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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
Mulleripicus funebris

Mulleripicus funebris

Mulleripicus funebris，Northern sooty woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species' scientific name is Mulleripicus funebris and its foreign name is Northern sooty woodpecker.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's res...

Mulleripicus fulvus

Mulleripicus fulvus

Mulleripicus fulvus，Ashy woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The dark yellow woodpecker's scientific name is Mulleripicus fulvus, and its foreign name is Ashy woodpecker.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone'...

Picus guerini

Picus guerini

Picus guerini，Black-naped woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The black-occipitated green woodpecker is known as Picus guerini or Black-naped woodpecker, with 14 subspecies.The black-occipated green woodpecker is often solitary or in pairs, and rarely in groups. Autumn and winter often appear on the roadside, farmland side of the open forest, but also often to...

Picus canus dedemi

Picus canus dedemi

Picus canus dedemi，Picus dedemi，Sumatran woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

苏门答腊绿啄木鸟学名Picus canus dedemi、Picus dedemi，外文名Sumatran woodpecker，直到最近，被认为是灰头绿啄木鸟的地域变种。Sumatran green woodpeckers often live alone or in pairs. Rarely in groups. Autumn and winter often appear on the roadside, farmland by the open forest, but also often to the vil...

Picus canus

Picus canus

Picus canus，Grey-faced Woodpecker，Grey-headed Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Grey-headed green Woodpecker has 11 subspecies: Picus canus, Grey-faced Woodpecker and Grey-headed woodpecker.Grey-headed green woodpeckers are solitary or in pairs, rarely in groups. Flying fast, in a wave. They often feed in the middle and lower part of the trunk, and often feed on the ground,...

Picus erythropygius

Picus erythropygius

Picus erythropygius，Black-headed woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Black-headed green woodpecker is known as Picus erythropygius and black-headed woodpecker.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Picus vaillantii

Picus vaillantii

Picus vaillantii，Levaillant's Woodpecker，Levaillant's Green Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Picus vaillantii, Levaillant's Woodpecker, Levaillant's Green Woodpecker, the specific habit is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's...

Picus sharpei

Picus sharpei

Picus sharpei，Iberian green woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Iberian green woodpecker is known as Iberian Green Woodpecker and Picus sharpei.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Picus viridis

Picus viridis

Picus viridis，European green woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The European green woodpecker, known as Picus viridis or European Green Woodpecker, is different from other woodpeckers in that it feeds mostly on ants and rarely pecks woodworms. European green woodpeckers nest in trees. 4 to 6 eggs are laid at a time and hatch after 19 to 20 years.Protect wild ani...

Picus awokera

Picus awokera

Picus awokera，Japanese green woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Japanese green woodpecker is known as Picus awokera and Japanese Green woodpecker.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Picus squamatus

Picus squamatus

Picus squamatus，Scaly-bellied woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Picus squamatus, Scaly-bellied woodpecker, has two subspecies。The green woodpecker is a resident bird, usually living alone, mostly in the dead branches or dead trees of large trees and feeding, but also to the ground to feed. The call is a chimelike "klee-gu"; Occasionally, there is a lo...

Picus xanthopygaeus

Picus xanthopygaeus

Picus xanthopygaeus，Streak-throated Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Picus xanthopygaeus and street-throated Woodpecker without subspecies。The scaly-throated green woodpecker often travels to the ground. It mainly feeds on animal food such as ants and insects. The pecker is a climbing bird with sharp claws on each toe, which are suitable for...

Picus vittatus

Picus vittatus

Picus vittatus，Scaly-belliedGreenWoodpecker，Laced woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：Forehead, crown and pillow bright red; Greenish-yellow on the nape and side of the neck; The upper body is basically green; The lower body is also basically green, with U-shaped scales on the abdomen.

Picus vittatus, Laced woodpecker Scaly-belliedGreenWoodpecker, Laced woodpecker, divided into 4 subspecies, while there is only 1 subspecies in China。Flower-bellied green woodpeckers are rare in number, they are fond of eating pests, which is beneficial to people and should be protected.Protect wil...

Picus viridanus

Picus viridanus

Picus viridanus，Streak-breasted Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Picus viridanus and Streak-breasted Woodpecker. Its habitat is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Picus puniceus

Picus puniceus

Picus puniceus，Crimson-winged woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The red-winged green woodpecker is known as Picus puniceus and Crimson-winged woodpecker. Its specific habits are unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is ever...

Picus mentalis

Picus mentalis

Picus mentalis，Chrysophlegma mentale，Checker-throated Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Picus mentalis, Chrysophlegma mentale, foreign name Checker-throated Woodpecker, specific habits are unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's re...

Picus miniaceus

Picus miniaceus

Picus miniaceus，Chrysophlegma miniaceum，Banded Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Picus miniaceus, Chrysophlegma miniaceum, foreign name Banded Woodpecker, specific habits are unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsib...

Micropternus brachyurus

Micropternus brachyurus

Micropternus brachyurus，Celeus brachyurus，Cinnamon Woodpecker，Rufous Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The chestnut Woodpecker has nine subspecies: Micropternus brachyurus, Celeus brachyurus, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Rufous Woodpecker。Chestnut woodpeckers are solitary. During reproduction, pairs and family groups are active, and generally do not cluster. Likes to hang out where there are ants. They ofte...

Hemicircus sordidus

Hemicircus sordidus

Hemicircus sordidus，Grey-and-buff Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Hemicircus sordidus and Grey-and-buff Woodpecker。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Hemicircus canente

Hemicircus canente

Hemicircus canente，Heart-spotted woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The black-crowned woodpecker is known as Hemicircus canente and Heart-spotted woodpecker.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Meiglyptes tukki

Meiglyptes tukki

Meiglyptes tukki，Buff-necked Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The yellow-necked Woodpecker is known as Meiglyptes tukki and Buff-necked woodpecker。Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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