The New Global Bird List Is Here

It didn’t make front-page news, but it probably should have. On June 11, 2025, the bird world quietly did something huge. For the first time ever, scientists, bird organisations, and app-makers from across the globe agreed on an official global bird list.

It’s called, AviList, and it’s now live. A single, standardised bird species database built to bring clarity, accuracy, and consistency to birding everywhere.

What is it? AviList is a unified global checklist covering 11,131 bird species and 19,996 subspecies. It’s the result of collaboration between some of the biggest names in ornithology and bird conservation. Including BirdLife International, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and the  International Ornithologists’ Union. For decades, these groups maintained separate systems, often with conflicting names, categories, and updates. Now, for the first time, we have a shared global standard.

For birders, this global bird list means less confusion when using different apps, tools, or field guides. It means more confidence when logging sightings, submitting records, or simply trying to figure out what bird they saw. eBird, Merlin, and other major platforms have already started adopting it. It’ll soon shape the way millions of birders interact with bird data daily.

AviList also includes regional variations, taxonomic notes, and subspecies information, helping scientists and birdwatchers alike track changes in populations and classifications over time. For those working in conservation, this single source of truth makes it easier to identify priorities and align research. Pushing for protections where they’re needed most.

Whether you’re a scientist, a birder, or just someone curious about the birds around you, AviList is a milestone worth celebrating.

• Download the full checklist
• Read more about AviList here