The avian taxonomy API is designed using REST principles. The API allows you to query a database of standardized avian nomeclature using commmon- language URLs, a web client, and HTTP verbs. Using these same approaches, you can programmatically access information. If the query is successful, the API returns JSON for all responses, including errors.
The data driving the Avian taxonomy API are derived from v4.1 of the IOC World Bird List, which is database of avian taxonomy available under Creative Commons Attribution license. If you use the Avian taxonomy API please cite the IOC World Bird List:
Gill, F & D Donsker (Eds). 2014. IOC World Bird List (v 4.1). doi: 10.14344/IOC.ML.4.1.