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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
Campylopterus phainopeplus

Campylopterus phainopeplus

Campylopterus phainopeplus

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the holy horse sabre-winged hummingbird is Campylopterus phainopeplus.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Campylopterus curvipennis

Campylopterus curvipennis

Campylopterus curvipennis，Wedge-tailed Sabrewing

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Wedge-tailed Sabrewing hummingbird is known as Campylopterus curvipennis and wedge-tailed sabrewing.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Campylopterus largipennis

Campylopterus largipennis

Campylopterus largipennis，Grey-breasted Sabrewing

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird is known as Campylopterus largipennis or Grey-breasted Sabrewing. Its habitat is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Campylopterus hyperythrus

Campylopterus hyperythrus

Campylopterus hyperythrus，Rufous-breasted Sabrewing

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The brown-breasted hummingbird is known as Campylopterus hyperythrus and Rufous-breasted Sabrewing.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Campylopterus hemileucurus

Campylopterus hemileucurus

Campylopterus hemileucurus，Violet Sabrewing

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Violet Sabrewing hummingbird is known by its scientific name Campylopterus hemileucurus and its foreign name Violet Sabrewing.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Campylopterus falcatus

Campylopterus falcatus

Campylopterus falcatus，Lazuline Sabrewing

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The brown-tailed Sabrewing hummingbird has a scientific name, Campylopterus falcatus, and a foreign name, Lazuline Sabrewing.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Pampa excellens

Pampa excellens

Pampa excellens，Long-tailed Sabrewing

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The specific habits of the Long-tailed Sabrewing (Pampa excellens) are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Campylopterus ensipennis

Campylopterus ensipennis

Campylopterus ensipennis，White-tailed Sabrewing

Climbing birds LC

Features：

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

Campylopterus duidae

Campylopterus duidae

Campylopterus duidae，Buff-breasted Sabrewing

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The characteristics of the yellow-breasted Sabrewing (Campylopterus duidae) are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Phaeochroa cuvierii

Phaeochroa cuvierii

Phaeochroa cuvierii，Scaly-breasted Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Scaly-breasted Hummingbird (Phaeochroa cuvierii) has six subspecies.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Calypte costae

Calypte costae

Calypte costae，Costa's Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：The male adult bird has a prominent purple color, with bright purple scaly feathers on the head and throat

Calypte costae (Calypte costae) foreign name Costa' s Hummingbird, a native of the American continent and considered by ornithologists to be the most drought-adapted hummingbird, was officially introduced to the public by French ornithologists in 1839, It was named Costae in honor of the French...

Calypte anna

Calypte anna

Calypte anna，Anna's Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：City birds in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, change their faces

Scarlet hummingbird (scientific name: Calypte anna) foreign name Anna' s Hummingbird, no subspecies. The Latin scientific name is named after Anna Messena.Vermilion hummingbirds are not social birds, they are regional and will enter the area of their territory at any time, regardless of size. Th...

Calothorax pulcher

Calothorax pulcher

Calothorax pulcher，Beautiful Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The magnificent Hummingbird is known as Calothorax pulcher and Beautiful Hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Calothorax lucifer

Calothorax lucifer

Calothorax lucifer，Lucifer Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Calothorax lucifer, Lucifer Hummingbird, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Calliphlox mitchellii

Calliphlox mitchellii

Calliphlox mitchellii，Purple-throated Woodstar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Calliphlox mitchellii, Purple-throated Woodstar hummingbird, specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Calliphlox evelynae

Calliphlox evelynae

Calliphlox evelynae， Bahama Woodstar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Bahamarin star hummingbird is known as Calliphlox evelynae or Bahama Woodstar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Calliphlox bryantae

Calliphlox bryantae

Calliphlox bryantae，Magenta-throated Woodstar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Calliphlox bryantae and Magenta-throated Woodstar.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Calliphlox amethystina

Calliphlox amethystina

Calliphlox amethystina，Amethyst Woodstar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Calliphlox amethystina (Amethyst Woodstar, Calliphlox amethystina).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Boissonneaua matthewsii

Boissonneaua matthewsii

Boissonneaua matthewsii，Chestnut-breasted Coronet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Boissonneaua matthewsii, and its foreign name is Chestnut-breasted Coronet.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Boissonneaua jardini

Boissonneaua jardini

Boissonneaua jardini，Velvet-purple Coronet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Boissonneaua jardini, also known as Velvet-purple Coronet, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Boissonneaua flavescens

Boissonneaua flavescens

Boissonneaua flavescens，Buff-tailed Coronet

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The specific habits of the yellow-tailed hummingbird (Boissonneaua flavescens, Buff-tailed Coronet) are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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