The question of which bird is the largest cannot be answered unequivocally. You must first determine the criteria. The answer can be completely different - it all depends on the selected parameters.
Ostrich is the largest bird by weight and height.
Of the living, the largest bird in the world is the American ostrich. The weight of an adult can reach 180 kg with a height of 2 meters 70 centimeters. One more record belongs to ostriches: the eye diameter of these birds is 5 centimeters, and the weight of both eyes often exceeds the brain weight of this bird.
Ostriches are flightless birds. This is due to the structure of their body. They have no keel, ostriches have small wings and poorly developed pectoral muscles. But these birds are beautiful runners with strong long legs. One of the fingers on each limb ends in a horny growth. The ostrich relies on this "hoof" while running. All these devices allow him to reach speeds of up to 70 km / h.
The main food of ostriches is shoots, seeds, fruits and flowers. But with pleasure they eat small insects, and even rodents and reptiles. Ostriches have no teeth and therefore, in order to digest food more quickly, they have to swallow stones and pieces of wood. Sometimes iron also gets into the stomach of these birds.
What ostriches suffered
The body of the ostrich is covered with beautiful loose feathers. The exceptions are the head and neck, thighs and "callus". Most often, males have black plumage, females are usually painted in gray-brown tones. This curly plumage and led to the active extermination of these birds.
Fashion for ostrich feathers, decorating men's hats and women's hairstyles, hats and other accessories, has led to the fact that the largest bird in the world was in danger of extinction. Shooting for feathers led to a sharp reduction in individuals in nature.
Man is a threat and salvation
Ostrich farms around the world help save and increase the number of these unusual majestic birds. It turned out that ostriches live perfectly in captivity. The largest bird in the world has adapted even to Russian frosts.
Breeding these birds is very beneficial: they live about 70 years, up to the age of 30 they retain reproductive functions. Ostrich meat in terms of nutrients competes with beef, during the season the female brings up to 45 pieces of eggs. And each such testicle weighs an average of about 1.5-2 kg. The shell also goes into business. Craftsmen make various souvenirs from it, even caskets. The feather is still used for the production of theater costumes and props.
The largest flying bird in the world
Albatross and condor are considered the largest birds that can fly. The wingspan of their wings is 3.5 meters, sometimes reaching 4 meters. But the championship still belongs to the albatrosses. The weight of an adult bird reaches 13 kg.
Interesting Albatross Facts
- In search of food, they travel long distances. This is the largest bird in the world, soaring above the sea, has a very developed sense of smell. Therefore, albatross hunts more often at night. It feeds on carrion, mollusks, plankton, fish and crustaceans.
- They love albatrosses and food scraps from ships. Therefore, they often accompany the ship, flying far from the coast. Sailors consider these birds harbingers of the storm. Before the storm, they fly over the water in search of food thrown out by the sea.
- The average life expectancy of these birds is 10-20 years. But in nature there are also 50-year-old individuals. Albatrosses prefer to nest in colonies. Although these are solitary birds, the colony settlement is safer.
Which of the flying birds is the heaviest?
This record belongs to the bustard. The weight of this bird, capable of flying, reaches 19 kg. Currently, this species is listed in the Red Book. Its restoration is difficult, since bustard breeds poorly in captivity. In the Saratov region for about 30 years, a nursery for breeding this species.
