Another interesting feature of the Scolopaci phylogeny is the
considerable variation in branch lengths across the phylogeny.
The four smaller families (Jacanidae, Rostratulidae, Thinocoridae,
and Pedionomidae), historically ‘odd-ball’ taxa that were difficult
to place, are now confirmed in a basal clade within the Scolopaci,
with long branches separating them from each other and the
remaining family, the Scolopacidae.