Introduction to Bird Order Ciconiiformes

Copyright: Tracy J. Thomas
Six families make up the bird Order Ciconiiformes. Within those families are species of Herons and Bitterns, Storks, Spoonbills and Ibises, and the New World Vultures. Primarily wading birds, with the exception of the vultures, they range from small to large and most have long legs, long flexible necks, dagger-like bills and long, broad wings. Their long legs allow them to wade in the shallow waters of freshwater habitats, in both coastal and interior wetlands. Upright in stance they use their sharp eyesight to scan the water slowly and with deliberation, looking for movement below the surface. Once they spy their prey it is grabbed with a quick thrust of the bill. These birds feed primarily on amphibians, fish, snails, and invertebrates such as crab and crawfish with some of the species feeding on rodents and insects away from water. There are some 60-65 species within this order depending on the taxonomy applied...read more