The Order Gruiformes, also known as the crane order, is a diverse group of birds found all over the world. Synonyms for this order include Grallae, Alectorides, and Otidiformes. The Grallae name derives from the Latin word for stilts, alluding to the long legs characteristic of many of these birds. Alectorides comes from the Greek work Alector, a type of game bird, while Otidiformes refers to the bustards, which make up a subset of the order. These synonyms help to describe the unique features and diversity of birds within the Order Gruiformes, an important group of birds that includes cranes, rails, and other wetland species.