The largest bird in the world. Who is she?

On the question of which bird is the largest, it is impossible to answer unequivocally. You must first determine the criteria. The answer can be completely different - it all depends on the selected parameters.

The ostrich is the biggest bird by weight and height

Of the living today, the largest bird in the world is the American ostrich. The weight of an adult can reach 180 kg at a height of 2 meters 70 centimeters. Ostrich also owns another record: the diameter of the eye in these birds is 5 centimeters, and the weight of both eyes often exceeds the weight of the brain of this bird.

Ostriches are birds that do not fly. This is due to the structure of their body. They have no keel, ostriches have small wings and poorly developed chest muscles. But these birds are fine runners with strong long legs. One of the fingers on each limb ends with a horny growth. On this "hoof" the ostrich rests during the run. All these adaptations allow him to develop a speed of up to 70 km / h.

The main food of ostriches is shoots, seeds, fruits and flowers. But with pleasure they eat small insects, and even rodents and reptiles. There are no teeth for ostriches and because they need to digest food faster, they have to swallow stones and pieces of wood. Sometimes in the stomach to these birds gets iron.

For which the ostriches suffered

The body of the ostrich is covered with beautiful loose feathers. The exception is the head and neck, thighs and "chest peevish". Most often males have black plumage, females are usually painted in gray-brown tones. This curly plumage and led to the active extermination of these birds.

Fashion for ostrich feathers, decorating men's hats and women's haircuts, hats and other accessories, has led to the fact that the largest bird in the world was endangered. Shooting for the sake of feathers led to a sharp reduction in individuals in nature.

Man is a threat and a salvation

Save and increase the number of these unusual majestic birds help ostrich farms around the world. It turned out that ostriches perfectly live in captivity. The largest bird in the world has adapted even to Russian frosts.

Breeding of these birds is very profitable: they live about 70 years, up to the age of 30 they retain their reproductive functions. Ostrich meat in terms of nutrients content competes with beef, during the season the female brings up to 45 pieces of eggs. A weighs each such egg on average about 1.5-2 kg. The shell also goes into action. From it craftsmen make various souvenirs, even caskets. The pen is also used today for making theater costumes and props.

The largest flying bird in the world

Albatross and condor are considered to be the largest birds that can fly. The range of their wings is 3.5 meters, sometimes reaches 4 meters. But primacy still belongs to albatrosses. The weight of an adult bird reaches 13 kg.

Interesting facts about albatrosses

• In search of food, they travel long distances. This is the largest bird in the world, hovering over the sea, has a very developed sense of smell. Therefore, the albatross hunts more often at night. It feeds on carrion, clams, plankton, fish and crustaceans.
• They like albatross and food waste from ships. Therefore, they often accompany the ship, flying far from shore. Sailors consider these birds as harbingers of a storm. Before a storm, they fly over the water in search of food ejected by the sea.
• The average life expectancy of these birds is 10-20 years. But in nature there are 50-year-olds. Nesting albatrosses prefer colonies. Although these are single birds, the colony settlement is safer.

Which of the flying birds is the heaviest?

This record belongs to the bustard. The weight of this bird, capable of taking off, reaches 19 kg. Currently, this species is listed in the Red Book. It is difficult to restore it, because the Bustard reproduces badly in captivity. In the Saratov region for about 30 years there is a nursery for the breeding of this species.

Sensational findings of scientists

In 1980, scientists discovered the remains of the largest flying bird that lived on Earth more than 6 million years ago. Called this disappeared species Argentavis magnificens, as excavations were carried out on the territory of modern Argentina. A scarecrow of this giant bird is exhibited at the Museum of Natural History in Los Angeles.

The largest bird in the world weighed about 80 kg and had a wingspan of up to 8 m. One feather was about 1.5 m long, and its width was about 20 centimeters. Heavy weight made it difficult to fly. But, using the ascending air currents, Argentavis magnificens could climb to a height of about 3 km and fly over 200 km. At the same time, he did not even need to wave his wings. Scientists suggest that for take-off ancient birds used elevations.

Specialists found that giant ancient birds were predators and ate small ground animals the size of a rabbit. The structure of the jaws and beak did not allow chewing food or tearing it into pieces. They simply swallowed the whole animal.

Thus, the answers to the question about which bird is the largest, a few. This again illustrates the diversity of species in nature.