These birds have typically evolved over the years to have short, useless wings, which cannot sustain flight, birds such as the Ostrich or Emu or Rhea.
These birds exist—large and unruly with wingspan that put human height to shame.
All over the world large, flying birds frequent the skies and the 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 take flight.
These are the 11 heaviest flying birds in the world!
Part of the: Bustard Family (related to Cranes and Rails)Weight: 18-44 pounds/8-20 kilogramsWingspan: Males 7-8 feet/210-250 centimetersFound in: Europe & across Central Asia
The Great Bustard of Europe and Central Asia takes 1st place as the heaviest flying bird in the world.
With a maximum weight of 44 lbs, these birds impress ornithologists who have found that the Great Bustard is capable of migrating over 2,000 miles.
The Great Bustard can be found in habitats such as grasslands or steppes.
During mating season the male Great Bustard boasts more vivid coloring and thin, lengthy feathers near its beak, suggesting whiskers or a mustache!
Also read: 11 Best Bird Seeds (to Attract Songbirds)
Part of the: Bustard Family (related to Cranes and Rails)Weight: 24-42 pounds/11-19 kilogramsWingspan: Males 7.5-9 feet/230-275 centimetersFound in: Eastern & Southern Africa
Africa is home to the largest non-flying bird species in the world—the ostrich.
But it may also be home to the largest flying bird species—the Kori Bustard!
Though most credit the Great Bustard of Europe and Central Asia for being the largest flying bird, the Kori Bustard’s size is fairly comparable to its distant Eurasian relative.
The Kori Bustard lives within the African grasslands and savannah, feasting on plants, berries, snakes and lizards.
Also read: 12 Simple Tips to Attract Birds to Your Bird Bath
3. Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps)
Part of the: Bustard Family (related to Cranes and Rails)Weight: 13-40 pounds/6-18 kilogramsWingspan: Males 7-8 feet/210-250 centimetersFound: sparingly on the Indian subcontinent
The Great Indian Bustard is the 3rd largest flying bird living today.
With only 200 individual birds remaining worldwide, it is vital that conservationists work to protect this rare species.
Like its distant bustard relatives, the Great India Bustard makes its home amid the grasslands of the Indian subcontinent, eating an omnivore’s diet fit for a bird of its size.
Also read: 20 Best Gifts for The Bird Lover in Your Life
Part of the: Waterfowl Sub-family Anatidae (related to Ducks and Geese)Weight: 21-38 pounds/9.5-17 kilogramsWingspan: Males 6.6 feet/203 centimetersFound in: North America
Trumpeter Swans are large migratory waterfowl that spend the summers in Alaska and Western Canada and winter further south within the continental U.S. These elegant, snow-white birds form strong bonds with their mates and will often stay loyal until one of the pair dies.
The Trumpeter Swan is the largest waterfowl in North America.
The Trumpeter Swan requires a running start; simultaneously flapping its wings and paddling its feet across the top of the water, to gain enough speed to ensure take off.
Also read: 5 Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders [That Actually Work]
Part of the: Waterfowl Sub-family Anatidae (related to Ducks and Geese)Weight: 22-31.5 pounds/10-14.3 kilogramsWingspan: Males 6.8-7.8 feet/207-237 centimetersFound: throughout the Northern Hemisphere (North America, Europe, Asia)
Mute Swans can be found in North America, however this regal white bird is not a native of the Americas.
The Mute Swan’s natural range exists in Europe and Asia.
The male Mute Swan is unique in that during mating season the black knob that sits atop its beak grows larger, making it one of the easiest ways to distinguish between the sexes.
Also read: 5 Best Bird Houses (to Attract Nesting Birds)
Part of the: Waterfowl Sub-family Anatidae (related to Ducks and Geese)Weight: 16.3-30.8 pounds/7.4-14 kilogramsWingspan: 6.6-9 feet/200-275 centimetersFound in: Europe, Central & Northern Asia.
The Whooper Swan is another Eurasian bird, which migrates extensively between its summer and winter homes.
Some Whooper Swans have even made a home in North America, but only on the West Coast.
These birds established themselves in America by flying the distance across the Bering Sea.
Also read: 12 Tips on How to Keep Squirrels OUT of Bird Feeders
Part of the: Cathartidae family (New World Vultures)Weight: Up to 30 pounds/Up to 13.6 kilogramsWingspan: 10 feet/305 centimetersFound in: South America, specifically in the Andes Mountains
The Andean Condor lives high in the Andes Mountains.
Part of the reason these birds prefer the 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 most surface area.
These remote birds live long lives but are slow to reproduce, often laying only one egg every other year.
Part of the: Pelecaniformes family, medium to large-sized seabirdsWeight: 23.5-29 pounds/10.5-13 kilogramsWingspan: 10.1-11.3 feet/310-345 centimetersFound in: Europe & Asia
The Dalmatian Pelican is the largest pelican within the Pelecaniformes family.
These birds have a massive wingspan that can reach 11 feet.
Often these birds work in groups, casually drifting atop the water before dashing their heads beneath the surface to scoop up fish.
The Dalmatian Pelican’s diet consists entirely of fish.
Part of: Old World VultureWeight: 15- 27.5 pounds/7-12.5 kilogramsWingspan: 8-10 feet/250-295 centimetersFound in: Europe & Asia
The Cinereous Vulture is the 2nd largest bird of prey, following only the Andean Condor.
These vultures can be found in Europe and Asia.
Part of: Old World VultureWeight: 18-26 pounds/8-12 kilogramsWingspan: 9-10 feet/270-300cmFound: only within Central Asia, specifically the Himalayan Mountains and the Tibetan Plateau
This bird is often seen 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 seabirdsWeight: Up to 22 pounds/10 kilogramsWingspan: Males 8.2-11.8 feet/250-360 centimetersFound: throughout the oceans in the Southern Hemisphere
The Wandering Albatross is quite a remarkable bird.
This incredible bird is last on our list, coming in at 22 pounds.
The Wandering Albatross has a massive 11-12 foot wingspan, which helps it glide effortlessly for hours on end!
Do you know what the biggest birds in the world are?
If you’re curious about the largest species of birds on our planet, you’ll love this list with 19 amazing and massive birds.
We’ll talk about the planets’ largest birds: the heaviest birds, tallest birds, longest birds, largest flying birds, largest living birds, birds with the biggest wingspan, or whatever other categories of biggest birds you can think of!
Biggest Birds in the World
Here are the largest bird species on this planet!
Andean condors (Vultur gryphus) are a species of vulture native to South America.
With a weight of around 33 pounds and a maximum wingspan of over 10 feet, these are the largest birds of prey in the world.
These birds have a long lifespan, often living for close to 70 years in the wild.
Dalmatian pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) are among the largest living birds in the world and are the heaviest flying birds.
These are the largest of all pelican species, and one can identify them by their silvery-white bodies and an orangish-red pouch beneath their bills.
These giant freshwater birds can reach a whopping 6 feet in length and weigh between 16 to 33 pounds.
Dalmatian pelicans are found in several countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Their diet mainly consists of fish and a variety of aquatic animals.
Whooper Swan
The whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) is a migratory bird known for its striking appearance.
These elegant birds have a pure white plumage, with black feet and a black & yellow beak.
These birds are commonly found in parts of Asia, Europe, and North America.
These are big birds that can reach around 5.4 feet in length and weigh 24.2 pounds.
Their diet consists mainly of aquatic vegetation, although young whooper swans may also feed on insects and other invertebrates.
They can have a wingspan of up to 9 feet.
Along with being one of the biggest birds in the world, the wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) is also famous for being the largest flying bird in the world by wingspan.
These species of albatross can grow up to a length of 4.4 feet and weigh as much as 30 pounds.
Their average wingspan varies between 8.2 to 11.4 feet.
These birds usually spend their time wandering over the vast expanse of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, making their way towards land only during the breeding season.
Their diet consists of fish and other marine animals.
Trumpeter Swan
The heaviest living bird native to the United States and Canada, the trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator), is found near lakes and ponds in several parts of the continent.
These graceful birds can reach around 6 feet and weigh over 25 pounds.
They are white with black beaks and feet and usually feed on aquatic vegetation.
Kori bustards (Ardeotis kori) are heavy birds that can reach around 3.9 feet in height, thanks to their long necks.
Their maximum weight is usually about 40 pounds.
Males and females of the species have a huge disparity in size, with the former being almost twice as large as the latter.
These birds are native to Africa, where they prefer to inhabit dry grasslands, scrublands, and savannahs.
Their diet consists primarily of insects and small animals, although they occasionally feed on berries and seeds too.
King penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) are the second-largest penguin species found on earth.
They are similar in appearance to the emperor penguin and are native to the subantarctic islands.
These birds can reach a size of around 37 inches and usually weigh between 30 to 35 pounds.
These birds are excellent divers and feed on fish and marine animals such as squids.
Great Bustard
One of the biggest birds in the world, the great bustard (Otis tarda) is a powerful and robust bird found in parts of Europe and Asia.
Their height ranges between 2.4 to 3.4 feet, female birds being comparatively smaller than the males.
These omnivorous birds usually weigh between 6.6 to 39 pounds and feed on a varied diet consisting of vegetation, insects, rodents, amphibians, small birds, etc.
Unfortunately, they are now a vulnerable species, with loss of habitat being the main reason behind their declining populations.
Mute Swan
Mute swans (Cygnus olor) are majestic birds that breed in several regions across Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa.
They are most commonly found near aquatic environments, where they feed on vegetation, insects, worms, and small amphibians.
One of the heaviest among all the flying bird species on earth, these swans can weigh up to 28 pounds.
They are easily identifiable due to their striking white bodies, long necks, and orangish bills.
The lesser rhea (Rhea pennata), also known as Darwin’s rhea, is a giant non-flying bird native to parts of South America, including Argentina and Chile.
These birds are usually over 3 feet in height and can weigh between 33 to 55 pounds.
Their diet consists mainly of plant matter such as leaves, fruits, and seeds, although they may also occasionally feed on insects and small vertebrates.
Although they are also known as the little cassowary, these birds are by no means small.
These cassowaries can grow up to a height of 4.92 feet and reach a maximum weight of around 57 pounds.
They are native to the islands of New Britain, New Guinea, and Yapen, where they feed on an omnivorous diet consisting of fruits, insects, and small animals.
Domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are large birds raised in several parts of the world for their meat.
They are descendants of the wild turkey, which is native to America.
At close to 86 pounds, the domesticated turkey ranks eighth among the largest birds in the world in terms of their weight.
These are social birds usually between 3.3 to 4.1 feet in length.
Their diet consists of seeds and grains.
The largest bird species found in South America, the greater rhea (Rhea americana), is a flightless bird that can reach a height of around 4.9 feet in adulthood.
The male birds are larger and heavier than the females and weigh close to 60 pounds.
Greater rheas are omnivorous birds that feed on various fruits, seeds, leaves, lizards, insects, and even small birds.
The next on our list of the biggest birds in the world is the majestic emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri).
Native to the ice-packed continent of Antarctica, male and female emperor penguins can grow up to around 3.7 feet in length and weigh between 55 to 100 pounds.
They are white and black birds with some patches of yellow and orange on parts of the breast, neck, and head.
These birds can dive to the depths of around 1,800 feet in search of their prey, consisting mainly of fishes, krill, and other marine animals.
They are the largest among all species of penguins.
Ranking second in the list of the world’s tallest birds, emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) are found in various habitats all over Australia.
They have an average height ranging from 4.9 feet to 6.2 feet and weigh up to around 132 pounds.
These are large flightless birds with strong legs, enabling them to run at speeds close to 31 miles per hour.
Their diet consists of fruits, flowers, seeds, insects, and smaller vertebrates.
The northern cassowary (Casuarius unappendiculatus) is native to New Guinea and some islands of Indonesia.
Also popular as the golden-necked cassowary, these birds can reach a height of around 5.9 feet tall in adulthood and have an average weight of approximately 128 pounds.
The males are smaller than the females, usually weighing between 66 to 82 pounds.
They follow a varied diet consisting of fruits, berries, insects, smaller vertebrates, and even carrion.
They are the fourth heaviest birds currently living on earth.
This bird ranks second among the biggest birds in the world in body weight.
A close relative of the emu, these flightless birds are found in some parts of Australia, including Queensland and New Guinea.
Adult birds can grow up to around 6 feet tall and have an average weight ranging between 63 to 129 pounds.
Both males and females of this species are similar in appearance, although females are considerably larger and heavier.
Although the diet of these magnificent birds consists mainly of fallen fruits, they are also known to feed on insects and small vertebrates.
Somali ostriches (Struthio molybdophanes) are large flightless birds recognized as a separate species only in 2014.
These omnivorous birds are native to the dry regions of Africa and can weigh as much as 344 pounds.
Like the common ostrich, the Somali ostrich can also reach a height of around 9 feet tall.
The largest bird in the world is the common ostrich (Struthio camelus).
Reaching close to 9 feet in length, these are the biggest living bird species on earth (and among the biggest animals, too).
The adult ostrich is a bird with powerful legs and can weigh up to 320 pounds, making them the heaviest birds by far.
These tallest birds also hold the record for having the biggest eyes (2 inches in diameter) among all land animals.
At present, wild ostriches are only found in the African continent, where they feed on an omnivorous diet consisting of both plants and smaller animals and insects.
Ostrich eggs are the largest of any bird, weighing up to 3.1 pounds.
Largest Species of Birds