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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
Picumnus cirratus

Picumnus cirratus

Picumnus cirratus，White-barred piculet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the White spotted Woodpecker is Picumnus cirratus, and its foreign name is White barred piculet. Its specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's resp...

Picumnus varzeae

Picumnus varzeae

Picumnus varzeae，Varzea piculet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Brazilian woodpecker is Picumnus varzeae, and the foreign name is Varzea piculet. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Picumnus steindachneri

Picumnus steindachneri

Picumnus steindachneri，Speckle-chested piculet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Spotted Chested Woodpecker is Picumnus steindachneri, and the foreign name is Speckle chested piculet. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds - Vulnerable (VU).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological ba...

Picumnus minutissimus

Picumnus minutissimus

Picumnus minutissimus，Arrowhead piculet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the pointed woodpecker is Picumnus minussimus, and the foreign name is Arrowhead piculet. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibil...

Picumnus spilogaster

Picumnus spilogaster

Picumnus spilogaster，White-bellied piculet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the White bellied Woodpecker is Picumnus spilogaster, and its foreign name is White bellied piculet. Its specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's...

Picumnus squamulatus

Picumnus squamulatus

Picumnus squamulatus，Scaled piculet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the scaled woodpecker is Picumnus squamulatus, and its foreign name is Scaled piculet. Its specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility...

Picumnus sclateri

Picumnus sclateri

Picumnus sclateri，Ecuadorian piculet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Ecuadorian woodpecker is Picumnus sculari, and its foreign name is Ecuador piculet. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibilit...

Picumnus nigropunctatus

Picumnus nigropunctatus

Picumnus nigropunctatus，Black-spotted piculet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the black spotted woodpecker is Picumnus nigropunctatus, and the foreign name is Black spotted piculet. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone'...

Picumnus exilis

Picumnus exilis

Picumnus exilis，Golden-spangled piculet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Himeji Woodpecker is Picumnus exis, and the foreign name is Golden spangled piculet. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibili...

Picumnus lafresnayi

Picumnus lafresnayi

Picumnus lafresnayi，Lafresnaye's piculet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Lacumnus lafresneye woodpecker is Picumnus lafresneyi, and its foreign name is Lafresneye's piculet. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyon...

Picumnus pumilus

Picumnus pumilus

奥里诺科姬啄木鸟，Picumnus pumilus，Orinoco piculet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Orinoco woodpecker is Picumnus pumilus, and its foreign name is Orinoco piculet. Its specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Picumnus aurifrons

Picumnus aurifrons

Picumnus aurifrons，Bar-breasted piculet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Chinese woodpecker is Picumnus aurifrons, and the foreign name is Bar treated piculet. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibi...

Picumnus innominatus

Picumnus innominatus

Picumnus innominatus，Speckled piculet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Banji Woodpecker is Picumnus innominatus, and the foreign name is Speckled piculet. The specific habits are unknown.The Banji woodpecker often moves alone, mostly foraging on the ground or branches, and rarely climbing on tree trunks like other woodpeckers. Mainly feeds on...

Picumnus pygmaeus

Picumnus pygmaeus

Picumnus pygmaeus，Spotted piculet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Ji woodpecker is Picumnus pygmaeus, and the foreign name is Spotted piculet. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the 2012 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species ver 3.1- Least Concerned (LC).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is...

Sasia africana

Sasia africana

Sasia africana，African piculet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the African woodpecker is Sasia africana, and its foreign name is African piculet. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Sasia ochracea

Sasia ochracea

Sasia ochracea，White-browed piculet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the white browed woodpecker is Sasia ochracea, and its foreign name is White browed piculet. It has three subspecies.The white browed brown woodpecker often moves alone. They often inhabit small trees and shrubs, and can also climb along tree trunks to forage. Sometimes, they...

Sasia abnormis

Sasia abnormis

Sasia abnormis，Rufous piculet

Climbing birds LC

Features：Golden yellow forehead, white eyebrow lines, very prominent on the dark head

The brown woodpecker, also known as Sasia annormis or Rufous piculet, has three subspecies.The brown woodpecker is a resident bird that often moves alone. It often spirals up small tree trunks in small bushes and sometimes, like other sparrows, inhabits small trees and shrubs. Climb along trees to s...

Nesoctites micromegas

Nesoctites micromegas

Nesoctites micromegas，Antillean piculet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Anshima Himeji woodpecker is Nestctites micromegas, and the foreign name is Antillean piculet. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the 2012 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species ver 3.1- Least Concerned (LC).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecol...

Jynx ruficollis

Jynx ruficollis

Jynx ruficollis，Red-throated wryneck， Rufous-necked wryneck，Red-breasted wryneck

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the red breasted ant is Jynx ruficollis, and the foreign name is Red traversed wryneck Rufous-necked wryneck、Red-breasted wryneck， Specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecologica...

Jynx torquilla

Jynx torquilla

Jynx torquilla，Eurasian wryneck

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the ant beetle is Jynx torquilla, and the foreign name is Eurasian wryneck. There are six subspecies.Ants often move alone, except in pairs during the breeding period. They often forage on the ground and move forward in a jumping manner when walking. Flying quickly and agile,...

Gecinulus grantia

Gecinulus grantia

Gecinulus grantia，Pale-headed woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Cangtou Bamboo Woodpecker is Gecinulus grandia, and the foreign name is Pale headed woodpecker. The specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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