5 Largest Birds in the World

Seeing a large bird on sky could definitely be amazing for every one of us. Some of the large birds can fly some of them can’t. Either way they are just amazing. Check out the list of largest living birds in the world.

1. Ostrich

Ostrich is the largest living bird in the world. An adult ostrich weighs up to 150 kilograms and has a maximum height of 6 feet. They also held the record of the fastest speed of any bird in the land and largest egg of any living birds. With strong legs, ostriches can run up to a maximum speed of 70 kmph.The flightless ostriches are native to Africa.
Ostriches mainly feed on seeds, shrubs, fruits, flowers and small insects. They also swallowed pebbles for grilling foods. Interestingly, ostriches can hold up to 1.3 kilograms of pebbles and sand. They can also live without water for several days.
The powerful long legs help ostriches for attacking the predators.. Ostriches usually live in groups that contain 10 to 50 birds. A female ostrich lays up to 60 eggs in a year. On average, an ostrich egg measure 5.1 inches in diameter and up to 1.4 kg in weight.

2. Southern Cassowary

Native to tropical rain forests of Indonesia and Australia, Southern cassowary is the second largest bird in the world. This large, dark flightless bird measures 5.1 feet in height and 75 to 80 kg in weight. Their bills also have a length up to 7.5 inches.
The three toe legs of cassowary are very powerful and thick. Cassowarys can’t fly, but cab run up to a speed of 30 miles per hour. Insets, grass, fungus are main food of Southern cassowary. During the summer season, female bird lays 8 to 10 large, dark eggs. Male bird incubates those eggs for more than 50 days.

3. Emu

Emu is the largest flightless bird of Australia. They stand up to a height of 6 ft. and weighs up to 60 kg. They live in the savannas, woodlands and other forest ranges of Australia. Emus feed on plants, seeds, fruits, lizards and other insects. Interestingly, emus also swallows pebbles for grilling the food they ate.
Emu’s long legs help them to achieve a maximum speed of 50 km/hr. Emus form pairs during the summer season and breeds in the cooler season. Their eggs have dark green color and weigh up to 1 pound. One nest of emu usually contains 8 or 10 eggs.

4. Emperor Penguin

Emperor penguins are the tallest and heaviest species of penguin. They only can be seen in Antarctica. Emperor penguins can stand up to a height of 45 inches and weigh up to 45 kg. They travel up to 80 km in searching for food and can dive up to a depth of 1500 ft. Emperor penguins mainly feed on fishes, squids, and krills.
Actually, male emperor penguins take care of newly laid eggs by females. During that period, male penguins eat nothing for more than two months. During that period, the female penguins are in searching for food in the open oceans. Female penguins collect food in bellies and bring back the swallowed food for newly hatched chicks.

5. Greater Rhea

The flightless great rhea is the largest bird of South America. They have a body length between 4.1 ft and 4.5 ft and weigh up to 27 kg. The large wings of greater rheas are useless for flying. But they use these large wings for balancing their body while moving. The wings also help them to changing direction while running.
Greater rheas mainly found in grass and wetlands. Their diet includes insects, lizards, and small birds. Like ostrich, greater rheas have powerful long legs, use them for defending on facing threats. Females lay eggs in a single nest, can be found more than 50 eggs within a single nest.