Family CICONIIDAE Sundevall, 1836
- Ciconiidae Sundevall, C.J. 1836. Ornithologiskt system. For 1835. Kongliga Vetenskaps Akademiens Handlingar 43-130 [nomen protectum; Ciconiidae Sundevall, 1836 (Ciconia Brisson, 1760) conserved conditionally in preference to Tantalidae Bonaparte, 1831 (Tantalus Linnaeus, 1766 = ? Mycteria), and Mycteriidae Anonymous, 1908 (1831) (Mycteria Linnaeus, 1758) [Art. 79(b)(iii)].
Type genus:
Ciconia Brisson, 1760.Secondary source:
Bock, W.J. 1994. History and nomenclature of avian family-group names. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 222: 1-281 [131]. - Tantalidae Bonaparte, C.L. 1831. Saggio di una distribuzione metodica degli animali vertebrati. Giornale Arcadico di Scienze Lettere ed Arti 49: 3-77 [34] [junior homonym; Tantalidae Bonaparte, 1831 has been replaced by Mycteriidae Anonymous, 1908 (1831) which takes preference from 1831].
Type genus:
Tantalus Linnaeus, 1766 [a junior synonym of Mycteria, Linnaeus, 1758, synonymised with Mycteria Linnaeus, 1758 prior to 1961].Secondary source:
Bock, W.J. 1994. History and nomenclature of avian family-group names. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 222: 1-281 [132]. - Ciconiinae Gray, G.R. 1840. A List of the Genera of Birds, with an indication of the typical species of each genus. London : R. & J.E. Taylor viii 80 pp. [Date published Apr 1840: published before Apr.] [67].
Type genus:
Anastomus Bonnaterre, 1791.Secondary source:
Bock, W.J. 1994. History and nomenclature of avian family-group names. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 222: 1-281 [132].- Melanopelargidae Poche, F. 1904. Ein bisher nicht berücksichttigtes zoologisches Werk aus dem Jahre 1758, in dem die Grundsätze der binären Nomenklatur befolgt sind. Zoologischer Anzeiger 27: 495-510 [498] [Melanopelargidae Poche, 1904 (Melanopelargus Reichenbach, 1852 based on generic names proposed by Möhring, 1752) is one of the few available Poche family-group names as Melanopelargus Reichenbach, 1852 is available as a post-Linnaean name].
Type genus:
Melanopelargus Reichenbach, H.G.L., 1852 [a junior synonym of Ciconia Brisson 1760].Secondary source:
Bock, W.J. 1994. History and nomenclature of avian family-group names. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 222: 1-281 [132]. - Mycteriinae Anonymous 1908. Fourteenth Supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 25(3): 345-399 [363].
Type genus:
Mycteria Linnaeus, 1758.
Introduction
The ciconiids are a unique group of large, long-legged and long-necked wading birds possessing long, stout bills. There are 18 species within six genera; only one species occurs in Australia. All have heavy, yet slim, bodies and wide wingspans. Within the group the principal plumage colour is black and white; the bare parts of many are coloured by yellow, pink or red. Ciconiids lack a syrinx and are therefore mute although harsh honks produced by expelling air through the throat and bill-clattering are used at the nest. All lack the powder down found in other families such as the Ardeidae. In all species the altricial feet are partially totipalmate and have a reduced hallux.
Based on morphology and behaviour there are three distinctive groups. These are separated as tribes within the family. In Mycteriini the adults have a bare head with the bill heavy and slightly down-curved; the plumage has varying pink, yellow or salmon feathers when the birds are breeding. In Ciconiini all have a feathered head and thin but straight bill, while the lower neck is covered by a feather ruff. In Leptoptilini, comprising various species all having a similar external morphology, two are tall and slim with a feathered head, their plumage is black and white, and their bill long and slightly curved; one has a broad fleshy lappet; five have bare or sparingly feathered heads and necks, and heavy bills with are slightly re-curved in two; another two have suspended but inflatable throat pouches.
The family has a cosmopolitan distribution through tropical or subtropical areas. Most are loosely nomadic, following seasonal rains and food availability, only three are regular migrants. Ciconiids may move great distances using their broad wings to attain great heights through soaring and gliding, thus conserving energy. These flights are undertaken with their neck and legs extended, unlike herons.
The habitat of all ciconiids varies; although a large portion of their time is spent in wetlands lagoons and swamps they are not restricted to these areas. They also frequent pastures, woodlands and savannah environments. Feeding is principally in shallow water at the edge of wetlands or sometimes in open pastures. When feeding they utilise a slow stalk and jab procedure, any prey is caught using the bill’s tip and then it is flipped into the mouth and swallowed. The family is mainly a vertebrate predator but they include numerous other foods; in Australia the lone species, Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, feeds principally on fish and frogs, although large insects and snakes are included.
E. asiaticus is monogamous and tends to reuse the same bulky platform nest over many years duration. Other species may change mates at irregular intervals. The male will display at the nest to entice the female, this involves a dance accompanied by much bill rattling. The nest is a large stick structure, becoming up to two metres in diameter, and placed at or near the top of a large tree or tree stag, and is built, refurbished or repaired each year by the mated pair.
Australian birds are solitary nesters. Other species may be loosely colonial, building in a variety of habitats including cliffs, rocky islands and human building or other structures; one nests in dense marshes. All nests are constructed near or over water. Nesting is determined by on water levels and food availability. Each E. asiaticus pair produces between one and three short-oval white and unmarked eggs, although more may be laid by other species. These are incubated by both adults, the incubation lasting between 26–36 days. Care and feeding of the nestling is done by both parents who feed their young by regurgitation, placing the food into the nest where the young can retrieve it. Not all young survive the nestling period of between 50 and 100 days.
General References
Campbell, B. & Lack, E. (eds) 1985. A Dictionary of Birds. Calton : T. & A.D. Poyser xxx 670 pp.
Kahl, M.P. 1971. Social behavior and taxonomic relationship of the storks. Living Bird 10: 151-170
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Nov-2020 | CICONIIFORMES | 19-Aug-2014 | MODIFIED | Dr Wayne Longmore |
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |