Coraciiformes is an order of usually colorful birds including the kingfishers, bee-eaters, rollers, motmots and todies. Most members show syndactyly, a fusion of the toes producing three forward-pointing digits, though in many kingfishers one of these toes is missing.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Scientific Name Geographic DistributionLargely an Old World order, with New World representation limited to a dozen or so species of todies and motmots and a handful of the more than a hundred kingfisher species. 1 Defining CharacteristicsA group of usually colourful birds including the kingfishers, the bee-eaters, the rollers, the motmots, and the todies. 1 Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceThey generally have syndactyly, with three forward-pointing toes, toes three and four fused at the base, though in many kingfishers one of these is missing. 1 Connections
Sources
1. Coraciiformes (Wikipedia)
WikipediaSystematics section
The phylogenetic relationships between the six families in the order Coraciiformes is shown below.
Lead section, first sentence
The Coraciiformes are a group of usually colourful birds including the kingfishers, the bee-eaters, the rollers, the motmots, and the todies.
Lead section, second sentence
They generally have syndactyly, with three forward-pointing toes (and toes 3 & 4 fused at their base), though in many kingfishers one of these is missing.
Lead section, third paragraph
This is largely an Old World order, with the representation in the New World limited to the dozen or so species of todies and motmots, and a mere handful of the more than a hundred species of kingfishers.
View the Source Catalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life- Parent Taxon Of: Belted Kingfisher
- Parent Taxon Of: Common Kingfisher
- Parent Taxon Of: Laughing Kookaburra
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