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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
Ramphastos citreolaemus

Ramphastos citreolaemus

Ramphastos citreolaemus,Citron-throated Toucan

Features:

Ramphastos citreolaemus, Citron-throated Toucan, is a medium-sized climbing bird.The yellow-throated toucan's song is hoarse and low. This species is omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, and insects, and sometimes raiding the nests of small birds, eating eggs and chicks.Yellow-throated Toucans...

Ramphastos vitellinus

Ramphastos vitellinus

Ramphastos vitellinus,Channel-billed Toucan

Features:

Ramphastos vitellinus, also known as Channel-billed Toucan, is a medium-sized climbing bird.The pit-billed toucan's song is hoarse and low. The pitted toucan eats the fruits and seeds of plants. Instead of pecking with its beak like some birds, it throws food into the air and then opens its big...

Ramphastos dicolorus

Ramphastos dicolorus

Ramphastos dicolorus,Green-billed toucan

Features:

Ramphastos dicolorus, or Green-billed toucan, is a medium-sized climbing bird.The red-breasted toucan's song is hoarse and low. It is omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds and insects, and sometimes raiding the nests of small birds, eating eggs and chicks.The red-breasted Toucan nests in tree hol...

Ramphastos toco

Ramphastos toco

Ramphastos toco,Toco toucan

Features:

The scientific name of toucan is Ramphastos toco, or Toco toucan, a medium-sized climbing bird.The sound of toucans is generally not pleasing to the ear, often resembling a frog's cry, a dog's bark, or a grunt, click, or shrill sound; But a few species have a beautiful song or a sad song. It...

Pteroglossus baillon

Pteroglossus baillon

Pteroglossus baillon,Saffron toucanet

Features:

Orange Toucan scientific name Pteroglossus baillon, foreign name Saffron toucanet, medium-sized climbing bird.Tangerine Toucans are gregarious and prefer to live in treetops; It is also the noisiest forest bird, capable of making loud rumbles, trumpets and screeches. Its nest is built in a hole high...

Pteroglossus beauharnaesii

Pteroglossus beauharnaesii

Pteroglossus beauharnaesii,Curl-crested aracari

Features:

The tufted toucan is Pteroglossus beauharnaesii and Curl-crested aracari.The curve-crowned Tufted Toucan is also the noisiest forest bird, producing loud rumbles, trumpets, and screeches. Its nest is built in a hole high in a tree. When eating, always peck the food with the tip of the mouth first, t...

Pteroglossus frantzii

Pteroglossus frantzii

Pteroglossus frantzii,Fiery-billed aracari

Features:

Pteroglossus frantzii, also known as Fiery billed aracari, is a medium-sized climbing bird.The red-billed Tucan is also the noisiest of the forest birds, producing loud rumbles, trumpets, and screeches. Its nest is built in a hole high in a tree. When eating, always peck the food with the tip of the...

Pteroglossus erythropygius

Pteroglossus erythropygius

Pteroglossus erythropygius,Pale-mandibled aracari

Features:

Pteroglossus erythropygius, Pale-mandibled aracari, is a medium-sized climbing bird.The soft-billed Tucan is also the noisiest of the forest birds, producing loud rumbles, trumpets, and screeches. Its nest is built in a hole high in a tree. When eating, always peck the food with the tip of the mouth...

Pteroglossus sanguineus

Pteroglossus sanguineus

Pteroglossus sanguineus,Stripe-billed aracari

Features:

Pteroglossus sanguineus or Stripe-billed aracari is a medium-sized climbing bird.The spotted bill Tugs are also the noisiest forest birds, producing loud rumbles, trumpets, and screeches. Its nest is built in a hole high in a tree. When eating, always peck the food with the tip of the mouth first, t...

Pteroglossus torquatus

Pteroglossus torquatus

Pteroglossus torquatus,Collared Aracari

Features:

The Collared Aracari, Pteroglossus torquatus or Collared aracari, is a medium-sized climbing bird.The tufted toucan is also the noisiest forest bird, producing loud rumbles, trumpets, and screeches. Its nest is built in a hole high in a tree. When eating, always peck the food with the tip of the mou...

Pteroglossus pluricinctus

Pteroglossus pluricinctus

Pteroglossus pluricinctus,Many-banded Aracari

Features:

Its scientific name is Pteroglossus pluricinctus, and its foreign name is Many-banded Aracari.The Tufted Toucan is also the noisiest of the forest birds, producing loud rumbles, trumpets, and screeches. Its nest is built in a hole high in a tree. When eating, always peck the food with the tip of the...

Pteroglossus castanotis

Pteroglossus castanotis

Pteroglossus castanotis,Chestnut-eared Aracari

Features:

Known as Pteroglossus castanotis or chestney-eared Aracari, it is named for the brown feathers that surround its ears.The chestnut tufted toucan is also the noisiest forest bird, producing loud rumbles, trumpets, and screeches. Its nest is built in a hole high in a tree. When eating, always peck the...

Pteroglossus aracari

Pteroglossus aracari

Pteroglossus aracari,Black-necked aracari

Features:

The Black-necked tufted tucano, Pteroglossus aracari or black-necked aracari, is a medium-sized climbing bird.The black-necked Tufted bill is also the noisiest of the forest birds, producing loud rumbles, trumpets, and screeches. Its nest is built in a hole high in a tree. When eating, always peck t...

Pteroglossus mariae

Pteroglossus mariae

Pteroglossus mariae,Brown-mandibled Aracari

Features:

The Brown-mandibled Aracari (Pteroglossus mariae) is a medium-sized climbing bird.The brown-billed Tucan is also the noisiest forest bird, producing loud rumbles, trumpets, and screeches. Its nest is built in a hole high in a tree. When eating, always peck the food with the tip of the mouth first, t...

Pteroglossus azara

Pteroglossus azara

Pteroglossus azara,Ivory-billed aracari

Features:

The species has two subspecies, Pteroglossus azara and Ivory-billed aracari.The white-billed tufted toucan is also the noisiest of the forest birds, producing loud rumbles, trumpets, and screeches. Its nest is built in a hole high in a tree. When eating, always peck the food with the tip of the mout...

Pteroglossus bitorquatus

Pteroglossus bitorquatus

Pteroglossus bitorquatus,Red-necked aracari

Features:

The species has three subspecies: Pteroglossus bitorquatus and Red-necked aracari.The red-necked Tufted Toucan is the noisiest of the forest birds, producing loud rumbles, trumpets, and screeches. Its nest is built in a hole high in a tree. When eating, always peck the food with the tip of the mouth...

Pteroglossus inscriptus

Pteroglossus inscriptus

Pteroglossus inscriptus,Lettered aracari

Features:

The Brazilian tufted tuccan has two subspecies, Pteroglossus inscriptus and Lettered aracari.The Brazilian tufted toucan is the noisiest of the forest birds, producing loud rumbles, trumpets and screeches. Its nest is built in a hole high in a tree. When eating, always peck the food with the tip of...

Pteroglossus viridis

Pteroglossus viridis

Pteroglossus viridis,Green aracari

Features:

Pteroglossus viridis, Green aracari, is a medium-sized climbing bird.The greentufted toucan is the noisiest of the forest birds, producing loud rumbles, trumpets, and screeches. Its nest is built in a hole high in a tree. When eating, always peck the food with the tip of the mouth first, then tilt t...

Aulacorhynchus coeruleicinctis

Aulacorhynchus coeruleicinctis

Aulacorhynchus coeruleicinctis,Blue-banded toucanet,Blue-throated toucanet

Features:

The scientific name Aulacorhynchus coeruleicinctis, or Blue-banded toucanet or Blue-throated toucanet, is unknown.Blue-spotted toucans like to live in treetops; It is also the noisiest forest bird, capable of making loud rumbles, trumpets and screeches. When eating, always peck the food with the tip...

Aulacorhynchus huallagae

Aulacorhynchus huallagae

Aulacorhynchus huallagae,Yellow-browed Toucanet

Features:

Aulacorhynchus huallagae, Yellow-browed Toucanet, is a small and medium-sized climbing bird.The yellow-fronted toucan's song is usually a series of long, toneless guttering sounds, similar to frog croaks and dog barks, as well as dry clicks, and is the loudest of the forest birds. It lives in mo...

Aulacorhynchus haematopygus

Aulacorhynchus haematopygus

Aulacorhynchus haematopygus,Crimson-rumped toucanet

Features:

Aulacorhynchus haematopygus, also known as Crimper-Rumped toucanet, has two subspecies.The upset-waisted toucan, whose song is usually a series of long, toneless guttering sounds, similar to the croaks of frogs and dogs, as well as dry clicks, is also the loudest of the forest birds. It lives in mou...