# American Bird Grasshopper (*Schistocerca americana*) The American Bird Grasshopper is a colorful insect that loves to hop around in fields and gardens. It has long legs and can jump very far, making it fun to watch! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![American Bird Grasshopper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/American_Bird_Grasshopper.jpg&width=800) Photo: http://www.birdphotos.com, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:American_Bird_Grasshopper.jpg) ## Appearance The American Bird Grasshopper is a large, robust insect, typically green, brown, or yellowish. It often has dark spots on its forewings and a noticeable yellowish stripe running down its back. Its hind wings are usually clear or a pale yellow. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Orthoptera - **Family:** Acrididae - **Genus:** Schistocerca ## Interesting facts - Sometimes, American Bird Grasshoppers gather in huge groups, like their locust cousins! - These grasshoppers can fly hundreds of miles during their amazing seasonal migrations! - They 'sing' by rubbing their back legs against their wings to attract a mate. - They have ears on their belly to hear sounds, which is super weird for an insect! ## Special abilities - **Leaping Escape Artist:** American Bird Grasshopper can leap impressive distances because of its powerful hind legs, helping them quickly escape predators. - **Migratory Voyager:** American Bird Grasshopper has strong wings that help them fly long distances, sometimes migrating across states to find new food. - **Buzzing Alarm:** American Bird Grasshopper can make a loud buzzing sound by rubbing its wings when threatened, startling potential attackers. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 80-100 mm - **Size:** 30-55 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-120 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This big grasshopper munches on many different plants, like leaves, grasses, and farm crops! - **Primary Foods:** corn leaves, citrus leaves, alfalfa, various grasses, cotton plants - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Loggerhead Shrike](https://www.snappit.app/explore/loggerhead-shrike) (*Lanius ludovicianus*) — This bird impales grasshoppers on thorns to store them. - **Eats:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — A skilled hunter that snatches grasshoppers mid-air. - **Eats:** [Corn](https://www.snappit.app/explore/corn) (*Zea mays*) — Grasshoppers munch on corn leaves and stalks in fields. - **Eats:** Sweet Orange (*Citrus sinensis*) — They can be pests on citrus trees, eating the foliage. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Grasshoppers are safe to watch, but don't try to catch them too quickly! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American Bird Grasshopper? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is American Bird Grasshopper's wingspan? 80-100 mm ### How big is American Bird Grasshopper? 30-55 mm ### How long does American Bird Grasshopper live? 60-120 days ### How fast can American Bird Grasshopper fly? 15 km/h ### What does American Bird Grasshopper eat? This big grasshopper munches on many different plants, like leaves, grasses, and farm crops! ### Where is American Bird Grasshopper usually found? Grasslands ### How does American Bird Grasshopper hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Circleville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/circleville-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Fairlie-Poplar](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fairlie-poplar) — Georgia, US · Neighborhood - [Georgia Institute of Technology Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/georgia-institute-of-technology-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Shaw Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shaw-nature-reserve) — Missouri, US · Botanical Garden - [Abbeville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/abbeville-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Auburn University Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/auburn-university-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Campus [View all places to see American Bird Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/american-bird-grasshopper) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [American Bird Grasshopper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bird-grasshopper)