Ornithology

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ORDER GRUIFORMES

You must know the order, family, common name, habitat, and habits and be able to identify by sight each species. There are 2 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: 2
Order Gruiformes  Rails, Cranes, Bustards, etc
Characteristics of the order:
no crop; most with oil gland; primarily precocial young Fly with neck straight very diverse -- shared features of palate and skeleton many aquatic; many shy, hard-to-see species worldwide
Family Rallidae      Rails and Coots
Characteristics of the family:
Small to medium-sized waterbirds Shy, mostly solitary Body compressed laterally Bill variable, usually slightly decurved Short tail
	Virginia Rail	Rallus limicola
	American Coot	Fulica americana