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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
Nyctibius jamaicensis

Nyctibius jamaicensis

Nyctibius jamaicensis，Northern Potoo

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Northernmost strigidae, also known as Nyctibius jamaicensis or Northern Potoo, has unknown habits.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Nyctibius aethereus

Nyctibius aethereus

Nyctibius aethereus，Long-tailed Potoo

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Nyctibius aethereus, or Long-tailed Potoo, is a large owl that lives in northern mountain coniferous forests and mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests. It often travels alone except during breeding. The long-tailed wood owl mostly lives in the deep forest during the day, standing upright on the...

Nyctibius grandis

Nyctibius grandis

Nyctibius grandis，Great Potoo

Climbing birds LC

Features：

There are two subspecies: Nyctibius grandis and Great Potoo.Big birds are nocturnal animals, they will come out at night to feed, and find a place to sleep during the day. The cry is like a ghost. In Colombia, there was a funny story about a woman who was scared by a big owl.So far, there are two co...

Rigidipenna inexpectata

Rigidipenna inexpectata

Rigidipenna inexpectata，Solomons Frogmouth

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Solomons Frogmouth, Rigidipenna inexpectata, or Solomons Frogmouth, was first described in 1901, but it wasn't until 2007 that it was recognized as being different in height from other frogmouth birds. It is the only known member of the genus Rigidipenna.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild m...

Podargus strigoides

Podargus strigoides

Podargus strigoides，Tawny frogmouth

Climbing birds LC

Features：Often mistaken for an owl

Tawny frogmouth, also known as Podargus strigoides, is often mistaken for an owl because of its appearance and low light presence.Taffy frogs move both alone and in groups. During the day, they usually rest motionless in the trees, at first glance like a piece of bark, difficult to det...

Podargus papuensis

Podargus papuensis

Podargus papuensis，Papuan Frogmouth

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Papuan Frogmouth, also known as Papuan Frogmouth, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Podargus ocellatus

Podargus ocellatus

Podargus ocellatus，Marbled Frogmouth

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The first name is Podargus ocellatus, the foreign name is Marbled Frogmouth, the specific behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Batrachostomus stellatus

Batrachostomus stellatus

Batrachostomus stellatus，Gould's Frogmouth

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Gould's Frogmouth, or Batrachostomus stellatus, has unknown habits。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Batrachostomus septimus

Batrachostomus septimus

Batrachostomus septimus，Philippine Frogmouth

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Batrachostomus septimus, Philippine Frogmouth, the specific behavior is unknown.Little is known about the Filipino frogmouth, as it is only active at night and does not emit any calls. They feed on locusts, cicadas, crickets and beetles.Filipino Frogmouth nests in horizontal branches 2-5 meters abov...

Batrachostomus poliolophus

Batrachostomus poliolophus

Batrachostomus poliolophus，Pale-headed Frogmouth

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The first name is Batrachostomus poliolophus, the foreign name is Pale-headed Frogmouth, the specific behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Batrachostomus moniliger

Batrachostomus moniliger

Batrachostomus moniliger，Ceylon Frogmouth

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Batrachostomus moniliger, the foreign name Ceylon Frogmouth, the specific behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Batrachostomus javensis

Batrachostomus javensis

Batrachostomus javensis，Javan Frogmouth

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Javan Frogmouth: Batrachostomus javensis, Javan Frogmouth, specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Batrachostomus harterti

Batrachostomus harterti

Batrachostomus harterti，Dulit Frogmouth

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Batrachostomus harterti, foreign name Dulit Frogmouth, the specific behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Batrachostomus cornutus

Batrachostomus cornutus

Batrachostomus cornutus，Bornean Frogmouth

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Sundanese frog mouth is known as Batrachostomus cornutus and Bornean Frogmouth.Listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Protection Level: Not Threatened (LC).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsi...

Batrachostomus auritus

Batrachostomus auritus

Batrachostomus auritus

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The eggs of Batrachostomusauritus are laid on a feather cushion covered with lichen and spider webs。Logging of its habitat poses a threat to its survival and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified it as "near threatened".Protect wild animals and eliminate wild m...

Steatornis caripensis

Steatornis caripensis

Steatornis caripensis，Oilbird，guacharo

Climbing birds LC

Features：It is the only fruit-eating member of the order Nighthawk and has the highest oil content

In the coastal mountains of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru live oilbirds, a close relative of the nighthawk. It's bigger than the whippoorwill and its color is similar to the whippoorwill. According to research, oilbirds are more closely related to owls than nighthawks, and they are also nocturnal b...

Trogon viridis

Trogon viridis

Trogon viridis， Green-backed Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Trogon viridis and Green-backed Trogon.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Trogon violaceus

Trogon violaceus

Trogon violaceus， Violaceous Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Trogon violaceus (Violaceous Trogon) is an American biting rhododendron aceous aceous aceous trogon.Listed in the International Red Book of Birds of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 2009 list ver 3.1 - Low Risk (LC).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining e...

Trogon surrucura

Trogon surrucura

Trogon surrucura，Surucua Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Trogon surrucura and Surucua Trogon.Listed in the International Red Book of Birds of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 2009 list ver 3.1 - Low Risk (LC).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's resp...

Trogon rufus

Trogon rufus

Trogon rufus，Black-throated Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Black-throated Trogon is known as Trogon rufus or black-throated trogon.Listed in the International Red Book of Birds of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 2009 list ver 3.1 - Low Risk (LC).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is eve...

Trogon ramonianus

Trogon ramonianus

Trogon ramonianus，Amazonian Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Amazonian Trogon (Trogon ramonianus) is an unknown species.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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