HI. I AM A NEW MEMBER THIS YEAR, AND MY HUSBAND SHOWED ME A PHOTO IN THE WALL STREET WEEKEND JOURNAL, OF A BABY ALBATROSS. THIS LED TO MY QUESTION OF WHAT IS THE BIGGEST BIRD ON EARTH? AND HOW IS IT MEASURED? AND WHILE I'M AT IT, WHAT IS THE SMALLEST BIRD? THANKS.
Hi feliks. I think the Bee Hummingbird from South America is the smallest, at approximately 2 centimetres.
I'm pretty sure the biggest bird is the ostrich.
HELLO AGAIN MARGARETK....WOW, THANKS FOR YOUR QUICK REPLY. THAT'S SO TINY, I'D PROBABLY NEVER RECOGNIZE IT AS A BIRD IF IT LIVED HERE IN MY BACKYARD; AT 2 CENTIMETERS, IT'S NO WONDER IT IS CALLED A BEE HUMMINGBIRD.
This message was edited Jul 26, 2008 12:54 PM
Yep, Ostrich is the largest bird, males are 2-2.7m tall and 100-150kg weight.
Bee Hummingbird (actually from Cuba) is the smallest, 5-6cm long and weighing just 1.6-1.9g. That's only just over half the weight of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Resin
HI FLOWERJEN. I THOUGHT SO TOO, BUT WHAT ABOUT FLYING BIRDS? ARE ALL BIRDS MEASURED THE SAME WAY?
Heaviest birds able to fly, everything over 10kg:
Kori Bustard (Africa) - up to 19kg
Great Bustard (Europe) - up to 18kg
Mute Swan (Europe, western Asia) - up to 15kg
Andean Condor (South America) - up to 15kg
Great White Pelican (Africa, Europe, Asia) - up to 15kg
Great Indian Bustard (southern Asia) - up to 14.5kg
California Condor (California) - up to 14kg
Dalmatian Pelican (southern Europe, sw Asia) - up to 13kg
Whooper Swan (Europe, Asia) - up to 12.7kg
Trumpeter Swan (North America) - up to 12.5kg
Eurasian Black Vulture (Europe, Asia) - up to 12.5kg
Sarus Crane (southern Asia) - up to 12.3kg
Himalayan Griffon Vulture (southern Asia) - up to 12kg
Wandering Albatross (Southern Oceans) - up to 11.3kg
Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Europe, Asia) - up to 11kg
Resin
PS your caps lock appears to be stuck!
Forgot to say, figures from Handbook of the Birds of the World.
Resin
