When it comes to large birds, the eagle is certainly one of the biggest and most powerful. Known for their massive wingspans and incredibly sharp talons, eagles are apex predators in the avian world. However, there are actually several bird species that are larger than even the biggest eagles.
Ostriches
One bird that is undeniably larger than any eagle is the ostrich. Ostriches are flightless birds native to Africa. They stand up to 9 feet tall and can weigh over 300 pounds. Their wingspan reaches up to 7 feet wide. Ostriches are the largest birds in the world and dwarfs even the largest eagle species like the Steller’s Sea Eagle and Philippine Eagle. The ostrich’s massive size is an adaptation to its terrestrial lifestyle, allowing it to run at speeds up to 43 mph. Eagles may rule the skies, but ostriches dominate on land.
Shoebill Storks
The aptly named shoebill stork is another massive bird that exceeds the size of eagles. These unusual-looking birds live in tropical east Africa. They get their name from their enormous shoe-shaped bill, which can grow up to 8 inches long. Shoebills stand 4-5 feet tall with wingspans around 8 feet wide. They can weigh up to 20 pounds. Compared to even large eagles like the harpy eagle, the shoebill stork’s size is quite impressive. Their gigantic bill gives them a prehistoric look and is an effective tool for catching lungfish and turtles.
Southern Cassowaries
Cassowaries are large flightless birds most closely related to emus that inhabit the tropical forests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia. Of the 3 cassowary species, the southern cassowary is the largest. It stands up to 6 feet tall and weighs up to 160 pounds. Its wingspan can reach 5 feet wide. The southern cassowary dwarfs most eagles in size, outweighing even the heaviest Steller’s sea eagle. Its powerful legs have a deadly claw on the inner toe that can be used as a weapon. The cassowary’s size allows it to intimidate potential predators and gives it the nickname “the world’s most dangerous bird.”
Andean Condors
The Andean condor is a South American bird that rivals some eagles in size. Possessing the largest wingspan of any raptor, Andean condors have been known to reach wingspans over 10 feet wide. Their big wings allow them to soar for hours without flapping. Andean condors weigh up to 33 pounds. Their massive size helps them scout large areas for the carrion they feed on. Although they don’t exceed the length and weight of the largest eagles, the Andean condor’s incredible wingspan makes it one formidable bird. Only a few eagles like the Steller’s sea eagle and Philippine eagle exceed the Andean condor’s wingspan.
Dalmatian Pelicans
The Dalmatian pelican is a massive water bird that breeds in lakes and swamps from southeastern Europe to India and China. They boast wingspans between 10-11 feet wide. Standing nearly 5 feet tall, they can weigh over 30 pounds. The Dalmatian pelican’s bill grows up to 18 inches long in males. Their size allows them to feed on large amounts of fish, which they scoop up in their huge pouched bill. Dalmatian pelicans are actually the largest pelican species in the world. With size specs exceeding many eagles, the Dalmatian pelican claims the title of one of the largest flying birds on Earth.
California Condors
North America’s largest flying land bird is the California condor. This endangered scavenger inhabits the western coast of North America. California condors have a wingspan of 9.5-10.5 feet. They can weigh up to 26 pounds. Their bald head allows them to efficiently rip into carrion. On average, California condors are larger and heavier than bald and golden eagles. Their huge wingspan allows them to soar great distances in search of food. When comparing condors and eagles, the California condor definitively comes out on top in terms of size.
Marabou Storks
The marabou stork is a large wading bird found in sub-Saharan Africa. They can reach up to 5 feet tall and weigh up to 20 pounds. With a wingspan of up to 12 feet, the marabou competes with some of the biggest eagle species for largest wingspan. Marabou storks put their massive wingspan to good use soaring hundreds of miles in search of food. They have even been known to migrate as far as India. Their gaping bill is used to feed on carrion, fish, and small vertebrates. The marabou stork’s hulking size allows it to dominate other African scavengers at carcasses.
Great Bustards
The great bustard is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world. Native to grasslands from Europe to China, great bustards weigh up to 46 pounds. Males can reach up to 4.5 feet tall. Their wingspan averages around 8 feet but the largest great bustards can exceed 10 feet wide. Their feathers hide much of their bulky body making them look even heavier when standing next to smaller birds. Great bustards use slow powerful wing beats to get their large body aloft. The great bustard outweighs all but a few of the largest eagle species.
Lesser Adjutant Storks
This bizarre-looking stork inhabits wetlands from India to Southeast Asia. It’s named for its “adjutant” gait when walking. Lesser adjutant storks stand over 4 feet tall and have a wingspan approaching 8-9 feet wide. Their signature bald orange head allows them to reach deep into carcasses. Weighing up to 20 pounds, these large storks consume fish, amphibians, reptiles, and scavenged mammals. The lesser adjutant’s size gives it an advantage when competing for food resources with other wetland scavengers. Its measurements exceed most eagles.
Trumpeter Swans
The trumpeter swan of North America is the largest extant waterfowl species. They can reach up to 4.5 feet long and weigh up to 38 pounds. Their wingspan can surpass 10 feet wide. Trumpeter swans are even larger than their tundra swan cousins. Their size allows them to overpower other waterfowl when competing for food resources. Eagles occasionally prey on these massive swimmers, but they prefer smaller game that’s easier to transport to their nest. In terms of sheer mass, trumpeter swans are in a size class above most eagles.
Lappet-Faced Vultures
Lappet-faced vultures range across Africa and the Middle East. They’re the largest vulture species on Earth weighing up to 30 pounds with a 9-10 foot wingspan. A large lappet-faced vulture rivals eagles in length and wingspan. They use their sizable wings to soar for hours in search of animal carcasses to scavenge. Their featherless heads and large powerful beaks allow them to reach deep inside carrion. Lappet-faced vultures dominate other African scavengers at kills thanks to their substantial size.
Steller’s Sea Eagles
Steller’s sea eagle is one of the biggest eagles in the world and the heaviest of the sea eagles. Native to coastal areas of Russia, China, and Japan, they weigh 19-25 pounds with an 8-9.5 foot wingspan. Females average larger in size than the males. They prey largely on fish and water birds but can also take large land mammals like deer. Steller’s heavy size and thick beak give them an advantage when competing with other predators for food. The Steller’s sea eagle is an example of an eagle that exceeds the size of most other bird species including many fellow eagles.
Harpy Eagles
The powerful harpy eagle of Central and South America is considered by many to be the world’s most formidable eagle. They have been known to hunt sloths, monkeys, iguanas, and other canopy-dwelling creatures. Harpy eagles weigh up to 20 pounds and have a wingspan approaching 7 feet wide. Their legs can be as thick as a human wrist. Combined with their razor-sharp talons, their incredibly strong legs allow them to snatch up large prey. The harpy eagle’s substantial size gives it a competitive edge over other Neotropical raptors.
Philippine Eagles
The Philippine eagle is one of the tallest and longest eagles in the world though not quite the heaviest. Their long wingspan averages about 7 feet wide but can reach up to 7.5 feet,rivaling the harpy eagle. Exceptionally large Philippine eagles have been known to weigh up to 22 pounds. Adding to their impressive size, Philippine eagles have a relatively thick, powerful build. Endemic to the Philippines, they prey on flying lemurs, monkeys, civets, hornbills, and snakes. The Philippine eagle’s great size and strength earns it the distinction of being the largest eagle native to the Philippines.
Conclusion
Eagles are undoubtedly some of the largest and most powerful birds in the world. However, several bird species exceed the biggest eagles in size. Ostriches and condors claim the top spots as the largest flying birds. Birds like pelicans, storks, swans, bustards, and cranes can outweigh or outstretch eagles in some size dimensions. The harpy eagle and Philippine eagle are two of the most massive eagles, though Steller’s sea eagles and African crowned eagles may rival them. In the end, eagles may not be the indisputable giants of the avian world, but their impressive predatory capabilities continue to fascinate bird enthusiasts worldwide.