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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
Momotus aequatorialis

Momotus aequatorialis

Momotus aequatorialis，Highland Motmot

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Plateau green 𫁡 Scientific name Momotus aequatorialis, foreign name Highland Motmot, is a medium-sized climbing bird, has 2。Plateaue dred feeds on, and sometimes eats, insects, worms, lizards, various invertebrates and small vertebrates When waiting for prey, it can calm down for a long time...

Aspatha gularis

Aspatha gularis

Aspatha gularis，Blue-throated Motmot

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Scientific name Aspatha gularis, foreign name Blue-throated Motmot, specific habitsIt feeds on, and sometimes eats, insects, worms, lizards, various invertebrates, and small vertebrates When waiting for prey, it can calm down for a long time, and once it finds prey, it will suddenly pounce. The tail...

Hishimonoides sellatifrons Ishihara

Hishimonoides sellatifrons Ishihara

Hishimonoides sellatifrons Ishihara，Tody Motmot

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The name Hishimonoides sellatifrons Ishihara, foreign name Tody Motmot, is mediumIt feeds on, and sometimes eats, insects, worms, lizards, various invertebrates and small vertebrates When waiting for prey, it can calm down for a long time, and once it finds prey, it will suddenly pounce. The tail of...

Merops variegatus

Merops variegatus

Merops variegatus，Blue-breasted Bee-eater，White-cheeked Bee-eater

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Merops variegatus, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, White-cheeked Bee-eater.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Merops superciliosus

Merops superciliosus

Merops superciliosus，Olive bee-eater，Madagascar bee-eater

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Merops superciliosus, or Olive bee-eater or Madagascar bee-eater.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Merops revoilii

Merops revoilii

Merops revoilii，Somali Bee-eater

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Somali Bee-eater is known as the Somali bee-eater and its scientific name is Merops revoilii.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility...

Merops pusillus

Merops pusillus

Merops pusillus，Little Bee Eater

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Merops pusillus, also known as the Little Bee Eater, eats insects. Breeding has been recorded throughout the year and nests in caves in the rock walls.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaini...

Merops oreobates

Merops oreobates

Merops oreobates，Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater

Climbing birds LC

Features：

It is known as Merops oreobates and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater.Red-breasted bee-eaters are typical forest birds. Travel alone, in pairs or in groups. They fly and forage among the branches and flowers in the canopy. Resting on top of high branches. It often takes off from the top of a tree, then cur...

Merops nubicus

Merops nubicus

Merops nubicus，Northern Carmine Bee-eater

Climbing birds LC

Features：It is one of the famous red bee-eaters of Africa (i.e. red and southern red bee-eaters).

The red Bee-eater's scientific name is Merops nubicus, and its foreign name is Northern Carmine bee-eater. It mainly feeds on bees, locusts, grasshoppers and other flying insects as its main food. When it hunts, it mainly waits for flying insects to pass by, flies to catch them, and quickly retu...

Merops nubicoides

Merops nubicoides

Merops nubicoides，Southern Carmine Bee-eater

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Southern Carmine Bee-eater is known as Merops nubicoides and Southern Carmine bee-eater.Southern red humes are egg-laying and can reproduce throughout the year, peaking in September-October, laying 2-5 eggs per nest and incubating for 11-13 days. They dig holes in the banks to build nests, and t...

Merops muelleri

Merops muelleri

Merops muelleri，Blue-headed Bee-eater

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Blue-headed Bee-eater is also known as the blue-headed bee-eater (Merops muelleri).Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Merops malimbicus

Merops malimbicus

Merops malimbicus，Rosy Bee-eater

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Merops malimbicus, Rosy Bee-eater, is not known。Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Merops hirundineus

Merops hirundineus

Merops hirundineus，Swallow-tailed Bee-eater

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Merops hirundineus is a swallowe-tailed Bee-eater.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Merops gularis

Merops gularis

Merops gularis，Black Bee-eater

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Black Bee-eater is known as Merops gularis or Black bee-eater and eats flying insects, especially bees. Dig tunnels in mountain soil walls for nests; Oval rather round, white.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Merops bulocki

Merops bulocki

Merops bulocki，Red-throated Bee-eater

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Red-throated Bee-eater is known as Merops bulocki or red-throated bee-eater.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Merops bullockoides

Merops bullockoides

Merops bullockoides，White-fronted Bee-eater

Climbing birds LC

Features：It has a white forehead and a fawn brown head, back and neck

The White-fronted Bee-eater is Merops bullockoides, or white-fronted bee-eater, and has two subspecies.White-fronted bee-eaters often travel in groups. Most of the day is spent in the air, flying straight and fast, with rapid flapping of the wings, sometimes accompanied by gliding. Not afraid of peo...

Merops breweri

Merops breweri

Merops breweri，Black-headed Bee-eater

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Black-headed Bee-eater is known as Merops breweri and black-headed bee-eater.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Merops boehmi

Merops boehmi

Merops boehmi，Boehm's Bee-eater

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The blue-collar Bee-eater is known as Merops boehmi and Boehm's bee-eater。Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Merops apiaster

Merops apiaster

Merops apiaster，European Bee-eater

Climbing birds LC

Features：The bright yellow plumage of the throat is its main feature

The yellow-throated Bee-eater is Merops apiaster, or European bee-Eater, with no subspecies.Yellow-throated bee-eaters summer migrants. Spring moves in in April and autumn moves out in September-October. Often move in groups. Most of the day is spent in the air, flying straight and fast, with rapid...

Merops albicollis

Merops albicollis

Merops albicollis，White-throated Bee-eater

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Merops albicollis, also known as White-throated bee-eater, is a small, cute, brightly colored Bee eater who eats bees.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Meropogon forsten

Meropogon forsten

Meropogon forsten，Purple-bearded Bee-eater

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Bearded bee-eaters are known as Meropogon forsten, Purple-bearded Bee-eater, and their specific habits are unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone...

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