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Worlds Largest Bird
Worlds Largest Bird
Worlds Largest Bird
By
Sara Rigby
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When you think of the world's biggest species, you probably think of mammals –
giraffes, elephants, blue whales. Birds are comparatively small, at least in the UK.
Here, you're more likely to see a robin or a sparrow than something that weighs
tens of kilograms.
But bird species can be surprisingly large, with the very largest even taller than a
human.
Even these species have nothing on the extinct elephant bird. The species Vorombe
titan, which lived in Madagascar over 1,000 years ago, may have weighed up to
800kg.
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Distribution: New Guinea
9. Mute swan
Despite its name, the mute swan (Cygnus olor) is a vocal bird, though its voice is
quieter than other species and it only uses it occasionally. They are usually found in
lowland freshwater marshes, lagoons and rivers.
8. Lesser rhea
Lesser rhea © Getty Images
Maximum weight: 25kg
Rhea pennata is also known as Darwin's rhea, after the naturalist studied the
species on his second voyage on the Beagle. Though Darwin struggled in his search
for the bird, he was successful after the artist Conrad Martens, who joined him on
the voyage, shot and prepared one for dinner.
7. Greater rhea
Greater rhea © Getty Images
Maximum weight: Over 25kg
6. Emperor penguin
Emperor penguin © Getty Images
Maximum weight: 46kg
Distribution: Antarctica
This iconic species can stand as tall as 115cm and weigh up to 46kg. Aptenodytes
forsteri will trek up to 120km over ice to reach a breeding colony.
5. Emu
Emu © Getty Images
Maximum weight: 55kg
Distribution: Australia
Of the four surviving members of the family Casuariidae, three are cassowaries,
and the fourth is the emu. Adult emus can stand at 190cm tall, and though they
weigh on average between 30 and 45kg, the largest reach 55kg.
4. Northern cassowary
Northern cassowary © Getty Images
Maximum weight: 58kg
Distribution: New Guinea
3. Southern cassowary
Southern cassowary © Getty Images
Maximum weight: 58kg
The southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) is only slightly larger than its cousin,
the northern cassowary. They live in rainforests, swamp forests and savannah
woodland, and can grow up to 170cm in length.
2. Somali ostrich
Somali ostrich © Getty Images
Maximum weight: 105kg
Distribution: Horn of Africa
1. Common ostrich
Common ostrich © Getty Images
Maximum weight: 156kg
Distribution: Savannahs of Africa
Males of the species Struthio camelus can reach a whopping 2.75 tall. These
flightless birds are incredible runners, and can reach speeds of 70km/h (43mph) in
a sprint.
Read more:
Authors
Sara RigbyOnline staff writer, BBC Science Focus
Sara is the online staff writer at BBC Science Focus. She has an MPhys in
mathematical physics and loves all things space, dinosaurs and dogs.
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