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. Four species have been recorded in Wyoming. Black swift, Cypseloides niger Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica Vaux's swift, Chaetura vauxi (A) White-throated swift, Aeronautes saxatalis 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. Seven species have been recorded in Wyoming. Rivoli's hummingbird, Eugenes fulgens (A) Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris (A) Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna (A) Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus Broad-tailed hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus 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 tend to be weak fliers. Seven species have been recorded in Wyoming. Virginia rail, Rallus limicola Sora, Porzana carolina Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata (A) American coot, Fulica americana Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus (A) Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis (A) Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis (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 and noisy courting displays or "dances". Two species have been recorded in Wyoming. Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis Whooping crane, Grus americana Stilts and avocets Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species have been recorded in Wyoming. Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus American avocet, Recurvirostra americana Plovers and lapwings Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. Seven species have been recorded in Wyoming. Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola