These birds have typically evolved over the years to have short, useless wings, which cannot support flight, birds such as the ostrich or emu or rhea.
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 and 44 pounds.
Despite their weight and constant gravity, these heavy birds find a way to fly.
These are the 11 heaviest flying birds in the world!
1. Great Bustard (Otis tarda)
Part of: 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 Central Asia
The great bustard of Europe and Central Asia holds the 1st place as the heaviest flying bird in the world.
Weighing up to 44 pounds, these birds impress ornithologists who have found that the 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 bustard boasts more vivid coloration and long, thin feathers near the bill, suggesting whiskers or whiskers!
Also Read: 11 Best Bird Seeds (To Attract Songbirds)
Part of: 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: Eastern and Southern Africa
Africa is home to the world’s largest flightless bird species: the ostrich.
But it could also be home to the largest flying bird species: the Kori bustard!
Although most credit the bustard of Europe and Central Asia with being the largest flying bird, the size of the Kori bustard is quite comparable to its distant Eurasian relative.
The Kori bustard lives in the African grasslands and savannah, feasting on plants, berries, snakes and lizards.
Read also: 12 simple tips to attract birds to your birdbath
3. Great Indian bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps)
Part of: Bustard family (related to cranes and rails) Weight: 13-40 lbs/6-18 kilograms Wingspan: Males 7-8 feet/210-250 centimeters Found: Sparingly on the Indian subcontinent
The great Indian bustard is the third largest flying bird alive today.
Like its distant bustard relatives, the great bustard makes its home among the grasslands of the Indian subcontinent, eating an omnivorous diet suitable for a bird of its size.
Read also: 20 best gifts for the bird lover in your life
Part of: Anatidae subfamily of waterfowl (related to ducks and geese) Weight: 9.5-17 kilograms/21-38 lbs Wingspan: 203 centimeters/6.6 male feet Found in: North America
Trumpeter swans are large migratory water birds that spend the summers in Alaska and western Canada and the winter further south in the continental United States. These elegant, snow-white birds form strong bonds with their mates and will often remain faithful until one of them dies.
The trumpeter swan is the largest water bird in North America.
The trumpeter swan calls for a running start; simultaneously flapping their wings and paddling their feet on the surface of the water, to gain sufficient speed to ensure take-off.
Also Read: 5 Best Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders [That Actually Work]
5. Mute swan (Cygnas olor)
Part of: Waterfowl subfamily Anatidae (related to ducks and geese) Weight: 22-31.5 lbs/10-14.3 kilograms Wingspan: Males 6.8-7.8 feet/207-237 centimeters Found: in all of the northern hemisphere (North America, Europe, Asia)
Mute swans can be found in North America, however this regal white bird is not native to the Americas.
The mute swan’s natural range exists in Europe and Asia.
The male mute swan is unique in that during the mating season the black bump that sits atop its beak enlarges, making it one of the easiest ways to distinguish between the sexes.
Also Read: 5 Best Birdhouses (To Attract Nesting Birds)
6. Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)
Part of: Anatidae subfamily of waterfowl (related to ducks and geese) Weight: 16.3-30.8 lbs/7.4-14 kilograms Wingspan: 6.6-9 feet/200-275 centimeters Found in: Europe , Central and Northern Asia.
The whooper swan is another Eurasian bird, migrating 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 settled in America by flying along the Bering Sea.
Instead, their beak is shaped like a long, angular slope that is black and yellow in color.
Also read: 12 tips on how to keep squirrels out of bird feeders
7. Andean condor (Vultur gryphus)
Part of: Family Cathartidae (New World Vultures) Weight: up to 30 lbs / Up to 13.6 kilograms Wingspan: 10 feet / 305 centimeters Found in: South America, particularly in the Andes
The Andean condor lives high in the Andes.
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 largest wingspan, but its wings have the most surface area.
Part of: Pelecaniformes family, medium to large sized seabirdsWeight: 10.5-13 kilograms/23.5-29 lbsWingspan: 310-345 centimeters/10.1-11.3 ftFound in: Europe and Asia
The Dalmatian pelican is the largest pelican within the Pelecaniformes family.
These birds have a huge wingspan that can reach 11 feet.
Often these birds work in groups, casually wandering over the water before ducking their heads below the surface to scavenge for fish.
9. Ash Vulture or Eurasian Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus)
Part of: Old World VultureWeight: 15-27.5 lbs / 7-12.5 kilogramsWingspan: 8-10 feet / 250-295 centimetersFound in: Europe and Asia
The cinereous vulture is the second largest bird of prey, after only the Andean condor.
These vultures can be found in Europe and Asia.
Part of: Old World VultureWeight: 18-26 lbs / 8-12 kilogramsWingspan: 9-10 feet / 270-300 cmFound: Central Asia only, particularly in the Himalayan Mountains and Tibetan Plateau
The Himalayan vulture is a master of high-altitude flight.
This bird is often seen gliding 5,000 meters above sea level among the high mountains which are home to the tallest peaks in the world.
These large birds use their huge wings and pockets of warm air to hover with minimal effort.
Part of: Family Diomedeidae, which includes large seabirds Weight: Up to 22 lbs/10 kilograms Wingspan: Males 8.2-11.8 feet/250-360 centimeters Found: Throughout Southern Hemisphere oceans
The wandering albatross is quite an extraordinary bird.
Breeding pairs tend to mate for life, but only raise one chick every two years.
This amazing bird is last on our list, coming in at 22 pounds.
The truly 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 on end!