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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
Starnoenas cyanocephala

Starnoenas cyanocephala

Starnoenas cyanocephala，Blue-headed Quail-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Starnoenas cyanocephala, and its foreign name is Blue-headed Quail-dove.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 ecological balance is everyone&...

Trugon terrestris

Trugon terrestris

Trugon terrestris，Thick-billed Ground Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Gallicolumba salamonis is an extinct species of pigeon. Little is known about the thick-billed pigeon, with only two specimens collected in 1882 and 1927. The prototype is now housed at the Australian Museum in Sydney. They build their nests on the ground, making them easy prey for invading rats, wi...

Caloenas nicobarica

Caloenas nicobarica

Caloenas nicobarica，Nicobar Pigeon，Nicobar Dove，Paloma de Nicobar

Landfowl LC

Features：It is stocky and has a distinctive long bark on its neck

Caloenas nicobarica has two subspecies: Nicobar Pigeon, Nicobar Dove, and Paloma de Nicobar.A highly wandering bird, the named subspecies was recorded in November 2009 from Ponape, Federated States of Micronesia, 1500 km from the closest known residence of the species (in northeastern Melanesia). Tr...

Uropelia campestris

Uropelia campestris

Uropelia campestris，Long-tailed Ground-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Uropelia campestris and Long-tailed Ground-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!...

Oena capensis

Oena capensis

Oena capensis，Namaqua Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：The vision range can reach 300 degrees

Its scientific name is Oena capensis and its foreign name is Namaqua 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 responsibility!...

Spilopelia senegalensis

Spilopelia senegalensis

Spilopelia senegalensis，

Landfowl LC

Features：The outer tail feathers are white with distinctive bluish-gray wing spots

The brown turtle dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) has six subspecies and is a pink-brown turtle dove.The turtledove is a resident bird. Usually in pairs or in small groups of 3-4 individuals, but in places where water and food sources are abundant, large groups, even hundreds of individuals, gather. B...

Henicophaps foersteri

Henicophaps foersteri

Henicophaps foersteri，New Britain Bronzewing

Landfowl LC

Features：

The species is known as Henicophaps foersteri and New Britain Bronzewing.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 responsibility!...

Henicophaps albifrons

Henicophaps albifrons

Henicophaps albifrons

Landfowl LC

Features：

White-topped ground pigeons are known as Henicophaps albifrons and their 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 respo...

Metriopelia morenoi

Metriopelia morenoi

Metriopelia morenoi，Bare-eyed Ground-dove，Moreno's Ground Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Metriopelia morenoi, Bare-eyed Ground-dove, Moreno' s Ground Dove, whose 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 r...

Metriopelia ceciliae

Metriopelia ceciliae

Metriopelia ceciliae，Bare-faced Ground Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

The behavior of Bare-faced Ground Dove (Metriopelia ceciliae) is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Metriopelia aymara

Metriopelia aymara

Metriopelia aymara，Golden-spotted Ground-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Metriopelia aymara, and its foreign name is Golden-spotted Ground-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 responsibili...

Metriopelia melanoptera

Metriopelia melanoptera

Metriopelia melanoptera，Black-winged Ground-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Metriopelia melanoptera and Black-winged Ground-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!...

Reinwardtoena crassirostris

Reinwardtoena crassirostris

Reinwardtoena crassirostris，Crested Cuckoo-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Reinwardtoena crassirostris and its foreign name is Crested Cuckoo-dove.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 ever...

Reinwardtoena browni

Reinwardtoena browni

Reinwardtoena browni，Pied Cuckoo-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

The turtle is Reinwardtoena browni, Pied Cuckoo-dove, and its behavior 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 meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's re...

Reinwardtoena reinwardtsi

Reinwardtoena reinwardtsi

Reinwardtoena reinwardtsi，Great Cuckoo-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Reinwardtoena reinwardtsi, and its foreign name is Great Cuckoo-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 responsibility...

Claravis godefrida

Claravis godefrida

Claravis godefrida，Purple-winged Ground-dove，Purple-barred Ground-dove，Purple-winged Ground Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Claravis godefrida, and its foreign names are Purple-winged ground-dove, Purple-barred ground-dove, Purple-winged Ground 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.Mainta...

Claravis mondetoura

Claravis mondetoura

Claravis mondetoura，Maroon-chested Ground-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

]...

Claravis pretiosa

Claravis pretiosa

Claravis pretiosa，Blue Ground-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Claravis pretiosa and its foreign name is Blue Ground-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 responsibility!...

Phaps histrionica

Phaps histrionica

Phaps histrionica，Flock Bronzewing

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific name Phaps histrionica, the foreign name Flock Bronzewing, 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 is everyone's re...

Phaps elegans

Phaps elegans

Phaps elegans

Landfowl LC

Features：

Copper-winged brush doves are known as Phaps elegans, but their 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...

Phaps chalcoptera

Phaps chalcoptera

Phaps chalcoptera

Landfowl LC

Features：

The copper-winged turtle is known as Phaps chalcoptera, but its 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 responsibility!...

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