The heaviest and largest birds that had the ability to fight are now extinct. The largest and heaviest bird species living is in mountains, plains, forests, and riversides.
These fascinating creatures are at the food chain top owing to their amazing capabilities and traits. The top 15 of the biggest birds of prey are sure to astonish you as they are the biggest birds on earth.
1. Ostrich
The ostrich is the largest living bird. Native to Africa, it weighs from 63 to 145 kilograms, and male ostriches weigh 156.8kg. The male ostriches can be 6 to 9 ft inches in height, and the female ostriches are 5-6 ft 7 inches tall.
Ostriches have powerful, large legs – it definitely stands tall with impressive agility (read more about the ostrich symbolism). They sprint up to 70km/h speeds, jog at 30mph, and stride covering 3 to 5 meters.
2. Andean Condor
The Andean Condor is the largest bird with a wingspan of 9.8 feet and weighs 33.1 lbs (15kgs) (it’s the largest but not the heaviest bird). They live in mountainous regions that have abundant wind to help in flight with their body weight.
The Andean Condor feeds on large carrion, it is a vulture. Check also our comparison: condor vs vulture or read more about the condor symbolism.
3. Dalmatian Pelican
The Dalmatian Pelican is the heaviest species among flying birds measuring 5 to 6 feet (160 to 183 cm). the weight is 7 to 15 kg (16 to 33.1 lb) and the wingspan is 9ft 6 to 11ft 4 in (290-345 cm). It breeds from southeastern Europe to China and India.
4. Kori Bustard
Kori Bustard is the heaviest flying animal existing. It is in temperate Asia and central/south Europa. Native to Africa, Spain and Portugal have 60% of the Bustard population.
A typical male Bustard is (3ft 11 in to 4ft 11 in) 120-150 cm tall. The length is 3ft 9 in (115 cm) and has a wingspan of 6ft 11in – 8 ft 10in (2.1 to 2.7m. The weight of a male range from 7 to 18 kg (15 to 40lb), and females range from 4.8 to 8 kg (11 to 17.6 lb).
5. Lappet-Faced Vulture
Lappet Faced Vultures feature a wingspan of 9.8 feet (3 meters). They weigh 30.8lbs(14kgs). It is in Arabia and African savannahs (read here about the top African birds of prey). These birds of prey kill flamingos, antelopes, and gazelles. This raptor is aggressive and is successful in keeping them away from carrion.
6. Emperor Penguin
The Emperor Penguin reaches in height of 51 in (130 cm) and weighs (49to 99 lb) from 22 to 45 kg. It is the heaviest and tallest among living species of penguin. The female and male emperor penguins are the same in size and plumage. Read here about the penguins and their spiritual symbolism.
7. Emu
The Emu weighs between 18-60 kg (40 and 132lb). It reaches up to 6.2 ft (1.9 mts). The females are larger than males and sprint the speeds of 30 mph (48 km/h).
8. Bearded Vulture
Bearded Vulture weighs up to 8 kgs (17.7 lbs). Bearded Vultures are in Asia, Africa, and Europe. They are scavengers and their wingspan is over 3 mts (9.8ft). They swipe up the carcasses of dead animals and break the bones by dropping them from heights. It feeds on the marrow.
9. African Crowned Eagle
The African Crowned Eagle is an aggressive raptor residing in tropical African rainforests. This bird of prey has a 2 mts wingspan (6.5 feet). It hunts animals weighing 77.1 lbs. (up to 35 kg). This Crowned Eagle preys on small antelopes, chevrotains, hyraxes, and Guinea fowl.
10. Northern cassowary
The Northern cassowary is a large bird. Native to northern New Guinea, its average weight is 58 kg(128lb), while females weigh up to (154 lb) 70 kg. Males are smaller with a stocky build. This bird can sprint up to 31 miles an hour or 50 kilometers.
11. Greater Rhea
Greater Rhea on the American continent is the largest bird weighing (44-88 lb) 20-40 kgs. It has powerful, strong legs allowing it to run up to 56 km/h or 35mph. It is endemic to Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
12. Cinereous Vulture or Eurasian Black Vulture
The Cinereous Vulture is in Europe and Asia. It weighs 15-27.5 pounds (7 to 12.5 kg). The wingspan is 250-295 cms (8 – 10 ft).
13. Himalayan Vulture
The Himalayan Vulture weighs 8 to 12 kgs (18-26 pounds). It is in Central Asia, in the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayan Mountains. Its wingspan is 9 to 10 feet (270-300cm). This bird glides above sea level to 5000 meters. They soar high in the air with minimal effort. The Himalayan Vulture changes altitude relying on the season.
14. Steller’s Sea Eagle
Steller’s Sea Eagle is in Japan and Russia. It is the heaviest eagle weighing up to 19.8 lbs(9 kgs). It has 8.1 feet (2.5 meters) wingspan. The bird feeds primarily on fish, it attacks baby seals and other large birds. This raptor is an endangered species and gets poisoned as they ingest lead while scavenging on the remains of animals.
15. Eurasian Eagle Owl
The Eurasian Eagle Owl is in Asia and European forests and mountains. It weighs up to 9.2 lbs/4.2 kgs. The wingspan is 6.5 feet and 2 meters. The prey bird is powerful among the owls. It is known to indirectly kill a human. This raptor feeds on feeder rabbits, rodents, and small foxes.
Click if you’re interested in the Top 15 of the Biggest Birds in the World.
Table of Contents
- 1 [Video] Top 10 Largest Birds of Prey
- 2 Frequently Asked Questions
- 2.1 What is the largest living bird in the world?
- 2.2 Which bird has the largest wingspan among living species?
- 2.3 What is the heaviest flying bird currently alive?
- 2.4 How do Andean Condors differ from other large vultures?
- 2.5 What makes the African Crowned Eagle a formidable predator?
- 2.6 Which penguin species is the largest and heaviest?
- 2.7 How fast can large flightless birds run?
- 2.8 What is unique about the Bearded Vulture’s feeding behavior?
- 2.9 Which eagle species is the heaviest and most endangered?
- 2.10 How do high-altitude vultures like the Himalayan Vulture adapt to extreme environments?
[Video] Top 10 Largest Birds of Prey
More about birds of prey
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest living bird in the world?
The ostrich is the largest living bird, native to Africa. Male ostriches weigh up to 156.8kg and reach 6-9 feet in height. They possess powerful legs enabling them to sprint at 70km/h with strides covering 3-5 meters.
Which bird has the largest wingspan among living species?
The Andean Condor has the largest wingspan at 9.8 feet, though it weighs only 15kgs. It lives in mountainous regions with abundant wind currents to support its body weight during flight.
What is the heaviest flying bird currently alive?
The Kori Bustard is the heaviest flying animal alive today, weighing 7-18kg for males. Native to Africa with populations in Spain and Portugal, it represents the weight limit for airborne creatures.
How do Andean Condors differ from other large vultures?
Andean Condors are the largest-winged vultures at 9.8 feet span, feeding on large carrion. They depend heavily on mountainous terrain and wind patterns to sustain flight with their substantial body mass.
What makes the African Crowned Eagle a formidable predator?
The African Crowned Eagle is an aggressive raptor inhabiting tropical rainforests with a 2-meter wingspan. It hunts prey weighing up to 35kg, including small antelopes, chevrotains, hyraxes, and Guinea fowl.
Which penguin species is the largest and heaviest?
The Emperor Penguin is the tallest and heaviest penguin, reaching 51 inches in height and weighing 22-45kg. Males and females are identical in size and plumage.
How fast can large flightless birds run?
Large flightless birds demonstrate impressive speeds: ostriches reach 70km/h, emus sprint at 48km/h, cassowaries hit 50km/h, and greater rheas run 56km/h. Their powerful legs enable rapid terrestrial locomotion.
What is unique about the Bearded Vulture’s feeding behavior?
Bearded Vultures are specialized bone scavengers weighing up to 8kgs with 3-meter wingspans. They break bones by dropping carcasses from heights, then consume the nutrient-rich marrow inside.
Which eagle species is the heaviest and most endangered?
Steller’s Sea Eagle is the heaviest eagle at 9kgs with an 8.1-foot wingspan, found in Japan and Russia. It’s endangered due to lead poisoning from scavenging on animals shot with lead ammunition.
How do high-altitude vultures like the Himalayan Vulture adapt to extreme environments?
Himalayan Vultures weigh 8-12kgs with 9-10 foot wingspans, gliding effortlessly at altitudes up to 5000 meters. They seasonally change altitude and use minimal wing effort to soar through thin mountain air.
