classification Accipitridae Starikov & Wink 2021 NACC
split up Accipiter striatus species limits Accipitridae from NACC proposal X recycle NACC proposal NACC
resurrect genus Astur for Accipiter bicolor and modify linear sequence generic limits Accipitridae
split chilensis from Accipiter bicolor species limits Accipitridae x
move Microspizias and Harpagus adjacent in linear sequence linear sequence Accipitridae Catanach et al. 2024
species limits in Pseudaster albicollis species limits Accipitridae Catanach et al. 2025
merge Harpyja and Morphnus generic limits Accipitridae X NACC
merge Buteo ventralis and B. jamaicensis species limits Accipitridae Lerner et al. 2008, Raposo do Amaral et al. (2009) NACC
Split punctatissima from Tyto alba species limits Tytonidae Uva et al. (2018) x
sequence of genera in Strigidae/subfamilies n/a n/a linear sequence Strigidae Salter et al. (2020) Remsen
split pacificus from M. roboratus species limits Strigidae X Robbins 3-Aug-20
split Buteo magellanicus from B. virginianus     species limits Strigidae Ostrow et al. (2023)   Lane                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
split pulsatrix from P. perspicillata species limits Strigidae Bolívar-Leguizamón et al. (2025) 
lump Trogon ramonianus with T. violaceus species limits Trogonidae Del Hoyo & Collar (2014) Remsen
split puella from Trogon collaris species limits Trogonidae DaCosta & Klicka 2008, Dyer and Howell (2013) Remsen NACC
merge Galbuliformes into Piciformes n/a n/a higher-level classification Galbuliformes Johansson & Ericson 2003, Mayr et al. 2003, Cracraft et al. 2004, Ericson et al. 2006 Remsen
split chalcocephala from Galbula albirostris species limits Galbulidae Del Hoyo & Collar (2014)
split bicinctus from Hypnelus ruficollis species limits Bucconidae Doengan et al. (2015) X
split humboldti from Pteroglossus inscriptus species limits Ramphastidae Del Hoyo & Collar (2014)
Pteroglossus (torquatus) erythropygius  Yes species limits Ramphastidae X Remsen NACC extralimital
linear sequence in Micrastur n/a n/a linear sequence Falconidae dos Santos Soares et al. (2019)
linear sequence in Ara linear sequence Psittacidae Smith et al. (2024)
linear sequence in Thectocercus and related genera linear sequence Psittacidae Smith et al. (2024)
Change "Mitred" to "Mitered" Parakeet n/a n/a English names Psittacidae x Remsen
Change "Maroon-bellied Parakeet" to "Reddish-bellied Parakeet" n/a n/a English names Psittacidae Mazar Barnett & Pearman (2001) Pearman
Change Pyrrhura lepida to Pyrrhura coerulescens nomenclature Psittacidae Somezari & Silveira 2015
Change Pyrrhura griseipectus to Pyrrhura anaca nomenclature Psittacidae Teixeira 1991 Piacentini
English names for various Pyrrhura n/a n/a English names Psittacidae Zimmer/Schulenberg
linear sequence in Brotogeris linear sequence Psittacidae Smith et al. (2024)
Black-winged vs. Black-eared Parrot n/a n/a English names Psittacidae X Rasmussen/Donsker
lump Pyrilia pulchra into P. haematotis species limits Psittacidae
linear sequence in Amazona linear sequence Psittacidae Smith et al. (2024)
species limits in Amazona ochrocephala species limits Psittacidae Eberhard & Bermingham 2004 NACC
species limits in Amazona farinosa species limits Psittacidae Del Hoyo & Collar (2014) recycle NACC proposal NACC
Treat E. pyrrhonota as a species species limits Thamnophilidae Johnson et al. (2020)
Recognize newly described Sakesphoroides niedeguidonae     new species evaluation Thamnophilidae Cerqueira et al. (2024)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
Treat Thamnomanes caseus glaucus as a separate species species limits Thamnophilidae Batalha-Filho et al. (2026)
Treat melaena as separate species of Myrmotherula axillaris species limits species limits Dyer & Howell (2023) X
Species limits Myrmotherula longipennis     species limits Thamnophilidae Isler et al. (2025)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
Species limits Myrmotherula menetriesii     species limits Thamnophilidae Isler et al. (2025)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
Species limits in Formicivora grisea species limits Thamnophilidae Ziimmer & Isler HBW, Hilty (2003) x wait real analysis?
lump Formicivora littoralis into F. serrana species limits Thamnophilidae Firme & Raposo (2011)  Zimmer
species limits in Cercomacra serva species limits Thamnophilidae Cavarzere & Silveira (2024)  Zimmer
species limits in Cercomacra cinerascens     species limits Thamnophilidae Cavarzere et al. (2026)   Remsen                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
species limits in Myrmoborus lugubris species limits Thamnophilidae Thom et al. (2010)
species limits in Hypocnemis cantator species limits Thamnophilidae Cronemberger et al. (2025) Remsen (waiting SI ftom Aleixo requested 7/21)
species limits in Willisornis species limits Thamnophilidae Quaresma et al. (2022) Zimmer
lump Scytalpus iraiensis and S. speluncae species limits Rhinocryptidae Bornschein et al. (2007)  Schulenberg, Pacheco
subfamilies in Rhinocryptidae n/a n/a higher-level classification Rhinocryptidae Ohlsen et al. (2013)
Myrmotheridae vs. Grallariidae nomenclature Grallariidae Gaudin et al. 2021 Piacentini?
species sequence in Grallaria n/a n/a linear sequence Grallariidae Winger et al. 2015, Harvey et al. 2020 Remsen NACC
split bitorquata from Melanopareia torquata species limits Melanopareiaidae Lopes & Gonzaga (2016) 
split Middle American moniliger from Formicarius analis     species limits Formicariidae Miller (2008), Patten (2015)   recycle NACC proposal (Jimenez and Chesser asked)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
subfamilies/families in Furnaroidea n/a n/a higher-level classification Furnariidae Ohlsen et al. (2013) Claramunt NACC
linear sequence in Ochetorhynchus n/a n/a linear sequence Furnariidae Derryberry et al. 2011 Remsen
lump Cinclodes taczanowskii and C. nigrofumosus species limits Furnariidae Derryberry et al. 2012 Claramunt
species rank for Cinclodes aricomae species limits Furnariidae Derryberry et al. 2013 X
linear sequence in Furnarius n/a n/a linear sequence Furnariidae Derryberry et al. 2011 Remsen
new species of Aphrastura     species limits  Furnariidae Rozzi et al. 2020                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
linear sequence in Leptasthenura n/a n/a linear sequence Furnariidae Derryberry et al. 2012 Claramunt
English name Leptasthenura striata  n/a n/a English names Furnariidae X Schulenberg
Synallaxis whitneyi vs. cinerea nomenclature Furnariidae Stopiglia et al. 2013 Piacentini
Pseudocolpates boissonneautii vs. boissonneauii nomenclature Furnariidae Elliott (2020)
Split Syndactyla cabanisi from S. rufosuperciliata species limits Furnariidae Cabanne et al. 2019 based solely on "reciprocal monohyly" Santaigo asked 7-17-26
English name Syndactyla dimidiata  n/a n/a English names Furnariidae Remsen
Generic limits in Cranioleuca and Thripophaga generic limits Furnariidae Derryberry et al. 2011 Claramunt
Species limits in Dendrocolaptes species limits Furnariidae Santana et al. 2020, 2021 X
species limits in Xiphorhynchus guttatus group species limits Furnariidae Derryberry et al. 2011 Claramunt
species sequence in Campylorhamphus n/a n/a linear sequence Furnariidae Derryberry et al. 2011 Remsen
placement of pardalotus in Xiphorhynchus n/a n/a linear sequence Furnariidae Aleixo 2002 Remsen
English name of Manacus manacus n/a n/a English names Pipridae Dickinson & Christidis 2014 NACC
Species limits in Manacus manacus species limits Pipridae Harvey et al. (2021) NACC
Species limits in Psuedopipra pipra species limits Pipridae Berv et al. 2021 NACC
species limits in Chiroxiphia pareola species limits Pipridae Silva et al. 2019
placement of Chloropipo linear sequence Pipridae Leite et al. (2020)
English names of Heterocercus n/a n/a English names Pipridae
Subfamilies and linear sequence in Cotingidae higher-level Cotingidae Berv & Prum (2014)
subfamilies in Tityridae n/a n/a higher-level Tityridae Barber & Rice 2007 NACC
species limits in Schiffornis turdinus species limits Tityridae Lima et al. (2024)
split buckleyi from Laniisoma elegans species limits Tityridae X
split xanthogenys from P. viridis species limits Tityridae Barber & Rice 2007
linear sequence in Pachyramphus n/a n/a linear sequence Tityridae Barber & Rice 2007, Musher et al. 2019 Remsen NACC
species limits in Onychorhynchus species limits Tyrannidae Reyes et al. 2023 X Remsen NACC
species limits in Rhynchocyclus species limits Tyrannidae Simões et al. 2021 Remsen
species limits in Myiopagis caniceps group species limits Tyrannidae Rheindt et al. 2009, Cuervo et al. 2014
linear sequence in Elaenia and Myiopagis n/a n/a linear sequence Tyrannidae Rheindt et al. 2008a Remsen NACC
split chilensis from Elaenia albiceps species limits Tyrannidae Rheindt et al. 2008a
change affine to affinis in Guyramemua nomenclature Tyrannidae Elliott (2020)
split minimus from Zimmerius chrysops species limits Tyrannidae Rheindt et al. (2014)  NACC
species sequence in Phylloscartes n/a n/a linear sequence Tyrannidae Fitzpatrick (2004) Remsen
placement and rank of Tachuris higher-level classification Tyrannidae Harvey et al. (2020)
Hemitriccus, Oncostoma, Atalotriccus etc higher-level classification Tyrannidae Harvey et al. (2020)
species limits in Platyrinchus mystaceus species limits Tyrannidae Bocalini et al. (2026)
split Cnemotriccus bimaculatus from C. fuscatus species limits Tyrannidae Belton 1984 x Pacheco?
English name for Syrtidicola fluviatlis English names Tyrannidae Chesser et al. (2020)
merge jelskii into Ochthoeca frontalis species limits Tyrannidae Fjeldså and Krabbe (1990) X
split thoracica from Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris species limits Tyrannidae García-Moreno et al. 1998
spiit Ramphotrigon bolivianum from R. megacephalum species limits Tyrannidae Lavinia et al. 2019, 2020
consider English name changes to species called Monjita n/a n/a English names Tyrannidae Chesser et al. (2020)
species limits in Myiarchus swainsoni species limits Tyrannidae Joseph et al. 2004 x
species limits in Tyrannus savanna species limits Tyrannidae Gómez-Bahamón et al. (2020) NACC
species limits in Cyclarhis species limits Vireonidae Slager et al. 2014 <wait follow-up paper>
species limits in Vireolanius species limits Vireonidae Slager et al. 2014 <wait follow-up paper>
linear sequence of genera in Hirundinidae n/a n/a linear sequence Hirundinidae NACC sequence differs Chesser asked 5/11/19
change leucopyga to meyeni nomenclature Hirundinidae Elliott (2020)
species limits in Progne chalybea Hirundinidae Moyle et al. (2008), Schield et al. (2024)
species limits in Campylorhynchus zonatus group species limits Troglodytidae Vásquez-Miranda & Barker (2021) NACC
species sequence in Campylorhynchus n/a n/a linear sequence Troglodytidae Vásquez-Miranda & Barker (2021) NACC
species limits in Henicorhina leucophrys species limits Troglodytidae Dingle et al. 2006, Pegan et al. 2015, Cadena et al. 2019 x wait additonal studies
species limits in Cyphorhinus arada species limits Troglodytidae Bocalini & Silveira 2016 NACC
resolve Tawny-faced/Half-collared n/a n/a English names Polioptilidae NACC rejected Tawny-faced Remsen NACC pending
species limits in Polioptila plumbea complex species limits Polioptilidae Smith et al. 2019 Rasmussen
change linear sequence in Turdus n/a n/a linear sequence Turdidae Bautista et al. (2020) Remsen NACC
English name of Ploceus velatus n/a n/a English names Ploceidae Dickinson & Christidis 2014 Schulenberg
linear sequence in Anthus n/a n/a linear sequence Motacillidae van Els & Norambuena 2018 Remsen
elevate Sporagra xanthogaster stejneri to species rank species limits Fringillidae Arnaiiz-Villena et al. 2020 Calramunt asked 10/20
English name of Chlorophonia cyanocephala n/a n/a English names Fringillidae Imfeld et al.
White-lored vs. Golden-bellied Euphonia n/a n/a English names Fringillidae X Schulenberg NACC
Recognize Rufiphonia generic limits Fringillidae Vázquez-López et al. (2024) NACC
split nigriceps from Arremon abeillei Oswald et al. (2017)
linear sequence of genera in Passerellidae n/a n/a linear sequence Passerellidae Klicka et al. 2014 Chesser asked 5/11/19
split nigrifrons from Atlapetes latinuchus species limits Passerellidae Donegan et al. 2014 Areta
Bangs's Brushfinch for Sierra Nevada Brushfinch n/a n/a English names Passerellidae
species limits in Chlorospingus species limits Passerellidae Weir et al. 2008 wait additional studies?
Yellow-whiskered vs. Short-billed Bush-Tanager n/a n/a English names Passerellidae Schulenberg
move Psarocolius viridis in species sequence n/a n/a linear sequence Icteridae Price & Lanyon (2004) Remsen
split yuracares from Psarocolius bifasciatus species limits Icteridae
species limits in Lampropsar species limits Icteridae
lump B. ignotus into Basileuterus melanogenys species limits Parulidae X
split punctipectus from Basileuterus tristriatus species limits Parulidae Donegan 2014 Remsen NACC
sequence of genera in Cardinalidae n/a n/a linear sequence Cardinalidae Klicka et al. 2007 NACC
Engiish names in ex-Hemispingus cluster n/a n/a English names Thraupidae
Engiish names in ex-Poospiza cluster n/a n/a English names Thraupidae
Engiish names in ex-Phrygilus cluster n/a n/a English names Thraupidae
split auricularis from Kleinothraupis atropileus species limits Thraupidae García-Moreno & Fjeldså 2003
recognize newly described Tachyphonus suacius new species evaluation Thraupidae Da Cunha Nunes et al. (2026) 
recognize newly described Tachyphonus griseonota new species evaluation Thraupidae Cavarzere et al. (2024)
change bresilius to bresilia (in Ramphocelus bresilius) nomenclature Thraupidae Schodde & Bock 2016 Piacentini NACC
linear sequence in Thraupis linear sequence Thraupidae Cueva et al. (2022)
linear sequence of genera in Phrygilus and relatives linear sequence Thraupidae Burns et al. (2016)
resurrect Compsocoma generic limits Thraupidae Sedano & Burns (2010) ask Burns/Mason
change uropygialis to uropigialis in Sicalis uropygialis nomenclature Thraupidae Dickinson & Christidis 2014 Piacentini
lump Sporophila ardesiaca with S. nigricollis species limits Thraupidae X Areta
sequence of species in Sporophila n/a n/a linear sequence Thraupidae Mason & Burns (2013) ask Mason?
generic limits in Camarhynchus, Geospiza, and Platypspiza generic limits Thraupidae Lamichhaney et al. (2015) NACC
Diglossa cyanea split             Remsen