On the question of what is the largest bird, can not be answered unequivocally.You must first define the criteria.The answer may be totally different - it all depends on the selected parameters.
Ostrich - the largest bird on weight and height
of the living world's largest bird - the American ostrich.The weight of an adult can reach 180 kg at a height of 2 meters 70 centimeters.Ostrich belongs to another record: the diameter of the eyes of these birds - 5 centimeters, and the weight of both eyes often exceeds the weight of the brain of a bird.
Ostriches - flightless birds.This is due to the structure of their bodies.Kiel they do not have wings of ostriches small and poorly developed pectoral muscles.But these birds - great runners with strong long legs.One of the fingers on each limb ends horny growths.On this "hoof" ostrich rests while running.All these devices allow it to reach a speed of 70 km / h.
main food of ostriches - shoots, seeds, fruits and flowers.But they are happy to eat small insects, and even rodents and reptiles.Ostriches no teeth and therefore to food is digested faster, they have to swallow stones and pieces of wood.Sometimes the stomach gets to these birds, and iron.
Why ostriches suffered
body is covered with beautiful ostrich feathers loose.The exception is the head and neck, thighs and "rib corn."In most cases the males have black plumage, females are usually painted in gray-brown tones.This curly tail, and has led to the extermination of these birds.
fashion on ostrich feathers adorning the hat male and female hairstyles, hats and other accessories, has led to what is the largest bird in the world is under threat of extinction.Shooting for the sake of feathers led to a sharp reduction in animals in nature.
Man - a threat and salvation
maintain and increase the number of these unusual majestic birds help ostrich farms around the world.It turned out that ostriches live well in captivity.The world's largest bird, even adapted to Russian frosts.
Breeding these birds is very profitable: they live about 70 years, and 30 years of age retain reproductive function.Ostrich meat nutrient competes with beef, during the season the female brings to 45 eggs.And each such egg weighs an average of about 1.5-2 kg.Shell also goes to the cause.From her craftsmen produced a variety of souvenirs, even caskets.Pen and today is used to make theatrical costumes and props.
largest flying bird in the world
Albatross and Condor are considered to be the largest bird that can fly.The scope of their wings - 3.5 meters, sometimes up to 4 meters.But the championship is still owned by albatrosses.The weight of an adult bird reaches 13 kg.
Interesting facts Albatross
- in search of food, they travel long distances.This is the world's largest bird, soaring over the sea, has a highly developed sense of smell.Therefore, albatross often hunts at night.It feeds on carrion, mollusks, plankton, fish and crustaceans.
- Love albatrosses and waste food from ships.Therefore, they often accompany the ship zalet far from shore.Sailors believe these birds Thunderbirds.Before the storm they fly over the water in search of food thrown out by sea.
- average life expectancy of these birds - 10-20 years.But in nature, and there are 50-year olds.Nests of albatrosses prefer the colonies.Although this single bird, but a settlement-colony safer.
Which of the heaviest flying birds?
This record belongs to the Great Bustard.The weight of this bird that can soar, reaching 19 kg.Currently, this type listed in the Red Book.Restoring it is difficult, because in captivity Bustard breeds bad.In the Saratov region for nearly 30 years working Breeding of this species.
sensational discovery scientists
In 1980, scientists discovered the remains of the largest flying birds in the world more than 6 million years ago.Dubbed the extinct Argentavis magnificens, since the excavations were carried out on the territory of modern Argentina.Scarecrow of this giant bird exhibited in the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles.
The world's largest bird weighed about 80 kg and had a wingspan of up to 8 m. One of her pen was a length of about 1.5 meters, and its width was about 20 centimeters.Great weight made it difficult flight.But, using updrafts, Argentavis magnificens could climb to a height of about 3 km and fly more than 200 km.At the same time he did not have to flap their wings.Scientists suggest that the ancient bird used takeoff elevation.
Experts have found that the giant ancient birds were predators and feed on small ground animals the size of a rabbit.The structure of the jaw and beak were not allowed to chew food or tear it to pieces.They just swallow the animal whole.
Thus, the answer to the question of what is the largest bird, a few.This again illustrates the diversity of species in nature.
