A Paleogene origin for crown passerines and the diversification of the Oscines in the New World.

•The origin of passerines was dated at the Paleogene, much younger than the usual estimates.•Our timetree agrees with key geological events that took place in the Cenozoic.•The core split in Suboscines links to a South American–African chain of islands break.•Timing and feeding habits have influenced the history of Oscines in the Americas.