OSME Regional List of birds

Explanation of the ORL

Syrian Serin/Serin syriaque Serinus syriacus © Aurélien Audevarde

1. Given the complexities and subtleties of species’ relationships that have arisen from recent research, the ORL on occasions deals with undefined taxa (eg see the treatment of Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava), where remaining with species and clearly-defined subspecies would have been constricting. Hence, some under-researched populations that comprise mainly a distinct ‘form’ are listed, reasons being given in the ‘Notes’ column.
2. The purpose of the ORL is not to provide details of distribution, status or occurrence within the Middle East and Central Asia at this stage of its development. Much is already covered in many major references. The ORL often comments on species distribution limits (the edges of distribution ranges), partly because the OSME Region now includes the Caucasus and Central Asian republics. For example, many northern species reach their normal southern breeding distribution limit within Kazakhstan. Fuller descriptions of the distribution ranges of species in every OSME Region country will arise as part of the development of the ORL as country-by-country checklists are devised.
3. Red font without highlighting indicates recent information.
   in the 'Notes' column or References indicates some difficulty with proof of occurrence, usually a lack of documentation.
   indicates former presence of a form in the OSME Region.
   indicates one of two things:
   a.     Taxa whose distributions or occurrence in the OSME Region do not accord between authors, but for which we have not found or cannot yet obtain additional evidence to clarify the position.
   b.     Where further evidence is needed, after a ‘split’, of the occurrence or otherwise of a species elevated from subspecies rank when previously only the full ‘lumped’ species had been recorded.
4. Not all synonyms have been examined. Not all subspecies are listed, but mention is made of those that: have at times have been considered (or disputed) as full species; exhibit high levels of diagnosability; are listed by some authorities under a different name, or whose distribution, particularly in Central Asian Republics, is not well known.
5. Serial numbers (SN) in the first column of the ORL are merely an aid and will change if lines are deleted or added. Compass cardinals (eg N=north, SE=southeast) are used.
6. We include Parent Taxon lines for selected cases, not only where earlier records antedate splits, but also in cases such as paragraph 1 above.
7. We seek information, especially where backed by references, to develop and improve the ORL. Although the appearance of bird information on the Web may be useful, it carries no weight if not backed up by written-up accounts and records. After all, Web information alone is characteristically ephemeral, often disappearing without warning. We will treat all information in confidence, but will need to evaluate it stringently through external referees at times. Data that are accepted will be used to amend the ORL and credit will be given.
8. Hypothetical species that have unproven and probably unlikely presence in the OSME Region are given in a separate Table. We seek detailed accounts of any reports of such Hypothetical species.
9. Full reference lists accompany the non-passerine and passerine parts of the ORL, all references, save those designated as fundamental, being cited in the ORL ‘Remarks’ column. Abbreviated References cited in the Remarks column of the ORL are explained in the reference lists.
10. We make an important distinction in the ORL between a 'report' and a 'record'. A 'report' of a species' occurrence is treated as unproven - this does not mean that the occurrence is unlikely or will not be accepted by national rarities committees, where these exist. Nevertheless, before acceptance as a 'record', full documentation is essential. There will be cases where documentation cannot be found, or has disappeared - such cases would be considered on their merits. Ideally a 'report' of a species should have been validated and accepted as a 'record' in some way beforehand, whether by records committee or through 'experts' agreeing in the manner of records committees, but we attach great importance to any documentation supporting the 'record'. 'Reports' may be cited in Sandgrouse papers as Secondary References, but are not accepted as evidence of identification or existence of a species. 'Records' are defined as meeting the necessary criteria, and thus are cited as Primary References. However, we note that all 'records' began as 'reports' and we further recognise that worldwide more long-established ornithological 'records' than we would like have subsequently been deemed invalid, for a variety of reasons!
11. We include an empty column for your own use, but we suggest that anyone with improved documentation for taxa that lack adequate evidence might find this column a useful tool. We would appreciate that any proposed amendments cite the relevant documentation in full, and that any draft amendments to the Tables be made in blue font to the appropriate extract for ease of discussion.