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

Gruiformes (cranes, rails, limpkins & coots) American Coot Purple Gallinule rails & coots – lobed and/or long slender toes solitary nesters

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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