of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris (C) Greater roadrunner, Geococcyx californianus Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus Nightjars and allies Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves. Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor Common poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii (A) Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus Swifts Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have very long, swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica White-throated swift, Aeronautes saxatalis (A) Hummingbirds Order: ApodiformesFamily: Trochilidae Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. Mexican violetear, Colibri thalassinus (A) Rivoli's hummingbird, Eugenes fulgens (A) Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri (A) Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna (C) Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope (A) Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus Allen's hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin (A) Broad-tailed hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus (A) Broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (A) Rails, gallinules, and coots Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers. King rail, Rallus elegans Virginia rail, Rallus limicola Sora, Porzana carolina Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata American coot, Fulica americana Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis (C) Limpkin Order: GruiformesFamily: Aramidae The limpkin is an odd bird that looks like a large rail, but is skeletally closer to the cranes. Limpkin, Aramus guarauna (A) Cranes Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate