Rails, Cranes, and Allies (<em>Gruiformes</em>)

Common Moorhen – ForagingGallinula chloropus February – Texas L=14” ...... WS=21”...... WT=11 oz Order: Gruiformes (Rails, Cranes, and Allies) Family: Rallifae (Rails, Gallinules and Coots)

Common Moorhen – LoafingGallinula chloropus April – Texas L=14” ...... WS=21”...... WT=11 oz Order: Gruiformes (Rails, Cranes, and Allies) Family: Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules and Coots)

Common Moorhen – Juveniles watching a passerbyGallinula chloropus July – Texas L=14” ...... WS=21”...... WT=11 oz Order: Gruiformes (Rails, Cranes, and Allies) Family: Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules and Coots) Common Moorhens have large feet and very long toes allowing them to walk on floating plants and very soft soil on shorelines and in marshes. Even though their feet lack lobes or webs they swim well. They nest near emergent vegetation close to relatively open water. The young lack the bright colors of the mature bird and typically stay close to the parent and the nest while learning to forage.

American Coot – ForagingFulica americana December – Texas L=15.5” ...... WS=24”...... WT=1.4 lb......m>f Order: Gruiformes (Rails, Cranes, and Allies) Family: Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules and Coots)

Clapper Rail – ForagingRallus longirostris April – Texas L=14.5” ...... WS=19”...... WT=10 oz.......m>f Order: Gruiformes (Rails, Cranes, and Allies) Family: Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules and Coots)

Sandhill Crane – Flying out in early morningGrus canadensis January – New Mexico L=41-46” ...... WS=73-77” ...... WT=7.3-10.6 lb ....... m>f Order: Gruiformes (Rails, Cranes, Allies) Family: Gruidae (Cranes)

Sandhill Crane – Drinking during the dayGrus canadensis January – New Mexico L=41-46” ...... WS=73-77” ...... WT=7.3-10.6 lb ....... m>f Order: Gruiformes (Rails, Cranes, Allies) Family: Gruidae (Cranes)

Sandhill Crane – Returning to roost at sunsetGrus canadensis January – New Mexico L=41-46” ...... WS=73-77” ...... WT=7.3-10.6 lb ....... m>f Order: Gruiformes (Rails, Cranes, Allies) Family: Gruidae (Cranes)

Sandhill CraneGrus canadensis January – New Mexico L=41-46” ...... WS=73-77” ...... WT=7.3-10.6 lb ....... m>f Order: Gruiformes (Rails, Cranes, Allies) Family: Gruidae (Cranes)