 | Quick Facts |  |
|  | Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Ciconiiformes
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Order Ciconiiformes
Flamingos (1)
Murres, Auks & Puffins (3)
Spoonbills & Ibises (1)
Storks (1)
Fifty species of storks and spoonbills are classified together in the order Ciconiformes. Those species vary greatly in their coloration and bill shape. However, they all have long legs for wading in water. They feed by touch, unlike most birds that use eyesight. Storks and spoonbills will hold their open bill in the water until they feel their prey touch the inside of their bill. Then they quickly snatch the prey. This allows them to feed in rough water and muddy water. It also lets them eat during the night, even though they cannot see their prey.
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