These birds have usually evolved over the years to have short, useless wings that cannot support flight, like birds like the ostrich, emu, or rhea.
All over the world, large flying birds roam the sky and sea: vultures, bustards, swans and more.
These birds are heavy, ranging between 22-44 pounds.
Despite their weight and the constant force of gravity, these heavy birds find ways to fly.
These are the 11 heaviest flying birds in the world!
1. Great bustard (Otis tarda)
Part: bustard family (related to cranes and rails) Weight: 18-44 pounds/8-20 kilograms Wingspan: Males 7-8 feet/210-250 centimeters Found in: Europe and throughout Central Asia
The Great Bustard of Europe and Central Asia ranks 1st as the heaviest flying bird in the world.
With a maximum weight of 44 lbs, these birds impress ornithologists who have discovered that the great bustard is capable of migrating more than 2,000 miles.
The great bustard can be found in habitats such as grasslands or steppes.
During the breeding season, the male Great Bustard boasts a more vibrant color and thin, long feathers near the bill, suggesting whiskers or moustaches!
Also Read: 11 Best Bird Seeds (For Attracting Songbirds)
Part: bustard family (related to cranes and rails) Weight: 24-42 pounds/11-19 kilograms Wingspan: Males 7.5-9 feet/230-275 centimeters Found in: East and South Africa
Africa is home to the world’s largest flightless bird species — the ostrich.
But it may also be home to the largest flying bird species — the Kori bustard!
Although most consider the Great Bustard of Europe and Central Asia to be the largest flying bird, the Kori Bustard is quite comparable in size to its distant Eurasian cousin.
The Kori Bustard lives within African grasslands and savannahs, feeding on plants, berries, snakes and lizards.
Also Read: 12 Easy Tips To Attract Birds To Your Birdbath
3. Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps)
Part: bustard family (related to cranes and rails) Weight: 13-40 pounds/6-18 kilograms Wingspan: Males 7-8 feet/210-250 centimeters Found: Rare in the Indian subcontinent
The great Indian bustard is the third largest bird alive today.
Like its distant bustard cousins, the great Indian bustard makes its home amid the grasslands of the Indian subcontinent, feeding on an omnivorous diet befitting a bird of its size.
Also Read: 20 Best Gifts for the Bird Lover in Your Life
Part: Waterfowl subfamily Anatidae (related to ducks and geese) Weight: 21-38 pounds/9.5-17 kilograms Wingspan: Males 6.6 feet/203 centimeters Found in: North America
Trumpeter swans are large migratory waterbirds that spend their summers in Alaska and western Canada and winters further south in the continental United States. These elegant, snow-white birds form strong bonds with their partners and will often remain faithful until one of the pair dies.
The trumpeter swan is the largest water bird in North America.
Trumpeter swan requires running; simultaneously flapping its wings and paddling its legs on the surface of the water, in order to gain enough speed to take off.
Also Read: 5 Best Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders [That Actually Work]
5. Swan coat of arms (Cygnas olor)
Part: Waterfowl subfamily Anatidae (related to ducks and geese) Weight: 22-31.5 pounds/10-14.3 kilograms Wingspan: Males 6.8-7.8 feet/207-237 centimeters Found: Throughout the Northern Hemisphere (North America, Europe, Asia)
Whooper swans can be found in North America, but this regal white bird is not native to America.
The natural range of the mute swan exists in Europe and Asia.
The male bush swan is unique in that during the breeding season the black bump on the tip of his beak enlarges, making it one of the easiest ways to tell the sexes apart.
Also Read: 5 Best Birdhouses (For Attracting Nesting Birds)
6. Swan swan (Cygnus cygnus)
Part: Waterfowl Subfamily Anatidae (related to ducks and geese) Weight: 16.3-30.8 pounds/7.4-14 kilograms Wingspan: 6.6-9 feet/200-275 centimeters Found in: Europe, Central and north asia.
The whooper swan is another Eurasian bird that migrates extensively between its summer and winter homes.
Some swan calls have even become domesticated in North America, but only on the West Coast.
These birds made their home in America by flying over the Bering Sea.
Also read: 12 tips on how to keep squirrels outside in bird feeders
7. Andean condor (Vultur gryphus)
Part: Family Cathartidae (New World vultures) Weight: Up to 30 pounds/up to 13.6 kilograms Wingspan: 10 feet/305 centimeters Found in: South America, especially in the Andes Mountains
The Andean condor lives high in the Andes mountains.
Part of the reason these birds prefer high cliffs is that it is easier for their large wings to catch the warm rising air, allowing the bird to fly with minimal effort.
The Andean condor may not have the widest wingspan, but its wings have the largest surface area.
Part: Family Pelecaniformes, medium to large seabirds Weight: 23.5-29 pounds/10.5-13 kilograms Wingspan: 10.1-11.3 feet/310-345 centimeters Found in: Europe and Asia
The Dalmatian pelican is the largest pelican of the Pelecaniformes family.
These birds have a huge wingspan that can reach 11 feet.
These birds often work in groups, casually floating on the water before sticking their heads below the surface to pick up fish.
9. Cinereous vulture or Eurasian black vulture (Aegypius monachus)
Part: Old World vulture Weight: 15-27.5 pounds/7-12.5 kilograms Wingspan: 8-10 feet/250-295 centimeters Found in: Europe and Asia
The cinereous vulture is the second largest bird of prey, after the Andean condor.
These vultures can be found in Europe and Asia.
Part: Old World Vulture Weight: 18-26 pounds/8-12 kilograms Wingspan: 9-10 feet/270-300 cm Found: Only in Central Asia, especially the Himalayan Mountains and the Tibetan Plateau
The Himalayan vulture is a master of flying at high altitudes.
We often see this bird gliding 5,000 meters above sea level among the high mountains that are home to the world’s highest peaks.
These large birds use their massive wings and pockets of warm air to soar with minimal effort.
Part of the Diomedeidae family, which consists of large seabirds Weight: Up to 22 pounds/10 kilograms Wingspan: Males 8.2-11.8 feet/250-360 centimeters Found: Throughout the oceans of the Southern Hemisphere
The wandering albatross is quite an extraordinary bird.
Breeding pairs tend to mate for life, but raise only one chick every other year.
This incredible bird is the last on our list, weighing in at 22 pounds.
The really impressive feature of this bird is its wingspan.
The wandering albatross has a huge wingspan of 11-12 feet, which helps it glide effortlessly for hours!