Home>>All Animals>>Birds>>Climbing birds

Climbing birds

A relatively detailed introduction to climbing birds (usually referring to birds with climbing or clinging abilities and zygodactyl or heterodactyl feet), including its traditional concept, modern classification research, and order, family, and genus tables of representative groups. It should be noted in advance that "climbing birds" are often regarded as a collection based on morphology and ecological habits in traditional bird classification, rather than a strict monophyletic group. With the development of molecular systematics, many birds that were previously classified as "climbing birds" are scattered in multiple orders in modern classification systems. Climbing birds are one of the six major ecological groups of birds, covering the traditional bird classification system of Psittaciformes, Cuculiformes, Apomorpha, Mynaeformes, Trogons, Nighthawks, Pseudocranopterygiiformes, and Pipiriformes. Climbing birds include secondary ecological groups such as nighthawks, parrots, cuckoos, swifts, emeralds, kingfishers, woodpeckers, and pseudo-woodpeckers.

I. Introduction to Climbing Birds

  1. Traditional Definition of Climbing Birds

    • Foot Structure: Many “climbing birds” exhibit zygodactyl feet (toes II and III pointing forward, toes I and IV pointing backward), enabling them to cling to vertical or inclined surfaces. Some (e.g., trogons) have heterodactyl feet (toes III and IV forward, toes I and II backward), serving a similar climbing function.

    • Climbing / Wood-pecking Habits: Many rely on arboreal foraging or specialized feeding on or within trees. Woodpeckers climb trunks to chisel for insects; parrots often use their feet and curved beaks to grip branches and aid in climbing.

    • Global Distribution and Diversity: Climbing birds inhabit tropical, subtropical, and temperate forests worldwide—e.g., toucans in South America, mousebirds in Africa, parrots in Oceania, Asia, and Africa, etc.

    • Not a Single Lineage: Early morphological/ecological groupings classified all zygodactyl or tree-climbing birds together, but molecular research has demonstrated these species belong to distinct evolutionary lineages.

  2. Key Adaptations and Behaviors

    • Adapted Feet: Zygodactyl or heterodactyl feet facilitate vertical or angled perching; some (e.g., woodpeckers) have stiff tail feathers to support their body against tree trunks.

    • Bill Diversity: Parrots possess powerful, curved bills to crack seeds and assist climbing; woodpeckers have chisel-like bills; toucans have large bills for reaching fruit in the canopy.

    • Nesting and Reproduction: Many species nest in tree holes (excavated or natural cavities). Parrots, for instance, may also utilize cliff holes, ground burrows, or even human-made structures.

II. Historical Evolution and Classification Shifts

  1. Traditional (Older) Classifications

    • In early morphology-based taxonomy, many birds with zygodactyl feet or climbing habits (e.g., parrots, woodpeckers, trogons, mousebirds) were grouped into a “picarian” or “climbing bird” assembly (variously called “Picinae,” “Piciformes” in a broad sense, or “Scansores”).

    • Like other ecological-morphological groupings (e.g., “wading birds,” “waterfowl”), this approach did not accurately reflect true phylogenetic relationships.

  2. Discoveries Through Modern Molecular Systematics

    • Genetic evidence shows that parrots (Psittaciformes) are more closely related to the clade that includes swifts and nightjars than they are to woodpeckers; woodpeckers and their allies (Piciformes) are relatively closer to passerines (songbirds) on a different branch; trogons, mousebirds, and rollers each have their own separate evolutionary paths.

    • As a result, current classifications no longer place all zygodactyl birds in a single “climbing bird” order but rather distribute them among distinct orders—though from an ecological perspective, they can still be introduced collectively as “climbing birds.”

  3. Representative Evolutionary Branches (Brief)

    • Psittaciformes (Parrots): Includes parrots, macaws, lories, etc.; large, curved bills, high intelligence, found in South/Central America, Oceania, Africa, parts of Asia.

    • Piciformes (Woodpeckers & Allies): Includes woodpeckers, barbets, toucans, honeyguides, etc., mostly in tropical/subtropical regions, known for varied beak shapes and foraging strategies.

    • Trogoniformes (Trogons): Heterodactyl feet, typically in tropical/subtropical forests worldwide, known for vivid plumage.

    • Coliiformes (Mousebirds): Restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, small, crested birds with unique climbing posture and long tails.

    • Some families in Coraciiformes (like hornbills) or Musophagiformes (like turacos) also exhibit partial climbing adaptations but are usually classified independently according to molecular data.

III. Major “Climbing Bird” Groups and Classification Table

Below is a modern systematic breakdown of the main orders considered “climbing birds” (in the traditional, ecological sense), highlighting notable families and representative genera. This grouping does not denote a single lineage, but rather a shared adaptation for climbing.

1. Order Psittaciformes (Parrots)

FamilyRepresentative GeneraExample SpeciesDistribution & Notes
Psittacidae (True Parrots)Amazona (Amazon parrots), Ara (Macaws), Cacatua (Cockatoos), etc.Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao), Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva), etc.Predominantly found in South & Central America, also some in Oceania. Large, curved bills, strong climbing ability, high intelligence. Popular as pets.
Loriidae (Lories, Lorikeets)Trichoglossus (Rainbow Lorikeets), etc.Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), etc.Found mainly in Australia and New Guinea, specialized brush-tipped tongues for feeding on nectar and pollen.
Psittaculidae (Old World Parrots)* sometimes merged into above familiesPsittacula (Ringneck Parakeets), Agapornis (Lovebirds), etc.Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), Black-masked Lovebird (Agapornis personatus), etc.Native to Africa, Asia, Oceania; many are well-known as aviary or pet birds.

Note: The exact family structure can differ by source, often distinguished as “New World parrots” vs. “Old World parrots,” etc.

2. Order Piciformes (Woodpeckers & Allies)

FamilyRepresentative GeneraExample SpeciesDistribution & Notes
Picidae (Woodpeckers)Dendrocopos (Pied Woodpeckers), Picus (Green Woodpeckers), etc.Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major), European Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)Zygodactyl feet + stiff tail feathers aid vertical climbing. Mostly insectivorous, globally distributed except Antarctica.
Indicatoridae (Honeyguides)* sometimes merged or considered separate from barbetsIndicator, Prodotiscus, etc.Greater Honeyguide (Indicator indicator), etc.Mostly in Africa/Asia; known for guiding mammals or humans to wild bee nests, feeding on wax, larvae, honey.
Ramphastidae / Lybiidae / Megalaimidae (Toucans, Barbets, etc.)Ramphastos (Toucans), Capito (New World barbets), Psilopogon (Asian barbets), etc.Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus), various barbet species (Psilopogon incognitus), etc.Primarily tropical. Large or specialized bills (e.g., toucans); feed on fruit, insects in the forest canopy.

Note: Classification within Piciformes can be intricate, with multiple families or subfamilies for barbets, toucans, honeyguides, etc.

3. Order Trogoniformes (Trogons)

FamilyRepresentative GeneraExample SpeciesDistribution & Notes
Trogonidae (Trogons)Trogon, Pharomachrus (Quetzals), etc.Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno), various Trogon speciesHeterodactyl feet (toes III & IV forward, I & II backward); tropical/subtropical distribution; bright, iridescent plumage. Some (like quetzals) are culturally significant.

4. Order Coliiformes (Mousebirds)

FamilyRepresentative GeneraExample SpeciesDistribution & Notes
Coliidae (Mousebirds)Colius, UrocoliusWhite-backed Mousebird (Colius colius) etc.Endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, small birds with serrated bills, strong-grip feet, and long tails. Known for clinging upside-down to branches.

5. Other Groups with Climbing Adaptations

  • Coraciiformes (Rollers, Kingfishers, Hornbills): Some hornbills (Family Bucerotidae) show partial zygodactyly, but are generally placed in their own evolutionary branch, not traditionally among “climbing birds.”

  • Musophagiformes (Turacos): Some can climb adeptly in trees, though their foot structure differs from typical zygodactyl forms; molecular data place them in a separate lineage.

IV. Summary

  1. Multiple Evolutionary Origins

    • “Climbing birds” were historically lumped together due to zygodactyl or climbing-friendly foot structures, but modern research reveals they belong to separate orders (Psittaciformes, Piciformes, Trogoniformes, Coliiformes, etc.).

    • This showcases multiple, independent adaptations to arboreal niches and vertical surfaces across avian evolution (convergent evolution).

  2. Ecological Functions and Human Interactions

    • Many climbing birds play crucial ecological roles: for example, woodpeckers control insect pests, while parrots and toucans disperse seeds.

    • Humans keep parrots as pets, utilize woodpeckers for natural pest control, and have also threatened forest habitats through deforestation. Many species (e.g., rare parrots or quetzals) are endangered due to habitat loss and illegal trade.

  3. Conservation and Research Outlook

    • Because many climbing birds depend on tropical or specialized forest habitats, they are vulnerable to logging, fragmentation, and poaching. Numerous parrot, toucan, and trogon species are listed under threatened categories.

    • Ongoing molecular and behavioral studies continue to refine our understanding of their evolutionary relationships, informing more targeted conservation approaches.

By presenting these orders and families, can illustrate how “climbing birds,” though ecologically similar in foot structure and behavior, are distributed across multiple lineages in modern avian systematics. For more in-depth data on identification, distribution, and conservation, refer to specialized ornithological literature, field guides, and the latest phylogenetic research. We hope this provides a clear, in-depth look at the fascinating world of climbing birds.

Waterfowl Wading birds Climbing birds Landfowl Bird of prey Songbird
Alcedo quadribrachys

Alcedo quadribrachys

Alcedo quadribrachys，Shining-blue Kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：Adult birds have chrysanthemum yellow eyes first

Scientific name flash blue Kingfisher Alcedo quadribrachys, Shining - blue Kingfisher, 2 subspecies (1. Alcedo quadribrachysquadribrachys plug in Gambia, Nigeria. 2.Alcedo quadribrachysguentheri is found in Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda, Angola and Zambia.) .Bright blue kingfisher lonely, usually live alon...

Alcedo euryzona

Alcedo euryzona

Alcedo euryzona，Blue-banded Kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：The male blue-banded kingfisher has a black back plumage with a chain of turquoise blue feathers

Alcedo euryzona, also known as the Blue-banded Kingfisher, has two subspecies (1. The subspecies Alcedo euryzona euryzona is found in Java. 2. The Borneo subspecies Alcedo euryzona peninsulae is found in Myanmar, Sumatra, Thailand and Borneo.)Blue belt kingfisher lonely, usually live alone on the br...

Alcedo coerulescens

Alcedo coerulescens

Alcedo coerulescens，Small Blue Kingfisher，Cerulean kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：The head and upper parts of the male are Marine blue

Alcedo coerulescens, or Small Blue Kingfisher or Cerulean kingfisher, is a small kingfisher.Small blue kingfisher usually lives alone on the branches or rocks near the water, waiting for the opportunity to hunt, mainly to eat small fish, and eat crustaceans and a variety of aquatic insects and larva...

Alcedo atthis

Alcedo atthis

Alcedo atthis，Common Kingfisher，European Kingfisher，Kingfisher， Martin-pêcheur d'Europe， رفراف شائع

Climbing birds LC

Features：Is a common bird, because of its appearance layout is simple, showing the general, so it is called "ordinary"

The Common Kingfisher scientific name Alcedo atthis, foreign language name Common Kingfisher, European Kingfisher, Kingfisher, Martin-pecheur d'Europe, Qihui Qihui, there are 7 subspecies (1. Common kingfisher named subspecies Alcedo atthis atthis. 2. Common kingfisher common subspecies Alcedo a...

Alcedo vintsioides

Alcedo vintsioides

Alcedo vintsioides，Madagascar Kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：The forehead and nape of the neck are usually a mixture of black, green and pale blue

Alcedo vintsioides is known as Madagascar Kingfisher and Alcedo vintsioides, and has two subspecies (1.Alcedo vintsioides johannae is found in the Comoros Islands). 2.Alcedo vintsioides is found in Madagascar.) .The Falkland kingfisher feeds on small fish, frogs, crustaceans, Marine and freshwater a...

Corythornis cristatus

Corythornis cristatus

Corythornis cristatus，Malachite Kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：The crowned kingfisher is one of the most common kingfishers in Africa

Corythornis cristatus, Malachite Kingfisher, Alcedo cristata, has three subspecies (1. Alcedo cristata galerita is a Ghanaian subspecies found in Senegal and Ghana. 2. Alcedo cristata cristata is found in Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Kenya. 3. The Su...

Alcedo leucogaster

Alcedo leucogaster

Alcedo leucogaster，White-bellied Kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：It is similar in size and appearance to the crown kingfisher, but the belly is white and the feathers on the head cannot be set up as a crown

White-bellied Kingfisher: Corythornis leucogaster, Alcedo leucogaster, White-bellied Kingfisher, There are three subspecies (Alcedo leucogaster bowdleri) found in Mauritania, Mali, Guinea and Ghana. 2.Alcedo leucogaster leucogaster is found in Nigeria, Cameroon, Fernando Po, Gabon and Angola. 3.Alce...

Ispidina madagascariensis

Ispidina madagascariensis

Ispidina madagascariensis，Ceyx madagascariensis，Madagascan pygmy kingfisher，Alcedo madagascariensis

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of the small kingfisher is Ispidina madagascariensis, Ceyx madagascariensis, foreign names Madagascan pygmy kingfisher, Alcedo madagascariensis, There are two subspecies (1.Ispidina madagascariensis madagascariensis) in southwestern Madagascar. 2.Ispidina madagascariensis dilutus...

Ispidina picta

Ispidina picta

Ispidina picta，African Pygmy-kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Ispidina picta (African Pygomy-Kingfisher) has three subspecies (1.Ispidina picta pictus is found in Senegal, Eritrea and Uganda). 2.Ispidina picta ferrugineus is found in Uganda, Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau and Botswana. 3.Ispidina picta natalensis occurs in Angola, Tanzania, Zanzibar,...

Ispidina lecontei

Ispidina lecontei

Ispidina lecontei，African Dwarf-kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：The little red-headed kingfisher is the smallest of all kingfishers

Ispidina lecontei, African Dwarf kingfisher, has two subspecies (1.Ispidina lecontei ruficeps is found from eastern Liberia to Ghana). 2.Ispidina lecontei is found in south-western Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Uganda, Angola and south-western Sudan.) .The little red-headed kingfisher is a small...

Chloroceryle aenea

Chloroceryle aenea

Chloroceryle aenea，Pygmy Kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Chloroceryle aenea, also known as Pygmy Kingfisher, has two subspecies (1.Chloroceryle aenea stictoptera is found in Gustaja, southern Mexico (Puebla, Veracruz). 2.Chloroceryle aenea is found in Colombia, Gustaja, Andean, Ecuador, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, and Trinidad,...

Chloroceryle inda

Chloroceryle inda

Chloroceryle inda，Green-and-rufous Kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Chloroceryle inda, also known as Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, is a species of kingfisher.The brown bellies are fish-eating kingfishers with excellent diving skills and can even hover in the air to lock on to their targets. They live mainly by the river and fish for a living. It lives in brush or ope...

Chloroceryle amazona

Chloroceryle amazona

Chloroceryle amazona，Amazon Kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：It is the largest species of greenfish dog

Chloroceryle amazona, the scientific name of the Amazon green fish dog, is the largest species of green fish dog, and its appearance is quite similar to that of green fish dog, which is easy to be confused when the size of the green fish dog is not visible from a distance.The Amazon Green fish dog i...

Chloroceryle americana

Chloroceryle americana

Chloroceryle americana，Green Kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：It is the most common species of kingfisher
1.Chloroceryle americana hachisukai is distributed in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico. 2.Chloroceryle americana septentrionalis is distributed in Colombia, Venezuela, and Texas. 3.Chloroceryle americana cabanisii is found in Colombia, the Andes Mountains, Ecuador and Chile. 4.Chloroceryle americana americana is found in Venezuela, the Andes Mountains, Bolivia and Brazil. 5.Chloroceryle americana mathewsii is found in Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia.

Chloroceryle americana, also known as Green Kingfisher, has five subspecies (1.Chloroceryle americana hachisukai is found in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico). 2.Chloroceryle americana septentrionalis is distributed in Colombia, Venezuela, and Texas. 3.Chloroceryle americana cabanisii is found...

Ceryle rudis

Ceryle rudis

Ceryle rudis，Pied kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：The appearance is very similar to the crested fish dog, the whole body is black and white spots, but the body size is small, and the crown feathers are shorter

Ceryle rudis, Pied kingfisher, has four subspecies (1. The common subspecies Ceryle rudis insignis2. Ceryle rudis leucomelanurus3. Ceryle rudis rudis4. Ceryle rudis travancoreensis, Indian subspecies of the Spotted fish dog.Spotted fish dogs live in pairs or groups in large water bodies and mangrove...

Ceryle torquata

Ceryle torquata

Ceryle torquata，Megaceryle torquata，Ringed Kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Ceryle torquata, Megaceryle torquata, Ringed Kingfisher, no subspecies.The brown-bellies feed mainly on small fish, eat crustaceans and a variety of aquatic insects and their larvae, and also peck at small frogs and a few aquatic plants. Kingfishers can also maintain excellent vision after diving in...

Ceryle alcyon

Ceryle alcyon

Ceryle alcyon，Belted Kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：The forehead and top of the head are dark blue plumage, and the base and part of the tail are entirely white, more or less pale yellow or yellow

Ceryle alcyon, Belted Kingfisher, no subspecies.White-bellies emit clear chirps to warn when threatening intruders or partners. Very territorial, most of the homeland defense measures are through voice commands or shouts of deterrence. The sound is similar to the tapping of vibrating machinery. A sh...

Megaceryle lugubris

Megaceryle lugubris

Megaceryle lugubris，Crested Kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：Conspicuously crested

Crested Kingfisher (Megaceryle lugubris, Crested Kingfisher) has three subspecies (1. The common subspecies of crested fish dog, Megaceryle lugubris guttulata. 2. Megaceryle lugubris pallida, a subspecies of Hokkaido dog. 3. Crested fish dog named subspecies Megaceryle lugubris lugubris.) .Crested f...

Megaceryle maxima

Megaceryle maxima

Megaceryle maxima，Giant Kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：It is the largest kingfisher in Africa

Megaceryle maxima, the foreign name Giant Kingfisher, has two subspecies, one is the named subspecies (M. m. maxima), distributed in the open country, and the other is the rainforest subspecies (M. m. gigantea), distributed in the rain forest. The varieties in the rainforest zone are slightly darker...

Syma megarhyncha

Syma megarhyncha

Syma megarhyncha，Mountain Kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：It is similar to yellow-billed jade, but larger in size

Syma megarhyncha, Mountain Kingfisher, has three subspecies (1.Syma megarhyncha wellsiwdg is found in western New Guinea. 2.Syma megarhyncha sellamontis is found in the Onn Peninsula of northeastern New Guinea. 3.Syma megarhyncha is found in southeastern New Guinea.) .They fly low, usually below 500...

Syma torotoro

Syma torotoro

Syma torotoro，Yellow-billed Kingfisher

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Syma torotoro, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, has three subspecies (1.Syma torotoro torotoro is found in New Guinea, Papua and Aru Islands). 2.Syma torotoro ochracea is found on the island of Dontelcastor and the Yorke Peninsula. 3.Syma torotoro flavirostris is found in Australia.) .Yellow-billed jadeite...

Email: jsset#163.com (change # to @) Please indicate your purpose of visit!
Guangdong ICP No. 2022053326 XML| map| Chinese