The tibia ( / ˈ t ɪ b i ə / ; pl. : tibiae / ˈ t ɪ b i i / or tibias ), also known as the shinbone or shankbone , is the larger, stronger, and anterior (frontal) of the two bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates (the other being the fibula , behind and to the outside of the tibia); it connects the knee with the ankle . The tibia is found on the medial side of the leg next to the fibula and closer to the median plane . The tibia is connected to the fibula by the interosseous membrane of leg , forming a type of fibrous joint called a syndesmosis with very little movement. The tibia is named for the flute tibia . It is the second largest bone in the human body , after the femur . The leg bones are the strongest long bones as they support the rest of the body.
86-403: 18 extant, see text Cochlearidae Herons are long-legged, long-necked, freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae , with 74 recognised species , some of which are referred to as egrets or bitterns rather than herons. Members of the genus Botaurus are referred to as bitterns, and, together with the zigzag heron , or zigzag bittern, in the monotypic genus Zebrilus , form
172-502: A monophyletic group within the Ardeidae. Egrets do not form a biologically distinct group from herons, and tend to be named differently because they are mainly white or have decorative plumes in breeding plumage. Herons, by evolutionary adaptation, have long beaks. The classification of the individual heron/egret species is fraught with difficulty, and no clear consensus exists about the correct placement of many species into either of
258-697: A better sense of smell. A third stage of bird evolution starting with Ornithothoraces (the "bird-chested" avialans) can be associated with the refining of aerodynamics and flight capabilities, and the loss or co-ossification of several skeletal features. Particularly significant are the development of an enlarged, keeled sternum and the alula , and the loss of grasping hands. † Anchiornis † Archaeopteryx † Xiaotingia † Rahonavis † Jeholornis † Jixiangornis † Balaur † Zhongjianornis † Sapeornis † Confuciusornithiformes † Protopteryx † Pengornis Ornithothoraces † Enantiornithes Tibia In human anatomy ,
344-473: A definition similar to "all theropods closer to birds than to Deinonychus ", with Troodon being sometimes added as a second external specifier in case it is closer to birds than to Deinonychus . Avialae is also occasionally defined as an apomorphy-based clade (that is, one based on physical characteristics). Jacques Gauthier , who named Avialae in 1986, re-defined it in 2001 as all dinosaurs that possessed feathered wings used in flapping flight , and
430-405: A flat articular facet, nearly circular in form, directed downward, backward, and lateralward, for articulation with the head of the fibula. Its lateral surface is convex, rough, and prominent in front: on it is an eminence, situated on a level with the upper border of the tuberosity and at the junction of its anterior and lateral surfaces, for the attachment of the iliotibial band . Just below this
516-442: A group called Paraves . Some basal members of Deinonychosauria, such as Microraptor , have features which may have enabled them to glide or fly. The most basal deinonychosaurs were very small. This evidence raises the possibility that the ancestor of all paravians may have been arboreal , have been able to glide, or both. Unlike Archaeopteryx and the non-avialan feathered dinosaurs, who primarily ate meat, studies suggest that
602-435: A large somewhat flattened area; this area is triangular, broad above, and perforated by large vascular foramina; narrow below where it ends in a large oblong elevation, the tuberosity of the tibia , which gives attachment to the patellar ligament ; a bursa intervenes between the deep surface of the ligament and the part of the bone immediately above the tuberosity. Posteriorly, the condyles are separated from each other by
688-403: A part of a larger cycle of life and death. Bird Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class Aves ( Latin: [ˈaveːs] ), characterised by feathers , toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart , and a strong yet lightweight skeleton . Birds live worldwide and range in size from
774-428: A part of the extensor digitorum longus takes origin and a slip from the tendon of the biceps femoris is inserted. The shaft or body of the tibia is triangular in cross-section and forms three borders: an anterior, medial, and lateral or interosseous border. These three borders form three surfaces: the medial, lateral, and posterior. The anterior crest or border , the most prominent of the three, commences above at
860-675: A royal decree of James VI (1566–1625) of Scotland . The OED speculates that shiterow is a corruption of shiteheron . Another former name was heronshaw or hernshaw , derived from Old French heronçeau . Corrupted to handsaw , this name appears in Shakespeare 's Hamlet . A possible further corruption took place in the Norfolk Broads, where the heron is often referred to as a harnser . The herons are medium- to large-sized birds with long legs and necks. They exhibit very little sexual dimorphism in size. The smallest species
946-428: A shallow depression, the posterior intercondyloid fossa , which gives attachment to part of the posterior cruciate ligament of the knee-joint . The medial condyle presents posteriorly a deep transverse groove, for the insertion of the tendon of the semimembranosus . Its medial surface is convex, rough, and prominent; it gives attachment to the medial collateral ligament . The lateral condyle presents posteriorly
SECTION 10
#17327762416641032-406: A sister group, the order Crocodilia , contain the only living representatives of the reptile clade Archosauria . During the late 1990s, Aves was most commonly defined phylogenetically as all descendants of the most recent common ancestor of modern birds and Archaeopteryx lithographica . However, an earlier definition proposed by Jacques Gauthier gained wide currency in the 21st century, and
1118-513: A study of little egrets and cattle egrets in India, the majority of the colonies surveyed contained both species. Nesting is seasonal in temperate species; in tropical species, it may be seasonal (often coinciding with the rainy season) or year-round. Even in year-round breeders, nesting intensity varies throughout the year. Tropical herons typically have only one breeding season per year, unlike some other tropical birds which may raise up to three broods
1204-717: A time, sometimes for years, and rarely for life. Other species have breeding systems that are polygynous (one male with many females) or, rarely, polyandrous (one female with many males). Birds produce offspring by laying eggs which are fertilised through sexual reproduction . They are usually laid in a nest and incubated by the parents. Most birds have an extended period of parental care after hatching. Many species of birds are economically important as food for human consumption and raw material in manufacturing, with domesticated and undomesticated birds being important sources of eggs, meat, and feathers. Songbirds , parrots, and other species are popular as pets. Guano (bird excrement)
1290-582: A variety of live aquatic prey. Their diet includes a wide variety of aquatic animals, including fish, reptiles, amphibians , crustaceans , molluscs , and aquatic insects. Individual species may be generalists or specialize in certain prey types, such as the yellow-crowned night heron , which specializes in crustaceans, particularly crabs . Many species also opportunistically take larger prey, including birds and bird eggs, rodents, and more rarely carrion . Even more rarely, herons eating acorns, peas, and grains have been reported, but most vegetable matter consumed
1376-520: A year. Courtship usually takes part on the nest . Males arrive first and begin the building of the nest, where they display to attract females. During courtship, the male employs a stretch display and uses erectile neck feathers; the neck area may swell. The female risks an aggressive attack if she approaches too soon and may have to wait up to four days. In colonial species, displays involve visual cues, which can include adopting postures or ritual displays, whereas in solitary species, auditory cues, such as
1462-410: Is absent. Generally, herons lay between three and seven eggs . Larger clutches are reported in the smaller bitterns and more rarely some of the larger day herons, and single-egg clutches are reported for some of the tiger herons. Clutch size varies by latitude within species, with individuals in temperate climates laying more eggs than tropical ones. On the whole, the eggs are glossy blue or white, with
1548-401: Is accidental. The most common hunting technique is for the bird to sit motionless on the edge of or standing in shallow water and to wait until prey comes within range. Birds may either do this from an upright posture, giving them a wider field of view for seeing prey or from a crouched position, which is more cryptic and means the bill is closer to the prey when it is located. Having seen prey,
1634-521: Is generally long and harpoon-like. It can vary from extremely narrow, as in the agami heron , to wider as in the grey heron . The most atypical heron bill is owned by the boat-billed heron , which has a broad, thick bill. Herons' bills and other bare parts of the body are usually yellow, black, or brown in colour, although this can vary during the breeding season. The wings are broad and long, exhibiting 10 or 11 primary feathers (the boat-billed heron has only nine), 15–20 secondaries, and 12 rectrices (10 in
1720-429: Is harvested for use as a fertiliser. Birds figure throughout human culture. About 120 to 130 species have become extinct due to human activity since the 17th century, and hundreds more before then. Human activity threatens about 1,200 bird species with extinction, though efforts are underway to protect them. Recreational birdwatching is an important part of the ecotourism industry. The first classification of birds
1806-503: Is not considered a direct ancestor of birds, though it is possibly closely related to the true ancestor. Over 40% of key traits found in modern birds evolved during the 60 million year transition from the earliest bird-line archosaurs to the first maniraptoromorphs , i.e. the first dinosaurs closer to living birds than to Tyrannosaurus rex . The loss of osteoderms otherwise common in archosaurs and acquisition of primitive feathers might have occurred early during this phase. After
SECTION 20
#17327762416641892-399: Is reinforced by anterior and posterior ligament of the head of the fibula . The distal tibiofibular joint (tibiofibular syndesmosis) is formed by the rough, convex surface of the medial side of the distal end of the fibula, and a rough concave surface on the lateral side of the tibia. The part of the ankle joint known as the talocrural joint, is a synovial hinge joint that connects
1978-516: Is synonymous to Avifilopluma. † Scansoriopterygidae † Eosinopteryx † Jinfengopteryx † Aurornis † Dromaeosauridae † Troodontidae Avialae Based on fossil and biological evidence, most scientists accept that birds are a specialised subgroup of theropod dinosaurs and, more specifically, members of Maniraptora , a group of theropods which includes dromaeosaurids and oviraptorosaurs , among others. As scientists have discovered more theropods closely related to birds,
2064-414: Is the midsection of the tibia, also known as the shaft or body. While the epiphyses are the two rounded extremities of the bone; an upper (also known as superior or proximal) closest to the thigh and a lower (also known as inferior or distal) closest to the foot . The tibia is most contracted in the lower third and the distal extremity is smaller than the proximal. The proximal or upper extremity of
2150-448: Is the nutrient foramen, which is large and directed obliquely downward. The distal end of the tibia is much smaller than the proximal end and presents five surfaces; it is prolonged downward on its medial side as a strong pyramidal process, the medial malleolus . The lower extremity of the tibia together with the fibula and talus forms the ankle joint . The inferior articular surface is quadrilateral, and smooth for articulation with
2236-644: Is unclear at the moment, and molecular studies have so far suffered from studying only a small number of taxa. Especially among the subfamily Ardeinae, the relationships are very inadequately resolved. The arrangement presented here should be considered provisional. A 2008 study suggests that this family belongs to the Pelecaniformes . In response to these findings, the International Ornithological Congress reclassified Ardeidae and their sister taxa Threskiornithidae under
2322-506: Is up to 71.6 bodyweight times millimetre. Fractures of the tibia can be divided into those that only involve the tibia; bumper fracture , Segond fracture , Gosselin fracture , toddler's fracture , and those including both the tibia and fibula ; trimalleolar fracture , bimalleolar fracture , Pott's fracture . In Judaism , the tibia, or shankbone, of a goat or sheep is used in the Passover Seder plate . The structure of
2408-535: Is used by many scientists including adherents to the PhyloCode . Gauthier defined Aves to include only the crown group of the set of modern birds. This was done by excluding most groups known only from fossils , and assigning them, instead, to the broader group Avialae, on the principle that a clade based on extant species should be limited to those extant species and their closest extinct relatives. Gauthier and de Queiroz identified four different definitions for
2494-400: Is usually considered the dwarf bittern , which measures 25–30 cm (10–12 in) in length, although all the species in the genus Ixobrychus are small and many broadly overlap in size. The largest species of heron is the goliath heron , which stands up to 152 cm (60 in) tall. All herons can retract their necks by folding them into a tight S-shape, due to the modified shape of
2580-514: The Pacific reef heron , both dark and light colour morphs exist, and the percentage of each morph varies geographically; its white morphs only occur in areas with coral beaches. The herons are a widespread family with a cosmopolitan distribution . They exist on all continents except Antarctica and are present in most habitats except the coldest extremes of the Arctic, extremely high mountains, and
2666-669: The Tiaojishan Formation of China, which has been dated to the late Jurassic period ( Oxfordian stage), about 160 million years ago. The avialan species from this time period include Anchiornis huxleyi , Xiaotingia zhengi , and Aurornis xui . The well-known probable early avialan, Archaeopteryx , dates from slightly later Jurassic rocks (about 155 million years old) from Germany . Many of these early avialans shared unusual anatomical features that may be ancestral to modern birds but were later lost during bird evolution. These features include enlarged claws on
Heron - Misplaced Pages Continue
2752-427: The femur , often referred to as the tibiofemoral components of the knee joint.; it is the weightbearing part of the knee joint. The tibiofibular joints are the articulations between the tibia and fibula which allows very little movement. The proximal tibiofibular joint is a small plane joint . The joint is formed between the undersurface of the lateral tibial condyle and the head of fibula . The joint capsule
2838-650: The grey heron is mostly sedentary in Britain, but mostly migratory in Scandinavia. Birds are particularly inclined to disperse widely after breeding, but before the annual migration, where the species is colonial, searching out new feeding areas and reducing the pressures on feeding grounds near the colony. The migration typically occurs at night, usually as individuals or in small groups. The herons, egrets and bitterns are carnivorous . The members of this family are mostly associated with wetlands and water and feed on
2924-481: The intercondylar area , where the cruciate ligaments and the menisci attach. Here the medial and lateral intercondylar tubercle forms the intercondylar eminence . Together with the medial and lateral condyle the intercondylar region forms the tibial plateau , which both articulates with and is anchored to the lower extremity of the femur . The intercondylar eminence divides the intercondylar area into an anterior and posterior part . The anterolateral region of
3010-412: The interosseous membrane ; it commences above in front of the fibular articular facet, and bifurcates below, to form the boundaries of a triangular rough surface, for the attachment of the interosseous ligament connecting the tibia and fibula. The medial surface is smooth, convex, and broader above than below; its upper third, directed forward and medialward, is covered by the aponeurosis derived from
3096-575: The only known living dinosaurs . Likewise, birds are considered reptiles in the modern cladistic sense of the term, and their closest living relatives are the crocodilians . Birds are descendants of the primitive avialans (whose members include Archaeopteryx ) which first appeared during the Late Jurassic . According to recent estimates, modern birds ( Neornithes ) evolved in the Late Cretaceous and diversified dramatically around
3182-493: The paleognath Lithornis vulturinus . In Buddhism, a heron symbolizes purity, transformation and the wisdom of the Buddha. In addition, as a bird that transcends elements – on the earth, in the water and in the air – the heron symbolizes the expansion of awareness and the ubiquity of consciousness. In some Native American cultures, this bird symbolizes renewal, rejuvenation and rebirth – an ever present reminder that we are all
3268-399: The quadriceps femoris muscle . The superior articular surface presents two smooth articular facets . The central portions of these facets articulate with the condyles of the femur , while their peripheral portions support the menisci of the knee joint, which here intervene between the two bones. Between the articular facets in the intercondylar area , but nearer the posterior than
3354-515: The stripe-backed bittern ( Ixobrychus involucris ) were nested with members of the genus Botaurus . Hruska and collaborators resurrected the genus Calherodius Peters , 1931 to contain two night herons (the white-backed night heron and the white-eared night heron ) that were previously placed in Gorsachius . The western cattle egret ( Bubulcus ibis ) was embedded in the genus Ardea . The eastern cattle egret ( Bubulcus coromandus )
3440-413: The tuberosity , and ends below at the anterior margin of the medial malleolus . It is sinuous and prominent in the upper two-thirds of its extent, but smooth and rounded below; it gives attachment to the deep fascia of the leg. The medial border is smooth and rounded above and below, but more prominent in the center. It begins at the back part of the medial condyle, and ends at the posterior border of
3526-433: The 5.5 cm (2.2 in) bee hummingbird to the 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in) common ostrich . There are over 11,000 living species and they are split into 44 orders . More than half are passerine or "perching" birds. Birds have wings whose development varies according to species; the only known groups without wings are the extinct moa and elephant birds . Wings, which are modified forelimbs , gave birds
Heron - Misplaced Pages Continue
3612-520: The IOC lists 74 heron species, divided into 18 genera. Other prehistoric and fossil species are included in the respective genus accounts. In addition, Proherodius is a disputed fossil which was variously considered a heron or one of the extinct long-legged waterfowl , the Presbyornithidae . It is only known from a sternum ; a tarsometatarsus that had been assigned to it actually belongs to
3698-557: The Oxford English Dictionary describes the use of shitepoke for the small green heron of North America ( Butorides virescens ) as originating in the United States, citing a published example from 1853. The OED also observes that shiterow or shederow are terms used for herons, and also applied as derogatory terms meaning a thin, weakly person . This name for a heron is found in a list of game birds in
3784-480: The ability to fly, although further evolution has led to the loss of flight in some birds , including ratites , penguins , and diverse endemic island species. The digestive and respiratory systems of birds are also uniquely adapted for flight. Some bird species of aquatic environments, particularly seabirds and some waterbirds , have further evolved for swimming. The study of birds is called ornithology . Birds are feathered theropod dinosaurs and constitute
3870-460: The anterior aspect of the bone, and is covered by the tendons of the Tibialis anterior , Extensor hallucis longus , and Extensor digitorum longus , arranged in this order from the medial side. The posterior surface presents, at its upper part, a prominent ridge, the popliteal line, which extends obliquely downward from the back part of the articular facet for the fibula to the medial border, at
3956-442: The anterior aspect of the bone, is the intercondyloid eminence ( spine of tibia ), surmounted on either side by a prominent tubercle, on to the sides of which the articular facets are prolonged; in front of and behind the intercondyloid eminence are rough depressions for the attachment of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments and the menisci. The anterior surfaces of the condyles are continuous with one another, forming
4042-456: The anterior intercondylar area are perforated by numerous small openings for nutrient arteries . The articular surfaces of both condyles are concave, particularly centrally. The flatter outer margins are in contact with the menisci. The medial condyles superior surface is oval in form and extends laterally onto the side of medial intercondylar tubercle . The lateral condyles superior surface is more circular in form and its medial edge extends onto
4128-428: The appearance of Maniraptoromorpha, the next 40 million years marked a continuous reduction of body size and the accumulation of neotenic (juvenile-like) characteristics. Hypercarnivory became increasingly less common while braincases enlarged and forelimbs became longer. The integument evolved into complex, pennaceous feathers . The oldest known paravian (and probably the earliest avialan) fossils come from
4214-499: The attachment of the articular capsule of the ankle-joint. The posterior surface is traversed by a shallow groove directed obliquely downward and medialward, continuous with a similar groove on the posterior surface of the talus and serving for the passage of the tendon of the Flexor hallucis longus . The lateral surface presents a triangular rough depression for the attachment of the inferior interosseous ligament connecting it with
4300-753: The bird groups that have powder down . Some members of this group nest colonially in trees, while others, notably the bitterns, use reed beds . A group of herons has been called a "siege". The word heron first appeared in the English language around 1300, originating from Old French hairon, eron (12th century), earlier hairo (11th century), from Frankish haigiro or from Proto-Germanic *haigrô , *hraigrô . Herons are also known as shitepokes / ˈ ʃ aɪ t p oʊ k / , or euphemistically as shikepokes or shypokes . Webster's Dictionary suggests that herons were given this name because of their habit of defecating when flushed. The 1971 Compact Edition of
4386-509: The birds that descended from them. Despite being currently one of the most widely used, the crown-group definition of Aves has been criticised by some researchers. Lee and Spencer (1997) argued that, contrary to what Gauthier defended, this definition would not increase the stability of the clade and the exact content of Aves will always be uncertain because any defined clade (either crown or not) will have few synapomorphies distinguishing it from its closest relatives. Their alternative definition
SECTION 50
#17327762416644472-406: The bitterns). The feathers of the herons are soft and the plumage is usually blue, black, brown, grey, or white, and can often be strikingly complex. Amongst the day herons, little sexual dimorphism in plumage is seen (except in the pond-herons); however, for the night herons and smaller bitterns, plumage differences between the sexes are the rule. Many species also have different colour morphs . In
4558-525: The cervical vertebrae, of which they have 20 or 21; the neck is retracted during flight, unlike most other long-necked birds. The neck is longer in the day herons than the night herons and bitterns. The legs are long and strong, and in almost every species are unfeathered from the lower part of the tibia (the exception is the zigzag heron ). In flight, the legs and feet are generally held in a horizontal position, pointing backwards. Toes are long and thin, with three pointing forwards and one backwards. The bill
4644-515: The deep booming of the bitterns, are important. The exception to this is the boat-billed heron, which pairs up away from the nesting site. Having paired, they continue to build the nest in almost all species, although in the little bittern and least bittern , only the male works on the nest. Some ornithologists have reported observing female herons attaching themselves to impotent mates, then seeking sexual gratification elsewhere. The nests of herons are usually found near or above water. Although
4730-412: The distal ends of the tibia and fibula in the lower limb with the proximal end of the talus. The articulation between the tibia and the talus bears more weight than between the smaller fibula and the talus. The tibia is ossified from three centers : a primary center for the diaphysis (shaft) and a secondary center for each epiphysis (extremity). Ossification begins in the center of the body, about
4816-432: The driest deserts. Almost all species are associated with water; they are essentially non-swimming waterbirds that feed on the margins of lakes, rivers, swamps, ponds, and the sea. They are predominantly found in lowland areas, although some species live in alpine areas, and the majority of species occur in the tropics. The herons are a highly mobile family, with most species being at least partially migratory ; for example,
4902-665: The earliest members of Aves, is removed from this group, becoming a non-avian dinosaur instead. These proposals have been adopted by many researchers in the field of palaeontology and bird evolution , though the exact definitions applied have been inconsistent. Avialae, initially proposed to replace the traditional fossil content of Aves, is often used synonymously with the vernacular term "bird" by these researchers. † Coelurus † Ornitholestes † Ornithomimosauria † Alvarezsauridae † Oviraptorosauria Paraves Most researchers define Avialae as branch-based clade, though definitions vary. Many authors have used
4988-399: The eighteenth, and the upper one fuses about the twentieth year. Two additional centers occasionally exist, one for the tongue-shaped process of the upper epiphysis, which forms the tuberosity, and one for the medial malleolus . The tibia has been modeled as taking an axial force during walking that is up to 4.7 bodyweight. Its bending moment in the sagittal plane in the late stance phase
5074-401: The exception being the large bitterns, which lay olive-brown eggs. Analyses of skeletons, mainly skulls , suggested that the Ardeidae could be split into a diurnal and a crepuscular / nocturnal group which included the bitterns. From DNA studies, and from skeletal analyses that focussed more on bones of the body and limbs, that two-group division has been revealed to be incorrect. Rather,
5160-466: The feet are used to flush out hidden prey. The wings may be used to frighten prey (or possibly attract it to shade) or to reduce glare; the most extreme example of this is exhibited by the black heron , which forms a full canopy with its wings over its body. Some species of heron, such as the little egret and grey heron, have been documented using bait to lure prey to within striking distance. Herons may use items already in place, or actively add items to
5246-443: The fibula; the lower part of this depression is smooth, covered with cartilage in the fresh state, and articulates with the fibula. The surface is bounded by two prominent borders (the anterior and posterior colliculi), continuous above with the interosseous crest ; they afford attachment to the anterior and posterior ligaments of the lateral malleolus. The medial surface – see medial malleolus for details. Ankle fractures of
SECTION 60
#17327762416645332-451: The first avialans were omnivores . The Late Jurassic Archaeopteryx is well known as one of the first transitional fossils to be found, and it provided support for the theory of evolution in the late 19th century. Archaeopteryx was the first fossil to display both clearly traditional reptilian characteristics—teeth, clawed fingers, and a long, lizard-like tail—as well as wings with flight feathers similar to those of modern birds. It
5418-423: The head is moved from side to side, so that the heron can calculate the position of the prey in the water and compensate for refraction , and then the bill is used to spear the prey. In addition to sitting and waiting, herons may feed more actively. They may walk slowly, around or less than 60 paces a minute, snatching prey when it is observed. Other active feeding behaviours include foot stirring and probing, where
5504-589: The junction of its upper and middle thirds; it marks the lower limit of the insertion of the Popliteus , serves for the attachment of the fascia covering this muscle, and gives origin to part of the Soleus , Flexor digitorum longus , and Tibialis posterior . The triangular area, above this line, gives insertion to the Popliteus. The middle third of the posterior surface is divided by a vertical ridge into two parts;
5590-418: The medial malleolus; its upper part gives attachment to the tibial collateral ligament of the knee-joint to the extent of about 5 cm., and insertion to some fibers of the popliteus muscle . From its middle third some fibers of the soleus and flexor digitorum longus muscles take origin. The interosseous crest or lateral border is thin and prominent, especially its central part, and gives attachment to
5676-447: The nests of a few species have been found on the ground where suitable trees or shrubs are unavailable, they are typically placed in vegetation. Trees are used by many species, and here they may be placed high up from the ground, whereas species living in reed beds may nest very close to the ground. Though the majority of nesting of herons is seen in or immediately around water, colonies commonly occur in several cities when human persecution
5762-617: The order Pelecaniformes instead of the previous order of Ciconiiformes . The cladogram shown below is based on a molecular phylogenetic study of the Ardeidae by Jack Hruska and collaborators published in 2023. For several species these results conflict with the taxonomy published online in July 2023 by Frank Gill , Pamela Rasmussen and David Donsker on behalf of the International Ornithological Committee (IOC). The least bittern ( Ixobrychus exilis ) and
5848-402: The outermost half) can be seen in the evolution of maniraptoromorphs, and this process culminated in the appearance of the pygostyle , an ossification of fused tail vertebrae. In the late Cretaceous, about 100 million years ago, the ancestors of all modern birds evolved a more open pelvis, allowing them to lay larger eggs compared to body size. Around 95 million years ago, they evolved
5934-536: The previously clear distinction between non-birds and birds has become blurred. By the 2000s, discoveries in the Liaoning Province of northeast China, which demonstrated many small theropod feathered dinosaurs , contributed to this ambiguity. The consensus view in contemporary palaeontology is that the flying theropods, or avialans , are the closest relatives of the deinonychosaurs , which include dromaeosaurids and troodontids . Together, these form
6020-520: The ridge begins at the popliteal line and is well-marked above, but indistinct below; the medial and broader portion gives origin to the Flexor digitorum longus, the lateral and narrower to part of the Tibialis posterior . The remaining part of the posterior surface is smooth and covered by the Tibialis posterior, Flexor digitorum longus , and Flexor hallucis longus . Immediately below the popliteal line
6106-452: The same biological name "Aves", which is a problem. The authors proposed to reserve the term Aves only for the crown group consisting of the last common ancestor of all living birds and all of its descendants, which corresponds to meaning number 4 below. They assigned other names to the other groups. Lizards & snakes Turtles Crocodiles Birds Under the fourth definition Archaeopteryx , traditionally considered one of
6192-551: The second toe which may have been held clear of the ground in life, and long feathers or "hind wings" covering the hind limbs and feet, which may have been used in aerial maneuvering. Avialans diversified into a wide variety of forms during the Cretaceous period. Many groups retained primitive characteristics , such as clawed wings and teeth, though the latter were lost independently in a number of avialan groups, including modern birds (Aves). Increasingly stiff tails (especially
6278-402: The seventh week of fetal life, and gradually extends toward the extremities. The center for the upper epiphysis appears before or shortly after birth at close to 34 weeks gestation; it is flattened in form, and has a thin tongue-shaped process in front, which forms the tuberosity ; that for the lower epiphysis appears in the second year. The lower epiphysis fuses with the tibial shaft at about
6364-399: The side of the lateral intercondylar tubercle . The posterior surface of the medial condyle bears a horizontal groove for part of the attachment of the semimembranosus muscle , whereas the lateral condyle has a circular facet for articulation with the head of the fibula . Beneath the condyles is the tibial tuberosity which serves for attachment of the patellar ligament , a continuation of
6450-450: The similarities in skull morphology among certain herons reflect convergent evolution to cope with the different challenges of daytime and nighttime feeding. Today, it is believed that three major groups can be distinguished, which are: The night herons may still warrant separation from the day herons and egrets (as subfamily Nycticoracinae, as it was traditionally done). However, the position of some genera (e.g. Butorides or Syrigma )
6536-438: The success rate of prey capture increased 3.6 times over solitary foraging. While the family exhibits a range of breeding strategies, overall, the herons are monogamous and mostly colonial . Most day herons and night herons are colonial, or partly colonial depending on circumstances, whereas the bitterns and tiger herons are mostly solitary nesters. Colonies may contain several species, as well as other species of waterbirds. In
6622-459: The talus. It is concave from before backward, broader in front than behind, and traversed from before backward by a slight elevation, separating two depressions. It is continuous with that on the medial malleolus. The anterior surface of the lower extremity is smooth and rounded above, and covered by the tendons of the Extensor muscles; its lower margin presents a rough transverse depression for
6708-466: The tendon of the sartorius , and by the tendons of the Gracilis and Semitendinosus , all of which are inserted nearly as far forward as the anterior crest; in the rest of its extent it is subcutaneous . The lateral surface is narrower than the medial; its upper two-thirds present a shallow groove for the origin of the Tibialis anterior; its lower third is smooth, convex, curves gradually forward to
6794-407: The tibia have several classification systems based on location or mechanism: The tibia is supplied with blood from two sources: A nutrient artery , as the main source, and periosteal vessels derived from the anterior tibial artery . The tibia is a part of four joints; the knee, ankle, superior and inferior tibiofibular joint . In the knee the tibia forms one of the two articulations with
6880-407: The tibia is expanded in the transverse plane with a medial and lateral condyle , which are both flattened in the horizontal plane. The medial condyle is the larger of the two and is better supported over the shaft . The upper surfaces of the condyles articulate with the femur to form the tibiofemoral joint, the weightbearing part of the kneejoint. The medial and lateral condyle are separated by
6966-445: The tibia is the second largest bone next to the femur . As in other vertebrates the tibia is one of two bones in the lower leg, the other being the fibula , and is a component of the knee and ankle joints. The ossification or formation of the bone starts from three centers, one in the shaft and one in each extremity. The tibia is categorized as a long bone and is as such composed of a diaphysis and two epiphyses . The diaphysis
7052-600: The time of the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event 66 million years ago, which killed off the pterosaurs and all non- ornithuran dinosaurs. Many social species preserve knowledge across generations ( culture ). Birds are social, communicating with visual signals, calls, and songs , and participating in such behaviour as cooperative breeding and hunting, flocking , and mobbing of predators. The vast majority of bird species are socially (but not necessarily sexually) monogamous , usually for one breeding season at
7138-590: The two major genera, Ardea and Egretta . Similarly, the relationships of the genera in the family are not completely resolved. However, one species formerly considered to constitute a separate monotypic family, the Cochlearidae or the boat-billed heron , is now regarded as a member of the Ardeidae. Although herons resemble birds in some other families, such as the storks , ibises , spoonbills , and cranes , they differ from these in flying with their necks retracted, not outstretched. They are also one of
7224-619: The water to attract fish such as the banded killifish . Items used may be man-made, such as bread; alternatively, striated herons in the Amazon have been watched repeatedly dropping seeds, insects, flowers, and leaves into the water to catch fish. Three species, the black-headed heron , whistling heron , and especially the cattle egret , are less tied to watery environments and may feed far away from water. Cattle egrets improve their foraging success by following large grazing animals, catching insects flushed by their movement. One study found that
7310-466: Was developed by Francis Willughby and John Ray in their 1676 volume Ornithologiae . Carl Linnaeus modified that work in 1758 to devise the taxonomic classification system currently in use. Birds are categorised as the biological class Aves in Linnaean taxonomy . Phylogenetic taxonomy places Aves in the clade Theropoda as an infraclass or a subclass, more recently a subclass. Aves and
7396-1124: Was not sampled. The placement of the forest bittern ( Zonerodius heliosylus ) was ambiguous, but the results suggest that it is probably closely related to members of the genus Ardeola rather than to the subfamily Tigriornithinae . Tigriornis – white-crested tiger heron Tigrisoma – tiger herons (3 species) Cochlearius – boat-billed heron Agamia – agami heron Zebrilus – zigzag heron Botaurus – bitterns (14 species of which 1 extinct, includes species formerly placed in Ixobrychus ) Gorsachius – night herons (2 species) Calherodius – white-backed night heron Oroanassa – white-eared night heron Pilherodius – capped heron Syrigma – whistling heron Egretta – herons and egrets (13 species) Nyctanassa – night herons (2 species of which 1 extinct) Nycticorax – night herons (6 species of which 4 extinct) Butorides – herons (3 species) Ardeola – pond herons (6 species) Ardea – herons and egrets (16 species, including cattle egrets) As of August 2024
#663336