• Chimango caraca, chimango, tiuque
Scientific classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Daptrius
Species: D. chimango
Subspecies: D. c. chimango
Maldonado, Uruguay
Taxonomic Update: The Merge of Milvago into Daptrius
The recent taxonomic reclassification adopted by the Clements Checklist and eBird is the result of advanced genetic research revealing that the genus Milvago was not monophyletic.
In evolutionary biology, a group is monophyletic when it includes a common ancestor and all of its descendants. Think of it as a complete, unbroken branch on the tree of life. Because Milvago excluded certain close relatives and grouped species based on superficial similarities rather than shared ancestry, it was considered an artificial, non-monophyletic grouping that failed to represent a single evolutionary lineage.
The most significant revelation involves the Chimango Caracara (Daptrius chimango). Genomic analyses demonstrated that the Chimango is more closely related to the mountain caracaras (formerly placed in the genus Phalcoboenus) than to its former congener, the Yellow-headed Caracara (Daptrius chimachima). To resolve this and ensure that genera reflect true evolutionary history, Clements and eBird have merged these lineages into a single genus, Daptrius, thereby restoring monophyly.
It should be noted, however, that this taxonomic treatment is not universally adopted. While Clements/eBird recognize an expanded Daptrius that includes species formerly placed in Milvago and Phalcoboenus, other taxonomic authorities have favored alternative arrangements, such as retaining Milvago or reallocating the Chimango to Phalcoboenus. These discrepancies reflect ongoing differences in how competing classifications balance phylogenetic evidence, nomenclatural stability, and taxonomic philosophy.
Camera: Canon EOS R7
Lens: Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary
Capture Information:
Focal Length: 500.0 mm
Shutter Speed: 1/800
Aperture: f/6.3
ISO: 500
Photo Taken: January 31, 2026
High resolution
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