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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
Phoebetria fusca

Phoebetria fusca

Phoebetria fusca

Features:

Phoebetria fusca is a medium-sized albatross.The albatross is a large floating seabird widely distributed in the ocean. It flies almost all day except during the breeding season, and only flies in the harbor or bay during the stormy season. In the sea, it often follows the ship to fly, can skillfull...

Diomedea exulans

Diomedea exulans

Diomedea exulans

Features:It is the largest albatross and has the longest wingspan of any bird

Diomedea exulans, the wandering albatross, is the largest species of albatross and has the longest wingspan of any bird, with an average of 3.1 meters and a maximum of 3.7 meters.Wandering albatrosses are found in the southern Hemisphere. At 40 degrees south latitude, there are 27 days a month when...

Diomedea epomophora

Diomedea epomophora

Diomedea epomophora,Royal Albatross

Features:It can fly thousands of miles in a day, which is considered the champion of flight among birds, and has a record of flying around the world

The Royal Albatross, Diomedea epomophora, is a large seabird.Cuttlefish, fish, shrimp and crabs are the most important food for albatross, and the leftovers abandoned by sea liners (such as dead fish, animal organs, etc.) are also extremely fond of. So, they are always following the ship, sometimes...

Bulweria fallax

Bulweria fallax

Bulweria fallax,Jouanin's Petrel

Features:

Scientific name Bulweria fallax, foreign name Jouanin' s Petrel, usually flying at low altitude in the sea. It feeds on invertebrates such as small fish, squid and crustaceans.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Bulweria bulwerii

Bulweria bulwerii

Bulweria bulwerii,Aestrelata bulweri,Bulwer's Petrel

Features:It looks like a giant petrel with long wings and a long tail, dark brown with a lighter underbody

Shearwater (scientific name: Bulweria bulwerii) foreign name Bulwer' s Petrel is a small gull-like seabird with no subspecies.Most of the birds are resident birds, and a few often wander to the north and south seas during the non-breeding season. Like clusters, often in groups, usually very acti...

Pachyptila turtur

Pachyptila turtur

Pachyptila turtur,Fairy Prion

Features:

Pachyptila turtur (Fairy Prion) is not known.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Pachyptila crassirostris

Pachyptila crassirostris

Pachyptila crassirostris,Thick-billed Prion

Features:

Pachyptila crassirostris, Thick-billed Prion, is unknown.International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Protection Level: Species of Least Concern (LC).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Pachyptila belcheri

Pachyptila belcheri

Pachyptila belcheri,Slender-billed Prion

Features:

Its scientific name is Pachyptila belcheri, and its foreign name is Slender-billed Prion.The threat degree of petrel is low, and the protection status is relatively safe.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Pachyptila desolata

Pachyptila desolata

Pachyptila desolata,Dove Prion

Features:

Pachyptila desolata, Dove Prion, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Pachyptila salvini

Pachyptila salvini

Pachyptila salvini,Salvin's Prion

Features:

Pachyptila salvini (Salvin's Prion) is a bird of the genus Pachyptila in the petrel family.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Pachyptila vittata

Pachyptila vittata

Pachyptila vittata,Broad-billed Prion

Features:

Pachyptila vittata, or Broad-billed Prion, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Halobaena caerulea

Halobaena caerulea

Halobaena caerulea,Blue Petrel

Features:

Halobaena caerulea, also known as Blue Petrel, is a small seabird of the Petrel family.It feeds mainly on krill, but also other crustaceans, fish and cuttlefish, and can dive up to 6 meters deep while hunting in the water.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is...

Pterodroma macgillivrayi

Pterodroma macgillivrayi

Pterodroma macgillivrayi,Fiji Petrel

Features:

The behavior of the Fiji Petrel (Pterodroma macgillivrayi, Fiji Petrel) is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Pterodroma pycrofti

Pterodroma pycrofti

Pterodroma pycrofti,Pycroft's Petrel

Features:It is endemic to New Zealand's Chatham Islands

New Zealand Shearwater (Pterodroma axillaris) Pycroft' s Petrel is a medium-sized petrel.The New Zealand Shearwater drifts at sea during the off-breeding season, feeding on squid, small fish and mollusks. Return to shore only during breeding season. The New Zealand Shearwater nests in the canopy...

Pterodroma longirostris

Pterodroma longirostris

Pterodroma longirostris,Stejneger's Petrel

Features:

Longbill shearwater (Latin scientific name: Pterodroma longirostris) foreign name Stejneger' s Petrel, usually flying at low altitude in the sea. It feeds on invertebrates such as small fish, squid and crustaceans.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is eve...

Pterodroma axillaris

Pterodroma axillaris

Pterodroma axillaris,Chatham Petrel

Features:

The Chatham Petrel (Pterodroma axillaris) is a non-breeding species that roams the sea, feeding on squid, small fish and mollusks, only returning to shore during the breeding season.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Pterodroma nigripennis

Pterodroma nigripennis

Pterodroma nigripennis,Black-winged Petrel

Features:

The Black-winged Petrel (Pterodroma nigripennis, black-winged Petrel) is relatively quiet and has a little-known diet, feeding mainly on shrimp and small insects.The black-winged petrel is a non-endangered species, the degree of threat is low, and the protection status is relatively safe.Protect wil...

Pterodroma hypoleuca

Pterodroma hypoleuca

Pterodroma hypoleuca,Bonin Petrel

Features:The forehead is white, the crown to the back neck is black, the rest of the upper body is gray, and the tail feathers end is black

Its scientific name is Pterodroma hypoleuca, and its foreign name is Bonin Petrel.The petrel is active in groups on the ocean, and is active during the day and night, except at night during breeding. Good at flying, can fly with wings, and can tilt left and right, and glide back and forth over the o...

Pterodroma leucoptera

Pterodroma leucoptera

Pterodroma leucoptera,Gould’s Petrel

Features:

Pterodroma leucoptera (Latin name: Pterodroma leucoptera, English name: Gould's Petrel). It feeds on invertebrates such as small fish, squid and crustaceans.The white-winged petrel is a vulnerable species and is about to become an endangered species with a high risk of extinction.Protect wild an...

Pterodroma defilippiana

Pterodroma defilippiana

Pterodroma defilippiana,Defilippe's Petrel

Features:

Pterodroma defilippiana, Defilippe' The species feed on invertebrates such as small fish, squid and crustaceans, and some often follow boats to feed on dead fish and discarded food scraps.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility...

Pterodroma cookii

Pterodroma cookii

Pterodroma cookii,Cook's Petrel,Fardela blanca de Cook,Fardela blanca de Más a Tierra,Fardela de Cook,Petrel de Cook

Features:It is an off-white seabird with a white forehead fused into a gray crest

Black-footed petrel (Latin scientific name: Pterodroma cookii) foreign name Cook' s Petrel, Fardela blanca de Cook, Fardela blanca de Mas a Tierra, Fardela de Cook, Petrel de Cook, no subspecies.The black-footed Shearwater migrates to the eastern Pacific between April and November after the bree...