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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
Treron waalia

Treron waalia

Treron waalia，Bruce's Green-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Yellow belly green dove scientific name Treron waalia, foreign name Bruce' s Green-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...

Treron psittacea

Treron psittacea

Treron psittacea，Timor Green-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Timorese Green pigeon's scientific name is Treron psittacea, the foreign name is Timor green-pigeon, the specific habit is unknown.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...

Treron teysmannii

Treron teysmannii

Treron teysmannii，Sumba Green-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Treron teysmannii, and its foreign name is Sumba Green-pigeon.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's...

Treron griseicauda

Treron griseicauda

Treron griseicauda，Grey-cheeked Green-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Treron griseicauda, and its foreign name is Grey-cheeked 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 responsibilit...

Treron vernans

Treron vernans

Treron vernans

Landfowl LC

Features：

The name Treron vernans 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!...

Treron olax

Treron olax

Treron olax

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Treron olax, 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 responsibility!...

Treron fulvicollis

Treron fulvicollis

Treron fulvicollis，Cinnamon-headed Green-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Treron fulvicollis, and its foreign name is Cinnamon-headed Green-pigeon.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 eve...

Treron floris

Treron floris

Treron floris

Landfowl LC

Features：

Green dove scientific name Treron floris, rare, nature and very shy, protected by law, all species of green dove for the national second class protection animals.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Gymnophaps solomonensis

Gymnophaps solomonensis

Gymnophaps solomonensis，Pale Mountain-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Solomon's Mountain dove is known as Gymnophaps solomonensis and Pale Mountain 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!...

Gymnophaps albertisii

Gymnophaps albertisii

Gymnophaps albertisii

Landfowl LC

Features：

Gymnophaps albertisii is not known.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!...

Gymnophaps mada

Gymnophaps mada

Gymnophaps mada，Long-tailed Mountain-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Gymnophaps mada, and its foreign name is Long-tailed Mountain-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...

Lopholaimus antarcticus

Lopholaimus antarcticus

Lopholaimus antarcticus，Topknot Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：Named for the "bun" on its head, it is one of the largest kuku

The turtle's scientific name is Lopholaimus antarcticus The Topknot Pigeon is one of the largest fruit doves.Knot doves are very sociable, almost always in groups of three or five, and even form a large group of activities that can accommodate more than 200. Flying and foraging together. R...

Alectroenas sganzini

Alectroenas sganzini

Alectroenas sganzini，Comoro Blue-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Blue pigeon of the Comoros is known as Alectroenas sganzini or Comoro blue-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!...

Alectroenas pulcherrima

Alectroenas pulcherrima

Alectroenas pulcherrima

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific name of the red-crested blue dove is Alectroenas pulcherrima, 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 everyon...

Alectroenas nitidissima

Alectroenas nitidissima

Alectroenas nitidissima

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Mauritius Blue dove (Alectroenas nitidissima), also known as the Falklands Blue dove, is an extinct pigeon in Mauritius.Although the Mauritius Blue Dove is known to indigenous people, there is no scientific record of it, and much of it is falsified. There are only three known specimens, which ar...

Phapitreron cinereiceps

Phapitreron cinereiceps

Phapitreron cinereiceps，Tawitawi Brown Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

The habits of Tawitawi Brown Dove (Phapitreron cinereiceps) 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 responsibility!...

Phapitreron amethystina

Phapitreron amethystina

Phapitreron amethystina，Amethyst Brown-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Phapitreron amethystina, also known as Amethyst Brown-dove, 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!...

Phapitreron leucotis

Phapitreron leucotis

Phapitreron leucotis，White-eared Brown-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Phapitreron leucotis and White-eared Brown-dove 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 responsibility!...

Drepanoptila holosericea

Drepanoptila holosericea

Drepanoptila holosericea，Cloven-feathered Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Drepanoptila holosericea, and its foreign name is Cloven-feathered 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 resp...

Cryptophaps poecilorrhoa

Cryptophaps poecilorrhoa

Cryptophaps poecilorrhoa，Sombre Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific name Cryptophaps poecilorrhoa, Sombre 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!...

Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae

Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae

Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae，New Zealand Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：It's a brightly feathered pigeon

新西兰鸠（学名：Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae）外文名New Zealand Pigeon，有3个亚种。新西兰鸠经常成对或一小群在一起觅食，常会吞下粗砂，如小砂砾和沙子以帮助消化。主要吃植物种子，本土植物和外来植物的种子都会取食。主要以大型本地树种的果实，如洛松（Prumnopitys ferruginea）和新西兰鸡毛松（Dacrycarpus dacrydio...

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