Herons and pelicans belong to the same order known as Pelecaniformes, distinguished by their signature throat pouches, dysfunctional slit nostrils, and having a pectinate nail on their longest toe for preening. Spoonbills and ibis are also in this order.
Herons and pelicans belong to the same order known as Pelecaniformes, distinguished by their signature throat pouches, dysfunctional slit nostrils, ...