There are 11 families in this order with about 199 species. The birds in this order come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Many species are brown, gray, and white. Most species are wading birds and fly with their necks out and their feet stretched out behind them. Most of the species live and nest on the ground both parents incubate the eggs and care for the chicks. Chicks are precocial and feed themselves shortly after hatching. Males and females usually look alike.
)
