Home>>All Animals>>Birds

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
Elvira cupreiceps

Elvira cupreiceps

Elvira cupreiceps，Coppery-headed Emerald

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Coppery-headed Emerald is known as Elvira cupreiceps and coppery -headed emerald.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Elvira chionura

Elvira chionura

Elvira chionura，White-tailed Emerald

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The White-tailed hummingbird is known as Elvira chionura and white-tailed Emerald.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Doryfera ludoviciae

Doryfera ludoviciae

Doryfera ludoviciae，Green-fronted Lancebill

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Green-fronted hummingbird is known as Doryfera ludoviciae or green-fronted Lancebill.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Doryfera johannae

Doryfera johannae

Doryfera johannae，Blue-fronted Lancebill

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Blue-fronted Lancebill hummingbird is known as Doryfera johannae or blue-fronted Lancebill.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Hylonympha macrocerca

Hylonympha macrocerca

Hylonympha macrocerca，Doricha enicura，Scissor-tailed Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Scissor-tailed Hummingbird is Hylonympha macrocerca, Doricha enicura, and scissor-tailed hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Doricha eliza

Doricha eliza

Doricha eliza，Mexican Sheartail

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Mexican Sheartail hummingbird is known as Doricha eliza or Mexican Sheartail.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Discosura longicauda

Discosura longicauda

Discosura longicauda，Racquet-tailed Coquette

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The fantail hummingbird is Discosura longicauda and Racquet-tailed Coquette.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Discosura letitiae

Discosura letitiae

Discosura letitiae，Coppery Thorntail

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Coppery Thorntail, coppery Discosura letitiae, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Discosura langsdorffi

Discosura langsdorffi

Discosura langsdorffi，Black-bellied Thorntail

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Black-bellied Thorntail hummingbird is Discosura langsdorffi and black-bellied thorntail.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Discosura conversii

Discosura conversii

Discosura conversii，Green Thorntail

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Green Thorntail hummingbird scientific name Discosura conversii, foreign name Green Thorntail, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Discosura popelairii

Discosura popelairii

Discosura popelairii，Wire-crested Thorntail

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The hummingbird is Discosura popelairii, or Wire-crested Thorntail.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Damophila julie

Damophila julie

Damophila julie，Violet-bellied Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Damophila julie, Violet-bellied Hummingbird, specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Cynanthus sordidus

Cynanthus sordidus

Cynanthus sordidus，Dusky Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The dark broad-billed Hummingbird is known as Cynanthus sordidus and Dusky Hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Cynanthus latirostris

Cynanthus latirostris

Cynanthus latirostris，Broad-billed Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Cynanthus latirostris, or Broad-billed Hummingbird, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Cynanthus bicolor

Cynanthus bicolor

Cynanthus bicolor，Blue-headed Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

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

Colibri thalassinus

Colibri thalassinus

Colibri thalassinus，Green Violetear

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Colibri thalassinus and its foreign name is Green Violetear.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Colibri delphinae

Colibri delphinae

Colibri delphinae，Brown Violetear

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Brown Violetear hummingbird is Colibri delphinae and brown violetear.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Colibri coruscans

Colibri coruscans

Colibri coruscans，Sparkling Violetear

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Sparkling Violetear (Colibri coruscans) is not known for its specific habits.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Colibri serrirostris

Colibri serrirostris

Colibri serrirostris，White-vented Violetear

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The specific habits of the white-belted, purple etear hummingbird (Colibri serrirostris) are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Coeligena wilsoni

Coeligena wilsoni

Coeligena wilsoni，Brown Inca

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Brown star fronted hummingbird scientific name Coeligena wilsoni, foreign name Brown Inca, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Coeligena violifer

Coeligena violifer

Coeligena violifer，Violet-throated Starfronlet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Coeligena violifer and Violet-throated Starfronlet.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Email: jsset#163.com (change # to @) Please indicate your purpose of visit!
Guangdong ICP No. 2022053326 XML| map| Chinese