Birds come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny hummingbirds to massive flightless giants. The largest birds in the world include many powerful flyers, while others have traded their ability to soar for impressive size and strength on the ground. From the African savanna to the forests of New Guinea, these avian behemoths are wonders to behold, making looking remarkably dinosaur-like.
Common Ostrich
The Common Ostrich is the world’s largest bird, reaching heights of up to 9 feet (2.7 meters). Native to Africa, they are flightless birds with powerful legs that allow them to run at speeds up to 43 mph (70 km/h). Ostriches can weigh up to 344 pounds (156 kg) and lay the largest eggs of any living bird species.
Southern Cassowary
The Southern Cassowary is a flightless bird found in the tropical rainforests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia. They can grow up to 6.6 feet (2 meters) tall and weigh up to 132 pounds (60 kg). Cassowaries are known for their distinctive blue necks, red wattles, and a bony crest on their heads called a casque.
Emu
The Emu is the second-largest living bird by height, native to Australia. They can reach up to 6.2 feet (1.9 meters) tall and weigh up to 132 pounds (60 kg). Emus are excellent runners, capable of sprinting at 31 mph (50 km/h) and covering great distances at a steady trot.
Emperor Penguin
The Emperor Penguin is the largest penguin species, standing up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall and weighing up to 100 pounds (45 kg). They live in Antarctica and are known for their incredible ability to survive extreme cold. Emperor Penguins can dive deeper and stay underwater longer than any other bird.
Greater Rhea
The Greater Rhea is a flightless bird native to South America. They can grow up to 5.5 feet (1.7 meters) tall and weigh up to 88 pounds (40 kg). Rheas are excellent runners and can reach speeds of up to 35 mph (56 km/h) when fleeing predators.
Dalmatian Pelican
The Dalmatian Pelican is one of the largest flying birds in the world. They have a wingspan of up to 11.5 feet (3.5 meters) and can weigh up to 33 pounds (15 kg). These massive birds are found in eastern Europe and Asia, where they feed primarily on fish.
Andean Condor
The Andean Condor is the largest flying bird in South America. With a wingspan of up to 10.5 feet (3.2 meters), they are impressive gliders that can soar for hours without flapping their wings. Andean Condors can weigh up to 33 pounds (15 kg) and play an important role in their ecosystem as scavengers.
Mute Swan
The Mute Swan is one of the heaviest flying birds, weighing up to 32 pounds (14.5 kg). They have a wingspan of up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) and are known for their graceful appearance on water. Mute Swans are native to Europe and Asia but have been introduced to North America and other parts of the world.
Trumpeter Swan
The Trumpeter Swan is North America’s largest native waterfowl. They can weigh up to 30 pounds (13.6 kg) and have a wingspan of up to 8 feet (2.4 meters). These majestic birds were once on the brink of extinction but have made a remarkable recovery thanks to conservation efforts.
Kori Bustard
The Kori Bustard is the largest flying bird native to Africa. Males can weigh up to 40 pounds (18 kg), making them possibly the heaviest living bird capable of flight. They are found in eastern and southern Africa, where they feed on a variety of small animals and plants.
Great Bustard
The Great Bustard is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males weighing up to 40 pounds (18 kg). They have a wingspan of up to 8.3 feet (2.5 meters) and are found in parts of Europe and Asia. Great Bustards are known for their elaborate mating displays, where males puff up their feathers to appear even larger.
Wandering Albatross
The Wandering Albatross has the largest wingspan of any living bird, measuring up to 11.8 feet (3.6 meters) from tip to tip. They spend most of their lives at sea, coming to land only to breed. Wandering Albatrosses can weigh up to 26 pounds (12 kg) and are known for their ability to glide for hours without flapping their wings.
Marabou Stork
The Marabou Stork is a large wading bird found in sub-Saharan Africa. They can stand up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and have a wingspan of up to 10.5 feet (3.2 meters). Marabou Storks are scavengers and are often seen near human settlements, where they feed on garbage and carrion.
Cinereous Vulture
The Cinereous Vulture, also known as the Black Vulture, is one of the largest birds of prey in the world. They have a wingspan of up to 9.8 feet (3 meters) and can weigh up to 31 pounds (14 kg). These impressive scavengers are found in parts of Europe and Asia, where they play a crucial role in their ecosystems by cleaning up carrion.
Shoebill
The Shoebill, also known as the Whalehead, is a large stork-like bird native to east Africa. They can stand up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and have a massive, shoe-shaped bill that gives them their name. Shoebills are ambush predators, known for their patience and their ability to catch large prey like lungfish and even small crocodiles.
