5of the world's Largest birds

Learn about the lifestyle of some of the largest birds on the globe.

Some of the largest birds on Earth can stretch their wings wider than a king-size bed and stand taller than any NBA player. 

On Earth, there are nearly 10,000 different species of birds that range in size and shape from the small bee hummingbird to the enormous ostrich. The tallest, heaviest, and birds with the widest spread of wings are among the top ten largest birds known to have ever lived on Earth. 

1.WANDERING ALBATROSS (DIOMEDEA EXULANS)

Welcome to the world's largest bird, at least in terms of wingspan. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), these sea birds have wingspans that can reach approximately 11 feet (3.35 meters), allowing them to soar over the ocean. These albatross can spend a lot of time in the air thanks to their huge wings; one bird is known to have traveled 3,700 miles (6,000 kilometers) in just 12 days.   

Although there are 23 different species of albatross, all but one are either threatened with extinction, endangered, or vulnerable to it. This is a result of the birds scavenging fish and squid bait from fishing boats and trawlers and getting entangled in fishing hooks.

2.OSTRICH (STRUTHIO CAMELUS)

The ostrich is without a doubt the largest bird on Earth, both in terms of size and weight. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance states that these enormous birds can reach heights of 9 feet (2.7 meters) and weights of up to 287 pounds (130 kilograms). Ostriches are incapable of flight despite having a wingspan of up to 7 feet (2 meters). Instead, they employ their wings in a manner like to a ship's sails.

These birds spread their wings wide and utilize them as air rudders to quickly brake and maneuver during a violent 43 mph run. They can avoid some of the numerous dangers they encounter on the African savanna thanks to their agility, including predatory animals like lions and jackals. According to PBS Nature, in some circumstances, ostriches would attack and use their formidable clawed feet to strike a lion with a blow powerful enough to kill it.

3.GREATER RHEA (RHEA AMERICANA)

These birds may resemble young ostriches, but they are actually their South American cousins, the rhea. Rhea can grow to be as tall as 5 feet (1.5 meters) and weigh an astonishing 66 pounds (30 kilograms), according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, despite being only about one sixth the size of an adult ostrich. According to the Houston Zoo, rhea are flightless birds that, like ostriches, utilize their wings as balance aids when racing at fast speeds of up to 40 mph. Each breeding season, female rhea can lay up to 40 eggs, but the males of the species are responsible for indicating the eggs for about 30 days before they hatch. 

4.DALMATIAN PELICAN (PELECANUS CRISPUS)

The Dalmatian pelican is not only the world's largest flying bird, it is also the largest species of pelican. According to the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation, these pelicans can fly at altitudes of more than 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) and have a wingspan of around 11 feet (3 meters). Dalmatian pelicans not only have large wings, but also a large appetite.

 Approximately 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms) of fish can be consumed by an adult pelican in a single day, according to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Dalmatian pelicans dive into the water and sweep up fish that are near the surface utilizing their massive bill pouches to gather this quantity of fish. after fish are captured

5.SHOEBILL (BALAENICEPS REX)

One of Africa's oddest and tallest birds, shoebills are sometimes known as whale-headed storks. According to the Animal Diversity Web, these peculiar storks are about 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and spend their time wading through freshwater marshes and swamps in search of fish and other small aquatic creatures. According to the non-profit organization BirdLife International, shoebills are highly successful hunters who land a lethal blow into the water about 60% of the time. They do not live in flocks and frequently roam an area of around one square mile (3 square kilometers).