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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
Lampornis viridipallens

Lampornis viridipallens

Lampornis viridipallens,Green-throated Hummingbird

Features:

The Green-throated Hummingbird is known as Lampornis viridipallens and green-throated hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lampornis sybillae

Lampornis sybillae

Lampornis sybillae,Green-breasted Mountain Gem

Features:

The bird is known as Lampornis sybillae and Green-breasted Mountain Gem. Its habitat is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lampornis hemileucus

Lampornis hemileucus

Lampornis hemileucus,White-bellied Mountain Gem

Features:

The White-bellied hummingbird is known as Lampornis hemileucus and white-bellied Mountain Gem.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lampornis clemenciae

Lampornis clemenciae

Lampornis clemenciae,Blue-throated Hummingbird

Features:

The Blue-throated Hummingbird is known as Lampornis clemenciae or blue-throated hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lampornis castaneoventris cinereicauda

Lampornis castaneoventris cinereicauda

Lampornis castaneoventris cinereicauda

Features:

The name Lampornis castaneoventris cinereicauda is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lampornis castaneoventris

Lampornis castaneoventris

Lampornis castaneoventris,White-throated Mountain Gem

Features:

The White-throated Mountain Gem hummingbird is known as Lampornis castaneoventris or white-throated mountain gem.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lampornis amethystinus

Lampornis amethystinus

Lampornis amethystinus,Amethyst-throated Hummingbird

Features:

Lampornis amethystinus and Amethyst-throated Hummingbird are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lampornis amethystinus

Lampornis amethystinus

Lampornis amethystinus,Amethyst-throated Hummingbird

Features:

Lampornis amethystinus and Amethyst-throated Hummingbird are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lafresnaya lafresnayi

Lafresnaya lafresnayi

Lafresnaya lafresnayi,Mountain Velvetbreast

Features:

The hummingbird's scientific name is Lafresnaya lafresnayi, and its foreign name is Mountain Velvetbreast.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Klais guimeti

Klais guimeti

Klais guimeti,Violet-headed Hummingbird

Features:

The specific habits of the Violet-headed Hummingbird (Klais guimeti) are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Hylocharis sapphirina

Hylocharis sapphirina

Hylocharis sapphirina,Rufous-throated Sapphire

Features:

The brown-throated red-billed hummingbird is known as Hylocharis sapphirina and Rufous-throated Sapphire.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Hylocharis grayi

Hylocharis grayi

Hylocharis grayi,Blue-headed Sapphire

Features:

The Blue-headed red-billed hummingbird is known as Hylocharis grayi and blue-headed Sapphire.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance!...

Hylocharis eliciae

Hylocharis eliciae

Hylocharis eliciae,Blue-throated Goldentail

Features:

The Blue-throated red-billed hummingbird is known as Hylocharis eliciae or blue-throated Goldentail.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Hylocharis cyanus

Hylocharis cyanus

Hylocharis cyanus,White-chinned Sapphire

Features:

The white-cheeked red-billed hummingbird is known as Hylocharis cyanus or White-chinned Sapphire.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Hylocharis chrysura

Hylocharis chrysura

Hylocharis chrysura,Gilded Hummingbird

Features:

Gilded Hummingbird: Hylocharis chrysura, Gilded hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliothryx barroti

Heliothryx barroti

Heliothryx barroti,Purple-crowned Fairy

Features:

Heliothryx barroti (Purple-crowned Fairy) is a hummingbird whose habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliactin aurita

Heliactin aurita

Heliactin aurita,Black-eared Fairy

Features:

The Heliactin aurita hummingbird is also known as the Black-eared Fairy。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliomaster squamosus

Heliomaster squamosus

Heliomaster squamosus

Features:

The species is known as Heliomaster squamosus, but its specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliomaster longirostris

Heliomaster longirostris

Heliomaster longirostris,Long-billed Starthroat

Features:

Heliomaster longirostris, or Long-billed Starthroat, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliomaster furcifer

Heliomaster furcifer

Heliomaster furcifer,Blue-tufted Starthroat

Features:

The Blue Horned star throat hummingbird is known as Heliomaster furcifer or Blue-Tufted Starthroat.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliodoxa xanthogonys

Heliodoxa xanthogonys

Heliodoxa xanthogonys,Velvet-browed Brilliant

Features:

The bird is known as Heliodoxa xanthogonys or Velvet browed Brilliant.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...