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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
Piculus simplex

Piculus simplex

Piculus simplex，Rufous-winged woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird is known as Piculus simplex and Rufous-winged woodpecker. Its specific habits are not known.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibi...

Celeus tinnunculus

Celeus tinnunculus

Celeus tinnunculus，Atlantic black-breasted woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Atlantic black-breasted woodpecker, known as Celeus tinnunculus and Atlantic black-breasted Woodpecker, is a ringnecked woodpecker -- subspecies. The specific habitat is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Celeus occidentalis

Celeus occidentalis

Celeus occidentalis，Amazonian black-breasted woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Amazonian black-breasted woodpecker, known as Celeus occidentalis or Amazonian black-breasted Woodpecker, is a subspecies of the ringnecked woodpecker.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Celeus torquatus

Celeus torquatus

Celeus torquatus，Ringed woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Ringed woodpecker is known by its scientific name Celeus torquatus and its foreign name Ringed Woodpecker.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's r...

Celeus obrieni

Celeus obrieni

Celeus obrieni，Kaempfer's woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

It is known by its scientific name Celeus obrieni and its foreign name Kaempfer's woodpecker.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Celeus spectabilis

Celeus spectabilis

Celeus spectabilis，Rufous-headed woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The brown-headed woodpecker is known as Celeus spectabilis and Rufous-headed woodpecker.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Celeus flavus

Celeus flavus

Celeus flavus，Cream-colored woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species, known as Celeus flavus and Cream-colored woodpecker, has four subspecies.Milk-white woodpeckers are found near rivers; Living alone, most woodpeckers can only cling to a tree trunk with four toes, while the milky woodpecker can perch on a branch like a passerine bird. Woodpeckers can ch...

Celeus ochraceus

Celeus ochraceus

Celeus ochraceus，Ochre-backed woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Celeus ochraceus and Ochre-backed woodpecker.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Celeus flavescens

Celeus flavescens

Celeus flavescens，Blond-crested Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Celeus flavescens or Blonde-crested Woodpecker.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Pale-crested Woodpecker

Pale-crested Woodpecker

Celeus lugubris，Pale-crested Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The white-crowned Woodpecker is known by its scientific name Celeus lugubris and its foreign name, Pale crested Woodpecker.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is eve...

Celeus elegans

Celeus elegans

Celeus elegans，Chestnut woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Celeus elegans and Chestnut woodpecker. Its specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Celeus castaneus

Celeus castaneus

Celeus castaneus，Chestnut-colored woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Chinese Chestnut woodpecker is known as Celeus castaneus and chestney-colored woodpecker.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Celeus undatus

Celeus undatus

Celeus undatus，Waved woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Celeus undatus, and its foreign name is Waved woodpecker.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Celeus grammicus

Celeus grammicus

Celeus grammicus，Scaly-breasted woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Celeus grammicus and Scaly-breasted woodpecker. Its habitat is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Celeus loricatus

Celeus loricatus

Celeus loricatus，Cinnamon woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Celeus loricatus and Cinnamon woodpecker, but its habits are unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Dryocopus galeatus

Dryocopus galeatus

Dryocopus galeatus，Celeus galeatus，Helmeted Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Helmeted Woodpecker is known by its scientific name Dryocopus galeatus, Celeus galeatus, and foreign name Helmeted Woodpecker.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds - Vulnerable (VU).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining...

Dryocopus hodgei

Dryocopus hodgei

Dryocopus hodgei，Andaman woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The woodpecker's scientific name is Dryocopus hodgei, and its foreign name is Andaman woodpecker.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Red List of birds - Near Threatened (NT).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance i...

Dryocopus schulzi

Dryocopus schulzi

Dryocopus schulzi，Black-bodied woodpecker，White-shouldered woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

South American Black woodpecker Dryocopus schulzi, foreign name black-bodied woodpecker, White-shouldered woodpecker, specific habits are unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ec...

Dryocopus pileatus

Dryocopus pileatus

Dryocopus pileatus，Pileated woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The North American black woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus or Pileated woodpecker, is a species of bird in the genus Dryocopus of the family Woodpecker.The North American black woodpecker flies fast and in a straight line. They are also attracted to the dead trees by the insects that feed on them and t...

Dryocopus lineatus

Dryocopus lineatus

Dryocopus lineatus，Lineated woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

细纹黑啄木鸟学名Dryocopus lineatus，外文名Lineated woodpecker，具体习性不详。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Mulleripicus fulginosus

Mulleripicus fulginosus

Mulleripicus fulginosus，Southern sooty woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Mulleripicus fulginosus and Southern sooty woodpecker.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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