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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
Todirhamphus sordidus

Todirhamphus sordidus

Todirhamphus sordidus,Torresian kingfisher

Features:

Todirhamphus sordidus, Torresian kingfisher, is not known.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Todirhamphus chloris

Todirhamphus chloris

Todirhamphus chloris,Halcyon chloris chloris,Collared Kingfisher

Features:

The white collar emerald is known as Todirhamphus chloris, Halcyon chloris chloris, and Collared Kingfisher, with 50 subspecies.White collar jade sex lonely, often alone activities, more live on the tree top dead branches. It mainly feeds on fish, crustaceans, aquatic insects and other animals, but...

Todirhamphus funebris

Todirhamphus funebris

Todirhamphus funebris,Halcyon funebris,Sombre kingfisher

Features:

Light black jade scientific name Todirhamphus funebris, Halcyon funebris, foreign name Sombre kingfisher, the order of the Buddha, one of the kingfisher family.The pale black emerald, like most forest game kingfishers, is entirely carnivorous. Often searching for prey in leaves or dirt. The main die...

Todirhamphus farquhari

Todirhamphus farquhari

Todirhamphus farquhari,Chestnut-bellied kingfisher,Vanuatu kingfisher

Features:It's endemic to Vanuatu, actually to the northern half of Vanuatu

The Vanuatu emerald, known as Todirhamphus farquhari, Chestnut-bellied kingfisher, Vanuatu kingfisher, is endemic to Vanuatu.Vanuatu jadeite is usually eaten alone or in pairs. Like most forest kingfishers, they are completely carnivorous. Often searching for prey in leaves or dirt. The main diet is...

Todirhamphus leucopygius

Todirhamphus leucopygius

Todirhamphus leucopygius,Ultramarine Kingfisher

Features:

Ultramarine Kingfisher, Todirhamphus leucopygius, is a single species with no subspecies.Dark blue jadeite usually lives alone or quietly on trees or telephone poles. These forest birds tend to perch on roadsides, near human homes, and even into large gardens. They greet their partners during courts...

Todirhamphus albonotatus

Todirhamphus albonotatus

Todirhamphus albonotatus,Halcyon albonotata,White-backed Kingfisher,New Britain kingfisher

Features:

Todirhamphus albonotatus, Halcyon albonotata, White-backed Kingfisher, New Britain kingfisher, is a genus of kingfisher birds。White-backed jadeite is generally alone or couples to hunt together. Like most forest kingfishers, they are completely carnivorous. Often searching for prey in leaves or dir...

Todirhamphus lazuli

Todirhamphus lazuli

Todirhamphus lazuli,Lazuli kingfisher

Features:

The South Moluccan emerald is Todirhamphus lazuli, Lazuli kingfisher, a bird of the kingfisher family.South Moluccan emeralds are usually hunted alone or in pairs. Like most forest kingfishers, they are completely carnivorous. Often searching for prey in leaves or dirt. The main diet is invertebrate...

Todirhamphus diops

Todirhamphus diops

Todirhamphus diops,Moluccan Kingfisher

Features:

The Moluccan emerald, Todirhamphus diops, or Moluccan Kingfisher, is a species of kingfisher of the genus Collin.The Moluccan emerald, like most forest game kingfishers, is entirely carnivorous. Often searching for prey in leaves or dirt. The main diet is invertebrates such as crickets, spiders, sco...

Todirhamphus winchelli

Todirhamphus winchelli

Todirhamphus winchelli,Halcyon winchelli,Rufous-lored Kingfisher,Winchell's Kingfisher

Features:There are large reddish-brown spots in front of the eyes, so it is also called red-brown spot jade

Philippine jade scientific names Todirhamphus winchelli, Halcyon winchelli, foreign names Rufous-lored Kingfisher, Winchell's Kingfisher, There are 5 subspecies (1.Todirhamphus winchelli nesydrionetes) distributed in the Philippine Pagoda. 2.Todirhamphus winchelli nigrorum is found in Samar, Bil...

Todirhamphus nigrocyaneus

Todirhamphus nigrocyaneus

Todirhamphus nigrocyaneus,Blue-black Kingfisher

Features:The adult male is blue-purple on the forehead and top of the head

Todirhamphus nigrocyaneus, Blue-black Kingfisher, has three subspecies (1. Todirhamphus nigrocyaneus nigrocyaneus is found in western Papua (Batanta, Patanta, Patanta, Patanta, Patanta). Saraswati) east to Helfunk Bay north and Marian Strait south. 2. Todirhamphus nigrocyaneus quadricolor is found i...

Todirhamphus macleayii

Todirhamphus macleayii

Todirhamphus macleayii,Forest Kingfisher

Features:Very noisy, very territorial

Todirhamphus macleayii, Forest Kingfisher, has three subspecies (Forest Kingfisher subspecies, Forest Kingfisher subspecies and Forest Kingfisher Cape York subspecies).Forest jade migrates in some areas, returning to the same area every year. The New South Wales Forest kingfisher leaves in March-Apr...

Halcyon senegaloides

Halcyon senegaloides

Halcyon senegaloides,Mangrove Kingfisher

Features:

Halcyon senegaloides, also known as Mangrove Kingfisher, is a bird of the genus Halcyon.Mangrove emerald is a migratory bird. In late September and early October each year, they leave the woods and coastal mangroves to nest five or ten miles inland from the sea. In February and March, birds make exa...

Halcyon senegalensis

Halcyon senegalensis

Halcyon senegalensis,Woodland Kingfisher,Senegal Kingfisher

Features:

Halcyon senegalensis, Woodland Kingfisher, Senegal Kingfisher, There are three subspecies (1.Halcyon senegalensis senegalensis is found in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and Ethiopia. 2.Halcyon senegalensis fuscopilea is distributed in Nigeria, Congo Basin, Sierra Leone. 3.Halcyon senegalensis cy...

Halcyon malimbica

Halcyon malimbica

Halcyon malimbica,Blue-breasted Kingfisher

Features:The adult bird has a grayish-brown forehead and is the largest kingfisher in Africa

Halcyon malimbica, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, has four subspecies (1.Halcyon malimbica torquata is found in Mali and Senegal). 2.Halcyon malimbica forbesi is found in Nigeria and Cameroon. 3.Halcyon malimbica dryas is found in SAO Tome and Principe. 4.Halcyon malimbica malimbica is found in Sudan, Ug...

Halcyon chelicuti

Halcyon chelicuti

Halcyon chelicuti,Striped kingfisher

Features:

Halcyon chelicuti, Striped kingfisher, has two subspecies (1.Halcyon chelicuti eremogiton is found in the Sahel region of Mali and in Nigeria and Sudan). 2.Halcyon chelicuti chelicuti is found in Mauritania, Somalia, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. .Jadeite usually hunts alone or in pairs. Like...

Halcyon albiventris

Halcyon albiventris

Halcyon albiventris,Brown-hooded Kingfisher

Features:

Halcyon albiventris, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, has four subspecies.Brown-headed jadeite usually hunts alone or in pairs. Like most forest kingfishers, they are completely carnivorous. Often searching for prey in leaves or dirt. The main diet is invertebrates such as crickets, spiders, scorpions, and...

Halcyon leucocephala

Halcyon leucocephala

Halcyon leucocephala,Gray-headed Kingfisher,Chestnut-bellied Kingfisher

Features:

Halcyon leucocephala, Gray-headed Kingfisher, Chestnut-bellied Kingfisher, there are five subspecies.The grey-headed emerald bird song is usually like a cry, and is made up of a set of "it, it, it, it, it, it, it," fast, rough, and rolling. But it also produces a set of fast "tchi-tch...

Halcyon pileata

Halcyon pileata

Halcyon pileata,Black-capped Kingfisher

Features:The head is characterized by black, the wings are covered with black feathers, and the rest of the upper body is bright and luxurious blue-purple

Halcyon pileata, Black-capped Kingfisher, no subspecies。The blue jade is often alone, generally resting on the stumps and rocks of the river, 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...

Halcyon badia

Halcyon badia

Halcyon badia,Chocolate-backed kingfisher

Features:

Halcyon badia, Chocolate-backed kingfisher, has three subspecies。Chestnut back jadeite is generally alone or couples to hunt together. Like most forest kingfishers, they are completely carnivorous. Often searching for prey in leaves or dirt. The main diet is invertebrates such as crickets, spiders,...

Halcyon cyanoventris

Halcyon cyanoventris

Halcyon cyanoventris,ava Kingfisher

Features:

Jadeite Halcyon cyanoventris, ava Kingfisher, no subspecies.Javanese jade is not very social. They live alone or as a couple in a tree on the plain. It usually lives in dense forests and riverbanks near water, and usually hunts alone or in pairs. Like most forest kingfishers, they are completely car...

Halcyon coromanda

Halcyon coromanda

Halcyon coromanda,Ruddy Kingfisher

Features:

Halcyon coromanda, Ruddy Kingfisher, has 10 subspecies.The red jade is solitary or bisexual, lonely, generally resting on the stumps and rocks of the river, 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...