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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 oliviae

Columba oliviae

Columba oliviae，Somali Pigeon，Somali Stock Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

The species is known as Columba oliviae, Somali Pigeon and Somali Stock Dove.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of Birds - Data Deficiency (DD).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's respons...

Columbaarquatrix

Columbaarquatrix

Columbaarquatrix

Landfowl LC

Features：

The yellow-eyed pigeon is Columbaarquatrix, 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 responsibility!...

Columba oenas

Columba oenas

Columba oenas，Stock Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：The plumage is dark gray, with two indistinct black stripes on the wings

Columba oenas (Stock Dove) has two subspecies.European pigeons are resident birds. It's usually an open area to live in. Even tree nesting does not favor heavily wooded areas, and shores with holes in the cliffs are common. Flying fast, two wings inciting fast, often can hear the vibration of th...

Columba albitorques

Columba albitorques

Columba albitorques，White-collared Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The White collar Pigeon is Columba albitorques, and the foreign name is white-collared 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 responsibili...

Columba guinea

Columba guinea

Columba guinea，Speckled Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：Redness around eyes

The name is Columba guinea, Speckled Pigeon, the specific habit is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Columba leuconota

Columba leuconota

Columba leuconota，Snow Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：White around the eyes, white at the lower back of the neck, forming a prominent white collar

The Snow Pigeon (Columba leuconota) has two subspecies.Snow pigeons are resident birds. Often move in groups. It mainly feeds on plant foods such as grass seeds, wild leguminous seeds and berries. Also eat highland barley, rapeseed, peas, green beans, corn and other crops.Snow pigeons breed from Apr...

Columba rupestris

Columba rupestris

Columba rupestris，Hill Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：The rock pigeon has white subterminal spots on its tail feathers

The rock Pigeon (Columba rupestris) is known as Hill Pigeon and has two subspecies.Rock pigeons often travel in groups. They feed in small groups in the valleys and plains. Sometimes they form large groups of nearly 100 animals. Sex is more docile. The call is "goo goo", similar to that of...

Columba livia

Columba livia

Columba livia，Rock Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：There are metallic green and purple flashes on the lower neck and upper chest

The original Pigeon (Columba livia) is known as Rock Pigeon and has nine subspecies.The original pigeon is a resident bird. Often move in groups, a small number of a group, dozens or even hundreds of people gathered to live, sometimes living in villages, sometimes stopping in ruins, but mostly aroun...

Pterocles burchelli

Pterocles burchelli

Pterocles burchelli，Variegated Sandgrouse

Landfowl LC

Features：

Variegated Sandgrouse is Pterocles burchelli and variegated sandgrouse.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Pterocles bicinctus

Pterocles bicinctus

Pterocles bicinctus，Double-banded Sandgrouse

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Pterocles bicinctus, and its foreign name is Double-banded Sandgrouse.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Pterocles quadricinctus

Pterocles quadricinctus

Pterocles quadricinctus，Four-banded Sandgrouse

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Pterocles quadricinctus, and its foreign name is Four-banded Sandgrouse.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

terocles indicus

terocles indicus

terocles indicus，Painted Sandgrouse

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is terocles indicus, and its foreign name is Painted Sandgrouse.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Pterocles lichtensteinii

Pterocles lichtensteinii

Pterocles lichtensteinii，Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Pterocles lichtensteinii, and its foreign name is Lichtenstein' s Sandgrouse, whose specific habits are unknown.International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Protection Level: No Threat (LC).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecologic...

Pterocles personatus

Pterocles personatus

Pterocles personatus，Madagascar Sandgrouse

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Pterocles personatus and its foreign name is Madagascar Sandgrouse.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Pterocles coronatus

Pterocles coronatus

Pterocles coronatus，Crowned Sandgrouse

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Pterocles coronatus and its foreign name is Crowned Sandgrouse.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Yellow-throated

Yellow-throated

Yellow-throated Sandgrouse

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Yellow-throated Sandgrouse is Pterocles gutturalis and yellow-throated sandgrouse.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Pterocles senegallus

Pterocles senegallus

Pterocles senegallus，Spotted Sandgrouse

Landfowl LC

Features：

斑沙鸡学名Pterocles senegallus，外文名Spotted Sandgrouse，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！...

Pterocles exustus

Pterocles exustus

Pterocles exustus

Landfowl LC

Features：

Pterocles exustus (Pterocles exustus) is a medium-sized bird with a beak similar to that of a domestic chicken. Specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Pterocles namaqua

Pterocles namaqua

Pterocles namaqua，Namaqua Sandgrouse

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Pterocles namaqua and its foreign name is Namaqua Sandgrouse.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Pterocles alchata

Pterocles alchata

Pterocles alchata

Landfowl LC

Features：

Pterocles alchata, or Pterocles alchata, lives in flat, dry areas, and the delicate markings on its feathers protect it from sand, pebbles and sparse vegetation. Swarm activity, sometimes in small, loose colonies; Running on short legs to forage for seeds, buds and leaves, the male birds often fly f...

Syrrhaptes tibetanus

Syrrhaptes tibetanus

Syrrhaptes tibetanus

Landfowl LC

Features：The body feathers are mainly yellow with yellow throat and head

Syrrhaptes tibetanus (Syrrhaptes tibetanus) has no subspecies.Tibetan sandgrouse often move in small groups, sometimes hundreds of large groups. It is found near rocky river valleys, streams and lakes. Sexually bold, not afraid of people, does not fly far when shot at, often the whole group is hunte...

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