Currently set to Index
Currently set to Follow

33 Examples of Two-Legged Animals (A to Z List +Pictures)

Examples of Two-Legged Animals

Examples of two-legged animals include penguins, ostriches, vultures, eagles, and bats.

A two-legged animal is any type of animal that has only two legs. This includes all mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

A biped is an animal that walks on two legs, with two feet.

A two-legged animal is an animal that moves about on just two limbs. Humans, the dominant species of the planet, are classified as two-legged animals because they walk upright with their arms dangling to the side.

Examples of Animals that are Two-Legged

1. Bald Eagles

Scientific NameHaliaeetus leucocephalus
Type of AnimalBird
RangeAlaska and Canada
DietCarnivore

Bald eagles are one of the most well-known two-legged animals in the world. These birds can be found all across North America, and they’re known for their impressive aerial skills. Bald eagles are opportunistic predators, which means they’ll eat just about anything they come across.

They typically hunt fish, small mammals, snakes, and waterfowl. They hunt by swooping down on their prey from above. Bald eagles are also territorial animals, which means they’ll fight other bald eagles that get too close to the territory in question.

Related Article: Do Bald Eagle Eat Dead Animals?

2. Blue Jays

Scientific NameCyanocitta
Type of AnimalBird
Rangecentral North America
DietHerbivore

Blue Jays are two-legged animals that are found in the Americas. They have feathers and wings, which they use to fly from tree branch to tree branch while looking for insects or seeds.

Related Article: Do Blue Jays Migrate?

3. Bulldog Bats

Scientific NameNoctilio
Type of AnimalMammal
RangeMexico through Central America
DietCarnivore

The bulldog bat is a species of bat that walks on its two hind legs. It is the only known mammal that does this and it is thought to be because its front limbs are too small to carry their weight.

4. Cassowaries

Scientific NameCasuarius
Type of AnimalBird
RangeNorthern Australia
DietOmnivore

The cassowary is a large, flightless bird that can be found in the rainforests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia. It looks like a cross between an emu and a turkey. It has long legs and necks, as well as a distinctive crest on their heads. It also has, of course, two legs.

5. Ducks

Scientific NameAnas platyrhynchos
Type of AnimalBird
RangeMediterranean basin and into Russia
DietOmnivore

The duck is a small waterfowl that can be found throughout the world. This species walk on their two legs when they are on land, and also use them to kick and swim through the water.

6. Emperor Penguins

Scientific NameAptenodytes forsteri
Type of AnimalBird
RangeAntarctica
DietCarnivore

Emperor Penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri), also known as emperors, are the largest species of penguin. They can grow to over 4.3 ft. tall and weigh up to 51 lbs. All emperor penguins live along the Antarctic coastlines in colonies that may number thousands or tens of thousands of individuals during the breeding season.

Read Also: Do Emperor Penguins Live in Antarctica?

7. Emus

Scientific NameDromaius novaehollandiae
Type of AnimalBird
RangeAustralia
DietOmnivore

Emus are flightless birds native to Australia. Their name derives from an aboriginal word for “large bird”. Emu eggs taste similar to chicken eggs and have a lot of nutritional value, though some people may find their strong flavor too much to handle.

8. Flamingos

Scientific NamePhoenicopterus
Type of AnimalBird
RangeFlorida
DietOmnivore

The flamingo is a beautiful bird that lives in the tropics. These birds stand on just two legs to wade in the water and search for food. Flamingos are very social birds and can be found in large flocks.

9. Flying Foxes

Scientific NamePteropus
Type of AnimalMammal
Rangetropical islands from Madagascar to Australia
DietHerbivore

The flying fox is a type of bat that has two legs and wings. They use their legs to cling to trees as they fly around looking for food.

Their bodies are a light brown color and they have large ears. Their teeth are also very sharp so that they can eat insects, fruit, and leaves.

10. Geese

Scientific NameAnser
Type of AnimalBird
RangeWorldwide
DietHerbivore

Geese are found around the world, with some species such as the Canada Goose enjoying particular fame. They’re known for being quite rude and pesky creatures. Like their cousins the ducks, geese walk on two feet.

11. Gibbons

Scientific NameHylobatidae
Type of AnimalMammal
RangeSoutheast Asia
DietOmnivore

Gibbons live in southeast Asia and have two arms and two legs, like humans. However, their long arms and strong hands allow them to swing from branch to branch and even live entirely up in trees if need be.

12. Golden Eagles

Scientific NameAquila chrysaetos
Type of AnimalBird
RangeMexico through much of western North America as far north as Alaska
DietCarnivore

The golden eagle is a large bird of prey that is found in North America, Europe, and Asia. These eagles have powerful talons that they use to snatch up their prey. They are also known for their characteristic call which sounds like “kaa-yaa.”

13. Gorillas

Scientific NameGorilla
Type of AnimalMammal
Rangeequatorial Africa
DietHerbivore

Gorillas are the largest of the living primates with no tails. They are closely related to humans, and their DNA is 98% similar to ours.

Gorillas live in Africa and can be found in a number of different habitats, from rain forests to dry woodlands. There are two species of gorilla—the mountain gorilla and the lowland gorilla.

14. Humans

Scientific NameHomo sapiens
Type of AnimalMammal
RangeWorldwide
DietOmnivore

The dominant species on the planet, humans are classified as two-legged animals because they walk upright with their arms dangling to the side. While not all humans have mastered bipedalism, it is still considered the primary means of human locomotion.

Bipedalism allows for greater speed and agility when running or escaping predators.

15. Hummingbirds

Scientific NameTrochilidae
Type of AnimalBird
RangeTierra Del Fuego to southern Alaska
DietOmnivore

Hummingbirds are also two-legged animals. They have short, stubby legs and they flap them furiously in order to fly through the air.

16. Kangaroos

Scientific NameMacropus rufus
Type of AnimalMammal
RangeAustralia
DietHerbivore

The red kangaroo is the largest marsupial in the world. It ranges in size from 95 to 165 cm (37 to 65 in) tall and weighs from 18 to 90 kg (40 to 198 lb). It has long legs, which it uses for hopping.

It has two legs and doesn’t take steps, but rather hops around. It also cannot walk or hop backwards!

The red kangaroo is found across Australia and eats mostly grasses, but also some shrubs and trees. They are preyed upon by dingoes, dogs, Tasmanian devils, and birds of prey. The red kangaroo is a popular game animal and its meat is considered a delicacy.

Related Article: What Eats Kangaroos?

17. Kites

Scientific NameMilvus migrans
Type of AnimalBird
RangeNorth America, Central America, South America, Australia, Eurasia, Africa
DietCarnivore

The black kite is a two-legged animal that lives in the forests and grasslands of Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. They are scavengers that feed on dead animals or fish they find on the ground. They also eat insects, lizards, small mammals, and eggs.

These birds have dark brown feathers with lighter markings on their wings and tails. They have a long, forked tail and a hooked beak. Black kites can be up to 26 inches in length and have a wingspan of 43 inches.

18. Mallard Duck

Scientific NameAnas platyrhynchos
Type of AnimalBird
RangeNorthern Hemisphere
DietOmnivore

The mallard is a common duck that can be found in many parts of the world. These birds are able to walk on just two legs due to their specially adapted feet. Mallards use their strong toes to grip the surface beneath them, allowing them to move quickly and easily even when they are not in water.

19. Orangutans

Scientific NamePongo
Type of AnimalMammal
RangeBorneo
DietOmnivore

The orangutan is the largest arboreal mammal in the world. They are found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra.

Like humans, orangutans have two legs and two arms, however they use their arms to get about much more than humans. They’re as comfortable swimming in trees as they are walking on the ground.

These animals have long reddish-brown hair, and males can weigh up to 200 pounds. Orangutans are the only Great Ape that does not have a tail.

20. Ostriches

Scientific NameStruthio camelus
Type of AnimalBird
RangeAfrica
DietHerbivore

Ostriches are two-legged animals that live in Africa. They have long necks and run very fast. Ostriches can be found on the African savannahs, where they eat grasses and insects.

21. Penguins

Scientific NameSpheniscus demersus
Type of AnimalBird
RangeColder areas of the world
DietCarnivore

The Penguin has two legs and wings, but it cannot fly. Instead of flying, this animal waddles on land using both feet to propel itself forward. It’s also an excellent swimmer, shooting like a dart through the water.

Related Article: Do African Penguin Have Ears?

22. Rhea

Scientific NameRhea americana
Type of AnimalBird
Rangesoutheastern South America
DietOmnivore

The greater rhea is a large, flightless bird that ranges in size from 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 meters) tall and weighs anywhere from 33 and 66 pounds (15 and 30. They have long legs, which they use for running and jumping.

Greater rheas live in open areas across South America and eat a variety of plants and animals. They are preyed upon by foxes, jaguars, cougars, and birds of prey. The greater rhea is a popular game bird and its meat is considered a delicacy.

23. Robins (American Robin)

Scientific NameTurdus migratorius
Type of AnimalBird
Rangeanywhere south of Canada in North America
DietOmnivore

The American Robin is a bird that lives in North America and can be found across the United States. It has been reported to travel as far north as Canada, but most birds do not make it past Pennsylvania.

The robin is known for its red breast and black body with several white spots. They are very common throughout their range which makes them popular among bird watchers. They are omnivores which means they will eat both meat and plants if given the chance.

Related Article: Do American Robin Whistle?

24. Secretary Bird

Scientific NameSagittarius serpentarius
Type of AnimalBird
Rangesub-Saharan Africa
DietCarnivore

The secretary bird is a large, predatory bird found in Africa. It has very long legs, which it uses for running and hunting prey. It also uses its long legs to stand on top of prey, killing it with its sharp talons.

The secretary bird is a large bird, typically reaching heights of four feet. It has black and white feathers, with a long tail. It feeds mainly on small animals, such as rodents, lizards, and insects. The secretary bird is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, due to its wide distribution and large population.

25. Starlings

Scientific NameSturnidae
Type of AnimalBird
RangeAsia and Africa
DietOmnivore

Starlings are a type of bird that walks on two legs. They are known for their intelligence and social behavior. Starlings often gather in large flocks to migrate or roost.

26. Turkey Vulture

Scientific NameCathartes aura
Type of AnimalBird
Rangeeast up to Tennessee
DietCarnivore

The turkey vulture is the most common vulture in North America. These birds can be identified by their blackheads and red, featherless necks. Turkey’s vultures are scavengers and feed on the carcasses of dead animals.

27. Vultures

Scientific NameCoragyps atratus
Type of AnimalBird
Rangethe northeastern United States to Peru, Central Chile, and Uruguay in South America
DietCarnivore

A vulture is a scavenger found in the Americas. They are named for their dark color, but they also have white feathers on their wings and underbelly. Vultures typically live by rivers or lakes where there is plenty of food to eat.

28. Wallaby

Scientific NameNotamacropus
Type of AnimalMammal
RangeAustralia
DietHerbivore

Wallabies are smaller cousins to Kangaroos and share the same climates. Like kangaroos, they don’t walk but rather hop.

Wallabies are herbivores, which means they eat plants. They enjoy eating the nectar inside of flowers and will sometimes even pull them out to get at it.

More Two-Legged Animals:

  • Jerboas
  • Monkeys
  • King Vultures
  • Ospreys
  • Lyrebirds
Skip to content