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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
Bucorvus abyssinicus

Bucorvus abyssinicus

Bucorvus abyssinicus，Abyssinian Ground Hornbill

Woodbird LC

Features：It has a high terrestrial tendency

The northern Ground Hornbill is known as Bucorvus abyssinicus and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill without subspecies.In the wild, ground hornbills are very cautious and timid, but they are extremely fierce when hunting. Compared to other members of the hornbill family, ground hornbills spend most of thei...

Alcedo pusilla

Alcedo pusilla

Alcedo pusilla，Little Kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：The whole body is composed of two colors, the head, upper body and wings are dark blue, and the lower body is pure white.

Alcedo pusilla, Little Kingfisher, has nine subspecies.Small kingfishers are lonely, usually live alone on the branches or rocks near the water, waiting for the opportunity to hunt, the food is mainly small fish, and eat crustaceans and a variety of aquatic insects and larvae, but also pecking small...

Ceyx websteri

Ceyx websteri

Ceyx websteri，Alcedo websteri，Bismarck Kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：There is an orange stripe under the cheeks and a white spot on the nape of the neck

Ceyx websteri, Alcedo websteri, and Bismarck Kingfisher are birds of the genus Kingfisher in the family Alcedo.The Bismarck kingfisher is lonely, usually living alone on the branches or rocks near the water, waiting for the opportunity to hunt, the food is mainly small fish, and eat crustaceans and...

Ceyx azureus

Ceyx azureus

Ceyx azureus，Azure Kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：It is mainly composed of bright blue and orange red feathers

Azure Kingfisher, Ceyx azureus, has seven subspecies.Blue kingfishers often live alone, usually on the branches or rocks near the water, and sometimes on the low branches of small trees near the river. Often for a long time motionless staring at the water, as soon as the fish and shrimp in the water...

Ceyx flumenicola

Ceyx flumenicola

Ceyx flumenicola，Northern silvery kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：

The Northern silver kingfisher is known as Ceyx flumenicola and Northern silvery kingfisher.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ceyx argentatus

Ceyx argentatus

Ceyx argentatus，Southern silvery kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：

The Southern silver kingfisher is known as Ceyx argentatus and Southern silvery kingfisher.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Alcedo cyanopecta

Alcedo cyanopecta

Alcedo cyanopecta，Dwarf River Kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：The head, back, and wings are a dark sapphire blue with black spots and stripes

Alcedo cyanopecta, Dwarf River Kingfisher, has 2 subspecies (1. cyanopectus cyanopectus is found in Luzon, Polynesia, and the Philippines. 2. Alcedo cyanopecta nigrirostris, a dark subspecies of the blue-brested kingfisher, is found in Panai, Negros and Cebu in the Philippines.) .The blue-breasted k...

Ceyx mulcatus

Ceyx mulcatus

Ceyx mulcatus，New Ireland dwarf kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：

The New Ireland dwarf kingfisher is known as Ceyx mulcatus and New Ireland dwarf Kingfisher.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ceyx gentianus

Ceyx gentianus

Ceyx gentianus，Makira Dwarf Kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：

Makira Island three-toe Kingfisher scientific name Ceyx gentianus, foreign language name Makira Dwarf Kingfisher, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ceyx dispar

Ceyx dispar

Ceyx dispar，Manus Dwarf Kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：

The Manus Island three-toe Kingfisher is known as Ceyx dispar and Manus Dwarf Kingfisher.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ceyx nigromaxilla

Ceyx nigromaxilla

Ceyx nigromaxilla，Guadalcanal Dwarf Kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：

The Guadalcanal Dwarf Kingfisher is known as Ceyx nigromaxilla and Guadalcanal dwarf kingfisher.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ceyx malaitae

Ceyx malaitae

Ceyx malaitae，Malaita dwarf kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：

The scientific name of the three-toe kingfisher on Malaita Island is Ceyx malaitae and the foreign name is Malaita dwarf kingfisher. The specific habits of the three-toe kingfisher are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibilit...

Ceyx collectoris

Ceyx collectoris

Ceyx collectoris，New Georgia dwarf kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：

New Georgia dwarf kingfisher (Ceyx collectoris, New Georgia dwarf kingfisher, unknown)Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ceyx meeki

Ceyx meeki

Ceyx meeki，North Solomons dwarf kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：

The North Solomons dwarf kingfisher is known as Ceyx meeki and North Solomons dwarf Kingfisher.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ceyx sacerdotis

Ceyx sacerdotis

Ceyx sacerdotis，New Britain dwarf kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：

New Britain dwarf kingfisher: Ceyx sacerdotis, New Britain dwarf kingfisher, unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ceyx solitarius

Ceyx solitarius

Ceyx solitarius，Papuan dwarf kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：

The Papuan dwarf kingfisher is known as Ceyx solitarius and Papuan dwarf Kingfisher.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ceyx cajeli

Ceyx cajeli

Ceyx cajeli，Buru Dwarf Kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：

The three-toe Kingfisher is known as Ceyx cajeli and Buru Dwarf Kingfisher.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ceyx wallacii

Ceyx wallacii

Ceyx wallacii，Sula Dwarf Kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：

The three-toe Kingfisher is Ceyx wallacii and Sula Dwarf Kingfisher. Its specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ceyx margarethae

Ceyx margarethae

Ceyx margarethae，Dimorphic dwarf kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：

The species is known as Ceyx margarethae, Dimorphic dwarf kingfisher, and its specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ceyx lepidus

Ceyx lepidus

Ceyx lepidus，Variable Kingfisher，Moluccan dwarf kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：

The Moluccan three-toe Kingfisher is known as Ceyx lepidus, Variable Kingfisher, Moluccan dwarf kingfisher, and has 14 subspecies.The Moluccan three-toed kingfisher is lonely and timid by nature. The wing beat is fast and graceful when hunting, but the hunting level is low. They like to bathe severa...

Ceyx fallax Schlegel

Ceyx fallax Schlegel

Ceyx fallax Schlegel，Sulawesi Pygmy Kingfisher

Woodbird LC

Features：

Ceyx fallax Schlegel, Sulawesi Pygmy Kingfisher, has two subspecies (1.Ceyx fallax sangirensis is found on Sangihe and Talaud). 2.Ceyx fallax is found along the coast of Sulawesi and Lembeh i. .The Sulawesi three-toed kingfisher usually hunts alone or in pairs. Like most forest kingfishers, they are...

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