Birds are a very diverse group of vertebrates that inhabit the entire world and even the Antarctic continent. The main characteristic that distinguishes them from other classes of animals has to do with their forelimbs that become wings. Birds come in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes: some are very small, only a few millimeters long, while others are huge, reaching up to 3 meters. The largest birds in the world They are quite interesting to meet.
For this reason, we are going to dedicate this article to telling you everything you need to know about the largest birds in the world, their characteristics and curiosities.
The largest birds in the world
Here we have the list of the largest birds in the world
Ostrich
The ostrich (Struthio camelus) is known as the largest and heaviest bird in the world: adults can weigh up to 150 kg and grow up to 3 meters tall. It is distributed in Africa, living in savannahs, grasslands, thickets and even deserts. It is a flightless species, but may use its wings in courtship or as a fan in hot weather. It uses strong limbs for defense, allowing them to run at high speeds. The female lays between 2 and 11 eggs in a nest built by the male, and these eggs are believed to be the largest in the world, weighing 1,5 kg and measuring 16 cm in length.
common cassowary
The common cassowary or also known as the southern cassowary (casuarius casuariuslisten)) is one of the largest birds in the world and is endemic to northern Australia and southern New Guinea. It draws attention for the bright colors of its plumage, weighs 85 kilograms and is 2 meters tall. On his head stands an angular structure that measures between 13 and 16 cm. It is usually a solitary animal that lives in tropical forests, but can also be found in savannahs and mangroves. It generally feeds on fruits, fungi, and even invertebrates and plays an important role as a seed disperser. The female lays 3-4 eggs, and the male incubates and cares for the young.
wandering albatross
The wandering or traveling albatross (Diomedea exulanslisten)) is a huge seabird with a wingspan of 3,4 meters and a height of 1,10 meters. The beak is only 20 cm. It is distributed between Antarctica and subtropical latitudes and feeds on fish, cephalopods and crustaceans, although it also takes advantage of the waste from fishing boats. They are gliders, and thanks to this efficient mode of flight, they can effortlessly fly great distances. They nest on Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands, and the female lays an egg that is hatched by both parents. Unfortunately, one of the biggest threats affecting this species is death by longlining and trawling.
Andean condor
The wingspan of the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) makes it one of the largest birds in the world, as it can reach 3 meters. It is distributed in the Andes Mountains of South America and lives between 3.000 and 5.000 meters above sea level. The plumage of the adult is black and white, with a rough head and no feathers, due to its scavenging habit, which allows it to clean itself efficiently after preying on dead animals, thus preventing the spread of disease.
royal jack
finches (sarcoramphus papa) are large birds with a wingspan of 1,9 m and a height of 76 cm. Its plumage is striking in color, its bill is orange, and its eyes have a white iris surrounded by red sclera. Like the Andean condor, it feeds on carrion: not only does it use its sight to locate dead animals, but its sense of smell also plays an important role, since it usually inhabits very dense tropical forests that are difficult to observe.
Harpy eagle
The harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja), with its prominent split black crown, is the largest eagle in the Western and Southern Hemispheres and one of the largest in the world: It is 1 meter tall and has a wingspan of up to 2 meters. It lives in tropical rainforests and feeds on arboreal mammals such as monkeys and sloths, as well as birds such as macaws. Since it is one of the top predators in the food web, it can serve as an indicator of environmental health.
monera eagle
The monera eagle (Morphnus guianensis) it is a large eagle found in humid jungles and gallery forests of the lowlands of Central and South America. It is smaller than the horned eagle and, like it, hunts mammals, birds and some reptiles, and builds nests in trees.
american stork
Characterized by its large beak and slender reddish legs, the wood stork (ciconia maguari) It is a large bird that can reach 130 cm in length. It has been found to be associated with wetlands in tropical and subtropical America and feeds on fish, crabs, molluscs, crustaceans, and insects. Their nests are built on the banks of bodies of water and are platform-shaped, with females laying around 3 eggs. They form small flocks and usually fly high.
Great bustard
The Great Bustard (Otis tarda) is considered one of the heaviest birds in the world and is found in Europe, Asia and even in the northern part of the African continent. It inhabits grasslands and savannahs and farmland, as much of its natural habitat has been replaced by tracts of land used for agriculture. It is a gregarious species (especially in the cold season), It presents a very pronounced dimorphism, is omnivorous and feeds better on plant matter, invertebrates and seeds.
Muitu
The muitu (Crax fasciolata) It is a chicken-shaped bird up to 80 cm long. It is found in the jungles of South America and feeds on fruits, seeds, leaves and flowers found on the ground. It presents gender dimorphism and in the Argentine province of Formosa it has been declared a natural monument.
Royal Owl
the eagle owl (vulture vulture) is a large nocturnal raptor found in Europe and Asia with a wide variety of habitats. It has a wingspan of up to 2 meters and a height of up to 75 centimeters. Their hunting style is very efficient and their diet very varied.
Red macaw
The red macaw (Ara chloropterus) belongs to the parrot family and is one of the largest living macaws at 85 cm long, they are striking for their colored feathers and the loud sounds they make when flying. It is found in the jungles of South America and can be found in pairs or small groups. It usually nests in tree cavities, and the females lay 2 to 3 eggs, They feed on seeds and fruits.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the largest birds in the world and their characteristics.