Clements' 2009 (December) Taxonomy Update

SOME UNIQUE THINGS ABOUT THIS TAXONOMY UPDATE -- IMPORTANT!

This particular update poses some unique issues for AviSys:

* The update is huge. Cornell has done a comprehensive job of bringing the Clements taxonomy up to date using the most reliable and relevent information available. An avian taxonomist has been hired for just that purpose. Not only are there over 200 English name changes, splits and lumps, there are many more Latin name changes and corrections.

* As a result of DNA studies, the taxonomic sequence has been radically changed to conform, where rational, with the latest sequence published by the AOU North America and South America committees, and where those changes can be applied to birds elsewhere in the world. This is a first start. We can look forward to even more sequence changes in a year --- thus, this is not an update to skip; things will get more complicated later.

* While all AviSys taxonomy updates have been applicable to prior versions of AviSys (4.5x and 5.x), this update presents some problems that cannot be resolved in those older versions:

• AviSys Hot Keys and Jump Tables key on family names in most cases. In this update there have been so many family name changes that, as a result, Jump Tables and Hot Keys in Versions 4.5x and 5.x will not work reliably with this taxonomy. If you use those facilities, you will want to upgrade to Version 6. Correspondingly, if you upgrade to Version 6 you will want to install this taxonomy update.

• In this taxonomy, Cornell has implemented a significant change in subspecies handling. There are now subspecies "groups," which allows you to record a sighting of a subspecies "group" where you are uncertain of the exact subspecies but where you know the bird falls within one of the subspecies groups. For example, you can record a Dark-eyed Junco as a member of the easily identifiable "Oregon" group, even though that group contains seven subspecies. Later study of range or descriptive data could allow you to define the subspecies more specifically --- Cornell data example below. (The Dark-eyed Junco species consists of 14 subspecies in seven groups.) All this improves your opportunities to accurately "escrow" subspecies in anticipation of elevation of subspecies to species level. As a result of this change in subspecies data, subspecies implementation in legacy AviSys versions 4.5x and 5.x will be inaccurate and confusing. If you use subspecies, you will want to upgrade to Version 6.

* As a result of all the issues enumerated above, for complete function you will require AviSys Version 6.00K. If you already use Version 6, you can download and install the update to 6.00K free of charge from our web site. You SHOULD do that before the taxonomy update. Version 6.00K provides more automatic taxonomy updates -- mainly automatic updates for one-on-one English name changes -- to relieve you of that work.

* While users of 4.5x and 5.x cannot use the functions impacted by this taxonomy update (Subspecies, Hot Keys, and Jump Tables, and some degradation of Band Codes), they can still update the taxonomy and have access to most operations. While we have a long history of retaining full function for our legacy users, as old as 13 years ago, it has proven impossible this time. (In any case, legacy users should study BOTH Version 6 upgrade web pages to see the dozens of significant feature and function changes in the new version. http://www.avisys.net/ANNOUNCE6.HTM and http://www.avisys.net/UPDATE6.HTM)

A FINAL NOTE: It would have been nice to provide a taxonomy update that, with the push of a button, updates your entire master list and all sightings. Sadly, that can't possibly happen. It would require AviSys to change your sighting records without your involvement --- that's simply too dangerous. AviSys has no idea which species you actually saw; only you know that. So you will be involved with every sighting record that needs to be changed --- AviSys simply keeps you informed of what is going on in the process and makes it as easy as possible. HOWEVER, in this release, one-on-one name changes are done automatically with your permission, and you never have to deal with Latin name changes.

VERY IMPORTANT:

1. Just downloading this update will NOT update your taxonomy. Following the instructions, below, you will:

A. Download MASTER9.EXE
B. Run MASTER9.EXE, pointing it at (one of) your data set(s), such as C:\AVI6\JOHN
C. Follow a set of instructions in CHANGES9.PDF that will be presented when you run MASTER9.EXE

2. If you have more than one bird data set, you will repeat B and C, above, for each data set.

NOTE: Running MASTER9.EXE places files needed for the update in your AviSys folders. There are two kinds of folders of interest here, and you need to be aware of them.

** Your DATA SET folder, typically named something like C:\AVI6\JOHN

** Your BASE AviSys folder, typically someting like C:\AVI6. (Note that the BASE folder is actually one level up from the data set folder.)

Initially, the update installer will likely find your DATA SET folder automatically --- but if you have more than one it may find the wrong folder and you will need to browse to the correct one.

After the majority of update files have been loaded into your data set folder, you will be prompted to browse to your BASE AviSys folder. The data set and base folders will be displayed automatically and all you will need to do is double-click on the BASE folder, such as C:\AVI6

Please think about these two folders and their relationships a bit so that you are prepared to browse to them as necessary. When running AviSys, if you click Help, and select About AviSys, you will see the complete folder path to your current data set displayed, such as C:\AVI6\MARILYN. In this example, your BASE AviSys folder is C:\AVI6, and your data set folder is C:\AVI6\MARILYN. If Marilyn's birding partner is Mike, and he has his own individual data set, it would be C:\AVI6\MIKE (or whatever he named it).

SPECIAL NOTICE:

If you have sightings of Flamingos in the US or Canada, remember that the wild Flamingos in those countries are all "American Flamingo". Rename "Caribbean Flamingo".

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Print these instructions for future reference.