Birds Found in the Tropical Grassland Biome

Tropical grasslands, also known as savannas, are found mainly in Africa, Australia and South America. These habitats experience a long dry season followed by a moderately wet season with rapid vegetation growth providing food to many of its dwellers. Birds found within the tropical grassland biome have adapted to the land's hot dry climate.

  1. Ostrich (Struthio camelos)

    • Ostrich

      Ostriches are flightless birds standing up to nine feet tall and are the largest species of birds in the world. Ostriches are native to the African grasslands and savannas. With long strong legs and only two toes on each foot, the ostrich can run at a speed of up to 45 miles per hour for a duration of 30 minutes. They have keen eyesight and never sleep for longer than 15 minutes at a time. Other mammals keep close to ostrich herds, using them as an early alarm system for predators.

    Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

    • Emu

      The emu is the Australian equivalent of an ostrich. Emus stand six to seven feet tall and are the largest native birds of Australia. They can run up to 30 miles per hour with strong thick legs and three toes on each foot. These birds travel in flocks seeking berries and seeds -- often destroying crops in the process. This protected bird species experienced a rapid population decline in the mid-1900s due to extermination campaigns led by farmers and others.

    Crowned Crane (Balearic regulorum)

    • Crowned crane

      The crowned crane stands at three feet tall and is found in Africa's savanna regions. It is named after the gold-colored crowns or crests on its head. This species likes to travel with large mammals. As the large mammals move through the land, the crowned crane feasts on the insects that surface from the ground. Unlike most crane types, the crowned crane does not migrate.

    Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius)

    • Secretary Bird

      Secretary birds have long crests on their heads, resembling quills. Secretary birds spend most of their time on the ground stomping on snakes, lizards and small mammals before killing them for consumption. They stand five feet tall with a wingspan of about six feet. Their large wings act as a defense, blocking snake retaliation efforts while they stomp on them.