Anseriformes (Ducks, Geese, Swan) Medium to extra-large birds with stocky bodies, webbed feet, and a flat bill.

. the plumage varies from gray or brown to black and white. May have brightly colored speculums in green, bronze, or blue. Juveniles have duller plumage. Bills are broad and rounded. Front toes are webbed. Inhabit aquatic environments (lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, swamps, marshes.) May nest alongside water, in trees, Herbivorous feed primarily on leaves, stems, flowers, roots, seeds of aquatic vegetation. May also forage for insects, plankton, mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish. Young swan: cygnet (grayish), Female: Pen, Male: Cob Young goose: gosling, Female: Hen, Male: Gander Young duck: duckling, Male: Drake Threats: Overhunting, wetland drainage, pollution

Galliformes(Game Birds) Chicken-like, plump, legs have tarsus? inhabit a diversity of habits including primary forests, deserts, scrub forests, cultivated lands, bamboo thickets and alpine meadows. May nest on the ground or in trees Communicate through behavioral posturing, morphological features, vocalizations and other auditory signals. The types of vocalizations used by gallinaceous birds are numerous and play an important role in communication. Acoustic signaling takes place through the rattling or vibration of feathers of the wing or tail. Some species produce drumming or whirring sounds while in flight. Plant material includes: fruits, seeds, leaves, shoots, flowers, tubers and roots. Animal material includes: arthropods, snails, worms, lizards, snakes, small rodents, avian nestlings and eggs. Male Turkey: Tom Male Chicken: Rooster Threats: overhunting, poisoning

Pelicaniformes(Pelican, Frigatebird) Passeriformes(perching bird) Pelecaniform birds are medium to large aquatic birds with totipalmate feet Passerines have three toes that point forward and one toe that points (all four toes joined by web). Most have distensible gular sac located backward. Hallux(hind toe) always points backward and is never between the branches of the lower mandible. in pelicans the bare sac is reversible. Allows them to perch on many different slender structures such pendulous, and in frigatebirds the large, bare, red gular sac is inflatable. as tree branches, grasses, telephone and fence wires, feeders, or anything Plumage ranges from mostly black with some white to mostly white with that has some type of narrow place to perch. some black. Feet and bare regions of face and gular sac may become Found in grasslands, woodlands, scrublands, forests, deserts, mountains, brightly colored during breeding. Most have desmognathous palate, All and urban environments. Widely scattered throughout arid (dry) to wet, except frigatebirds lack brood patches. and temperate (mild) to tropical climates. Inhabit marine and inland waters. Habitat varies from pelagic to coastal to Nest primarily in trees Generally, nests are made out of sticks or grass on inland freshwater environments. the ground, in trees, and even sometimes in the banks of fast-flowing Nest sites arelocated on the ground, in trees or shrubs, or on cliff ledges. rivers. Nests are often camouflaged in order to conceal them from Nests may be insubstantial scrapes or constructions of twigs and other predators. Altrical young, materials Egg color ranges from white to pale green-blue to red-brown. Seeds, fruits, nectar, insects, small birds, small lizards,marine Feed primarily on fish and squid; may also prey on mollusks, crustaceans, invertebrates carrion (decaying animals), They forage by taking insects from the bark of trees, catching insects as they fly through the air, and amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. Foraging techniques vary from very specialized methods for eating seeds. hunting singly to foraging cooperatively in large groups, from plunge diving to surface diving, from underwater stalking ambushes to aerial and underwater pursuit diving. Charadriiformes(Gulls, Plover, Puffin, SHOREBIRD) They are generally found near water, whether coastal, inland, or on the ocean. Many charadriiforms inhabit wetland areas, both marine and freshwater. Others spend large amounts of time in or near the ocean. Gulls, terns, and alcids are particularly known for their colonial nesting habits. Charadriiformes tend to build fairly simple nests, often just a hollow in the ground lined with a few pebbles or pieces of vegetation. Some charadriiform seabirds nest in rocky cliff areas, and lay their eggs directly on rock ledges without building any nest at all. some murrelets and sandpipers build nests in trees or use nests that have been built and abandoned by other bird species. Generally, females lay between one and four eggs at a time.. Some Charadriiformes, including most shorebirds species, have precocial chicks. Others, such as most seabirds, have altricial chicks. eat primarily fish. The terns dive from the air into water to catch fish near the surface of the ocean. Alcids are good swimmers and swim underwater after their prey. Skimmers fly low over the water and scoop up fish from near the surface.Other Charadriiformes have a diet formed primarily of insects and other invertebrates. Plovers search for insects and other prey using their eyes, and then pick them from the ground with their short bills. Most sandpipers rely largely on the sense of touch, using their long, sensitive bills to locate prey hidden in mud.Plants and other vegetable matter form an important part of the diet. Threats: Oil spills, pollution, hunting, habitat destruction

Podicipediformes(Grebe) Grebes are stocky to narrow-bodied, diving waterbirds. Grebes are medium to large, with short to moderately long bills, short wings, and rudimentary tail lacking stiff retrices. Iris may be scarlet, yellow or brown. Females often smaller in body and bill size. The anterior three toes are individually lobed, elevated hallux is present in most species. Toenails are wide and flat; middle toenail is pectinate (comb-like). Grebes inhabit freshwater ponds and lakes, and slow flowing rivers Northern populations migrate to large inland bodies of water, estuaries, or coastal waters for the winter months. The slightly concave nest of aquatic vegetation floats in shallow water while anchored to rooted aquatic plants. Nests of territorial grebes are usually well dispersed and concealed. Eggs are white or cream colored and clutch size ranges from two to seven eggs. Females lay one egg every one to two days until a clutch is complete. Grebes prey on fish, aquatic insects, crustaceans, mollusks and small vertebrates. Prey fish include: eels, roach tench, minnow trout perch.Insect prey items include: mayflies, stoneflies dragonflies, waterbugs and beetles. Other invertebrate prey species include: molllusks, snails shrimp and crayfish Threats: Hunting/trapping

Falconiformes(Birds of Prey) Armed with powerful talons, hooked bills and acute eyesight. Raptors generally have broad wings well-suited for soaring. Near bodies of water, wetland, grassland, woodland, open, mountain/city Peregrine-skyscraper, city. Cliff ledges, tree, poles, cavities Raptors hunt by day and feed on a variety of prey including fish, small mammals, reptiles and carrion.. Male Hawk/Falcon: Tiercel/Tercel

Cuculiformes (Cuckoos, Roadrunner) Species in this family include common cuckoos, anis, and roadrunners. Most Cuculidae are not colorful; their feathers are gray, black, or brown. They are slender and have narrow bills, long tails, and zygodactyl feet. Members of this family are terrestrial, meaning that some species live on land. They're found in wooded areas, including rainforests where heavy rain produces many trees. They also live in meadows and grassland areas like steppes, where there are few trees. Nest Parasites. Laying eggs in the nest of other cuckoos Common cuckoos are insectivores. Their diet includes hairy caterpillars, dragonflies, beetles, and crickets.

Procellariiformes(Albatross/Shearwater) Tubular nostrils are common to every procellariiform. In the albatross, the nostrils stick out from both sides of the bill. Procellariiforms differ from other birds in that they have a highly developed sense of smell, which helps them locate food and breeding sites. This sharp hook, which is actually formed by a plate, allows the birds to hold onto slippery foods such as fish and squid. Procellariiformes are covered in black, gray, brown, and white feathers. Most have black legs and feet, though the shearwaters' are blue. Procellariiformes have oil in their stomachs that acts as a food source during the long periods between meals. In addition, the oil is used as a defense mechanism. When threatened, chicks and ground-nesting adults regurgitate bring up from the stomach, the oil and spray it over their predators. The oil cools to a waxy substance that damages the feathers of the enemy birds. Tubenosed seabirds are found mostly on islands with few land-based predators. Those that nest on the mainland do so primarily in deserts or mountainsides, where there are fewer predators. Upon hatching the chicks are semi-precocial Larger seabirds such as the albatross eat mostly squid, though they snack on other seabirds and carrion, dead, rotting flesh, as well. They eat the carcasses of seals and whales while the smaller seabirds eat the leftover scraps. All Procellariiformes take advantage of the behavior of whales, dolphins, sharks, and tuna. When these predators push schools of fish close to the surface in order to eat them, tubenosed seabirds dive down and snatch them from the water. Gruiformes(Cranes, Coot, Rails, Gallinules) Most species of Gruiformes are primarily black, gray, or brown in color, and many species have streaked markings. Rails are sometimes greenish or purplish in color. Cranes have black or white feathers, often with distinctive patches of red skin on the head and neck. Cranes have narrow, medium-length bills that they use to search for invertebrates in soft mud. The Gruiformes as a group occupy diverse habitats. Cranes live in freshwater and marine wetlands. Rails live near swamps, marshes, and lakes. Whooping Crane chicks are precocial. The pair constructs a nest of stiff grasses among wetland vegetation, As a group, the Gruiformes eat a wide variety of plant and animal matter.. Cranes have a diverse diet, eating seeds and other vegetable and animal matter, crustaceans. Rails also eat a diverse diet of animal and plant matter.

Strigiformes (Owls) Owls are easy to recognize. They have an almost human appearance, with upright posture, large rounded heads, and large eyes that face forward. The toes can be used in a two-forward, two-backward arrangement for a good grip on prey The feathers are usually gray or brown with spotted or streaky patterns that create a camouflage effect, allowing the owl to blend in with its surroundings. Owls do not build nests, instead they use nests of other species or utilize tree cavities. Some nest on the ground and one species nests in underground burrows dug by mammals. Females are generally larger than males. Owls hunt a wide variety of prey, ranging from small mammals to birds, lizards, and insects; Prey is often swallowed whole, and the fur, feathers, and bones are later regurgitated in pellets Many tropical owl populations are at risk from habitat destruction such as clearcutting and forest fragmentation. Pesticides have also had deleterious effects on owl populations, particularly on local scales when dangerous chemicals are used to control rodents. various conservation groups have started installing nest boxes to facilitate breeding. For the many species that depend on tree cavities or other natural nest sites, only efforts to protect their habitat will ultimately help the owls.

Caprimulgiformes(Goatsucker, Whip-poor-will) Called goatsuckers or nightjars, because European farmers in times past thought the birds mouths were just the right size to latch onto a goats teat and suck out all its milk during the night.

Altricial- referred to as nestlings, altricial birds are either naked or have very sparse down at hatching. Usually have their eyes closed at hatching, are fed by their parents for some period of time, and may stay in the nest for an extended period after hatching. Opposite of precocial. Artificial Breeding Structures- any man-made structure designed to serve as a nesting receptacle for birds, such as bird houses, nest boxes, nest tunnels, etc. Barred-pattern of colouration in which the plumage has alternating dark and light stripes, such as the barred upperparts of the Northern Flicker. Breeding Plumage-term usually referring to the colourful plumage which the males of many species acquire for the breeding season, usually for the purposes of attracting a female mate. In a few species, it is the females which may be more colourful during the breeding season. Breeding Success-occurs when one or more young from a clutch of eggs survives to fledging. Brood-a collective term referring to the young hatched from a single clutch of eggs. Downy Plumage-refers to the plumage of a chick upon hatching. May be thick and soft as in ducklings, or very sparse or absent as in the nestlings of many passerine species. Downy plumage is followed by the development of feathers. Exotic-refers to non-native, or introduced species found within Manitoba, such as the House Sparrow and Rock Dove. Eye Combs-usually brightly coloured regions situated above the eyes of certain species. They have the appearance of a colourful eyebrow, and function in sexual displays and recognition. Family-a taxonomic group comprised of one or more genera. The names of bird families all have the ending -idae. Fledge-young birds are said to have "fledged" when they have completely acquired their first true feathers and have left the nest. They may be referred to as "fledglings" from the time they leave the nest until they are completely independent of all parental care. Genus-(plural genera). A taxonomic group including one or more species. Families are divided into genera. Gular Sac-a skin pouch of the throat found in some species, and most obvious in the pelicans. Nesting pelicans use it for panting, as a means of cooling or lowering body temperature, as well as to hold partially digested fish while the young feed from the pouch. Less conspicuous gular sacs are found in cormorants, owls, pheasants, pigeons and some other groups of birds. Lek-traditional display grounds on which males of certain promiscuous species, such as the Sharp-tailed Grouse, perform courtship displays to attract females. Displaying males defend small territories on the lek, with the more dominant males usually dancing towards the center of the court. Females visit the lek, and select a male for copulation. Length-the distance from the tip of the bill to the tip of the longest tail feather. Lobate-also refxerred to a lobed, this condition refers to feet which are specially adapted for swimming, with a series of lateral lobes on the toes. Most obvious in the grebes. Precocial-precocial birds have their eyes open at hatching, are covered with down, and leave the nest almost immediately after hatching to find food for themselves. Opposite of altricial. Siblicide- behaviour in which a young bird kills its sibling in the nest. Victim is most often the younger, smaller sibling of a clutch, and parents often do nothing to prevent its death. This behaviour is common in some species of raptors Speculum- patch of brightly coloured or metallic secondary feathers of the wings, found in most surface-feeding, or dabbling ducks. Wing Bars-most common in some passerine species; the lighter coloured tips of upper wing coverts which appear as narrow bars in folded wings. Wingspread-the distance from tip to tip of the longest primary feathers of the outstretched wings. Wrist-region of the forewing which points forward; also known as the bend of the wing.

A. perching B. wading C. climbing or clinging D. swimming E. preying

a = anisodactyl, b = zygodactyl, c = heterodactyl, d = syndactyl, & e = pamprodactyl

A. probing flowers for nectar B. drilling into trees for insects C. scooping fish D. catching fish E. straining food from the water F. capturing prey and tearing flesh G. cracking seeds H. capturing worms and insects I. opening seeds from pine cones