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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
Chlorostilbon gibsoni

Chlorostilbon gibsoni

Chlorostilbon gibsoni，Red-billed Emerald

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The specific habits of the Red-billed Emerald (Chlorostilbon gibsoni) are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Cynanthus forficatus

Cynanthus forficatus

Cynanthus forficatus，Cozumel Emerald

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The specific habits of the Cozumel Emerald (Cynanthus forficatus) are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chlorostilbon swainsonii

Chlorostilbon swainsonii

Chlorostilbon swainsonii，Hispaniolan Emerald

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird is Chlorostilbon swainsonii and Hispaniolan Emerald, but its behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Cynanthus canivetii

Cynanthus canivetii

Cynanthus canivetii，Canivet's Emerald

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Green hummingbird (English name: Canivet' Emerald (Cynanthus canivetii) is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chlorostilbon bracei

Chlorostilbon bracei

Chlorostilbon bracei，Brace's Emerald

Climbing birds LC

Features：It's an extinct hummingbird endemic to New Providence Island in the Bahamas.

Chlorostilbon bracei, foreign name Brace' s Emerald, whose specific habit is unknown.In 1877, a specimen of a male Bushwhi hummingbird was found 4.8 km off Nassau, Bahamas, with a badly injured throat and was stored at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. However, the specimen was not...

Chlorostilbon assimilis

Chlorostilbon assimilis

Chlorostilbon assimilis，Garden Emerald

Climbing birds LC

Features：

assimilis Garden Emerald (Chlorostilbon assimilis) The specific habits of the species are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chlorostilbon alice

Chlorostilbon alice

Chlorostilbon alice，Green-tailed Emerald

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The greentailed hummingbird is Chlorostilbon alice and Green-tailed Emerald.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chalybura urochrysia

Chalybura urochrysia

Chalybura urochrysia，Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Chalybura urochrysia and Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chalybura buffonii

Chalybura buffonii

Chalybura buffonii，White-vented Plumeleteer

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The white-bellied, brown-tailed hummingbird is known as Chalybura buffonii or White-vented Plumeleteer.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chalcostigma stanleyi

Chalcostigma stanleyi

Chalcostigma stanleyi，Blue-mantled Thornbill

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The blue-backed sharp-billed hummingbird's scientific name is Chalcostigma stanleyi, and its foreign name is Blue-mantled Thornbill.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chalcostigma ruficeps

Chalcostigma ruficeps

Chalcostigma ruficeps，Rufous-capped Thornbill

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Chalcostigma ruficeps, and its foreign name is Rufous-capped Thornbill.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chalcostigma olivaceum

Chalcostigma olivaceum

Chalcostigma olivaceum，Olivaceous Thornbill

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Chalcostigma olivaceum and its foreign name is Olivaceous Thornbill.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chalcostigma heteropogon

Chalcostigma heteropogon

Chalcostigma heteropogon，Bronze-tailed Thornbill

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The copper-tailed hummingbird is known as Chalcostigma heteropogon and Bronze-tailed Thornbill.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chalcostigma herrani

Chalcostigma herrani

Chalcostigma herrani，Rainbow-bearded Thornbill

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bearded hummingbird is known by its scientific name Chalcostigma herrani (Rainbow-bearded Thornbill).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!The bearded hummingbird is known by its scientific name Chalcostigma herrani (Rainbow-...

Chaetocercus mulsant

Chaetocercus mulsant

Chaetocercus mulsant，White-bellied Woodstar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird is known as Chaetocercus mulsant and White-bellied Woodstar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chaetocercus jourdanii

Chaetocercus jourdanii

Chaetocercus jourdanii，Rufous-shafted Woodstar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird is known as Chaetocercus jourdanii and Rufous-shafted Woodstar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chaetocercus heliodor

Chaetocercus heliodor

Chaetocercus heliodor，Gorgeted Woodstar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Chaetocercus heliodor, and Gorgeted Woodstar is not known.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chaetocercus bombus

Chaetocercus bombus

Chaetocercus bombus，Little Woodstar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Kobayashi hummingbird Latin name Chaetocercus bombus, English name Little Woodstar, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chaetocercus berlepschi

Chaetocercus berlepschi

Chaetocercus berlepschi，Esmeraldas Woodstar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Esling hummingbird's scientific name is Chaetocercus berlepschi, and its foreign name is Esmeraldas Woodstar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chaetocercus astreans

Chaetocercus astreans

Chaetocercus astreans，Santa Marta Woodstar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The SAN Marin hummingbird is known as Chaetocercus astreans or Santa Marta Woodstar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Campylopterus villaviscensio

Campylopterus villaviscensio

Campylopterus villaviscensio，Napo Sabrewing

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The specific habits of the Napo Sabrewing (Campylopterus villaviscensio) are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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