Birds come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny hummingbirds to massive ostriches. However, some birds are truly enormous, standing taller than NBA players and spreading their wings wider than king-size beds.
There are almost 10,000 species of birds on Earth, and in this article, we will take a closer look at some of the biggest birds to inhabit our planet. We will explore their unique characteristics and the habitats they call home.
You are reading: 10 Types Of Big Birds
From flightless birds like emus to soaring birds of prey like vultures, the avian world is full of impressive giants. Here are 10 of the biggest birds on Earth, including the tallest, heaviest, and those whose wings spread the furthest.
10 Types Of Big Birds
Ostrich
The ostrich is the largest bird in the world, both in height and weight. It is a flightless bird that is native to Africa and is part of a group of flightless birds called ratites. The male ostrich can grow up to 2.75 meters tall and weigh more than 150 kg, while the female is somewhat smaller.
The ostrich’s egg is also the world’s largest, averaging about 150 mm in length by 125 mm in diameter and about 1.35 kg in weight. Ostriches have long, powerful, bare legs and strong feet with two sharp claws on each foot which are used for defense. Their massive leg muscles enable them to deliver a powerful kick which could seriously injure or even kill an attacker.
Ostriches are omnivores, which means they eat both vegetation and meat. Although they prefer plants, they also eat locusts, lizards, snakes, and rodents.
Ostriches have a nomadic lifestyle and are mostly diurnal, active early and late in the day. They roam around the savannas in groups of 50 birds. The male ostrich is the main carer of the young, and the tiny ostriches immediately learn to follow the male, clustering around his feet as they try to keep up with the sometimes formidable strides.
Emu
The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is a flightless bird that is native to Australia and is the second-largest living bird by height, after the ostrich. It is the largest native bird in Australia and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius.
Emus inhabit almost the entire continent of Australia, except for the tropical forests in northeastern Australia. They live in various habitats across Australia, including grassland, dry forest, wooded savannah, and semi-desert, but are rarely found in rainforest or very arid areas.
Emus are diurnal and are mostly solitary, but they will exhibit social behaviors when it is advantageous, such as sharing a nest and searching for food. They are nomadic and are always moving in search of food and water.
The home range of an individual measures 5 to 10 square km, but it is a dynamic area as emus are always moving. Emus are omnivores, eating both vegetation and meat, including locusts, lizards, snakes, and rodents. They must have daily access to fresh water and can travel hundreds of miles to find another source of food or water.
Emus are mature by 2-3 years old and mate for life. The male incubates 7 to 10 dark green eggs, 13 cm long, in a ground nest for about 60 days. The striped young soon run with the adults.
The emu remains abundant and widespread, with a total population size estimated at 630,000 to 725,000 mature individuals.
Cassowary
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Cassowaries are large, flightless birds that are native to the tropical forests of New Guinea, the Aru Islands, and northeastern Australia. They are classified as ratites, which are flightless birds without a keel on their sternum bones.
There are three species of cassowaries: the southern cassowary, the northern cassowary, and the dwarf cassowary. The southern cassowary is the largest of the species and the third-largest bird in the world after its cousin the emu and the ostrich. It can be found in southern New Guinea, Australia’s northeastern regions, and the lowlands of the Aru Islands.
The northern cassowary, also known as the single-wattled cassowary, inhabits the coastal swamps and lowland rainforests of northern New Guinea.
The dwarf cassowary is smaller than the other two species of cassowary, usually weighing around 50 pounds, and is generally found in more steep mountainous terrain.
Cassowaries have a long, bony casque on their heads and a bright red or blue wattle hanging from their necks. They are omnivores, eating fallen fruits, fungi, and small animals.
Cassowaries are culturally important for some Aboriginal groups and are sometimes featured in traditional ceremonies, dances, and Dreamtime narratives. Cassowaries are also known for their aggression and have been known to kill humans with their sharp claws.
Andean Condor
The Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) is one of the largest flying birds in the world and is found in the Andes Mountains of South America. Here are some fast facts about the Andean condor:
– The Andean condor is one of two species of condors, the other being the California condor.
– The Andean condor is one of the largest flying birds in the world, with a wingspan of up to 3.2 meters (10.5 feet).
– The male Andean condor is a black bird with grayish white wing feathers, a white fringe of feathers around the neck, and a bare red or pinkish head, neck, and crop. Males have a large caruncle, or fleshy protuberance, on the forehead and top of the beak, and turkey-like neck wattles.
– Andean condors are mostly black, but males have a distinctive white “collar” around their necks and some white markings on their wings as well.
– Andean condors are scavengers and eat primarily carrion, or dead or decaying flesh. They prefer to feast on large animals, wild or domestic, and in picking the carcasses, they perform an important function as a natural clean-up crew.
– The Andean condor is Chile’s national bird and is part of the country’s coat of arms.
– Instead of making a nest, condors lay their eggs on the edge of a cliff or in a cave.
– The Andean condor is suffering widespread declines, especially in the northern part of its range. They are endangered in Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador and vulnerable in many other parts of South America.
– Andean condors are found in mountainous regions, as their name suggests, but also live near coasts replete with ocean breezes and even deserts that feature strong thermal air currents.
– Adult Andean Condors are unmistakable with their large black bodies, white neck ruff, and featherless heads. Juveniles are grayish-brown with no white neck ruff.
Dalmatian Pelican
The Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) is the largest member of the pelican family and perhaps the world’s largest freshwater bird, although rivaled in weight and length by the largest swans. They have stunning silvery-white plumage during the breeding season, which contrasts with the orange-red rubbery pouch beneath its bill and the purple to yellow bare skin around its eyes.
On their napes, the birds have a thick silver crest of feathers. Over the breeding season, their pouches fade to a yellow color, and in winter their plumage loses its sheen of silver and appears whitish or gray instead.
The bare skin around their eyes can vary from yellow to purplish in color. Dalmatian pelicans are elegant soaring birds, with wingspans rivaling those of the great albatrosses, and their flocks fly in graceful synchrony. They are mostly piscivores, which means that they mainly eat fish.
An adult can eat up to 4 pounds of fish in one day. To catch fish, they will commonly work in small groups of three to five, or team up with other aquatic birds such as cormorants.
The pelicans will herd the fish toward shallow areas and then use their large bill pouches like fishing nets to scoop the fish from the water. Dalmatian pelicans are found in Europe and Asia, and they are one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
Conservation efforts have been undertaken on behalf of the species, especially in Europe. Although they normally nest on the ground, Dalmatian pelicans have nested on platforms put out in Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania to encourage them to breed. Rafts over water have also been set up for the species to use in Greece and Bulgaria.
Harpy Eagle
The harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) is one of the biggest birds on Earth, with a wingspan of up to 2 meters. An adult female can weigh up to 20 pounds (9 kilograms) and males grow up to 12 pounds (5.4 kg) . Here are some more facts about the harpy eagle:
– Harpy eagles are found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, from Mexico to Brazil.
– They are apex predators, meaning they are at the top of the food chain in their ecosystem. They feed mainly on tree-dwelling mammals, such as monkeys, sloths, and opossums, but will also eat birds and reptiles.
– Harpy eagles are monogamous and mate for life. They build large nests high up in the canopy of trees, where they lay one or two eggs at a time.
– The harpy eagle is named after the harpies of Greek mythology, which were half-woman, half-bird creatures known for their speed and strength.
– Harpy eagles have a distinctive appearance, with a crown of feathers on their head that can be raised or lowered depending on their mood. They also have a large, hooked beak and powerful talons that can exert a pressure of up to 500 pounds per square inch.
– Harpy eagles are considered near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat loss and hunting. They are also culturally significant to some indigenous communities in South America.
– Harpy eagles are sometimes confused with crested eagles (Morphnus guianensis), which are also large Neotropical eagles that inhabit the same regions as harpy eagles. However, crested eagles are slightly smaller than harpy eagles and have a different appearance, with a distinctive crest of feathers on their head.
Great Bustard
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The Great Bustard (Otis tarda) is a bird in the bustard family and is the only living member of the genus Otis. It breeds in open grasslands and farmland from northern Morocco, South and Central Europe, to temperate Central and East Asia. Here are some interesting facts about the Great Bustard:
– The Great Bustard is one of the heaviest birds alive today that can fly, with the heaviest verified specimen, collected in Manchuria, weighing about 21 kg.
– The male Great Bustard is the largest European land bird, weighing as much as 14 kg (31 pounds) and having a 120-cm (4-foot) wingspan.
– The Great Bustard has long legs, a long neck, and a heavy, barrel-chested body. It is fairly typical of the family in its overall shape and habitat preferences.
– The Great Bustard is omnivorous, eating vegetation such as grass, legumes, crucifers, grains, flowers, and grapes, as well as rodents, the chicks of other species, earthworms, butterflies, large insects, and larvae. Lizards and amphibians are also eaten, depending on the season.
– Great Bustards are polygynous, and one male may mate with as many as five females. The males perform spectacular courtship displays, competing in a lekking system, where they gather at a ‘lek’ or small display ground to try to impress the females. The breeding season is in March, and eggs are laid in May-June, depending on the region. Nests are usually close to leks. 2-3 eggs are laid, and the female incubates them for about 25-28 days.
– The Great Bustard is classified as vulnerable at the species level. There are myriad threats faced by Great Bustards, including habitat loss caused by the plowing of grasslands, intensive agriculture, afforestation, increased development of irrigation schemes, and the construction of roads, power lines, fencing, and ditches.
– The Great Bustard was formerly native in Great Britain, and a bustard forms part of the design of the Wiltshire Coat of Arms and as supporters for the Cambridgeshire arms.
Kori Bustard
The Kori Bustard (Otis tarda) is the largest flying bird native to Africa and is a member of the bustard family. Here are some interesting facts about the Kori Bustard:
– The Kori Bustard is Africa’s heaviest flying bird, with males ranging in weight from 24-42 pounds (11-19 kilograms) and females weighing between 4.8 and 6.1 kg.
– The Kori Bustard is cryptically colored, being mostly gray and brown, finely patterned with black and white coloring. The upper parts and neck are a vermiculated black and grayish-buff color. The ventral plumage is more boldly colored, with white, black, and buff. The crest on its head is blackish in coloration, with less black on the female’s crest. There is a white eye stripe above the eye. The chin, throat, and neck are whitish with thin, fine black barring.
– Kori Bustards are omnivorous birds, although they tend to be more carnivorous than other species of bustards. Insects form a large portion of their diet, especially when they are chicks. They also eat a variety of small mammals, lizards, snakes, seeds, and berries. They have been observed eating carrion.
– A male Kori Bustard will mate with more than one female. Mating lasts no more than a few seconds, and once over, the male leaves and resumes displaying to attract another female. He plays no part in incubation or in the rearing of chicks. As with all bustards, the clutch of one to two eggs is laid on the ground in a shallow scrape the female has made. The eggs are pale olive in color with splotches of brown. Incubation lasts 23 to 24 days. The chicks hatch fully developed and remain with the female well after the fledging period, which is at about five weeks. Kori Bustards reach sexual maturity at about 2 years old, at the earliest.
– Kori Bustards are distributed throughout eastern and southern Africa. They inhabit wide, open grasslands and lightly wooded savanna. They tend to remain in the same area as long as the food source is good, then they migrate as most animals do. They are seen alone, in pairs, or groups in woodland, grassy areas, and savannas.
– Kori Bustards are considered to be a polygynous species. During pre-mating, the male will inflate its neck and trail its wings as it dances before the female. They are ground dwellers, hence the name bustard, meaning birds that walk. They fly only when necessary because of their weight.
– The Kori Bustard is classified as vulnerable at the species level. There are myriad threats faced by Kori Bustards, including habitat loss caused by the plowing of grasslands, intensive agriculture, afforestation, increased development of irrigation schemes, and the construction of roads, power lines, fencing, and ditches.
Wild Turkey
Wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are large birds native to North America. Here are some interesting facts about wild turkeys:
Physical Characteristics:
– Wild turkeys are very large, plump birds with long legs, wide, rounded tails, and a small head on a long, slim neck.
– They are one of the largest and heaviest birds in North America, with males weighing up to 30 pounds and females weighing up to 12 pounds.
– Wild turkeys have a wingspan of 4.5 to 5 feet.
Habitat and Behavior:
– Wild turkeys are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and grasslands.
– They are omnivores, eating a variety of foods including nuts, seeds, fruits, insects, and small animals.
– Wild turkeys are known for their distinctive gobbling calls, which males use to attract females during the breeding season.
– They are primarily ground-dwelling birds, but they can fly strongly and typically roost overnight in tall trees.
Conservation Status:
– Wild turkeys were once hunted to near extinction in North America, but conservation efforts have helped their populations recover.
– Today, wild turkeys are common throughout much of their range, and they are not considered to be a threatened species.
Cultural Significance:
– Wild turkeys have been an important food source for humans for thousands of years, and they are still hunted for food and sport today.
– The wild turkey is also an important symbol of Thanksgiving in the United States, where it is often served as the main course for the holiday meal.
It’s worth noting that the Wild Turkey brand of bourbon whiskey is not related to the bird species, despite sharing the same name.
Mute Swan
The mute swan (Cygnus olor) is a species of swan and a member of the waterfowl family Anatidae. Here are some interesting facts about mute swans:
Physical Characteristics:
– Mute swans are very large, plump birds with long legs, wide, rounded tails, and a small head on a long, slim neck.
– They are one of the largest and heaviest birds in North America, with males weighing up to 30 pounds and females weighing up to 12 pounds.
– Mute swans have a wingspan of 4.5 to 5 feet.
Habitat and Behavior:
– Mute swans are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and grasslands.
– They are omnivores, eating a variety of foods including nuts, seeds, fruits, insects, and small animals.
– Mute swans are known for their distinctive curved necks and their aggressive behavior, especially during the breeding season.
– They are primarily ground-dwelling birds, but they can fly strongly and typically roost overnight in tall trees.
Conservation Status:
– Mute swans were introduced to North America from Europe in the late 1800s and early 1900s for ornamental purposes.
– They are now considered an invasive species in some areas, as their aggressive behavior and voracious appetites often disturb local ecosystems, displace native species, and even pose a hazard to humans.
– Mute swans are not considered to be a threatened species.
Cultural Significance:
– Mute swans have been an important symbol of royalty and nobility in Europe for centuries, and they are still kept in captivity for ornamental purposes today.
– In the United Kingdom, all unmarked mute swans on open water are considered to be the property of the Crown, and the annual “swan upping” ceremony is held to mark and count the swans.
– Mute swans are also sometimes featured in literature and art, such as in the fairy tale “The Ugly Duckling” by Hans Christian Andersen.
FAQS
1. What is the biggest bird in the world?
The common ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the biggest bird in the world by maximum weight, weighing up to 156.8 kg.
2. What is the biggest flying bird in the world?
The Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) is one of the biggest flying birds in the world, with a wingspan of up to 3.2 meters.
3. What is the biggest bird in North America?
The California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is the biggest bird in North America, with a wingspan of up to 3 meters.
4. What is the biggest bird in Africa?
The Kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) is the biggest bird in Africa, with males weighing up to 42 pounds.
5. What is the biggest bird in Europe?
The mute swan (Cygnus olor) is the biggest bird in Europe, with males weighing up to 30 pounds.
6. What is the biggest bird in Australia?
The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the biggest bird in Australia, with males growing up to 6.2 feet tall.
7. What is the biggest bird of prey?
The Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) is one of the biggest birds of prey, with a wingspan of up to 3.2 meters.
8. What is the biggest bird nest?
The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) makes the biggest bird nest, called an aerie, which can be up to 6 feet in width.
9. What is the smallest big bird?
The elf owl (Micrathene whitneyi) is the smallest big bird, measuring only 5-6 inches tall and weighing about 1.5 ounces.
10. Are big birds endangered?
Some big bird species are endangered, such as the California condor and the Andean condor, while others are not considered threatened, such as the common ostrich and the emu.
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Category: Birds
