Over 27 orders have been named, they range from the 1.8 gram bee hummingbird to the 300 pound Ostrich. Colors range from the brightest orange to the deepest blues. Some species might resemble each other from parallel evolution and some might be found on two continents, but as a whole they are fairly unique to their own region.

Most people think of deserts when asked about Africa, but the continent also has its fair share of tropical savannas and tropical dry forests. Many continents have the same types of habitats as other continents. For example, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia all have tropical rain forests, tropical dry forests, tropical savannas and deserts. Yes, South America even has deserts, such as the Atacama Dsert in northern Chile.

Below are some of birds found around the world. Keep in mind that many birds live in two continents during different times of the year and some are found in several continents, so they are counted twice. There are roughly 10,000 species of birds found world wide.

South America has the most species of any continent with 30% of the world's bird species found there. That's roughly 3,000 species. Charismatic species such as Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Chilean Flamingos, Toco Toucans and Blue-headed Macaws attract birders from all over the world to this region. Even their vultures have adorned heads, such as the King Vulture. The bird order Tinamiformes amd Rheiformes are only found in the Southern Central America & South America (neotropics). Lesser known birds such as Potoos, Oilbirds, Curassows, Antbirds, Tapaculos, and Motmots are also native only this region. One of the key reasons why South America has the most bird species is that it has the largest patch of tropical rain forest in the world. In addition to tropical rain forets, South America also have tropical dry forests, tropical savannas, deserts, temperate woodland & shrublands, temperate grassland and forests. So many habitats adds to the species richness on this continent.

Asia has around 20% of the world's bird species, with 2,000 species. This area is home to magnificent Great Hornbills and Rhinoceros Hornbills; these birds have wingspans of 60 inches and long decurved bills. Tree Swifts are found only in Southern Asia. The chicken, which is the most economic important bird in the world originated here. The domestic chicken is a pale form of its wild counterpart, the Red Junglefowl. The widely introduced game bird, Ring-necked Pheasant, is another popular Asian bird.

Africa has about 20% of the world's bird species. That's roughly around 2,000 species. The continent all of the members of the family Musophagidae (Turacos & Plantain-eaters). Charaismatic species such as the Ostrich, Shoebill Stork, Secretarybird and the Ground Hornbills give Africa one of the most diverse collections of bird life anywhere. Some African birds, such as the Cattle Egret and the Glossy Ibis have made the trans-atlantic flight over to South America. From South America, they have moved northwards to Southeastern United States. Africa is also home to the Red-billed Quelea, which currently holds the record for the world's most numerous birds. Up to 1.5 billion of these birds live in the grasslands of Africa.

North America & Central America: has around 20% of the world's bird species. Roughly around 2,000 species. Many migrant species breed in North America but winter in Central and/or South America. For example, most wood warblers spent their winters in the lush but competitive rainforests of Central & South America and migrating to North America to breed in this spring. They do this because they get much higher reproductive success in the temperate forests. In many Central America countries, the bird species count are higher than all of North America. For example, Costa Rica has more than 850 species of birds; that's almost as many bird species that the United States have. This region is know for their wood warblers, wrens, sparrows and vireos.

Australia & surrounding islands has around 10.0% of the world's bird species. That's roughly 1,000 species. Australia and surrouding islands are probably best know for its Megapodes, Birds-of-paradise, Lyrebirds, Cockatoos, Laughing Kookaburra, Kiwies and Cassowaries.

Europe has 10% of the world's bird species and Antarctica has the least amount of bird species, with around 65 species.