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Birds: different species, definitions, photos, and more

Birds are advanced vertebrates that are adapted to life on land and in the air. Birds in China are divided into six categories: waterfowl, wading birds, climbing birds, land birds, raptors, and songbirds. These six categories are collectively referred to as the six major ecological groups of birds. There are many species of birds, spread all over the world, and the ecology is diverse. There are more than 9,020 known bird species in existence, and more than 1,400 species in China.

Birds (Aves) are a unique category of vertebrates, known for their feathers covering their entire body, their ability to fly, and their ability to lay eggs. Birds are the only existing animals with feathers and play an important role in biodiversity and ecosystems.

  • Scientific name: Aves

  • Main features:

    1. Feathers: Feathers are a unique feature of birds and are used for flight, insulation and display.

    2. Homothermia: Birds are warm-blooded animals and can survive in a variety of environments.

    3. Flight ability: Most birds can fly, but there are exceptions (such as ostriches and penguins).

    4. Oviparous: Birds reproduce by laying eggs, which have hard shells.

    5. Beak: Birds have no teeth, and their beaks are adapted to different feeding needs.

  • Ecological role:

    • Pollination, seed dispersal, pest control.

    • An important link in the food chain.

  • Evolutionary history:

    • Birds originated from dinosaurs in the Mesozoic era (about 150 million years ago).

    • Archaeopteryx is considered an important transitional species between birds and dinosaurs.


Bird classification table

Birds include about 30 orders, covering more than 10,000 known species. The following is a detailed classification of birds, including major orders, families, genera and typical representatives.


Classification levelOrderFamilyGenusRepresentative birds (Examples)
Land birds
GalliformesPhasianidaePheasant (Phasianus)pheasant, peacock


Guinea fowl (Numididae)Guinea fowl (Numida)guinea fowl


MeleagrididaeMeleagrisTurkey
WaterfowlAnseriformesAnatidaeAnasWild duck, swan



BrantaBranta
Birds of preyFalconiformesFalconidaeFalcoSaker Falcon, Peregrine Falcon

AccipitriformesAccipitridaeAquilagolden eagle, vulture



MilvusRed kite, black kite
Wading birdsCiconiiformesStorks (Ciconiidae)CiconiaWhite stork, black stork

PelecaniformesPelecanidaePelecanusWhite Pelican, Brown Pelican


FregatidaeFregatafrigate bird
SongbirdsPasseriformesPasseridaePasserHouse sparrow, mountain sparrow


HirundinidaeHirundoBarn swallow, sand swallow


PsittacidaePsittacusafrican gray parrot
seabirdsCharadriiformesLaridaeLarusHerring Gull, Black-backed Gull


Plovidae (Charadriidae)CharadriusGolden Plover, Ring-necked Plover

Albatross (Procellariiformes)Albatross family (Diomedeidae)Albatross (Diomedea)Wandering Albatross
Climbing birdsWoodpeckers (Piciformes)Woodpeckers (Picidae)Woodpecker (Dendrocopos)Great Spotted Woodpecker

Buddha, Dharma and Sangha (Coraciiformes)CoraciiformesCoraciasBlue-breasted Buddha monk
Penguin categoryPenguin Order (Sphenisciformes)Penguin family (Spheniscidae)Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis)Emperor Penguin, Adélie Penguin

Main evolutionary history of birds

Origin

Birds originated from dinosaurs and are descendants of theropod dinosaurs. Archaeopteryx from the Mesozoic Era (about 150 million years ago) is the earliest known bird fossil, with dinosaur teeth and bird feathers, and is regarded as a transitional species between birds and dinosaurs.

Evolution and Diversity

  1. Cenozoic Flourish: After the extinction of the dinosaurs, birds underwent rapid adaptive radiation evolution, expanding into a variety of ecological niches.

  2. Flight and Adaptation: Birds have lightweight skeletons and streamlined bodies, which provide an evolutionary advantage for flight.

  3. Global Distribution: There are more than 10,000 existing species of birds, distributed in almost all habitats on Earth.


Ecological Roles of Birds

  1. Pollination and Seed Dispersal: Birds such as hummingbirds and parrots maintain plant diversity by pollinating and dispersing seeds.

  2. Pest Control: Woodpeckers and swallows control insect populations, which helps agriculture.

  3. Ecological Balance: Birds of prey such as eagles and falcons are at the top of the food chain and maintain the stability of the ecosystem.


Bird Conservation Status

  1. Habitat Loss: Deforestation and wetland destruction threaten bird survival.

  2. Climate Change: Climate change affects the reproduction and habitat of migratory birds.

  3. Conservation Actions: Bird sanctuaries, such as crane sanctuaries and wetland restoration projects, have been established around the world.


Conclusion

Birds are among the most diverse and adaptable animals on Earth. From songbirds to raptors, from land to sea, birds have demonstrated extraordinary evolutionary adaptability. Through this detailed classification list and bird introduction, users can gain in-depth knowledge of the evolutionary history, classification, and important role of birds in the ecosystem. This not only helps spread knowledge, but also provides a scientific basis for bird protection.

Waterfowl Wading birds Climbing birds Landfowl Bird of prey Songbird
Chestnut-headed Nunlet

Chestnut-headed Nunlet

Nonnula amaurocephala,Chestnut-headed Puffy-headed Pier

Features:Its plumage is unique among puffins.

The scientific name of Chestnut-headed Nunlet is Nonnula amaurocephala, and its foreign name is Chestnut-headed Nunlet. Its specific habits are unknown. Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game. Maintaining ecological balance is everyone’s responsibility!...

Psilopogon oorti

Psilopogon oorti

Psilopogon duvaucelii,Black-eared barbet

Features:

The scientific name of the black-eared woodpecker is Psilopogon duvaucelii, and its foreign name is Black-eared barbet. Its specific habits are unknown. Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game. Maintaining ecological balance is everyone’s responsibility!...

White-naped Woodpecker

White-naped Woodpecker

Chrysocolaptes festivus

Features:

The scientific name of the black-rumped woodpecker is Chrysocolaptes festivus, and its foreign name is White-naped woodpecker. Its specific habits are unknown. Listed in the World Conservation Union (IUCN) ver 3.1: 2009 Bird Red List. Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game. Maintaining ecological balance is everyone’s responsibility!...

Yellow-faced Golden-backed Woodpecker

Yellow-faced Golden-backed Woodpecker

Chrysocolaptes xanthocephalus

Features:

The scientific name of the yellow-faced golden-backed woodpecker is Chrysocolaptes xanthocephalus, and its foreign name is Yellow-faced flameback. Its specific habits are unknown. Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game. Maintaining ecological balance is everyone’s responsibility!...

Tawny-tufted Toucanet

Tawny-tufted Toucanet

Selenidera nattereri

Features:

The scientific name of the tea-bearded little toucan is Selenidera nattereri, and its foreign name is awny-tufted toucanet. It is a climbing bird. The call of the Tea-bearded Little Toucan is similar to that of a frog. The tea-bearded toucan is omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds and insects, and is sometimes considered a pest in orchards. Tea-bearded toucans generally choose trees with good wood to dig holes. The opening width is just right for the adult bird to drill in, and the hole depth is...

white breasted chimes

white breasted chimes

Pogoniulus makawai

Features:

The scientific name of the white-chested tinkerbird is Pogoniulus makawai, and its foreign name is White-chested Tinkerbird. Its specific habits are unknown. Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game. Maintaining ecological balance is everyone’s r...

Sri Lankan

Sri Lankan

Gymnobucco sladeni,Sladen's Barbet

Features:

The scientific name of Sladen's Barbet is Gymnobucco sladeni, and its foreign name is Sladen's Barbet. Its specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone’s responsibility!...

Ehrlich's Woodpecker

Ehrlich's Woodpecker

Dendropicos elliotii

Features:

The scientific name of the Elliot's Woodpecker is Dendropicos elliotii, and its foreign name is Elliot's woodpecker. Its specific habits are unknown.Listed in the World Conservation Union (IUCN) ver 3.1: 2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological b...

Orange-fronted Barbet

Orange-fronted Barbet

Capito squamatus

Features:

The scientific name of the orange-fronted barbet is Capito squamatus, and its foreign name is Orange-fronted Barbet. Its specific habits are unknown. Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game. Maintaining ecological...

Chestnut Woodpecker

Chestnut Woodpecker

Picumnus cinnamomeus

Features:

The chestnut woodpecker's scientific name is Picumnus cinnamomeus, and its foreign name is Chestnut piculet. It mainly feeds on insects in tree trunks, most of which are pests. The specific habits are unknown. Listed in "World Conservation Union》(IU...

gray woodpecker

gray woodpecker

Picumnus granadensis,Greyish piculet

Features:

灰姬啄木鸟学名Picumnus granadensis,外文名Greyish piculet,具体习性不详。列入《世界自然保护联盟》(IUCN)ver 3.1:2009年鸟类红色名录。保护野生动物,杜绝野味。维护生态平衡,人人有责!...

Dark green woodpecker

Dark green woodpecker

Picumnus olivaceus,Olivaceous piculet

Features:

暗绿姬啄木鸟学名Picumnus olivaceus,外文名Olivaceous piculet,具体习性不详。列入《世界自然保护联盟》(IUCN)ver 3.1:2009年鸟类红色名录。保护野生动物,杜绝野味。维护生态平衡,人人有责!...

Fine-barred Piculet

Fine-barred Piculet

Picumnus subtilis,Fine-barred piculet

Features:

Fine-barred Piculet Scientific Name Picumnus subtilis,Foreign name:Fine-barred piculet,Specific habits unknown。Listed in the IUCN (World Conservation Union) ver 3.1: 2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wildlife and stop eating wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Picumnus castelnau Malherbe

Picumnus castelnau Malherbe

Picumnus castelnau,Plain-breasted piculet

Features:

The scientific name of the Plain-breasted Woodpecker is Picumnus castelnau, and its foreign name is Plain-breasted piculet. Its specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN (World Conservation Union) ver 3.1: 2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wildlife and stop eating wild game.Maintaining ecological...

Picumnus nebulosus Sundevall

Picumnus nebulosus Sundevall

Picumnus nebulosus,Mottled piculet

Features:

The scientific name is Picumnus nebulosus, the foreign name is Mottled piculet, and its specific habits are unknown.Picumnus nebulosus lives on dead trees or branches in tropical low mountain mixed forests, especially bamboo forests. It makes a continuous, gentle tapping sound while foraging.Listed...

Ochraceous Piculet

Ochraceous Piculet

Picumnus limae,Ochraceous piculet

Features:

Picumnus limae, also known as Ochraceous piculet in foreign languages, has unknown specific habits.Listed in the IUCN (World Conservation Union) ver 3.1: 2009 Red List of Birds - Vulnerable (VU).Protect wildlife and stop eating wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibilit...

Brown Himeji Woodpecker

Brown Himeji Woodpecker

Picumnus fulvescens,Tawny piculet

Features:

The scientific name of the brown woodpecker is Picumnus fulvescens, and the foreign name is Tawny piculet. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds - Near Threatened (NT).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild...

Picumnus fuscus

Picumnus fuscus

Picumnus fuscus,Rusty-necked piculet

Features:

The scientific name of the Rusty necked Woodpecker is Picumnus fuscus, and its foreign name is Rusty necked piculet. The specific habits are unknown. The Rust necked Woodpecker continues to make a slight tapping sound while foraging. A sharp and repetitive tsit sound; When an alar...

Picumnus albosquamatus

Picumnus albosquamatus

Picumnus albosquamatus,White-wedged piculet

Features:

The scientific name of the White-tailed Woodpecker is Picumnus albosquamatus, and its foreign name is White-wedged piculet. Its specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Picumnus temminckii

Picumnus temminckii

Picumnus temminckii,Ochre-collared piculet

Features:

The scientific name of the Zhe Ling Ji Woodpecker is Picumnus temminckii, and the foreign name is Ochre collared piculet. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's re...

Picumnus dorbignyanus

Picumnus dorbignyanus

Picumnus dorbignyanus,Ocellated piculet

Features:

The scientific name of the spotted woodpecker is Picumnus dorbigyanus, and the foreign name is Ocellated piculet. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibi...