About Boobies, Cormorants and Frigatebirds

Overview

Suliformes unite the boobies and gannets (Sulidae), cormorants and shags (Phalacrocoracidae), the anhingas (Anhingidae) and the frigatebirds (Fregatidae), 54 mainly tropical seabirds and waterbirds. They are foot-propelled divers (except the aerial frigatebirds) with webbed feet and, in frigatebirds, the most extreme sexual dimorphism of any bird. They are consummate fishers of warm seas.

Classification

The order Boobies, Cormorants and Frigatebirds (Latin: SULIFORMES) comprises 4 families and roughly 54 living species. It is one of 44 orders that make up the class Aves.

Diversity & Distribution

Suliformes unite the boobies and gannets (Sulidae), cormorants and shags (Phalacrocoracidae), the anhingas (Anhingidae) and the frigatebirds (Fregatidae), 54 mainly tropical seabirds and waterbirds.

Notable Families

Cormorants, Shags, Gannets, Boobies, Frigatebirds, Anhingas, Darters and others.