List of largest birds

List of largest birds
The largest extant species of bird measured by mass is the common ostrich (Struthio camelus), closely followed by the Somali ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes). A male ostrich can reach a height of and weigh over , A mass of has been cited for the ostrich but no wild ostriches of this weight have been verified. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any bird, averaging .
The bird with the largest wingspan is the wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) of the Sub-Antarctic oceans. The largest dimensions found in this species are an approximate head-to-tail length of and a wingspan of .
Largest extinct birds
Table of heaviest extinct bird species
Largest extant birds
Table of heaviest extant bird species
The following table is a list of the heaviest extant bird species based on maximum reported or reliable mass, with the average weight is also given for comparison. These species are almost all flightless, having denser bones and heavier bodies. Flightless birds comprise less than 1% of all extant bird species.
By families
Birds of prey (Accipitriformes)
New World vultures are generally considered belonging to this order, although their inclusion is not accepted by all. If included, the largest species of this order, based on body weight and wingspan, is the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) of western South America. The Andean condor can reach a wingspan of and a weight of .
Excluding New World vultures, the largest extant species is the Eurasian black vulture (Aegypius monachus). The Eurasian black vulture can attain a maximum weight of , a height of up to , and a wingspan of . Other vultures can be almost as large, with the Himalayan vulture (Gyps himalayensis) reaching lengths of up to due to its long neck.
The largest living member of this order, in terms of length and height, is the secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius) of sub-Saharan Africa. It measures in height and in length. Its wingspan can reach and have a weight of .
The largest predatory bird, specifically the largest eagle, is a source of contention.
The harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) of neotropical forests is often cited as the most massive eagle, with wild females up to in weight and captive females occasionally growing to weights of over .
The Steller's sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) of Asia's North Pacific, with unconfirmed weights of up to , and an average weight of , is sometimes regarded as the heaviest eagle.
The up to Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) has the greatest length of any eagle. The harpy and Philippine eagles, due to having to navigate in deep forest, are relatively short-winged and do not exceed , respectively, in wingspan.
The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is of marginally larger wingspan, with the Himalayan subspecies recorded at .
The white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) measures in length with a wingspan. Its wingspan, with a midpoint of , is on average the largest of any eagle.
The white-tailed eagle is sometimes considered the fourth-largest eagle in the world, and is on average the fourth-heaviest.
The martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) is the largest eagle in Africa, and the fifth-heaviest (on average) eagle in the world, with a length of , a weight of and a wingspan of .
The longest wingspan of an eagle ever recorded was an Australian wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax) at . However, less substantiated records indicate that the Steller's sea eagle may reach at least .
The now extinct Haast's eagle (Hieraaetus moorei), which existed alongside early aboriginal people in New Zealand, was by far the largest eagle known and perhaps the largest raptor ever. Adult female Haast's are estimated to have averaged up to in length, weighing up to , with a relatively short wingspan.
The largest of the accipitrine hawks is the Eurasian goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) of temperate Eurasia. They range in size variably, but on average measure in length, have a wingspan of and weigh . The Henst's goshawk (Accipiter henstii) and Meyer's goshawk (Accipiter meyerianus) do rival it in terms of wing size and body mass.
Among the buteonine hawks, the largest species are the ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) and the upland buzzard (Buteo hemilasius) of North America and Asia respectively. The former can have a wingspan of , weigh and measure in length. The weight of the upland buzzard, which can be in the range of , broadly overlaps that of the ferruginous hawk, even though it is slightly larger at long and with a wingspan of .
The swamp harrier (Circus approximans) of Australasia is believed to be the largest species of harrier, measuring long, having a wingspan of and weighing .
The largest species of kite is the red kite (Milvus milvus). With a wingspan of , it measures in length and weighs .
Waterfowl (Anseriformes)
The largest waterfowl species by average size is the trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) of Northern North America, which can reach a length of , a wingspan of and a weight of . The heaviest single waterfowl ever recorded was a cob (Cygnus olor) from Poland which weighed , and was allegedly too heavy to take flight.
The largest species of goose is the Canada goose (Branta canadensis), more specifically the subspecies known as the giant Canada goose (Branta canadensis maxima). Individuals can reach more than in weight.
The largest 'duck' species is the Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) of the Americas. Males can weigh from and can measure up to . However, its genus is now considered to be paraphyletic with the species currently being placed in the subfamily Tadorninae (shelducks and shelgeese). If so, the largest species of the true ducks or dabbling ducks (Anatinae) is the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). They can measure in length, have a wingspan of and a weight of .
Swifts and allies (Apodiformes)
The largest species of Apodiformes is the white-naped swift (Streptoprocne semicollaris), endemic to southern Mexico, and the purple needletail (Hirundapus celebensis), of the Philippine islands. Both reach weights of up to , lengths of up to and wingspans as long as .
Traditionally included in this order, by far the largest hummingbird species is the giant hummingbird (Patagona gigas) of the Andes Mountains. "Giant" is a relative term among the hummingbirds, the smallest-bodied variety of birds, with the giant hummingbird species weighing up to with a length of .
The longest hummingbird species, indeed the longest in the order, is the adult male black-tailed trainbearer (Lesbia victoriae), which can measure up to . The majority of this length is due to the hummingbird's extreme tail streamers. Another size champion among hummingbirds is the sword-billed hummingbird, a fairly large species of which approximately half of its length derives from its bill. This is by far the largest bill-to-body-size ratio of any bird.
Nightjars and allies (Caprimulgiformes)
The largest species of this order of nocturnal birds is the neotropical great potoo (Nycitbius grandis), which can grow to a weight of and a height of . Heavier Caprimulgiformes have been recorded in juvenile specimens of the Australian tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides), which can weigh up to . Other species nearly as large as the potoo are the Papuan frogmouth (Podargus papuensis) of New Guinea and the neotropic, cave-dwelling oilbird (Steatornis caripensis), both growing as large as . The wingspan of the great potoo and the oilbird can be more than , the largest of the order.
The largest species of the nightjar family, the great eared nightjar (Eurostopodus macrotis) of East Asia, is of smaller proportions. Great eared nightjars can reach in weight and in height.
Shorebirds (Charadriiformes)
The largest species in this diverse order is the great black-backed gull (Larus marinus) of the North Atlantic, attaining a height as large as , a wingspan of and a weight of up to . The glaucous gull (L. hyperboreus) is smaller on average than the black-back but has been weighed as heavy as .
Among the most prominent family of "small waders", the sandpipers reach their maximum size in the Far Eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) at up to in length and across the wings. The more widespread Eurasian curlew (N. arquata) can weigh up to .
Less variable in size, the largest species of plovers is the Australasian masked lapwing (Vanellus miles) which grows up to long with a wingspan and a weight of . The widely distributed Caspian tern (Hydroprogne caspia), is relatively large and heavily built. Caspians can range up to in weight, with a wingspan and a length of .
The largest extant alcid is the sub-Arctic thick-billed murre (Uria lomvia), which can weigh up to , with a length of and a wingspan of . However, until its extinction, the flightless great auk (Pinguinus impennis) of the North Atlantic was both the largest alcid and the second-largest member of the order. Great auks could range up to and tall.
Miomancalla howardi was the largest charadriiform of all time, weighing approximately (?) more than the Great Auk with a height of approximately .
Herons and allies (Ciconiiformes)
The longest-bodied and tallest species in this order is the saddle-billed stork of Africa (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis), which often exceeds tall and has a wingspan of up to . Reaching a similar height but more heavily built among the storks are the neotropical jabiru (Jabiru mycteria), the Asian greater adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius) and the African marabou stork (L. crumeniferus), all of which weigh up to . The greater adjutant and marabou nearly equal the Andean condor in maximum wingspan, with all three birds believed to reach or exceed a wingspan of . Standing up to , with a wingspan of up to and a weight up to , the African goliath heron (Ardea goliath) is the largest of the herons and egrets. Juvenile white-bellied heron (A. insignis) have been reported to weigh up to with heights of .
Many of the largest flying birds in the fossil record may have been members of the Ciconiiformes. The heaviest flying bird ever, Argentavis magnificens, is part of a group, the teratorns, that is considered an ally of the New World vultures.
The largest ibis is the giant ibis (Thaumatibis gigantea). Adults can grow to long, with a standing height of up to and are estimated to weigh approximately . Among standard measurements, the wing chord is , the tail is , the tarsus is and the culmen is . The crested ibis (Nipponia nippon) of Japan is as large as in height and in length.
Mousebirds (Coliiformes)
The largest mousebird species, the speckled mousebird (Colius striatus), weighs with a height of over .
Pigeons (Columbiformes)
The largest species of the pigeon/dove complex is the Victoria crowned pigeon (Goura victoria) of Northern New Guinea. Some exceptionally large Victoria crowned pigeons have reached and . The largest arboreal pigeon is the Marquesan imperial pigeon (Ducula galeata), which can grow approximately across the wings and can weigh .
The largest pigeons and doves known to have existed were the dodo (Raphus cucullatus) and the Rodrigues solitaire (Pezophaps solitaria). Both flightless species may have exceeded in height. The dodo is frequently cited as the largest-ever pigeon, potentially weighing as much as , although recent estimates have indicated that an average wild dodo weighed much less at approximately .
Rollers, Kingfishers, Bee-eaters, motmots, and todies (Coraciiformes)
The largest kingfisher is the giant kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima), at up to long and in weight. The common Australian species, the laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae), may be heavier still, as individuals exceeding are not uncommon. A kookaburra's wingspan can range up to .
Hornbills, hoopoe, and wood-hoopoes (Order Bucerotiformes)
The largest species of Coraciiformes is the southern ground hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri), which can reach weights of up to and grow as long as . Several arboreal, Asian hornbills can also grow very large, with the great hornbill (Buceros bicornis) weighing up to , and the helmeted hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) measuring as much as in total length. The larger hornbills have a wingspan of up to .
Cuckoos, coucals and roadrunners (Cuculiformes)
The largest of the cuckoos is the Australasian channel-billed cuckoo (Scythrops novaehollandiae), which can range up to a weight of , a wingspan and a length of .
Falcons (Falconiformes)
Many authorities now support the split of falcons from the Accipitriformes, despite similar adaptations, due to the genetic evidence showing they are not closely related. The largest species of falcon is the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus). Large females of this species can range up to , span across the wings and measure long.
Gamebirds (Galliformes)
The heaviest member of this order is the North American wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). The largest specimen ever recorded was shot in 2015, and weighed . The heaviest domesticated turkey on record weighed .
The longest gamebirds species, if measured from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail coverts, is the male green peafowl (Pavo muticus) of Southeast Asia at a length of up to , with two-thirds of the length being made up by the tail coverts. It has a relatively large wingspan for a gamebird, spanning as much as across the wings.
The largest member of the grouse family is the Eurasian western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), weighing up to with a length of .
A prehistoric, flightless family, sometimes called (incorrectly) "giant megapodes" (Sylviornis) of New Caledonia were the most massive galliformes ever, with lengths of up to weights up to approximately .
Loons (Gaviiformes)
The largest species on average is the yellow-billed loon (Gavia adamsii) of the Arctic, at up to and . One exceptionally large North American Great northern diver (Gavia immer) was weighed at , heavier than any recorded yellow-billed loon. Wingspans of the largest loons can reach .
Cranes and allies (Gruiformes)
The males of the Eurasian great bustard (Otis tarda) and the African kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) are the heaviest birds capable of flight, averaging up to and weighing 2 to 3 times as much as their female counterparts. It is not resolved if one of these species is larger than the other, but both can reach a weight of at least and measure up to long. Some kori bustards have been reported from to even , but all such reports are unverified or dubious.
The tallest flying bird on earth, also represented in the Gruiformes, is the sarus crane (Grus antigone) of Southern Asia and Australia, which can reach a height of . Heavier cranes are reported in other species, the red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) and the Siberian crane (G. leucogeranus), both from Northeast Asia and both at up to , as opposed to a top weight of in the sarus. Wingspan in both the largest cranes and the largest bustards can range up to .
The most species-rich family in this order, the rails, reaches their largest size in the bulky takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) of New Zealand, an endangered species that can weigh up to and measure long. The aforementioned "terror bird", Brontornis burmeisteri, has traditionally been classified as a member of this order, although this may not be an accurate classification.
Songbirds (Passeriformes)
The passerine or songbird order comprises more than half of all bird species, and are known for their generally small size, their strong voices and their frequent perching. Corvids are the largest of passerines, particularly the large races of the common raven (Corvus corax) and the Northeast African thick-billed raven (C. crassirostris). Large ravens can weigh , attain a wingspan and measure long.
The closest non-corvid contender to largest size is the Australian superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae), which can reach a length of , much of it comprised by their spectacular tail, and a weight of .
The largest species in the most species-rich passerine family, Tyrannidae or tyrant-flycatchers, is the great shrike-tyrant of the South Andes (Agriornis lividus), at and , although the fork-tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus savana), to , is longer thanks to its extreme tail.
The namesake of the previous family, the Old World flycatchers, reaches its maximum size in the blue whistling thrush of India Southeast Asia (Myophonus caeruleus), if it is indeed a proper member of the family, at up to and a length of .
Closely related to the Old World flycatchers, the thrush family's largest representative is the Great thrush of South America (Turdus fuscater), at up to and .
The largest bird family in Eurasia is the Old World warblers. As previously classified these warblers could get fairly large, up to and in the striated grassbird of Southeast Asia (Megalurus palustris). The Old World warblers have been split into several families, however, which leaves the barred warbler of central Eurasia (Sylvia nisoria), up to and , as the largest "true warbler".
Not to be confused with the previous family, the largest of the well-known New World warblers is the aberrant yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens), which can exceptionally measure up to and weigh .
Another large family is the bulbuls, the largest of which is the south Asian straw-headed bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus), to and . The diverse, large family of babblers can reach and in the south Asian greater necklaced laughingthrush (Garrulax pectoralis).
The familiar domesticated species, the Java sparrow (Padda oryzivora), is (in the wild) the largest estrildid, at up to and . The largest honeyeater, perhaps the most diverse Australasian bird family, is the crow honeyeater (Gymnomyza aubryana), at up to and . The largest of the "true finches" is the collared grosbeak (Mycerobas affinis) of central and south Asia at up to and .
Among the largest bird families, the emberizids, reaches its largest size in the Abert's towhee (Pipilo aberti) of Southwest United States and north Mexico at up to and .
Closely related to the previous family is the tanagers, which can range up to in the Andean-forest-dwelling white-capped tanager (Sericossypha albocristata). Another species-rich neotropical family is the ovenbirds, the largest of which, the great rufous woodcreeper (Xiphocolaptes major) of the Amazonian rainforest, can weigh up to and . The specialized antbird family can range up to and in the giant antshrike (Batara cinerea). Among the most variably sized passerine families is the icterids.
The largest icterid is the olive oropendola (Psarocolius bifasciatus), in which males can range up to and . The latter species competes with the similarly sized Amazonian umbrellabird (Cephalopterus ornatus) as the largest passerine in South America.
Cormorants and allies (Pelecaniformes)
Pelicans rank amongst the largest flying birds. The largest species of pelican is the Eurasian Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus), which can attain a length of and a body weight of . The great white pelican (P. onocrotalus) of Europe and Africa is almost as large. The Australian pelican (P. conspicillatus) is slightly smaller but has the largest bill of any bird, at as much as long. A large pelican can attain a wingspan of , second only to the great albatrosses among all living birds.
The largest of the cormorants is the flightless cormorant of the Galapagos Islands (Nannopterum harrisi), at up to and , although large races in the great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) can weigh up to . The spectacled cormorant of the North Pacific (Urile perspicillatus), which became extinct around 1850, was larger still, averaging around and .
The widely distributed magnificent frigatebird is of note for having an extremely large wingspan, up to , for its relatively light body, at up to only .
Pelagornithidae or pseudotooth birds included several species that were behind only Argentavis magnificens in size among all flying birds. Characterized by the tooth-like protrusions along their bills, this unique family has been variously allied with the Pelecaniformes, tubenoses, large waders and even waterfowl. Their true linkage to extant birds remains in question, though pelecaniformes are the group most regularly considered related. Some of the largest pseudotooth birds have included, Osteodontornis of the late Miocene from the North Pacific, Gigantornis eaglesomei, from the Eocene era in what is now Nigeria and Dasornis, from Eocene era Europe. A new, unnamed species has been discovered which may outsize even these giants. Superficially albatross-like, each of these pseudotooth species may have attained lengths of and wingspans of at least . Body mass in these slender birds was probably only up to around .
Tropicbirds (Phaethontiformes)
The largest tropicbirds is the red-billed tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus). The adult is a slender, mainly white bird, 48 cm long, excluding the central tail feathers which double the total length, and a one-meter wingspan.
Flamingos (Phoenicopteriformes)
The largest flamingo is the greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) of Eurasia and Africa. One of the tallest flying birds in existence when standing upright (exceeded only by the tallest cranes), this species typically weighs and stands up to tall. At maximum, a male can weigh up to and stand as high as . Wingspan is relatively small in flamingos, ranging up to .
Woodpeckers and allies (Piciformes)
The largest species of this order is the toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) of the neotropic forest. Large specimens of this toucan can weigh to and , at which size the beak alone can measure approximately .
Until the 20th century, the largest woodpecker was the imperial woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis) of Mexico, with a length of up to . This species is generally believed to have gone extinct following habitat destruction and hunting. The closely related ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) of the Southeast United States and Cuba approached similar sizes at up to in length, with a wingspan of and a mass of at least . Despite possibilities that it has survived in some deep swamp forests in Arkansas or Florida, the ivory-billed is also generally considered to have gone extinct. The great slaty woodpecker (Mulleripicus pulverulentus) of southeast Asia is the largest woodpecker certain to exist, with a weight of up to and a length of up to .
Less well-known than the woodpeckers and toucans, barbets can range up to and in the great barbet (Megalaima virens).
The largest jacamar is the great jacamar (Jacamerops aureus). It measures in length and weighs between .
Grebes (Podicipediformes)
The largest species of grebe is the South American great grebe (Podiceps major). It can reach a length of , with a wingspan of and a weight of over .
Tubenoses (Procellariiformes)
The largest species of Procellariiformes is the wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) of the sub-Antarctic oceans, which has the largest wingspan of any living bird. The maximum dimensions of this species are a length of and a wingspan of . Unverified specimens have been reported to measure . Immature wandering albatrosses have weighed as much as at the time of their first flights, with the maximum reported weight of adults being .
The Southern royal albatross (Diomedea epomophora) is slightly lesser in length, wingspan and weight.
The largest procellarids is the southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus). It can reach a body length of 1 m (39 in), with a wingspan of 2.1 m (83 in) and a weight of 8 kg (17.6 lb).
Hoatzin (Opisthocomiformes)
Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin), the only member of its order, is a pheasant-sized South American bird, with a total length of and a maximum weight of .
Parrots (Psittaciformes)
The largest parrot by length and wingspan is the endangered hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) of the neotropic lowlands, reaching a length of nearly with a wingspan of and weighing as little as . The heaviest parrot is the nearly extinct kakapo (Strigops habroptilus), which is part of the New Zealand parrot family. The flightless kakapo does not exceed in length, but weighs up to .
The largest parakeet is the Alexandrine parakeet (Palaeornis eupatoria), reaching lengths of up to 60 centimetres and a mass of 250 grams.
The largest species in the cockatoo family is the Australasian palm cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus), at up to long with a weight of .
Sandgrouse (Pterocliformes)
Black-bellied sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis) is the largest sandgrouse, with a maximum size of and .
Penguins (Sphenisciformes)
The largest species of Sphenisciformes is the emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) of the Antarctic, with a maximum height of and a weight of . The next largest living species is the king penguin, which grows to a maximum of in height and in weight. Now extinct, Anthropornis nordenskjoeldi, is believed to have reached a height of and a weight of up to .
Owls (Strigiformes)
The most massive owl is certainly either the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) or the endangered and similarly sized Blakiston's fish owl (Bubo blakistoni) of coastal Russia and Japan. Record-sized specimens of both species have weighed approximately and measured over long. In either species, the wingspan can range up to . Longer still, but not as massive as the previous species (never more than in weight), a large female great gray owl (Strix nebulosa) from the northern boreal forest can range up to .
The largest of the barn or masked owl family is the Tasmanian masked owl (Tyto novaehollandiae castanops), which weighs up to and measures up to . The largest owl known to have existed was Ornimegalonyx oteroi of Cuba, a uniquely cursorial owl. The giant bird was estimated to stand over on the ground and to weigh at least .
Ratites (Struthioniformes)
The largest ratite is the ostrich (Struthio camelus), from the plains of Africa and Arabia. A large male ostrich can reach a height of and weigh over . A mass of has been cited for the ostrich but no wild ostriches of this weight have been verified. Eggs laid by the ostrich are the largest in the world, weighing . The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) of Australia reaches at the shoulder with a full height of . In length measured from the bill to the tail, emus range from . The southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) from Australia and Papua New Guinea has a height of . The greater rhea (Rhea americana) from South America weighs up to and often measures long from beak to tail with a height of approximately .
The largest bird in the fossil record may be the extinct elephant birds (Vorombe/Aepyornis) of Madagascar, which were related to the ostrich. They exceeded in height and in weight. The last of the elephant birds became extinct approximately 1000 years ago.
The tallest bird ever was the South Island giant moa (Dinornis robustus), part of the moa family of New Zealand that went extinct about 500 years ago. The moa stood up to tall, and weighed approximately half as much as a large elephant bird or mihirung due to its comparatively slender frame.
Tinamous (Tinamiformes)
The largest species of tinamou, a group of chunky, elusive ground-birds from neotropical forests, is the grey tinamou (Tinamus tao) of western South America. It can reach a weight over and length of over .
Trogons (Trogoniformes)
The resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) of the montane forest of Central America is the largest trogon, though a few other quetzals approach similar sizes. It can weigh more than and, in females and non-breeding or immature males, they can measure up to from the head to the tail. Upon developing tail streamers, adult males can reach lengths of up to .
See also
Dinosaur size
Notes
References
Birds
Largest