Order

Pelecaniformes (Pelicans, herons, ibises, and allies)

Botaurus lentiginosus. Photo: (c) Mike Mosser, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

The Pelecaniformes is an order of medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide. As traditionally—but erroneously—defined, they encompass all birds that have feet with all four toes webbed. Hence, they were formerly also known by such names as totipalmates or steganopodes. Most have a bare throat patch (gular patch), and the nostrils have evolved into dysfunctional slits, forcing them to breathe through their mouths. They feed on fish, squid or similar marine life. Nesting is colonial, but…

— Wikipedia