About Pelicans and Allies

Overview

Pelecaniformes include the pelicans (Pelecanidae) and their allies: the herons, egrets, bitterns, ibises, spoonbills and the hamerkop, about 120 species of long-legged, long-necked wading and water birds. Many have a distinctive pouch-bearing or specialised bill used for fishing and probing. They are prominent inhabitants of wetlands, coasts and rivers on every continent except Antarctica.

Classification

The order Pelicans and Allies (Latin: PELECANIFORMES) comprises 5 families and roughly 120 living species. It is one of 44 orders that make up the class Aves.

Diversity & Distribution

Pelecaniformes include the pelicans (Pelecanidae) and their allies: the herons, egrets, bitterns, ibises, spoonbills and the hamerkop, about 120 species of long-legged, long-necked wading and water birds.

Notable Families

Herons, Bitterns, Ibises, Spoonbills, Pelicans, Hamerkop, Shoebill and others.