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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
Streptopelia vinacea

Streptopelia vinacea

Streptopelia vinacea

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific name Streptopelia vinacea 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!...

Streptopelia reichenowi

Streptopelia reichenowi

Streptopelia reichenowi，White-winged Collared-dove，White-winged Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific names Streptopelia reichenowi, White-winged Collared Dove, White-winged 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 re...

Streptopelia roseogrisea

Streptopelia roseogrisea

Streptopelia roseogrisea，African Collared-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Streptopelia roseogrisea, African Collared dove, a migratory bird that winters in northern Africa. The ringnecked turtle dove is a domesticated variant of the turtle dove that now has a New World wild population in California and Florida; Forage on the ground and eat lots of small seeds. Normal way...

Streptopelia capicola

Streptopelia capicola

Streptopelia capicola，Ring-necked Dove，Cape Turtle Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific names Streptopelia capicola, Ring-necked Dove, and Cape Turtle 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 responsibil...

Streptopelia decipiens

Streptopelia decipiens

Streptopelia decipiens，Mourning Collared-dove，African Mourning Dove，Mourning Collared Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific name Streptopelia decipiens, Mourning Collared-dove, African Mourning Dove, Mourning Collared 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 balanc...

Streptopelia turtur

Streptopelia turtur

Streptopelia turtur，European Turtle-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：It's a slightly smaller pink-brown turtle dove

The European turtledove (Streptopelia turtur) has four subspecies.The turtle dove is a summer migratory bird. Spring moves in March-April; Autumn moves in September-October. Often alone or in pairs, rarely in groups. They roost and move in the trees most of the day, only going down to the ground to...

Streptopelia decaocto

Streptopelia decaocto

Streptopelia decaocto，Collared Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：There is a half-moon black collar ring at the base of the back neck, and its front and back edges are off-white or white

The Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) has two subspecies.The grey turtle dove is a social species, mostly living in small groups or mixing with other turtle doves. In places where food is plentiful, such as cereals, sizable communities can form. The call of the turtle dove is "coo-goo"...

Columba cayennensis

Columba cayennensis

Columba cayennensis，Pale-vented Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The species Columba cayennensis is also known as Pale-vented 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!...

Columba caribaea

Columba caribaea

Columba caribaea，Ring-tailed Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

It is known as Columba caribaea or Ring-tailed 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!...

Columba nigrirostris

Columba nigrirostris

Columba nigrirostris，Short-billed Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Short-billed Pigeon Columba nigrirostris (short-billed pigeon) is not known.Short-bill pigeons have a strong memory, a fixed feed, feeding management procedures, environmental conditions and signals to form a deep memory and solid conditioned reflex. If a small flag is hung on the top of the loft, o...

Columba oenops

Columba oenops

Columba oenops ，Peruvian Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Peruvian Pigeon Columba oenops, foreign name Peruvian Pigeon, the specific habit 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'...

Columba araucana

Columba araucana

Columba araucana，Chilean Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：The head, forehead, and nape are camel and black wine colors, with a narrow white neckline forming a half collar to separate the two colors of feathers

The Chilean Pigeon (Columba araucana) has no subspecies.Chilean pigeon partial migration. In response to the harsh winter weather in the South, the southern species move north to Santiago and occasionally to Antofagasta. They live alone or in small families during nesting, but form larger groups at...

Patagioenas plumbea

Patagioenas plumbea

Patagioenas plumbea，Plumbeous Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Plumbeous Pigeon (Patagioenas plumbea, Plumbeous Pigeon) is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Columba corensis

Columba corensis

Columba corensis，Bare-eyed Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The species is also known as Columba corensis or Bare-eyed 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!...

Columba inornata

Columba inornata

Columba inornata，Plain Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Columba inornata, Plain 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!...

Columba leucocephala

Columba leucocephala

Columba leucocephala，White-crowned Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The White Pigeon is Columba leucocephala, and the foreign name is White-crowned Pigeon, the specific habit 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 eco...

Columba picazuro

Columba picazuro

Columba picazuro，Picazuro Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The red-headed Pigeon is Columba picazuro and Picazuro 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!...

Columba flavirostris

Columba flavirostris

Columba flavirostris，Red-billed Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Columba flavirostris, or Red-billed 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!...

Columba speciosa

Columba speciosa

Columba speciosa，Scaled Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Columba speciosa, or Scaled 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!...

Columba squamosa

Columba squamosa

Columba squamosa，Scaly-naped Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Columba squamosa and Scaly-naped Pigeon 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!...

Columba fasciata

Columba fasciata

Columba fasciata

Landfowl LC

Features：

The species Columba fasciata 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!...

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