Home>>All Animals>>Birds

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
Penelopides affinis

Penelopides affinis

Penelopides affinis，Mindanao tarictic hornbill，Mindanao hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

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

Penelopides manillae

Penelopides manillae

Penelopides manillae，Luzon Hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

The scientific name of Luzon Hornbill is Penelopides manillae and its foreign name is Luzon Hornbill.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Berenicornis comatus

Berenicornis comatus

Berenicornis comatus，White-crowned hornbill，Long-crested hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：Known for its prominent white crest

The scientific name of the White-crowned hornbill is Berenicornis comatus, and the foreign names white-crowned hornbill and Long-crested Hornbill are classified in the monotypic genus of the white-crowned hornbill, but some scholars have also classified the white-crowned curvebill in this genus. In...

Anorrhinus tickelli

Anorrhinus tickelli

Anorrhinus tickelli，Rusty-cheeked hornbill，Tickell's brown hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as Anorrhinus tickelli, rust-cheeked hornbill and Tickell's brown hornbill.Listed in the Washington Convention on Endangered Species (CITES) : Class II protected species (currently not at risk of extinction, international trade is regulated)International Union for Conservati...

Anorrhinus galeritus

Anorrhinus galeritus

Anorrhinus galeritus，Bushy-crested hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

Scientific name Anorrhinus galeritus, foreign name Bushy-crested hornbill, the specific habit is unknown.The population size of the crested hornbill is unknown, but the population is presumed to be small and in decline due to habitat loss.Listed in the national secondary key protected wild animals,...

Rhinoplax vigil

Rhinoplax vigil

Rhinoplax vigil，Helmeted Hornbill，Buceros vigil

Woodbird LC

Features：It is the largest of all birds in the hornbill family

The scientific names of Helmeted Hornbill are Rhinoplax vigil, Helmeted Hornbill, Buceros vigil, without subspecies。Helmeted hornbills usually live in pairs or small groups, except during the breeding period. They live in trees and sometimes feed on the ground. The cry was "Quack, quack, quack...

Buceros hydrocorax

Buceros hydrocorax

Buceros hydrocorax，Rufous hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：It is endemic to the Philippines

Buceros hydrocorax, also known as Rufous hornbill, is a bird of the genus Hornbill in the hornbill family.Although the Philippine hornbill is called the brown hornbill, most of their color is black, except for a distinct brown patch on the chest and neck, which borders the cheeks around, and a light...

Buceros rhinoceros

Buceros rhinoceros

Buceros rhinoceros，Rhinoceros Hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：National bird of Malaysia

Buceros rhinoceros and Rhinoceros Hornbill have three subspecies (1. Buceros rhinoceros borneoensis. 2. The Malay hornbill is named Buceros rhinoceros rhinoceros. 3. Buceros rhinoceros silvestris, the Javan subspecies of the hornbill.) .Malaysian hornbills often sing in small groups as they search f...

Anthracoceros montani

Anthracoceros montani

Anthracoceros montani，Sulu Hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Anthracoceros montani and its foreign name is Sulu Hornbill.According to the IUCN and Birdlife International, the Sulu hornbill is facing the possibility of imminent extinction. The destruction of dependent forest habitat is one of the main factors contributing to the Sulu hor...

Anthracoceros marchei

Anthracoceros marchei

Anthracoceros marchei，Palawan Hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

The Palawan Hornbill, known by its scientific name Anthracoceros marchei and foreign name Palawan Hornbill, makes kaaww and kreik-kreik calls.International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Protection level: Vulnerable Species (VU).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintain...

Anthracoceros malayanus

Anthracoceros malayanus

Anthracoceros malayanus，Black Hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

Anthracoceros malayanus, or Black Hornbill, is unknown.Listed in the Washington Convention on Endangered Species (CITES) protection level: Class II protected species.International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Protection level: Near Threatened (NT)Protect wild animals and eliminat...

Anthracoceros albirostris

Anthracoceros albirostris

Anthracoceros albirostris，Oriental pied hornbill，Pied hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

The bird, Anthracoceros albirostris, Oriental pied hornbill, Pied hornbill, flies slowly and makes a loud noise as it flies, like an airplane, and when it lands in the top of a tree, From time to time, it emits a loud and coarse call, which is continuous and can be transmitted far away, like a horse...

Anthracoceros coronatus

Anthracoceros coronatus

Anthracoceros coronatus，Malabar Pied Hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

Anthracoceros coronatus, Malabar Pied Hornbill, is an Indian pied hornbill.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ocyceros gingalensis

Ocyceros gingalensis

Ocyceros gingalensis，Ceylon Grey Hornbill、Sri Lanka grey hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Ceylon Grey Hornbill is Ocyceros gingalensis, and the foreign names are Ceylon grey hornbill and Sri Lanka grey hornbill.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ocyceros griseus

Ocyceros griseus

Ocyceros griseus，Malabar grey hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：It is the smallest of the Asian hornbills

The Malabar grey hornbill, whose scientific name is Ocyceros griseus, or Malabar Grey Hornbill, is a bird of the genus of the Hornbill family.The Malabar grey hornbill flies with strong flaps and slides, hopping heavily on the outer branches of large fruit trees. They move in pairs or small groups t...

Ocyceros griseus

Ocyceros griseus

Ocyceros griseus，Malabar Grey Hornbill，Indian grey hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

The Indian grey hornbill is known as Ocyceros griseus, Malabar Grey Hornbill and Indian Grey Hornbill.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lophoceros camurus

Lophoceros camurus

Lophoceros camurus，Tockus camurus，Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill，Common Grey Hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

The animal's scientific names are Lophoceros camurus and Tockus camurus, and its foreign names are Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill and Common Grey Hornbill.Listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Protection Level: Not Threatened (LC).Protect wild animals and elimin...

Lophoceros nasutus

Lophoceros nasutus

Lophoceros nasutus，Tockus nasutus，African Grey Hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as Lophoceros nasutus, Tockus nasutus and African Grey Hornbill.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lophoceros pallidirostris

Lophoceros pallidirostris

Lophoceros pallidirostris，Pale-billed Hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

The scientific name Lophoceros pallidirostris, foreign language name Pale-billed Hornbill, is a bird of the genus Hornbill in the family Hornbill.The pale bent-billed hornbill is a traditional social bird that prefers to live near larger swamps and grasslands. Their horn-like beak is very sharp and...

Tockus hemprichii

Tockus hemprichii

Tockus hemprichii，Lophoceros hemprichii，Hemprich's Hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

Heinz curved bill Hornbill scientific name Tockus hemprichii, Lophoceros hemprichii, foreign name Hemprich's Hornbill, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lophoceros fasciatus

Lophoceros fasciatus

Lophoceros fasciatus，Tockus fasciatus，African pied hornbill，Pied Hornbill，West African Pied Hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as Lophoceros fasciatus, Tockus fasciatus, and African Pied Hornbill, Pied Hornbill, and West African Pied Hornbill。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Email: jsset#163.com (change # to @) Please indicate your purpose of visit!
Guangdong ICP No. 2022053326 XML| map| Chinese