When considering the “biggest” birds, the term can refer to different metrics: height, weight, or wingspan. Different avian giants excel in each category, showcasing unique adaptations to their environments and lifestyles.
Tallest Living Birds
The Common Ostrich is the world’s tallest living bird, reaching heights of up to 2.75 meters (9 feet). These flightless birds possess powerful, unfeathered legs, enabling them to run at high speeds across African savannas and grasslands. Their impressive stature aids in spotting predators and foraging across vast open landscapes.
The Southern Cassowary, found in tropical rainforests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia, typically reaches 1.5 to 1.8 meters (4 feet 11 inches to 5 feet 11 inches), with some females up to 2 meters (6 feet 6.5 inches) tall. This flightless bird has a distinctive, horn-like casque on its head and powerful legs equipped with a dagger-like claw up to 12 centimeters (4.7 inches) long. Its height helps it navigate dense forest undergrowth and access various fruits.
Heaviest Living Birds
The Common Ostrich is also the heaviest living bird, with adult males typically weighing between 100 and 130 kilograms (220 to 290 pounds). Some exceptional males can exceed 156 kilograms (346 pounds). This substantial body mass contributes to its flightless nature.
Among the heaviest birds capable of flight, the Kori Bustard is Africa’s largest. Male Kori Bustards typically weigh between 11 and 19 kilograms (24 to 42 pounds), with some reaching 20 kilograms (44 pounds). These ground-dwelling birds inhabit grasslands and savannas in eastern and southern Africa. Despite their weight, they are strong fliers, though they prefer to walk and only take flight when necessary. The Great Bustard, found in Europe and Asia, is another heavyweight, with males weighing up to 18 kilograms (40 pounds).
Birds with the Largest Wingspan
The Wandering Albatross possesses the largest wingspan of any living bird, averaging between 2.5 and 3.5 meters (8.2 to 11.5 feet), with extremes up to 3.65 meters (12 feet). These wings are suited for their pelagic lifestyle, allowing them to glide effortlessly over the Southern Ocean, conserving energy during migrations. They only land to breed and feed, spending most of their lives airborne.
The Andean Condor, a New World vulture, has an expansive wingspan, typically reaching up to 3.2 meters (10.5 feet). This species soars over the Andes mountains, utilizing thermal air currents to maintain flight with minimal effort. Its large wingspan is an adaptation for efficient soaring, aiding its scavenging lifestyle. The Great White Pelican also boasts a significant wingspan, enabling efficient flight over water bodies where they forage for fish.