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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
Trogon personatus

Trogon personatus

Trogon personatus，Masked Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Trogon personatus, Masked Trogon, has nine subspecies, the specific habits of which are unknown.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 ecolo...

Trogon mexicanus

Trogon mexicanus

Trogon mexicanus，Mountain Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Mountain biting cuckoo is known as Trogon mexicanus or Mountain 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 ever...

Trogon mesurus

Trogon mesurus

Trogon mesurus，Ecuadorian Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Ecuadorian Trogon is Ecuadorian Trogon and is known as Trogon mesurus.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Trogon melanurus

Trogon melanurus

Trogon melanurus，Black-tailed Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The melanurus melanurus is a Black-tailed Trogon, but its behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Trogon melanocephalus

Trogon melanocephalus

Trogon melanocephalus，Black-headed Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Trogon melanocephalus or Black-headed 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&#...

Trogon massena

Trogon massena

Trogon massena，Slaty-tailed Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The grey-tailed American biter is Trogon massena, Slaty-tailed 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&...

Trogon curucui

Trogon curucui

Trogon curucui，Blue-crowned Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Blue-crowned American biting cuckoo is known as Trogon curucui or blue-crowned 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...

Trogon comptus

Trogon comptus

Trogon comptus，White-eyed Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The White-eyed Trogon is also known as Trogon comptus or white-eyed trogon.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Trogon collaris

Trogon collaris

Trogon collaris，Collared Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Trogon collaris or Collared Trogon.White collar American biters live alone or in pairs. They feed on insects and also eat plant fruits。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Trogon clathratus

Trogon clathratus

Trogon clathratus，Lattice-tailed Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Trogon clathratus, Lattice-tailed Trogon, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Trogon citreolus

Trogon citreolus

Trogon citreolus，Citreoline Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Trogon citreolus, Citreoline Trogon, is an unknown species.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 respo...

Trogon viridis

Trogon viridis

Trogon viridis， White-tailed Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

White-tailed Trogon viridis is a white-tailed Trogon species with unknown habits.White-tailed American biters nest in tree cavities, using natural tree cavities, and some species build nests in decaying wood or into ant or termite nests in trees (eating their eggs and not fearing their bites). 2 to...

Trogon bairdii

Trogon bairdii

Trogon bairdii，Baird's Trogon，Vermilion-breasted Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The behavior of Trogon bairdii (Trogon Baird's Trogon, Vermilion-breasted Trogon) is unknown.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 ecol...

Trogon elegans

Trogon elegans

Trogon elegans，Elegant Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Trogon elegans, Elegant Trogon, has four subspecies, the specific habits of which are unknown.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 ecologi...

Priotelus roseigaster

Priotelus roseigaster

Priotelus roseigaster，Temnotrogon roseigaster，Hispaniolan Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Island-biting cuckoo (Priotelus roseigaster, Temnotrogon roseigaster) is a small climbing bird.They are often active in single or pairs, mostly in the middle and upper parts of trees, but also frequently on the ground. Flying in the forest is mostly up-and-down waves, very fast, but the flight d...

Priotelus temnurus

Priotelus temnurus

Priotelus temnurus，Cuban Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：The national bird of Cuba

The Cuban biting cuckoo (Priotelus temnurus) is a small climbing bird. There are two subspecies, named subspecies and Pine Island subspecies.Cuban biters are omnivorous birds that eat seeds, fruits, and insects.Cuban biting cuckoo mating between March to June every year, a male and a female, the cou...

Pharomachrus pavoninus

Pharomachrus pavoninus

Pharomachrus pavoninus，PavonineQuetzal，PavonineTrogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Scientific name Pharomachrus pavoninus, foreign names PavonineQuetzal, PavonineTrogon, the specific habit is unknown.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 m...

Pharomachrus mocinno

Pharomachrus mocinno

Pharomachrus mocinno，Resplendent Quetzal

Climbing birds LC

Features：It is the national bird of Guatemala

The Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) has two subspecies.It is known for its very beautiful plumage and is one of the most beautiful birds in the Americas. It occupies an important place in the mythology of Central America. Omnivorous, jungle insects, fruit, frogs are their food.The breedin...

Pharomachrus fulgidus

Pharomachrus fulgidus

Pharomachrus fulgidus，White-tipped Quetzal，White-tipped Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Pharomachrus fulgidus, White-tipped Quetzal, White-tipped Trogon, there are two subspecies, the specific habit is unknown.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 w...

Pharomachrus auriceps

Pharomachrus auriceps

Pharomachrus auriceps，Golden-headed Quetzal，Golden-headed Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name Pharomachrus auriceps, the foreign names Golden-headed Quetzal, Golden-headed Trogon, there are two subspecies. Specific habits are unknown.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...

Pharomachrus antisianus

Pharomachrus antisianus

Pharomachrus antisianus，Crested Quetza

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Scientific name Pharomachrus antisianus, foreign name Crested Quetza, the specific habit is unknown.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...

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