It is a species of open ground, including agricultural land, grassland, flood-plains and burnt fynbos.

N. d. jacksoni is found in Kenya and Tanzania and south to Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, with populations also in Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

They can be found in a considerable range of secondary habitats including dense shrubland, light woodland, farmland, dried marsh and arid plains.

[5] Denham's bustard are often solitary outside of the mating season, although they congregate at large food sources and temporarily band together for migratory movements.

Among the diverse foods recorded in the species are insects, small snakes, rodents, the nestlings of other birds and various green plant life.

During his display, the male puffs up his head and chest and flairs his tail, thus appearing larger, and calls loudly while he struts about.

The nest consists of a shallow scrape, in which the female lays one or two eggs, which (if they survive) she will raise alone.