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

Presentation on theme: "Gruiformes (cranes, limpkins, rails & coots) Whooping Cranes Limpkin 5 families, 33 species in NA most are aquatic (cranes – upland in open habitats) diverse."— Presentation transcript:

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

2 Gruiformes (cranes, rails, limpkins & coots) American Coot Purple Gallinule 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 American Goldfinch Common Grackle Western Kingbird characterized by perching foot structure

4 Brown Pelican 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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