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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 Wader Woodbird Landfowl Bird of prey Songbird
Bucco capensis

Bucco capensis

Bucco capensis，Collared Puffbird

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as Bucco capensis and Collared Puffbird. Its specific behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Bucco noanamae

Bucco noanamae

Bucco noanamae，Sooty-capped Puffbird

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is also known as Bucco noanamae and Sooty-capped Puffbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Bucco tamatia

Bucco tamatia

Bucco tamatia，Spotted Puffbird

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as "Bucco tamatia" and "Spotted Puffbird".Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Bucco macrodactylus

Bucco macrodactylus

Bucco macrodactylus，Chestnut-capped Puffbird

Woodbird LC

Features：

The pecker is known as Bucco macrodactylus or chestney-capped Puffbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Notharchus tectus

Notharchus tectus

Notharchus tectus，Pied Puffbird

Woodbird LC

Features：

The Pied Puffbird species is Notharchus tectus (Pied puffbird) and has three subspecies.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Notharchus ordii

Notharchus ordii

Notharchus ordii，Brown-banded Puffbird

Woodbird LC

Features：

The bird is known as Notharchus ordii or Brown-banded Puffbird, but its behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Notharchus swainsoni

Notharchus swainsoni

Notharchus swainsoni，Buff-bellied Puffbird

Woodbird LC

Features：

The scientific name of the yellow-bellied Puffbird is Notharchus swainsoni, and its foreign name is Buff-bellied puffbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Notharchus macrorhynchos

Notharchus macrorhynchos

Notharchus macrorhynchos，Guianan Puffbird

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as Notharchus macrorhynchos or Guianan Puffbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Notharchus hyperrhynchus

Notharchus hyperrhynchus

Notharchus hyperrhynchus，White-necked Puffbird

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as Notharchus hyperrhynchus or White-necked Puffbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Notharchus pectoralis

Notharchus pectoralis

Notharchus pectoralis，Black-breasted Puffbird

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as Notharchus pectoralis or Black-breasted Puffbird. Its behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Jacamerops aureus

Jacamerops aureus

Jacamerops aureus，Great Jacamar

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as Jacamerops aureus and Great Jacamar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Galbula tombacea

Galbula tombacea

Galbula tombacea，White-chinned Jacamar

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is Galbula tombacea and White-chinned Jacamar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Galbula ruficauda

Galbula ruficauda

Galbula ruficauda，Rufous-tailed Jacamar

Woodbird LC

Features：

Galbula ruficauda, Rufous Jacamar, is a flycatcher with metallic feathers that feed on flying insects. Specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Galbula pastazae

Galbula pastazae

Galbula pastazae，Coppery-chested Jacamar

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is Galbula pastazae, Coppery-chested Jacamar, but its specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Galbula leucogastra

Galbula leucogastra

Galbula leucogastra，Bronzy Jacamar

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is Galbula leucogastra, Bronzy Jacamar, and its specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Galbula galbula

Galbula galbula

Galbula galbula，Green-tailed Jacamar

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as Galbula galbula and Green-tailed Jacamar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Galbula dea

Galbula dea

Galbula dea，Paradise Jacamar

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as Galbula dea and Paradise Jacamar。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Galbula cyanescens

Galbula cyanescens

Galbula cyanescens，Bluish-fronted Jacamar

Woodbird LC

Features：

Galbula cyanescens and Bluish-fronted Jacamar are not known.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Galbula cyanicollis

Galbula cyanicollis

Galbula cyanicollis，Blue-necked Jacamar

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as Galbula cyanicollis and Blue-necked Jacamar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Galbula chalcothorax

Galbula chalcothorax

Galbula chalcothorax，Purplish Jacamar

Woodbird LC

Features：

Galbula chalcothorax and Purplish Jacamar are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Galbula albirostris

Galbula albirostris

Galbula albirostris，Yellow-billed Jacamar

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is Galbula albirostris and Yellow-billed Jacamar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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