Fact File: Birds That Don’t Fly

Today there are about 40 species of birds that have lost the ability to fly. Some grew too large and heavy to fly; others simply lost the need to fly because food was plentiful and they had no predators to avoid.
The ostrich is the world’s largest bird. It is native to the savannas and deserts of Africa. Strong and fast runners, these birds can sprint up to 43mph (70kph). Their small wings are used like rudders to help change direction when running. Ostriches grow up to 9 feet (2.7m) tall and weigh up to 345 pounds (156kg). The ostrich lays the biggest egg in the world. A kick from this large bird can kill.
The rhea, also known as the nandu, is native to the forests of South America. These fast runners gather in flocks of 20 to 30.
Found in the rainforests and grasslands of New Zealand, the kakapo is critically endangered and has been living on the edge of extinction for the past 60 years. They are also known as “owl parrot”.
Penguins lack fleathers and have flipper like paddles instead of wings. Depending on the species, penguins can range from 1 foot to 3 feet (30cm to 90cm) tall.
The kiwi grows to about 1 foot (30cm) tall. Found in five species, unlike other birds, kiwis have their nostrils on the tip of their bills, instead of at the base.
Found only in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, the flightless cormorant evolved on isolated, predator-free islands. This cormorant grows to about 40 inches (1m) long.
Another critically endangered species, the Junin grebe is found only in Lake Junin in Peru. The Junin grebe grows up to 15 inches (38cm) long. —[email protected]