Birds of prey, also known as raptors, include hawks, eagles, owls, vultures, and falcons. They are carnivorous hunters with excellent eyesight and powerful talons that allow them to seize and kill prey. Raptors come in many different sizes, from small kestrels to large eagles and vultures. But which raptor has the largest wingspan?
Wingspan Defined
A bird’s wingspan is defined as the distance from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other, with the wings spread to their maximum width. This measurement essentially shows how wide a bird’s wings are from end to end when fully extended. Wingspan is a common way to quantify the size of birds, especially large birds like raptors.
The wingspan measurement does not include the actual body length of a bird from head to tail. It only reflects the width of the wings at full extension. So a raptor with a shorter body but very broad wings could have a larger wingspan than a longer-bodied bird with narrower wing width.
Largest Wingspans of Raptors
The raptor species with the largest wingspans are condors, eagles, vultures, pelicans, and albatrosses. The wingspans of these large bird species are outlined below.
California Condor
The California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is a scavenging bird in the vulture family that is native to the western United States. With a wingspan averaging 9.5-10.5 feet (2.9-3.2 meters), it has the largest wingspan of any North American bird.
Andean Condor
The Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) of South America rivals the California condor, with an average wingspan of 10-11 feet (3-3.5 meters). As the national symbol of several South American nations, it is one of the world’s largest flying birds.
Wandering Albatross
The wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) has the largest wingspan of any living bird species, averaging 11-12 feet (3.3-3.7 meters) across. This oceanic bird relies on its enormous wingspan to soar long distances without flapping while foraging over the open sea.
White-tailed Eagle
The white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is a very large eagle species with a wingspan averaging 7.5-8.2 feet (2.3-2.5 meters). Native across Eurasia, it has one of the largest wingspans of any eagle worldwide.
Stellar’s Sea Eagle
The Steller’s sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) of northeast Asia also has an impressive wingspan of 6.5-8.2 feet (2-2.5 meters) across. It is one of the largest eagles in the world, weighing 11-20 pounds (5-9 kg).
Philippine Eagle
The Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), also called the monkey-eating eagle, has a wingspan of around 7 feet (2.1 meters). Though not quite as broad as other eagles, its wingspan still ranks among the largest of raptors.
Comparison of Largest Wingspans
To summarize, here is how the wingspans of the largest raptor species compare:
Bird Species | Average Wingspan |
---|---|
Wandering Albatross | 11-12 feet |
Andean Condor | 10-11 feet |
California Condor | 9.5-10.5 feet |
White-tailed Eagle | 7.5-8.2 feet |
Steller’s Sea Eagle | 6.5-8.2 feet |
Philippine Eagle | About 7 feet |
As this table shows, the wandering albatross has the most extensive wings by a fair margin compared to other raptor species. The Andean condor and California condor follow closely behind. Among eagles, the white-tailed eagle and Steller’s sea eagle have the broadest wingspans.
Wingspan and Flight
A larger wingspan provides several advantages for these massive raptors:
- Longer, broader wings create more lift, allowing these heavy birds to take flight more easily.
- More extensive wings mean larger wing surface area, providing greater thrust and control while soaring.
- Huge wingspans enable superb gliding abilities over vast distances without tiring.
However, very large wingspans also create some tradeoffs:
- Wider wings may hamper maneuverability in tighter spaces.
- Lengthy wings require more energy and strength for flapping flight.
- Bulky wingspan can make takeoff more difficult.
Yet for birds like albatrosses and condors that rely on soaring flight over the open ocean or mountain updrafts, the benefits of a vast wingspan clearly outweigh the costs.
Other Large Raptors
While the wandering albatross, condors, white-tailed eagle, and Steller’s sea eagle rank as the largest raptors by wingspan, other birds of prey still have impressively wide wings, including:
- Bald Eagle: Average wingspan of 6-7.5 feet (1.8-2.3 m)
- Golden Eagle: Average wingspan of 6-7 feet (1.8-2.1 m)
- Harpy Eagle: Average wingspan of 6-7 feet (1.8-2.1 m)
- Griffon Vulture: Average wingspan of 7.5-9 feet (2.3-2.7 m)
- Lappet-faced Vulture: Average wingspan of 8-9 feet (2.4-2.7 m)
Conclusion
Based on average wingspan measurements, the wandering albatross emerges as the clear winner for the largest wingspan of any predatory bird species. Its enormous 11-12 foot wings dwarf the wingspans of all other raptors. The Andean condor and California condor take second and third place, respectively, with condors generally having the broadest wings of the vulture family.
Among eagles, the white-tailed sea eagle and Steller’s sea eagle boast the biggest wings, reflecting their evolution as powerful hunters in coastal regions. And birds like the bald eagle and harpy eagle still cut imposing figures across the skies with their 6-7 foot spans. But no raptor quite compares to the might and magnitude of the wandering albatross in full flight across the southern seas.
The enormity of these birds’ wings allows them to efficiently cover vast distances in search of food. It also enables them to take advantage of air currents and thermals to soar with minimal effort. Their large wings provide the lift and thrust to get these hefty birds airborne and give them superb command of the skies. The wingspan of a bird is a reflection of its flight style and habits; for birds that glide more than flap, bigger is definitely better.
Bird wings evolved to match the ecological niches and lifestyles of raptors. For wide-ranging fliers like albatrosses, eagles, and vultures, lengthy broad wings allow them to successfully hunt and forage over expansive terrain. The wandering albatross truly represents the pinnacle of this adaptation, with its record-breaking wing design that enables it to glide so effectively over ocean waters. Its enormous wingspan provides a competitive advantage with the dynamics of gliding flight. So if you’re looking for the raptor with the most extensive pinions, the wandering albatross takes top honors as the predatory bird with the largest wingspan.