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
Puffinus yelkouan

Puffinus yelkouan

Puffinus yelkouan,Yelkouan Shearwater,Pardela mediterránea

Features:Dark grey upper body feathers, white underparts, some with darker patterns in armpits and under tail

Mediterranean Shearwater (Scientific name: Puffinus yelkouan) Foreign name Yelkouan Shearwater, Pardela mediterránea, no subspecies. The Mediterranean Shearwater was previously considered a subspecies of the Atlantic Shearwater. After the first differentiation, it has been classified as the "M...

Puffinus subalaris

Puffinus subalaris

Puffinus subalaris,Galapagos Shearwater

Features:

The Galápagos shearwater (Puffinus subalaris) is a small shearwater. Until recently it was considered to be a subspecies of Audubon's shearwater, but it is actually one of two members of a very ancient lineage of the small Puffinus species, the other being, as indicated by mtDNA cytochrome b se...

Puffinus puffinus

Puffinus puffinus

Puffinus puffinus,Manx Shearwater,Puffin des Anglais

Features:The upper body is uniformly black, but may appear brown in strong light, and the lower body white.

The Atlantic Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) has two subspecies: Manx Shearwater and Puffin des Anglais.This Marine species is primarily found in continental shelf waters and is often found in vast stretches of the ocean, from the cold subarctic waters around Iceland to the tropical waters of South A...

Puffinus persicus

Puffinus persicus

Puffinus persicus,Persian Shearwater

Features:

Puffinus persicus and Persian Shearwater are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Puffinus opishomelas

Puffinus opishomelas

Puffinus opishomelas,Black-vented Shearwater

Features:

Puffinus opishomelas, also known as Black-vented Shearwater, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Puffinus newelli

Puffinus newelli

Puffinus newelli,Newell's Shearwater

Features:

Hawaiian Shearwater (Newell' s Shearwater (Puffinus newelli) is a bird of the genus Shearwater, family Shearwater, order Shearwater. Specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Puffinus nativitatis

Puffinus nativitatis

Puffinus nativitatis,Black Shearwater

Features:

Puffinus nativitatis, also known as Black Shearwater, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Puffinus myrtae

Puffinus myrtae

Puffinus myrtae,Rapa Shearwater

Features:

Rapa Shearwater (Puffinus myrtae) is a bird of the genus Puffinus in the order Petrel. Specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Puffinus mauretanicus

Puffinus mauretanicus

Puffinus mauretanicus,Balearic Shearwater ,Pardela balear

Features:Balearic shearwaters have a dark brown plumage on the upper body, and some lighter spots on the lower body, underside of the wings, and belly that tend to be white

The Balliari Shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) is known as Balearic Shearwater, Pardela balear, and has no subspecies.As seabirds, Balearic shearwaters clearly forage at sea. They hunt prey mainly in pelagic waters, i.e. the high seas, in areas far from the coast, although its distribution is gener...

Puffinus lherminieri

Puffinus lherminieri

Puffinus lherminieri,Audubon's Shearwater

Features:

Its scientific name is Puffinus lherminieri, its foreign name is Audubon' s Shearwater, unknown habits.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Puffinus huttoni

Puffinus huttoni

Puffinus huttoni,Hutton's Shearwater,Pardela de Hutton

Features:It is a medium sized brown and white seagull

Australian Shearwater (scientific name: Puffinus huttoni) foreign name Hutton' s Shearwater, Pardela de Hutton, no subspecies.During the summer breeding season, flocks of shearwaters gather off the coast of Kaikoura and can be seen both on land and at sea. These birds fly close to the surface in...

Puffinus heinrothi

Puffinus heinrothi

Puffinus heinrothi,Heinroth's Shearwater

Features:

Solomon's Puffinus heinrothi, foreign name Heinroth' s Shearwater, unknown habits.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Puffinus gavia

Puffinus gavia

Puffinus gavia,Fluttering Shearwater

Features:The upper body is dark brown with a white spot on the underside of the wings

Puffinus gavia has no subspecies: Fluttering Shearwater.Brown-billed shearwaters are very social. Often live in groups with other gulls and seabirds. The flight is fast, low, direct, the wing beat is fast, and the glide is short. Even more effortless juggling in the wind. Their flight is powerful, e...

Puffinus elegans

Puffinus elegans

Puffinus elegans,Subantarctic Shearwater

Features:

The Subantarctic Shearwater (Puffinus elegans) is a bird of the genus Puffinus in the family Puffinidae. Specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Bryan's Shearwater

Bryan's Shearwater

Bryan's Shearwater,Puffinus bryani

Features:

Bryan's shearwater (English name: Bryan' s Shearwater (Puffinus bryani) is a bird of the genus Shearwater, family Shearwater, order Shearwater. Specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Puffinus bannermani

Puffinus bannermani

Puffinus bannermani

Features:The wings are long and narrow, allowing for long journeys on the high seas

Bannerman (Puffinus bannermani); S. Shearwater, which was classified as P. lherminieri until 2004, was classified as a separate species in 2014.They feed on Marine vertebrates and invertebrates and only come ashore at night to nest.Bandei's shearwaters are listed as endangered because they appea...

Puffinus bailloni

Puffinus bailloni

Puffinus bailloni,Tropical Shearwater

Features:Flying is very agile, often hovering over the water and dodging waves, with wings flapping quickly and gliding for short periods

Tropical Shearwater (Puffinus bailloni) has five subspecies.Tropical shearwaters are usually resident birds, as they can often be observed 80-300 km from their breeding grounds. Immature tropical shearwaters may be more dispersed. Tropical shearwaters are pelagic seabirds, so under normal circumstan...

Puffinus auricularis

Puffinus auricularis

Puffinus auricularis,Townsend's Shearwater

Features:

Its scientific name is Puffinus auricularis, and its foreign name is Townsend. s Shearwater, unknown habits.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Calonectris edwardsii

Calonectris edwardsii

Calonectris edwardsii,Cape Verde Shearwater

Features:The beak is thin and black, and the head and body are darker than that of the Cori

Cape Verde Shearwater (Calonectris edwardsii) : Cape Verde Shearwater, no subspecies.Cape Verde shearwaters arrive at breeding grounds in late February to March, after about three months away from their range, nesting in voids in cliffs and offshore rocks, as well as under large rocks. Their diet co...

Calonectris borealis

Calonectris borealis

Calonectris borealis,Cory's Shearwater

Features:The upper body is brownish gray, most of the feathers are light brown, and the belly is white or slightly gray

Calonectris borealis (Cory&#39); s Shearwater, no subspecies.Cori shearwaters are divided into breeding areas and frequent foraging trips, rapid long-distance migration, and small-scale movements within defined wintering grounds. Breeding in April on offshore islands, breeding pairs occupy cliff...

Puffinus atrodorsalis

Puffinus atrodorsalis

Puffinus atrodorsalis,Mascarene Shearwater

Features:

Puffinus atrodorsalis and Mascarene Shearwater are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...