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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
Florisuga mellivora

Florisuga mellivora

Florisuga mellivora，White-necked Jacobin

Climbing birds LC

Features：She likes to dress like a man.

The specific habits of the White-necked hummingbird (white-necked Jacobin, Florisuga mellivora) are unknown.White-necked hummingbirds begin to display flamboyant coloration before they reach reproductive age, and this coloration is less prevalent in adult females - while about 20% of adult females s...

Florisuga fusca

Florisuga fusca

Florisuga fusca，Black Jacobin

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The specific habits of the Black hummingbird (Black Jacobin, Florisuga fusca) are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eupherusa policerca

Eupherusa policerca

Eupherusa policerca，White-tailed Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The White-tailed Hummingbird is known as Eupherusa policerca or white-tailed hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eupherusa nigriventris

Eupherusa nigriventris

Eupherusa nigriventris，Black-bellied Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Black-bellied Hummingbird is known as Eupherusa nigriventris and black-bellied hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eupherusa eximia

Eupherusa eximia

Eupherusa eximia，Stripe-tailed Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Eupherusa eximia is a Stripe-tailed Hummingbird whose habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eupherusa cyanophrys

Eupherusa cyanophrys

Eupherusa cyanophrys，Oaxaca Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The blue-topped Hummingbird (Eupherusa cyanophrys) is known as Oaxaca Hummingbird. Listed as endangered.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eulampis jugularis

Eulampis jugularis

Eulampis jugularis，Purple-throated Carib

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The hummingbird is Eulampis jugularis and Purple-throated Carib.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eulampis holosericeus

Eulampis holosericeus

Eulampis holosericeus，Green-throated Carib

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The greenthroated hummingbird is Eulampis holosericeus and Green-throated Carib.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eugenes fulgens

Eugenes fulgens

Eugenes fulgens，Rivoli's Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The great hummingbird is Eugenes fulgens, foreign name Rivoli' s Hummingbird, whose behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eriocnemis vestitus

Eriocnemis vestitus

Eriocnemis vestitus，Glowing Puffleg

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The hummingbird's scientific name is Eriocnemis vestitus and Glowing Puffleg.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eriocnemis nigrivestis

Eriocnemis nigrivestis

Eriocnemis nigrivestis，Black-breasted Puffleg

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Black-breasted Puffleg hummingbird is known as Eriocnemis nigrivestis or black-breasted puffleg.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Napothera atrigularis

Napothera atrigularis

Napothera atrigularis，Golden-breasted Puffleg

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Golden-breasted Puffleg hummingbird is known as Napothera atrigularis or Golden-breasted puffleg.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eriocnemis mirabilis

Eriocnemis mirabilis

Eriocnemis mirabilis，Colorful Puffleg

Climbing birds LC

Features：It's a hummingbird native to Colombia

The Colorful Puffleg hummingbird (Eriocnemis mirabilis, Colorful Puffleg) is a species of hummingbird endemic to Colombia. Specific habits are unknown.The painted hair-legged hummingbird is found in a small area of southwestern Colombia. The global number is unknown because the total area of suitabl...

Eriocnemis sapphiropygia

Eriocnemis sapphiropygia

Eriocnemis sapphiropygia，Sapphire-vented Puffleg

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The copper-necked hairy-legged hummingbird is known as Eriocnemis sapphiropygia or Saphil-Vented Puffleg.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eriocnemis luciani

Eriocnemis luciani

Eriocnemis luciani，Sapphire-vented Puffleg

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The blue-rumped hairy-legged hummingbird's scientific name is Eriocnemis luciani, and its foreign name is saphil-vented Puffleg.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eriocnemis godini

Eriocnemis godini

Eriocnemis godini，Turquoise-throated Puffleg

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Turquoise-throated Puffleg (Eriocnemis godini) is a possibly extinct hummingbird from Colombia and Ecuador.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eriocnemis glaucopoides

Eriocnemis glaucopoides

Eriocnemis glaucopoides，Blue-capped Puffleg

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Blue-capped Puffleg hummingbird is known as Eriocnemis glaucopoides or blue-capped puffleg.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eriocnemis derbyi

Eriocnemis derbyi

Eriocnemis derbyi，Black-thighed Puffleg

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The hummingbird's scientific name is Eriocnemis derbyi, and its foreign name is Black-thighed Puffleg.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eriocnemis cupreoventris

Eriocnemis cupreoventris

Eriocnemis cupreoventris，Coppery-bellied Puffleg

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The coppery-bellied Puffleg hummingbird's scientific name is Eriocnemis cupreoventris, and its foreign name is Coppery-bellied Puffleg.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Eriocnemis alinae

Eriocnemis alinae

Eriocnemis alinae，Emerald-bellied Puffleg

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Eriocnemis alinae and its foreign name is Emerald-bellied Puffleg.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ensifera ensifera

Ensifera ensifera

Ensifera ensifera，Sword-billed Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：The world's longest hummingbird

Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) Sword-billed Hummingbird, no subspecies.The swordbill hummingbird's life is very strange, there are many different from other birds. Nectar from the Central American climbing plant Passion flower is its main source of food. The sworn-billed hummingbir...

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