Birds are amazing creatures. They know how to build extraordinary nests, touchingly care for their babies and easily soar in the heavens.
With a lot of weight, it is not easy to climb into the sky, so almost all birds are modest in size. However, among birds there are giants.
Fifth place - Emperor Penguin
One of the largest birds in the world is an emperor penguin. The growth of large males reaches 1 m 30 cm, and the weight is 35-50 kg. The birds have a solemn appearance and seem to be dressed in strict tailcoats - they have a black back, head and wings, chest is white, and pink spots on the cheeks. Emperor penguins have mastered the icy expanses of Antarctica. On land, they are slow and slow, slowly marching on the ice, rolling over from side to side. But in the water they transform and demonstrate excellent athletic form.
When hunting for fish, penguins are able to swim at a speed of about 50 km / h and dive to a depth of more than 500 meters (for comparison, this is the average submersion depth of the submarines). Wings, which are very similar to flippers, cannot lift a penguin into the sky, but serve it well in the water.
Do you know why polar bears do not eat penguins? The answer is in our article here.
Fourth place - Rhea
Nandu is a large bird that lives in South America. The height of the rhea reaches 1 m 40 cmand the weight is 40 kg. The appearance is peculiar - the massive body is densely covered with lush feathers,a small head rests on a long feathered neck, high bare legs are equipped with three fingers, and on small wings there is a sharp claw. Nandu uses these claws to protect against enemies.
The bird compensates for its inability to fly by running fast. When spread, the wings help maintain balance and play the role of a sail on windy days. In case of danger Nandu has a speed of 60 km / h, they also know how to swim well and easily cross rivers.
Third place - emu
Emu ranks third in the ranking of the largest birds on the planet. This bird lives in Australia and leads a nomadic lifestyle. The growth of large individuals reaches 1 m 90 cmand the weight is 55 kg. Emu has long strong legs, on each leg there is a kind of "pillow" and three fingers with claws - this structure helps to run at a speed of 50 km / h, make long transitions and defend against enemies. But the emu’s wings are very small - only about 20 cm long with a small claw at the end of each wing. A small head rests on a long light blue neck with a rare plumage, the body is covered with long feathers resembling wool.
Emu is able not only to run fast, but also to swim well. Birds with pleasure swim and bask in cool ponds, although they can easily tolerate heat - they actively move even in sultry noon hours. Interestingly, these large birds are capable of making unusual sounds reminiscent of drumming and pork grunting.
Second Place - Cassowary
Cassowary is the second largest bird in the world, living in the forests of New Guinea and in the northeastern part of the Australian continent. The growth of the largest individuals is 2 mand the weight is 60 kg. The cassowary has an original appearance - the body is massive with thick plumage, the wings are small and invisible under long feathers, the legs are powerful, the neck is elongated with drooping outgrowths, the head is blue and bald, and on the top of the head is a horned helmet.
The purpose of this helmet is not entirely clear; according to one version, it helps males look more attractive in the eyes of females, and according to another, it facilitates rapid movement in dense thickets. Cassowars run really fast in the forest, developing speeds of up to 50 km / h. Strong legs with three fingers are armed with sharp claws and the bird needs it not only for movement, but also for protection. On the inner toe of each leg there is a claw up to 120 cm long. This claw is more like a dagger and is able to hit the enemy with one blow. Cassowaries are very aggressive birds and meetings with them are best avoided.
The biggest bird in the world
The largest bird in the world is an African ostrich.. The growth of the largest ostriches reaches 2 m 70 cmand the weight is 156 kg! The male has an elegant contrasting color - the body is covered with curly black feathers, the wings and tail are snow-white, and the small head, elongated neck and strong high legs are devoid of plumage. Female ostriches are smaller and have a modest white-gray color. Big bulging eyes of ostriches are decorated with long eyelashes.
The wings of the birds are small, and at the end of each wing there are two claws. There are only two toes on the legs, which does not prevent ostriches from developing decent speed.
These giant birds cannot fly, but they run at a speed of 70 km / h! Excellent vision allows ostriches to see in advance the approach of the enemy, and strong legs are able to take steps up to 4 m long. So catching an ostrich is not easy.
The largest birds of our planet boast significant weight and height. These birds have lost the ability to fly, but run and swim beautifully.
- A place. Ostrich - height 2.7 m, weight 156 kg;
- A place. Cassowary - growth up to 2.0 m, weight 60 kg;
- A place. Emu - height 1.9 m, weight 55 kg;
- A place. Nandu - height 1.4 m, weight 40 kg;
- A place. Emperor penguin - height 1.3 m, weight 30-50 kg.
