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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
Columba delegorguei

Columba delegorguei

Columba delegorguei，Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Columba delegorguei, Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, 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 pallidiceps

Columba pallidiceps

Columba pallidiceps，Yellow-legged Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Yellow legged Pigeon is known as Columba pallidiceps or yellow-legged pigeon.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 responsi...

Columba leucomela

Columba leucomela

Columba leucomela，White-headed Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The White-headed Pigeon is Columba leucomela or white-headed Pigeon, 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 responsib...

Columba vitiensis

Columba vitiensis

Columba vitiensis，White-throated Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Columba vitiensis, also known as White-throated Pigeon, is unknown.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 everyone's responsibility!...

Columba versicolor

Columba versicolor

Columba versicolor

Landfowl LC

Features：extinct

Columba versicolor, also known as the Ogasawara forest pigeon, is a pigeon unique to the Nakamishima and Fuku Islands of the Ogasawara Islands in Japan. There are only four specimens, collected between 1827 and 1889. They were eventually wiped out in the 19th century by deforestation, hunting, and p...

Columba janthina

Columba janthina

Columba janthina，Japanese Wood Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：It's a near-black wood pigeon

The Japanese Wood Pigeon (Columba janthina) has three subspecies.Black wood pigeons are resident birds. Sexually timid and unapproachable. It is a social bird that gathers in small groups of 20 or 30 birds. Due to environmental damage, the population is endangered, and only smaller groups or pairs o...

Columba palumboides

Columba palumboides

Columba palumboides，Andaman Wood-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The pigeon is Columba palumboides, and the foreign name is Andaman Wood-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 argentina

Columba argentina

Columba argentina，Silvery Wood-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：The feathers are pale silver-gray, and the flight and tail feathers are black

Silvery Wood-pigeon, Columba argentina or silvery wood-pigeon, often lives with large groups of pigeons and even breeds in the same nesting areas. They start breeding around March or April and last a few months. They build their nests in the branches of trees and lay only one egg at a time, which is...

Columba torringtoni

Columba torringtoni

Columba torringtoni，Sri Lanka Wood-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Columba torringtoni and Sri Lanka Wood-pigeon are 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's responsibility!...

Columba elphinstonii

Columba elphinstonii

Columba elphinstonii，Nilgiri Wood-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：The posterior pillow has a broad yellow collar with black scaly spots

Columba elphinstonii, Nilgiri Wood-pigeon, single, in pairs, or in small groups. Sexual shyness. Wings flapped away as someone approached. Cry less, cry is a deep cry hu... hu… hu.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animal...

Columba pulchricollis

Columba pulchricollis

Columba pulchricollis，Ashy Wood Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：The upper back is dark brown, with greenish-purple metallic luster, and the lower back is black to the tail

Columba pulchricollis (Columba pulchricollis) is a foreign name Ashy Wood Pigeon, no subspecies.Pigeons live alone, in pairs or in small groups of 10-30. Usually arboreal, timid and alert, often hiding in the oak-based broad-leaved forest, difficult to see. Nest in trees in the forest. The nest is s...

Columba albinucha

Columba albinucha

Columba albinucha，White-naped Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Columba albinucha, or White-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!...

Columba hodgsonii

Columba hodgsonii

Columba hodgsonii，Speckled Wood Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：The underwing feathers are marked by small white dots, and the lower thorax and upper abdomen are covered with pale pink markings

Columba hodgsonii, or Speckled Wood Pigeon, 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!...

Columba pollenii

Columba pollenii

Columba pollenii，Comoro Olive-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The pigeon is Columba pollenii and Comoro Olive-pigeon.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!...

Columba thomensis

Columba thomensis

Columba thomensis，Maroon Pigeon，Sao Tome Olive-pigeon，Sao Tome Olive Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Sao Tome green Pigeon is known as Columba thomensis, Maroon Pigeon, Sao Tome Olive-pigeon, SAO tome Olive pigeon, the 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.Maint...

Columbasjostedti

Columbasjostedti

Columbasjostedti

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Cameroonian pigeon is Columbasjostedti, but its 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!...

Columba arquatrix

Columba arquatrix

Columba arquatrix

Landfowl LC

Features：

African Olive Pigeon Columba arquatrix, the foreign name of the African Olive Pigeon, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Columba unicincta

Columba unicincta

Columba unicincta，Afep Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Columba unicincta, Afep 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 junoniae

Columba junoniae

Columba junoniae，White-tailed Laurel Pigeon，Laurel Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Columba junoniae The foreign language is White-tailed Laurel Pigeon, Laurel Pigeon, the specific habit is unknown.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 ecolog...

Columba bollii

Columba bollii

Columba bollii，Dark-tailed Laurel Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Columba bollii, and its foreign name is Dark-tailed Laurel 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 trocaz

Columba trocaz

Columba trocaz，Trocaz Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Columba trocaz, or Trocaz Pigeon, is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of birds - Near Threatened.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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