Ciconiiform

Relating to or resembling birds of the order Ciconiiformes, which comprises storks, herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and their relatives. These birds are characterized by long legs, long necks, and often long, pointed bills, adapted for wading in aquatic environments to hunt for fish, amphibians, and other small prey. They are typically found near wetlands, marshes, and other bodies of water. Their plumage ranges widely, from the bright whites of egrets to the darker hues of storks, often providing excellent camouflage within their habitats. The term reflects the scientific classification of these avian species.

Ciconiiform meaning with examples

• The artist's depiction of the wetland ecosystem included several exquisitely rendered ciconiiform figures, their elegant forms perfectly capturing the birds' graceful movements as they hunted for prey in the shallows. The details showed their striking plumage, further accentuating their presence in the illustration.
• Observing the migratory patterns of ciconiiform birds like the white stork provided crucial insights into the impact of climate change on their breeding and feeding grounds. Changes in water levels and habitat loss were impacting their journeys and reducing their chances of survival and reproduction.
• The ornithologist's research focused on the dietary habits of various ciconiiform species, analyzing the composition of their stomach contents to understand how they utilized different food sources within the intricate food web of the coastal regions.
• Photographs showcased the diverse morphology of ciconiiform birds; the elegant curvature of the spoonbill's bill stood in sharp contrast to the sharp, straight beak of the heron, illustrating the diverse evolutionary adaptations within the order.