Birds are animals belonging to the class Aves. Birds are warmblooded, easily identified from their feathers, wings, and beaks, and are found throughout the Earth including Antarctica. Not all birds can fly. Also, not all birds are carnivores. Birds are generally lightweight and small in size. However, some birds weigh over 50 pounds. The largest of them all, the Common ostrich can weigh over 300 pounds. In this article, we will see what are the top 10 largest birds in the world. Let’s read.
Top 10 largest birds in the world
1. Common Ostrich
Ostriches are tall, long-legged, long-necked birds found in Africa. The Common Ostrich, a species of Ostrich, is the largest bird in the world. It is one of the two extant species of Ostriches, the other being the Somali ostrich. The common ostrich has three extant subspecies- the North African ostrich, the South African ostrich, and the Masai Ostrich. The North African Ostrich can weigh over 300 pounds (136 kilograms) and can be 9 ft (2.74 meters) tall. They are the largest among all ostriches.
2. Somali Ostrich
The Somali Ostrich is the second largest bird species in the world. Found in the horn of Africa, primarily in Somalia and Ethiopia, Somali Ostrich can weigh over 100 kilograms (220 lbs) and are 6-9 ft in height.
3. Southern Cassowary
Cassowaries are birds found in New Guinea and its nearby islands, and northeastern Australia. Southern Cassowaries are the largest among all cassowaries and are found in southern regions of New Guinea island, and Northeastern Australia. Females are larger than males and weigh around 60 kilograms (132 lbs) on average. The height of Southern cassowaries ranges from 4-6 ft. These large birds have black feathers (plumage), blue faces, brownish Casque, and two wattles.
4. Northern Cassowary
Northern Cassowaries are similar in size to the Southern Cassowaries. Although average weight is found to be a little less for the Northern Cassowary. Northern Cassowaries also have black plumage, blue faces, and a casque. Unlike Southern Cassowaries, Northern Cassowaries have a single wattle. They are sometimes also called single-wattled Cassowary.
5. Emu
Emus are flightless, brown feathered birds with pale blue necks. Emus are endemic to Australia. They are the fifth-largest birds in the world by weight. Adult weight is 30-40 kilograms (66-88 lbs) on average. Larger individuals however can weigh up to 60 kilograms. Emus are the second tallest birds in the world with a height of 5-6 ft.
6. Emperor penguin
Emperor penguins are endemic to Antarctica. They are the largest penguin species in the world with a weight between 50-60 pounds (23-45 kilograms). The average adult height is 3.3 ft (100 cm).
7. Greater rhea
Greater rhea or American rhea is a large bird found in South America. With average weights ranging between 20-30 kilograms (44-66 lbs), Greater Rhea is the seventh-largest bird in the world. Greater rheas have greyish brown plumage, long legs, and long necks. The height is between 3-5.5 ft.
8. Lesser rhea
Lesser rhea or Darwin rhea is a bird just a tad smaller than its cousin Greater rhea. The average weight is between 15-30 kilograms (33-66 lbs). The plumage is brownish with a few white feathers. The average height is 3-3.5 ft.
9. Dwarf Cassowary
The smallest of all extant cassowaries, the Dwarf cassowaries have weights between 15-25 kilograms (33-55 lbs). The Dwarf Cassowaries have black plumage, blue neck, and a smaller casque.
10. Great bustard/Kori bustard
The Great bustard and the Kori bustard have similar sizes and together take the number 10 spot on this list. With weights ranging between 10 to 19 kilograms (22-42 lbs), they are the largest flying birds in the world. There are some sources however that claim that Mute Swan, King Penguin, and the Andean condor are heavier.
Largest flying birds by wingspan
- Wandering albatross (up to 12 ft)
- Great white pelican (up to 12 ft)
- Marabou stork (10-12 ft)
- Dalmatian pelican (up to 11.5 ft)
- Southern royal albatross (up to 11.5 ft)
- Amsterdam albatross (up to 11 ft)
- Andean condor (up to 11 ft)
- Tristan albatross (up to 10 ft)
- Antipodean albatross (up to 10 ft)
- Northern royal albatross (up to 10 ft)
- Himalayan vulture (up to 10 ft)
- Cinereous vulture (up to 10 ft)
- California condor (up to 10 ft)
- Trumpeter swan (up to 10 ft)
Largest flying birds by weight
| Kori Bustard | Large individuals can weigh up to 19 kg |
| Great Bustard | Large individuals can weigh up to 18 kg |
| Great Indian Bustard | Large individuals weigh between 15-18 kg |
| Mute Swan | Large individuals can weigh up to 15 kg |
| Dalmatian Pelican | Large individuals can weigh up to 15 kg |
| Andean Condor | Large individuals can weigh up to 15 kg |
| Trumpeter Swan | Large individuals can weigh up to 14 kg |
| Whooper Swan | Large individuals can weigh up to 14 kg |
| Eurasian Black Vulture | Large individuals can weigh up to 14 kg |
| Wandering Albatross | Large individuals can weigh up to 13 kg |
| Himalayan Vulture | Large individuals can weigh up to 13 kg |
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