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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
Jacamaralcyon tridactyla

Jacamaralcyon tridactyla

Jacamaralcyon tridactyla，Three-toed Jacamar

Woodbird LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Three-toed bird is Jacamaralcyon tridactyla, and the foreign name is three-toed Jacamar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Brachygalba salmoni

Brachygalba salmoni

Brachygalba salmoni，Dusky-backed Jacamar

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as Brachygalba salmoni and Dusky-backed Jacamar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Brachygalba lugubris

Brachygalba lugubris

Brachygalba lugubris，Brown Jacamar

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as Brachygalba lugubris or Brown Jacamar, but its behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Brachygalba albogularis

Brachygalba albogularis

Brachygalba albogularis，White-throated Jacamar

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as Brachygalba albogularis or White-throated Jacamar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Brachygalba goeringi

Brachygalba goeringi

Brachygalba goeringi，Pale-headed Jacamar

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as Brachygalba goeringi or Pale-headed Jacamar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Galbalcyrhynchus purusianus

Galbalcyrhynchus purusianus

Galbalcyrhynchus purusianus，Purus Jacamar，Chestnut Jacamar

Woodbird LC

Features：

Galbalcyrhynchus purusianus (Purus Jacamar, Chestnut Jacamar) feeds on insects.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis

Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis

Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis，White-eared Jacamar

Woodbird LC

Features：

Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis (White-eared Jacamar) feeds on insects.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ceratogymna elata

Ceratogymna elata

Ceratogymna elata，Yellow-casqued Hornbill，Yellow-casqued wattled hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

The scientific name Ceratogymna elata, foreign names Yellow-casqued Hornbill, Yellow-casqued wattled hornbill, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ceratogymna atrata

Ceratogymna atrata

Ceratogymna atrata，White-casqued Hornbill，Black-casqued wattled hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

Ceratogymna atrata, White-casqued Hornbill, Black-casqued wattled hornbill, specific habits are unknown.Listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Protection Level: Not Threatened (LC).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is ev...

Rhyticeros cassidix

Rhyticeros cassidix

Rhyticeros cassidix，Aceros cassidix，Knobbedhornbill，Sulawesi wrinkled hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Rhyticeros cassidix, Aceros cassidix, foreign names Knobbedhornbill, Sulawesi wrinkled hornbill, the specific habit is unknown.Listed in the Washington Convention on Endangered Species (CITES) protection level: Class II protected species (currently not in danger of extinction,...

Aceros subruficollis

Aceros subruficollis

Aceros subruficollis，Rhyticeros subruficollis，Plain-pouched Hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as Aceros subruficollis, Rhyticeros subruficollis, and Plain-pouched Hornbill.Listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN) for 2016 ver 3.1 - Vulnerable (VU).Listed in Appendix I, Appendix II and Appendix III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Spe...

Rhyticeros everetti

Rhyticeros everetti

Rhyticeros everetti，Aceros everetti，Everett's Hornbill，Sumba hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known by its scientific names Rhyticeros everetti and Aceros everetti, and by its foreign names Everett's Hornbill and Sumba hornbill.Listed in the Washington Convention on Endangered Species (CITES) protection level: Class II protected species (currently not in danger of extincti...

Rhyticeros narcondami

Rhyticeros narcondami

Rhyticeros narcondami，Aceros narcondami，Narcondam Hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

Nargondam island crepe helmeted Hornbill scientific name Rhyticeros narcondami, Aceros narcondami, foreign name Narcondam Hornbill, the specific habits are unknown.Listed in the Washington Convention on Endangered Species (CITES) protection level: Class II protected species (currently not in danger...

Rhyticeros plicatus

Rhyticeros plicatus

Rhyticeros plicatus，Aceros plicatus，Blyth's Hornbill，Papuan hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

Rhyticeros plicatus, Aceros plicatus, foreign names Blyth's Hornbill, Papuan hornbill, the specific habit is unknown.Listed in the Washington Convention on Endangered Species (CITES) protection level: Class II protected species.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological...

Rhabdotorrhinus exarhatus

Rhabdotorrhinus exarhatus

Rhabdotorrhinus exarhatus，Penelopides exarhatus，Sulawesi Hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species' scientific names are Rhabdotorrhinus exarhatus, Penelopides exarhatus, Sulawesi Hornbill.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Rhabdotorrhinus leucocephalus

Rhabdotorrhinus leucocephalus

Rhabdotorrhinus leucocephalus，Aceros leucocephalus，Writhed Hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as Rhabdotorrhinus leucocephalus, Aceros leucocephalus and Writhed Hornbill.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Aceros waldeni

Aceros waldeni

Aceros waldeni，Rhabdotorrhinus waldeni，Writhe-billed Hornbill，Walden's hornbill，Visayan wrinkled hornbill，Rufous-headed hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

Aceros waldeni, Rhabdotorrhinus waldeni, The names Writhe-billed hornbill, Walden's hornbill, Visayan wrinkled hornbill, Rufous-headed hornbill are unknown.Listed in the Washington Convention on Endangered Species (CITES) protection level: Class II protected species (currently not in danger of e...

Aceros corrugatus

Aceros corrugatus

Aceros corrugatus，Rhabdotorrhinus corrugatus，Wrinkled hornbill，Sunda wrinkled hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

The Sunda Wrinkled hornbill (Aceros corrugatus, Rhabdotorrhinus corrugatus, Wrinkled hornbill, Sunda wrinkled hornbill) is a large hornbill in Southeast Asia.The diet of the Sundanese Hornbill consists mainly of fruits, especially stone fruits and figs. Gentle, not aggressive.Iucn Red List: Near Thr...

Penelopides mindorensis

Penelopides mindorensis

Penelopides mindorensis，Mindoro hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

Mindoro hornbill's scientific name is Penelopides mindorensis, foreign name Mindoro hornbill, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Penelopides panini

Penelopides panini

Penelopides panini，Rufous-tailed Hornbill，Visayan hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

The Visayan hornbill is known as Penelopides panini, Rufous-tailed hornbill and Visayan Hornbill.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Penelopides samarensis

Penelopides samarensis

Penelopides samarensis，Samar hornbill，Samar tarictic hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

Samar hornbill scientific name Penelopides samarensis, foreign names Samar hornbill, Samar tarictic hornbill, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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