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The Pelecaniformes are an order of medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide. They are distinguished from other birds by the possession of feet with all four toes webbed (totipalmate). Most have a bare throat patch (gular patch).

They feed on fish, squid or similar marine life. Nesting is colonial, although birds are monogamous, and the young are born helpless—in contrast, for example, to many waders.

• Pelecaniformes
  • Pelecanidae: pelicans. Very large birds with throat pouches in which they catch and store fish while hunting.
  • Sulidae: gannetGannets Northern Gannet : Animalia : Chordata : Aves : Passeriformes : Sulidae Morus Morus bassanus ''Morus capensis ''Morus serrator The gannets are part of the family Sulidae. This is a group of seabirds, which is closely related to the boobies. The thrs and boobiesBoobies Red-footed Booby : Animalia : Chordata : Aves : Passeriformes : Sulidae Genera Papasula Sula Species ''Papasula Papasula abbotti or Sula abbotti ''Sula Sula nebouxii Sula variegata Sula dactylatra Sula sula Sula leucogaster † See also Ganne. Medium to large species which hunt by diving from the air into the sea (plunge diving). Long wings and bills, often coloured feet.
  • Phalacrocoracidae: cormorantCormorants Red-faced Cormorant : Animalia : Chordata : Aves : Pelecaniformes Phalacrocoracidae Genera Nannopterum ''Phalacrocorax Leucocarbo The Phalacrocoracidae family of birds is represented by over thirty species of cormorants and shags . All but thres. Medium to large with hooked bills and usually black or similar dark plumage. Plumage is not fully waterproof.
  • Fregatidae: frigatebirdmagnificens ''F. aquila ''F. andrewsi ''F. minor ''F. ariel There are five species in the order Fregatatidae the frigatebirds . They are very closely related, and are all in the single genus Fregata . All are large, black or black and white, with long wins. A group of five closely related large birds with black and white plumage, very long wings, and parasitical hunting habits. Red throat patches are inflated in display.
  • Anhingidae DarterDarters Australian Darter : Animalia : Chordata : Aves : Pelecaniformes Anhingidae Anhinga Species Anhinga anhinga Anhinga melanogaster Anhinga rufa Anhinga novaehollandiae Darters are cormorant-like water birds with very long necks and long, straight beas. Another small closely related group of four species, with long bills, snake-like necks and the ability to swim withe the body submerged. Plumage is not fully waterproof.
  • Phaethontidae: tropicbirdTropicbirds Red-tailed Tropicbird : Animalia : Chordata : Aves : Pelecaniformes Phaethontidae Phaethon P. aetherius ''P. lepturus ''P. rubricauda The three tropicbirds are closely related seabirds of tropical oceans. They are basically slender white birdss. Medium-sized birds, more marine than most of the other pelecaniformes. Adults have long central tail feathers and no gular patch.

There are about 57 species in the 6 families. Recent microbiological research strongly suggests that the similarities between the Pelecaniformes are the result of convergent evolutionConvergent evolution is an evolutionary process in which organisms not closely related independently acquire some characteristic or characteristics in common. This usually reflects similar responses to similar environmental conditions. Structures that are rather than common descent, and that the group is polyphyletic. SibleyCharles Sibley ( August 7, 1917 April 12, 1998) was an American ornithologist and molecular biologist. He had an immense influence on the scientific classification of birds, and the work that Sibley initiated has substantially altered our understanding of and Ahlquist's landmark DNA-DNA hybridisation studies led to them placing the families traditionally contained within the Pelecaniformes together with the grebes, cormorants, ibises and spoonbills, New World vultures, storks, penguins, albatrosses, petrels, and loons together as a sub-group within a greatly expanded order Ciconiiformes, a radical move which, although it has not been entirely accepted has been very influential.