Grasslands make up the largest vegetative province in North America, and one that has been significantly altered over the past two centuries. The tallgrass prairie of the eastern Great Plains and Midwest has declined to a greater extent than any other ecosystem, primarily due to plowing for cereal grain production. Grassland bird populations have declined at a greater rate and over a wider area than any other group of species. Past fire regimes shaped and maintained the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Fires set by American Indians and caused by lighting were common and probably differed in timing, frequency, and scale from contemporary fire regimes, although historical regimes are not well understood. Fire affects both the composition and the structure of vegetation, and can affect birds in a variety of ways. Direct effects of fire on birds include destruction of nests, while indirect effects may involve changes to vegetation, which favor some bird species over others. Greater-Prairie Chickens (Tympanuchus cupido), Henslow’s Sparrows (Ammodramus henslowii), and Dickcissels (Spiza americana) respond negatively to annual fire. Grasshopper Sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum) and meadowlarks (Sturnella spp.) appear unaffected or respond positively to annual fire. Fire management across the largest remaining portions of tallgrass prairie frequently overemphasizes or de-emphasizes fire over large areas, creating homogenous habitat that does not support the full compliment of tallgrass prairie birds. Availability of adequately sized grasslands in a variety of seral stages is needed to ensure long-term population stability for the suite of bird species inhabiting tallgrass prairie.