Gruimorphae

Gruimorphae^[4] is a clade of birds that contains the orders Charadriiformes (plovers, gulls, and allies) and Gruiformes (cranes and rails) identified by molecular analysis.^[5][3] This grouping has had historical support, as various charadriiform families such as the families Pedionomidae and Turnicidae were classified as gruiforms.^[6][7][8] It may also have support from the fossil record since the discovery of Nahmavis from the Early Eocene of North America. ^[9]

Gruimorphae Temporal range: Paleocene[1][2] - Holocene 60–0 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N Possibly an earlier origin based on molecular clock[3]
Piping plover (Charadrius melodus)
Water rail (Rallus aquaticus)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Clade:	Ornithurae
Class:	Aves
Infraclass:	Neognathae
Clade:	Neoaves
Clade:	Gruimorphae Bonaparte, 1854
Orders
Charadriiformes Gruiformes
Synonyms
Charadriimorphae Gruicharadriae

The relationship between these birds is due to similar anatomical and behavioral characteristics. A morphological study went further to suggest that the gruiforms might be paraphyletic in respect to the shorebirds, with the rails being closely related to the buttonquails.^[10][11]