Albatrosses are big, majestic birds that can be found soaring above most of the worlds oceans.
These frequent fliers are known for spending months in the air without touching down, as well as having some unique mating arrangements. However, thanks to harmful fishing techniques and predation by invasive species, albatrosses around the world are either under threat or endangered.
There are 23 species of albatrosses, though arguably the most famous is the wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans), which is the largest flying bird in the world. This bird has a 11-foot (3.4 meter) wingspan, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica even bigger than the famous California condor and it uses those massive flappers to travel thousands of miles in a single journey.
6. Trumpeter Swan (Wingspan: 2.4 m / 7.9 ft)
Now were starting to get into the heavyweights. The Trumpeter swan is the largest and heaviest of all the waterfowl on this list.
Despite some European populations surviving being hunted for their meat and feathers, these are larger and noisier than their European cousins because they are more common in North America.
These birds live in relative peace with few predators because of their sheer size, which makes them difficult prey for anything save human hunters.
The adults eat mostly vegetarianism, allowing them to live for up to thirty years, while the young feed primarily on protein-rich insects.
8. Secretarybird (Wingspan: 2.1 m / 6.9 ft)
This one appears to belong in the category of extinct monsters. It’s the closest thing you can get to a prehistoric dinosaur!
It weighs a lot, and at up to one meter, it is among the tallest birds. 3 meters. It primarily relies on the wind for lift because of its size, weight, and morphology, which don’t really lend themselves to flying.
This bird will spend most of its time running around hunting prey in the long grass, so any flapping it does will be fleeting.
9. Dalmatian Pelican (Wingspan: 1.9 m / 6.2 ft)
The biggest pelican is also one of the biggest birds. The Dalmatian pelican is significantly larger than its canine namesake, with a massive gulp and a wingspan of nearly two meters.
These are among the heaviest flying birds and are not graceful either, weighing up to 15 kg.
There are a lot of exaggerated claims made regarding this bird’s wingspan; some say it is on par with the animal at the bottom of the list, while many others say it is significantly greater.
However, these appear to have no supporting evidence at all, so they’ll have to wait until it’s verified.
Still, average measurements of up to 1. There are records of 9 m, and a widely reported measurement of up to 2 This is without a doubt one of the biggest birds in the sky at 8 m (according to a book). Although the Great White pelican and this pelican are tied for the largest, the Dalmatian pelican is typically the larger bird.
FAQ
Which is the largest flying bird in the world?
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