Have you ever wished you were an eagle soaring high above the ground? Or the mythical phoenix that rises from the ashes? For centuries, people have watched longingly as birds raise their wings and felt a certain envy. But what about the flightless birds? One would think they resent their free-flying cousins, but these birds are just as awesome in their own right. These 7 birds can’t fly, but you’ll probably envy them anyway.
11 questions and answers about birds
PENGUINS
No list of flightless birds would be complete without the penguin. All 18 species of penguins cannot fly and are actually better suited for swimming and diving, where they spend most of their time. Their short legs and stocky build give them a characteristic limping gait. Although people usually associate penguins with Antarctica, most species live at higher latitudes. A few of them even live in temperate climates, and the Galapagos penguin actually lives on the equator. These birds are also extremely romantic. Penguins are mostly monogamous and look for the same mates each season, even among the hundreds or even thousands of birds that may live in their colony.
STEAM DUCK
Three of the four species of gliding ducks are flightless. But even in flying species, some males are too heavy to lift. These South American ducks earned their name by running on the water and flapping their wings like the wheels of a steamboat. They also use them for other forms of waving. They are known for their aggressiveness and for having epic, bloody battles with each other over territory disputes. They have even been known to kill waterfowl several times their size.
How do birds hear?
STRAUSS
The mighty ostrich is the true king of birds. The largest living bird, the ostrich can reach a height of nearly 3 meters and weigh more than 300 kilograms. Their eggs are also the largest in the world – about 12 centimeters in diameter and 3 kilograms in weight. Their powerful legs can kick in defense and run at speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour across the open lands of Africa where they live. And if that’s not enough, they have long and luxurious eyelashes.
KIWI
There are five species of kiwi – brown birds about the size of a chicken – found in New Zealand. They have hidden vestigial wings and soft, hair-like feathers. Unlike other birds, the kiwi’s nostrils are at the tip of the nose, not at the base. These strange little birds deserve to be admired – females lay eggs that can weigh up to 1 kilogram. Compared to the size of a bird, this is the largest egg of any living species.
Proud hawk or cowardly sparrow: What kind of bird are you according to your zodiac sign?
KAKAPOO
The kakapo, also known as the owl parrot, is a nocturnal parrot and has the face of an owl, the posture of a penguin and the gait of a duck. It is a really strange bird, but also a beautiful one, with bright green-brown feathers. It can reach a length of up to 60 centimeters and is the heaviest parrot in the world. Males emit a characteristic booming call that sounds like a single-toed band that can be heard up to half a kilometer away!
THAT’S IT
This medium-sized bird from New Zealand is a master of hide and seek. It was thought to have disappeared in the late 19th century until it was rediscovered in 1948. It is also a colorful character with bright blue and green plumage and a red beak. It is remarkably long-lived for this bird. It can live up to 20 years.
How to protect cherries from birds?
CASSOWARIES
Cassowaries are birds you do not want to play with. This giant bird, native to Australia and the surrounding islands, is a heavyweight. The only heavier bird is the ostrich. As if that weren’t enough, on the middle toe of each foot, cassowaries have an ominous dagger-like claw that can reach up to 10 centimeters in length and have been known to kill humans. However, if lethal force isn’t your thing, you can still admire their looks. These birds have colorful helmets or caps made of keratin (like human fingernails). And their plush back feathers look like shiny fur cloaks.
