Home>>All Animals>>Birds

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 brevirostris

Agyrtria brevirostris

Agyrtria brevirostris，White-chested Emerald

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The white-breasted hummingbird's scientific name is Agyrtria brevirostris, or White-chested Emerald.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Polyerata boucardi

Polyerata boucardi

Polyerata boucardi，Mangrove Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Mangrove Hummingbird Polyerata boucardi, foreign name Mangrove Hummingbird, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Saucerottia beryllina

Saucerottia beryllina

Saucerottia beryllina，Berylline Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The green Hummingbird's scientific name is Saucerottia beryllina, and its foreign name is Berylline Hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Amazilia amazilia

Amazilia amazilia

Amazilia amazilia

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Amazilia amazilia, and its specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Polyerata amabilis

Polyerata amabilis

Polyerata amabilis，Blue-chested Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The specific habits of the blue-breasted Hummingbird (Latin: Polyerata amabilis, English: Blue-chested Hummingbird) are unknown. The recorded lifespan of blue-breasted hummingbirds in the wild is only 7-8 years.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone&#...

Amazilia alticola

Amazilia alticola

Amazilia alticola，Loja Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Loja Hummingbird, whose scientific name is Amazilia alticola, is also known as Loja Hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Amazilia alticola

Amazilia alticola

Amazilia alticola，Loja Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Loja Hummingbird, whose scientific name is Amazilia alticola, is also known as Loja Hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Aglaiocercus kingi

Aglaiocercus kingi

Aglaiocercus kingi，Long-tailed Sylph

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Long-tailed hummingbird's scientific name is Aglaiocercus kingi, and its foreign name is long-tailed Sylph.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Aglaiocercus coelestis

Aglaiocercus coelestis

Aglaiocercus coelestis，Violet-tailed Sylph

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The purple long-tailed hummingbird is known as Aglaiocercus coelestis or Violet-tailed Sylph.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Aglaiocercus berlepschi

Aglaiocercus berlepschi

Aglaiocercus berlepschi，Venezuelan Sylph

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The South American long-tailed hummingbird is called Aglaiocercus berlepschi, Venezuelan Sylph, but its behaviour is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Aglaeactis pamela

Aglaeactis pamela

Aglaeactis pamela，Black-hooded Sunbeam

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The black-headed hummingbird is known as Aglaeactis pamela and Black-hooded Sunbeam.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Aglaeactis cupripennis

Aglaeactis cupripennis

Aglaeactis cupripennis，Shining Sunbeam

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The hummingbird's scientific name is Aglaeactis cupripennis, and its foreign name is Shining Sunbeam.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Aglaeactis castelnaudii

Aglaeactis castelnaudii

Aglaeactis castelnaudii

Climbing birds LC

Features：

辉胸闪羽蜂鸟学名Aglaeactis castelnaudii，具体习性不详。保护野生动物，杜绝野味。维护生态平衡，人人有责！...

Aglaeactis aliciae

Aglaeactis aliciae

Aglaeactis aliciae，Purple-backed Sunbeam

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The hummingbird is known as Aglaeactis aliciae and Purple-backed Sunbeam.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Adelomyia melanogenys

Adelomyia melanogenys

Adelomyia melanogenys，Speckled Hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Adelomyia melanogenys and Speckled Hummingbird.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Abeillia abeillei

Abeillia abeillei

Abeillia abeillei，emerald-chinned hummingbird

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The emerald chinned hummingbird (Abeillia abeillei) is known as emerald-Chinned hummingbird.Listed on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Not Threatened (LC), 2012 assessment.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Threnetes ruckeri

Threnetes ruckeri

Threnetes ruckeri，Band-tailed Barbthroat

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Threnetes ruckeri or Band-tailed Barbthroat.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Threnetes niger

Threnetes niger

Threnetes niger，Sooty Barbthroat

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bearded hummingbird (Threnetes niger) is Sooty Barbthroat, but its behaviour is unknown.Listed on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Not Threatened (LC), 2012 assessment.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Threnetes niger

Threnetes niger

Threnetes niger，Pale-tailed Barbthroat

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Threnetes niger or Pale-tailed Barbthroat.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ramphodon naevius

Ramphodon naevius

Ramphodon naevius

Climbing birds LC

Features：The beak has tiny serrations

The sawbill hummingbird, Ramphodon naevius, is a taxonomically classified species of the genus Ramphodon in the subfamily Hidden Hummingbird of the family Hummingbird. It gets its name from the tiny serrated beak.Historically, deforestation to make way for mining and landscape farming has threatened...

Phaethornis yaruqui

Phaethornis yaruqui

Phaethornis yaruqui，White-whiskered Hermit

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Phaethornis yaruqui (White-whiskered Hermit). Its specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Email: jsset#163.com (change # to @) Please indicate your purpose of visit!
Guangdong ICP No. 2022053326 XML| map| Chinese