Crocodilians and Birds
KNOWN SPECIES
crocodilians: 27
birds: 10,906
0.46% of our world's living things are crocodilians and birds
CHARACTERISTICS
- animals with a backbone (vertebrates)
- crocodilians have elongated heads with long jaws and bodies covered with hard plates
- birds have hard beaks and bodies covered with feathers
SIZE RANGE
- crocodilians, 3.9 feet to 20.7 feet (1.2 meters to 6.3 meters)
- birds, less than 2.4 inches to 8.2 feet (less than 6 centimeters to 2.5 meters)
WHERE THEY LIVE
on land, and in oceans and fresh water
Here are just SOME of the world’s crocodilians and birds:
![Sticker about size](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_size_sticker/5943351-2-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_size_sticker_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_size_sticker/5943351-2-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_size_sticker_full_990.png 600w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_size_sticker/5943351-2-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_size_sticker_full_1468.png 600w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_size_sticker/5943351-2-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_size_sticker_full_1980.png 600w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_size_sticker/5943351-2-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_size_sticker_full_2475.png 600w)
Morelet's crocodile
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Crocodylus moreletii
![Large reptile curled up](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_morelets_crocodile/5942487-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_morelets_crocodile_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_morelets_crocodile/5942487-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_morelets_crocodile_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_morelets_crocodile/5942487-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_morelets_crocodile_full_1468.png 1030w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_morelets_crocodile/5942487-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_morelets_crocodile_full_1980.png 1030w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_morelets_crocodile/5942487-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_morelets_crocodile_full_2475.png 1030w)
Schneider's dwarf caiman
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Paleosuchus trigonatus
![Small reptile with mouth full of sharp teeth](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_schneiders_dwarf_caiman/5942491-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_schneiders_dwarf_caiman_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_schneiders_dwarf_caiman/5942491-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_schneiders_dwarf_caiman_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_schneiders_dwarf_caiman/5942491-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_schneiders_dwarf_caiman_full_1468.png 1030w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_schneiders_dwarf_caiman/5942491-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_schneiders_dwarf_caiman_full_1980.png 1030w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_schneiders_dwarf_caiman/5942491-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_schneiders_dwarf_caiman_full_2475.png 1030w)
Emu
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Dromaius novaehollandiae
![Tall flightless bird with long speckled feathers](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_emu/5942479-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_emu_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_emu/5942479-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_emu_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_emu/5942479-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_emu_full_1468.png 1030w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_emu/5942479-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_emu_full_1980.png 1030w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_emu/5942479-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_emu_full_2475.png 1030w)
American Robin
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Turdus migratorius
![Grey bird with orange chest](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_american_robin/5942467-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_american_robin_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_american_robin/5942467-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_american_robin_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_american_robin/5942467-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_american_robin_full_1468.png 1030w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_american_robin/5942467-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_american_robin_full_1980.png 1030w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_american_robin/5942467-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_american_robin_full_2475.png 1030w)
Greater Bird of Paradise
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Paradisaea apoda
![Pink bird with long feathers flying](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_greater_bird_of_paradise/5942483-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_greater_bird_of_paradise_full_495.png 425w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_greater_bird_of_paradise/5942483-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_greater_bird_of_paradise_full_990.png 849w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_greater_bird_of_paradise/5942483-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_greater_bird_of_paradise_full_1468.png 1030w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_greater_bird_of_paradise/5942483-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_greater_bird_of_paradise_full_1980.png 1030w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_greater_bird_of_paradise/5942483-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_greater_bird_of_paradise_full_2475.png 1030w)
American crocodile
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Crocodylus acutus
![Big reptile with mouth full of sharp teeth](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_american_crocodile/5942463-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_american_crocodile_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_american_crocodile/5942463-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_american_crocodile_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_american_crocodile/5942463-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_american_crocodile_full_1468.png 1030w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_american_crocodile/5942463-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_american_crocodile_full_1980.png 1030w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_american_crocodile/5942463-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_american_crocodile_full_2475.png 1030w)
Snowy Owl
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Bubo scandiacus
![White bird with black spots flying](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_snowy_owl/5942471-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_snowy_owl_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_snowy_owl/5942471-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_snowy_owl_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_snowy_owl/5942471-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_snowy_owl_full_1468.png 1441w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_snowy_owl/5942471-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_snowy_owl_full_1980.png 1441w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_snowy_owl/5942471-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_snowy_owl_full_2475.png 1441w)
Whooping Crane
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Grus americana
![Slender black and white bird with wings spread](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_whooping_crane/5942495-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_whooping_crane_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_whooping_crane/5942495-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_whooping_crane_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_whooping_crane/5942495-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_whooping_crane_full_1468.png 1030w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_whooping_crane/5942495-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_whooping_crane_full_1980.png 1030w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_whooping_crane/5942495-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_whooping_crane_full_2475.png 1030w)
California Condor
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Gymnogyps californianus
![bald-head bird with black and white wings flying](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_california_condor/5942475-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_california_condor_full_495.png 486w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_california_condor/5942475-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_california_condor_full_990.png 971w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_california_condor/5942475-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_california_condor_full_1468.png 1030w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_california_condor/5942475-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_california_condor_full_1980.png 1030w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/birds--crocodilians/crocodilians_birds_california_condor/5942475-1-eng-US/crocodilians_birds_california_condor_full_2475.png 1030w)
Guess what?
Crocodilians and birds have a muscular part of their stomachs called a gizzard; they use this for grinding up food once they have eaten it.
Image Credits:
American crocodile, Gerald and Buff Corsi/© California Academy of Sciences; American Robin, Tom Koerner, USFWS; California Condor, Snowmanradio, USFWS; Emu, Larry Rana, USDA; Greater Bird of Paradise, © AMNH; Morelet's crocodile, Schneider's dwarf caiman, John White/© California Academy of Sciences; Snowy Owl, © NaturesPhotoAdventures/CC BY-SA 3.0; Whooping Crane, © Gary Leavens/CC BY-SA 2.0.