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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
Melanerpes cactorum

Melanerpes cactorum

Melanerpes cactorum，White-fronted Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The White-fronted Woodpecker, Melanerpes cactorum or white-fronted woodpecker, is unknown.Listed in the World Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Red List of birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Melanerpes pucherani

Melanerpes pucherani

Melanerpes pucherani，Black-cheeked woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Black-cheeked woodpecker is known as Melanerpes pucherani and black-cheeked woodpecker.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Melanerpes pulcher

Melanerpes pulcher

Melanerpes pulcher，Beautiful woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Melanerpes pulcher, Beautiful woodpecker, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Melanerpes chrysauchen

Melanerpes chrysauchen

Melanerpes chrysauchen，Golden-naped woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Melanerpes chrysauchen and Golden-naped woodpecker。Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Melanerpes flavifrons

Melanerpes flavifrons

Melanerpes flavifrons，Yellow-fronted woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Yellow-fronted woodpecker is Melanerpes flavifrons and yellow-fronted woodpecker.Yellow-fronted woodpeckers are highly social, gathering together in groups to forage for fruit from trees. Often roosting on branches, sometimes leaping from herbaceous heights to feed on berries, caged individuals...

Melanerpes cruentatus

Melanerpes cruentatus

Melanerpes cruentatus，Yellow-tufted Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The yellow-barked Woodpecker is known as Melanerpes cruentatus and Yellow-tufted woodpecker.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Melanerpes formicivorus

Melanerpes formicivorus

Melanerpes formicivorus，Acorn woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Melanerpes formicivorus, Acorn woodpecker, has seven subspecies.Oak woodpeckers are very unusual woodpeckers that live in large groups and cooperate to hoard acorns. Each team member collected hundreds of acorns and wedged them into small holes cut in tree trunks or telephone poles. They also spend...

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Melanerpes erythrocephalus，Red-headed Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Red-headed Woodpecker is Melanerpes erythrocephalus and red-headed woodpecker.Red-headed woodpeckers catch insects in the air or on land for food and eat fruit from trees. They are omnivorous, eating insects, seeds, fruits, strawberries, nuts, and even the eggs of other birds. Two-thirds of thei...

Melanerpes portoricensis

Melanerpes portoricensis

Melanerpes portoricensis，Puerto Rican Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Melanerpes portoricensis and Puerto Rican Woodpecker.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Melanerpes herminieri

Melanerpes herminieri

Melanerpes herminieri，Guadeloupe Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Melanerpes herminieri and Guadeloupe Woodpecker are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Melanerpes lewis

Melanerpes lewis

Melanerpes lewis，Lewis' woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The woodpecker's scientific name is Melanerpes lewis, and its foreign name is Lewis' woodpecker.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Melanerpes candidus

Melanerpes candidus

Melanerpes candidus，White woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Melanerpes candidus or White woodpecker is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Selenidera spectabilis

Selenidera spectabilis

Selenidera spectabilis，Yellow-eared toucanet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Selenidera spectabilis (Yellow-eared toucanet) is a species of climbing bird.The song of the yellow-eared toucan resembles that of a frog. The yellow-eared toucan is omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, and insects, and is sometimes considered a pest in orchards.Yellow-eared toucans generally choos...

Selenidera reinwardtii

Selenidera reinwardtii

Selenidera reinwardtii，Golden-collared toucanet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Selenidera reinwardtii (Golden-collared toucanet) is a species of climbing bird.The song of the golden collar toucan is similar to that of the frog. The golden collar Toucan is omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, and insects, and is sometimes considered a pest in orchards.The golden collar small t...

Selenidera maculirostris

Selenidera maculirostris

Selenidera maculirostris，Spot-billed Toucanet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Selenidera maculirostris, or Spot-billed Toucanet, is a species of climbing bird.The song of a toucan is similar to that of a frog. The small Toucan is omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, and insects, and is sometimes regarded as an orchard pest.Small toucans generally choose trees with good wood...

Selenidera gouldii

Selenidera gouldii

Selenidera gouldii，Gould's Toucanet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Selenidera gouldii, or Gould's Toucanet, is a species of climbing bird.The song of the small Toucan is similar to that of the frog. It is omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, and insects, and is sometimes regarded as an orchard pest.Small Tuccans generally choose trees with good wood to dig bur...

Selenidera culik

Selenidera culik

Selenidera culik，Guianan Toucanet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Selenidera culik (Guianan Toucanet) is a species of climbing bird.The song of the small Guyanese toucan resembles that of a frog. The Guianese toucan is omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, and insects, and is sometimes considered a pest in orchards.Small toucans in Guyana generally choose trees wi...

Ramphastos ambiguus

Ramphastos ambiguus

Ramphastos ambiguus，Black-mandibled Toucan，Yellow-throated toucan

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The black-billed Toucan is known as Ramphastos ambiguus, Black-mandibled toucan, Yellow-throated toucan.The black-billed toucan sings hoarse and low. The black-billed toucan is omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, and insects, and sometimes raiding the nests of small birds, eating eggs and chicks....

Ramphastos tucanus

Ramphastos tucanus

Ramphastos tucanus，White-throated toucan

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The red-billed toucan is known as Ramphastos tucanus or White-throated toucan, and has two subspecies, the southern and western named subspecies R. t. tucanus, and the eastern and northern South American 鵎 touvieri. Both subspecies were initially considered separate species, but because they differ...

Ramphastos sulfuratus

Ramphastos sulfuratus

Ramphastos sulfuratus，Keel-billed Toucan

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The thick-billed Toucan, whose scientific name is Ramphastos sachatus, Keel-billed Toucan, has two subspecies (1. Barrel-ribbed thick-billed toucan: Ramphastos sachyatus brevicarinatus. 2. Rainbow Toucan: Ramphastos Sachyatus sachyatus.)Thick-billed toucans usually live in small groups of 6 to 12 in...

Ramphastos brevis

Ramphastos brevis

Ramphastos brevis，Choco Toucan

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Choco Toucan Ramphastos brevis, Choco Toucan is a medium-sized climbing bird.The Choco toucan's song is hoarse and low. Choco toucans are omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, and insects, and sometimes raiding the nests of small birds, eating eggs and chicks.The Choco Toucan nests in tree holes...

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