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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
Nonnula ruficapilla

Nonnula ruficapilla

Nonnula ruficapilla，Rufous-capped Nunlet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Nonnula ruficapilla, and its foreign name is Rufous-capped Nunlet.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Nonnula frontalis

Nonnula frontalis

Nonnula frontalis，Grey-cheeked Nunlet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name Nonnula frontalis and the foreign name Grey-cheeked Nunlet are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Nonnula brunnea

Nonnula brunnea

Nonnula brunnea，Brown Nunlet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name Nonnula brunnea and the foreign name Brown Nunlet are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Nonnula sclateri

Nonnula sclateri

Nonnula sclateri，Fulvous-chinned Nunlet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name Nonnula sclateri and the foreign name Fulvous-chinned Nunlet are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Nonnula rubecula

Nonnula rubecula

Nonnula rubecula，Rusty-breasted Nunlet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Nonnula rubecula, and its foreign name is rust-breasted Nunlet. Its behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Micromonacha lanceolata

Micromonacha lanceolata

Micromonacha lanceolata，Lanceolated Monklet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Micromonacha lanceolata and Lanceolated Monklet are not known.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Malacoptila panamensis

Malacoptila panamensis

Malacoptila panamensis，White-whiskered Puffbird，White-whiskered softwing

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Malacoptila panamensis and White-whiskered Puffbird, White-whiskered softwing.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Malacoptila rufa

Malacoptila rufa

Malacoptila rufa，Rufous-necked Puffbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Malacoptila rufa, Rufous-necked Puffbird, is a small climbing bird.棕颈蓬头䴕以大昆虫、蜥蜴等为食，觅食方式为静伺、伏击。在地面垂直方向掘洞为巢或用旧巢。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Malacoptila fulvogularis

Malacoptila fulvogularis

Malacoptila fulvogularis，Black-streaked Puffbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird is also known as Malacoptila fulvogularis and Black-streaked Puffbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Malacoptila semicincta

Malacoptila semicincta

Malacoptila semicincta，Semicollared Puffbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Semicollared Puffbird: Malacoptila semicincta semicollared puffbird is semicollared puffbird。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Malacoptila fusca

Malacoptila fusca

Malacoptila fusca，White-chested Puffbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Malacoptila fusca or White-chested Puffbird. Its specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Malacoptila striata

Malacoptila striata

Malacoptila striata，Crescent-chested Puffbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Puffbird's scientific name is Malacoptila striata, or Crescent-chested puffbird. Its specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Malacoptila mystacalis

Malacoptila mystacalis

Malacoptila mystacalis，Moustached Puffbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is also known as Malacoptila mystacalis and Moustached Puffbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Hypnelus bicinctus

Hypnelus bicinctus

Hypnelus bicinctus，Two-banded Puffbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Hypnelus bicinctus and Two-banded Puffbird are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Hypnelus ruficollis

Hypnelus ruficollis

Hypnelus ruficollis，Russet-throated Puffbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Hypnelus ruficollis and Russet-throated Puffbird are not known.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Nystalus striatipectus

Nystalus striatipectus

Nystalus striatipectus，Streak-bellied Puffbird，Chaco Puffbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Nystalus striatipectus, street-bellied Puffbird, Chaco Puffbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Nystalus maculatus

Nystalus maculatus

Nystalus maculatus，Caatinga Puffbird，Spot-backed puffbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Nystalus maculatus, Caatinga puffbird, and Spot-backed puffbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Nystalus obamai

Nystalus obamai

Nystalus obamai，Western Striolated Puffbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Western Striolated Puffbird (Nystalus obamai) is also known as Western striolated puffbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Nystalus striolatus

Nystalus striolatus

Nystalus striolatus，Eastern striolated Puffbird，Striolated Puffbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Nystalus striolatus, Eastern striolated Puffbird, Striolated Puffbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Nystalus chacuru

Nystalus chacuru

Nystalus chacuru，White-eared Puffbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird is known as Nystalus chacuru or White-eared Puffbird, but its behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Nystalus radiatus

Nystalus radiatus

Nystalus radiatus，Barred Puffbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Barred Puffbird is Barred Puffbird, Nystalus radiatus and barred puffbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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