In the avian world, there are around 11,000 bird species on Earth. They come in all shapes, colors, and sizes, ranging from the tiniest hummingbird to some of the largest winged creatures.
However, when it comes to the largest bird in the world, the Ostrich reigns supreme. In this detailed guide, we break down why this bird holds the title of the biggest bird and how it compares to the other birds.
30-Second Summary
Being the largest bird in the world, the ostrich has some impressive traits. In this guide, you will learn about the ostrich and their characteristics, including appearance, height, weight, behavior, diet, habitat, fun facts, and why they can’t fly.
Also, find out the egg size of the ostrich, how this bird compares to others, the largest bird by wingspan, a list of the heaviest birds, some of the largest birds by continent, and extinct birds.
Meet the Ostrich: The World’s Largest Bird
The largest and heaviest bird in the world is the common ostrich (Struthio camelus). This bird is native to Africa and found in dry and open habitats, such as scrubland, savanna, and semi-deserts.
It is widely distributed from the southern coastline of the Cape of South Africa to south of the Sahara Desert in North Africa.
However, it does not live in areas that are densely vegetated. It is also not found in much of central and western Africa.
Ostriches are also found in Australia, but they are not native. In the 1970s, they were attempted to be farmed for their feathers and meat, but it failed. Some ostriches were released, and some escaped into the wild.
Today, these feral ostriches are roaming Australia and were only able to survive because the habitat and climate are similar to those in Africa.
Appearance of Ostriches
Ostiches, being the biggest bird species, have a distinct appearance. They have long necks and legs with flat, rounded bodies.
The male ostrich has a black plumage with white outer feathers and a white tail. The head is gray or pink, and the neck is almost bare, covered with a thin layer of soft feathers.
Its beak is flat and broad with a rounded tip. The legs are also bare except for the lowest part, which has red scales.
The female ostrich has a white and gray-brown plumage. Their pink head is bare, and their neck has a soft layer of down. The scales on the legs are black.
What is the Ostrich Height And Weight
Male ostriches weigh around 100 to 130 kg, and their height is between 2.1 and 2.75 m (6.8 and 8.8 ft). Female ostriches are around 1.75 to 1.9m tall (5.5 to 6.2 ft). Their weight is between 90 and 120 kg. Some males even weigh up to 156 kg, while some species in South Africa are just 60 kg.
Why Ostriches Can’t Fly
Ostriches are usually at the top of all flightless bird lists. They have wings, but they cannot fly. Why?
The reason is that their bodies evolved for speed, not flight.
- Their breastbone lacks the keel that flying birds use to anchor strong wing muscles.
- Their wings are too small (wingspan around 2m) compared to their bodies.
- Their legs are so strong that running became a better survival strategy.
While they cannot fly, their wings help them balance better, their courtship displays, and shade their offspring.
Ostrich Habitat and Behavior
Understanding the habitat and behavior of ostriches gives insights into their survival.
- They prefer open landscapes where they can spot predators from far away.
- They live in groups for social interaction and safety.
- They sleep lightly and rely on their strong legs to escape danger.
- They also rely on their eyes as they have the biggest ones out of all land animals, which let them spot predators from miles away.
Ostrich Diet: What Do They Eat?
The diet of ostriches is flexible. This is why they are able to survive in harsh climates.
They mostly eat
- Leaves
- Grass
- Seeds
- Roots
- Insects
- Small lizards and rodents (occasionally)
Ostrich Eggs Size
The ostrich’s eggs are the largest of all living birds. They are around 15cm long, 13 cm wide, and weigh about 1.4 kg. The weight is 20 times that of a chicken’s egg.
The eggshell is 3.5mm thick. It is strong enough to support the weight of more than 220 kg. It means that most people can stand on an ostrich egg without breaking it.
The variation in colors of plumage of both male and female ostriches helps them protect their eggs. In the day, the female incubates them because her brown plumage camouflages with the sand. At night, the male ostrich incubates the eggs because his dark plumage blends with the night.
Despite this protection, ostrich eggs have a high rate of predation. The incubation period lasts only 40 days, which is short compared to other ratites.
Ostrich eggs have been used by humans for the longest time as decorative objects and containers. They are generally not used as food due to their size and the complexity of cooking and storing them.
They have a similar nutritional value to chicken eggs. However, the egg white is more than the proportion of yolk.
How the Ostrich Compares to Other Giant Birds
| Bird Species | Average Height | Average Weight | Top Speed | Special Traits | Winner (Size Category) |
| Ostrich | 7–9 ft | 90–145 kg | 70 km/h | Tallest, heaviest, fastest-running bird | Overall Winner |
| Emu | 5–6 ft | 50–60 kg | Around 50 km/h | Second-tallest living bird | Ostrich (taller, heavier, faster) |
| Cassowary | Up to 6 ft | 45–70 kg | Approx 48 km/h | World’s most dangerous bird due to powerful legs & claws | Ostrich (bigger and heavier) |
| Rhea | 4–5 ft | 20–27 kg | Approx 60 km/h | Native to South America | Ostrich (much larger) |
The Largest Flying Bird: The Albatross
The wandering albatross is considered the largest flying bird. It also holds the record for the largest bird wingspan.
The snowy or wandering albatross’ wingspan measures 2.5 to 3.5 meters from one wingtip to the other. The largest wingspan ever recorded for this bird is 3.63 meters. There are also some reports of albatross wingspans of more than four meters.
They weigh up to 25 pounds (12 kg) and are mostly found in the Southern Ocean. With this impressive wingspan, they easily glide over the ocean and cover long distances.
They can travel up to 560 miles (900 km) in one day. The diet of the wandering albatross is mainly fish and squid, which they catch from the surface of the ocean.
The Heaviest Birds in the World
The top heaviest birds in the world are as follows.
- Common Ostrich: It is the largest and the heaviest living bird with a maximum weight of 156.8 kg or 346 pounds.
- Somali Ostrich: It is second only to the Common Ostrich in size. Its maximum weight is 130 kg or 290 pounds.
- Southern Cassowary: This bird weighs around 85 kg or 187 pounds maximum. It is found in northeastern Australia and New Guinea.
- Northern Cassowary: It is a cassowary species, native to New Guinea. It weighs around 75 kg or 165 pounds.
- Emu: It is also a flightless bird endemic to Australia. It is 70 kg or 150 pounds.
- Emperor Penguin: This is the largest and heaviest of all penguin species. Its maximum weight is around 46 kg or 101 pounds.
- Kori Bustard: This is the heaviest bird capable of flight and weighs up to 19 kg or 42 pounds maximum.
The Largest Birds by Continent
| Continent | Largest Bird(s) | Notes |
| Africa | Ostrich | The tallest species and the heaviest living bird |
| Australia | Emu and Cassowary | Flightless birds: Emu is taller, Cassowary is dangerous |
| South America | Greater Rhea | The largest bird native to South America |
| Europe & Asia | Mute Swan and Whooper Swan | The largest flying birds in these continents |
| North America | Trumpeter Swan | The largest flying bird in North America |
| Antarctica | Emperor Penguin | The largest penguin species, flightless |
Extinct Giant Birds
Some extinct birds were even larger than the ostrich. Their interesting facts give us a glimpse into the Earth’s prehistoric bird life.
Elephant Bird Facts
- They lived in Madagascar.
- They were flightless and herbivores.
- Their height could reach up to 3 meters.
- The size of the eggs was larger than that of any of the birds (up to 34 cm long and 10 to 12 kg)
- They likely went extinct between 1000 and 1600 CE due to habitat loss and human activity.
Moa Bird Facts
- These birds were native to New Zealand.
- They were flightless and the largest species that reached 3.6 to 3.9 m tall.
- All of their species were herbivores.
- They went extinct due to hunting by early Maori people around 1400 CE.
- Some species were much smaller, like the little bush moa, which was around 1 m tall.
Some Ostrich Fun Facts
- It uses its wings to cover the top of its legs and flanks to keep it warm.
- They have no crop or gall bladder.
- Ostriches have fused pubic bones to help hold their guts in.
- Unlike other birds, they store and secrete urine and faeces separately.
- The diameter of the ostrich eye is 50 mm. It is bigger than any living land animal and twice the size of a human eye.
- Ostriches do not have teeth. They have to swallow pebbles to crush their food inside their gizzard.
- They can run faster than horses.
- Each of their foot has two toes, and one of them has a sharp claw used for defense.
- They can go days without water and absorb moisture from plants.
- They do not bury their heads in the sand; it is a complete myth.
Wrapping Up
So, if you are curious about the largest bird in the world, the answer is undisputed: the ostrich. They have incredible weight, height, speed, and incredible adaptations, which rightfully give it the crown for the world’s largest and heaviest living bird.
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FAQs
Why can’t the Ostrich Fly?
Ostriches cannot fly because their bodies are heavy and their wings are too small. Additionally, their breastbone lacks the keel needed for flight muscles. Instead, they evolved to run extremely fast for survival.
What is the Largest Bird by Wingspan, and how does it compare to Ostriches?
The largest bird by wingspan belongs to the wandering albatross (up to 3.5 m). While this bird dominates in the wingspan, the ostrich is heavier and taller.
Are Ostriches Dangerous to Humans?
Yes, they can be dangerous to humans. Ostriches have strong legs and sharp claws capable of delivering powerful kicks. However, their primary instinct is to avoid conflict and run.
