there are approximately 11,850 different species of birds in the world as of October 9, 2023. This includes both extant and extinct species.
Here are a few prehistoric birds that are not included in the above count:
**Archaeopteryx: This bird-like dinosaur lived approximately 150 million years ago during the Jurassic period. It is considered to be a transitional fossil between dinosaurs and birds.
**Hesperornis: This flightless diving bird lived approximately 75 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. It had a long, slender beak and webbed feet.
**Ichthyornis: This seabird lived approximately 95 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. It had a long, slender beak and a long tail.
**Pteranodon: This flying reptile lived approximately 70 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. It was not a true bird, but it is often included in discussions of prehistoric birds.
If we include these and other prehistoric birds, the total number of different types of birds is much higher than 11,850. However, it is difficult to say exactly how many prehistoric bird species there were, as many fossils have yet to be discovered.
It is also important to note that the number of bird species is constantly changing, as new species are discovered and others go extinct. For example, the Takahē, a flightless bird from New Zealand, was once thought to be extinct, but it was rediscovered in 1948. Since then, the Takahē population has been carefully managed, and the species is now considered to be endangered but recovering.