Aves Family Characteristics Guide

Anatidae [Ducks, Geese, & Waterfowl]:

Collectively called waterfowl and are typically found on inland waters, although some are found in fast-moving water bodies and on the ocean

Most species are omnivorous, some focus on fish or shellfish year-round

Variable nest sites; with relatively large clutch sizes precocial offspring

Plumage coloration of males and females is similar in swans and geese, but ducks typically differ, sometimes quite strongly

Ducks are either species that typically submerge, using feet for propulsion (“divers”) or reach for food underwater with their tail in the air (“dabblers”). Divers run along water when taking off; dabblers can spring directly off the water.

Podicipedidae [Grebes]:

Small to medium sized diving birds that occupy a range of aquatic ecosystems

Most eat aquatic organisms, ranging from invertebrates to small fish and amphibians

Nest is a floating mass of vegetation with precocial young

Have lobate toes – not the same as webbed feet – with feet set back on body as an adaptation for diving so they have poor mobility on land

Rallidae [Rails, Gallinules, & Coots]:

Short-tailed, stubby-winged, shy birds that are mostly solitary

Laterally compressed bodies that allow them to slip through narrow spaces (“skinny as a rail”)

Omnivorous, and highly territorial; easy to hear but can be hard to see

Variable clutch sizes (1-18 eggs) and semi-precocial offspring

Laridae [Gulls, Terns, & Skimmers]:

Small to large web-footed waterbirds with very diverse foraging strategies

They are generally found near water, and most species occur in coastal areas

Gulls are opportunistic omnivores and eat almost anything; terns are piscivorous and capture prey by plunge-diving

Typically nest in colonies, but age at first breeding may be delayed until 2-5 years of age; gulls have many plumage variations based on age

Small (1-4) clutch sizes of semi-precocial young attended by both parents

Haematopodidae [Oystercatchers]:

Long, laterally compressed reddish-orange bill, yellow eyes, and orange eye rings

Typically found on rocky coasts or tidal flats

Eat bivalve mollusks by prying open shells with bill

Nest is a scrape on the shore with 1-4 eggs; precocial young leave nest within 24 hours

Phalacrocoracidae [Cormorants and Shags]:

Large waterbirds that are shaped like elongated geese and have totipalmate feet

Eat fish and some invertebrates caught underwater via foot-propelled pursuit

Colonial nester starting at 2-5 years of age, using cliffs or islands

Pelecanidae [Pelicans]:

Large waterbirds with huge bills, large distensible pouches, and totipalmate feet

Primarily eat fish by plunge-diving or by swimming

Typically colonial nests with delayed breeding until 2-5 years of age

Alcidae [Auks, Murres, and Puffins]:

Compact bodies with short wings, tails, and legs

Eat small marine fish and invertebrates

Most nest colonially on coast; Marbled Murrelets move far inland to nest in trees/on ground

Gaviidae [Loons]:

Large diving birds with pointed, dagger-like bills

Eat mostly fish and crustaceans caught in underwater pursuit

Legs set far back on body like other diving birds, so poor locomotion on land

Columbidae [Pigeons & Doves]:

Small to medium sized birds with small feet and head

Typically found in open areas, with some exceptions

Only North American bird group that can continuously suck up water; other birds have to dip bill, pick up head, and let water run down throat)

Charadriidae [Plovers & Lapwings]:

Small ground birds with upright posture, large eyes, rounded heads, and thick bills

Typical of open areas such as tundra, coastlines, prairies, and mudflats

Have very small or vestigial hind toes that separating them from traditional sandpipers (Scolopacidae)

Odontophoridae [New World Quail]:

Small to medium sized birds with stout, decurved bill, chicken-like bill

Birds typically have a plump, almost rounded appearance

Have explosive flushing, but prefer to spend time on ground, and often run from danger first

Phasianidae [Pheasants, Grouse, & Allies]:

Well-developed for walking on ground

2. Often flush for short distances before landing and running again

Three long, forward-pointing toes for scratching the earth; many species have rear-facing spurs too (especially males)

Caprimulgidae [Nightjars and Allies]

Medium sized nocturnal/crepuscular birds more often heard than seen

Typically dark in coloration, with intricate patterns and cryptic coloration

Have a broad gape that is used to capture insects on the wing, sometimes vertebrates in larger species outside of North America (!)

Referred to as goatsuckers because of erroneous belief they sucked dry milking goats at night

Apodidae [Swifts]

Small to medium sized aerial foragers that have a sickle-shaped wings and dark plumage

Feet are especially tiny, leading to family name that means “without feet”

Most aerial of bird families; drink, bathe, copulate, and spend the night in the air

Trochilidae [Hummingbirds]

Set apart by other birds by their tiny size, slender bills, and hovering wings

Males have iridescent patches of brightly colored feathers (called gorgets) used in courtship and territorial displays

Dependent almost entirely on nectar for food, and this group only found in New World

Strigidae [Typical Owls]

Nocturnal carnivorous predators with hooked bills and needle sharp talons they use to catch prey after an aerial approach

Forage mainly by perching and quietly watching for prey; smaller species typically focus on insects whereas larger species target mammals

Large eyes and facial discs are distinctive relative to almost all diurnal hawks

Most species nest in some sort of cavity

Falconidae [Falcons]

Specialize on a wide array of animal prey, from grasshoppers and voles to bats and flying birds

Most have a “tomial tooth” on bill which is a notch in the cutting edge of the upper bill for dispatching prey

Characteristic of open areas, like grasslands, seashores, and tundra, but some are forest dwellers

Falcons as a family are more closely related to parrots then they are to other diurnal raptors

Acciptridae [Hawks, Eagles, and Kites]

Diverse flight styles from soaring like buteos to deft maneuvering through woodlands by accipiters

Most have a generalized carnivorous diet, but there are some that are specialized on birds, palm fruit, or even bone marrow (some vultures)

Many species are long-distance migrants and move conspicuously in large flocks during the day

Carthartidae [New World Vultures]

Small family of 7 species that superficially similar to the Old World vultures (which are classified in the Accipitriformes)

Have adaptations for scavenging on dead vertebrates and thus have excellent vision and/or an excellent sense of smell to locate food

Using energy-efficient soaring and gliding for locomotion and are proficient at finding thermals; may travel 100s of kilometers without flapping

Alcedinidae [Kingfishers]

Occupy waterways and wood areas, and use their large bills to capture prey

Most species nest in burrows in banks or termite nests

At least 1/3 of the species in this family are of conservation concern

Ardeidae [Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns]

Typically inhabit wetland areas, and characteristically strike their pretty with a dagger-like bill

Most species need large trees or isolated islands for nesting, and rookeries can be large

Some species create shade with their wings, or stir up bottom with toes to attract potential prey

Pandionidae [Osprey]

Single species in this family, and it’s found everywhere except Antarctica

Inhabit areas close to shallow waters, where their diet is restricted to fish of all kinds

Dive into water, feet that have spiny pads on highly flexible toes for grasping submerged fish

Picidae [Woodpeckers]

Occur in almost every treed ecosystem (and some treeless areas), feed primarily on arthropods

Skull is reinforced at the base of the bill, stiff, pointed tails, and a zygodactyl toe arrangement (2 toes up and 2 toes down) that help grip vertical surfaces

Seldom reuse the nesting cavities they create, and thus many secondary cavity-nesting species depend on them

Corvidae [Crows, Jays, and Magpies]

Some of the most familiar birds in the world, some with spectacularly brilliant plumage

Have omnivorous diet and are found in almost every ecosystem and land cover type in the world

Many have harsh-sounding calls, although some species are good mimics of other species

Tyrannidae [Tyrant Flycatchers]

Most species in any bird family and represents the suboscine passerines in North America (songbirds that do not learn songs and have different syrinx for vocal production than the oscine passerines)

Are generally energetic birds that feed primarily on insects they capture via sallying behavior

Most have long tails and upright posture; many are drab and can be challenging to identify to species in the field

Hirundindae [Swallows]

Highly specialized aerial insectivores that depend on organisms in air column (=plankton) whose availability varies markedly with weather conditions

Found in almost all open land cover types, often around water

Don’t defend territories like most songbirds so partition their niches relative to where they nest, including sandy burrows, adopted cavities, make mud globes, and open cups

Vireonidae [Vireos and Shrike-Babblers]

Generally small size, with relatively large bills

Found in woodlands and forests and tend to sing for much of, if not all, of the day

Insectivorous, often gleaning prey items of branches and leaves

Usually build a nest cup that is suspended between 2 forked branches

Paridae [Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice]

Found in Northern Hemisphere and are commonly seen during winter months; often come to bird seed feeders

During the non-breeding season usually spend time in mixed-species flocks

Typically nest in cavities with forests and woodlands, sometimes use nest boxes

Aegithalidae [Long-tailed Tits]

Only 11 species globally, but found across 5 continents; only 1 species in North America

Have particularly long tails and move through areas in large groups, vocalizing as they go

Feed on small invertebrates and typically build a globular or pendant nest

Turdidae [Thrushes and Allies]

Generally long-bodied, strong-legged species that spend a lot of time on ground foraging

Feed on a variety of invertebrates year-round, but fruit can be an important diet component in winter in temperate regions

Many are colored in gray, brown, and black earth-toned colors, as well as many that are all or partially blue

Cardinalidae [Cardinals and Allies]

Found in a wide variety of land cover types and ecosystems

Typically have striking plumage in reds, yellows, and blues, particularly for males

Many species have large, seed-eating bills that reflect a dependence on seeds during part of the annual cycle, often the non-breeding season

Bombycillidae [Waxwings]

Only 3 species in family; more reliant on fruit than any other groups in the Northern Hemisphere, including when they feed young

Tiny drops of brightly colored keratin on the trailing edge of wings give the group their name

Particularly conspicuous in the non-breeding season in flocks numbering up to the 1000s

Fringillidae [Finches, Euphonias, and Allies]

Widely variable in their physical traits and plumages, with lots of reds and yellows

Almost all species in the family are fond of fruits and seeds, and they have the uncommon behavior of feeding these food sources to their nestlings

Many species inhabiting cold areas of the Northern Hemisphere are nomadic and travel large distances in search of good seed crops, including conifer seeds

Sittidae [Nuthatches]

Relatively small family (28 species) all of which with short tails, and large, strong feet for moving vertically on tree surfaces

Typically move down trees as they forage, probing small cracks in the bark as they search for small invertebrates, sometimes switching to seeds in the colder months

All are hole nesters, some create their own whereas others use pre-existing cavities

Troglodytidae [Wrens]

All but 1 of the 86 species are found in the New World in almost all ecosystems and land cover types

Relatively drab birds with barring on wings and tail feathers; tails are relatively short and often held vertical or over their back

Energetic birds that have complex and boisterous songs; nest in cavities or crevices

Regulidae [Kinglets]

Only 6 species in family, all found in north temperate forests, usually preferring conifer forests

Glean prey items from variety of substrates and often hover underneath vegetation to snatch overhead insect prey (hover-gleaning)

Often forage in flocks in the non-breeding season, including mixed species flocks, and give high-pitched calls that are difficult to locate

Passerellidae [New World Sparrows]

Found in a range of ecosystems including tundra, desert scrub, tropical rainforest, and many in between

Many species are brown or gray with streaks and stripes

Spend much of their time on the ground or in low vegetation, eating invertebrates and feeding regularly on seeds in the non-breeding season

Parulidae [New World Warblers]

About half are long-distance migrants that winter in the NW tropics and move into the NW temperate areas in the spring

Huge diversity of plumages, from reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, whites, and blacks; however, molting of plumage after breeding leads to confusing plumages in fall

Most are arboreal, feed primarily on insects, and occur in a wide diversity of ecosystem and land cover types

Icteridae [New World Blackbirds]

Widely diverse in their physical appearance and nesting ecology, as well as the land cover types they inhabit

Mostly feed on insects and small invertebrates, as well as fruit, nectars, and seeds and grains

Many species are dark in appearance, or with yellow or red plumage, with some species have iridescent appearance as well

Sturnidae [Starlings]

Mostly dark-colored species with yellows and purples, as well as iridescent plumage

A number are accomplished singers, including some that are particularly good mimics

Highly diverse diet but mostly omnivorous, with a number of species that use their bills to pry open substrates while foraging for invertebrate prey

Passeridae [Old World Sparrows]

Most are granivorous –a diet rich in seeds – with special modifications of the palate and tongue that allows for efficient seed processing

Typically found in open areas, and several species are able to tolerate human activity well

Spend much of their time on the ground, where they forage, but often nest in old cavities or abandoned closed nests