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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
Aulacorhynchus whitelianus

Aulacorhynchus whitelianus

Aulacorhynchus whitelianus，Tepui Toucanet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Aulacorhynchus whitelianus, also known as Tepui Toucanet, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Aulacorhynchus derbianus

Aulacorhynchus derbianus

Aulacorhynchus derbianus，Chestnut-tipped toucanet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Aulacorhynchus derbianus (Chestnut tipped toucanet) is a medium-sized climbing bird.The chestnut spotted Toucan's song is usually a series of long, toneless guttering sounds, similar to the croaks of frogs and dogs, as well as dry clicks, and is also the loudest forest bird. It lives in mountain...

Aulacorhynchus sulcatus

Aulacorhynchus sulcatus

Aulacorhynchus sulcatus，Groove-billed toucanet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Aulacorhynchus sulcatus, also known as Groove-billed toucanet, has three subspecies.The toucan's song is usually a series of long, toneless guttering sounds, similar to the croaks and barks of frogs and dogs, as well as dry clicks, and is the loudest of the forest birds. It lives in mountains fr...

Aulacorhynchus atrogularis

Aulacorhynchus atrogularis

Aulacorhynchus atrogularis，Black-throated toucanet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

黑喉巨嘴鸟学名Aulacorhynchus atrogularis，外文名Black-throated toucanet，有3个亚种，具体习性不详。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Aulacorhynchus albivitta

Aulacorhynchus albivitta

Aulacorhynchus albivitta，Southern Emerald-Toucanet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Aulacorhynchus albivitta, also known as Southern Emerald-Toucanet, has four subspecies and unknown habits.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Aulacorhynchus caeruleogularis

Aulacorhynchus caeruleogularis

Aulacorhynchus caeruleogularis，Blue-throated toucanet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Aulacorhynchus caeruleogularis, also known as Blue-throated toucanet, has two subspecies, the specific habits of which are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Aulacorhynchus wagleri

Aulacorhynchus wagleri

Aulacorhynchus wagleri，Wagler's toucanet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Aulacorhynchus wagleri, also known as Wagler's toucanet, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Aulacorhynchus prasinus

Aulacorhynchus prasinus

Aulacorhynchus prasinus，Emerald Toucanet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Aulacorhynchus prasinus, also known as Emerald Toucanet, has four subspecies.The green toucan's song is usually a series of long, toneless guttering sounds, similar to the croaks of frogs and dogs, as well as dry clicks, and is also the loudest forest bird. It lives in mountains from 1,000 to 3,...

Andigena nigrirostris

Andigena nigrirostris

Andigena nigrirostris，Black-billed Mountain Toucan

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Andigena nigrirostris, Black-billed Mountain Toucan, has 3 subspecies.The black-billed Toucan is gregarious and prefers 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 in a tree. When eating, always pe...

Andigena laminirostris

Andigena laminirostris

Andigena laminirostris，Plate-billed Mountain Toucan，Plain-billed mountain-toucan，Laminated mountain-toucan，Laminated hill-toucan

Climbing birds LC

Features：The red-black beak of the Toucan has a raised yellowish stain on the upper side.

Andigena laminirostris, Foreign names Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Plain-billed mountain-toucan, Laminated mountain-toucan, Laminated hill-toucan, are medium-sized climbers.Toucans are gregarious and prefer to live in treetops; It is also the noisiest forest bird, capable of making loud rumbles, tr...

Andigena hypoglauca

Andigena hypoglauca

Andigena hypoglauca，Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Andigena hypoglauca, Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan, with two subspecies, is a medium-sized climbing bird.Grey-thorax Toucan is gregarious and prefers 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 in...

Andigena cucullata

Andigena cucullata

Andigena cucullata，Hooded Mountain Toucan

Climbing birds LC

Features：The structure of the mouth bone is unique

Andigena cucullata, Hooded Mountain Toucan, is a medium-sized climbing bird.Guanshan Toucan is gregarious and prefers 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 in a tree. When eating, always peck...

Melichneutes robustus

Melichneutes robustus

Melichneutes robustus，Lyre-tailed Honeyguide

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Honeyguide is known as Melichneutes robustus and Lyre-tailed honeyguide.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Indicator indicator

Indicator indicator

Indicator indicator，Greater Honeyguide

Climbing birds LC

Features：It can lay eggs in the nests of other birds

The black-throated Honeyguide Indicator indicator, Greater Honeyguide, is a unique bird.Honeyguides get their name from their habit of leading badgers and humans to nests in the woods. When a beehive is opened, honeyguides eat the honey and beeswax inside, as well as bee larvae and other insects.Hon...

Indicator archipelagicus

Indicator archipelagicus

Indicator archipelagicus，Malaysian Honeyguide

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Honeyguide is also known as Indicator archipelagicus and Malaysian Honeyguide. The details of the honeyguide are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Indicator xanthonotus

Indicator xanthonotus

Indicator xanthonotus，Yellow-rumped Honeyguide

Climbing birds LC

Features：It's the only vertebrate that can feed on beeswax

The name Indicator xanthonotus, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, has two subspecies (Indicator xanthonotus fulvus, Yellow-rumped honeyguide). Indicator xanthonotus xanthonotus).Honeyguides prefer beeswax, honey and bee larvae. It's the only vertebrate that can feed on beeswax. The sharp-eyed honeybird...

Indicator variegatus

Indicator variegatus

Indicator variegatus，Scaly-throated Honeyguide

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Honeyguide is Indicator variegatus and Scaly-throated honeyguide. Its specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Indicator maculatus

Indicator maculatus

Indicator maculatus，Spotted Honeyguide

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Honeyguide's scientific name is Indicator maculatus, and its foreign name is Spotted Honeyguide。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Indicator minor

Indicator minor

Indicator minor，Lesser Honeyguide

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The North African Honeyguide is an Indicator minor, Lesser Honeyguide in foreign languages, but its specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Indicator conirostris

Indicator conirostris

Indicator conirostris，Thick-billed Honeyguide

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Indicator conirostris (Thick-billed Honeyguide) is a variation of indicator conirostris or a variation of the lesser Honeyguide, sometimes as a single species, the specific habits of which are unknown。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecolo...

Indicator exilis

Indicator exilis

Indicator exilis，Least Honeyguide

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Honeyguide's scientific name is Indicator exilis, and its foreign name is Least Honeyguide.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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