The Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle holds the record for the largest wingspan among eagles, reaching an impressive 2.84 meters (9.3 feet). The harpy eagle is the heaviest, with wild females weighing up to 10 kilograms (22 pounds), while the Steller’s sea eagle consistently rivals both in sheer mass and wingspan, making it one of the most […]
Category: Curated lists
Carefully compiled lists exploring the diversity of bird species around the world. This category highlights rare and endangered birds, as well as fascinating insights into their behavior, intelligence, and unique adaptations.
24 of the world’s largest flying birds by wingspan, weight, and height
The snowy albatross is the largest flying bird, with a wingspan of up to 3.7 meters (12.1 feet). The great bustard is the heaviest, reaching 21 kilograms (46 pounds), while the sarus crane is the tallest at 1.8 meters (5.9 feet). Each species has evolved unique flight adaptations, from dynamic soaring to powerful takeoffs. This […]
32 of the world’s ugliest and creepiest birds, and why they look so strange
Some birds look more like nightmares than nature’s creations. The marabou stork, with its hunched vulture-like stance and bald, wrinkled head, is one of the ugliest scavengers in the animal kingdom, while the shoebill’s eerie, unblinking stare makes it downright scary. The wide-eyed potoo looks permanently creepy, and the southern screamer is both goofy and […]
24 of North America’s rarest birds still found in the wild
The akikiki is currently North America’s rarest bird, with fewer than 10 individuals remaining as of 2023. The ivory-billed woodpecker, though likely extinct, has had no confirmed sightings since 1987 and remains unverified as such. Meanwhile, the California condor, once extinct in the wild, has been successfully reintroduced, with 369 individuals recorded in the wild […]
New bird species discovered in the last 25 years (Ongoing report)
Over the last 25 years, advancements in field research, bioacoustics, and genetic analysis have significantly enhanced our ability to identify and classify new bird species. Since 2000, ornithologists have documented a remarkable number of previously unrecognized species, expanding our understanding of avian biodiversity across diverse ecosystems, from isolated mountain ranges and dense rainforests to understudied […]
18 smartest birds in the world and how their intelligence is measured
Crows, ravens, magpies, grey parrots, and keas are among the world’s smartest birds, demonstrating remarkable problem-solving skills, tool use, complex communication, and even self-awareness. Scientists measure avian intelligence through behavioral experiments, including problem-solving tasks, memory tests, and social interactions.
12 groups of brood parasitic birds and their common victims
Brood parasitism is a reproductive strategy in which certain bird species lay their eggs in the nests of others, leaving incubation and chick-rearing to unsuspecting hosts. This behavior allows parasites to maximize reproductive success while minimizing parental investment, often at great cost to the host species.