Charadriiformes ● Modern species have ○ Females generally larger
● Most diverse of ‘waterbirds’ generally stable than males
clade populations ● Many have extended period of
○ Includes true seabirds (auks) ○ Great auk is a modern juvenility before reaching
as well as species adapted to extinction sexual maturity
High Andes (seedsnipes) and
Himalayas (ibisbill) 3.Sternidae 1.Accipitridae
● Many species show ● ~ 44 species ● 208 species
male-biased parental care ● Terns ● Hawks and eagles
● Most impressive migrants ● Characteristic shape ● Worldwide distribution
• Bar-tailed godwit: Alaska (narrow wings, forked (except antarctica)
to NZ in 11 days tails, small bodies, long ● Diverse size and feeding
• Arctic Tern: Antarctic to bills) habits
Arctic each year ● Marine species - divers ● Hooked beaks
● Shorebirds among the ● Visual predators
fastest-declining species in 4.Laridae
Canada ● ~ 100 species 2. Cathartidae (New world
● Gull vultures)
1.Scolopacidae ● Many are opportunistic ● 7 species
● ~ 98 species feeders ● Convergent evolution to
● Sand pipers ○ In particular the larger resemble old would vultures
● Wading birds specialized in species ● Very large
foraging for food deep in wet ● Will not hesitate to ● Capable of staying aloft with
sands after tides intimidate smaller seabirds minimal energy investment
○ Bill is very sensitive, acts into giving up their prey for extended periods of time
like a finger ○ Like the frigatebirds ● Most species find prey by
● Good fliers but nest on the ● Has made them well scent
ground adapted to urban areas ● Featherless head is
characteristic
2. Alcidae Accipitriformes
● ~ species ● Order containing most 3. Osprey
● Auks, puffins, murres, birds of prey and specialist ● 1 species
guillemots scavengers ● Near global distribution of a
● “Penguins that can fly” ● Most have raptorial feet single species (western
● Convergent evolution and opposable hind claws osprey)
○ Appear very similar to ○ Owls are the exception ● Fish specialist
penguins ● Diverse diet: mammals, ● Catches prey at the surface
● Also wing-propelled divers fish, birds, insects ○ One toes is reversible
● Consumed as a traditional food ● Reversed sexual size Can extend backwards to grip
in many northern communities dimorphism a fish in an “X” pattern
, ● So named because of its ● Resemble hoopoes but
4. Saggittariidae (Secretary bird) rolling flight pattern climb trees like
● 1 species ● Native to madagascar woodpeckers
● Only member of ● Taxonomy unresolved
accipitriformes known to hunt 3. Bucerotidae (Hornbill)
on the ground 3. Trogoniformes (Trogon) ● 55 species
● Is able to kill prey with kicks ● 35 species ● Only bird with fused neck
● Specializes in killing ● The only bird with vertebrae at the base of the
venomous species of snake heterodactyl feet skull
● Tropical forest specialist ○ Likely to help support
5.Strigiformes found worldwide weight of bill
● 225 species ● Feeds on insects and ● Covergrent with toucans and
● Owls and barn owls fruits tropical
● Nocturnal predators ● Unresolved taxonomy
○ Locate prey by sound 4. Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
○ Head is designed to help Coraciformes ● 114 species
amplify sound 1. Upudidae (Hoopoes) ● All species are
● Feathers and body shape ● 1-3 species morphologically similar
adapted to reduce noise ● Aristophanes king of the ○ Large head on round bodies
production birds ○ Stubby tail
● Widely distributed ○ Large, pointed bills
Picocoraciae species ● Most species catch fish with
Large clade with many ● Uropygial gland can the pointed bill
morphologically diverse produce a foul odour
groups and unresolved alongside the normal Piciformes
taxonomy waxy secretions ● Most are insectivores
○ Female incubating ● Most have zygodactyl feet
1. Colliforms (mousebirds) eggs will cover herself ● None have down feathers at
● 6 species and newly hatched any stage of life
● Known to hop around trees like nestlings with the
rodents; have pamprodactyl deterrent 1.Picidae
claws which may help with this ● 240 species
movement 2. Phoeniculidae (wood ● Woodpecker
● Living fossils, only order hoopoe) ● Most specialize to extracting
confined to Africa ● 8 species insects from trees through
● Unusual morphology physical force
2. Leptosomatidae (Cuckoo with poorly resolved ● Highly specialized to
roller) taxonomy withstand damage from
● 1 species ● Scimitar-like beak pecking trees
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