An order of predominantly long-legged, long-necked wading birds including herons, ibises, spoonbills, storks, and their allies, and also the hawklike New World vultures which were previously placed in the Falconiformes. The flamingos have traditionally been placed in this order; however, they show a number of unique features and differences and so are placed in a separate order, Phoenicopteriformes. Some workers have suggested that the ibises are members of the Charadriiformes and that the herons should be placed in a separate order; however, these suggestions are controversial.