Ornithology

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ORDER CICONIIFORMES

You must know the order, family, common name, habitat, and habits and be able to identify by sight each species. There is 9 species on the list.  In addition, you will be expected to learn the vocalization for any species labeled with a  symbol. You can get extra credit for learning the vocalizations of any species labeled .

Birds on this list: 9
Order Ciconiiformes   Herons, Egrets,Storks, etc
Characteristics of the order:
long-legged, long-necked -- wade in shallow water often breed colonially very diverse bill size/shapes (dependent on fishing styles) worldwide distribution
Family Ardeidae      Herons, Egrets and Bitterns
Characteristics of the family:
largest family specialized vertebrae: allow spearing, folding neck into "S" long, spear-shaped bills (eat fish, frogs) have powderdowns which aid in feather care Medium to large waders, mostly colonial breeders slender body
	American Bitternvocalization	Botaurus lentiginosus
	Great Blue Heron vocalization	Ardea herodias
	Great Egret Snowy Egret	Ardea alba Egretta thula
	Green Heron	Butorides virescens
Family Threskiornithidae    Ibis and Spoonbills
Characteristics of the family:
grooved bills (Ibises --long, curved bills; Spoonbills -- flat, spatulate bills) Medium to large waders, highly gregarious Long bill – decurved or broadly spatulate Front toes webbed at base
	Glossy Ibis	Plegadis falcinellus
	White Ibis	Eudocimus albus
Family Cathartidae        New World Vultures
Characteristics of the family:
head and neck bare; lack syrinx perforated nostrils Large to very large soaring scavengers Bare skin on head and neck Often seen sunning with spread wings
	Black Vulture	Coragyps atratus
	Turkey Vulture	Cathartes aura