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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
Trachyphonus usambiro

Trachyphonus usambiro

Trachyphonus usambiro，Usambiro Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Trachyphonus usambiro (also known as Usambiro Barbet) was previously a subspecies of the East African puffbird species, but is now a separate species with unknown habits。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Trachyphonus darnaudii

Trachyphonus darnaudii

Trachyphonus darnaudii，D’Arnaud’s Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Trachyphonus darnaudii, or D 'Arnaud's Barbet. The details of the species are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Trachyphonus margaritatus

Trachyphonus margaritatus

Trachyphonus margaritatus，Yellow-breasted Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Trachyphonus margaritatus and Yellow-breasted Barbet are not known.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Trachyphonus erythrocephalus

Trachyphonus erythrocephalus

Trachyphonus erythrocephalus，Red-and-Yellow Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Trachyphonus erythrocephalus and Red-and-Yellow Barbet are not known.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Trachyphonus vaillantii

Trachyphonus vaillantii

Trachyphonus vaillantii，Crested Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Trachyphonus vaillantii or Crested Barbet, but its behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Trachyphonus purpuratus

Trachyphonus purpuratus

Trachyphonus purpuratus，Yellow-billed Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Trachyphonus purpuratus and Yellow-billed Barbet are not known.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Lybius rolleti

Lybius rolleti

Lybius rolleti，Black-breasted Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species Lybius rolleti and Black-breasted Barbet are unknown。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Lybius dubius

Lybius dubius

Lybius dubius，Bearded Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is called Lybius dubius, Bearded Barbet, and its specific habit is unknown。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Lybius bidentatus

Lybius bidentatus

Lybius bidentatus，Double-toothed Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Lybius bidentatus and Double-toothed Barbet, but its behavior is unknown。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lybius minor

Lybius minor

Lybius minor，Black-backed Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Lybius minor and Black-backed Barbet, but its behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lybius melanopterus

Lybius melanopterus

Lybius melanopterus，Brown-breasted Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Lybius melanopterus or Brown-breasted Barbet, but its behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lybius torquatus

Lybius torquatus

Lybius torquatus，Black-collared Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Lybius torquatus or Black-collared Barbet, but its behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lybius guifsobalito

Lybius guifsobalito

Lybius guifsobalito，Black-billed Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Lybius guifsobalito and Black-billed Barbet are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Lybius rubrifacies

Lybius rubrifacies

Lybius rubrifacies，Red-faced Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Lybius rubrifacies, also known as Red-faced Barbet, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Lybius chaplini

Lybius chaplini

Lybius chaplini，Chaplin's Barbet，Zambian barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Lybius chaplini, second to Chaplin's Barbet and Zambian barbet, Zambian Barbet.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lybius leucocephalus

Lybius leucocephalus

Lybius leucocephalus，White-headed Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Lybius leucocephalus or White-headed Barbet, but its behavior is unknown。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lybius vieilloti

Lybius vieilloti

Lybius vieilloti，Vieillot's Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Lybius vieilloti or Vieillot's Barbet, but its behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lybius undatus

Lybius undatus

Lybius undatus，Banded Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the bird is Lybius undatus, and the foreign name is Banded Barbet. The specific habit of the bird is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Tricholaema melanocephala

Tricholaema melanocephala

Tricholaema melanocephala，Black-throated Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Tricholaema melanocephala, also known as Black-throated Barbet, is unknown。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Tricholaema lacrymosa

Tricholaema lacrymosa

Tricholaema lacrymosa，Spot-flanked Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Tricholaema lacrymosa and Spot-flanked Barbet are not known。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Tricholaema leucomelas

Tricholaema leucomelas

Tricholaema leucomelas，Acacia Pied Barbet，Pied barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Tricholaema leucomelas, Acacia Pied barbet, Pied barbet, and pied Barbet are not known。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

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