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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
Indicator meliphilus

Indicator meliphilus

Indicator meliphilus，Pallid Honeyguide，Eastern least honyeguide

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Indicator meliphilus, Pallid Honeyguide and Eastern least honyeguide.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Indicator willcocksi

Indicator willcocksi

Indicator willcocksi，Willcocks's Honeyguide

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Indicator willcocksi, or Willcocks' Honeyguide.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Indicator pumilio

Indicator pumilio

Indicator pumilio，Dwarf Honeyguide

Climbing birds LC

Features：

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

Melignomon eisentrauti

Melignomon eisentrauti

Melignomon eisentrauti，Yellow-footed Honeyguide

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Yellow-footed Honeyguide's scientific name, Melignomon eisentrauti (yellow-footed honeyguide), is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Melignomon zenkeri

Melignomon zenkeri

Melignomon zenkeri，Zenker's Honeyguide

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The name Melignomon zenkeri (Zenker's Honeyguide) is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Prodotiscus regulus

Prodotiscus regulus

Prodotiscus regulus，Brown-backed Honeybird，Wahlberg's honeybird，Wahlberg's honeyguide，Sharp-billed honeyguide

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Prodotiscus regulus, Brown-backed Honeybird, Wahlberg's honeybird, Wahlberg's honeyguide, Sharp-billed honeyguide, Specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Prodotiscus zambesiae

Prodotiscus zambesiae

Prodotiscus zambesiae，Green-backed Honeybird，Green-backed honeyguide，Eastern green-backed honeyguide，Slender-billed honeyguide

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Honeypecher Prodotiscus zambesiae, The names Green-backed Honeybird, Green-backed honeyguide, Eastern green-backed honeyguide, Slender-billed honeyguide are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Prodotiscus insignis

Prodotiscus insignis

Prodotiscus insignis，Cassin's Honeybird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

尖嘴蜜䴕学名Prodotiscus insignis，外文名Cassin's Honeybird，具体习性不详。保护野生动物，杜绝野味。维护生态平衡，人人有责！...

Megalaima haemacephala

Megalaima haemacephala

Megalaima haemacephala，Coppersmith Barbet，Crimson-breasted barbet，Coppersmith

Climbing birds LC

Features：Bright orange-yellow spots above the eyes, which stand out on the dark head

Megalaima haemacephala, Coppersmith Barbet, Crimper-breasted barbet, Coppersmith, has 9 subspecies.Pseudowoodpecker is a resident bird. They are often solitary except during the breeding season, and sometimes in small groups on trees where food is abundant. It is active and roosts in the canopy. The...

Psilopogon malabaricus

Psilopogon malabaricus

Psilopogon malabaricus，Malabar Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Psilopogon malabaricus and Malabar Barbet.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Megalaima rubricapillus

Megalaima rubricapillus

Megalaima rubricapillus，Crimson-fronted Barbet，Sri Lanka barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Megalaima rubricapillus, foreign names Crimson fronted Barbet, Sri Lanka barbet, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Megalaima eximia

Megalaima eximia

Megalaima eximia，Bornean Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Kalimantan woodpecker is known as Megalaima eximia and Bornean Barbet.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Psilopogon australis

Psilopogon australis

Psilopogon australis，Yellow-eared Barbet，Little Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Yellow-eared woodpecker is Psilopogon australis, and the foreign name is yellow-eared Barbet, Little Barbet, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Psilopogon cyanotis

Psilopogon cyanotis

Psilopogon cyanotis，Megalaima australis，Blue-eared Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：It is very similar in appearance to the blue-throated Woodpecker, but smaller in size

The Blue-eared woodpecker is known as Psilopogon cyanotis, Megalaima australis, and Blue-eared Barbet, with 7 subspecies (1. Named subspecies: Psilopogon cyanotis australis. 2. Yunnan subspecies: Psilopogon cyanotis cyanotis. 3. Malay subspecies: Psilopogon cyanotis duvaucelii. 4. Psilopogon cyanoti...

Megalaima pulcherrima

Megalaima pulcherrima

Megalaima pulcherrima，Golden-naped Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Megalaima pulcherrima, Golden-naped Barbet, is unknown。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Megalaima armillaris

Megalaima armillaris

Megalaima armillaris，Flame-fronted Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Megalaima armillaris and Flame-fronted Barbet.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Megalaima henricii

Megalaima henricii

Megalaima henricii，Yellow-crowned Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Megalaima henricii, Yellow-crowned Barbet, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Megalaima incognita

Megalaima incognita

Megalaima incognita，Moustached Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Megalaima incognita, Moustached Barbet, is unknown。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Megalaima monticola

Megalaima monticola

Megalaima monticola，Mountain Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Megalaima monticola is the scientific name of Megalaima monticola, the foreign name Mountain Barbet, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Psilopogon chersonesus

Psilopogon chersonesus

Psilopogon chersonesus，Turquoise-throated Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Psilopogon chersonesus and Turquoise-throated Barbet.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Psilopogon asiaticus

Psilopogon asiaticus

Psilopogon asiaticus，Megalaima asiatica，Blue-throated Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：The forehead to the top of the head is bright red, and there is a broad black horizontal band on it, which divides the red into two pieces before and after

The species is known as Psilopogon asiaticus, Megalaima asiatica and Blue-throated Barbet, and has three subspecies (1. Named subspecies: Psilopogon asiaticus asiatica. 2. Yunnan subspecies: Psilopogon asiaticus davisoni. 3. Thai subspecies: Psilopogon asiaticus chersonesus.) .Blue-throated woodpeck...

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