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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
Heliodoxa schreibersii

Heliodoxa schreibersii

Heliodoxa schreibersii，Black-throated Brilliant

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Black-throated hummingbird is known as Heliodoxa schreibersii or black-throated Brilliant.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliodoxa rubinoides

Heliodoxa rubinoides

Heliodoxa rubinoides，Fawn-breasted Brilliant

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird is known as Heliodoxa rubinoides or Fawn-breasted Brilliant. Its habitat is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliodoxa leadbeateri

Heliodoxa leadbeateri

Heliodoxa leadbeateri，Violet-fronted Brilliant

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Heliodoxa leadbeateri and Violet-fronted Brilliant are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliodoxa jacula

Heliodoxa jacula

Heliodoxa jacula，Green-crowned Brilliant

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Heliodoxa jacula, and its foreign name is Green-crowned Brilliant.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliodoxa imperatrix

Heliodoxa imperatrix

Heliodoxa imperatrix，Empress Brilliant

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The hummingbird's scientific name is Heliodoxa imperatrix, and its foreign name is Empress Brilliant.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliodoxa gularis

Heliodoxa gularis

Heliodoxa gularis，Pink-throated Brilliant

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Heliodoxa gularis, and its foreign name is Pink-throated Brilliant.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliodoxa branickii

Heliodoxa branickii

Heliodoxa branickii，Rufous-webbed Brilliant

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Heliodoxa branickii, and its foreign name is Rufous-webbed Brilliant.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliodoxa aurescens

Heliodoxa aurescens

Heliodoxa aurescens，Gould's Jewelfront

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Heliodoxa aurescens, foreign name Gould' s Jewelfront. Specific habits unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliangelus viola

Heliangelus viola

Heliangelus viola，Purple-throated Sunangel

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird is known as Heliangelus viola or Purple-throated Sunangel.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliangelus strophianus

Heliangelus strophianus

Heliangelus strophianus，Gorgeted Sunangel

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Gorgeted Sunangel is Heliangelus strophianus and Gorgeted Sunangel.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliangelus regalis

Heliangelus regalis

Heliangelus regalis，Royal Sunangel

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Royal collar hummingbird scientific name Heliangelus regalis, foreign name Royal Sunangel, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliangelus mavors

Heliangelus mavors

Heliangelus mavors，Orange-throated Sunangel

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Orange-throated hummingbird is known as Heliangelus mavors or orange-throated Sunangel.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliangelus exortis

Heliangelus exortis

Heliangelus exortis，Tourmaline Sunangel

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The dark green collar hummingbird is known as Heliangelus exortis or Tourmaline Sunangel.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliangelus clarisse

Heliangelus clarisse

Heliangelus clarisse，Longuemare's Sunangel

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Longuemare's collar hummingbird (Latin name: Heliangelus clarisse); s Sunangel, whose specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliangelus amethysticollis

Heliangelus amethysticollis

Heliangelus amethysticollis，Amethyst-throated Sunangel

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Heliangelus amethysticollis, and its foreign name is Amethyst-throated Sunangel.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Heliactin bilophus

Heliactin bilophus

Heliactin bilophus，horned sungem

Climbing birds LC

Features：

horned hummingbird (Heliactin bilophus) horned sungem, no subspecies.Horned hummingbirds feed mainly on the nectar of shrubs and trees. They also eat small insects.The nest of the horned hummingbird is usually built in the branch of a bush about 1 meter from the ground. It is cup-shaped and made of...

Haplophaedia lugens

Haplophaedia lugens

Haplophaedia lugens，Hoary Puffleg

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The hummingbird's scientific name is Haplophaedia lugens, and its foreign name is Hoary Puffleg.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Haplophaedia aureliae

Haplophaedia aureliae

Haplophaedia aureliae，Greenish Puffleg

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Greenish Puffleg hummingbird is known as Haplophaedia aureliae and greenish puffleg.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Haplophaedia assimilis

Haplophaedia assimilis

Haplophaedia assimilis，Buff-thighed Puffleg

Climbing birds LC

Features：

assimilis Haplophaedia or Buff-thighed Puffleg. Its specific habitat is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Goldmania violiceps

Goldmania violiceps

Goldmania violiceps，Violet-capped Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Violet Hummingbird is known as Goldmania violiceps or violet-capped hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Goethalsia bella

Goethalsia bella

Goethalsia bella，Pirre Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Goethalsia bella, and its foreign name is Pirre Hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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