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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
Lophornis magnificus

Lophornis magnificus

Lophornis magnificus，Frilled Coquette

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The specific habits of the illed Coquette (Frilled Coquette, Lophornis magnificus) are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lophornis helenae

Lophornis helenae

Lophornis helenae，Black-crested Coquette

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The black-crowned hummingbird is known as Lophornis helenae or Black-crested Coquette.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lophornis gouldii

Lophornis gouldii

Lophornis gouldii，Dot-eared Coquette

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The specific habits of the spot-eared hummingbird (Dot-eared Coquette, Lophornis gouldii) are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lophornis delattrei

Lophornis delattrei

Lophornis delattrei，Rufous-crested Coquette

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Lophornis delattrei, and its foreign name is Rufous-crested Coquette.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lophornis chalybeus

Lophornis chalybeus

Lophornis chalybeus，Festive Coquette

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Lophornis chalybeus and its foreign name is Festive Coquette. Its specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lophornis brachylophus

Lophornis brachylophus

Lophornis brachylophus，Short-crested Coquette

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Short-crested hummingbird is Lophornis brachylophus and short-crested Coquette.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lophornis adorabilis

Lophornis adorabilis

Lophornis adorabilis，White-crested Coquette

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The white-crowned hummingbird is known as Lophornis adorabilis or White-crested Coquette.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Loddigesia mirabilis

Loddigesia mirabilis

Loddigesia mirabilis，Marvellous Spatuletail

Climbing birds LC

Features：Two long, fan-like or racket-like tail feathers on the outside of the male's tail

The furrowed fantail hummingbird (Loddigesia mirabilis) is Marvellous Spatuletail, a medium sized hummingbird. The wings flap rapidly when flying, fast, powerful and lasting; The frequency can reach more than 50 times per second. Their preferred food is the red lilies of the lily plant, and it has b...

Leucochloris albicollis

Leucochloris albicollis

Leucochloris albicollis，White-throated Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Leucochloris albicollis, or White-throated Hummingbird, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Leucippus viridicauda

Leucippus viridicauda

Leucippus viridicauda，Green-and-White Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The green-tailed Hummingbird was Leucippus viridicauda and Green-and-White hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Leucippus taczanowskii

Leucippus taczanowskii

Leucippus taczanowskii，Spot-throated Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Leucippus taczanowskii and Spot-throated Hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Leucippus hypostictus

Leucippus hypostictus

Leucippus hypostictus，Many-spotted Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the spotted Hummingbird is Leucippus hypostictus, the foreign name is Many-spotted Hummingbird, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Leucippus fallax

Leucippus fallax

Leucippus fallax，Buffy Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The pale yellow Hummingbird is known as Leucippus fallax and Buffy Hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Leucippus chlorocercus

Leucippus chlorocercus

Leucippus chlorocercus，Olive-spotted Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Leucippus chlorocercus and Olive-spotted Hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Leucippus baeri

Leucippus baeri

Leucippus baeri，Tumbes Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：The national bird of Peru

The Peruvian Hummingbird is known as Leucippus baeri and Tumbes Hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lesbia victoriae

Lesbia victoriae

Lesbia victoriae，Black-tailed Trainbearer

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Black-tailed hummingbird is known as Lesbia victoriae and black-tailed Trainbearer.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lesbia nuna

Lesbia nuna

Lesbia nuna，Green-tailed Trainbearer

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The greentailed hummingbird is known as Lesbia nuna and Green-tailed Trainbearer.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lepidopyga lilliae

Lepidopyga lilliae

Lepidopyga lilliae，Sapphire-bellied Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The greenbellied Hummingbird is known by its scientific name Lepidopyga lilliae and foreign name Saphil-bellied Hummingbird, v.Green belly hummingbirds eat fruit, because of their small size, few small spiders or insects can be defeated by green belly hummingbirds, so they will choose to pick up som...

Lepidopyga goudoti

Lepidopyga goudoti

Lepidopyga goudoti，Shining Green Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Hummingbird is Lepidopyga goudoti, the foreign name is Shining Green Hummingbird, the specific habit is unknown。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lepidopyga coeruleogularis

Lepidopyga coeruleogularis

Lepidopyga coeruleogularis，Sapphire-throated Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Lepidopyga coeruleogularis, sappil-throated Hummingbird, But the Blue-throated Hummingbird is the sapphire throated Hummingbird. Specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lamprolaima rhami

Lamprolaima rhami

Lamprolaima rhami

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The red-throated hummingbird Lamprolaima rhami is a migratory bird of the Americas that spends most of its winter in Florida, Mexico, and Central America. During its migration, it can travel more than 1,400 kilometers across the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. During the spring migration, some...

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