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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
Campethera punctuligera

Campethera punctuligera

Campethera punctuligera，Fine-spotted woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The red-spotted woodpecker is known as Campethera punctuligera or Fine-spotted woodpecker。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Veniliornis callonotus

Veniliornis callonotus

Veniliornis callonotus，Scarlet-backed woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Veniliornis callonotus and Scarlet-backed woodpecker。Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Veniliornis mixtus

Veniliornis mixtus

Veniliornis mixtus，Checkered woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

It is known by its scientific name Veniliornis mixtus and its foreign name Checkered woodpecker.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Picoides lignarius

Picoides lignarius

Picoides lignarius，Veniliornis lignarius，Striped Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Striped Woodpecker is known as Picoides lignarius or Veniliornis lignarius or Striped Woodpecker.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Veniliornis spilogaster

Veniliornis spilogaster

Veniliornis spilogaster，White-spotted woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Veniliornis spilogaster or White-spotted woodpecker。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Veniliornis sanguineus

Veniliornis sanguineus

Veniliornis sanguineus，Blood-coloured Woodpecker，Blood-colored Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The red Woodpecker is known as Veniliornis sanguineus, Blood-coloured Woodpecker or blood-coloured woodpecker。Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's...

Veniliornis frontalis

Veniliornis frontalis

Veniliornis frontalis，Dot-fronted woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

点额啄木鸟学名Veniliornis frontalis，外文名Dot-fronted woodpecker，具体习性不详。保护野生动物，杜绝野味。维护生态平衡，人人有责！...

Veniliornis passerinus

Veniliornis passerinus

Veniliornis passerinus，Little woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Veniliornis passerinus and its foreign name is Little woodpecker。On June 15, 2014, Wang Zhengpeng photographed for the first time a new species of subgenus Micropecker in the Forty-eight village of Cili County, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, China.Listed in the Internation...

Veniliornis kirkii

Veniliornis kirkii

Veniliornis kirkii，Red-rumped Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Veniliornis kirkii or Red-rumped Woodpecker。Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Veniliornis nigriceps

Veniliornis nigriceps

Veniliornis nigriceps，Bar-bellied Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Veniliornis nigriceps and its foreign name is Bar-bellied Woodpecker。Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Veniliornis affinis

Veniliornis affinis

Veniliornis affinis，Red-stained woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The red-stained woodpecker, scientifically known as Veniliornis affinis, has its specific habits unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Veniliornis maculifrons

Veniliornis maculifrons

Veniliornis maculifrons，Yellow-eared woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Yellow-eared woodpecker is known by its scientific name Veniliornis maculifrons and foreign name yellow-eared woodpecker.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is e...

Veniliornis chocoensis

Veniliornis chocoensis

Veniliornis chocoensis，Choco Woodpecker，Chocó Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species is known as Veniliornis chocoensis, Choco Woodpecker or Choco Woodpecker.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Veniliornis cassini

Veniliornis cassini

Veniliornis cassini，Golden-collared woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Golden-collared woodpecker is known as Veniliornis cassini or Golden-collared woodpecker。Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance...

Veniliornis dignus

Veniliornis dignus

Veniliornis dignus，Yellow-vented Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The yellow-butted Woodpecker is known as Veniliornis dignus or Yellow-vented Woodpecker.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Picoides arcticus

Picoides arcticus

Picoides arcticus，Black-backed Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Black-backed Woodpecker is known as Picoides arcticus and black-backed woodpecker。Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Picoides dorsalis

Picoides dorsalis

Picoides dorsalis，American Three-toed Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The American Three-toed Woodpecker has a scientific name Picoides dorsalis and a foreign name: American three-toed woodpecker.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Leuconotopicus arizonae

Leuconotopicus arizonae

Leuconotopicus arizonae，Arizona woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Arizona woodpecker is Leuconotopicus arizonae and Arizona Woodpecker。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Leuconotopicus stricklandi

Leuconotopicus stricklandi

Leuconotopicus stricklandi，Picoides stricklandi，Strickland's Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Leuconotopicus stricklandi, Picoides stricklandi, foreign name Strickland's Woodpecker, the specific habit is unknown。Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility t...

Leuconotopicus albolarvatus

Leuconotopicus albolarvatus

Leuconotopicus albolarvatus，White-headed woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Leuconotopicus albolarvatus and White-headed woodpecker are unknown。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Leuconotopicus villosus

Leuconotopicus villosus

Leuconotopicus villosus，Picoides villosus，Hairy Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Leuconotopicus villosus, Picoides villosus, and Hairy Woodpecker are not known。Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Bird Red List.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

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