Coots, cranes and rails are mostly water birds, though a few terrestrial species are mixed in. As a scientific group, gruiformes is a bit of a catch-all, as all manner of species have been placed in here that didn't quite belong anywhere else. Consequently, it contains diverse members that are globally widespread. Recent evidence has suggested that certain species, such as bustards and seriemas, don't belong here at all. Sungrebes, rails and cranes do however remain among the core species that make up the gruiformes.

More...