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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
Columbina cyanopis

Columbina cyanopis

Columbina cyanopis，Blue-eyed Ground Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：It is one of the rarest birds in the world and a rare species in Brazil

The Blue-eyed Ground Dove, Columbina cyanopis or Blue-eyed ground dove, is endemic to Brazil. No individual sightings of this bird have been recorded in the wild since 1941, so it is considered probably extinct. However, in 2016, a miraculous 12 blue-eyed ground doves were found in a small area of t...

Columbina inca

Columbina inca

Columbina inca，Scardafella inca

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Incan ground dove's scientific name is Columbina inca and its foreign name is Scardafella inca.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 res...

Kolumbina buckleyi

Kolumbina buckleyi

Kolumbina buckleyi，Ekuadorian Ground-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Ecuadorian Ground dove is known by its scientific name Kolumbina buckleyi and its foreign name Ekuadorian 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...

Columbina minuta

Columbina minuta

Columbina minuta，Plain-breasted Ground-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Columbina minuta, and its foreign name is Plain-breasted 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...

Columbina picui

Columbina picui

Columbina picui，Picui Ground Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Columbina picui, Picui 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!...

Columbina talpacoti

Columbina talpacoti

Columbina talpacoti，Ruddy Ground Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Columbina talpacoti, and its foreign name is Ruddy 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!...

Turtur chalcospilos

Turtur chalcospilos

Turtur chalcospilos，Emerald-spotted Wood-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Turtur chalcospilos, foreign name Emerald-spotted Wood-dove, tree-dwelling, good at flying, migration. They often move in groups and breed in groups. It feeds mainly on seeds, fruits, buds and leaves of plants, but also on insects and small invertebrates.Listed in the International Union for Conserv...

Turtur brehmeri

Turtur brehmeri

Turtur brehmeri，Blue-headed Wood-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Turtur brehmeri, and its foreign name is Blue-headed Wood-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!...

Turtur abyssinicus

Turtur abyssinicus

Turtur abyssinicus，Black-billed Wood-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Turtur abyssinicus, also known as Black-billed Wood-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!...

Turtur afer

Turtur afer

Turtur afer，Blue-spotted Wood-dove，Blue-spotted Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Turtur afer, and its foreign names are Blue-spotted Wood-dove and Blue-spotted 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...

Turtur tympanistria

Turtur tympanistria

Turtur tympanistria，Tambourine Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Turtur tympanistria, and its foreign name is Tambourine 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!...

Petrophassa albipennis

Petrophassa albipennis

Petrophassa albipennis，White-quilled Rock-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific name Petrophassa albipennis, White-quilled Rock-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!...

Petrophassa rufipennis

Petrophassa rufipennis

Petrophassa rufipennis

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific name Petrophassa rufipennis 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!...

Geophaps plumifera

Geophaps plumifera

Geophaps plumifera，Spinifex Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Geophaps plumifera (Spinifex Pigeon, 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!...

Turacoena modesta

Turacoena modesta

Turacoena modesta，Slaty Cuckoo-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

As modesta, Turacoena modesta, as Slaty Cuckoo-dove, is modesta.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 responsibility!...

Turacoena manadensis

Turacoena manadensis

Turacoena manadensis，White-faced Cuckoo-dove，White-faced Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Turacoena manadensis, and its foreign names are White-faced Cuckoo-dove and White-faced Dove.It is listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is...

Chalcophaps indica

Chalcophaps indica

Chalcophaps indica，Emerald Dove，Common Emerald Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：It is a medium-sized terrestrial animal with a very short tail

Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica) has nine subspecies: Emerald Dove and Common Emerald Dove.The green-backed golden dove is a resident bird, often alone or in pairs. He likes to run and forage on the ground beside the mountain paths and ditches. After being disturbed, they quickly take off at a grea...

Ocyphaps lophotes

Ocyphaps lophotes

Ocyphaps lophotes，Crested Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：There is a cluster of upright black crowns on the top of the head, which stand upright when running

The Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) has two subspecies.The most distinctive thing about crested doves is their flapping and howling as they take off. This sound can be used to direct the enemy towards the bird taking off, while giving the bird still on the ground enough time to escape. When they...

Columba larvata

Columba larvata

Columba larvata，Lemon Dove，Cinnamon Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

African pigeon names Columba larvata, Lemon Dove, Cinnamon Dove, 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 responsibilit...

Columba malherbii

Columba malherbii

Columba malherbii，Sao Tome Bronze-naped Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Sao Tome Bronze-naped Pigeon: Columba malherbii, SAO tome bronze-naped 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 iriditorques

Columba iriditorques

Columba iriditorques，Western Bronze-naped Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The species Columba iriditorques, Western Bronze-naped 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!...

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