Heaviest Flying Birds? (1 Viewer)

[Jamspangle]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that the Mute Swan is the third heaviest flying bird in the world. Is this true, and if so what are the top two?

 

[Gashead]

Kori bustard is one I guess, that's the heaviest flying bird in Africa.

 

[helenol]

Great Bustard (Otis tarda). I reckon that has to be one of the heaviest?

 

[Jos Stratford]

I believe the above two to be correct - I think Great Bustard is the heaviest, followed by Kori Bustard, with the Mute Swan trickling in third.

Of course, if including non-flying birds, Ostrich is going to be heavier than the lot

 

[albatross02]

Heaviest Bird

Hallo,

I agree with Great Bustard. It can wight until 18 kg.
Often this bird runs, but I saw it also flying.


Best regards
Dieter

 

[Gwynn]

I would put both Kori and Great Bustard as joint No1 as they can both weigh up to 18kg

Gwynn

 

[John Butler]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that the Mute Swan is the third heaviest flying bird in the world. Is this true, and if so what are the top two?

Hi Jamspangle.

Without doubt, the Great Bustard is the heaviest flying bird in Europe. I cannot be sure about the rest of the world though.

Regards from Doñana.

John.

 

[jurek]

Check Guinness Book of Records?

What I read somewhere is that Kori and Arabian Bustard males can reach over 20 kg, followed by Great Bustard 18kg. Mute Swan can reach more (in captivity?), but probably cannot fly then.

 

[crispycreme]

Check Guinness Book of Records?

Guinness doesn't list the heaviest flying bird on their web page. Instead, they list the heaviest raptor: Andean Condor, 12kg (if we're now referring to new world vultures as raptors once again).

 

[Motmot]

Just checked the Handbook of the Birds of the World:

Male Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) recorded up to 22.5 kg.
Male Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori) recorded up to 19 kg.
Male Great Bustard (Otis tarda) recorded up to 18kg.
Hunters have claimed 24kg for Great Bustard which would place this species on a level with the Mute Swan as the heaviest flying bird in the world.

 

[Quacker]

I recall as a kid reading in the Guiness book that it was the Kori Bustard or Paauw (sp?) - obviously a local nickname - I assume that answer was based on average bird size rather than individual biggies.