Pelicans and Relatives [Pelecaniformes]
Description
Pelecaniformes encompasses a diverse group of medium to large water birds, including pelicans, herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and the hamerkop. These birds are characterized by their long beaks and, in many species, a specialized throat pouch used for catching and holding fish. Found in both freshwater and marine habitats around the world, they typically feed on fish and other aquatic organisms. Members of this order vary widely in their feeding behavior, ranging from diving from the air to scoop up fish to wading through shallow waters.