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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
Alectoris rufa

Alectoris rufa

Alectoris rufa,Red-legged Partridge

Features:The irises are brown, the mouth is red, and the claws are red, with heavy markings

Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) has three subspecies.Red-legged cockerels are active during the day, in the early morning and evening, and usually rest at their perch at noon. Sex likes to swarm, and small flocks of up to 20 birds are often seen wandering fields and pastures. Sometimes during...

Alectoris philbyi

Alectoris philbyi

Alectoris philbyi,Philby’s Partridge

Features:

The scientific name of the black-faced grouper is Alectoris philbyi, and the foreign name is Philby's Partridge. Action is very alert and careful, often run along the hillside or up the mountain in case of danger, never run down the mountain, running speed is extremely fast, but also good at hid...

Alectoris melanocephala

Alectoris melanocephala

Alectoris melanocephala,Arabian Partridge

Features:

Arabian chicken scientific name Alectoris melanocephala, foreign name Arabian Partridge, sex like cluster. Action is very alert and careful, often run along the hillside or up the mountain in case of danger, never run down the mountain, running speed is extremely fast, but also good at hiding. Also...

Rock Partridge

Rock Partridge

Rock Partridge,Alectoris graeca

Features:The forehead has a black band above the chest, the lower body is brown-gray, the flight feathers are white or gray, and there are longitudinal spots of color storage

European grouper (scientific name: Alectoris graeca), foreign name Rock Partridge, pheasant family Grouper genus of medium chickens, there are 4 subspecies.The European grouper likes to flock. Action is very alert and careful, often run along the hillside or up the mountain in case of danger, never...

Alectoris chukar

Alectoris chukar

Alectoris chukar,Chuckar,Chukar,Chukar Partridge

Features:Prominent black and maroon spots on both sides

Alectoris chukar (Chuckar, Chukar, Chukar Partridge) is a medium-sized pheasant with 14 subspecies.Grouper is a resident bird. Active during the day, the sex likes to cluster, sometimes during the day to the farmland near the hillside to forage, after the shock straight to the mountain quickly run....

Alectoris barbara

Alectoris barbara

Alectoris barbara,Barbary Partridge

Features:

North African rock chicken scientific name Alectoris barbara, foreign name Barbary Partridge, sex like cluster. Action is very alert and careful, often run along the hillside or up the mountain in case of danger, never run down the mountain, running speed is extremely fast, but also good at hiding....

Congo peafowl

Congo peafowl

Congo peafowl,Congo Peacock,Afropavo congensis

Features:Females are more beautiful than males

Congo Peacock (Afropavo congensis) : Congo peafowl, Congo Peacock, no subspecies. Congolese peacocks defy the general rules of the bird world, with females being more beautiful than males.Congo peacock is an elusive mysterious bird, because living in Africa's dark, human and animal rare rainfore...

Rhynchortyx cinctus

Rhynchortyx cinctus

Rhynchortyx cinctus,Tawny-faced Quail

Features:Brown-red parts on the head and cheeks, with black stripes from the eyes to the neck

Tawny-faced Quail (Rhynchortyx cinctus) feeds on plant seeds and insects. They usually live in pairs, but small groups of up to eight birds have been reported. Females begin laying eggs in early March and are monogamous.Listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2016 Red Lis...

Philortyx fasciatus

Philortyx fasciatus

Philortyx fasciatus,Banded Quail

Features:On top of his head stood a tuft of black crests

The Quail (Philortyx fasciatus) is a ground-dwelling bird, usually living in small groups of about a dozen individuals, sometimes in larger groups of up to 30 individuals. When startled, they run around in panic, which can make potential predators run away.The quails feed mainly on worms of the genu...

Oreortyx pictus

Oreortyx pictus

Oreortyx pictus,Mountain Quail

Features:There are two crests like radar, sometimes raised, sometimes attached to the back of the head

Mountain Quail (Oreortyx pictus) has five subspecies.Quails are terrestrial birds that move and walk mainly on the ground. In late summer or fall and winter, adult and subadult birds move in family units, gathering into groups of more than 20 birds. Quails can also fly short distances, often quickly...

Odontophorus strophium

Odontophorus strophium

Odontophorus strophium,Gorgeted Wood-quail

Features:

Gorgeted Wood-quail, Odontophorus strophium and Gorgeted wood-quail, are typically active at dawn or dusk and live in family groups of up to 12 gorgeted wood-quail. They are used to looking for food on the ground and searching the soil for fallen seeds, fallen fruits and insects. Gentle, shy and cau...

Odontophorus stellatus

Odontophorus stellatus

Odontophorus stellatus,starred wood quail

Features:

starred wood quail (Odontophorus stellatus, starred wood quail) is active at dawn or dusk, living in family units, usually in small groups of up to 12 quails. They are used to looking for food on the ground and searching the soil for fallen seeds, fallen fruits and insects. Gentle, shy and cautious,...

Odontophorus speciosus

Odontophorus speciosus

Odontophorus speciosus,Rufous-breasted Wood-quail

Features:

Odontophorus speciosus and Rufous-breasted Wood-quail are active at dawn or dusk. They live in family groups of up to 12 individuals. They are used to looking for food on the ground and searching the soil for fallen seeds, fallen fruits and insects. Gentle, shy and cautious, she usually runs away on...

Odontophorus melanotis

Odontophorus melanotis

Odontophorus melanotis,Black-eared Wood-quail

Features:

Odontophorus melanotis, or Black-eared Wood-quail, is usually active at dawn or dusk, living in family groups of up to 12 individuals. They are used to looking for food on the ground and searching the soil for fallen seeds, fallen fruits and insects. Gentle, shy and cautious, she usually runs away o...

Odontophorus melanonotus

Odontophorus melanonotus

Odontophorus melanonotus,Dark-backed Wood-quail

Features:

melanonotus melanonotus, or Dark-backed Wood-quail, is active at dawn or dusk, living in family groups of up to 12 individuals. They are used to looking for food on the ground and searching the soil for fallen seeds, fallen fruits and insects. Gentle, shy and cautious, she usually runs away on foot...

Odontophorus leucolaemus

Odontophorus leucolaemus

Odontophorus leucolaemus,Black-breasted Wood-quail

Features:

Odontophorus leucolaemus and Black-breasted Wood-quail are active at dawn or dusk. They live in family groups of up to 12 quail. They are used to looking for food on the ground and searching the soil for fallen seeds, fallen fruits and insects. Gentle, shy and cautious, she usually runs away on foot...

Odontophorus hyperythrus

Odontophorus hyperythrus

Odontophorus hyperythrus,chestnut wood quail

Features:

chestnut quail, whose scientific name is Odontophorus hyperythrus and whose foreign name is chestnut wood quail, is generally active at dawn or dusk. They live in families and generally gather in small groups of up to 12 individuals. They are used to looking for food on the ground and searching the...

Odontophorus guttatus

Odontophorus guttatus

Odontophorus guttatus,spotted wood quail

Features:

Known as Odontophorus guttatus and spotted wood quail, they are usually active at dawn or dusk, living in small groups of up to 12. They are used to looking for food on the ground and searching the soil for fallen seeds, fallen fruits and insects. Gentle, shy and cautious, she usually runs away on f...

Odontophorus gujanensis

Odontophorus gujanensis

Odontophorus gujanensis,Marbled Wood-quail

Features:

Odontophorus gujanensis, Marbled Wood-quail, is usually active at dawn or dusk, living in family units, usually in small groups of up to 12. They are used to looking for food on the ground and searching the soil for fallen seeds, fallen fruits and insects. Gentle, shy and cautious, she usually runs...

Odontophorus erythrops

Odontophorus erythrops

Odontophorus erythrops,Rufous-fronted Wood-quail

Features:

Odontophorus erythrops, Rufous-fronted Wood-quail, is usually active at dawn or dusk, living in family units, usually in small groups of up to 12 individuals. A gentle personality. They are used to looking for food on the ground and searching the soil for fallen seeds, fallen fruits and insects. Shy...

Odontophorus dialeucos

Odontophorus dialeucos

Odontophorus dialeucos,Tacarcuna wood quail

Features:

Odontophorus dialeucos and Tacarcuna wood quail are active at dawn or dusk. They live in family groups, usually in small groups of up to 12. A gentle personality. They are used to looking for food on the ground and searching the soil for fallen seeds, fallen fruits and insects. Shy and cautious, she...