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Bird Classification

Bird classification is the systematic categorization of birds based on their evolutionary relationships, morphological characteristics, and genetic data. Birds belong to the class Aves, a group known for its unique adaptations such as feathers, beaks, and high metabolic rates. The class Aves is divided into numerous orders, families, genera, and species, reflecting the vast diversity and complexity of bird life on Earth.

Birds are classified under the class Aves.
Classification is based on evolutionary history, morphology, and genetics.
The class Aves includes all modern birds and is divided into multiple orders.

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File:Evolution of dinosaurs EN.svg - Simple English Wikipedia, the ...

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Arnold Arboretum, 18 May 2010: Red-tailed hawk gliding up … | Flickr

Arnold Arboretum, 18 May 2010: Red-tailed hawk gliding up … | Flickr

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File:Classification Tree widget in Orange 3.0.PNG - Wikimedia Commons

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File:Evolution of dinosaurs EN.svg - Simple English Wikipedia, the ...

File:Evolution of dinosaurs EN.svg - Simple English Wikipedia, the ...

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Cardinalis cardinalis (northern cardinals) 15 | "Not Speakin… | Flickr

Cardinalis cardinalis (northern cardinals) 15 | "Not Speakin… | Flickr

Cerion watlingense land snail on tree trunk (near the west… | Flickr

Cerion watlingense land snail on tree trunk (near the west… | Flickr

Cerion watlingense land snails on tree trunk (near the wes… | Flickr

Cerion watlingense land snails on tree trunk (near the wes… | Flickr

The Sunbittern | SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias) Classification… | Flickr

The Sunbittern | SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias) Classification… | Flickr

File:Avesnieuw.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

File:Avesnieuw.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

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File:Fossil of small flying dinosaur (39146591831).jpg - Wikimedia ...

File:Fossil of small flying dinosaur (39146591831).jpg - Wikimedia ...

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Oxydactylus longipes fossil camel (Loup Fork Formation, Lo… | Flickr

Oxydactylus longipes fossil camel (Loup Fork Formation, Lo… | Flickr

File:Archaeopteryx fossil, Treasures Exhibition, Natural History ...

File:Archaeopteryx fossil, Treasures Exhibition, Natural History ...

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File:Mesenosaurus romeri skeleton.JPG - Wikipedia

File:Mesenosaurus romeri skeleton.JPG - Wikipedia

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DSCN3773 | Chicago. Field Museum. Replica Archaeopteryx foss… | Flickr

DSCN3773 | Chicago. Field Museum. Replica Archaeopteryx foss… | Flickr

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (Berlin specimen).jpg - Wikipedia

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (Berlin specimen).jpg - Wikipedia

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File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen ...

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen ...

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Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen Limes… | Flickr

Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen Limes… | Flickr

Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen Limes… | Flickr

Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen Limes… | Flickr

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (Berlin specimen).jpg - Wikipedia

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (Berlin specimen).jpg - Wikipedia

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File:Theropoda Diversity.png - Wikimedia Commons

File:Theropoda Diversity.png - Wikimedia Commons

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File:Bird species at Kidepo National park.png - Wikimedia Commons

File:Bird species at Kidepo National park.png - Wikimedia Commons

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Wading Birds | More than 3,000 species of wildlife occur on … | Flickr

Wading Birds | More than 3,000 species of wildlife occur on … | Flickr

Saddle-billed stalk (Ephippiorhynchus Senegalensis), Zambi… | Flickr

Saddle-billed stalk (Ephippiorhynchus Senegalensis), Zambi… | Flickr

Pensthorpe Park - Mill Pond - Mandarin duck | This is Pensth… | Flickr

Pensthorpe Park - Mill Pond - Mandarin duck | This is Pensth… | Flickr

Pensthorpe Park - Goose | This is Pensthorpe near Fakenham. … | Flickr

Pensthorpe Park - Goose | This is Pensthorpe near Fakenham. … | Flickr

File:Some Birds of North Africa.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

File:Some Birds of North Africa.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

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File:Figure 18 02 05.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

File:Figure 18 02 05.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

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Jackdaw eggs | Birds of different species lay eggs of a dive… | Flickr

Jackdaw eggs | Birds of different species lay eggs of a dive… | Flickr

File:Snakes Diversity.jpg - Wikipedia

File:Snakes Diversity.jpg - Wikipedia

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List of birds of Chile - Wikipedia

List of birds of Chile - Wikipedia

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Meeting with heads of international news agencies • President of ...

Meeting with heads of international news agencies • President of ...

www.en.kremlin.ru

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

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Meeting with representatives of the aviation industry • President ...

Meeting with representatives of the aviation industry • President ...

Meeting with participants in Ecosystem: Protected Territory ...

Meeting with participants in Ecosystem: Protected Territory ...

The Hicks Quintuplets: Major Milestones | UMHealthSystem | Flickr

The Hicks Quintuplets: Major Milestones | UMHealthSystem | Flickr

File:Phylogenetic relationships and vocal pathways in avian vocal ...

File:Phylogenetic relationships and vocal pathways in avian vocal ...

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Giotto, St. Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata, c. 1… | Flickr

Giotto, St. Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata, c. 1… | Flickr

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

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File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

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Source Material

Author: Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Document: Bird Classification - Cornell Lab

Date Published: 2024

Evolutionary History

When did birds (class Aves) first appear, and from which group of dinosaurs did they evolve?

65 million years ago

Sauropod dinosaurs

Theropod dinosaurs

Around 150 million years ago

Birds first appeared about 150 million years ago and evolved from theropod dinosaurs.

Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs during the Mesozoic Era, with the earliest known bird-like fossil, Archaeopteryx, dating back about 150 million years. This evolutionary connection is supported by both fossil evidence and modern genetic studies.

Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs.
The earliest bird-like fossils appeared around 150 million years ago.
Archaeopteryx is a key transitional fossil.

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File:Evolution of dinosaurs EN.svg - Simple English Wikipedia, the ...

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File:Evolution of dinosaurs EN.svg - Wikimedia Commons

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Arnold Arboretum, 18 May 2010: Red-tailed hawk gliding up … | Flickr

Arnold Arboretum, 18 May 2010: Red-tailed hawk gliding up … | Flickr

File:Classification Tree widget in Orange 3.0.PNG - Wikimedia Commons

File:Classification Tree widget in Orange 3.0.PNG - Wikimedia Commons

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File:Evolution of dinosaurs EN.svg - Simple English Wikipedia, the ...

File:Evolution of dinosaurs EN.svg - Simple English Wikipedia, the ...

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Cardinalis cardinalis (northern cardinals) 15 | "Not Speakin… | Flickr

Cardinalis cardinalis (northern cardinals) 15 | "Not Speakin… | Flickr

Cerion watlingense land snail on tree trunk (near the west… | Flickr

Cerion watlingense land snail on tree trunk (near the west… | Flickr

Cerion watlingense land snails on tree trunk (near the wes… | Flickr

Cerion watlingense land snails on tree trunk (near the wes… | Flickr

The Sunbittern | SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias) Classification… | Flickr

The Sunbittern | SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias) Classification… | Flickr

File:Avesnieuw.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

File:Avesnieuw.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

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File:Fossil of small flying dinosaur (39146591831).jpg - Wikimedia ...

File:Fossil of small flying dinosaur (39146591831).jpg - Wikimedia ...

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Oxydactylus longipes fossil camel (Loup Fork Formation, Lo… | Flickr

Oxydactylus longipes fossil camel (Loup Fork Formation, Lo… | Flickr

File:Archaeopteryx fossil, Treasures Exhibition, Natural History ...

File:Archaeopteryx fossil, Treasures Exhibition, Natural History ...

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File:Mesenosaurus romeri skeleton.JPG - Wikipedia

File:Mesenosaurus romeri skeleton.JPG - Wikipedia

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DSCN3773 | Chicago. Field Museum. Replica Archaeopteryx foss… | Flickr

DSCN3773 | Chicago. Field Museum. Replica Archaeopteryx foss… | Flickr

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (Berlin specimen).jpg - Wikipedia

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (Berlin specimen).jpg - Wikipedia

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File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen ...

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen ...

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Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen Limes… | Flickr

Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen Limes… | Flickr

Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen Limes… | Flickr

Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen Limes… | Flickr

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (Berlin specimen).jpg - Wikipedia

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (Berlin specimen).jpg - Wikipedia

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File:Theropoda Diversity.png - Wikimedia Commons

File:Theropoda Diversity.png - Wikimedia Commons

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File:Bird species at Kidepo National park.png - Wikimedia Commons

File:Bird species at Kidepo National park.png - Wikimedia Commons

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Wading Birds | More than 3,000 species of wildlife occur on … | Flickr

Wading Birds | More than 3,000 species of wildlife occur on … | Flickr

Saddle-billed stalk (Ephippiorhynchus Senegalensis), Zambi… | Flickr

Saddle-billed stalk (Ephippiorhynchus Senegalensis), Zambi… | Flickr

Pensthorpe Park - Mill Pond - Mandarin duck | This is Pensth… | Flickr

Pensthorpe Park - Mill Pond - Mandarin duck | This is Pensth… | Flickr

Pensthorpe Park - Goose | This is Pensthorpe near Fakenham. … | Flickr

Pensthorpe Park - Goose | This is Pensthorpe near Fakenham. … | Flickr

File:Some Birds of North Africa.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

File:Some Birds of North Africa.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

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File:Figure 18 02 05.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

File:Figure 18 02 05.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

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Jackdaw eggs | Birds of different species lay eggs of a dive… | Flickr

Jackdaw eggs | Birds of different species lay eggs of a dive… | Flickr

File:Snakes Diversity.jpg - Wikipedia

File:Snakes Diversity.jpg - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

List of birds of Chile - Wikipedia

List of birds of Chile - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Meeting with heads of international news agencies • President of ...

Meeting with heads of international news agencies • President of ...

www.en.kremlin.ru

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

commons.wikimedia.org

Meeting with representatives of the aviation industry • President ...

Meeting with representatives of the aviation industry • President ...

Meeting with participants in Ecosystem: Protected Territory ...

Meeting with participants in Ecosystem: Protected Territory ...

The Hicks Quintuplets: Major Milestones | UMHealthSystem | Flickr

The Hicks Quintuplets: Major Milestones | UMHealthSystem | Flickr

File:Phylogenetic relationships and vocal pathways in avian vocal ...

File:Phylogenetic relationships and vocal pathways in avian vocal ...

commons.wikimedia.org

Giotto, St. Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata, c. 1… | Flickr

Giotto, St. Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata, c. 1… | Flickr

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

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File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

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Source Material

Author: American Museum of Natural History

Document: Evolution of Birds

Date Published: 2023

Bird Diversity

Approximately how many bird species are currently recognized worldwide?

About 1,000 species

About 10,000 species

About 100,000 species

There are approximately 10,000 recognized bird species worldwide.

There are about 10,000 recognized bird species, ranging from tiny hummingbirds to large ostriches. This diversity is reflected in their wide range of forms, behaviors, and ecological roles, from insect pollinators to apex predators.

About 10,000 bird species are recognized.
Species range from tiny hummingbirds to large ostriches.
Birds occupy nearly every habitat on Earth.

File:Evolution of dinosaurs EN.svg - Simple English Wikipedia, the ...

File:Evolution of dinosaurs EN.svg - Simple English Wikipedia, the ...

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File:Evolution of dinosaurs EN.svg - Wikimedia Commons

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Arnold Arboretum, 18 May 2010: Red-tailed hawk gliding up … | Flickr

Arnold Arboretum, 18 May 2010: Red-tailed hawk gliding up … | Flickr

File:Classification Tree widget in Orange 3.0.PNG - Wikimedia Commons

File:Classification Tree widget in Orange 3.0.PNG - Wikimedia Commons

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File:Evolution of dinosaurs EN.svg - Simple English Wikipedia, the ...

File:Evolution of dinosaurs EN.svg - Simple English Wikipedia, the ...

simple.m.wikipedia.org

Cardinalis cardinalis (northern cardinals) 15 | "Not Speakin… | Flickr

Cardinalis cardinalis (northern cardinals) 15 | "Not Speakin… | Flickr

Cerion watlingense land snail on tree trunk (near the west… | Flickr

Cerion watlingense land snail on tree trunk (near the west… | Flickr

Cerion watlingense land snails on tree trunk (near the wes… | Flickr

Cerion watlingense land snails on tree trunk (near the wes… | Flickr

The Sunbittern | SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias) Classification… | Flickr

The Sunbittern | SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias) Classification… | Flickr

File:Avesnieuw.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

File:Avesnieuw.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

File:Fossil of small flying dinosaur (39146591831).jpg - Wikimedia ...

File:Fossil of small flying dinosaur (39146591831).jpg - Wikimedia ...

commons.wikimedia.org

Oxydactylus longipes fossil camel (Loup Fork Formation, Lo… | Flickr

Oxydactylus longipes fossil camel (Loup Fork Formation, Lo… | Flickr

File:Archaeopteryx fossil, Treasures Exhibition, Natural History ...

File:Archaeopteryx fossil, Treasures Exhibition, Natural History ...

commons.wikimedia.org

File:Mesenosaurus romeri skeleton.JPG - Wikipedia

File:Mesenosaurus romeri skeleton.JPG - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

DSCN3773 | Chicago. Field Museum. Replica Archaeopteryx foss… | Flickr

DSCN3773 | Chicago. Field Museum. Replica Archaeopteryx foss… | Flickr

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (Berlin specimen).jpg - Wikipedia

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (Berlin specimen).jpg - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen ...

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen ...

commons.wikimedia.org

Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen Limes… | Flickr

Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen Limes… | Flickr

Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen Limes… | Flickr

Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen Limes… | Flickr

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (Berlin specimen).jpg - Wikipedia

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (Berlin specimen).jpg - Wikipedia

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File:Theropoda Diversity.png - Wikimedia Commons

File:Theropoda Diversity.png - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

File:Bird species at Kidepo National park.png - Wikimedia Commons

File:Bird species at Kidepo National park.png - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

Wading Birds | More than 3,000 species of wildlife occur on … | Flickr

Wading Birds | More than 3,000 species of wildlife occur on … | Flickr

Saddle-billed stalk (Ephippiorhynchus Senegalensis), Zambi… | Flickr

Saddle-billed stalk (Ephippiorhynchus Senegalensis), Zambi… | Flickr

Pensthorpe Park - Mill Pond - Mandarin duck | This is Pensth… | Flickr

Pensthorpe Park - Mill Pond - Mandarin duck | This is Pensth… | Flickr

Pensthorpe Park - Goose | This is Pensthorpe near Fakenham. … | Flickr

Pensthorpe Park - Goose | This is Pensthorpe near Fakenham. … | Flickr

File:Some Birds of North Africa.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

File:Some Birds of North Africa.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

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File:Figure 18 02 05.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

File:Figure 18 02 05.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

Jackdaw eggs | Birds of different species lay eggs of a dive… | Flickr

Jackdaw eggs | Birds of different species lay eggs of a dive… | Flickr

File:Snakes Diversity.jpg - Wikipedia

File:Snakes Diversity.jpg - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

List of birds of Chile - Wikipedia

List of birds of Chile - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Meeting with heads of international news agencies • President of ...

Meeting with heads of international news agencies • President of ...

www.en.kremlin.ru

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

commons.wikimedia.org

Meeting with representatives of the aviation industry • President ...

Meeting with representatives of the aviation industry • President ...

Meeting with participants in Ecosystem: Protected Territory ...

Meeting with participants in Ecosystem: Protected Territory ...

The Hicks Quintuplets: Major Milestones | UMHealthSystem | Flickr

The Hicks Quintuplets: Major Milestones | UMHealthSystem | Flickr

File:Phylogenetic relationships and vocal pathways in avian vocal ...

File:Phylogenetic relationships and vocal pathways in avian vocal ...

commons.wikimedia.org

Giotto, St. Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata, c. 1… | Flickr

Giotto, St. Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata, c. 1… | Flickr

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

commons.wikimedia.org

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

commons.wikimedia.org

Source Material

Author: RSPB

Document: Bird Diversity

Date Published: 2024

Overview of Orders

Which of the following are major bird orders?

Lepidoptera

Mollusca

Accipitriformes

Anseriformes

Passeriformes

Major bird orders include Passeriformes, Accipitriformes, and Anseriformes.

Birds are classified into about 30 orders, each representing a major evolutionary lineage. Examples include Passeriformes (perching birds), Accipitriformes (hawks, eagles), and Anseriformes (ducks, geese).

Around 30 bird orders exist.
Each order groups species with shared traits and ancestry.
Examples: Passeriformes (songbirds), Accipitriformes (birds of prey), Anseriformes (waterfowl).

File:Evolution of dinosaurs EN.svg - Simple English Wikipedia, the ...

File:Evolution of dinosaurs EN.svg - Simple English Wikipedia, the ...

simple.m.wikipedia.org

File:Evolution of dinosaurs EN.svg - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

Arnold Arboretum, 18 May 2010: Red-tailed hawk gliding up … | Flickr

Arnold Arboretum, 18 May 2010: Red-tailed hawk gliding up … | Flickr

File:Classification Tree widget in Orange 3.0.PNG - Wikimedia Commons

File:Classification Tree widget in Orange 3.0.PNG - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

File:Evolution of dinosaurs EN.svg - Simple English Wikipedia, the ...

File:Evolution of dinosaurs EN.svg - Simple English Wikipedia, the ...

simple.m.wikipedia.org

Cardinalis cardinalis (northern cardinals) 15 | "Not Speakin… | Flickr

Cardinalis cardinalis (northern cardinals) 15 | "Not Speakin… | Flickr

Cerion watlingense land snail on tree trunk (near the west… | Flickr

Cerion watlingense land snail on tree trunk (near the west… | Flickr

Cerion watlingense land snails on tree trunk (near the wes… | Flickr

Cerion watlingense land snails on tree trunk (near the wes… | Flickr

The Sunbittern | SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias) Classification… | Flickr

The Sunbittern | SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias) Classification… | Flickr

File:Avesnieuw.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

File:Avesnieuw.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

File:Fossil of small flying dinosaur (39146591831).jpg - Wikimedia ...

File:Fossil of small flying dinosaur (39146591831).jpg - Wikimedia ...

commons.wikimedia.org

Oxydactylus longipes fossil camel (Loup Fork Formation, Lo… | Flickr

Oxydactylus longipes fossil camel (Loup Fork Formation, Lo… | Flickr

File:Archaeopteryx fossil, Treasures Exhibition, Natural History ...

File:Archaeopteryx fossil, Treasures Exhibition, Natural History ...

commons.wikimedia.org

File:Mesenosaurus romeri skeleton.JPG - Wikipedia

File:Mesenosaurus romeri skeleton.JPG - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

DSCN3773 | Chicago. Field Museum. Replica Archaeopteryx foss… | Flickr

DSCN3773 | Chicago. Field Museum. Replica Archaeopteryx foss… | Flickr

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (Berlin specimen).jpg - Wikipedia

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (Berlin specimen).jpg - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen ...

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen ...

commons.wikimedia.org

Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen Limes… | Flickr

Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen Limes… | Flickr

Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen Limes… | Flickr

Archaeopteryx lithographica (fossil bird) (Solnhofen Limes… | Flickr

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (Berlin specimen).jpg - Wikipedia

File:Archaeopteryx lithographica (Berlin specimen).jpg - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

File:Theropoda Diversity.png - Wikimedia Commons

File:Theropoda Diversity.png - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

File:Bird species at Kidepo National park.png - Wikimedia Commons

File:Bird species at Kidepo National park.png - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

Wading Birds | More than 3,000 species of wildlife occur on … | Flickr

Wading Birds | More than 3,000 species of wildlife occur on … | Flickr

Saddle-billed stalk (Ephippiorhynchus Senegalensis), Zambi… | Flickr

Saddle-billed stalk (Ephippiorhynchus Senegalensis), Zambi… | Flickr

Pensthorpe Park - Mill Pond - Mandarin duck | This is Pensth… | Flickr

Pensthorpe Park - Mill Pond - Mandarin duck | This is Pensth… | Flickr

Pensthorpe Park - Goose | This is Pensthorpe near Fakenham. … | Flickr

Pensthorpe Park - Goose | This is Pensthorpe near Fakenham. … | Flickr

File:Some Birds of North Africa.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

File:Some Birds of North Africa.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

File:Figure 18 02 05.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

File:Figure 18 02 05.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

Jackdaw eggs | Birds of different species lay eggs of a dive… | Flickr

Jackdaw eggs | Birds of different species lay eggs of a dive… | Flickr

File:Snakes Diversity.jpg - Wikipedia

File:Snakes Diversity.jpg - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

List of birds of Chile - Wikipedia

List of birds of Chile - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Meeting with heads of international news agencies • President of ...

Meeting with heads of international news agencies • President of ...

www.en.kremlin.ru

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

commons.wikimedia.org

Meeting with representatives of the aviation industry • President ...

Meeting with representatives of the aviation industry • President ...

Meeting with participants in Ecosystem: Protected Territory ...

Meeting with participants in Ecosystem: Protected Territory ...

The Hicks Quintuplets: Major Milestones | UMHealthSystem | Flickr

The Hicks Quintuplets: Major Milestones | UMHealthSystem | Flickr

File:Phylogenetic relationships and vocal pathways in avian vocal ...

File:Phylogenetic relationships and vocal pathways in avian vocal ...

commons.wikimedia.org

Giotto, St. Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata, c. 1… | Flickr

Giotto, St. Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata, c. 1… | Flickr

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

commons.wikimedia.org

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

File:Six landbirds of the order Picae. Line engraving by T. Milto ...

commons.wikimedia.org

Source Material

Author: Encyclopaedia Britannica

Document: Bird Orders

Date Published: 2024

Conclusion

Bird classification reveals the incredible diversity and evolutionary history of Aves, linking modern birds to their dinosaur ancestors and organizing them into meaningful groups based on shared traits.

Birds are classified in the class Aves, with about 10,000 species worldwide.
Their evolutionary roots trace back to theropod dinosaurs, with fossil evidence like Archaeopteryx.
Modern birds are divided into around 30 orders, reflecting their diverse forms and lifestyles.
How does the fossil Archaeopteryx bridge the gap between dinosaurs and modern birds?
Compare the key characteristics that define the class Aves with those of their closest reptilian ancestors.
Why is it important for scientists to classify birds into different orders? How does this help in understanding bird biology and evolution?