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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
Harpactes whiteheadi

Harpactes whiteheadi

Harpactes whiteheadi，Whitehead's Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species Harpactes whiteheadi (Whitehead's Trogon) is unknownThe gnawing cuckoo nests in tree cavities, using natural tree cavities, and some species build nests in decaying wood or by digging into ant or termite nests in trees (eating their eggs and not fearing their bites). Laying 2 to 5 eg...

Harpactes orrhophaeus

Harpactes orrhophaeus

Harpactes orrhophaeus，Cinnamon-rumped Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Harpactes orrhophaeus and Cinnamon-rumped 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 everyo...

Harpactes kasumba

Harpactes kasumba

Harpactes kasumba，Red-naped Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Harpactes kasumba, and its foreign name is Red-naped Trogon.Rhododendrons live alone and live near streams during the day. Although extremely fast, this bird is lazy and usually calls from bushes or high branches.Listed in the International Red Book of Birds of the Internation...

Harpactes fasciatus

Harpactes fasciatus

Harpactes fasciatus，Malabar Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Harpactes fasciatus and Malabar 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...

Harpactes duvaucelii

Harpactes duvaucelii

Harpactes duvaucelii，Scarlet-rumped Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Harpactes duvaucelii and Scarlet-rumped Trogon。Listed in the International Red Book of Birds of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 2009 list ver 3.1 - Near Threatened (NT).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is...

Harpactes diardii

Harpactes diardii

Harpactes diardii，Diard’s Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Harpactes diardii, also known as Diard's Trogon, is a small, arboreal bird with beautiful plumage. Specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Euptilotis neoxenus

Euptilotis neoxenus

Euptilotis neoxenus，Eared Quetzal，Eared Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Scientific name Euptilotis neoxenus, foreign names Eared Quetzal, Eared Trogon, 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 - Near Threatened (NT).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild m...

Apaloderma vittatum

Apaloderma vittatum

Apaloderma vittatum，Bar-tailed Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：The tail is long and broad, with black and white juvenile markings at the bottom

The Bar-tailed Trogon (Apaloderma vittatum) is a small climbing bird.African biting cuckoos are arboreal, often single or in pairs, do not like to form groups, good at climbing but not good at walking and jumping; The flying force is not strong, although fast but not far, the flight route is fluctua...

Trogon elegans

Trogon elegans

Trogon elegans，Elegant Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The green cheeked African biting azalea is known as Trogon elegans or Elegant 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 balan...

Trogon elegans

Trogon elegans

Trogon elegans，Elegant Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Yellow-cheeked African biting rhododendron scientific name Trogon elegans, foreign name Elegant Trogon, 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 an...

Apalharpactes reinwardt

Apalharpactes reinwardt

Apalharpactes reinwardt，Temminck

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Apalharpactes reinwardt, Temminck, is a resident bird with unknown habits.Listed in the International Red Book of Birds of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 2009 list ver 3.1 - Endangered (EN).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is eve...

Harpactes mackloti

Harpactes mackloti

Harpactes mackloti，Sumatran Trogon

Climbing birds LC

Features：The Sumatran bite is the least typical of all the bite birds

The behavior of Sumatran Trogon (Sumatran Trogon, Harpactes mackloti) is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Urocolius indicus

Urocolius indicus

Urocolius indicus，Red-faced Mousebird

Climbing birds LC

Features：Red eye rim and eye first, long tail

The Red-faced Mousebird (Urocolius indicus) is a social, gregarious and voracious eater of flowers, buds and fruits of plants, as well as insects.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1 2009 Endangered Species - Low Risk (LC).Protect wild animals and eliminate wil...

Urocolius macrourus

Urocolius macrourus

Urocolius macrourus，Blue-naped Mousebird

Climbing birds LC

Features：The head feathers are soft, the neck feathers are blue, and the tail feathers are long and thin

The Blue-naped Mousebird (Urocolius macrourus) has three subspecies.The blue pillowbird usually flaps its wings for short, horizontal flight, and sometimes glides. Often climb to the height to inspect the plants around, staple food green leaves, but also eat nectar, fruits and seeds, they are very g...

Colius colius

Colius colius

Colius colius，white-backed mousebird

Climbing birds LC

Features：Their tail feathers are grayish-white striped and extremely long

The white-backed mousebird (Colius colius) has two subspecies.White-backed mousebirds like to live in groups, mainly green leaves, but also eat nectar, fruits and seeds, they are very greedy, large food and slow digestion, so the long belly will be swollen into a pot shape, so they are used to sprea...

Colius castanotus

Colius castanotus

Colius castanotus，Red-backed Mousebird

Climbing birds LC

Features：The back, especially near the tail, has orange-red feathers

The Red-backed Mousebird (Colius castanotus), like all mousebirds, is very sociable and cooperative. The staple food of green leaves and buds, but also eat nectar, fruit and seeds, they are very greedy, large and slow digestion, so the long abdomen into a bulging pot, so they used to stretch their l...

Colius striatus

Colius striatus

Colius striatus，Speckeled Mousebird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Colius striatus and Speckeled Mousebird are unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1 2009 Endangered Species - Low Risk (LC).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Colius leucocephalus

Colius leucocephalus

Colius leucocephalus

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Colius leucocephalus, but its specific habits are unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1 2009 Endangered Species - Low Risk (LC).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsi...

Urosticte ruficrissa

Urosticte ruficrissa

Urosticte ruficrissa，Rufous-vented Whitetip

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Urosticte ruficrissa (Rufous-vented Whitetip) is a brown-rumped and white-tailed hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Urochroa bougueri，

Urochroa bougueri，

Urochroa bougueri，White-tailed Hillstar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Urochroa bougueri or White-tailed Hillstar is a white-tailed hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Topaza pyra

Topaza pyra

Topaza pyra，Fiery Topaz

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The specific habits of the Fiery red-tailed hummingbird (Fiery Topaz, Topaza pyra) are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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