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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 Wading birds Climbing birds Landfowl Bird of prey Songbird
Gecinulus viridis

Gecinulus viridis

Gecinulus viridis，Bamboo woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the bamboo woodpecker is Gecinulus viridis, and its foreign name is Bamboo woodpecker. It has four subspecies.The bamboo woodpecker is a resident bird that moves alone or in pairs. It is timid in nature and often moves and feeds on tree trunks and bamboo. It also often feeds o...

Blythipicus pyrrhotis

Blythipicus pyrrhotis

Blythipicus pyrrhotis，Bay woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：The body feathers are reddish brown with black spots, and the long mouth is light yellow

The scientific name of the yellow billed chestnut woodpecker is Blythipicus pyrrhotis, and its foreign name is Bay woodpecker. It has five subspecies.The yellow billed chestnut woodpecker is a resident bird in the subtropical zone of Yunnan and southeast Xizang, China, whose song is a hoarse rattle....

Blythipicus rubiginosus

Blythipicus rubiginosus

Blythipicus rubiginosus，Maroon woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the small chestnut woodpecker is Blythipicus rubiginosus, and the foreign name is Maroon woodpecker. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's...

Reinwardtipicus validus

Reinwardtipicus validus

Reinwardtipicus validus，Orange-backed woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the orange backed woodpecker is Reinwardtipicus validus, and the foreign name is Orange backed woodpecker. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone&...

Chrysocolaptes erythrocephalus

Chrysocolaptes erythrocephalus

Chrysocolaptes erythrocephalus，Red-headed flameback

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the red headed golden backed woodpecker is Chrysocolaptes erythocephalus, and the foreign name is Red headed flameback. The specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chrysocolaptes lucidus

Chrysocolaptes lucidus

Chrysocolaptes lucidus，Buff-spotted flameback

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the brown spotted golden backed woodpecker is Chrysocolaptes lucidus, and the foreign name is Buff spotted flameback. The specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chrysocolaptes haematribon

Chrysocolaptes haematribon

Chrysocolaptes haematribon，Luzon flameback

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Lv Song Golden backed Woodpecker is Chrysocolaptes haematribon, and the foreign name is Luzon flameback. The specific habits are unknown。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chrysocolaptes strictus

Chrysocolaptes strictus

Chrysocolaptes strictus，Javan flameback

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Javanese Golden backed Woodpecker is Chrysocolaptes strictus, and the foreign name is Javan flameback. The specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chrysocolaptes stricklandi

Chrysocolaptes stricklandi

Chrysocolaptes stricklandi，Crimson-backed flameback

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the crimson backed woodpecker is Chrysocolaptes strictlandi, and the foreign name is Crimson backed flameback. The specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus

Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus

Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus，Greater flameback

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Great Golden backed Woodpecker is Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus, also known as the Great Flameback. It has three subspecies.The big golden backed woodpecker often moves alone or in pairs. Activity and foraging throughout the entire tree. Frequently fly from one tree to ano...

Campephilus imperialis

Campephilus imperialis

Campephilus imperialis，Imperial woodpecke

Climbing birds LC

Features：It is the largest known species of woodpecker

The scientific name of the Imperial Woodpecker is Campephalus Imperialis, and its foreign name is Imperial Woodpecke. It is the largest woodpecker.A couple of emperor woodpeckers need at least 26 square kilometers of vast forest land to breed offspring. During non breeding seasons, the emperor woodp...

Campephilus principalis

Campephilus principalis

Campephilus principalis，Ivory-billed woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：It is the second largest woodpecker in the world and the largest woodpecker in North America

The ivory billed woodpecker, also known as the Campephalus principalis or Ivory billed woodpecker, is the second largest woodpecker in the world and the largest in North America.The ivory billed woodpecker mainly feeds on beetle larvae in dead trees, such as grubs and small cystic worms. Woodpeckers...

Campephilus magellanicus

Campephilus magellanicus

Campephilus magellanicus，Magellanic woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Argentine woodpecker is Campephalus magellanicus, and the foreign name is Magellanic woodpecker. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's...

Campephilus leucopogon

Campephilus leucopogon

Campephilus leucopogon，Cream-backed woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the milky white backed woodpecker is Campephalus leucogon, and the foreign name is Cream backed woodpecker. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone...

Campephilus guatemalensis

Campephilus guatemalensis

Campephilus guatemalensis，Pale-billed woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the pale billed woodpecker is Campephalus guatemalensis, and the foreign name is Pale billed woodpecker. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone...

Campephilus gayaquilensis

Campephilus gayaquilensis

Campephilus gayaquilensis，Guayaquil woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Ecuadorian woodpecker is Campephalus gayaquilensis, and the foreign name is Guayaquil woodpecker. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds - Near Threatened (NT).Protect wild animals...

Campephilus melanoleucos

Campephilus melanoleucos

Campephilus melanoleucos，Crimson-crested woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Zhuguan Woodpecker is Campephilus melanoleucos, Crimson-crested woodpecker， Specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Campephilus robustus

Campephilus robustus

Campephilus robustus，Robust woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the South American woodpecker is Campephalus robustus, also known as Robust woodpecker in foreign languages. Its call is a loud sound of chiseling wood with a piercing and piercing sound. Specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wil...

Campephilus rubricollis

Campephilus rubricollis

Campephilus rubricollis，Red-necked woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the red necked woodpecker is Campephalus rubicollis, and the foreign name is Red necked woodpecker. The specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's r...

Campephilus haematogaster

Campephilus haematogaster

Campephilus haematogaster，Crimson-bellied woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the red bellied woodpecker is Campephalus haematogaster, and its foreign name is Crimson bellied woodpecker. It mainly feeds on insects in tree trunks, most of which are pests. Specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals a...

Campephilus pollens

Campephilus pollens

Campephilus pollens，Powerful woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the sturdy woodpecker is Campphilus pollens, Powerful woodpecker， Specific habits are unknown.Listed in the IUCN ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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