Overview
Traditionally, the Ciconiiformes has included a variety of large, long-legged wading birds with large bills: storks, herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and several others. Ciconiiformes are known from the Late Eocene. At present the only family retained in the order is the storks, Ciconiidae.
Taxonomic Issues With Ciconiiformes
Following the development of research techniques in molecular biology in the late 20th century, in particular methods for studying DNA-DNA hybridisation, a great deal of new information has surfaced, much of it suggesting that many birds, although looking very different from one another, are in fact more closely related than was previously thought. Accordingly, the radical and influential Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy greatly enlarged the Ciconiiformes, adding many more families, including most of those usually regarded as belonging to the Sphenisciformes (penguins), Gaviiformes (divers), Podicipediformes (grebes), Procellariiformes (tubenosed seabirds), Charadriiformes, (waders, gulls, terns and auks), Pelecaniformes (pelicans, cormorants, gannets and allies), and the Falconiformes (diurnal birds of prey). The flamingo family, Phoenicopteridae, is related, and is sometimes classed as part of the Ciconiiformes.
However, morphological evidence suggests that the traditional Ciconiiformes should be split between two lineages, rather than expanded, although some non-traditional Ciconiiformes may be included in these two lineages.
The exact taxonomic placement of New World Vultures remains unclear.[1] Though both are similar in appearance and have similar ecological roles, the New World and Old World Vultures evolved from different ancestors in different parts of the world and are not closely related. Just how different the two families are is currently under debate, with some earlier authorities suggesting that the New World vultures belong in Ciconiiformes.[2] More recent authorities maintain their overall position in the order Falconiformes along with the Old World Vultures[3] or place them in their own order, Cathartiformes.[4] The South American Classification Committee has removed the New World Vultures from Ciconiiformes and instead placed them in Incertae sedis, but notes that a move to Falconiformes or Cathartiformes is possible.[1]
Some official bodies have adopted the proposed Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy almost entirely, however a more common approach worldwide has been to retain the traditional groupings, and modify rather than replace them in the light of new evidence as it comes to hand. The family listing here follows this more conservative practice. Bird taxonomy has been in a state of flux for some years, and it is reasonable to expect that the large differences between different classification schemes will continue to gradually resolve themselves as more evidence becomes available.
Photos
Taxonomy
The Order Ciconiiformes is further organized into finer groupings including:
- Suborder (2): Charadrii · Ciconii
- Infraorder (4): Charadriides · Ciconiides · Falconides · Pteroclides
- Parvorder (8): Accipitrida · Charadriida · Ciconiida · Falconida · Phaethontida · Podicipedida · Scolopacida · Sulida
- Family (56): Accipitridae · Agnopteridae · Angelinornithidae · Anhingidae · Ardeidae · Balaenicipitidae · Baptornithidae · Burhinidae · Cathartidae · Charadriidae · Chionidae · Chionididae · Ciconiidae · Cimolopterygidae · Dakotornithidae · Diomedeoididae · Elopterygidae · Enaliornithidae · Falconidae · Fregatidae · Gaviidae · Glareolidae · Jacanidae · Laridae · Neocathartidae · Palaelodidae · Pedionomidae · Pelecanidae · Phaethontidae · Phalacrocoracidae · Phoenicopteridae · Plegadornithidae · Plotopteridae · Pluvianellidae · Podicipedidae · Procellariidae · Protoplotidae · Pseudodontornithidae · Pseudosulidae · Pteroc lidae · Pteroclididae · Rostratulidae · Sagittariidae · Scaniornithidae · Scolopacidae · Scopidae · Spheniscidae · Sulidae · Telmabatidae · Telmatornithidae · Teratornithidae · Thinocoridae · Threskiornithidae · Torotigidae · Tytthostonychidae · Xenerodiopidae
- Species: ZipcodeZoo has pages for 4,450 species and subspecies in the Order Ciconiiformes.
Families
Accipitridae
The Accipitridae is one of the two major within the order Accipitriformes (the diurnal birds of prey). Many well-known birds, such as hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures are included in this group. The Osprey is usually placed in a separate family (Pandionidae), as is the Secretary bird (Sagittariidae), and the New World vultures are also usually now regarded as a separate family or order. Karyotype data indicated that the accipitrids hitherto analysed are indeed a distinct monophyletic group, but whether this group should be considered a family of the Falconiformes or one or several order(s) on their own is a matter of taste. [more]
Agnopteridae
Angelinornithidae
Anhingidae
The darters or snake-birds are birds in the family Anhingidae. There are four living species, one of which is near-threatened. The darters are frequently referred to as snake-birds because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. [more]
Ardeidae
The herons are wading in the Ardeidae family.There are so far 64 species in this family. Some are called egrets or bitterns instead of herons. Within the family, all members of the genera Botaurus and Ixobrychus are referred to as bitterns, and - including the Zigzag Heron or Zigzag Bittern - are a monophyletic group within the Ardeidae. However, egrets are not a biologically distinct group from the herons, and tend to be named differently because they are mainly white and/or have decorative plumes. Although egrets have the same build as the larger herons, they tend to be smaller. [more]
Balaenicipitidae
The Shoebill, Balaeniceps rex, also known as Whalehead, is a very large -like bird. It derives its name from its massive shoe-shaped bill. [more]
Baptornithidae
Burhinidae
The Stone-curlews or Thick-knees are a group of largely tropical birds,in the family Burhinidae. Despite the group being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate and Australia. [more]
Cathartidae
The New World vulture Cathartidae contains seven species found in warm and temperate areas of the Americas. It includes five vultures and two condors. Excluding Cathartes, all genera are monotypic. [more]
Charadriidae
The bird family Charadriidae includes the , dotterels, and lapwings, about 64 to 66 species in all. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They range in size from the Collared Plover, at 26 grams and 14 cm (5.5 inches), to the Masked Lapwing, at 368 grams (13 oz) and 35 cm (14 inches). [more]
Chionidae
The sheathbills are a of birds, Chionididae. Classified in the wader order Charadriiformes, the family contains one genus, Chionis, with only two species. They breed on sub-Antarctic islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, and the Snowy Sheathbill migrates to the Falkland Islands and coastal southern South America in the southern winter; they are the only bird family endemic as breeders to the Antarctic region. They are also the only Antarctic birds without webbed feet. [more]
Chionididae
The sheathbills are a of birds, Chionididae. Classified in the wader order Charadriiformes, the family contains one genus, Chionis, with only two species. They breed on sub-Antarctic islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, and the Snowy Sheathbill migrates to the Falkland Islands and coastal southern South America in the southern winter; they are the only bird family endemic as breeders to the Antarctic region. They are also the only Antarctic birds without webbed feet. [more]
Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading with long stout bills, belonging to the family Ciconiidae. They are the only family in the biological order Ciconiiformes, which was once much larger and held a number of families. [more]
Cimolopterygidae
Dakotornithidae
Diomedeoididae
Elopterygidae
Enaliornithidae
Falconidae
The falcons and caracaras are around 60 of diurnal birds of prey that comprise the family Falconidae. The family is divided into two subfamiles, Polyborinae, which includes the caracaras and forest falcons, and Falconinae, the falcons, kestrels and falconets. [more]
Fregatidae
The frigatebirds are a family, Fregatidae, of . There are five species in the single genus Fregata. They are also sometimes called Man of War birds or Pirate birds. Since they are related to the pelicans, the term "frigate pelican" is also a name applied to them. They have long wings, tails and bills and the males have a red gular pouch that is inflated during the breeding season to attract a mate. [more]
Gaviidae
The loons (North America) or divers (UK/Ireland) are a group of aquatic birds found in many parts of and northern Eurasia (Europe, Asia and debatably Africa). All living species of loons are members of one genus (Gavia), family (Gaviidae) and order (Gaviiformes) of their own. [more]
Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a of birds in the wader suborder Charadri. It contains two distinct groups, the pratincoles and the coursers. The coursers include the atypical Egyptian Plover, Pluvianus aegyptius, which has sometimes been placed in its own family. The family contains 17 species in five genera. [more]
Jacanidae
For the Melbourne suburb, see . [more]
Laridae
Gulls (often informally seagulls) are in the family Laridae. They are most closely related to the terns (family Sternidae) and only distantly related to auks, skimmers, and more distantly to the waders. Until recently, most gulls were placed in the genus Larus, but this arrangement is now known to be polyphyletic, leading to the resurrection of several genera. [more]
Neocathartidae
Palaelodidae
Pedionomidae
The Plains Wanderer, Pedionomus torquatus, is a unique and is put in a family of its own. It is endemic to Australia. [more]
Pelecanidae
A pelican is a large water with a distinctive pouch under the beak, belonging to the bird family Pelecanidae. [more]
Phaethontidae
Tropicbirds are a , Phaethontidae, of tropical pelagic seabirds now classified in their own order Phaethontiformes. Their relationship to other living birds is unclear, and they appear to have no close relatives. There are three species in one genus Phaethon. They have predominately white plumage with elongated tail feathers and small feeble legs and feet. [more]
Phalacrocoracidae
The family Phalacrocoracidae is represented by some 40 species of cormorants and shags. Several different classifications of the family have been proposed recently, and the number of genera is disputed. [more]
Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos or flamingoes ( pronunciation (help·info)) are gregarious wading birds in the genus Phoenicopterus and family Phoenicopteridae. They are found in both the Western Hemisphere and in the Eastern Hemisphere, but are more numerous in the latter. There are four species in the Americas and two species in the Old World. Two species, the Andean and the James's Flamingo, are often placed in the genus Phoenicoparrus instead of Phoenicopterus. [more]
Plegadornithidae
Plotopteridae
Pluvianellidae
The Magellanic Plover, Pluvianellus socialis, is a rare and unique found only in southernmost South America. It was long placed in with the other plovers in the family Charadriidae, however behavioural evidence suggested they were distinct, and molecular studies confirmed this, suggesting that they are actually more closely related to the sheathbills, an uniquely Antarctic family. As such it is now placed in its own family, Pluvianellidae. This species is not a long distance migratant, although some birds move further north in southern Argentina in winter. The species breeds inland and then moves to the coast during the winter, particularly to estuaries. [more]
Podicipedidae
A grebe is a member of the Podicipediformes , a widely distributed order of freshwater diving birds, some of which visit the sea when migrating and in winter. This order contains only a single family, the Podicipedidae, containing 22 species in 6 extant genera. [more]
Procellariidae
The Procellariidae is a group of seabirds that comprises the fulmarine petrels, the gadfly petrels, the prions, and the shearwaters. This family is part of the bird order Procellariiformes (or tubenoses), which also includes the albatrosses, the storm-petrels, and the diving petrels. [more]
Protoplotidae
Pseudodontornithidae
Pseudosulidae
Pteroclidae
Pteroclididae
The sandgrouse are a , Pteroclididae, of 16 bird species, the only living members of the order Pteroclidiformes. They are restricted to treeless open country in the Old World, such as plains and semi-deserts. They are distributed across northern, southern and eastern Africa as well as Madagascar; the Middle East, India through to central Asia; and the Iberian Peninsula. Sandgrouse are traditionally placed in two genera. Two central Asian species in Syrrhaptes, and the rest in Pterocles, but recent research casts some doubt on this division. [more]
Rostratulidae
Painted snipes are three distinctive species in the family Rostratulidae. The family is composed to two genera, Rostratula and Nycticryphes. The Australian Painted Snipe is often treated as a subspecies of the Greater Painted Snipe. While they superficially resemble true snipes, they are considered to be more closely related to the jacanas. [more]
Sagittariidae
The Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a large, mostly terrestrial . Endemic to Africa, it is usually found in the open grasslands and savannah of the sub-Sahara. Although a member of the order Accipitriformes, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, buzzards, vultures, and harriers, it is given its own family, Sagittariidae. [more]
Scaniornithidae
Scolopacidae
The Scolopacidae are a large family of , (known as shorebirds in North America). Many of the smaller species are often called "sandpipers", especially members of genera Calidris, Tringa and Actitis. Other well-known groups include curlews and snipes. The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. [more]
Scopidae
The Hammerkop (Scopus umbretta), also known as Hamerkop,Hammerkopf, Hammerhead, Hammerhead Stork, Umbrette, Umber Bird, Tufted Umber, or Anvilhead, is a medium-sized wading (56 cm long, weighing 470 g). The shape of its head with a curved bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, hence its name. [more]
Spheniscidae
Penguins ( Sphenisciformes, family Spheniscidae) are a group of aquatic, flightless birds living almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere, especially in Antarctica, where they are most well-known for living. Highly adapted for life in the water, penguins have countershaded dark and white plumage, and their wings have become flippers. Most penguins feed on krill, fish, squid, and other forms of sealife caught while swimming underwater. They spend about half of their life on land and half in the oceans. [more]
Sulidae
The family Sulidae comprises the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. The species in this family are often considered congeneric, placing all in the genus Sula. However, bones of Sula (boobies) and Morus (gannets) at least can in most cases be readily distinguished, and Abbot's Booby has traits of morphology and behavior not found in any other species and appears to be an ancient lineage maybe closer to the gannets than to the true boobies (Friesen et al. 2000). [more]
Telmabatidae
Telmatornithidae
Teratornithidae
Thinocoridae
The seedsnipes are a , Thinocoridae, of small gregarious waders which have adapted to a herbivorous diet. The family is divided into two genera, Attagis and Thinocorus, each containing two species. The family has a South American distribution, in the Andean and Patagonian regions. The relationships with other families within the order Charadriiformes are uncertain, it has been suggested that the Plains Wanderer of Australia, the jacanas and the painted snipes are their closest relatives. The Plains Wanderer in particular has a similar feeding ecology, although differs markedly in breeding biology. The family's common name is misleading, as they do not resemble true snipe, having short bills on small heads, and seeds do not form a major part of the diet. [more]
Threskiornithidae
The Threskiornithidae includes 34 species of large terrestrial and wading birds, falling into two subfamilies, the ibises and the spoonbills. It was formerly known as Plataleidae. The spoonbills and ibises were once thought to be related to other groups of long-legged wading birds in the order Ciconiiformes, including the storks, the herons, and the bitterns. But recent study suggest that they belong to the Pelecaniformes. Whether the two subfamilies are reciprocally monophyletic is an open question. The South American Checklist Committee's entry for the Threskiornithidae includes the following comment "Two subfamilies are traditionally (e.g., Matheu & del Hoyo 1992) recognized: Threskiornithinae for ibises and Plataleinae for spoonbills; because the main distinction has to do with bill shape, additional information, especially genetic, is required to recognize a major, deep split in the family." ([1]) [more]
Torotigidae
Tytthostonychidae
Xenerodiopidae
More info about the Family Xenerodiopidae may be found here.
References
- ^ a b Remsen, J. V., Jr.; C. D. Cadena; A. Jaramillo; M. Nores; J. F. Pacheco; M. B. Robbins; T. S. Schulenberg; F. G. Stiles; D. F. Stotz & K. J. Zimmer. 2007. A classification of the bird species of South America. South American Classification Committee. Retrieved on 2007-10-15
- ^ Sibley, Charles G. and Burt L. Monroe. 1990. Distribution and Taxonomy of the Birds of the World. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-04969-2. Accessed 2007-04-11.
- ^ Sibley, Charles G., and Jon E. Ahlquist. 1991. Phylogeny and Classification of Birds: A Study in Molecular Evolution. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-04085-7. Accessed 2007-04-11.
- ^ Ericson, Per G. P.; Anderson, Cajsa L.; Britton, Tom; Elzanowski, Andrzej; Johansson, Ulf S.; Kallersjö, Mari; Ohlson, Jan I.; Parsons, Thomas J.; Zuccon, Dario & Mayr, Gerald (2006): Diversification of Neoaves: integration of molecular sequence data and fossils. Biology Letters online: 1-5. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2006.0523 PDF preprint Electronic Supplementary Material (PDF)
Footnotes
- ^ "A Phylogenomic Study of Birds Reveals Their Evolutionary History". Shannon J. Hackett, et al. Science 320, 1763 (2008).
- ^ a b Remsen, J. V., Jr.; C. D. Cadena; A. Jaramillo; M. Nores; J. F. Pacheco; M. B. Robbins; T. S. Schulenberg; F. G. Stiles; D. F. Stotz & K. J. Zimmer. 2007. A classification of the bird species of South America. South American Classification Committee. Retrieved on 2007-10-15
- ^ Sibley, Charles G. and Burt L. Monroe. 1990. Distribution and Taxonomy of the Birds of the World. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-04969-2. Accessed 2007-04-11.
- ^ Sibley, Charles G., and Jon E. Ahlquist. 1991. Phylogeny and Classification of Birds: A Study in Molecular Evolution. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-04085-7. Accessed 2007-04-11.
- ^ Ericson, Per G. P.; Anderson, Cajsa L.; Britton, Tom; Elzanowski, Andrzej; Johansson, Ulf S.; Kallersjö, Mari; Ohlson, Jan I.; Parsons, Thomas J.; Zuccon, Dario & Mayr, Gerald (2006): Diversification of Neoaves: integration of molecular sequence data and fossils. Biology Letters online: 1-5. doi :10.1098/rsbl.2006.0523 PDF preprint Electronic Supplementary Material (PDF)
- ^ Tarsometatarsus fragments somewhat similar to Mycteria: Cione et al. (2000), Noriega & Cladera (2005)
- ^ Specimen MEF 1363: Incomplete skeleton of a large stork somewhat similar to Jabiru but apparently more plesiomorphic: Noriega & Cladera (2005)
- ^ Specimens BMNH 39741 (holotype, left proximal tarsometatarsus) and BMNH 39734 (right distal tibiotarsus). Similar to Ephippiorhynchus and Leptoptilos, may be from a small female of Leptoptilos falconeri, from L. dubius, or from another species: Louchart et al. (2005)
- ^ Distal radius of a mid-sized Ciconia or smallish Mycteria: Steadman et al. (1994)
- ^ a b Schmaltz Hsou (2007)
- ^ Friedwald & Beck (1981)
- ^ Strabo refers to this in Geography Book V, Section II, Part 4.
- ^ Line 1355 and following.
- ^ [1]
Sources
- The text on this page is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It includes material from Wikipedia retrieved Thursday, August 13, 2009.
- Photographs on this page are copyrighted by individual photographers, and individual copyrights apply.
- The GMapImageCutter is used under license from the UCL Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis.
- The technology underlying this page, including the Image Browser and controls behind Keep Exploring, is owned by the BayScience Foundation. All rights are reserved.