7 birds that you will be surprised to know cannot fly
We often contemplate birds as flying high in the sky. But did you know that there are so many beautiful flightless birds? Yes, Ostrich isn’t the only flightless bird in the world. Many other birds cannot fly, but you will love to pet them anyway. Each of these birds live in different regions of the world and prove to be a blessing to our ecosystem for their mesmerising beauty.
Let us take a look at them to leave you jaw-dropped forever! We promise; you won’t be disappointed to take a peek into them at all.
Seven Flightless Birds To Leave You Awe-struck
- Kiwi
Although Kiwis are born with beautiful hairy feathers and vestigial wings, they cannot fly. That is because these birds have breast bones that lack the keel to anchor the solid pectoral muscles for flight. However, you can find them in plenty in New Zealand where people come from all across the globe to take a look at them. These little birds are enchanting with nostrils on top of their bills. Their little wings are not capable enough of lifting their bodies for flight. However, they are one of the most vulnerable to extinct species across the globe today.
- Penguin
As a kid, we have all watched penguins on the discovery channel and wondered why they are so cute. These mostly live in icy regions like the South Pole and the Galapagos Islands. There are 18 species and you will be surprised to know that none of them are able to fly. They flap their short legs to walk to and fro in search of food and shelter. They are also known to be highly romantic birds and look for mates each season. These birds can also swim with their flippers. You can find them in their shaded black and white bodies in the coldest regions on the planet.
- Cassowary
The cassowary bird is less heavy than the Ostrich but it is a danger to mess with. They are from Australia and have an evil dagger like claw. If it hits a human, they can even die. However, these birds are glamorous to look at and you will want to keep looking at them. They are so colorful and bright. Their fur capes also make them stand out like no other. It also runs at 31 miles per hour so you are sure to want to see them even more.
- Steamer Duck
Nestled in parts of Chile and Argentina, you can spot these flightless birds that are a duck species. The steamer duck are highly aggressive birds and they even engage in bloody battles with one another when they have disputes. They have even been spotted killing many birds of their size. Thus, you do not want to mess with these angry birdies. So, although they are flightless, they are beautiful looking and worth admiring from anywhere. You can find them in South American countries whenever you come down to the country soon.
- Flightless Cormorant
The flightless Cormorants are beautiful but they cannot fly because their wings are short enough for the same. You can find them in Galapagos Islands among many other unique species that are a treat to watch. They are one of the rarest birds in the world and are also highly vulnerable to extinction. These birds can also swim by using their powerful legs. Thus, you can have a lot of fun watching them walk and swim. They are anything between 2.5 to 5kgs and 89 to 100 cm tall.
- Weka
We assume that you have never heard of this notorious bird before. This might be because they like to be mischievous without getting caught. Weka is one of the most mischievous birds you will find. They are known for their curious personality and thieving habits. Wekas are more often heard than seen because they love to steal food and be feisty. So, if you cannot find something while camping, you can be sure to have encountered a Weka unknowingly. They are also highly vulnerable birds. Thus, necessary conservative measures need to be taken to preserve them.
- Kakapo
This one is the world’s only flightless parrot that one can find in New Zealand. They are the heaviest parrot species in the world and are charismatic in their ways. They were once highly vulnerable to extinction but thankfully they have been well-preserved today. In 2019, the number of Kakapos were reduced to 219. However, conservative measures have helped save them on this planet today.
The Bottom Line
These flightless birds may sound boring, but wait till you watch them. They are a treat to your eyes with their charismatic nature, diversification and unique habits. Most of them are also vulnerable to extinction, which is why we should try to save them as much as possible. After all, our ecosystem would be incomplete without these unique and beautiful birds.
