PalaeognathaeTinamiformes - tinamousRatitae (or Struthioniformes)

Struthioniformes - ostrichesRheiformes - rheasCasuariiformes - cassowaries and emusApterygiformes - kiwisAepyornithiformes - elephant birdsDinornithiformes - moas

Characteristics:paleognathous palateopen ilioischiadic foramen of pelvisrhamphothecal groovemale parental care, polygamy, polyandry, polygynysouthern distribution (currently)weak flight or flightless (currently)

Paleognathous palate and rhamphothecal grooves

ilioischidic foramen

closed

open

Tinamiformes - tinamous~45 spp. Central and South America

Examples of tinamou eggs

Struthioniformes - ostrich 1 sp. Africadidactyl, sexually dimorphic

Rheiformes - rheas 3 spp. South Americatridactylup to 60 eggs per clutchruns 60 kph

Casuariiformes Casuariidaecassowaries, 3 sppNew Guinea and Australia, tridactylwattles, casque, spiked inner toemonomorphicforest dwellers

Casuariiformes - DromaiidaeEmus 1 sp. Australiatridactyl, slightly dimorphicgregarious, good tempered

Apterygiformes - kiwis, 3 spp. forests of New Zealandmacrosmatic, poor eyesight, wisker-like oral rictae, nocturnal, hind toe

MonogamousNests in burrows1, rarely 2, eggs per clutch

Distal rhynchokinesisNostril located at tip of bill

Largest egg per body size of all birds

AepyornithidaeElephantbirdsMadagascarextinct

DinornithiformesMoasNew Zealandextinct

NeognathaeGalloanserae

Galliformes - fowlAnseriformes - waterfowl

Neoaves -all other birds

Cracidae - curassows ~38 spp. Central and South America, arboreal

Cracidae - also chachalacas and guans

GalliformesMegapodiidae - mound-builders11 spp, Australia, Malaysiamonomorphicsome with wattels and casquesno incubation, no parental care

Numinidae - guinea fowl7 spp Africa, Madagascarmonomorphic, casques, wattlesgregarious, savannahs

Phasianidae~200 spp. cosmopolitanstrongly sexually dimorphic

Phasianinae - pheasants

Phasianidae - also quail

Tetraoninae - grouse

Meleagrinae - turkeys

AnseriformesAnhimidae -screamers3 spp. South America, wetlandsfowl-like billspurred wings, very lightweight

AnseriformesAnseranatidae - magpie goose, 1 spp, Australia, semipalmate

Anseriformes Dendrocygnidae - whistling ducks, 8 spp, pantropical

AnseriformesAnatidae - ducks, geese, swans

Tachyeres -steamer ducks

Cairininae - perching ducks

Oxyurinae - Stifftail ducks

Aythyinae -pochards

Merginae - mergansers

Tadorninae - shelldrakes

and sea ducks

Anserinae - geese

Anatinae - dabbling ducks

Cygninae - swansMerganetinae - torrent ducks