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 Wading birds Climbing birds Landfowl Bird of prey Songbird
Caprimulgus clarus

Caprimulgus clarus

Caprimulgus clarus，Slender-tailed Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Caprimulgus clarus, and its foreign name is Slender-tailed Nightjar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus climacurus

Caprimulgus climacurus

Caprimulgus climacurus，Long-tailed Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

climacurus Caprimulgus climacurus (Long-tailed Nightjar) is an African long-tailed nightjar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus enarratus

Caprimulgus enarratus

Caprimulgus enarratus，Collared Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Caprimulgus enarratus and its foreign name is Collared Nightjar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus pulchellus

Caprimulgus pulchellus

Caprimulgus pulchellus，Salvadori's Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name Caprimulgus pulchellus, the foreign name Salvadori' s Nightjar, whose specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus concretus

Caprimulgus concretus

Caprimulgus concretus，Bonaparte's Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name Caprimulgus concretus, foreign name Bonaparte' s Nightjar, whose specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus tristigma

Caprimulgus tristigma

Caprimulgus tristigma，Freckled Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

< span style=" font - family:宋体;text-align:左;" >雀斑夜鹰学名Caprimulgus tristigma外,文名有雀斑的欧夜鹰,具体习性不详。< / p >< p风格= " text-align:中心”>< / p >< p >< br / >< / p >< p风格= " text-align:中心”>< /...

Caprimulgus inornatus

Caprimulgus inornatus

Caprimulgus inornatus，Plain Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Caprimulgus inornatus, the foreign name is Plain Nightjar, the specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus natalensis

Caprimulgus natalensis

Caprimulgus natalensis，African White-tailed Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Caprimulgus natalensis, and its foreign name is African White-tailed Nightjar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus madagascariensis

Caprimulgus madagascariensis

Caprimulgus madagascariensis，Madagarscar Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

它被发现在印度洋(包括马达加斯加和附近的岛屿)。马岛夜鹰学名Caprimulgus madagascariensis，外文名Madagarscar Nightjar，具体习性不详。保护野生动物，杜绝野味。维护生态平衡，人人有责！...

Caprimulgus asiaticus

Caprimulgus asiaticus

Caprimulgus asiaticus，Indian Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Indian Nightjar is known as Caprimulgus asiaticus and Indian nightjar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus ruwenzorii

Caprimulgus ruwenzorii

Caprimulgus ruwenzorii，Ruwenzori Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Caprimulgus ruwenzorii, and its foreign name is Ruwenzori Nightjar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus poliocephalus

Caprimulgus poliocephalus

Caprimulgus poliocephalus，Abyssinian Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Caprimulgus poliocephalus and Abyssinian Nightjar are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus pectoralis

Caprimulgus pectoralis

Caprimulgus pectoralis，African Dusky Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Caprimulgus pectoralis and African Dusky Nightjar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus nigriscapularis

Caprimulgus nigriscapularis

Caprimulgus nigriscapularis，Black-shouldered Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Caprimulgus nigriscapularis, and its foreign name is Black-shouldered Nightjar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus donaldsoni

Caprimulgus donaldsoni

Caprimulgus donaldsoni，Donaldson-Smith's Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name Caprimulgus donaldsoni, foreign name Donaldson-Smith' s Nightjar, whose specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus celebensis

Caprimulgus celebensis

Caprimulgus celebensis，Sulawesi Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Caprimulgus celebensis and its foreign name is Sulawesi Nightjar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus manillensis

Caprimulgus manillensis

Caprimulgus manillensis，Philippine Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Caprimulgus manillensis and Philippine Nightjar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus atripensis

Caprimulgus atripensis

Caprimulgus atripensis，Indian Long-tailed Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Caprimulgus atripensis (Indian Long-tailed Nightjar) is an Indian long-tailed nightjar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus eximius

Caprimulgus eximius

Caprimulgus eximius，Golden Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Golden Nightjar is Caprimulgus eximius, the foreign name is Golden Nightjar, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus nubicus

Caprimulgus nubicus

Caprimulgus nubicus，Nubian Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Caprimulgus nubicus and its foreign name is Nubian Nightjar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus mahrattensis

Caprimulgus mahrattensis

Caprimulgus mahrattensis，Sykes's Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of Caprimulgus mahrattensis, the foreign name Sykes' s Nightjar, whose specific habits are unknown.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