Ornithology

Pelagic (living in the open ocean), palmate feet, bill hooked, nostrils tubular, wings long, narrow, mostly black and grey

Procellariiformes (Albatross)

Mostly aquatic, incumbant helix, long necks

Pelecaniformes (Ibis, Pelican)

Aquatic, feet palmate, hallux elevated, bill lamellate (or serrate), bill broad and depressed with nail-like hook

Anseriformes (Ducks)

feet raptorial, bill sharp, strongly hooked with cere

Accipitriformes (osprey)

Raptor-like, but talons and beak not as sharp. Largely bare heads, mostly black

Cathartiformes (black vulture)

Feet raptorial, bill sharp, hooked with cere, wings and tail pointed

Falconiformes (Laughing Falcon)

Body plump, wings short, bill stout, short, and decurved. Feet strong, tarsi scutellate or feathered

Galliformes (Crested Guan)

Size variable, long legs, tail short. Nostrils perforate (see right through septum)

Gruiformes (Grey-throated wood rail)

Aquatic, feet palmate or semipalmate. Features variable, especially bill.

Charadriiformes (Laughing Gull)

Bill is small and slender with an operculum. Wings and tail long

Columbiformes (Doves and Pigeons)

Bill strongly hooked, decurved with cere. Toes long and feet zygodactyl. Usually brightly colord

Psittaciformes (Parrots)

Bill usually long, tail long, and graduated—feet zygodactyl.

Cuculiformes (Cuckoos and Anis)

Feet raptorial, bill hooked, decurved with cere, plumage soft

Strigiformes (Owls)

Bill is short, but the gape is wide. Rictal bristles, and have wings that are long and pointed. Feet are small and weak, and plumage is soft.

Caprimulgiformes (Common Pauraque)

Two groups are very different. Feet are small and weak

Apodiformes

Bill hooked, decurved with several "teeth" in upper mandible. Tail long and species in order are often brightly colored.

Trogoniformes (Orange-bellied Trogan)

Bill long, straight, compressed. Feet small and weak, syndactyl. The head is often crested, and most species are tropical.

Coraciiformes (Motmots and Kingfishers)

Bill long, straight, chisel-like. Rectrices acuminate (ends in sharp, stiffened tips). Feet strong, zygodactyl.

Piciformes (woodpeckers)

Passeriformes:

The largest group, perching birds. Bills, tails, and wings vary. Feet anisodactyl.

Passeriformes, small, round, flat heads, no neck, sexually dimorphic

Pipridae, Manakins

Passeriformes, perched, rictal bristles, tend to be yellow

Tyrannidae, Flycatchers

Passeriformes, shorter, needle-like beak, longer neck than manikins, erratic, found up high.

Parulidae, Warblers

Passeriformes, Mid-story/ground, typically have eyerings, long legs, forage on ground

Turdidae, Thrushes

Passeriformes, conical beak to crush seeds, in bromeliads, bouncy flight, sexually dimorphic, in pairs usually.

Fringillidae, Finches

Passeriformes, Larger than warblers, brightly colored, sexually dimorphic, shorter legs than thrush, larger eyes, medium-sized bill

Thraupidae, Tanagers

Passeriformes, mostly black, sender long tail feathers, larger and medium legs

Icteridae, Cowbirds and Montezuma Orapendulum

Deepley keeled beak and a large fleshy tongue for filter feeding

Phoenicoteriformes (Flamingoes)

Solid, heavy bones. Winges modified into stiff, flay flippers. Webbed feet set well back on the body. Short, stiff feathers repel water

Sphenisciformes (Pinguins)

Chicken-like, can fly, highly colored eggs

Tinamiformes (Tinamu)

Largest birds in the world. Loose-feathered wings. Powerful legs, each with two toes, only has one claw

Struthinoiformes (Ostrich)