The Largest Birds on the Planet: Photos and Descriptions

There are more than 9,000 species of birds on our planet, most of which are flying. The bones of flying individuals are hollow and thin, which significantly reduces the mass of the skeleton. Light feathers create a wide and strong surface, which during flight creates the necessary lifting force. Some feathers act as a rudder, others are responsible for protecting the body from hypothermia and damage.

Eat small birds, smart and large predators with the dark side and more good-natured breeds. I wonder what is the largest bird living on planet Earth? We offer the top 10 largest birds in the world.

10. Steller's sea eagle

Steller's sea eagle

The largest bird of prey, belonging to the hawk family. Its habitat is northeast Asia. The eagle is the largest eagle, its body weight reaches 9 kg. The predator feeds on fish, carrion. At the moment, it is listed in the Red Book, but is found in free habitat on the Amur, Kamchatka, in China, Japan, America.

9. Golden eagle

Golden eagle

A large predator of the hawk family. It lives mainly in mountainous areas, feeds on hares, birds, and avoids people. It can attack fawns and sheep. The golden eagle weighs 7 kg, and is currently listed in the Red Book. Its distinctive ability is its ability to see very well in the dark. Its wing span allows it to reach speeds of up to 320 km per hour, so the victim is practically doomed.

8. Albatross

Albatross

The largest flying bird, growing up to 11-11 kg. It can be wandering and royal. The wingspan is almost 4 m, as a nesting place, animals choose rocks - here they fly in whole colonies at the beginning of the active breeding season. Albatrosses are monogamous, mating games are arranged only by very young individuals.

7. Black vulture

Black vulture

A large predator from the hawk family. It lives in the mountains, feeds on carrion and the meat of killed animals. Adults grow up to 10-12 kg, usually live in colonies or pairs. They build huge nests - about 2 m in diameter. The nesting period is 3.5 months, they lay a maximum of a couple of eggs at a time. The offspring are poorly preserved, but adult strong birds live up to 50 years.

6. Cassowary

Cassowary

An unusual bird with a beautiful name. On its head there is a characteristic bony growth, which is larger in males than in females. Adult cassowaries grow up to 80 kg, but they are half the size of ostriches. This species cannot fly, but it runs fast. When defending themselves, cassowaries kick and strike with their clawed paws.

5. Crowned Eagle

Crowned Eagle

It lives in forested areas of Africa and is considered a powerful predator. Its main interest is antelopes and monkeys; the birds usually hunt large prey in pairs - one eagle scares the unfortunate animal, and the second catches it. The predator's reaction is lightning fast. It is most often found in Zaire and Kenya.

4. Swan

Swan

It turns out that this is not only a very beautiful bird, but also a large one. The weight of an adult can reach 15 kg, the wingspan is about 2 meters. Swans fly at a speed of 50-80 km/h, covering several thousand kilometers per day. Swans are monogamous creatures, and they also protect their young until they are two years old.

3. Crane

Crane

A graceful and truly enormous bird. Its height is up to 190 cm, and its wingspan is 2 m. Impressive, isn't it?

2. Emperor penguins

Emperor Penguins

They look more like animals, but in fact they are birds. Their height reaches 120 cm, and their weight is about 50 kg. The giants live mainly in the ice of Antarctica, but they can also reach the mainland.

1. African ostrich

The African ostrich is the largest bird in the world

The African ostrich weighs about 150-170 kg and is 2.7 m tall. The ostrich cannot fly, but it can run very, very fast, reaching speeds of 70 km/h. The size of this bird's eyes is identical to the size of its brain.

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