Many of the heaviest birds are flightless, and there are thousands of species of birds on the planet that range in form, color, behavior, size, and unique feathers. We’ve only included the biggest birds on the planet which can be found in some regions, ranked by average weight.
14. Dalmatian Pelican
It is a gorgeous bird with a range of colors from yellow to purple that can be found in Europe, India, China, and a few Asian nations. It lives in lakes, rivers, deltas, and estuaries and feeds only on fish.
Average Mass: 7.25 to 15 kg
Maximum Mass: 15 kg
Average length: 6.3 ft
13. Andean Condor
The Andean Condor is a South American bird with a lifespan of more than 70 years, making it one of the world’s longest-living birds. It is the world’s second-largest flying bird, after the Kori bastard, and it nests at altitudes of up to 5,000 meters.
Average Mass: 8.1 to 14.9 kg
Maximum Mass: 14.9 kg
Average length: 4.2 ft
12. Kori Bustard
The Kori Bustard is the world’s biggest flying bird, found in grassy regions, plains, lightly wooded savanna, and dry scrubs across southern Africa (mostly in Botswana and Namibia). Termites, bush crickets, scorpions, grasshoppers, locusts, and dung beetles are among the insects eaten by the Kori bustard.
Average Mass: 11.4 kg
Maximum Mass: 20 kg
Average length: 5 ft
11. Domesticated Turkey
Domesticated turkeys are descended from turkeys and are now found all over the world, being raised for meat, feathers, and a variety of other reasons.
Average Mass: 13.5 kg
Maximum Mass: 39 kg
Average length: 4.1 ft
10. King Penguin
It is the second biggest penguin species after the emperor penguin, and it eats tiny fish, krill, and crustaceans. It can dive to depths of more than 100 meters.
Average Mass: 13.6 kg
Maximum Mass: 20 kg
Average length: 3 ft
9. Lesser Rhea
Lesser rhea, commonly known as Darwin’s rhea, is located in South America’s Altiplano and Patagonia. It is a critically endangered species with just a few thousand Darwin’s rheas remaining in South America, and it feeds on fruits and grasses.
Average Mass: 19.6 kg
Maximum Mass: 28.6 kg
Average length: 3.2 ft
8. Dwarf Cassowary
The Dwarf Cassowary is an endangered bird owing to habitat loss and degradation, as well as hunting for food. It feeds on small animals, fruits, and insects, and may be found in the forests of New Guinea, New Britain, and Yapen Island. It prefers lowland areas with elevations of up to 1,300 meters.
Average Mass: 19.7 kg
Maximum Mass: 34 kg
Average length: 3.4 ft
7. Greater Rhea
The greater rhea lives in grassland, grass marshes, and a variety of open habitats in eastern South America and is listed as endangered by the IUCN.
Average Mass: 23 kg
Maximum Mass: 40 kg
Average length: 4.4 ft
6. Emperor Penguin
The Emperor Penguin is the largest and heaviest of all living penguins and is a descendant of Antarctica. Adapted to the harshest climate, some emperor penguins may live up to 50 years old.
Average Mass: 31.5 kg
Maximum Mass: 46 kg
Average length: 3.7 ft
5. Emu
Emu is the world’s heaviest (5th) and tallest (2nd) bird, with a population of about 700,000. They can run up to 50 km/h and consume a range of insects and plants. Emus are also raised for meat, feathers, and oil. Emus can be found in every area of Australia.
Average Mass: 33 kg
Maximum Mass: 70 kg
Average length: 5 ft
4. Northern Cassowary
It is a smaller version of the Southern Cassowary and an endangered species with a population of 2500 to 10000 individuals. It may be found in the lowland rainforests of Yapen, Batanta, Slalawati, and Northern New Guinea. It features a bright red or yellow neck and wattle, large and powerful feet, and a blue skin face.
Average Mass: 44 kg
Maximum Mass: 75 kg
Average length: 4.9 ft
3. Southern Cassowary
The Southern Cassowary is one of the endangered birds. It has a blue face and neck with stiff, bristly black plumage. This bird is found in Indonesia, New Guinea, and north-eastern Australia (tropical rainforest). It prefers elevations of less than 1,100 meters in Australia and less than 50 meters in New Guinea, and it has a population of over 2500.
Average Mass: 45 kg
Maximum Mass: 85 kg
Average length: 5.1 ft
2. Somali Ostrich
The second heaviest living bird, the Somali Ostrich, is primarily found in the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Somalia). Its skin is identical to that of other ostriches, with the exception of the thighs and the Somali ostrich’s skin being grey-blue.
Average Mass: 90 kg
Maximum Mass: 130 kg
Average length: 6.6 ft
1. Common ostrich
The common ostrich is the world’s largest and heaviest flightless bird, and it feeds mostly on seeds, grass, bushes, fruit, and flowers. It is the fastest bird on land, capable of running up to 70 kilometers per hour.
Average Mass: 104 kg
Maximum Mass: 156.8 kg
Average length: 6.9 ft
