Top 10 Birds that can’t Fly – Flightless Birds List

Birds are characterized by their unique ability to fly; however, some birds are devoid of this characterization! For some, evolution has led to the loss of this ability. There is a huge variety of flightless birds out there. Though most of them have not gained much popularity, there are a few like the penguin and the ostrich. New Zealand is the hub of a variety of these special birds.  These birds have acquired other characteristics which compensate for their inability to take off. These birds may appear fragile but are as strong and powerful as any other wild animal, so it’s wise not to undermine them!

So here goes the list of the top 10 flightless birds in decreasing chronological order.

Flightless Birds

  1. Flightless Cormorant

The Flightless Cormorant is a rare sight, found primarily on Galapagos, Fernandina Island, and Isabela Island. These birds have lost the ability to fly due to their short and stubby wings. These birds have distinctive turquoise blue eyes and have been classified as vulnerable and critically endangered because of their short range. Contrary to their wing size, these birds are the largest in the cormorant species. They have webbed feet and strong legs as they feed on fish, eels and withstand the harsh oceanic currents. Since they evolved in a predator-free island, they lost their ability to fly.

Flightless Birds

  1. Steamer duck

Among the species of Steamer Ducks, three out of four are flightless, and have a violent streak too! They inhabit the southern cone of South America, Chile, and Argentina. Even among the flying steamer ducks, some males are too heavy to facilitate flight. These birds famously got their name by the fact that when they get agitated, they run across water and smack their wings, similar to the wheels of a steamboat. These birds are not to be messed around with, as they have the capability of killing water birds up to three times their size! So they are better left alone.

Flightless Birds

  1. Takahe

These birds have an interesting history behind them. It was believed that they got extinct from the late 1800s, but to everyone’s surprise, they were unexpectedly rediscovered in 1948. The Takahe is particularly beautiful, with a vibrant blue and green plumage and a cherry red conical bill. They are natives of New Zealand. These flightless birds are vegetarian, who feed mainly on grass and grass seeds. Also, they have a noteworthy lifeline, i.e, they can live up to 20 years or more.

Flightless Birds

  1. Greater Rhea

The Greater Rhea can easily be mistaken as the Ostrich or the Emu. Clearly, it is the largest bird in South America and stands around 4 feet tall. These birds use their long and stout legs to outrun their predators. Their gigantic, fluffy and feathery wings are useless as far as flight is concerned. When they feel vulnerable and scared, they run helter- skelter and lift each wing alternatively. The males of this species mate and incubate the eggs when the female deposits the eggs. They take care of the newborns in their large nest.

Flightless Birds

  1. Kiwi

Kiwis are found in New Zealand and are classified as endangered. We lose almost 27 Kiwis per week. Without a doubt, Kiwis are flightless and in Latin, are called Apteryx, which means wingless. Their ancestors are an ancient group of flightless birds called ratites. They have hair like feathers and nostrils at its beak. Also, the size of their egg is enormous. Primarily nocturnal, Kiwis scrounge the forest floor for seeds, worms, fruits or small invertebrates. In total, there are five species of kiwi. Most importantly, Kiwis are the national symbol of New Zealand.

Flightless Birds

  1. Penguin

Penguins are, without any uncertainty, one of the most famous birds known to humankind. These flightless birds are aquatic in nature and reside in the Southern Hemisphere, Antarctica. Everyone is aware of these small black and white creatures, with the yellow tummy, all thanks to the innumerous films made on them. They stand around 3 feet tall and weigh 35 kg on an average. Their wings are more like flippers, which makes them the expert swimmers that they are. They hunt their prey underwater and raise their offspring on land.

Flightless Birds

  1. Emu

Emus are the national bird of Australia and are the second largest members of the ratite group. They are much similar to the ostrich if we talk about their physical features. With an average height of 5 feet – 6 feet, these flightless species don’t own fluffy and large wings. On the contrary, they have small vestigial wings and flutter them while running for acquiring stability. However, one cannot undermine them, as they have tough feet and can run at a speed of 30mph. Their tearing claws act as their weapons during the defense.

Flightless Birds

Image source: www.ryanphotographic.com

  1. Kakapo

Here is the world’s strangest and the one and only flightless parrot. This bird has the head of an owl, posture of a penguin and a gait similar to that of a duck! All in all, the Kakapo is a magnificent creation of God. Also, it is the heaviest of all parrots, and being approximately 2 feet long. It resides in New Zealand and is known to be vulnerable. There are only 150 Kakapos left all over the world, hence are critically endangered. With its gorgeous green-brown feathers, the bird is nocturnal and are ground-dwelling herbivores.

Flightless Birds

  1. Cassowary

These birds sure have some style but aren’t to be messed around with. They are known to have attacked humans too, so it’s better to keep your distance. These birds look majestic, as they sport colorful casques made up of keratin (which compose our nails) on their heads, and have smooth and shiny black fur- like feathers. They weigh almost 60 kg, stand around 5 feet tall. Their dangerously sharp and spiky claws can rip apart almost anything and everything. The cassowary is found primarily in New Guinea and north-eastern Australia.

Flightless Birds

  1. Ostrich

Ostrich occupies the top position on the list and very rightly so. Other than being the largest bird, weighing up to 145 kg, it gives the biggest egg, being 5 inches in diameter and weighing 3 pounds! Even though it has small fluffy wings, which cannot facilitate take off, they have sturdy legs and can sprint at a speed of 43mph, faster than any other land animal. Standing at an impressive height of 9 feet, these flightless birds have an average lifespan of 30- 40 years. Contrary to popular belief, ostriches don’t sink their heads in the sand. Rather, as a defense strategy, they lower their heads to decrease visibility.

Earth is full of unique and mind-boggling creatures, and each one of them plays a vital role in the ecology. On one hand, some birds may appear small and naïve, and on the other, some stand taller than human beings! These flightless birds show immense diversity and cannot be regarded as those who are at a disadvantage!

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