Groups
Birds of prey
Also known as "raptors" (based off the Latin raptare, which means "to seize and carry off"), birds of prey go after other animals for food. Vultures, hawks, eagles, and falcons are all considered birds of prey, eagles being the largest and strongest of the four. All birds of prey have hooked beaks as well as talons which allows them to easily grab and tear prey. Most birds of prey have brown, grey or white feathers that often share colors of the landscapes they inhabit. The tail of a bird of prey reflects how they fly: species that rely heavily on maneuverability over speed have broad tails and species that rely on speed have short tails. There are around 300 species of birds of prey.
Sources: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/66516/bird-of-prey, http://animals.about.com/od/birdsofprey/p/birdsofprey.htm
Also known as "raptors" (based off the Latin raptare, which means "to seize and carry off"), birds of prey go after other animals for food. Vultures, hawks, eagles, and falcons are all considered birds of prey, eagles being the largest and strongest of the four. All birds of prey have hooked beaks as well as talons which allows them to easily grab and tear prey. Most birds of prey have brown, grey or white feathers that often share colors of the landscapes they inhabit. The tail of a bird of prey reflects how they fly: species that rely heavily on maneuverability over speed have broad tails and species that rely on speed have short tails. There are around 300 species of birds of prey.
Sources: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/66516/bird-of-prey, http://animals.about.com/od/birdsofprey/p/birdsofprey.htm
Cavity-nesting birds
There are about 85 species of North American birds that create nesting holes, use natural holes from decay, or use holes made by other species inside trees. Cavity-nesting birds often reside inside dead trees which aren't considered visually pleasing by forest managers and are often ordered to be cut down. Most cavity-nesting birds eat primarily insects and play a huge role in keeping insect populations down.
Source: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/Spfo/pubs/wildlife/nesting_birds/index.htm
There are about 85 species of North American birds that create nesting holes, use natural holes from decay, or use holes made by other species inside trees. Cavity-nesting birds often reside inside dead trees which aren't considered visually pleasing by forest managers and are often ordered to be cut down. Most cavity-nesting birds eat primarily insects and play a huge role in keeping insect populations down.
Source: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/Spfo/pubs/wildlife/nesting_birds/index.htm
Herons and relatives
Herons, storks, and their relatives have sharp bills and long legs that are suited for wading in freshwater wetlands. This group can be collectively referred to as the Ciconiiformes. The Ciconiiformes consist of about 115 species. Most members are hunters that slowly stalk their prey before making a quick strike using their bill. Some storks can be as tall as feet measuring from bill to tail. Most herons, storks, and their relatives have long flexible toes with no webbing. This makes it easier for them to stand in mud and allows them to perch. All Cicniiformes are carnivores and most eat fish, amphibians, and insects.
Source: http://animals.about.com/od/heronsandrelatives/p/herons.htm, http://animals.about.com/od/birds/p/ciconiiformes.htm
Herons, storks, and their relatives have sharp bills and long legs that are suited for wading in freshwater wetlands. This group can be collectively referred to as the Ciconiiformes. The Ciconiiformes consist of about 115 species. Most members are hunters that slowly stalk their prey before making a quick strike using their bill. Some storks can be as tall as feet measuring from bill to tail. Most herons, storks, and their relatives have long flexible toes with no webbing. This makes it easier for them to stand in mud and allows them to perch. All Cicniiformes are carnivores and most eat fish, amphibians, and insects.
Source: http://animals.about.com/od/heronsandrelatives/p/herons.htm, http://animals.about.com/od/birds/p/ciconiiformes.htm
Ostriches and relatives
Ostriches are large and flightless birds that prefer to run rather than fly. They are capable of running up to 40 miles per hour and can cover 10 to 16 feet in one stride. Ostriches are one of the heaviest bird species, weighing up to 400 pounds. Females are brown and gray and males are black and white. Ostriches are unique for having only two toes on each foot as well as a 4 inch claw on each foot. They are omnivores but eat mostly plants; leaves, seeds, and roots are common food for an ostrich. Ostriches are social birds and can sometimes be in flocks of up to over 100 members, but most flocks have around 10 members. Pecking orders exist in flocks, with the dominant male protecting the flock's territory as well as a dominant female. Most ostriches live to be 30 to 40 years old, but some can live to be over 50 years old.
Source: http://www.livescience.com/27433-ostriches.html
Ostriches are large and flightless birds that prefer to run rather than fly. They are capable of running up to 40 miles per hour and can cover 10 to 16 feet in one stride. Ostriches are one of the heaviest bird species, weighing up to 400 pounds. Females are brown and gray and males are black and white. Ostriches are unique for having only two toes on each foot as well as a 4 inch claw on each foot. They are omnivores but eat mostly plants; leaves, seeds, and roots are common food for an ostrich. Ostriches are social birds and can sometimes be in flocks of up to over 100 members, but most flocks have around 10 members. Pecking orders exist in flocks, with the dominant male protecting the flock's territory as well as a dominant female. Most ostriches live to be 30 to 40 years old, but some can live to be over 50 years old.
Source: http://www.livescience.com/27433-ostriches.html
Parrots
The diverse group of parrots contains over 350 species. Despite the diversity, parrots share some similarities: all parrots have curved beaks and four toes on each foot. And the diet of most parrots consists of fruit, flowers, buds, nuts, seeds, and insects. Parrots can be found in warm climates in Australasia, Central America, and South America. Parrots are well known for their mimicry of human speech, the African grey parrot being the most accomplished. Most parrots are social and communicate with each other by screeching and squawking.
Source: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/parrot/, http://www.livescience.com/28071-parrots.html, http://www.idausa.org/campaigns/wild-free2/the-truth-about-parrots-as-pets/
The diverse group of parrots contains over 350 species. Despite the diversity, parrots share some similarities: all parrots have curved beaks and four toes on each foot. And the diet of most parrots consists of fruit, flowers, buds, nuts, seeds, and insects. Parrots can be found in warm climates in Australasia, Central America, and South America. Parrots are well known for their mimicry of human speech, the African grey parrot being the most accomplished. Most parrots are social and communicate with each other by screeching and squawking.
Source: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/parrot/, http://www.livescience.com/28071-parrots.html, http://www.idausa.org/campaigns/wild-free2/the-truth-about-parrots-as-pets/
Pelicans and relatives
Pelicans (or Pelicaniformes) have evolved webbed feet that are adapted for catching fish. Many species will dive in the water to catch prey. They have a pouch on their lower bill which allows them to scoop up fish. Some species that are most fit for diving underwater ingest stones that allows them to dive more efficiently. The flightless cormorant has lost its ability to fly because it has adapted extremely well to diving.
Source: http://animals.about.com/od/pelicansandrelatives/p/pelicaniformes.htm
Pelicans (or Pelicaniformes) have evolved webbed feet that are adapted for catching fish. Many species will dive in the water to catch prey. They have a pouch on their lower bill which allows them to scoop up fish. Some species that are most fit for diving underwater ingest stones that allows them to dive more efficiently. The flightless cormorant has lost its ability to fly because it has adapted extremely well to diving.
Source: http://animals.about.com/od/pelicansandrelatives/p/pelicaniformes.htm
Perching birds
Perching birds, or the passerines, are the most diverse of all bird groups. There is estimated to be over 5,500 species and they account for over half of bird species. Perching birds have unique feet that allows them to effortlessly grasp branches, twigs, reeds, and grass stems. Some can even grasp vertical services including rocks and trees. Their feet are made of four toes, three face forward and one faces backward. Perching birds can move each toe independently and their back toe is the strongest and helps the birds maintain a tight grip. They can sing complex songs thanks to their highly-developed voiceboxes (syrinx). Perching birds usually feed on seeds and invertebrates.
Source: http://animals.about.com/od/perching-birds/p/perching-birds.htm
Perching birds, or the passerines, are the most diverse of all bird groups. There is estimated to be over 5,500 species and they account for over half of bird species. Perching birds have unique feet that allows them to effortlessly grasp branches, twigs, reeds, and grass stems. Some can even grasp vertical services including rocks and trees. Their feet are made of four toes, three face forward and one faces backward. Perching birds can move each toe independently and their back toe is the strongest and helps the birds maintain a tight grip. They can sing complex songs thanks to their highly-developed voiceboxes (syrinx). Perching birds usually feed on seeds and invertebrates.
Source: http://animals.about.com/od/perching-birds/p/perching-birds.htm
Representative organism: American crow
- Scientific name: Corvus brachyrhynchos
- Class: Aves
- American crows are large, intelligent, black birds with hoarse voices
- They are omnivores and eat a huge range of foods: grains, seeds, fruit, berries, mice, insects, turtles, crayfish, mussels, clams, and many other animals/plants
- American crows do not breed until they are at least two years old, usually young crows help their parents raise their younger crows for a few years
- Crow families may contain up to 15 individuals
- For some areas, crows can have "double lives"; a crow keeps a territory year-round with its extended family that live and forage together but will eventually leave to join large flocks
- Families of crows fly in the same flocks, but do not stick together
- Crows are very intelligent and have been known to follow adult birds to their nests to steal food
- A group of crows were once spotted distracting an otter to steal its fish, and another group followed ducks to steal minnows the ducks chased into shallow water
- Crows are capable of making and using tools
Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/american_crow/id