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Order Gruiformes


Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Sub-kingdom Eumetazoa
Sub-sub-kingdom Bilateria
Metaphylum Enterocoelous Coelomates
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Class Aves
Subclass Neornithes
Superorder Neognathae

Order Gruiformes

This group contains primitive members of the aquatic radiation: cranes, rails, gallinules and coots. These are marsh birds. The are feet not webbed, but toes sometimes lobed, with the legs elongate in some groups. The portion of the head between the eye and the nostril (the lores) is feathered. Latin: grus, crane + forma, shape. (Dorit et al, 1991)