Long-Legged WADERS of Australasia
The long-legged waders are comprised of the egrets, herons, ibises, spoonbills, storks, and flamingos. They are a diverse group, united by their long legs that enable them to wade for food. The egrets and herons are in the Ardeidae family, while the ibises and spoonsbill belong to Threskiornithidae. These two families belong to the same order and it is considered by some to be the same order as the storks (Ciconiiformes), but DNA information is prompting them to be moved to a different order. The flamingos belong to their own order, Phoenicopteriformes.
Storks
Order Ciconiiformes Family Ciconiidae
Stocks have large and heavy bills. Their nests are also very large and used year after year. They are mute, but clack their bills as a means of communication, especially at or near the nest. They eat insects, worms, fish, and small mammals. They are related to egrets, herons, ibises, and spoonbills, but not to falmingos.
Genus Ciconia
Stork, Black Ciconia nigra Found: Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia
Photographed by: 1) Trisha Shears - the Louisville Zoo 2) Arthur Chapman - Australia
2) Juvenile
Genus Ephippiorhynchus
Stork, Black-necked Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Found: Asia, Australasia
Photographed by: 1) David Cook -Beerwah, Queensland, Australia 2) Dick Daniels at the Central Zoo - Nepal ) Dick - Australia
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