Our planet is very beautiful and amazing. The vastness of the Earth is inhabited by billions of not only flying, but also floating, running birds.

Among all species, there are birds that are not similar to the rest due to unique features that are unique to them. They are distinguished by a variety of colors, a specific lifestyle, habits. They can attract attention with unusual sizes - small or very large.

Large birds

Ostrich

The ostrich is considered the largest bird in the world. Height is up to 270 cm, weight up to 156 kg. In addition to its weight and size, it also differs in running speed. Having long legs, an ostrich at a short distance is able to overtake a horse, since its speed can reach 70 km per hour.

Ostriches feed on seeds, shoots. In extreme cases, they eat insects, for example, locusts. In search of pasture, they cover huge distances in Africa. Their legs are very strong, blow ostrich can cause serious damage to humans.

Ostriches are sometimes trained to graze sheep and to drive birds away from ripened grains. The ostrich egg is the largest, and to boil it soft-boiled, it takes as long as 40 minutes! Unlike most birds, the female enters mating games with many males and lays from 11 to 18 eggs.

Cassowary

Cassowary is also a large bird lacking the ability to fly. Its habitat is Australia and Papua New Guinea. Height is from 1.5 to 1.8 m, and weight does not exceed 60 kg.The maximum speed of the cassowary is 50 km per hour.

On the head of this bird there is a special helmet that protects its head. This flat horny crown grows to 17 cm. When the cassowary runs at high speed, it helps to overcome dense thickets in humid forests. Therefore, the Indonesians call it “Horned Head”.

California condor

California Condor is a mighty bird of enormous size. Belongs to a very rare species from the family of American vultures. In addition to California, they can be found in the mountainous expanses of Arizona, Mexico and Utah. The Indians believed that the sun rests on the wings of a condor, because the wingspan of the bird is 3.25 m., and the body length is 135 cm. They nest in high mountains off the coast. The weight of an adult bird does not exceed 14 kilograms. These predators live for about 50 years without enemies in nature.

The world of tiny kings of flight is unique and mysterious. Interesting facts amaze and do not leave indifferent.

Little birds

Hummingbird

Hummingbird is one of the smallest birds. It lives in the Americas. Its weight is 1.6 grams with a length of 57 mm, with half being in the beak and tail. Due to its size, it received a second name - “bird-fly”. A tiny hummingbird with a ruby ​​neck has only 940 feathers, but per square centimeter of its body, it has much more feathers than even a swan.

Another interesting fact about these birds: when a hummingbird hangs in the air, its wings rotate like a propeller, and the tips of the wings draw an eight, providing reliable control in flight. They fly perfectly in all directions.

Kinglet

Korolek is the smallest bird living in Russia. Size from 8 to 11 cm, and weighing 6-8 g. It has a short tail and neck, a large head. The hat on her head is “decorated” in black stripes. They live on tall trees. They feed on seeds and insects, and in winter, eggs and larvae.

Chicks hatch only in July or May. Their singing can be heard in summer and winter, as well as in early spring. But in winter, the northern kings are singing, who winter with us. Reaching the age of 3-4 years, males discover the ability to make amazing sounds. Their singing sounds during the mating season - from mid-spring to the end of summer.

Wherever a person’s gaze is directed, one can see these magnificent creatures everywhere. With their free flight and amazing coherence of actions, they lead into a state of delight.