Birding: Introduction to Bird Order Ciconiiformes

Six families make up the bird Order Ciconiiformes. Within those families are species of Herons and Bitterns, Storks, Spoonbills and Ibises, and the New World Vultures. Primarily wading birds, with the exception of the vultures, they range from small to large and most have long legs, long flexible necks, dagger-like bills and long, broad wings. Their long legs allow them to wade in the shallow waters of freshwater habitats, in both coastal and interior wetlands. Upright in stance they use their sharp eyesight to scan the water slowly and with deliberation, looking for movement below the surface. Once they spy their prey it is grabbed with a quick thrust of the bill. These birds feed primarily on amphibians, fish, snails, and invertebrates such as crab and crawfish with some of the species feeding on rodents and insects away from water. There are some 60-65 species within this order depending on the taxonomy applied.

Following is an introduction to four of the six families that make up Order Ciconiiformes. These four families contain species that commonly occur in North America. The fifth, Family Scopidae and the sixth, Family Balaenicipitidae, consist of the Hammerkop and the Whale-headed stork which are common to parts of Africa.

Family Ardeidae

Herons, egrets and bitterns make up Family Ardeidae in bird Order Ciconiiformes and can be divided into four main groups: the typical herons (Ardeinae), the night-herons (Nyucticoracinae), the bitterns (Botaurinae) and the tiger-herons (Tigrisomatinae). The first three groups or subfamilies occur in North America while the tiger-herons occur in the neotropics. Most species in this family can be found in interior or coastal wetlands including rivers, marshes and ponds, both freshwater and salt. Strictly carnivorous, these birds feed primarily on fish, crustaceans and amphibians but will also feed on small mammals. The Cattle Egret is the only species in this family that typically feeds in grasslands and dry fields away from water. In addition, the Black-crowned Night Heron will also eat chicks and eggs of other herons and birds. Seasonally monogamous, most breed in colonies and develop nuptial plumes and changes in color during courtship. These birds tend to nest near water in the reeds or bushes, however the larger of the species, such as Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets are often found nesting in rookeries in tall trees. Eggs vary from 2-7 with a 14-35 day incubation period depending on species.

Family Cathartidae

Seven species of vulture make up Family Cathartidae including the Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture and the California condor. Originally considered to be part of Order Falconiformes, New World vultures were later placed in Order Ciconiiformes due to their many similarities to storks. Both New World vultures and storks share similar DNA as well as anatomical similarities and behaviors. Behaviorally, both groups squirt excrement onto their legs, called urohydrosis, which creates a cooling effect when the liquid evaporates. The New World vultures are soaring scavengers that travel long distances in search of carrion. They also have meat tearing beaks, bald heads and necks, and feet that are adapted for walking. These birds form long-term monogamous bonds and nest primarily in caves and cliff crevices, though some are known to nest in trees or on top of abandoned buildings. Vultures lay from 1-3 eggs with a 35-40 day incubation period. Of these species, the California condor is not only the largest flying bird in North America, but is one of the most endangered birds in the world. A captive breeding program has begun to reintroduce these birds back into California and Arizona though so far there have been no successful survivors of offspring to breeding age in the wild.

Family Ciconiidae

There are 19 species of storks that make up Family Ciconiidae in Order Ciconiiformes. Of these 19 species, the Wood Stork is the only one that occurs regularly in North America, while one accidental species, the Neotropical Jabiru, is documented occasionally in Texas. Overall, storks are heavy, long-legged wading birds with a bare head and neck and a slightly down-curved bill. Storks can be seen soaring with vultures, frequent both fresh and saltwater wetlands and share the same urohydrosis cooling behavior as the New World vulture. Storks hunt by touch with their bills moving from side to side in shallow and often muddy waters. They feed primarily on live fish and crustaceans but will also consume small animals and birds as well as scavenge for dead fish and carrion. Breeding pairs usually build nests in large cypress trees or on cliffs and lay from 1-7 eggs with a 27-38 day incubation. The Wood Stork is considered an endangered species in North America with populations plummeting from 150,000 pairs in the early 1900's to about 15,000 pairs today.

Family Threskiornithidae

Of the 33 species of spoonbills and ibises that make up the Family Threskiornithidae, 4 occur in North America. These medium to large aquatic waders have striking plumage and very distinctive bills. Found in a variety of wetlands, these birds consume aquatic insects, small fish, mollusks, crustaceans, amphibians and on occasion small grains and plant matter. Spoonbills, with their flattened and spoon shaped bill, use a sweeping motion through the water as they feed. Ibises stick their long down-curved bill into the mud to find prey. Socially monogamous, most species breed in colonies. Pairs tend to display affection through preening, rubbing their heads together and entwining their necks. Females lay from 1-7 eggs with a 20-31 day incubation period.

Order Ciconiiformes is made up of an interesting and diverse group of birds. The primary concern for the bird species that occur in these families is the continued encroachment on and disappearance of wetlands in North America. Most of the birds within this group depend on the wetland habitat for food, breeding and the continued health and survival of the species.

Sources:

Sibley, David Allen. 2002. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Bird Behavior. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.

Burnie, David & Wilson, Don E. (eds.). 2005. Smithsonian Institution Animal: The definitive visual guide to the world's wildlife. Dorling Kindersley, London & New York.

Perrins, Christopher M. & Elphick, Jonathan. 2003. The Complete Encyclopedia of Birds and Bird Migration. Chartwell Books, Inc. Edison, New Jersey.