Big Birds Part 3

A list of the largest birds in their respective order.

There are more than 10,000 species of birds found all over the globe. They range in sizes, colors, and habitat. But do you know what is the largest in each bird ‘s order? This concise article answers your question.

Parrots (Psittaciformes)

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The endangered Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus), is the longest and largest overall parrot. A typical length for the Hyacinth Macaw is 1.2 m (4 ft) long and a weight of 2 kg (4.4 lb). However, the heaviest parrot is the nearly-extinct Kakapo (Strigops habroptila), which can weigh over 4 kg (8.8 lb) and about 60 cm (2 ft) long.

Sandgrouse (Pterocliformes)

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The largest species of sand grouse is the Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis), that can grow to about 15 in (39 cm) and can weigh up to 14.1–19.4 oz (400–550 g).

Penguins (Sphenisciformes)

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The Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri), native to Antarctica is the largest and tallest of all extant penguin species. They stand almost 1.35 m (4.3 ft) tall and weigh 746 kg (102 lb). 0 to 90 lbs. (30 to 40 kg.). Emperor penguins can mate when they are 4 years old and can live to be 20 years of age.

Owls (Strigiformes)

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The Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) is a large and powerful bird, and alongside the Blakiston’s Fish Owl (Bubo blakistoni) are considered the largest species of owls. It can measure up to 80 cm (32 in) long, can weigh about 4.5 kg (10 lb) and a wingspan of up to 138-200 cm (55-79 in). The largest owl known to have existed was Ornimegalonyx oteroi of Cuba, having measured over 1 m (3.3 ft) tall.

Trogons (Trogoniformes)

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The Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno), is a spectacular bird of the trogon family. This species is 36 cm (14 in) long, with around 64 cm (25 in) of remarkable tail for male and weighs about 7 to 8 oz (200 to 225 g).

Waterfowl (Anseriformes)

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The Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator),is the largest species in this order. This bird can grow up to 1.82 m (6 ft), with a 3 m (10 ft) wingspan and a weight of 17.3 kg (38 lb). However, the heaviest waterfowl ever recorded was an overweight Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) from Poland, who weighed nearly 23 kg (50 lb).

Swifts & allies (Apodiformes)

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The White-naped Swift (Streptoprocne semicollaris) is the largest species of the swift family in the New World. This bird found in western and central Mexico, can reach 20.5-25 cm (8.2-10 inches) long and can weigh up to 225 g (8 oz). The hummingbirds are also traditionally included in this order, the largest species of which is easily the Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas).

Nightjars & allies (Caprimulgiformes)

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The largest species of this order is the Great Potoo (Nycitbius grandis),which occurs in tropical America is the largest species of this order. It can attain a maximum size of 48-60 cm (19-24 inches) long and 360-650 grams (12.7 oz-1.4 lb).

Ratites (Struthioniformes)

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The ostrich (Struthio camelus) is largest species of the Struthioniformes, as well as the largest living bird today. It can reach a height of over 2.7 m (9 ft) and weighing over 156 kg (345 lb). It hold the record’s for the fastest land bird where it has the ability to run at speeds maximum of about 104 km/h (76 mph). Eggs laid by the Ostrich can weigh 1.4 kg (3 lb) and are the largest eggs in the world today.

Check Out:
The Big Birds
The Big Birds Part 2

Best Animal Dads

A list of the best animal dads in terms of child-rearing.

We all know that raising children is mainly the responsibility of mothers, but in the animal kingdom it doesn’t say so. In this article you will be surprised to find out that there are some male animals that are so good in raising their offspring. These fathers show tremendous efforts in providing what is best when it comes to parenting. Below is a list of the 10 best animal father from around the world.

Lion

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Barely making it to our list is the ferocious lion. We all know and perhaps seen some documentary films showing how lazy the king lion is. While the lioness and her gang ambush a prey, he is enjoying a fine sleep. When dinner time is ready, he always gets the first cut. But why did I include the male lion in the list, simply put, he is a steady guardian of the gang when he’s awake. Gifted with an eyesight, five times better than human eyes, he can survey intruders coming into his territory and he will surely fight it out to death just to protect his pride that can include six to seven lioness and a dozen cubs.

Antechinus

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This Australian mouse makes the cut due to his total determination when it comes to making love. He is what we may call “Mr. Gigolo” of the animal kingdom for the simple reason that while other males would die to get a little action, this Antechinus male actually dies when he gets a little action. Well, not a little, more like a lot. For the record, this little fellow can spend up to 12 hours mating! That he forgot to eat, drink and sleep. His partner benefits from it, letting herself be filled with sperm that may last until the end of the breeding season.

Golden Jackal

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The Golden jackal which is native to India and what we may call “Mr. Till Death Do Us Part”, for this skillful scavenger unlike other animals stick it out with a partner for life. Another good thing about this guy, he knows how to budget the food resources of the family. He fed his kids with rehearse food. What an ingenious way, don’t you think so?

Giant Water Bug

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This guy from Japan is a strong and a ferocious predator known for catching its prey by injecting a special toxin. Also, giant water bugs have a unique way in dealing with pregnancy, they treat it as a team effort. Females lay their eggs on the males’ back and the males had to deal with them until they hatch which could take a week. Take note, the male giant water bug carries not just a single egg but 150 eggs! (see photo)

Rhea

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At first glance it seems like that these South American flightless birds have a rather unusual relationship. A polygamous species, the males flirt around females and can keep up to 12 females in one occasion. But before you get mad at these males, take note that these dads know how to share some burdens in rearing children.During mating season, females in an attempt to get some actions from other males have to leave the eggs to its dad. Poor dad, he is tasked to sit it out for two months incubating up to 60 eggs. At times, he has to bear with just two weeks of food supply. The surprising side of this child-rearing task, dad has to take care of his children for nearly two years as a single parent.

Stickleback

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This wily little fish knows how to attract females. He creates a special “love nest” out of a sticky substance produced by its kidneys. Females are trapped and glued once they get nearer to this love nest and mating follows. The male uses this secretion, which is produced by his kidneys, to create a “love nest.” Once built, it’s just a matter of time before the females come a-knocking, but they shouldn’t get too attached. Once the male impregnates a female and she lays her eggs, he leaves her for another mate. But don’t call this dad, irresponsible, he takes care of the eggs, providing them with oxygen-rich and clean air by fanning them at 400 beats per minute for more than half the day—now that’s quite a workout!

Jacana

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This dad can pass as a circus performer, what with its ability to “walk on water” by balancing on lily pads. And when it comes to relationship this dad is fantastic, making love with his mate in a nest he himself build. But the poor guy, his belle after laying her eggs, abandons him for another guy. Meanwhile, dad remains on the nest, watching over the eggs to protect them—sometimes from their own mother! Female jacanas often return and smash their own eggs.

Giant African Bullfrog

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This dad has a very special way of rearing his children, giant African bullfrog is known to eat all that comes his way and can fit his mouth. This ability comes in handy for this dad since he has to take care of over 6,000 eggs. He will swallow them and keeping them all tucked inside his vocal sacs for six weeks. When the hatching period arrives all he has to do is to vomit and presto, his new little ones see daylight.

Emperor Penguin

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Our next dad comes from the coldest place on earth, Antarctica and is included in the list for his endurance. He is tasked to keep the egg warm while it mum takes a two-month feeding adventure. This dad, in order to keep the egg warm in subzero whether has two balanced it on his leg. What a novel way, don’t you think? At times he will have to ask his fellow males to help him warmth the egg until it is hatched. He too has to provide the baby’s first meal until its mother returns with some fish to eat.

Sea Horse

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Topping our list is the sea horse, a monogamous sea creature and a very special sea creature at that. Believe it or not male seahorses are the ones who get pregnant at times carrying in his body up to 1,000 babies at a time! A tall achievement for a small sea creature, but take note, the male sea horse has been known to eat a few of his offspring as well.

Check out:
10 Best Animal Moms