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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
Ducula aurorae

Ducula aurorae

Ducula aurorae，Polynesian Imperial Pigeon，Society Islands Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Ducula aurorae, and its foreign name is Polynesian Imperial Pigeon and Society Islands Pigeon.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of Birds - Endangered (EN).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecologica...

Ducula finschii

Ducula finschii

Ducula finschii，Finsch's Imperial-pigeon，Growling Imperial Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Scientific name Ducula finschii, foreign name Finsch' s Imperial-pigeon, Growling Imperial Pigeon, the behavior of which is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of birds - Near Threatened (NT).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild me...

Ducula mullerii

Ducula mullerii

Ducula mullerii，Collared Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The black-collared Imperial dove is known as Ducula mullerii or Collared 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 bala...

Ducula oceanica

Ducula oceanica

Ducula oceanica，Micronesian Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Ducula oceanica, and its foreign name is Micronesian 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 wi...

Ducula concinna

Ducula concinna

Ducula concinna，Elegant Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Ducula concinna, the foreign name is Elegant Imperial-pigeon, the 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...

Ducula carola

Ducula carola

Ducula carola，Spotted Imperial Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Spotted Imperial Pigeon is Ducula carola, and the foreign name is spotted Imperial Pigeon.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of Birds - Vulnerable (VU).Listed in China's national key protected animal class: second...

Ducula latrans

Ducula latrans

Ducula latrans，Peale's Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Scientific name Ducula latrans, foreign name Peale' 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.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's respo...

Ducula cineracea

Ducula cineracea

Ducula cineracea，Timor Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Timor-Leste's scientific name is Ducula cineracea or Timor Imperial-pigeon.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of birds - Near Threatened (NT).Listed in China's national key protected animal class: second classProtect wild animals and...

Ducula bakeri

Ducula bakeri

Ducula bakeri，Vanuatu Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Ducula bakeri, and its foreign name is Vanuatu 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 everyone's res...

Ducula rubricera

Ducula rubricera

Ducula rubricera，Red-knobbed Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Ducula rubricera, also known as Red-knobbed Imperial pigeon, 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 animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone&#...

Ducula rufigaster

Ducula rufigaster

Ducula rufigaster，Purple-tailed Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Ducula rufigaster, or Purple-tailed Imperial pigeon, 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 animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's res...

Ducula pistrinaria

Ducula pistrinaria

Ducula pistrinaria，Island Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Ducula pistrinaria (Island Imperial-pigeon) is not known.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 responsibi...

Ducula goliath

Ducula goliath

Ducula goliath，New Caledonian Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Ducula goliath, or New Caledonian Imperial-pigeon, is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of birds - Near Threatened (NT).Listed in China's national key protected animal class: second classProtect wild animals and eliminate wild meat....

Ducula bicolor

Ducula bicolor

Ducula bicolor，Pied Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Ducula bicolor (Pied Imperial-pigeon) is not known.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 class...

Ducula melanochroa

Ducula melanochroa

Ducula melanochroa，Bismarck Imperial-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The black Imperial pigeon is known as Ducula melanochroa or Bismarck 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 class.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild mea...

Treron seimundi

Treron seimundi

Treron seimundi，Yellow-vented Green-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific name Treron seimundi, foreign name Yellow-vented Green-pigeon, the specific habit is unknown.At about 6:40 on October 10, 2020, a white-bellied pintail green dove appeared at the Fenghuang Mountain Bird Ring Station of Nanjian Management and Protection Bureau of Wuliangshan National N...

Treron oxyura

Treron oxyura

Treron oxyura，Sumatran Green-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific name Treron oxyura and the foreign name Sumatran Green-pigeon are unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of birds - Near Threatened (NT).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone&#...

Treron sanctithomae

Treron sanctithomae

Treron sanctithomae，Sao Tome Green-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific name of the Sao Tome Green dove is Treron sanctithomae, the foreign name is SAO tome green-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...

Treron pembaensis

Treron pembaensis

Treron pembaensis，Pemba Green-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The species is known as Treron pembaensis or Pemba Green-pigeon, but its behavior is unknown.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 everyone...

Treron calvus

Treron calvus

Treron calvus，Treron calvusTemminck

Landfowl LC

Features：

The behavior of the African Green Pigeon (Latin name: Treron calvus, English: African Green Pigeon) is unknown.The African green dove is more timid and is seen hiding in high foliage. Figs are their favorite food, and their green wings are an effective camouflage when hiding in fruit trees. Breeding...

Treron australis

Treron australis

Treron australis，Madagascar Green-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Maltese Green pigeon is known as Treron australis and Madagascar green-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!...

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