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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
Agyrtria versicolor

Agyrtria versicolor

Agyrtria versicolor，Versicolored Emerald

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Agyrtria versicolor, and its foreign name is Versicolored Emerald.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Amazilia tzacatl

Amazilia tzacatl

Amazilia tzacatl，Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Latin name Amazilia tzacatl, English name Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Saucerottia tobaci

Saucerottia tobaci

Saucerottia tobaci，Copper-rumped Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Copper-rumped Hummingbird is known as Saucerottia tobaci and copper-rumped hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Saucerottia saucerrottei

Saucerottia saucerrottei

Saucerottia saucerrottei，Steely-vented Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Saucerottia saucerrottei and Steely-vented Hummingbird are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Amazilia rutila

Amazilia rutila

Amazilia rutila，Cinnamon Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird is named Amazilia rutila and Cinnamon Hummingbird, but its habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Polyerata rosenbergi

Polyerata rosenbergi

Polyerata rosenbergi，Purple-chested Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Polyerata rosenbergi, and its foreign name is Purple-chested Hummingbird. Its specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Amazilia rondoniae

Amazilia rondoniae

Amazilia rondoniae，Rondonia Emerald

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Madeira hummingbird scientific name Amazilia rondoniae, foreign name Rondonia Emerald, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Polyerata luciae

Polyerata luciae

Polyerata luciae，Honduras Emerald

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The specific habits of the Honduran hummingbird (Latin name: Polyerata luciae, English: Honduras Emerald) are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Agyrtria leucogaster

Agyrtria leucogaster

Agyrtria leucogaster，Plain-bellied Emerald

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The hummingbird's scientific name is Agyrtria leucogaster, and its foreign name is Plain-bellied Emerald.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Blue-throated Hummingbird

Blue-throated Hummingbird

Blue-throated Hummingbird，Lampornis clemenciae

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Blue-throated Hummingbird, also known as Lampornis clemenciae, has an unknown habit.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Agyrtria franciae

Agyrtria franciae

Agyrtria franciae，Andean Emerald

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Andean hummingbird's scientific name is Agyrtria franciae, and its foreign name is Andean Emerald.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Polyerata fimbriata

Polyerata fimbriata

Polyerata fimbriata，Glittering-throated Emerald

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Glittering hummingbird is Polyerata fimbriata and Glittering-throated Emerald.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Saucerottia edward

Saucerottia edward

Saucerottia edward

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The snowthorax hummingbird's scientific name is Saucerottia edward, and its specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Polyerata decora

Polyerata decora

Polyerata decora，Charming Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Polyerata decora, Charming Hummingbird. Its behavior is not known.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Saucerottia cyanura

Saucerottia cyanura

Saucerottia cyanura，Blue-tailed Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Blue-tailed Hummingbird Saucerottia cyanura, blue-tailed Hummingbird, its specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Agyrtria cyanocephala

Agyrtria cyanocephala

Agyrtria cyanocephala，Red-billed Azurecrown

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Red-billed hummingbird is known as Agyrtria cyanocephala or red-billed Azurecrown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Saucerottia cyanifrons

Saucerottia cyanifrons

Saucerottia cyanifrons，Indigo-capped Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Saucerottia cyanifrons and Indigo-capped Hummingbird are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Saucerottia cupreicauda

Saucerottia cupreicauda

Saucerottia cupreicauda，Copper-tailed Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Copper-tailed Hummingbird is Saucerottia cupreicauda and copper-tailed hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Leucippus chionogaster

Leucippus chionogaster

Leucippus chionogaster，White-bellied Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The White-bellied Hummingbird is known as Leucippus chionogaster and white-bellied hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Amazilia castaneiventris

Amazilia castaneiventris

Amazilia castaneiventris，Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Scientific name Amazilia castaneiventris, foreign name Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird, specific habits are unknown.The chestnut-bellied hummingbird is too small for its skeleton to be preserved as a fossil, and its evolutionary history remains a mystery. Most hummingbirds live in Central and South Ame...

Agyrtria candida

Agyrtria candida

Agyrtria candida，White-bellied Emerald

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The White-bellied green hummingbird's scientific name is Agyrtria candida, and its foreign name is white-bellied Emerald.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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