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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
Semnornis ramphastinus

Semnornis ramphastinus

Semnornis ramphastinus，Toucan Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Toucan Barbet, or Semnornis ramphastinus, eats an omnivorous diet that relies primarily on fruit. Other specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Capito quinticolor

Capito quinticolor

Capito quinticolor，Five-colored Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Capito quinticolor, or Five-colored Barbet, is an unknown species.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Capito auratus

Capito auratus

Capito auratus，Gilded Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Gilded Barbet is known as Capito auratus and gilded barbet. Its specific behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Capito niger

Capito niger

Capito niger，Black-spotted Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

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

Capito brunneipectus

Capito brunneipectus

Capito brunneipectus，Cinnamon-breasted Barbet，Brown-chested Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the bird is Capito brunneipectus, and its foreign names are Cinnamon-breasted Barbet and Brown-chested Barbet。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Capito dayi

Capito dayi

Capito dayi，Black-girdled Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Capito dayi, and its foreign name is Black-girdled Barbet.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Capito hypoleucus

Capito hypoleucus

Capito hypoleucus，White-mantled Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Capito hypoleucus, and its foreign name is White-mantled Barbet。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Capito maculicoronatus

Capito maculicoronatus

Capito maculicoronatus，Spot-crowned Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Capito maculicoronatus and Spot-crowned Barbet。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Capito fitzpatricki

Capito fitzpatricki

Capito fitzpatricki，Sira Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：It's a new bird species discovered in 2008

Capito fitzpatricki (also known as Sira Barbet) is a sister species of pecker with unknown habits.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Capito wallacei

Capito wallacei

Capito wallacei，Scarlet-banded Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Capito wallacei or Scarlet-banded Barbet, the species is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Capito aurovirens

Capito aurovirens

Capito aurovirens，Scarlet-crowned Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is Capito aurovirens and Scarlet-crowned Barbet, but its behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eubucco versicolor

Eubucco versicolor

Eubucco versicolor，Versicolored Barbet，Blue-moustached Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Eubucco versicolor, Versicolored Barbet and Blue-moustached Barbet, are not known.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eubucco tucinkae

Eubucco tucinkae

Eubucco tucinkae，Scarlet-hooded Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Eubucco tucinkae (Eubucco Tucinkae) and Scarlet-hooded Barbet (Scarlet hooded Barbet) are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eubucco bourcierii

Eubucco bourcierii

Eubucco bourcierii，Red-headed Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Eubucco bourcierii, or Red-headed Barbet, has not been studied in detail on its diet and reproductive phenology, but it is known to eat arthropods and fruits, nest in trees or fence posts, and hatch eggs at night by female birds and alternate between male and female birds during the day.Protect wild...

Eubucco richardsoni

Eubucco richardsoni

Eubucco richardsoni，Lemon-throated Barbet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Eubucco richardsoni and Lemon-throated Barbet are not known.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chelidoptera tenebrosa

Chelidoptera tenebrosa

Chelidoptera tenebrosa，Swallow-winged Puffbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is Chelidoptera tenebrosa and swallowing-winged Puffbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Monasa flavirostris

Monasa flavirostris

Monasa flavirostris，Yellow-billed Nunbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Monasa flavirostris or Yellow-billed Nunbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Monasa morphoeus

Monasa morphoeus

Monasa morphoeus，White-fronted Nunbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Monasa morphoeus or White-fronted Nunbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Monasa nigrifrons

Monasa nigrifrons

Monasa nigrifrons，Black-fronted Nunbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Monasa nigrifrons or Black-fronted Nunbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Monasa atra

Monasa atra

Monasa atra，Black Nunbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Monasa atra or Black Nunbird, but its behavior is unknown。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Hapaloptila castanea

Hapaloptila castanea

Hapaloptila castanea，White-faced Nunbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Hapaloptila castanea or White-faced Nunbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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