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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
Caprimulgus rufigena

Caprimulgus rufigena

Caprimulgus rufigena，Rufous-cheeked Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

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

Caprimulgus fraenatus

Caprimulgus fraenatus

Caprimulgus fraenatus，Sombre Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

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

Caprimulgus ruficollis

Caprimulgus ruficollis

Caprimulgus ruficollis，Red-necked Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Caprimulgus ruficollis, also known as Red-necked Nightjar, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus binotatus

Caprimulgus binotatus

Caprimulgus binotatus，Brown Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

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

Caprimulgus hirundinaceus

Caprimulgus hirundinaceus

Caprimulgus hirundinaceus，Pygmy Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

南美洲(包括哥伦比亚、委内瑞拉、圭亚那、苏里南、厄瓜多尔、秘鲁、玻利维亚、巴拉圭、巴西、智利、阿根廷、乌拉圭和马尔维纳斯群岛(也被称为福克兰群岛))侏夜鹰学名Caprimulgus hirundinaceus，外文名Pygmy 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 nigrescens

Caprimulgus nigrescens

Caprimulgus nigrescens，Blackish Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

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

Caprimulgus anthonyi

Caprimulgus anthonyi

Caprimulgus anthonyi，Scrub Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Scrub Nightjar is also known by its scientific name Caprimulgus anthonyi or scrub nightjar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgusparvulus

Caprimulgusparvulus

Caprimulgusparvulus，Little Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

< span style=" font - family:宋体;text-align:左;" >小夜鹰学名Caprimulgusparvulus外,文名小欧夜鹰,具体习性不详。< / p >< p风格= " text-align:中心”>< / p >< p风格= " text-align:中心”>< / p >< p风格= " text-align:中心”><...

Caprimulgus candicans

Caprimulgus candicans

Caprimulgus candicans，White-winged Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Caprimulgus candicans and White-winged Nightjar. Its specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus cayennensis

Caprimulgus cayennensis

Caprimulgus cayennensis，White-tailed Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

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

Caprimulgus longirostris

Caprimulgus longirostris

Caprimulgus longirostris，Band-winged Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Caprimulgus longirostris and its foreign name is Band-winged Nightjar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus saturatus

Caprimulgus saturatus

Caprimulgus saturatus，Dusky Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

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

Caprimulgus noctitherus

Caprimulgus noctitherus

Caprimulgus noctitherus，Puerto Rican Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

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

Caprimulgus vociferus

Caprimulgus vociferus

Caprimulgus vociferus，whippoorwill

Climbing birds LC

Features：It is named for its powerful, unhurried vocalizations (first and third syllables heavy), which can be repeated 400 times

The scientific name Caprimulgus vociferus, the foreign name whippoorwill, due to lack of foot strength, the three-tone nighthawk does not roost in trees. During the day, it either sits on the ground or sprawls on the branches of trees. Sleep in the forest bed during the day or perch along the long a...

Caprimulgus ridgwayi

Caprimulgus ridgwayi

Caprimulgus ridgwayi，Buff-collared Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The yellow collar Nightjar is known as Caprimulgus ridgwayi and Buff-collared nightjar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus sericocaudatus

Caprimulgus sericocaudatus

Caprimulgus sericocaudatus，Silky-tailed Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

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

Caprimulgus rufus

Caprimulgus rufus

Caprimulgus rufus，Bufous Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The brown Nightjar is known by its scientific name Caprimulgus rufus and its foreign name Bufous Nightjar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus ekmani

Caprimulgus ekmani

Caprimulgus ekmani，Sispaniolan Antillean Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

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

Caprimulgus cubanensis

Caprimulgus cubanensis

Caprimulgus cubanensis，Greater Antillean Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Cuban Nightjar is known by its scientific name Caprimulgus cubanensis and Greater Antillean Nightjar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus carolinensis

Caprimulgus carolinensis

Caprimulgus carolinensis，Chuck-will's-widow

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Caprimulgus carolinensis and its foreign name is Chuck-will. s-widow, specific habits unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Caprimulgus indicus

Caprimulgus indicus

Caprimulgus indicus，Jungle Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The specific habits of the Jungle Nightjar (Caprimulgus indicus) are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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