The best known Flightless Birds, Characteristics

In the animal world there is a large number of species, including birds, however, not all of them can fly through the skies and for this reason, it is very common to find some birds that do not fly. If you want to know which are the best known Birds that do not fly, we invite you to continue reading this article.

BIRDS THAT DO NOT FLY

The best known flightless birds

Throughout evolution, many birds have decided to stop flying and stay on solid ground. Unfortunately, the result for many of these species was to disappear, as they became easy prey for humans and animals. Those that survived did so because they were too large (ostrich) or their habitat was too remote (penguin). So there are still some species of birds that don't fly.

Why are there Birds that do not fly?

Considering that birds fly in search of food, reach a different seasonal range, escape predators, reach safer nesting sites, defend their territory and impress their mates, then why would bird species lose the ability to to fly? In areas where birds have no natural predators, rely on food sources such as fruit or fish, have no need to migrate, and use other adaptations for protection and courtship, flight is much less critical for them.

characteristics of flightless birds

Flightless birds still have wings, but they are often smaller or less developed than those that have the ability to take flight. The shapes of the feathers can be different, such as having a fluffy appearance like fur or being small and compact to insulate them while swimming. Flightless birds generally have fewer wing bones or they may be fused together, making the wings much less mobile than is needed for flight. Most flightless birds are missing the keel of the sternum, that is, the part of the bone that attaches to the flying muscles.

To compensate for the lack of wings, these birds often develop better plumage camouflage, stronger legs for running, as well as specialized legs for swimming or other adaptations that help them survive on the ground of their native habitat. Other uses of them are that they serve as fins, help provide balance or act as brakes and rudders for fast runners. Some flightless birds, like kakapo and kiwi, have even developed strong scents that can deter predators or help attract mates.

Flightless birds are found throughout the world, although the highest concentration of flightless species is found in New Zealand. Until the arrival of humans on the islands approximately 1.000 years ago, there were no large terrestrial predators in the region. That lack of predators, in addition to the region's diverse habitats and rich ecosystems, was ideal for the evolution of a highly diverse group of flightless birds.

Flightless birds face many threats that can be more dangerous to them than birds that do fly. Invasive predators such as cats and rats can more effectively stalk flightless birds, including nests. Additionally, flightless birds are more susceptible to poaching, trapping, and other man-made threats such as litter, pollution, fishing line, and more. Because they cannot fly to a new location, habitat loss is also a critical threat to flightless birds.

flightless birds

Over time, a large number of flightless birds have been known in the world and yet the vast majority have ended up being extinct for various reasons unrelated to them. One of the most relevant examples has been the dodo bird, which was a bird that existed for a significant length of time, from 10.000 BC to the XNUMXth century. Next, we will mention the main flightless birds that still inhabit today.

Ostrich

Ostriches are the largest and also the fastest birds on Earth. They are flightless birds that belong to the genus Struthio, which are found in Africa, where they live in the wild and are also bred to obtain their derivatives. The birds can run at speeds of almost 70 kilometers per hour and often use running as a mode of defense. Wild ostriches are nomadic in nature and live in groups of 5 to 50 individuals. Additionally, they also lay the largest eggs among all the birds in the world.

Rhea

The rhea bird is very similar to the ostrich and the emu, and it does look a bit strange compared to the typical birds we see every day. Despite this, it is quite fascinating and exotic. Of this class of birds that do not fly there are two types known today, the American rhea and the one named in honor of the English researcher Darwin. The rheas belong to a group of birds known as ratites or birds that cannot fly.

Rheas are currently listed as near threatened by the IUCN, a nature conservation group that monitors the endangerment of animals and species. Protecting the rhea is very important. They can grow to be over five feet tall and weigh close to ninety pounds. It is no wonder that rheas are the largest birds in South America. Rheas are dark gray in color and their bodies are covered in feathers. They have very long necks and legs. There are only three toes on the rhea's feet.

BIRDS THAT DO NOT FLY

Like the ostrich and emu, the rhea lacks the chest muscles needed to lift its heavy body off the ground for flight. Likewise, it is worth noting that the natural habitat of the rhea bird is found in South America, especially in the grasslands, which are large open areas ideal for grazing animals. During the breeding season, the rhea tends to stay near bodies of water such as lakes and rivers.

Kiwi

The kiwi is a bird famous for not flying. It always encourages a double take due to its small round body, fur-like feathers, and unassuming whiskered face. The kiwi is so loved that it is the national symbol of New Zealand. There are five species of kiwi, all native to the island. Two of the species are vulnerable, one is endangered, and one is critically endangered. Although large swathes of their forest habitat are now protected, they still face danger from predation by introduced carnivores such as cats.

Kiwis for not flying have their vestigial wings barely visible between their fluffy feathers. They also lay very large eggs relative to their body dimensions and other birds of the world. Adult kiwis are monogamous and mate for life, spending up to 20 years as a faithful pair. These shy birds are nocturnal and use their keen sense of smell to locate prey at night. Unlike other bird species, their nostrils are located at the end of their beaks, making it easy for them to sniff out the worms, larvae, and seeds they feed on.

Cassowary

This animal may look like a representation of a prehistoric dinosaur that turns into a bird, but it is actually a modern species: the cassowary. There are three species of cassowary, the southern cassowary, the northern cassowary, and the dwarf cassowary, all of which are native to New Guinea and Australia. The cassowary is the second heaviest bird in the world (behind only the ostrich). It has claws on its toes that can grow up to four inches long and can run as fast as 50 kilometers per hour.

On the other hand, it is also noted that, because the bird cannot fly, it has extra strong and well-developed legs, which makes its kicks have incredible power. All of this means that although the cassowary cannot fly, it is still tough enough to fight off predators. Additionally, it is necessary to emphasize that only those who have had human contact are very prone to attacks.

BIRDS THAT DO NOT FLY

Penguin

Penguins are undoubtedly the most famous flightless birds outside of the ratite family. There are seventeen species worldwide, most of which look quite similar except for a few variations in size and markings on the head and neck. The blue penguin is the smallest species, reaching just 1 foot in height and the emperor penguin is the largest, at just over 3 feet in height. Penguins walk clumsily on land, but they are good swimmers, using their wings as flippers and their feet as rudders. Many live near the poles and in subarctic regions, while others live in Australia and New Zealand.

Emu

Like ostriches, emus are part of the ratite group of flightless birds. Emus are the second largest birds on the planet, and they also have wings, but they are confined to the ground. These flightless birds also have powerful legs and can run at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. They take individual steps of up to 9 feet. Their feathers are more like shaggy fur and their wings are only about 7 inches long. Emus are indigenous to Australia, where they are protected, but are largely considered pests due to their propensity to descend on agricultural crops in large numbers and consume them.

southern steamer duck

There are four species of steamer duck, three of which are flightless. One of them, the Fuegian Steamer Duck, can be found in South America along rocky shores from southern Chile to Tierra del Fuego. Steamer duck species get their name from the way they swim, when they really get moving quickly, flap their wings while paddling their legs, and end up looking a bit like a paddle steamer. Meanwhile, the species' genus name, Tachyeres, means "having fast oars" or "fast oarsman."

The Fuegian is the largest of the steamer ducks and the heaviest of the species, by far about the same mass as the large species of goose. Their large size is to their benefit as it helps keep predators away from nests with eggs or chicks. Adult Fuegian Steamers have few, if any, natural predators, thanks to a combination of their size and aggressive temperament. Their wings may be too short for flight, but they definitely use them for fighting.

Campbell's Teal

The Campbell teal is one of two species of flightless teal. These little snapping ducks are nocturnal, coming out at night to feed on insects and amphipods. They were once found on Campbell Island, their namesake, but were driven to extinction there after Norway rats found their way onto land. After a population was discovered on another island, the species was listed as critically endangered, and conservationists worked for decades to create a successful captive breeding program.

BIRDS THAT DO NOT FLY

In 2003, a massive effort was made to clean Campbell Island of rats and other pests, and in 2004, 50 Campbell Teals were released there, marking the return of the species after an absence of nearly 100 years. . Since then, the Campbell teal has settled on the spot. Although it remains on the endangered species list, the return to its home island provides great hope for the species.

Titicaca Grebe

Grebes are lovable birds, but this particular species is much admired. The Titicaca flightless grebe (also known as the short-winged grebe) is found in Peru and Bolivia. It lives primarily in its namesake, Lake Titicaca, but can also be found in various surrounding lakes. Although it cannot fly, the Titicaca grebe can swim adeptly. It mainly takes small pups as prey.

Unlike many other flightless bird species that have been threatened by introduced predators for various reasons, the Titicaca grebe is threatened by the use of gillnets by fishermen. As a result, it is now listed as endangered. Although in some areas they are protected, there is evidence that no concerted conservation effort is being made for this species.

One-armed cormorant

The Galapagos Islands are home to many species that have evolved peculiar traits, including a wide range of unique bird species. One of them is the only cormorant in the world that cannot fly, aptly named the flightless cormorant. The flightless cormorant's thick little wings are a testament to how long ago it gave up the joy of flight. In fact, the wings are about a third of the size they would need for flight to be possible.

Instead of soaring over the waves, the flightless cormorant uses its powerful legs to swim up to 300 feet from shore, searching for fish and other marine prey. Research has been done to explain how the cormorant lost its ability to fly. In 2017, Leonid Kruglyak of the University of California, Los Angeles discovered that this flightless bird has a long list of mutated genes, including genes that can distort limb growth.

The researchers believe it is this particular combination of mutated genes that created shorter wings and smaller breast bones, thus stripping the bird of its ability to fly. The flightless cormorant is one of the rarest birds in the world, in part because it is found on only two Galapagos islands. However, it is also susceptible to storm damage and has been introduced to predators, thus the species is listed as vulnerable. Conservation efforts are important to their continued survival.

If you liked this article about the best-known Flightless Birds and want to learn more about other interesting topics, you can review the following links:


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