Mammals like giraffes, elephants, and blue whales likely come to mind when considering the largest animals in the planet. At least in the UK, birds are typically small. In this area, birds like robins and sparrows are more common than objects that weigh many kilograms.
However, some bird species are unexpectedly huge, with the tallest being even larger than a person.
These species are not even close to the extinct elephant bird in size. When it was alive more than a thousand years ago in Madagascar, the species Vorombe titan may have weighed up to 800 kg.
10. Dwarf cassowary
The smallest of the three cassowary species, Casuarius bennetti, inhabits woods on hills and mountains that can reach a height of 3 kilometers. This bird, which is over a meter long, eats fruit, mushrooms, insects, and even small mammals.
Maximum weight: 17.6kg
Distribution: New Guinea
9. Mute swan
Despite its name, the mute swan (Cygnus olor) is a noisy bird; nevertheless, it only occasionally utilizes its voice, which is quieter than that of other species. They are typically found in rivers, lagoons, and lowland freshwater marshes.
Maximum weight: 22.5kg
Distribution: Central and Northern Europe; Central and Eastern Asia
8. Lesser rhea
Darwin researched the species on his second Beagle expedition, earning the name “Darwin’s rhea” for the bird. Darwin struggled to find the bird, but he was eventually successful when fellow traveler and artist Conrad Martens shot and cooked one for dinner.
Maximum weight: 25kg
Distribution: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru
7. Greater rhea
Rhea americana is an omnivore species that lives in grasslands. It enjoys eating grasshoppers, lizards, frogs, small birds, and some snakes in addition to plants.
Maximum weight: Over 25kg
Distribution: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay
6. Emperor penguin
This famous species may weigh up to 46kg and grow to a height of 115cm. To get to a breeding colony, Aptenodytes forsteri will travel up to 120 kilometers through ice.
Maximum weight: 46kg
Distribution: Antarctica
5. Emu
Three cassowaries and an emu make up the family Casuariidae’s four surviving members. Emus can grow to a height of 190 cm and weigh between 30 and 45 kg on average, with the largest reaching 55 kg.
Maximum weight: 55kg
Distribution: Australia
4. Northern cassowary
The Casuarius unappendiculatus is a flightless bird, just as other cassowary species. The male of this species nurtures the eggs for nine months after they are laid by the female.
Maximum weight: 58kg
Distribution: New Guinea
3. Southern cassowary
They can reach a length of 170 cm and are found in savannah woodland, swamp woods, and rainforests. The southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) is only slightly larger than its cousin, the northern cassowary.
Maximum weight: 58kg
Distribution: New Guinea and Queensland, Australia
2. Somali ostrich
Struthio molybdophanes, hitherto thought to be a subspecies of the common ostrich, was recognized as a distinct species in 2014.
Maximum weight: 105kg
Distribution: Horn of Africa
1. Common ostrich
Struthio camelus species males can grow to a massive 2.75 tall. These non-flying birds have amazing running ability and can sprint at 70 km/h (43 mph).
Maximum weight: 156kg
Distribution: Savannahs of Africa