Types of Birds

Birds are generally recognized as the feathered, flying members of the animal kingdom, situated in the class Aves.

The world's ten thousand bird species typically get organized into approximately thirty different orders.

Approximately nine hundred year round and migratory bird species live in the United States. They generally fits into eighteen different bird orders.

• Loons (Order Gaviiformes)
• Grebes (Order Podicipediformes)
• Albatross, Sharwaters, Strom Petrels (Order Procellariiformes)
• Pelicans and Cormorants (Order Pelecaniformes)
• Herons (Order Ciconiiformes)
• Ducks, Geese, Swans (Order Anseriformes)
• Eagles, Falcons, Hawks, Vultures (Order Falconiformes)
• Chachalaca Grouse, Turkey, Quail (Order Galliformes)
• Rails (Order Gruiformes)
• Shorebirds such as Plovers, Sandpipers, Gulls and Terns (Order Charadriiformes)
• Cuckoos, Roadrunners Order: Cuculiformes
• Nighthawks Order Caprimulgiformes
• Doves and Pigeons (Order Columbiformes)
• Owls (Order Strigiformes)
• Swifts, Hummingbirds (Order Apodiformes)
• Kingflisher (Order Coraciiformes)
• Woodpeckers (Order Piciformes)
• Everything else (Order Passeriformes)

Almost one-half of North American species fit into the Passeriformes order, the perching birds. Passerines (sparrows, finches, cardinals, jays, crows, warblers and more), as they are collectively known, are the most common birds seen in residential areas and backyard feeders.

With the exception of Loons, Albatross and Nighthawks, the links in the box on the right point to pictorial essays covering all the different types of birds found in the United States. The pictures of birds link leads to a complete list of about 150 different birds.

All but a few pictures were taken in natural settings. The article, Bird Photography Tips is offered for people interested in learning more about the subject.

School students and teachers may use any pictures for a school project as long the picture is accompanied by the copyright label.

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