Dichotomous Key/Aves

Key to Aves

 * Neognathae: Has the ability to fly.
 * 2: Does not have the ability to fly.

2

 * 5: Feet are webbed or lobate.
 * 6: Feet are not webbed or lobate.

5

 * Spheniscidae: Wings modified into flippers
 * 7: Wings not modified into flippers

6

 * 8: Height is over 70 centimeters
 * 9: Height is less than 70 centimeters

7

 * 10: Head is solid black or brown
 * 11: Head is at least half white

8

 * Struthio camelus: Two toes present on each foot.
 * 14: Three toes present on each foot

9

 * 16: Horn-like spongy crest present on forehead
 * 17: No crest present on forehead

10

 * 12: Dark brown to tan coloration clearly present in plumage.
 * 13: Dark brown to tan coloration not clearly present in plumage.

11

 * Podiceps taczanowskii: Plumage a mix of black and white only; Eyes are red.
 * Rollandia microptera: Plumage a mix of black, brown, and white; Eyes are black.

12

 * Anas aucklandica: Plumage color change from head to body gradual; Birds of the Auckland Islands.
 * Anas nesiotis: Plumage color change from head to body abrupt; Birds of the Campbell Islands.

13
unfinished


 * Nannopterum harrisi, Flightless Cormorant
 * Tachyeres pteneres, Fuegian Steamer Duck
 * Tachyeres brachypterous, Falkland Steamer Duck
 * Tachyeres leucocephalus, Chubut Steamer Duck

14

 * Dromaius novaehollandiae: Flaps wings when running; Small claw present at tip of wing.
 * 15: Wings spread while running, acting as sails; Small claw absent at tip of wing.

15: Rheas

 * Rhea americana: Adult is over 120 centimeters tall; Weight is 45-60 pounds; Bill measures 8-11 centimeters long; Birds of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
 * Rhea pennata: Adult is less than 120 centimeters tall; Weight is 33-60 pounds; Bill measures 6-9 centimeters; Birds of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.

16: Cassowaries
unfinished


 * Casuarius casuarius, Southern Cassowary
 * Casuarius unappendiculatus, Northern Cassowary
 * Casuarius bennetti, Dwarf Cassowary

17
unfinished


 * 18: Kiwis
 * 19: everything else

18: Kiwis
unfinished


 * Apteryx australis, Southern Brown Kiwi
 * Apteryx haastii, Great Spotted Kiwi
 * Apteryx mantelli, North Island Brown Kiwi
 * Apteryx owenii, Little Spotted Kiwi
 * Apteryx rowi, Okarito Brown Kiwi

19

 * Strigops habroptilus: Two forward facing toes and two backward facing toes
 * 20: Feet not arranged with two facing forward and two facing back.

20

 * 21: Chest plumage appearing to have zebra-like black and white stripes.
 * 22: Chest plumage with a solid color or if not, then plumage not appearing to have zebra stripes.

21
unfinished


 * Aramidopsis plateni, Snoring Rail;
 * Gallirallus rovianae, Roviana Rail;
 * Gallirallus owstoni, Guam Rail;
 * Gallirallus okinawae, Okinawa Rail;
 * Gallirallus insignis, New Britain Rail also Pink Leg Rail

22
unfinished

Tasmanian Nativehen, Gough Island Moorhen, Makira Wood Rail, Samoan Wood Rail, Takahe (bright blue/green plumage), New Guinea Flightless Rail, invisible rail, Red-eyed Crake, Inaccessible Rail, Calayan Rail, Lord Howe Woodhen, New Caledonian Rail, Weka, Woodford's Rail, Giant Coot