Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Basic Terminology and the Broader Phylogenetic and Geological Framework.- Chapter 3. Palaeognathous Birds.- Chapter 4. Pelagornithidae, Gastornithidae, and Crown Group Galloanseres.- Chapter 5. Mirandornithes (Grebes and Flamingos), Charadriiformes (Shorebirds and Allies), and Gruiformes (Rails, Cranes, and Allies).- Chapter 6. Opisthocomiformes (Hoatzins), “Columbaves” (Doves, Cuckoos, Bustards, and Allies), and Strisores (Nightjars, Swifts, Hummingbirds, and Allies).- Chapter 7. Phaethontiformes and Aequornithes: The Aquatic and Semi-Aquatic Neaovian Taxa.- Chapter 8. Accipitriformes (New World Vultures, Hawks, and Allies), Falconiformes (Falcons), and Cariamiformes (Seriemas and Allies).- Chapter 9. Psittacopasseres – Psittaciformes (Parrots) and Passeriformes (Passerines).- Chapter 10. Strigiformes (Owls), Coliiformes (Mousebirds), and Cavitaves (Trogons, Rollers, Woodpeckers, and Allies).- Chapter 11. Paleogene Avifaunas: A Synopsis of General Biogeographic and Paleoecological Aspects.

About the Author

Gerald Mayr is a German zoologist, who is head of the Ornithological Section of the Senckenberg Research Institute in Frankfurt am Main, Hesse. He published widely on fossil avifaunas, particularly from the Paleogene of Europe, North America, and New Zealand. His research interests also comprise the phylogenetic relationships, skeletal morphology, and evolutionary history of extant birds.