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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
Geopelia striata

Geopelia striata

Geopelia striata，Zebra Dove，Barred Ground Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Geopelia striata, Zebra Dove, Barred Ground Dove, 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 responsibility!...

Geopelia humeralis

Geopelia humeralis

Geopelia humeralis，Bar-shouldered Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Geopelia humeralis (geopelia humeralis) and Bar-shouldered Dove (Geopelia humeralis).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!...

Geopelia maugei

Geopelia maugei

Geopelia maugei，Geopelia maugeus，Barred Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Geopelia maugei, Geopelia maugeus, and Barred 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!...

Geopelia placida

Geopelia placida

Geopelia placida，Peaceful Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Geopelia placida, Geopelia placida, Peaceful Dove, is known for its specific habitat.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!...

Geopelia cuneata

Geopelia cuneata

Geopelia cuneata

Landfowl LC

Features：

Geopelia cuneata: Geopelia cuneata, Geopelia cuneata, Geopelia Cuneata, Geopelia Cuneata.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!...

Leptotila megalura

Leptotila megalura

Leptotila megalura，White-faced Dove，Large-tailed Dove，Yungas Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Leptotila megalura, and its foreign names are White-faced Dove, Large-tailed Dove and Yungas 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...

Leptotila verreauxi

Leptotila verreauxi

Leptotila verreauxi，White-tipped Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Leptotila verreauxi, or White-tipped 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!...

Leptotila jamaicensis

Leptotila jamaicensis

Leptotila jamaicensis，Caribbean Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Leptotila jamaicensis, and its foreign name is Caribbean Dove.Listed in the World Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Leptotila conoveri

Leptotila conoveri

Leptotila conoveri，Tolima Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

The species is known as Leptotila conoveri and Tolima 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's responsibility!...

Leptotila ochraceiventris

Leptotila ochraceiventris

Leptotila ochraceiventris，Ochre-bellied Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Leptotila ochraceiventris and its foreign name is Ochre-bellied Dove.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'...

Leptotila rufaxilla

Leptotila rufaxilla

Leptotila rufaxilla，Grey-fronted Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Leptotila rufaxilla, and its foreign name is Grey-fronted 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!...

Leptotila cassini

Leptotila cassini

Leptotila cassini，Grey-chested Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Leptotila cassini, and its foreign name is Grey-chested 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!...

Leptotila plumbeiceps

Leptotila plumbeiceps

Leptotila plumbeiceps，Gray-headed Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Leptotila plumbeiceps, and its foreign name is Gray-headed 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!...

Leptotila wellsi

Leptotila wellsi

Leptotila wellsi，Grenada Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：The head and forehead are pink, the crown and nape are dark brown, and the body has two types of brown-gray feathers

Its scientific name is Leptotila wellsi, and its foreign name is Grenada Dove.Grenadian palm dove forages primarily on the ground, feeding mainly on seeds, and has also been reported to consume papaya fruits and crops. The breeding season of the Grenadian palm dove occurs mainly during the rainy sea...

Leptotila battyi

Leptotila battyi

Leptotila battyi，Brown-backed Dove，Azuero Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Leptotila battyi, and its foreign names are Brown-backed Dove and Azuero Dove.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 eve...

Leptotila pallida

Leptotila pallida

Leptotila pallida，Pallid Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Leptotila pallida, and its foreign name is Pallid 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!...

Streptopelia picturata

Streptopelia picturata

Streptopelia picturata，Madagascar Turtle-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Streptopelia picturata and its foreign name is Madagascar Turtle-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 responsibilit...

Nesoenas mayeri

Nesoenas mayeri

Nesoenas mayeri，Pink Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：The feathers on the head and lower body are pink, as are the feet and beak

Pink Pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri) was originally classified as a pigeon in the genus Pigeon, but DNA analysis has shown that it is closest to the Falkisland turtle dove, so it is classified as a pigeon. It was later found that these two species did not belong to the genus Doves or pigeons, so they were...

Leucosarcia melanoleuca

Leucosarcia melanoleuca

Leucosarcia melanoleuca，Wonga Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Leucosarcia melanoleuca, also known as Wonga 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!...

Chalcophaps stephani

Chalcophaps stephani

Chalcophaps stephani，Stephans Emerald Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Chalcophaps stephani and Stephans Emerald 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!...

Chalcophaps indica

Chalcophaps indica

Chalcophaps indica

Landfowl LC

Features：

Chalcophaps indica is a species that is found singly or in pairs in dense understory forests. Flying very fast and low, through the trees, fluttering wings as they take off. Drinking water in streams and ponds.Listed as vulnerable species in the "China Red Book of Endangered Animals · Birds&qu...

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