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
Pterodroma cervicalis

Pterodroma cervicalis

Pterodroma cervicalis,White-necked Petrel

Features:

White-necked Petrel (Pterodroma cervicalis) has two subspecies.White-necked Petrel often flies low over the sea, following the waves. It feeds on invertebrates such as small fish, squid and crustaceans.White-necked Petrel is a vulnerable species, and is about to become an endangered species, with a...

Juan Fernandez Petrel

Juan Fernandez Petrel

Juan Fernandez Petrel,Pterodroma externa

Features:

Pterodroma externa (Juan Fernandez Petrel) lays 1(rare 2) eggs per clutch, which are laid on the ground or in depressions and cracks in the ground. Both parents care for the chicks and leave about a week before they reach full plumage. The chicks develop on their fat stores and spend the non-breedin...

Pterodroma phaeopygia

Pterodroma phaeopygia

Pterodroma phaeopygia,Dark-rumped Petrel

Features:

Its scientific name is Pterodroma phaeopygia, and its foreign name is Dark-rumped Petrel.During the off-breeding season, the shearwater drifts offshore, feeding on squid, small fish, and mollusks. Return to shore only during breeding season.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ec...

Pterodroma baraui

Pterodroma baraui

Pterodroma baraui,Barau's Petrel

Features:

Its scientific name is Pterodroma baraui and its foreign name is Barau&#39. s Petrel, whose specific habits are unknown.The Reunion Shearwater flies low over the sea. They feed on invertebrates such as small fish, squid, and crustaceans, and some species often follow boats to feed on dead fish a...

Pterodroma madeira

Pterodroma madeira

Pterodroma madeira,Zino’s Petrel

Features:

The madeira Shearwater (Latin name: Pterodroma madeira, English name: Zino's Petrel) is a Marine bird.The Madeira shearwater flies low over the sea. It feeds on invertebrates such as small fish, squid and crustaceans. The Madeira shearwater is an endangered species, threatened with extinction.Pr...

Pterodroma feae

Pterodroma feae

Pterodroma feae,Cape verde Petrel

Features:

Cape verde Petrel, Pterodroma feae, feeds on fish and crustaceans. Specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Pterodroma mollis

Pterodroma mollis

Pterodroma mollis,Soft-plumaged Petrel

Features:

Its scientific name is Pterodroma mollis, and its foreign name is Soft-plumaged Petrel.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Pterodroma arminjoniana

Pterodroma arminjoniana

Pterodroma arminjoniana,Herald Petrel

Features:

Messenger's scientific name is Pterodroma arminjoniana, the foreign name is Herald Petrel, the specific habit is unknown.The Messenger shearwater drifts at sea during the off-breeding season, feeding on squid, small fish, and mollusks; Return to shore only during breeding season.Protect wild ani...

Pterodroma magentae

Pterodroma magentae

Pterodroma magentae,Magenta Petrel,Chatham Island Taiko

Features:

Pterodroma magentae, Magenta Petrel, Chatham Island Taiko, is unknown.The red Shearwater drifts out to sea during the off-breeding season, feeding on squid, small fish, and mollusks. Return to shore only during breeding season. Each clutch lays 1(rare 2) eggs, which are laid on the ground or in grou...

Pterodroma neglecta

Pterodroma neglecta

Pterodroma neglecta,Kermadec Petrel

Features:

Kermadec Petrel, Pterodroma neglecta, is a small petrel.The Katsushima shearwater flies low over the sea. They feed on invertebrates such as small fish, squid, and crustaceans, and some species often follow boats to feed on dead fish and discarded food scraps.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild...

Pterodroma ultima

Pterodroma ultima

Pterodroma ultima,Murphy’s Petrel

Features:

Murphy's Petrel (Latin name: Pterodroma ultima, Murphy's Petrel) is a species of Marine bird.The Shearwater feeds on invertebrates such as small fish, squid and crustaceans.The Shearwater is an endangered species and may be endangered or endangered in the near future.Protect wild animals and...

Aphrodroma brevirostris

Aphrodroma brevirostris

Aphrodroma brevirostris,Kerguelen Petrel

Features:

The short-billed Petrel (Latin name: Aphrodroma brevirostris, Kerguelen Petrel) is a Marine bird.The petrel mainly feeds on squid and can reach a size of 203 grams. And krill and fish. It's generally pretty quiet. Brevirostris live in the ocean and at high water levels, mostly in cold water. Bre...

Pterodroma solandri

Pterodroma solandri

Pterodroma solandri,Providence Petrel

Features:

The brown-headed Petrel (Pterodroma solandri, Providence Petrel) is a Marine bird.The brown-headed petrel is mainly squid and fish, with some crustaceans and, most importantly, the bioluminescent fish (Myctophidae). Adult brown-headed shearwaters arrive on the island from mid-April, sometimes earlie...

Pterodroma inexpectata

Pterodroma inexpectata

Pterodroma inexpectata,Mottled Petrel

Features:

The Petrel (Latin name: Pterodroma inexpectata, English name: Mottled Petrel) is a Marine bird.The Shearwater feeds mainly on squid and fish, as well as some crustaceans. Calving usually begins around the end of the first week of December.Petrel is an endangered species and may be endangered or enda...

Thalassoica antarctica

Thalassoica antarctica

Thalassoica antarctica,Antarctic Petrel

Features:

The Antarctic Petrel (Thalassoica antarctica, Antarctic Petrel) is a Marine bird.Antarctic shearwaters prefer open water near ice, especially in areas with icebergs. Mainly feed on krill, squid and so on.Antarctic Shearwater is a non-endangered species, the degree of threat is low, and the protectio...

Puffinus tenuirostris

Puffinus tenuirostris

Puffinus tenuirostris,Short-tailed Shearwater

Features:Small body, short neck, thin mouth, tip hook, short nasal tube, located at the base of the rostral peak, long and narrow wings, sickle-shaped

Puffinus tenuirostris is a Short-tailed Shearwater with no subspecies.The shearwater is active in groups on the open ocean, except during the breeding season, and is active during the day but sometimes at night. During breeding, they are active at night. Good at flying, often tireless and day and ni...

Ardenna pacifica

Ardenna pacifica

Ardenna pacifica,Wedge-tailed Shearwater ,Puffin du Pacifique

Features:The mouth is slender, the nose tube is short, the wing tips are long, and the tail is wedge-shaped and longer

Ardenna pacifica: Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Puffin du Pacifique, no subspecies. Until 2014 it was classified in the genus Puffinus under the scientific name "Puffinus pacificus". . It was classified into the genus Ardenna in 2014.Cuneiform shearwaters are resident birds, but often wander ai...

Puffinus griseus

Puffinus griseus

Puffinus griseus,Sooty Shearwater

Features:It is easily recognized in the wild by its narrow, long wings, spindle-shaped body and black feathers

The Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus) is a medium-sized seabird with no subspecies. It has been suggested that the South American coastal populations belong to different subspecies, thus divided into two subspecies, the named subspecies P.g.griseus and the South American subspecies P.G.hilensis. H...

Ardenna creatopus

Ardenna creatopus

Ardenna creatopus,Pink-footed Shearwater

Features:Nicknamed the "tube-nosed bird" because of the pair of bone tubes on its upper beak.

footed Shearwater (Ardenna creatopus), footed Shearwater, has no subspecies. The pink-legged Shearwater was classified in the genus Puffinus until 2014, when it was added to the genus Ardenna.Pink-footed Shearwaters breed in summer in the south. After breeding, the birds migrate north along the west...

Ardenna carneipes

Ardenna carneipes

Ardenna carneipes,Flesh-footed Shearwater,Puffin à pieds pâles,Pardela negruzca,Pardela paticlara,جلم لحمي القدمين

Features:The light-footed shearwater may be confused with the powder-footed Shearwater, but has a darker belly

Petrel Ardenna carneipes) Flesh-footed Shearwater, Puffin a pieds pales, Pardela negruzca, Pardela paticlara, footed shearwater, footed Shearwater, Puffin a pieds pales, Pardela negruzca, Pardela paticlara, No subspecies. The mild-foot Shearwater (Ardenna carneipes) was classified in the genus Puffi...

Ardenna bulleri

Ardenna bulleri

Ardenna bulleri,Buller's Shearwater,Pardela Dorsigrís

Features:The head and neck are dark brown, the wings are gray, and the back has a large dark "M" across the wings

Sooty Shearwater (scientific name: Ardenna bulleri) foreign name Buller' s Shearwater, Pardela Dorsigris, no subspecies. Ardenna bulleri was classified as a shearwater (Puffinus) until 2014.The sooty Shearwater breeds on the Purnaz Islands near Tutukaka, north of New Zealand. After breeding, the...