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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
Psilopogon nuchalis

Psilopogon nuchalis

Psilopogon nuchalis，Megalaima nuchalis，Taiwan Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：In addition to the yellow, red, blue and black head and throat, the whole body is emerald green, so it is also called the five-color bird

Psilopogon nuchalis, Megalaima nuchalis and Taiwan Barbet are endemic to Taiwan, China. Originally considered to be one of five subspecies of Megalaima oorti, Feinstein et al. (2008) analyzed the genetic material of each subspecies using molecular biology techniques to determine that it was endemic...

Psilopogon oorti

Psilopogon oorti

Psilopogon oorti，Megalaima faber，Chinese Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：With thick black brow lines

Psilopogon oorti, Megalaima faber, Chinese Barbet, has 4 subspecies (1. Central South subspecies of Woodpecker: Psilopogon oorti annamensis. 2. Psilopogon oorti faber, Hainan subspecies. 3. Named subspecies: Psilopogon oorti oorti. 4. Psilopogon oorti sini, Guangxi subspecies.) .Picoides sinensis is...

Megalaima annamensis

Megalaima annamensis

Megalaima annamensis，Indochinese Barbet，Annam barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Indochinese Megalaima annamensis and its foreign names Indochinese Barbet and Annam barbet are unknown。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Psilopogon auricularis

Psilopogon auricularis

Psilopogon auricularis，Necklaced barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The black-fronted woodpecker is known as Psilopogon auricularis and Necklaced barbet.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Megalaima oorti

Megalaima oorti

Megalaima oorti，Black-browed Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Megalaima oorti, Black-browed Barbet, has 5 subspecies (1. Central South subspecies of Woodpecker: Psilopogon oorti annamensis. 2. Psilopogon oorti faber, Hainan subspecies. 3. Taiwan subspecies: Psilopogon oorti nuchalis. 4. Named subspecies: Psilopogon oorti oorti. 5. Psilopogon oorti sini, Guangx...

Psilopogon franklinii

Psilopogon franklinii

Psilopogon franklinii，Megalaima franklinii，Golden-throated Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Psilopogon franklinii, Megalaima franklinii, Golden-throated Barbet, has three subspecies (1 named subspecies: Psilopogon franklinii franklinii. 2. Burmese subspecies: Psilopogon franklinii ramsayi. 3. Laotian subspecies: Psilopogon franklinii auricularis.) .The golden-throated woodpecker is mostly...

Megalaima flavifrons

Megalaima flavifrons

Megalaima flavifrons，Yellow-fronted Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

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

Megalaima javensis

Megalaima javensis

Megalaima javensis，Black-banded Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Megalaima javensis and Black-banded Barbet are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Megalaima mystacophanos

Megalaima mystacophanos

Megalaima mystacophanos，Red-throated Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Megalaima mystacophanos, also known as Red-throated Barbet, is an unknown species.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Megalaima rafflesii

Megalaima rafflesii

Megalaima rafflesii，Red-crowned Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Megalaima rafflesii, or Red-crowned Barbet, is unknown。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Megalaima chrysopogon

Megalaima chrysopogon

Megalaima chrysopogon，Golden-whiskered Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Megalaima chrysopogon and Golden-whiskered Barbet have three subspecies. Golden-cheeked woodpeckers live in the canopy, are good at camouflage, are active all day, and eat fruit, usually choosing to eat fully ripe fruit, but also eat seeds, insects and even lizards and birds. Love...

Megalaima corvina

Megalaima corvina

Megalaima corvina，Psilopogon corvinus，Brown-throated Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Megalaima corvina, Psilopogon corvinus, or Brown-throated Barbet, is unknown。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Megalaima faiostricta

Megalaima faiostricta

Megalaima faiostricta，Psilopogon faiostrictus，Green-eared Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Megalaima faiostricta, Psilopogon faiostrictus, foreign names Green-eared Barbet, there are two subspecies.The yellow-striated woodpecker is a resident bird with the same habits as other species of woodpecker. It often acts alone and in pairs. After the breeding chicks have left the nest, the adult...

Megalaima viridis

Megalaima viridis

Megalaima viridis，White-cheeked Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Megalaima viridis, White-cheeked Barbet, is an unknown species。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Megalaima lineata

Megalaima lineata

Megalaima lineata，Lineated Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Megalaima lineata and its foreign name is Lineated Barbet。Listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Protection Level: Not Threatened (LC).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsib...

Megalaima zeylanica

Megalaima zeylanica

Megalaima zeylanica，Brown-headed Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Megalaima zeylanica and Brown-headed Barbet.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Megalaima lagrandieri

Megalaima lagrandieri

Megalaima lagrandieri，Psilopogon lagrandieri，Red-vented Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Megalaima lagrandieri and Red-vented Barbet are not known。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Psilopogon virens

Psilopogon virens

Psilopogon virens，Great Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：The call is monotonous and loud, and it is repeated 'go-o, go-o'

Psilopogon virens, Great Barbet, has four subspecies (1. Megalaima virens clamator from Western Yunnan. This species is found in Yunnan Province. 2. Megalaima magnifica This species is found in India. 3. Megalaima virens marshallorum (Tibetan subspecies). This species is found in t...

Psilopogon pyrolophus

Psilopogon pyrolophus

Psilopogon pyrolophus，Fire-tufted Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Psilopogon pyrolophus and Fire-tufted Barbet。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caloramphus hayii

Caloramphus hayii

Caloramphus hayii，Sooty Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Caloramphus hayii, and its foreign name is Sooty Barbet。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caloramphus fuliginosus

Caloramphus fuliginosus

Caloramphus fuliginosus，Brown Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Caloramphus fuliginosus (Caloramphus fuliginosus) and Brown Barbet (Caloramphus fuliginosus) are unknown。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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