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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
Oceanodroma tethys

Oceanodroma tethys

Oceanodroma tethys，Galapagos Storm Petrel

Waterfowl LC

Features：

Galapagos Storm Petrel, or Oceanodroma tethys, is a flock of birds that live in small or loose groups, either in nesting areas or at sea, although some species live alone. They spend their entire lives at sea, returning to land only to breed. With the exception of a few species that land during the...

Oceanites oceanicus

Oceanites oceanicus

Oceanites oceanicus，Wilson's Storm-Petrel

Waterfowl LC

Features：

Smoke black fork tail petrel (scientific name: Oceanites oceanicus) foreign name Wilson' s Storm-Petrel, a kind of bird.The petrels live alone or in small groups. Flying low, flapping loosely, occasionally gliding briefly, sometimes tilting or rolling. When feeding, stop in the air and flutter t...

Oceanodroma leucorhoa

Oceanodroma leucorhoa

Oceanodroma leucorhoa，Leach's Storm Petrel

Waterfowl LC

Features：The waist is white, in a "V" shape, divided into two parts by a thin black center line at the bottom

Leach' Oceanodroma leucorhoa; s Storm Petrel, with 5 subspecies, is a small seabird.White-rumped furrowed petrels usually arrive at their breeding grounds in early to mid to late May, and begin migrating from their northern breeding grounds to the southern sea in late September and early October...

Hydrobates pelaus

Hydrobates pelaus

Hydrobates pelaus，European Storm-petrel

Waterfowl LC

Features：It is the smallest individual bird living in Antarctica

The Wilson's Storm Petrels (Hydrobates pelaus) are a genus of birds belonging to the family Hydrobates.Wilson's Storm petrels are the smallest of Antarctic birds. They nest in crevices along the coast of Antarctica. They weigh only 36 grams and lay eggs no bigger than broad beans. The Wilson...

Nesofregetta fuliginosa

Nesofregetta fuliginosa

Nesofregetta fuliginosa，White-throated Storm Petrel

Waterfowl LC

Features：

Nesofregetta fuliginosa, White-throated Storm Petrel, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Fregetta maoriana

Fregetta maoriana

Fregetta maoriana，New Zealand Storm Petrel

Waterfowl LC

Features：

The New Zealand Storm Petrel (Fregetta maoriana) is a bird of the genus Petrel of the order Petrel.The specific habits of the New Zealand ship petrel are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Fregetta tropica

Fregetta tropica

Fregetta tropica，Black-bellied Storm Petrel

Waterfowl LC

Features：

Fregetta tropica, Black-bellied Storm Petrel, or black-bellied storm petrel, is a congregating bird, either in nesting areas or at sea, mostly in small or loose groups, although some species are solitary. They spend their entire lives at sea, returning to land only to breed. With the exception of a...

Fregetta grallaria

Fregetta grallaria

Fregetta grallaria，White-bellied Storm Petrel

Waterfowl LC

Features：

The White-bellied Storm Petrel, Fregetta grallaria, or white-bellied storm petrel, is a congregating bird, either in nesting areas or at sea, mostly in small or loose groups, although some species act alone. They spend their entire lives at sea, returning to land only to breed. With the exception of...

Pelagodroma marina

Pelagodroma marina

Pelagodroma marina，White-faced Storm Petrel

Waterfowl LC

Features：

Pelagodroma marina, or White-faced Storm Petrel, is a congregant bird, either in nesting areas or at sea, mostly in small or loose groups, although some species act alone. They spend their entire lives at sea, returning to land only to breed. With the exception of a few species that land during the...

Garrodia nereis

Garrodia nereis

Garrodia nereis，Gray-backed Storm Petrel

Waterfowl LC

Features：

Garrodia nereis (Gray-backed Storm Petrel) is a congregating bird, either in nesting areas or at sea, mostly in small or loose groups, although some species act alone. They spend their entire lives at sea, returning to land only to breed. With the exception of a few species that land during the day,...

Oceanites pincoyae

Oceanites pincoyae

Oceanites pincoyae，Pincoya storm petrel

Waterfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Oceanites pincoyae and its foreign name is Pincoya storm petrel.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Oceanites gracilis

Oceanites gracilis

Oceanites gracilis，White-vented Storm Petrel

Waterfowl LC

Features：

The species is known as Oceanites gracilis or White-vented Storm Petrel.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Oceanites oceanicus

Oceanites oceanicus

Oceanites oceanicus，Wilson's Storm Petrel

Waterfowl LC

Features：It is one of the most widely distributed birds in the world

Oceanites oceanicus, Wilson' s Storm Petrel is a kind of petrel.Yellow-webbed petrels often live alone or in small groups. Like many other shearwaters, the yellow-webbed petrels fly low to the surface, flapping their wings loosely, gliding briefly, and sometimes tilting or rolling to feed on pre...

Diomedea irrorata

Diomedea irrorata

Diomedea irrorata，Waved Albatross，Phoebastria irrorata

Waterfowl LC

Features：It's the narrowest of the albatrosses

The Calgary Albatross (Phoebastria irrorata, Waved Albatross) is a unique species.The albatross is the longest living bird in the world, with an average lifespan of 60 years and a maximum lifespan of 80 years. Often we use the mandarin duck as a metaphor for the love of a couple, but in fact the mos...

Phoebastria immutabilis

Phoebastria immutabilis

Phoebastria immutabilis，Laysan albatross

Waterfowl LC

Features：It is white from chin to rump, but dark on the upper wing and back, mainly white on the underwing, with dark edges, and a nearly black longitudinal covering

The Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) is a medium-sized albatross with no subspecies.Laysan albatrosses are known for their effortless flight - they can glide for hours on boats with barely a beat of their wings. One of their adaptations to reduce the amount of energy used by their gliding...

Thalassarche melanophrys

Thalassarche melanophrys

Thalassarche melanophrys，Black-browed Albatross

Waterfowl LC

Features：The eyebrows are black, the beak is yellow-orange, and the tip is red-orange

The black-browed albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys) is one of the most widespread and widespread species of albatross with dark eyes behind its eyes, hence the name "black-browed". The black-browed albatross was first described by Conrad Jacob Temink in 1828, based on specimens found at...

Thalassarche chrysostoma

Thalassarche chrysostoma

Thalassarche chrysostoma，Grey-headed Albatross

Waterfowl LC

Features：The upper and lower beak is orange and has a grey head

Thalassarche chrysostoma, Grey-headed Albatross is a species of bird in the genus Thalassarche Chrysostoma.The grey-headed albatross can fly for long periods of time at sea, using the principles of aerodynamics very efficiently to glide over the surface, sometimes for hours without even flapping its...

Thalassarche chlororhynchos

Thalassarche chlororhynchos

Thalassarche chlororhynchos，Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross

Waterfowl LC

Features：The upper edge of the beak is yellow, like a yellow "nose".

Thalassarche chlororhynchos (Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross) is unknown.International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Protection level: Endangered EN).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Thalassarche cauta

Thalassarche cauta

Thalassarche cauta，White-capped Albatross

Waterfowl LC

Features：The largest albatross of New Zealand's South Island

Thalassarche cauta, White-capped Albatross, has two subspecies.The albatross's main diet is fish, but crustaceans and tunicates are also part of the diet. White-capped albatrosses breed annually in their breeding grounds. Most eggs are laid in late September, hatching in December, and chicks hat...

Thalassarche bulleri

Thalassarche bulleri

Thalassarche bulleri，Buller’s Albatross

Waterfowl LC

Features：

The New Zealand Albatross (Thalassarche bulleri, Buller's Albatross) is a bird of the genus Albatross. Specific habits are unknown.Listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2008 Red List of Threatened Species ver 3.1 - Near Threatened (NT).Protect wild animals and elimi...

Phoebetria palpebrata

Phoebetria palpebrata

Phoebetria palpebrata，Light-mantled Albatross

Waterfowl LC

Features：Feathers similar in color to Siamese cats

Phoebetria palpebrata, also known as Light-mantled Albatross, is a small, mostly black albatross of the genus Albatross of the order Petrelidae.The albatross digs the soil and plants high, with a deep cup-shaped pit at the top. The albatross can spread its wings and glide long distances, floating on...

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