families non passerine

Anatidae

ducks: divers vs dabblers

Phasianidae

grouse: cryptic coloration, arched culmen strengthens bill

Odontophoridae

quail: sexual dimorphism, serrations on lower bill for snipping vegetation

Columbidae

doves, pigeons: white outer tail feathers (diagnostic)

Cuculidae

cuckoos: brood parasitism, zygodactyl toes

Caprimulgidae

nightjars: rictal bristles, large eyes, huge gape, pectinate claw

Apodidae

swifts: elongated wings, very small pamprodactyl feet, stiff rectrices

Trochilidae

hummingbirds: very small feet, iridescence

Rallidae

rails and coots: often mistaken for a duck, distinctive toes

Haematopodidae

oystercatchers: bill for snipping muscles

Scolopacidae

sandpipers: variation in size and bill length

Laridae

gulls and terns: palmate feet, generalist or specialized bills

Podicipedidae

grebes: lobed toes, legs set back on body

Phalacrocoracidae

cormorants: hooked bill, totipalmate feet, gular pouch

Sulidae

gannets: plunge-diving behavior

Pelicanidae

pelicans: extremely large gular pouch

Ardeidae

herons and egrets: S-shaped neck, rapid striking adaptation

Cathartidae

vultures: large nares hunts by smell

Pandionideae

osprey: spiked scales on feet for gripping prey

Accipitridae

hawks: buteos (mammals) vs accipiters (birds: long tails)

Strigidae

typical owls

Tytonidae

barn owls: facial disc, silent flight adaptations, pectinate claw

Coraciidae

kingfishers: sexual dimorphism identification (male vs female), female more colorful.

Picidae

woodpeckers: sex differences by red on head

Falconidae

falcons: tomial tooth, tubercle in nares