Gruiformes (cranes, limpkins, rails & coots)

1. Gruiformes (cranes, limpkins, rails & coots) Whooping Cranes • 5 families, 33 species in NA Limpkin • most are aquatic (cranes – upland in open habitats) • diverse diet – vertebrate & invertebrate

2. Gruiformes (cranes, rails, limpkins & coots) Purple Gallinule American Coot • rails & coots – lobed and/or long slender toes • solitary nesters

3. Passeriformes (perching birds or passerines, songbirds) • > 40 families, hundreds of species in NA • perching birds, song birds, passerines • most diverse group of birds • characterized by perching foot structure Western Kingbird Common Grackle American Goldfinch

4. 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 Brown Pelican

5. Pelecaniformes(pelicans, anhingas and cormorants) • cormorants dive from surface & swim • underwater • eat fish & regurgitate pellets Double-crested Cormorant • anhingas swim & spear fish • spread wings to dry Anhinga

6. 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

7. Podicipediformes (grebes) • 1 family, 7 species in NA • small to medium-sized aquatic birds • lobed-toes, strong swimmers, cannot take-off from land Western Grebe

8. Podicipediformes (grebes) • shallow divers – aquatic inverts & fish (sharp bills) • denser bones & sleek bodies for diving • nest on floating platform • carry young on back Eared Grebe

9. Procellariiformes (albatrosses, fulmars, shearwaters & petrels) • 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 Northern Fulmar

10. Procellariiformes (albatrosses, fulmars, etc.) • 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 Greater Shearwater • rarely return to land, except to nest

11. Strigiformes (owls) Barn Owl • 2 families, 19 species in NA Burrowing Owl • nocturnal birds of prey • divided into 2 groups (barn owls & typical owls)

12. Strigiformes (owls) • avoid competition with hawks by hunting at night • soundless flight, excellent hearing and night vision • outer toe pivots – zygodactyl feet Great Horned Owl

13. Trogoniformes (trogons & quetzals) • 1 family, 2 species in NA • colorful tropical birds – rare in NA • usually solitary Elegant Trogon • squared-off tail & strong bill • diet = berries & insects • unique feet – 2 toes back & 2 forward, but inner toe rotated