The gigantic, 10-foot-tall “elephant bird” was probably blind and nocturnal
No one suspected this, but after a brain reconstruction study, scientists discovered that the largest bird known to science was probably blind and roamed the island of Madagascar at night.
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Did you know that birds live in a more vibrant world than we humans? They can see a wide range of colors that humans can’t perceive, experts previously told USA TODAY.
Their vibrant colors help them impress their mates, blend in with their surroundings, ward off predators, and stay cool in hot temperatures. Plus, they’re great for birdwatching — even dull-colored pigeons have iconic beauty for city dwellers.
But what about the birds you’ll never see perching in your backyard? Let’s take a closer look at some of the largest birds in the avian kingdom.
What is the largest bird in the world?
Ostriches are the largest birds in the world. According to National Geographic, these flightless birds weigh between 220 and 350 pounds and stand about 7 to 9 feet tall. They are also the fastest bird on land, able to run at speeds of up to 43 miles per hour.
But elephant birds, which lived more than 1,200 years ago, were likely the largest birds that ever lived, weighing more than 1,500 pounds (some specimens may have weighed nearly 1,900 pounds), according to Scientific American. Elephant birds’ eggs were 150 times larger than chicken eggs.
The tallest bird that has ever lived is the extinct South Island Giant Moa, native to New Zealand. Female Giant Moas can reach heights of around 12 feet.
With such large body weights, it is not surprising that most of the world’s heaviest birds are ratites or flightless birds. Below is a list of the top 10 largest birds in the world by maximum weight according to BBC Wildlife Magazine.
- Ostrich: 346 pounds
- Somali Ostrich: 287 pounds
- Cassowary: 187 pounds
- Cassowary: 165 pounds
- Emu: 154 pounds
- Emperor Penguin: 101 pounds
- O’olea: 88 pounds
- Domestic/wild turkey: 86 pounds
- Cassowary: 75 pounds
- Lesser Rare: 63 pounds
What is the largest flying bird?
According to the British Museum of Natural History, the Kori Bustard is the largest flying bird of all time. It lives in southern Africa and weighs about 42 pounds, with a wingspan of nine feet.
Sarus cranes are the tallest flying birds, standing at about six feet tall. They live in India, Southeast Asia and northern Australia.
Which bird has the largest wingspan?
Wandering albatrosses have the largest wingspan of any living bird: their wingspan is usually around 8 to 11 feet, but the largest ever recorded was nearly 12 feet.
The marabou stork has the largest wingspan of any land bird, with the recorded wingspan being about 10.5 feet, according to the British Museum of Natural History.
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Want to learn more? We’re here to help.
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