These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae Grouse are game birds which are similar to quails and partridges.
Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds.
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground.
Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying.
Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back.
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.
They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings.
Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Alcidae Alcids are superficially similar to penguins due to their black-and-white colours, their upright posture, and some of their habits.
Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head.
Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years Order: Gaviiformes Family: Gaviidae Loons, known as divers in Europe, are a group of aquatic birds found in many parts of North America and northern Europe.
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.
Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills.
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey.
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails.
Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used for capturing insects.
Order: Passeriformes Family: Tyrannidae Tyrant flycatchers are passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America.
Order: Passeriformes Family: Vireonidae The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds.
Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.
Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights.
They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a short bill with a wide gape.
They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa.
Order: Passeriformes Family: Bombycillidae The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers.
Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs.
Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World.
These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.
Order: Passeriformes Family: Icteriidae This species was historically placed in the wood-warblers (Parulidae) but nonetheless most authorities were unsure if it belonged there.
Most species have black as the predominant plumage colour, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red.
Order: Passeriformes Family: Parulidae The wood-warblers are a group of small, often colourful, passerine birds restricted to the New World.