The 15 Largest Flying Birds on Earth
Few birds outclass the largest species in terms of wingspan and appearance. Albatrosses, which glide over vast oceans, and vultures that soar above rugged mountains are the birds that show nature can synthesize size and flight.
According to World Rain Forests, Colombia has the most bird species, with 1,917, followed by Peru, 1,892, and Brazil, 1,864. These are Earth’s 15 most enormous flying birds, showing you what makes them unique, unveiling where they live, and describing their fun behaviors. The birds on this list are giants, and each stirs the imagination with unique adaptations: they’re true giants of the skies.
Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans)
Wandering albatross is the title of the bird with the largest wingspan on Earth (up to 3.65 m or 12 ft). This seabird is found mainly over the Southern Ocean and spends most of its life in flight. It glides effortlessly on ocean winds and can travel 3,700 miles (6,000 km) in 12 days. The wandering albatross weighs up to 11.9 kilograms (26 lbs) and measures about 1.44 meters (4.7 feet), making them an icon of the open sea.
Notable Fact: While majestic in their own right, these birds are threatened by accidental bycatch in fishing nets, so their conservation status is of concern.
Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
This bird stands out in shallow lakes and wetlands. It is one of the largest flying birds at 3,6 meters (12 feet) across and weighing up to 15 kilograms (33 lbs). They are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa and rely on teamwork to hunt for fish in ever-larger flocks.
Notable Fact: Although the great white pelican is large, its fully webbed feet make it an excellent swimmer.
Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus)
The Dalmatian pelican is one of the heaviest flying birds and the largest pelican species, with a wingspan of 3.5 meters (11.5 feet). This bird weighs up to 15 kilograms (33 lbs) and can often be seen soaring over water throughout Europe and Asia. Dalmatian pelicans have been observed to fly at altitudes over 10,000 feet to migrate regions.
Notable Fact: Like many bird species, these birds maintain lifelong bonds with their partners and show great loyalty to the cooperative breeding colony to which they belong.
Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
This bird has a wingspan of up to 3.2 meters (10.5 feet) and weighs 15 kilograms (33 lbs). It uses warm air to soar for hours when there are no updrafts or lift. Its ecosystem balance is important, highlighted by its role in surviving a carrion diet.
Notable Fact: The Andean condor is one of the longest-lived birds, with a lifespan of up to 70 years.
Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus)
A scavenger common to sub-Saharan Africa, the marabou stork stands at 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) and has a wingspan of 2.9 meters (9.5 feet). It is characterised by a bald head and a prominent pouch on its throat. The marabou stork eats carrion and refuse and lives in wetlands and human settlements.
Notable Fact: This bird is colloquially known as the “undertaker bird” due to its somber appearance and scavenging habits.
Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori)
The kori bustard also lives up to its place among the heaviest flying birds, with males reaching a weight of up to 18 kilograms (39 lbs) and a wingspan of 2.75 meters (9 ft). This ground-dwelling bird of East and Southern African savannas usually spends the day walking but can take to the air when need be.
Notable Fact: Unlike most birds, true bustards are solitary. Both sexes inflate their feathers in colorful courtship displays to impress their mates.
Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)
Native to North America, the trumpeter swan is a waterfowl measuring 185–250 centimeters (6.1–8.2 feet) in wingspan, making it the biggest on the continent. These swans weigh up to 12.7 kilograms (28 lbs) and are famous for their resonating, trumpet-like calls. They migrate in dramatic V formations and can be found in lakes and wetlands.
Notable Fact: Conservation efforts brought back Trumpeter swans from near extinction.
Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus)
This bird is also referred to as the Eurasian black vulture and has a wingspan exceeding 3 meters (9.8 feet) and can weigh over 14 kilograms (31 lbs). Scavenging mostly carrion, it is one of the largest birds of prey in the world and is found across Europe and Asia.
Notable Fact: Although a large bird, the cinereous vulture is shy and solitary.
California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus)
One of the largest birds that can fly in North America, the California condor stretches across 3 meters (9,5 feet) of wing span. In the 1980s, these scavengers had a population teetering on the brink of extinction, but massive conservation efforts brought them back from the brink.
Notable Fact: Condors can fly to altitudes of 15,000 feet and travel up to 150 miles daily.
Antipodean Albatross (Diomedea antipodensis)
An Antipodean albatross (10 feet) and a wandering albatross (11 feet) are closely related and have 3.3-meter and 3.4-meter wingspans, respectively. This bird is found in the South Pacific and spends most of its life traveling highly long distances over the ocean.
Notable Fact: Conservation of albatrosses is critical due to their low reproductive rate and slow rate of increase.
Southern Royal Albatross
At almost 3.51 meters (11.5 feet) in length, the southern royal albatross has a respectable wingspan, second only to that of the wandering albatross for all seabirds. It’s found in the oceans of the Southern Hemisphere and famous for its graceful, long flights.
Notable Fact: Royal albatrosses pair for life and typically breed on sub-Antarctic islands.
Lappet-Faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos)
It’s a lappet-faced vulture, the dominant vulture of African savannas, with a wingspan of up to 2.9 meters (9.5 feet) and distinctive folds of skin called lappets, but alas, it’s endangered. The beak of this species is mighty, and they can tear through rigid carcasses.
Notable Fact: It can scare off smaller scavengers and even jackals at feeding sites.
Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)
The stately bearded vulture, which can reach up to 2.8 meters (9.2 feet) in wingspan, is found in mountainous regions of Eurasia and Africa. Otherwise known as the lammergeier, it has a reputation for being a type of vulture with an unusual diet (80% of which is bone marrow).
Notable Fact: The bearded vulture drops bones from a height so they crack open and reveal the bone marrow.
White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)
The white stork, with a wingspan of up to 3 meters (9,8 feet), is an elegant bird across Europe and Africa. In folklore, it is lucky with family.
Notable Fact: White storks often migrate long distances, thousands of miles each year.
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
This list is completed by the golden eagle, which has a wingspan of 6–7.5 feet (1.8–2.3 meters). It is famous in the area for hunting and can reach speeds of up to 200 mph on a stoop. The golden eagle can be found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, surviving in a wide array of habitats, from deserts to alpine regions.
Notable Fact: Although it is big and vicious, it has been revered as a symbol of strength and courage in many cultures.
They are the most enormous flying birds on Earth, and they not only fill the skies but also capture the human imagination. From oceanic gliding wide-winged albatrosses to fearless vultures claiming the sky over rugged landscapes, these avian giants inspire all of us with the diversity and wonder of nature. Their protection and habitat are as essential as anything in balancing ecosystems. Wouldn’t you love to see these majestic birds in the wild?
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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