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Wild About Illinois Birds
Loons, Storks, Darters and Cormorants
Family and Species Gallery
Order Gaviiformes - These birds have short legs that are placed far back on the body. They have webbed feet and are good divers. The young are able to leave the nest a short time after hatching. The loons are members of this order of birds.
Family Gaviidae (Loons) - The loons are large swimming birds that can dive for their food. The must tread water quickly to push themselves into flight and cannot lift off the water like certain duck species. They appear to be hunchbacked in flight. Males and females have the same appearance.
red-throated loon (Gavia stellata)
Pacific loon (Gavia pacifica)
common loon (Gavia immer)
Order Ciconiiformes
Family Ciconiidae (Storks)
wood stork (Mycteria americana)
Order Suliformes
Family Anhingidae (Darters)
anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)
Family Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants) - Cormorants are larger than ducks and have an aquatic lifestyle. They have a black body and belly, green eyes and a long tail. Both sexes are alike in appearance. The bill is thin with a downward hook at the tip. Members sit straight up while resting at the water's edge. They fly in straight lines or a "Y" formation and do not make noises while in flight. When swimming, they float low in water.
double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)
Neotropic cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)