Home>>All Animals>>Birds

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
Coturnix coromandelica

Coturnix coromandelica

Coturnix coromandelica,Rain Quail

Features:

The black-breasted Quail is known as Coturnix coromandelica or Rain Quail and is found in pairs rather than groups. It is often active in the plains, wastelands, streams and hillsides where dense weeds or undergrowth grow, and sometimes near arable land. Mainly eat weed seeds, beans, grains and berr...

Cheer Pheasant

Cheer Pheasant

Cheer Pheasant,Catreus wallichii

Features:

The painted Pheasant (Catreus wallichii), the foreign name Cheer Pheasant, like most pheasant birds, does not have a bright rich color.Most pheasants use their powerful beaks to dig the ground for food, including plant roots, tubers or bulbs, seeds, grubs, beetles, snails, insect larvae and worms, a...

Caloperdix oculea

Caloperdix oculea

Caloperdix oculea,Ferruginous Wood Partridge

Features:

Caloperdix oculea, Ferruginous Wood Partridge, its specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chinese Bamboo Partridge

Chinese Bamboo Partridge

Chinese Bamboo Partridge,Bambusicola thoracica

Features:Upper dorsal gray-brown, with not very clear dark brown wormlike spots and chestnut red patches

Chinese Bamboo Partridge (scientific name: Bambusicola thoracica) has 2 subspecies.Grouse usually move in groups, consisting of a few to more than 20, with larger groups in winter and scattered activities during the breeding season. Each group has a fixed activity area, the feeding ground and habita...

Bambusicola fytchii

Bambusicola fytchii

Bambusicola fytchii,Mountain Bamboo-partridge

Features:Chin, throat and side of the neck tea yellow, chestnut-brown, two sides and abdomen with thick black spots

Mountain Bambusicola fytchii is a small chicken similar in size to Mountain Bambusicola Fytchii.Bamboo chickens usually live in small groups, consisting of a few to more than 20 individuals, with large groups in winter and scattered activities during the breeding season. Each group has a fixed activ...

Argusianus argus

Argusianus argus

Argusianus argus,Great Argus

Features:The lower end of the wing has a number of blue spots, like a pair of big eyes, hence the name, is the most beautiful bird in Southeast Asia

Tragopan (Argusianus argus) is known as the Great Argus and has two subspecies.The pheasant roosts in trees at night and rummags for food on the woodland floor during the day, spending most of its time alone, except during breeding when the females gather to watch the males display in the courtship...

Arborophila sumatrana

Arborophila sumatrana

Arborophila sumatrana

Features:

The Sumatran mountain partridge, known scientifically as Arborophila sumatrana, is good at hiding. They often live in pairs or groups, consisting of 4-12 individuals. Most of the activity is on the forest floor, and at night, it perches on branches. Every morning and evening, often issued a series o...

Arborophila rubrirostris

Arborophila rubrirostris

Arborophila rubrirostris,Red-billed Hill Partridge

Features:

Scientific name Arborophila rubrirostris, foreign name Red-billed Hill Partridge, good at hiding. They often live in pairs or groups, consisting of 4-12 individuals. Most of the activity is on the forest floor, and at night, it perches on branches. Every morning and evening, often issued a series of...

Arborophila rolli

Arborophila rolli

Arborophila rolli,A partridge in Roche holster

Features:

Its scientific name is Arborophila rolli and its foreign name is A partridge in Roche holster. Its meat is rich in protein and fat, and contains 18 kinds of amino acids necessary for human body and high trace elements such as zinc and strontium. It has the effect of strengthening the Yang and kidney...

Arborophila orientalis

Arborophila orientalis

Arborophila orientalis,Gray-breasted Hill Partridge

Features:

Arborophila orientalis, Gray-breasted Hill Partridge, good at concealing. They often live in pairs or groups, consisting of 4-12 individuals. Most of the activity is on the forest floor, and at night, it perches on branches. Every morning and evening, often issued a series of calls, repeated calls,...

Arborophila merlini

Arborophila merlini

Arborophila merlini,Vietnam Hill Partridge

Features:

Vietnamese mountain Partridge scientific name Arborophila merlini, foreign name Vietnam Hill Partridge, good at hiding. They often live in pairs or groups, consisting of 4-12 individuals. Most of the activity is on the forest floor, and at night, it perches on branches. Every morning and evening, of...

Arborophila javanica

Arborophila javanica

Arborophila javanica,Chestnut-bellied Hill Partridge

Features:

The brown-bellied Arborophila javanica, Chestnut-bellied Hill Partridge, is good at hiding. They often live in pairs or groups, consisting of 4-12 individuals. Most of the activity is on the forest floor, and at night, it perches on branches. Every morning and evening, often issued a series of calls...

Arborophila hyperythra

Arborophila hyperythra

Arborophila hyperythra,Red-breasted Hill Partridge

Features:

The Red-breasted Hill Partridge is known as Arborophila hyperythra and red-breasted Hill partridge. They often live in pairs or groups, consisting of 4-12 individuals. Most of the activity is on the forest floor, and at night, it perches on branches. Every morning and evening, often issued a series...

Arborophila davidi

Arborophila davidi

Arborophila davidi,Orange-necked Hill Partridge

Features:

The Orange-necked Hill Partridge is known as Arborophila davidi and orange-necked hill partridge. They often live in pairs or groups, consisting of 4-12 individuals. Most of the activity is on the forest floor, and at night, it perches on branches. Every morning and evening, often issued a series of...

Arborophila chloropus

Arborophila chloropus

Arborophila chloropus,Green-legged Partridge

Features:The top of the head is olive brown to the back of the neck, the corners of the mouth are brown, the legs and feet are green

The Green-legged Partridge (Arborophila chloropus) has four subspecies.Partridges are usually found in pairs or in groups of 3-5 individuals. Temperament is extremely timid, often hiding under the forest, shrubland or grass, usually rarely take off, often in the underforest shrubland and grass activ...

Arborophila charltonii

Arborophila charltonii

Arborophila charltonii,Chestnut-breasted HillPartridge

Features:

Arborophila charltonii, Chestnut breasted HillPartridge, is good at hiding. They often live in pairs or groups, consisting of 4-12 individuals. Most of the activity is on the forest floor, and at night, it perches on branches. Every morning and evening, often issued a series of calls, repeated calls...

Arborophila campbelli

Arborophila campbelli

Arborophila campbelli,Malay Partridge

Features:It has a distinctive black and white pattern

Malay Partridge (scientific name: Arborophila campbelli), no subspecies. This species is found in the plateau forests of Peninsular Malaysia. It was once known as a subspecies of the partridge.The Malay mountain partridge feeds mainly on the fruits of vines, termites (isoptera), and gastropods.Liste...

Arborophila cambodiana

Arborophila cambodiana

Arborophila cambodiana,Chestnut-headed Hill Partridge

Features:

Its scientific name is Arborophila cambodiana and its foreign name is Chestnut-headed Hill Partridge.Arborophila arboriceps is good at hiding. They often live in pairs or groups, consisting of 4-12 individuals. Most of the activity is on the forest floor, and at night, it perches on branches. Every...

Anurophasis monorthonyx

Anurophasis monorthonyx

Anurophasis monorthonyx,Snow Mountain Quail

Features:There is a wide white crown between the eyes and the roof, and dense and finely broken black markings on the body

Snow partrail is known as Anurophasis monorthonyx and Snow Mountain Quail.Listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2016 Red List of Threatened Species ver 3.1 - Near Threatened (NT).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone'...

Ammoperdix heyi

Ammoperdix heyi

Ammoperdix heyi,Sand Partridge

Features:It has a distinctive blue-gray head with wavy stripes of crimson, black and white feathers

Ammoperdix heyi, also known as Sand Partridge, has four subspecies.The partridge is stout, smaller than the pheasant, fast at running and hiding, rarely flying, and soon tired of flying. Found in deserts and rocky slopes. The song of the partridge has an elegant texture and often echoes in its rocky...

Ammoperdix griseogularis

Ammoperdix griseogularis

Ammoperdix griseogularis,See-see Partridge

Features:

Ammoperdix griseogularis and See-see Partridge. Usually living in pairs, seeds make up 80% of the bird's diet in summer, with other foods including greens, berries and insects. Considered monogamous, females usually breed in April, laying 5-7 eggs per litter, with nests embedded or hanging from...