Order CoraciiformesFamily AlcedinidaeCoraciiformes - AlcedinidaeFamily Alcedinidae - KingfishersCoraciiformes – MotmotidaeFamily Motmotidae - MotmotsCoraciiformes - CoraciidaeRollersCoraciiformes - MeropidaeFamily Meropidae – Bee-eatersOrder UpupiformesUpupidaeUpupidaePhoeniculidaePheoniculidaeOrder BucerotiformesFamily Bucerotidae - HornbillsOrder Coraciiformes•Kingfisher, Hoopoe, Bee-eater, Motmot, Hornbill and more–300 spp. in 11 families–Largely an Old World and tropical group–Each family has very distinctive traits but all share in common syndactylous toes•Two of three toes are partially fused to make digging easier–Large heads, short necks and colorful plumages–Most diverse order in body weight•Masses ranging from 5.5 g to 4.5 kgFamily Alcedinidae•Kingfishers–95 spp. Worldwide except polar regions–3 species in North America–Boldly colored with blues and greens, and oranges or reds–Large heads with long, pointed bills and stubby tails–Sexually Dimorphic–Females lay up to 10 eggs incubated by male and female•Nest in tree hollows and holes dug into ground or river banks•Dig small tunnels with nest at the end up to 8 m longCoraciiformes - Alcedinidae•Feed mainly on fish but also insects and frogs–Hover or perch over water before diving after fish•Woodland species may eat reptiles and birds–Perch in trees until prey spotted then launch a surprise attack•Prone to predation due to generally small size–Main predators include foxes, raccoons, snakes, small mammals and large birds •Many species are considered threatened–Numbers declining mainly due to habitat loss–Species that inhabit woodlands and forests are declining due to deforestationFamily Alcedinidae - Kingfishers•Among most species, sexes look alike – but not all–Belted kingfisher one of few bird species in which female is more brightly colored than the male•As nestlings, have acidic stomachs to digest bones, scales and shells•By time they leave the nest, stomach chemistry changes–Begin regurgitating pelletsCoraciiformes – Motmotidae•Motmots–10 spp–Neotropical: Mexico to northern Argentina–Small to medium sized birds with broad massive bill •Bill is decurved with serrated edges•Long tail, often see weaker barbs shed, leaving retrices with distinct spatulate-tipped feathersFamily Motmotidae - Motmots•Most are colorful iridescent blues and greens•Range across various habitats – prefer lowlands•Perch upright and remain motionless or wag tail in pendulum like motion•Monogamous breeders•Most nest as single pairs but some form small colonies•Excavate a hole to nest in•Lay 3-5 white eggs, which hatch altricial young who are fed by both parentsCoraciiformes - Coraciidae•Rollers–Primarily found in Africa, distributions from west Europe through India and rest of Asia to East Australia–Primitive condition of the middle ear bone suggests rollers to be a distinct more primitive group of coraciiformes order–Omnivorous–Broad, long wings and broad tail–Juvenile birds resemble adults, brightly colored–Stout, hook tipped bill suited to grasping prey from ground–Courtship displays include rolling acrobatics while flying as well as loud calls–Lay 3-5 white eggs, altricial, incubated by both parentsRollersCoraciiformes - Meropidae•Bee-eaters–26 spp of brightly colored birds–Tropical and semi-tropical regions of Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the South Pacific–Most species are green with red, yellow, blue, or black markings•Some have a black stripe that runs from the eye to the base of the bill–Long sharply pointed black bills and long tailsFamily Meropidae – Bee-eaters•Insectivores – primarily flying insects–Sit on branches and wait for insects to pass–May chase insects or snatch them out of the air–Often eat bees and wasps•Behavior –very social, live in flocks–Builds nests in riverbanks–Cooperative breeders–Both migratory and resident speciesOrder Upupiformes•Hoopoe–2 families in 9 spp.–Widespread in Asia, Europe and parts of North America–Known for foul smelling nests and stench produced by female preen gland•Anti-predator defense system•Deters parasites and acts as antibacterial agent•Smells like rotting meatUpupidae•Eurasian Hoopoe–9 subspecies–Common in India, Asia, Africa and Europe–Medium-sized bird with short legs– long slender decurved bill•Modified musculature allows bill to open while probing ground for insects and small invertebrates–Broad, rounded wings, back and tail barred black and white–Distinctive erectile crest with tipped with blackUpupidae•Habitat–2 basic requirements•Bare ground to forage on •Vertical surfaces with cavities in which to nest•Breeding–Monogamous for duration of breeding season•Female incubates alone–Clutch size varies with location•farther north the bird is the more eggs laid•precocial birth–Territorial •Stab rival birds with their billsPhoeniculidae•Wood Hoopoe and Scimitarbills–8 species–Sub-saharan Africa–Prefer tropical and subtropical wooded habitats–Medium-sized arboreal birds–Generally iridescent black in color–Forceps-like decurved bill – more curved in scimitarbills •Access to arthropod prey in cracks of tree barkPheoniculidae•Not migratory•Males and females look the same•Nest in unlined tree holes•Lay 2-4 eggs which are blue, grey or olive•Monogomous cooperative breeder–Nonbreeding birds help breeding pair incubate eggs and care for chicksOrder Bucerotiformes •Hornbills–54 spp. in 2 families–Old world birds – not found in Americas–Omnivorous–75% of the 54 species are forest dwelling–Long bills help to reach food items from branch extremities–Only birds with first two vertebrae fused together–Only birds with a two-lobed kidneyFamily Bucerotidae - Hornbills•75% of the 54 species are forest dwelling•Long bills help to reach food items from branch extremities•Short rounded wings only capable of short flights•Casque outgrowth atop the bill •Hollow, composed of same keratin as bill•Monogamous, maintain pair bond throughout year–Cooperative breeding•Female seals self inside nesting cavity then molts all feathers at once while incubating eggs–Leaves entrance slit just big enough for male to pass food