Wading Birds and New World Vultures: Ciconiiformes

Most of the wading birds in this group live in wetlands, from tidal areas (where saltwater and freshwater mix), to swamps, marshes, damp meadows, and forest streams. Some live in grasslands near the wetlands. Just a small percent of the wading birds are able to live in drier areas.

The other birds in this group, the New World vultures, can live wherever they are able to soar on warm air currents and search for carrion (dead and decaying animals). They do not have to depend on wetlands for their food, so they can live practically anywhere, including deserts, mountains, tropical forests, and cities.