Illustration representing Birds (Aves)
Class

Aves

Birds

10159 species in this taxon

class of vertebrates characterized by wings, a feather-covered body and a beak Birds (Aves) is a class of organisms united by key anatomical and physiological traits. It contains 42 orders with 10,159 known species. Key order groups include Hawks & Eagles, Anseriformes, Apodiformes, Apterygiformes, Bucerotiformes, and Caprimulgiformes. Among its members, 1,302 species are currently classified as threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable). Well-known representatives include American Bald Eagle, and Emperor Penguin. It belongs to Chordates (Chordata).

Child Taxa

Hawks & Eagles
Order
Accipitriformes
Hawks & Eagles
247 species
Anseriformes
Order
Anseriformes
Anseriformes
156 species
Apodiformes
Order
Apodiformes
Apodiformes
440 species
Apterygiformes
Order
Apterygiformes
Apterygiformes
5 species
Bucerotiformes
Order
Bucerotiformes
Bucerotiformes
72 species
Caprimulgiformes
Order
Caprimulgiformes
Caprimulgiformes
115 species
Cariamiformes
Order
Cariamiformes
Cariamiformes
2 species
Casuariiformes
Order
Casuariiformes
Casuariiformes
4 species
Charadriiformes
Order
Charadriiformes
Charadriiformes
390 species
Ciconiiformes
Order
Ciconiiformes
Ciconiiformes
18 species
Coliiformes
Order
Coliiformes
Coliiformes
6 species
Pigeons & Doves
Order
Columbiformes
Pigeons & Doves
327 species
Coraciiformes
Order
Coraciiformes
Coraciiformes
179 species
Cuculiformes
Order
Cuculiformes
Cuculiformes
121 species
Eurypygiformes
Order
Eurypygiformes
Eurypygiformes
2 species
Falconiformes
Order
Falconiformes
Falconiformes
65 species
Galliformes
Order
Galliformes
Galliformes
289 species
Gaviiformes
Order
Gaviiformes
Gaviiformes
5 species
Gruiformes
Order
Gruiformes
Gruiformes
160 species
Leptosomiformes
Order
Leptosomiformes
Leptosomiformes
1 species
Mesitornithiformes
Order
Mesitornithiformes
Mesitornithiformes
3 species
Musophagiformes
Order
Musophagiformes
Musophagiformes
23 species
Nyctibiiformes
Order
Nyctibiiformes
Nyctibiiformes
7 species
Opisthocomiformes
Order
Opisthocomiformes
Opisthocomiformes
1 species
Otidiformes
Order
Otidiformes
Otidiformes
27 species
Songbirds
Order
Passeriformes
Songbirds
5997 species
Pelecaniformes
Order
Pelecaniformes
Pelecaniformes
111 species
Phaethontiformes
Order
Phaethontiformes
Phaethontiformes
3 species
Flamingos
Order
Phoenicopteriformes
Flamingos
6 species
Piciformes
Order
Piciformes
Piciformes
439 species
Podicipediformes
Order
Podicipediformes
Podicipediformes
22 species
Procellariiformes
Order
Procellariiformes
Procellariiformes
134 species
Parrots
Order
Psittaciformes
Parrots
354 species
O
Order
Pteroclidiformes
16 species
Rheiformes
Order
Rheiformes
Rheiformes
2 species
Penguins
Order
Sphenisciformes
Penguins
18 species
Steatornithiformes
Order
Steatornithiformes
Steatornithiformes
1 species
Owls
Order
Strigiformes
Owls
238 species
O
Order
Struthioniformes
Struthioniformes
2 species
Suliformes
Order
Suliformes
Suliformes
63 species
Tinamiformes
Order
Tinamiformes
Tinamiformes
47 species
Trogoniformes
Order
Trogoniformes
Trogoniformes
41 species