1. Gaviiformes
Ciara mergler

2. Loons and divers
Aquatic
Many part of North America and Northern Eurasia
Five species
Yellow-billed loon
Red-throated loon
Black-throated loon
Pacific loon
Common loon

3. Can dive up to 250 ft (75 m)
Decrease buoyancy with solid bones, and by compressing air from their lungs, feathers, and internal air sacs
Strong, webbed feet
Legs are set far back
Cannot walk on land very well

4. Dense plumage
Small pointed wings
Pinlike tail
Fly pretty well, but need a large stretch of water for take off and landing
Eat mainly fish, crustaceans, and insects

5. Ritualized courtship including synchronized diving
Mate for life
Nest at the water’s edge
Parents share incubation
Chick hatch in 30 days and enter the water as soon as their down dries
Begin finding food on their own after the first week
Develop flight feathers around eleven weeks

6. Corvidae

7. Includes the crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws, jays, magpies, treepies, choughs, and nutcrackers
Over 120 described species
Global distribution, excluding arctic and Antarctic

8. Most have mainly black plumage
Medium to large in size, robust build, large wingspan
Strong feet and bills
Bristles around bill
Molt once a year
Very adaptable
Omnivorous

9. Complex courtship ritual
Many mate for life
Some nest communally
Some use cooperative breeding
Females typically incubate eggs, but both parents feed and care for chicks
Altricial young
Young remain in nest for 6-10 weeks

10. Highly intelligent and social
Have demonstrated self-awareness and tool- making abilities
Brain-to-body mass ratio is equal to non- human great apes, and only slightly lower than humans
Known to play games and mimic other animals’ behaviors