"The Ciconiiformes." 18 March 2003 <http://www.earthlife.net/birds/ciconiiformes. html>.

Thomson, A. Landsborough. "Ciconiiform." Encyclopedia Britannica 2003 Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 18 March 2003

The ciconiiformes are an abundant group of wading birds who are mostly associated with areas near shallow water. Within the order, there are six major families, five of which will be discussed here. These are the ardeidae (herons, bitterns, and egrets), balaenicipitidae (shoebill storks), scopidae (hammerhead storks), ciconiidae (storks), and threskiornithidae (ibises and spoonbills). Ciconiiformes can be found all over the globe, except for polar regions, but they prefer warmer parts, especially for mating seasons. Different families populate different regions, but for the most part, these birds can be found in Notrh America, New Zealand, Asia, and are especially concentrated on the Australian continent and in Africa.
Ciconiiformes are primarily large birds who stand one to four feet tall and have wingspans up to eight and a half feet. They have long legs and long, flexible toes with a small amount of webbing designed for easy walking through mudd and water for food. Their bills are designed for hunting also and are usually either long, straight, and pointed, or wide and flat. The most common plummages are white, brown, and black, and often birds in this family have patches of red or blue in their feathers. Sexes look alike for the most part, and immature birds usually vary slightly from their parents.
Behaviorally, ciconiiformes are extremely gregarious birds. They tend to mate, eat, and live communally. Typcially, at the beginning of the mating season, birds gather in large groups, and males perform various mating rituals, which can include strutting and loud vocals, to attract the attention of the females. This happens in large groups, and after it is over, males and females form pair bonds that last thoughout the season. Partners take turns incubating their young, and they usually produce between one and seven eggs. Eating is also a communal experience. These birds prey mainly on fish, though they do also eat insects and small prey, such as frogs. Their fishing hunts are generally handled in groups, though occassionally fights can break out over territory. Ciconiiformes also live together in nests built of sticks, reeds, and vines and lined in mud. They live in colonies near water, and these communities are generally very close.

I. What are ciconiiformes?
II. What are the major groups within this order and how are they distributed?
III. What are the major physical characteristics of birds in this order?
IV. What are the major behavioral characteristics of birds in this order? (i.e. mating rituals, eating habits, habitats)

*For eastern North American representatives, see the following pages in Peterson's Field Guide by Roger T. Peterson: bitterns- 104-105; herons- 100-105; ibises- 108-111; storks- 106-107

1. List four major birds within the ciconiiformes.
2. Briefly describe the main physical features of a member of the ciconiiformes order.
3. What parts of the world are most populated by ciconiiformes?
4. Briefly describe the typical habitat of a ciconiiform and explain why they chose to live in that sort of area.
5. Explain the most overt behavioral characteristic of ciconiiformes in relation to mating behavior, food gathering, and habitats.

White Ibis