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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
Coeligena torquata

Coeligena torquata

Coeligena torquata,Collared Inca

Features:

The bird's scientific name is Coeligena torquata, and its foreign name is Collared Inca.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Coeligena prunellei

Coeligena prunellei

Coeligena prunellei,Black Inca

Features:

Black star fronted hummingbird scientific name Coeligena prunellei, foreign name Black Inca, the specific habit is unknown.The black star-fronted hummingbird is one of the world's endangered species and is listed as one of the Endangered Wild animals by the United Nations.Protect wild animals an...

Coeligena phalerata

Coeligena phalerata

Coeligena phalerata,White-tailed Starfrontlet

Features:

The bird's scientific name is Coeligena phalerata, and its foreign name is White-tailed Starfrontlet.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Coeligena lutetiae

Coeligena lutetiae

Coeligena lutetiae,Buff-winged Starfronlet

Features:

The species is known as Coeligena lutetiae and Buff-winged Starfronlet. Its specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Coeligena iris

Coeligena iris

Coeligena iris,Rainbow Starfronlet

Features:

Rainbow starfronted hummingbird scientific name Coeligena iris, foreign name Rainbow Starfronlet, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Coeligena inca

Coeligena inca

Coeligena inca,Gould's Inca

Features:

Rusty-thorax star fronted hummingbird scientific name Coeligena inca, foreign name Gould' s Inca, whose specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Coeligena helianthea

Coeligena helianthea

Coeligena helianthea,Blue-throated Starfronlet

Features:

The Blue-throated Starfronlet is known as Coeligena helianthea and blue-throated starfronlet.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Coeligena coeligena

Coeligena coeligena

Coeligena coeligena,Bronzy Inca

Features:

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

Coeligena eos

Coeligena eos

Coeligena eos,Golden Starfronlet

Features:

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

Coeligena bonapartei

Coeligena bonapartei

Coeligena bonapartei,Golden-bellied Starfronlet

Features:

The bird's scientific name is Coeligena bonapartei, and its foreign name is Golden-bellied Starfronlet.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Clytolaema rubricauda

Clytolaema rubricauda

Clytolaema rubricauda,Brazilian Ruby

Features:

The Ruby hummingbird is known as Clytolaema rubricauda, Brazilian Ruby, and its specific habitat is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chrysuronia oenone

Chrysuronia oenone

Chrysuronia oenone,Golden-tailed Sapphire

Features:

Chrysuronia oenone, or Golden-tailed Sapphire, is an unknown species.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chlorostilbon stenurus

Chlorostilbon stenurus

Chlorostilbon stenurus,Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo

Features:

Chlorostilbon stenurus, Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo, is not known.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chlorostilbon russatus

Chlorostilbon russatus

Chlorostilbon russatus,Coppery Emerald

Features:

The Coppery Emerald, Chlorostilbon russatus and Coppery emerald, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chlorostilbon ricordii

Chlorostilbon ricordii

Chlorostilbon ricordii,Cuban Emerald

Features:

Cuban green hummingbird scientific name Chlorostilbon ricordii, foreign language name Cuban Emerald, the specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chlorostilbon poortmani

Chlorostilbon poortmani

Chlorostilbon poortmani,Short-tailed Emerald

Features:

Chlorostilbon poortmani, Short-tailed Emerald, is an unknown species.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chlorostilbon notatus

Chlorostilbon notatus

Chlorostilbon notatus,Blue-chinned Sapphire

Features:

The blue-chin hummingbird is Chlorostilbon notatus, Blue-chinned Sapphire, and its specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chlorostilbon mellisugus

Chlorostilbon mellisugus

Chlorostilbon mellisugus,Blue-tailed Emerald

Features:

The Blue-tailed hummingbird is Chlorostilbon mellisugus and blue-tailed Emerald.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Western Emerald

Western Emerald

Western Emerald,Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus

Features:

The Western Emerald hummingbird (Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus) is an unknown species.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chlorostilbon maugaeus

Chlorostilbon maugaeus

Chlorostilbon maugaeus,Puerto Rican Emerald

Features:

The bird's scientific name is Chlorostilbon maugaeus, and its foreign name is Puerto Rican Emerald.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chlorostilbon aureoventris

Chlorostilbon aureoventris

Chlorostilbon aureoventris,Glittering-bellied Emerald

Features:

The green hummingbird's scientific name is Chlorostilbon aureoventris and its foreign name Glittering-bellied Emerald.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...