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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
Ptilinopus luteovirens

Ptilinopus luteovirens

Ptilinopus luteovirens，Golden Dove，Golden Fruit Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Ptilinopus luteovirens, and its foreign names are Golden Dove and Golden Fruit Dove.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's...

Ptilinopus magnificus

Ptilinopus magnificus

Ptilinopus magnificus，Wompoo Fruit-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific name of the giant Fruit dove is Ptilinopus magnificus and the foreign name Wompoo fruit-dove. Its specific habits are unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ec...

Ducula galeata

Ducula galeata

Ducula galeata，Marquesan Imperial-pigeon，Nukuhiva Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Marquesan Imperial pigeon is known as Ducula galeata, Marquesan Imperial pigeon and Nukuhiva Imperial pigeon.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of Birds - Endangered (EN).Listed in China's national key protected animal class: second clas...

Ducula pacifica

Ducula pacifica

Ducula pacifica，Pacific Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：The body is relatively fat, the head is slightly smaller, the neck is thick and short, and the feathers are soft and denseThe body is relatively fat, the head is slightly smaller, the neck is thick and short, and the feathers are soft and dense

The Pacific Imperial pigeon (Ducula pacifica, Pacific Imperial-pigeon) has two subspecies. Pacific Emperor doves < span> In order to feed, they often travel in large groups between islands. They eat mainly the fruits of plants, but sometimes the leaves and flowers. They live in trees, are good...

Ducula luctuosa

Ducula luctuosa

Ducula luctuosa，White Imperial-Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The White Imperial Pigeon is known as Ducula luctuosa or White Imperial-Pigeon.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ducula spilorrhoa

Ducula spilorrhoa

Ducula spilorrhoa，Torresian Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

It is known as Ducula spilorrhoa and Torresian Imperial-pigeon.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.National second-class protected animalsProtect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's resp...

Ducula whartoni

Ducula whartoni

Ducula whartoni，Christmas Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Christmas Island Imperial whartoni is known as Ducula whartoni and Christmas Imperial-pigeon.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.National second-class protected animalsProtect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological...

Ducula pickeringii

Ducula pickeringii

Ducula pickeringii

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Malay royal dove is Ducula pickeringii, and its specific habits are unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's res...

Ducula radiata

Ducula radiata

Ducula radiata，Grey-headed Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Ducula radiata, and its foreign name is Grey-headed Imperial pigeon.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Listed in China's national key protected animal class: second classProtect wild animals and eliminate wil...

Ducula zoeae

Ducula zoeae

Ducula zoeae，Zoe's Imperial-pigeon，Banded Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Scientific name Ducula zoeae, foreign name Zoe' s Imperial-pigeon, Banded Imperial-pigeon, the specific habit is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance...

Ducula chalconota

Ducula chalconota

Ducula chalconota

Landfowl LC

Features：It got its name from a clump of red hair on its chest

Its scientific name is Ducula chalconota, and its specific habits are unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Listed in China's national key protected animal class: second classProtect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Mainta...

Ducula basilica

Ducula basilica

Ducula basilica，Cinnamon-bellied Imperial pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Ducula basilica, and its foreign name is Cinnamon-bellied Imperial pigeon.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Listed in China's national key protected animal class: second classProtect wild animals and elimina...

Ducula myristicivora

Ducula myristicivora

Ducula myristicivora，Spice Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Ducula myristicivora, or Spice Imperial-pigeon, is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ducula Pinon

Ducula Pinon

Ducula Pinon，Pinon's Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific name of the naked orbital imperial dove is Ducula Pinon, the foreign name Pinon' s Imperial-pigeon, whose behavior is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.National second-class protected animalsProtect wild ani...

Ducula mindorensis

Ducula mindorensis

Ducula mindorensis，Mindoro Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The red-throated Imperial pigeon is known as Ducula mindorensis or Mindoro imperial-pigeon.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of Birds - Endangered (EN).Listed in Appendix I, Appendix II and Appendix III of the Convention on International Trade...

Ducula brenchleyi

Ducula brenchleyi

Ducula brenchleyi，Chestnut-bellied Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Ducula brenchleyi, and its foreign name is chestney-bellied Imperial-pigeon.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of Birds - Vulnerable (VU).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is every...

Ducula perspicillata

Ducula perspicillata

Ducula perspicillata，White-eyed Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The turtle's scientific name is Ducula perspicillata, and its foreign name is White-eyed Imperial-pigeon.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.National second-class protected animalsProtect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintai...

Ducula forsteni

Ducula forsteni

Ducula forsteni，White-bellied Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Ducula forsteni, and its foreign name is White-bellied Imperial-pigeon. The breeding season is from April to July. They often nest in pairs. They usually nest in the branches of trees or between shrubs and bamboo bushes in the forest. The nest is mainly composed of twigs and m...

Ducula lacernulata

Ducula lacernulata

Ducula lacernulata，Dark-backed Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Ducula lacernulata, and its foreign name is Dark-backed Imperial pigeon.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Listed in China's national key protected animal class: second classProtect wild animals and eliminate...

Ducula poliocephala

Ducula poliocephala

Ducula poliocephala，Pink-bellied Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The red-bellied Imperial pigeon is known as Ducula poliocephala or Pink-bellied imperial pigeon.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibi...

Ducula rosacea

Ducula rosacea

Ducula rosacea，Pink-headed Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Ducula rosacea, or Pink-headed Imperial pigeon, is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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