List of largest birds

The common ostrich is the largest living bird
Aepyornis maximus, one of the largest birds ever

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 2.8 metres (9.2 feet) and weigh over 156.8 kg (346 lb),[1] A mass of 200 kg (440 lb) has been cited for the ostrich but no wild ostriches of this weight have been verified.[2] Ostrich eggs are the largest of any bird, averaging 1.4 kg (3.1 lb).[3]

The largest wingspan of any extant bird is that of 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 1.44 m (4.7 ft) and a wingspan of 3.65 m (12.0 ft).

The largest bird of all time was likely the elephant bird Aepyornis maximus, which was estimated to have weighed 275–1,000 kilograms (610–2,200 lb) and stood at 3 metres (9.8 ft) tall.[4][5]

The largest wingspan of all time likely belonged to Pelagornis sandersi at roughly 5.2 m (17 ft).[6] P. sandersi was also likely the largest bird to ever fly.[7]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Davies was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Avian Medicine: Principles and Application Archived 2009-04-19 at the Wayback Machine. avianmedicine.net
  3. ^ "Largest egg from a bird (living, specimen)". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  4. ^ Hume, J. P.; Walters, M. (2012). Extinct Birds. London: A & C Black. pp. 19–21. ISBN 978-1-4081-5725-1.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Molecular exploration of fossil eggshell uncovers hidden lineage of giant extinct bird was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Fossil of 'largest flying bird' identified". BBC News. 2014-07-07. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  7. ^ ibid.