Ciconiiformes

Ciconiiformes include the storks, herons, egrets, ibis, etc. Ciconiiforms are known from the Late Eocene. They are stork-like forms, mostly large wading birds with large bills.

Physical characters: only a single pair of sternotracheal muscles in the syrinx; 16-20 cervical vertebrae; diastataxic (fifth secondary feather absent, but 5th secondary covert is present); feet not webbed; middle claw laterally expanded, (pectinate in some families); intestinal ceca present, nearly always very small; largely fresh water or terrestrial habitat; not filter feeders, mostly feed on fish, crustacea, insects, carrion; do not swim for food; northerly species migrate; most nest in trees; strong flyers with broad wings; altricial young; generally colonial but use of sound uncommon; social communication by displays and "rituals."