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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
Topaza pella

Topaza pella

Topaza pella

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The red-tailed hummingbird Topaza pella feeds on a variety of nectar and small insects in and above the trees and displays its bright plumage when it flies to mate. The hummingbird's nest is a cup-shaped nest on a branch above a stream.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining eco...

Tilmatura dupontii

Tilmatura dupontii

Tilmatura dupontii，Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The flame-tailed Hummingbird is known as Tilmatura dupontii and Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Thaumastura cora

Thaumastura cora

Thaumastura cora，Peruvian Sheartail

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the hummingbird is Thaumastura cora, a Peruvian Sheartail, its specific habitat is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Thalurania watertonii

Thalurania watertonii

Thalurania watertonii，Long-tailed Woodnymph

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Thalurania watertonii and Long-tailed Woodnymph are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Thalurania ridgwayi

Thalurania ridgwayi

Thalurania ridgwayi，Mexican Woodnymph

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Thalurania ridgwayi, Mexican Woodnymph, is a hummingbird with unknown habits.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Thalurania glaucopis

Thalurania glaucopis

Thalurania glaucopis，Violet-capped Woodnymph

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Thalurania glaucopis and Violet-capped Woodnymph are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Thalurania furcata

Thalurania furcata

Thalurania furcata，Fork-tailed Woodnymph

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Thalurania furcata, or Fork-tailed Woodnymph, is an unknown species.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Thalurania colombica

Thalurania colombica

Thalurania colombica，Blue-crowned Woodnymph

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Thalurania colombica, also known as Blue-crowned Woodnymph, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Taphrolesbia griseiventris

Taphrolesbia griseiventris

Taphrolesbia griseiventris，Grey-billed Comet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Taphrolesbia griseiventris, or Grey-billed Comet, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Sternoclyta cyanopecta

Sternoclyta cyanopecta

Sternoclyta cyanopecta，Violet-chested Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The violet-breasted Hummingbird's scientific name is Sternoclyta cyanopecta, and its foreign name is Violet-chested hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Stellula calliope

Stellula calliope

Stellula calliope，Calliope Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The star Hummingbird is known as Stellula calliope and Calliope Hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Sephanoides sephanoides

Sephanoides sephanoides

Sephanoides sephanoides，Green-backed Firecrown

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The hummingbird's scientific name is Sephanoides sephanoides, and its foreign name is Green-backed Firecrown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Sephanoides fernandensis

Sephanoides fernandensis

Sephanoides fernandensis，Juan Fernandez Firecrown

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The fire-crowned hummingbird (Sephanoides fernandensis, Juan Fernandez Firecrown) is an endangered species.The Firecap hummingbird flies at a speed of 90 kilometers per hour, and can reach 100 kilometers per hour if diving. Hummingbirds exercise very much, in order to supply the high consumption of...

Selasphorus scintilla

Selasphorus scintilla

Selasphorus scintilla，Scintillant Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Scientific name Selasphorus scintilla, foreign name Scintillant Hummingbird, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Selasphorus sasin

Selasphorus sasin

Selasphorus sasin，Allen's Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Hummingbird's scientific name is Selasphorus sasin, and its foreign name is Allen's hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Selasphorus rufus

Selasphorus rufus

Selasphorus rufus，Rufous hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：Migratory birds, territorial and aggressive

The Rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a small and medium-sized hummingbird.Active during the day and resting at night, the rufous hummingbird feeds on nectar, occasionally supplemented by small invertebrates, including gnats, midges, flies, spiders, and aphids. He is territorial and aggressi...

Selasphorus platycercus

Selasphorus platycercus

Selasphorus platycercus，Broad-tailed Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Selasphorus platycercus, its foreign name is Broad-tailed Hummingbird, and its specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Selasphorus flammula

Selasphorus flammula

Selasphorus flammula，Rose-throated Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Selasphorus flammula, and its foreign name is Rose-throated Hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Selasphorus ardens

Selasphorus ardens

Selasphorus ardens，Glow-throated Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Scientific name Selasphorus ardens, foreign name Glow-throated Hummingbird, specific habits unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Augastes geoffroyi

Augastes geoffroyi

Augastes geoffroyi，Wedge-billed Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Wedge-billed Hummingbird Augastes geoffroyi or wedge-billed hummingbird is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Sappho sparganura

Sappho sparganura

Sappho sparganura，Red-tailed Comet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Sappho sparganura, also known as the Red-tailed Comet, has an unknown habitat.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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