You're watching FreeSchool!
This is a countdown of the ten heaviest birds in the world. When it comes to weight, these
fat fowl tip the scales father than any other birds on the planet!
Number 10: the King Penguin.
The second-largest penguin in the world, the king penguin can be found on islands north
of Antarctica. They grow to just under three feet or a meter in height, and the heaviest
king penguin ever recorded weighed 44 lb or 20 kg.
Number 9: the great bustard.
The only bird on this countdown capable of flight, the great bustard is the heaviest
flying bird, and,in fact, the heaviest animal capable of flight, in the world. Native to
Europe and Asia, the Great Bustard may have a wingspan of nearly nine feet or 2.7 meters,
and the largest recorded specimen weighed 46 lbs or 21 kg.
Number 8: the lesser rhea.
Also known as 'Darwin's rhea,' the lesser rhea is native to the southern parts of South
America. Incapable of flight, it relies on its strong legs to escape predators, running
at speeds of up to 37 mph or 60 kpm. The lesser rhea can reach heights of approximately 3
feet or 1 meter, and weighs up to 63 lb or 28 kg.
Number 7: the dwarf cassowary.
The smallest of the three species of cassowary, the dwarf cassowary lives in New Guinea, a
large island north of Australia. Though not as large as its cousins, the dwarf cassowary
is a big bird, reaching lengths of up to 5 feet or 1.5 meters, with the largest ever
seen weighing 75 lbs or 34 kg.
Number 6: the greater rhea
Also called the common rhea, the greater rhea outmatches its smaller cousins from the south.
Native to the eastern parts of South America, the greater rhea is the largest bird on that
continent. Large males may stand six feet tall and weigh 88 lbs or 40 kg, although they
rarely reach such recordbreaking size.
Number 5: the emperor penguin.
The largest penguin on earth, the Emperor penguin may grow to be an impressive 51 inches
tall - taller than an average 8-year-old child. They are native to Antarctica, and are the
only species that breeds there during the harsh Antarctic winter. Emperor penguins may
weigh a hefty 100 lb, or 46 kg.
Number 4: the emu.
Native to Australia, emus are the largest bird on that continent and the second-tallest
bird in the world, reaching over 6 feet in height. They also have some of the strongest
legs in the world, using their large, clawed feet to defend themselves. Emus can achieve
weights of up to 150 lb or 70 kg.
Number 3: the northern cassowary
The northern cassowary is a stocky, flightless bird that lives in the swamps and rainforests
of northern New Guinea. These solitary birds eat fruits and small animals, and can tip
the scales at up to 170 lb or 75 kg.
Number 2: the southern cassowary
As its name implies, the southern cassowary has a range farther south than its cousin,
in Indonesia, New Guinea, and Northern Australia. At their maximum size, they may exceed 6 feet
in height and 190 lb or 85 kg in weight.
Number 1: The Ostrich.
The tallest, heaviest, and fastest running bird in the world, the ostrich also lays the
largest eggs of any living bird. Males may reach an impressive height of 9ft, 2in (2.8m),
and a weight of 346 lb or 156 kg, almost doubling the weight of the next heaviest bird.
I hope you enjoyed learning about the ten heaviest birds on Earth today, and stay tuned,
for more creature countdowns from FreeSchool.