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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
Leuconotopicus fumigatus

Leuconotopicus fumigatus

Leuconotopicus fumigatus，Veniliornis fumigatus，Picoides fumigatus，Smoky-brown Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Leuconotopicus fumigatus, Veniliornis fumigatus, Picoides fumigatus, foreign name Smoky-brown Woodpecker, specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.It is everyone's responsibility to maintain ecological balance！...

Leuconotopicus borealis

Leuconotopicus borealis

Leuconotopicus borealis，Picoides borealis，Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Leuconotopicus borealis, Picoides borealis, or Red-cockaded Woodpecker, is unknown。Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2009 Red List of Birds - Vulnerable (VU).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's respo...

Dryobates cathpharius

Dryobates cathpharius

Dryobates cathpharius，Dendrocopos cathpharius，Crimson-breasted Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The red-breasted Woodpecker has six subspecies: Dryobates cathpharius, Dendrocopos cathpharius, and Crimson-breasted Woodpecker。The red-breasted woodpecker is a resident bird, which is usually active alone except during the breeding period. It feeds mainly on various insects. Prey with the mouth to...

Dryobates scalaris

Dryobates scalaris

Dryobates scalaris，Picoides scalaris，Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Dryobates scalaris, Picoides scalaris, and Ladder-backed Woodpecker are small woodpeckers。The striated woodpecker is similar in appearance to the California woodpecker, but the head and upper back feathers are less black, and their range overlaps only slightly in southern California and northern Ba...

Dryobates nuttallii

Dryobates nuttallii

Dryobates nuttallii，Nuttall's woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The California woodpecker is known as Dryobates nuttallii and Nuttall's Woodpecker。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Dryobates pubescens

Dryobates pubescens

Dryobates pubescens，Downy Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：The smallest North American woodpecker

The Downy Woodpecker, or Dryobates pubescens, is the smallest woodpecker in North America。The pileated woodpecker can peck holes about 10cm in size in dead trees, which means that it has a greater range in habitable areas than the larger woodpecker. The woodpecker's diet is mostly insects, and...

Dendrocopos minor

Dendrocopos minor

Dendrocopos minor，Dryobates mino，Lesser spotted woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The species Dendrocopos minor, Dryobates mino, and Lesser spotted woodpecker have three subspecies。Small spotted woodpecker is a resident bird. It often acts alone except during the breeding period, feeding on the thick branches and leaves of trees. It mostly acts and roosts in the middle and upper...

Dendrocopos noguchii

Dendrocopos noguchii

Dendrocopos noguchii，Okinawa woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：It is a special natural monument of Okinawa Prefecture

Okinawa woodpecker Dendrocopos noguchii (Okinawa Woodpecker) is a rare species of woodpecker estimated to be extinct。The Okinawan woodpecker is solitary, nests in tree cavities, and moves frequently according to food availability. It can make 4 to 7 consecutive chirps in one minute. It feeds on the...

Dendrocopos owstoni

Dendrocopos owstoni

Dendrocopos owstoni，Amami woodpecker，Owston's woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Amami woodpecker's scientific name is Dendrocopos owstoni, and its foreign names are Amami woodpecker and Owston's Woodpecker。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Dendrocopos himalayensis

Dendrocopos himalayensis

Dendrocopos himalayensis，Himalayan Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Himalayan Woodpecker has the scientific name Dendrocopos himalayensis and the foreign name Himalayan woodpecker. The specific habitat of the bird 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 mea...

Dendrocopos assimilis

Dendrocopos assimilis

Dendrocopos assimilis，Sind Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

assimilis Dendrocopos assimilis and assimilis Sind Woodpecker. Its specific habitat 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 to maintain ecological balan...

Dendrocopos syriacus

Dendrocopos syriacus

Dendrocopos syriacus，Syrian Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Syrian Woodpecker is known as Dendrocopos syriacus and Syrian 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!...

Dendrocopos major

Dendrocopos major

Dendrocopos major，Great spotted woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Dendrocopos major, also known as the Great spotted woodpecker, has 14 subspecies。Peckers feed mainly on beetles, silverfish, locusts, gilding beetles, longiceps larvae, ants, mosquitoes, wasp families, lepidoptera, Coleoptera and other insects and insect larvae. They also eat snails, spiders and ot...

Dendrocopos leucotos

Dendrocopos leucotos

Dendrocopos leucotos，White-backed Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The White-backed Woodpecker, Dendrocopos leucotos, has 10 subspecies。White-backed woodpeckers often live alone or in pairs. Family groups of 4-5 birds are seen only for a short time after the young leave the nest. Often climb along the tree trunk from the bottom up to feed, once found in the rotten...

Dendrocopos darjellensis

Dendrocopos darjellensis

Dendrocopos darjellensis，Darjeeling Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The yellow-necked Woodpecker has two subspecies, Dendrocopos darjellensis and Darjeeling Woodpecker。Yellow-necked woodpecker is a resident bird, active alone or in pairs, mostly in the middle and lower parts of the tree, and rarely to the upper and higher parts of the tree. It feeds mainly on insec...

Dendrocopos hyperythrus

Dendrocopos hyperythrus

Dendrocopos hyperythrus，Rufous-bellied woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：It's a brightly colored woodpecker

The brown-bellied woodpecker has four subspecies, Dendrocopos hyperythrus and Rufous-bellied woodpecker。Brown belly woodpecker sounds is elongated syllable kii break - I - I - I - I - I - I even call, more and more weak to end; Similar to the great spotted woodpecker, but mostly found in the mounta...

Dendrocopos analis

Dendrocopos analis

Dendrocopos analis，Freckle-breasted woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Freckle-breasted woodpecker: Dendrocopos analis, freckle-breasted woodpecker: its habitat is unknown。Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Dendrocopos atratus

Dendrocopos atratus

Dendrocopos atratus，Stripe-breasted woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The striped-breasted woodpecker has two subspecies, Dendrocopos atratus and Striped-breasted woodpecker。Woodpeckers are resident birds, often living alone or in pairs, occasionally seen in small numbers in shrublands or trees with broad leaves. It feeds mainly on ants and insects, including Coleopt...

Dendrocopos macei

Dendrocopos macei

Dendrocopos macei，Fulvous-breasted woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：It's a very small woodpecker with black and white spots

Dendrocopos macei, Fulvus-breasted woodpecker, has a ringing tuk-tuk call and a tirri-tierrier-tierrierie warble. Other specific habits are unknown。Listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Protection Level: Not Threatened (LC).Protect wild animals and eliminate w...

Dendrocoptes medius

Dendrocoptes medius

Dendrocoptes medius，Picoides medius，Middle Spotted Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocoptes medius, Picoides medius, or Middle Spotted Woodpecker) is a European woodpecker。The medium-spotted woodpecker likes to feed in high trees, constantly moving. The medium-spotted woodpecker feeds mainly on insects and insect larvae, feeding on tree forks an...

Picoides dorae

Picoides dorae

Picoides dorae，Arabian Woodpecker

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Picoides dorae, and its foreign name is Arabian Woodpecker.Arabian woodpeckers are resident birds, and a few species have migratory habits. Arabian woodpeckers are usually silent. Arabian woodpeckers are mostly non-social and often live alone or in pairs. The Arabia...

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