> Animal Profiles> Birds> Herons and Relatives

Herons and Relatives (Order Ciconiiformes)
Herons and their relatives (Order Ciconiiformes) are wading birds that have long necks, large bodies, long legs, and strong, specialized bills. These adaptations make Ciconiiformes well-suited for their wetland habitats.

Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)
The roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) is a unique wading bird that has a long 'spatulate' or 'spoon-shaped' bill that is flattened at the tip into a broad disk shape.

Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber)
The scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) is a South American wading bird that belongs to the same order as herons, spoonbills, and storks. The scarlet ibis is most noted for its vibrant scarlet coloration, which it derives from its diet of shrimp and other crustaceans.

Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex)
The shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) is an intriguing looking bird that inhabits central Africa. It is a massive bird, growing to heights of 3-1/2ft to 4-1/2ft tall.