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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
Siphonorhis americana

Siphonorhis americana

Siphonorhis americana，Jamaican Poorwill

Climbing birds LC

Features：It's a species of nighthawk endemic to Jamaica

The Jamaican nighthawk (Siphonorhis americana) is known as Jamaican Poorwill.Due to encroachment by predators, the Jamaican nighthawk is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Siphonorhis brewsteri

Siphonorhis brewsteri

Siphonorhis brewsteri，Least Poorwill

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Chinese and American nightcap scientific name Siphonorhis brewsteri, foreign name Least Poorwill, the specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Phalaenoptilus nuttallii

Phalaenoptilus nuttallii

Phalaenoptilus nuttallii

Climbing birds LC

Features：One of several hibernating birds

Its scientific name was Phalaenoptilus nuttallii, and its foreign name was Caprimulgidae.The weak nighthawk breeds in arid areas west of the Mississippi River in the United States and north to British Columbia in Canada. The eggs are laid on the ground, and each egg is white. Winters from California...

Nyctidromus albicollis

Nyctidromus albicollis

Nyctidromus albicollis，Pauraque

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species, known as Nyctidromus albicollis or Pauraque, became extinct in 1859.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eleothreptus anomalus

Eleothreptus anomalus

Eleothreptus anomalus，Sickle-winged Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Sickle-winged Nightjar (Eleothreptus anomalus and sickle-winged nightjar) is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Uropsalis lyra

Uropsalis lyra

Uropsalis lyra，Lyre-tailed Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

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

Uropsalis segmentata

Uropsalis segmentata

Uropsalis segmentata，Swallow-tailed Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Uropsalis segmentata and swallowtailed Nightjar are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Macropsalis forcipata

Macropsalis forcipata

Macropsalis forcipata，Long-trained Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Macropsalis forcipata, and its foreign name is Long-trained Nightjar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Hydropsalis torquata

Hydropsalis torquata

Hydropsalis torquata，Scissor-tailed Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Hydropsalis torquata, or Scissor-tailed Nightjar, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Hydropsalis climacocerca

Hydropsalis climacocerca

Hydropsalis climacocerca，Ladder-tailed Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The behavior of the Ladder-tailed Nightjar (Hydropsalms climacocerca, ladder-tailed Nightjar) is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Macrodipteryx vexillarius

Macrodipteryx vexillarius

Macrodipteryx vexillarius，Pennant-winged Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Macrodipteryx vexillarius, Pennant-winged Nightjar. It has a pair of long feathers and flies like a jet plane.The quill eats insects, small reptiles and fish. It is called the quill because it is unique in that it has a long flying feather on its wing. When the quill is flying in the air, these two...

Macrodipteryx longipennis

Macrodipteryx longipennis

Macrodipteryx longipennis，Standard-winged Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Macrodipteryx longipennis (also known as Standard-winged Nightjar) is a four-winged bird found in the savannas and forests of Africa.They do not nest, and the two long oval eggs are laid directly on the ground. They fly at dusk and are often as quiet and light as moths at sunset. In fl...

Eurostopodus exu

Eurostopodus exu

Eurostopodus exul，New Caledonian Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：Unique to New Caledonia

The behavior of the New Caledonian Nightjar (Eurostopodus exul) is unknown.The new kama is considered to be probably extinct, as it is the only known type specimen and was collected in 1939. Specimens are taken of birds in savannas. The possibility of population decline may be caused by predation by...

Eurostopodus nigripennis

Eurostopodus nigripennis

Eurostopodus nigripennis，Solomons Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

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

Eurostopodus archboldi

Eurostopodus archboldi

Eurostopodus archboldi，Archbold's Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Eurostopodus archboldi (Archbold's Nightjar) is a species of woolly-legged nighthawk whose specific habits are unknown.The breeding period of the wool-legged Nighthawk is from March to May. They usually do not nest, but lay their eggs on bare ground in forests. Each clutch usually lays 1 egg. Th...

Eurostopodus papuensis

Eurostopodus papuensis

Eurostopodus papuensis，Papuan Nighthqwk

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Papuan Nighthqwk is known by its scientific name Eurostopodus papuensis and foreign name Papuan Nighthqwk.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eurostopodus diabolicus

Eurostopodus diabolicus

Eurostopodus diabolicus，Satanic Nighthqwk

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Eurostopodus diabolicus and Satanic Nighthqwk are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eurostopodus mystacalis

Eurostopodus mystacalis

Eurostopodus mystacalis，White-throated Nighthqwk

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Eurostopodus mystacalis and White-throated Nighthqwk are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eurostopodus argus

Eurostopodus argus

Eurostopodus argus，Spotted Nighthqwk

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The name Eurostopodus argus, Spotted Nighthqwk, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eurostopodus temminckii

Eurostopodus temminckii

Eurostopodus temminckii，Malaysian Eared Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The name Eurostopodus temminckii and Malaysian Eared Nightjar are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chordeilespusillus

Chordeilespusillus

Chordeilespusillus，Least Nighthqwk

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Chordeilespusillus, Least Nighthqwk, unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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