Balaenicipitidae
| Balaenicipitidae | |
|---|---|
| |
| Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Pelecaniformes |
| Family: | Balaenicipitidae Bonaparte, 1853 |
Balaenicipitidae is a family of birds in the order Pelecaniformes, although it was traditionally placed in Ciconiiformes. Its closest relative is the Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta), which belongs to another family.
It has the following genera:
- Balaeniceps[1]
- †Goliathia (might belong in Balaeniceps)[1]
- †Paludiavis[1]
Common characteristics
A sharp hooked tip to the upper beak[2]
A furrow in the upper beak below the nasal openings[2]
An ossified septum[2]
Vestigial or absent expansor secundariorum muscle[2]
References
- ^ a b c http://fossilworks.org/?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=39640
- ^ a b c d Mayr, Gerakd (April 2003). "The phylogenetic affinities of the Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex)". Journal für Ornithologie. 2 (2): 157–175. doi:10.1007/BF02465644.
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