More than 9 thousand species of birds live on our planet, most of which are flying. The bones of flying individuals are hollow and thin, which significantly reduces the mass of the skeleton. Lightweight feathers create a wide and durable surface that provides the necessary lift during flight. Some feathers act as a rudder, while others are responsible for protecting the body from hypothermia and damage.
There are small birds, but remote ones - smart and so on, there are large predatory and more good-natured breeds. Interesting, what is the largest bird living on planet Earth? We offer the top 10 largest birds in the world.
10. Steller's sea eagle
The largest bird of prey belonging to the hawk family. Its habitat is northeast Asia. The eagle is the largest eagle, its body weight reaches 9 kg. The predator feeds on fish, carrion. At the moment, it is listed in the Red Book, but it is found in free habitat on the Amur, Kamchatka, in China, Japan, America.
9. Berkut
A large predator of the hawk family. It lives mainly in mountainous areas, eats hares, birds, avoids people. Can attack deer, sheep. The weight of the golden eagle is 7 kg, at the moment the breed is listed in the Red Book. Her distinctive ability is the ability to see very well in the dark. The wingspan allows a flight speed of up to 320 km per hour, so that the victim is practically doomed.
8. Albatross
The largest flying bird, growing up to 11-11 kg. She can be itinerant and royal. The wingspan is almost 4 m, the animals choose rocks as a nesting place - here they flock in whole colonies by the beginning of the active breeding season. Albatrosses are monogamous, mating games are arranged only by very young individuals.
7. Black neck
A large predator from the hawk family. He settles in the mountains, feeds on carrion and meat of killed animals. Adults grow up to 10-12 kg, usually live in colonies or in pairs. They make huge nests - about 2 m in diameter. Nesting period is 3.5 months, maximum of a couple of eggs is laid at a time. The offspring is poorly preserved, but adult strong birds live up to 50 years.
6. Cassowary
An unusual bird with a beautiful name. She has a characteristic bony outgrowth on her head, which is larger in males than in females. Adult cassowaries grow up to 80 kg, but they are half the size of ostriches. This species cannot fly, but it runs fast. Defending themselves, cassowaries kick and strike with their clawed paws.
5. Crowned eagle
It lives in the forest regions of Africa and belongs to powerful predators. The main interest for him are antelopes with monkeys, birds usually hunt large victims in pairs - one eagle frightens the unfortunate animal, and the second catches it. The reaction of the predator is lightning fast. It is most commonly found in Zaire and Kenya.
4. Swan
It turns out to be not only very beautiful, but also a large bird. The mass of an adult can reach 15 kg, the wingspan is about 2 meters. Swans fly at a speed of 50-80 km / h, covering several thousand kilometers a day.Swans are monogamous creatures, and they also protect their young up to two years of age.
3. Crane
An elegant and really huge bird. Her height is up to 190 cm, and the wingspan is 2 m. Impressive, isn't it?
2. Emperor penguins
They look more like animals, but in fact they are birds. Their height reaches 120 cm, and their weight is about 50 kg. Giants live mainly in the ice of Antarctica, but they can reach the mainland.
1. The African ostrich is the largest bird in the world
The weight of the African ostrich is about 150-170 kg, and its height is 2.7 m. The ostrich cannot fly, but it runs very, very fast, developing a speed of 70 km / h. And the size of the eyes of this bird is identical to the size of its brain.
