Order Ciconiiformes

Order Ciconiiformes

Ciconiiformes is an order of long-legged wading birds. They get their name from the Latin word ciconi, meaning "stork". Some of the birds in this order are Herons, Flamingoes, Ibises, and Spoonbills. Very long legs and necks are characteristic of this group - so long they tend to droop when the birds fly. Most of these birds have very long, narrow beaks. Once they've dug it out of the mud or out from under a stone, they can often use their beaks to grab their food without having to stick their head under water. They tend to stand still for long periods while they're hunting, and then make a quick jab to catch a careless fish or whatever they prefer to eat. These birds are good at perching, and most of them nest in trees, often in large colonies. The chicks hatch naked and helpless, and they are much safer from predators up off the ground. The parents feed and care for them in the nest until they are ready to fly. Four families of this order occur in North America. Except for some northern species, most are permanent residents who don't have to migrate to warmer climates. Some live only around oceans, while others live near fresh water. [LH] {BA} {LE}