Gruiformes (cranes, limpkins, rails & coots)

Whooping Cranes

Limpkin• 5 families, 33 species in NA

• most are aquatic (cranes – upland in open habitats)

• diverse diet – vertebrate & invertebrate

Gruiformes (cranes, rails, limpkins & coots)

American CootPurple Gallinule

• rails & coots – lobed and/or long slender toes

• solitary nesters

Passeriformes (perching birds or passerines, songbirds)

• > 40 families, hundreds of species in NA

• perching birds, song birds, passerines

• most diverse group of birds

American GoldfinchCommon Grackle

Western Kingbird

• characterized by perching foot structure

Brown Pelican

Pelecaniformes (pelicans, anhingas and cormorants)

• 6 families, 22 species in NA

• large-bodied aquatic birds

• feed on fish

• gregarious, colonial nesters

pelicans – dive from height

• use expandable pouch to catch fish

Pelecaniformes (pelicans, anhingas and cormorants)

Double-crested Cormorant

Anhinga

• cormorants dive from surface & swim underwater

• eat fish & regurgitate pellets

• anhingas swim & spear fish

• spread wings to dry

Piciformes (woodpeckers & toucans)

• 1 family, 22 species in NA

• aboreal climbers – strong claws, stiff tail

• zygodactyl feet for climbing

• strong bill – uncover insects, excavate nest cavities & drum for communication

• retractile tongue

• wooded habitats Acorn Woodpecker

Western Grebe

Podicipediformes (grebes)

• 1 family, 7 species in NA

• small to medium-sized aquatic birds

• lobed-toes, strong swimmers, cannot take-off from land

Eared Grebe

Podicipediformes (grebes)

• shallow divers – aquatic inverts & fish (sharp bills)

• denser bones & sleek bodies for diving

• nest on floating platform

• carry young on back

Procellariiformes (albatrosses, fulmars, shearwaters & petrels)

Northern Fulmar

• 3 families, 52 species in NA

• sea birds – mostly black, white & gray

• known as “tube noses” – salt excretion, scent and/or sense air pressure

• never drink fresh water

• colonial nesters

Procellariiformes (albatrosses, fulmars, etc.)

Greater Shearwater

Shearwaters & petrels:• medium-sized sea birds

• many nest in burrows & active at night

• mate for life

Albatrosses:• large sea birds w/ long & narrow wings

• require strong winds to fly

• rarely return to land, except to nest

Strigiformes (owls)

Barn Owl

Burrowing Owl• 2 families, 19 species in NA

• nocturnal birds of prey

• divided into 2 groups (barn owls & typical owls)

Strigiformes (owls)

• avoid competition with hawks by hunting at night

• outer toe pivots – zygodactyl feet

• soundless flight, excellent hearing and night vision

Great Horned Owl

Trogoniformes (trogons & quetzals)

• 1 family, 2 species in NA

• colorful tropical birds – rare in NA

• usually solitary

• squared-off tail & strong bill

• diet = berries & insects

• unique feet – 2 toes back & 2 forward, but inner toe rotated

Elegant Trogon