The ostrich is the largest and heaviest living bird, standing up to 9 feet tall and weighing over 300 pounds. However, if we exclude the ostrich from consideration, what is the next largest bird species still living today? There are several very large bird species that could lay claim to the title of “second largest bird.” In this article, we will explore some of the top contenders and look at how they compare in terms of height, weight, and wingspan.
Emus
One of the top contenders for the title of second largest bird is the emu. Emus are large, flightless birds that are found only in Australia. They stand up to 6.2 feet (1.9 m) tall and weigh around 97 pounds (44 kg) on average. However, some larger emus can reach up to 150 pounds (68 kg).
In terms of height, emus are only slightly shorter than ostriches on average. However, ostriches are much stockier and heavier. The emu’s small head and long, thin neck give it a height advantage over many other large birds, but its lightweight body still puts it far behind the mass of an ostrich.
Wingspan
Emus have small, rudimentary wings, but their wingspan is quite large compared to the overall size of their body. An emu’s wingspan can reach up to 6 feet (1.8 m) from tip to tip. This broad, feathered wingspan likely originally evolved to help the emu keep its balance while running.
Speed and Agility
One area where emus excel is running speed and agility. Emus are able to sprint up to 30 mph (48 km/hr). They can also turn quickly while running and maintain their balance quite well compared to other large birds.
Southern Cassowaries
Another large flightless bird that gives the emu a run for its money is the southern cassowary. Cassowaries are large, black birds found in the forests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia. They stand 5 to 5.9 feet (1.5 – 1.8 m) tall and weigh around 60 to 130 pounds (27 to 59 kg). The southern cassowary is the largest and heaviest of the three cassowary species.
Cassowary Height
The cassowary’s height is similar to the emu, although emus tend to be slightly taller on average. Cassowaries make up for it with a larger and heavier body in proportion to their height. Cassowaries also have a distinct helmet or crest on top of their head which adds several more inches of height.
Cassowary Weight
Cassowaries weigh significantly more than emus. The southern cassowary can reach weights of up to 130 pounds (59 kg), considerably heavier than even larger emus. Their bulkier body, large feet, and heavy bone structure add to their superior weight compared to the emu.
Andean Condors
The Andean condor is the largest flying bird in the world by combined measurement of weight and wingspan. Andean condors are huge vultures found in the Andes mountains of South America. They have a wingspan of 10 to 13 feet (3 to 4 m) and weigh between 27 to 33 pounds (12 to 15 kg).
Wingspan
The Andean condor’s enormous wingspan allows it to soar high up in the Andes mountains while scanning the landscape for food. Their large wings are well-adapted for long, effortless gliding as they ride thermals and wind currents.
Soaring Ability
Andean condors are expert soarers and gliders thanks to their large wing surface area. They are able to scan large areas efficiently while exerting minimal effort, allowing them to conserve energy. The only other birds that come close to the Andean condor’s soaring abilities are the California condor and the albatrosses.
Wandering Albatrosses
Wandering albatrosses have the largest wingspan of any living bird. They can have a wingspan up to 11.5 feet (3.5 m). That’s wider than a typical room is long! Wandering albatrosses live on islands in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica.
Wingspan
The wandering albatross’s enormous wingspan allows it to glide long distances over the open ocean on stiff, narrow wings. This helps them find food over vast distances out at sea. The shape and length of their wings makes them superb gliders.
Time Spent Flying
Wandering albatrosses spend over 95% of their time gliding and floating on air currents. They rarely need to flap their wings and have the lowest wing loading (body weight to wing area ratio) of any bird. Their adaptation to gliding flight has been taken to the extreme.
Comparison of the Largest Bird Candidates
Bird | Height | Wingspan | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
Emu | 5.5 – 6.2 ft (1.7 – 1.9 m) | 5.5 – 6 ft (1.7 – 1.8 m) | 66 – 154 lb (30 – 70 kg) |
Southern Cassowary | 4.9 – 5.9 ft (1.5 – 1.8 m) | 5.2 – 5.9 ft (1.6 – 1.8 m) | 60 – 130 lb (27 – 59 kg) |
Andean Condor | 3.9 – 4.7 ft (1.2 – 1.4 m) | 10 – 13 ft (3 – 4 m) | 24 – 33 lb (11 – 15 kg) |
Wandering Albatross | 3.3 – 3.6 ft (1 – 1.1 m) | 8.2 – 11.5 ft (2.5 – 3.5 m) | 12 – 21 lb (5.4 – 9.5 kg) |
Based on this comparison, the emu and southern cassowary appear to be quite evenly matched for the title of second largest bird when considering their height, wingspan and weight together. Emus reach greater heights on average while cassowaries tend to outweigh them. Overall, most experts give a slight edge to the southern cassowary as the largest bird after the ostrich based on its larger body mass and muscular build.
Other Contenders
There are a few other very large bird species that warrant a mention:
Greater Rheas
Greater rheas are large, flightless birds found in South America that stand 4.2 – 5 ft (1.3 – 1.5 m) tall and weigh 55 – 65 lb (25 – 30 kg). They are smaller than emus or cassowaries but are still quite massive by bird standards.
Great Bustards
Great bustards are bulky birds found in grasslands and steppes across Europe and Asia. They stand around 3.9 – 4.7 ft (1.2 – 1.4 m) tall and weigh 35 – 46 lb (16 – 21 kg). Males are larger than females.
Dalmatian Pelicans
Dalmatian pelicans are the largest pelican species and one of the heaviest flying birds, weighing around 30 lb (13.5 kg) with a wingspan up to 11 ft (3.3 m). However, they are only about 5 ft (1.5 m) in height.
Conclusion
Based on the available evidence, the southern cassowary seems to consistently come out on top as the heaviest and most massive bird species today behind only the ostrich. Emus match or exceed them in height and wingspan, but cassowaries have a bulkier, stockier build and greater weight in their body and legs. Cassowaries routinely weigh 30-40% more than even larger emus. Other giants like the Andean condor and Dalmatian pelican give competition in wingspan or certain isolated measurements, but fall short of the massive flightless birds when considering their overall size and bulk.
So while its status may be debated between the emu and cassowary, most experts agree the southern cassowary is indeed the largest living bird behind the unmatched ostrich. The cassowary averages somewhat larger in overall size and weight compared to all other living birds. Next time you are wondering which species is the second largest in the world, the southern cassowary should come to mind as the top contender for this superlative title.