Meet 4 Flightless Birds That Have Evaded Extinction. Hint: One Is The Biggest Bird In The World
For millions of years, flightless birds thrived across the globe. With no need to fly, and few natural predators, they flourished.
But their luck changed with the arrival of humans — bringing with them new predators, hunting practices, and habitat destruction.
Species like the moa of New Zealand and the dodo of Mauritius disappeared within decades of first human contact. In fact, over 50 species of flightless birds have gone extinct in the last few thousand years.
According to a 2020 study published in Science Advances, there are approximately 60 flightless birds that inhabit the planet today. Compare that number with the 166 flightless birds known to have gone extinct since humans came into existence and you can see how much this animal class has struggled.
What's worse, scientists estimate that humans have been directly or indirectly responsible for 90 flightless bird extinctions. In other words, if it weren't for human hunting and related activities, we'd probably still have 150 flightless birds roaming the planet today, instead of 60.
Of course, not all have perished. Some, against the odds, have managed to survive. Here are four remarkable flightless birds that have evaded extinction – and continue to walk, run, or waddle across our planet today.
An ostrich, the world's largest living bird, relies on powerful legs and remarkable speed to thrive ... More in the open landscapes of sub-Saharan Africa.
The ostrich (Struthio camelus) isn't just a survivor, it's the largest and heaviest living bird in the world, standing up to nine feet tall and weighing over 300 pounds. Native to the savannas and open woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa, ostriches have evolved not for flight, but for speed and endurance. They can sprint at over 40 miles per hour and use their powerful legs to deliver deadly kicks when threatened.
Unlike many extinct flightless birds that fell prey to hunters, ostriches' size and speed make them difficult to catch. Additionally, they inhabit wide, open landscapes, giving them plenty of visibility to spot predators and expand their territory. In contrast, many of the flightless birds that went extinct inhabited remote islands where there was simply nowhere to hide.
While they were once hunted extensively for feathers, meat, and leather, ostriches have bounced back. Today, they're farmed commercially in many parts of the world, and wild populations remain stable in protected reserves and national parks.
The kiwi of New Zealand is characterized by some of the most unique traits found in any bird ... More species.
New Zealand's kiwi may not be imposing in size (most are about the size of a chicken) but they're among the most unique birds on Earth. There are five species of kiwi, all endemic to New Zealand, and they've become national symbols of resilience.
These shy, nocturnal creatures evolved in a predator-free environment. With poor eyesight, hair-like feathers, and a highly developed sense of smell (rare among birds), kiwis adapted perfectly to life on the forest floor. Unfortunately, this made them vulnerable once humans — and introduced animals like cats, stoats, and dogs — arrived.
By the 20th century, many kiwi populations were in sharp decline. However, thanks to aggressive conservation efforts, including predator control programs, habitat restoration, and breeding initiatives, several kiwi species have seen rebounds. The North Island brown kiwi, for example, has had population increases in recent years.
An emu and its chicks in Western Australia.
Standing up to 6.5 feet tall, the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the second-largest bird in the world, native to Australia's mainland and surrounding islands. Though they can't fly, emus make up for it with long strides and a top running speed of nearly 30 miles per hour. They're also impressive travelers, capable of walking great distances in search of food and water.
Unlike many flightless birds that suffered catastrophic population crashes, emus have largely coexisted with humans. Their widespread range and nomadic nature made them harder to overhunt. They also proved surprisingly adaptable to the agriculturalization of land.
Despite their generally stable status, emus haven't always had it easy. In 1932, Australia faced the bizarre "Emu War," where soldiers attempted (and failed) to curb large numbers of emus damaging crops in Western Australia.
Today, emus remain common across the continent and are even farmed commercially for meat, oil, and leather.
A flightless cormorant, endemic to the Galápagos Islands, stretches its small, vestigial wings — ... More remnants of a flying ancestry.
While most cormorants are sleek, water-diving birds capable of flight, the flightless cormorant (Nannopterum harrisi) of the Galápagos Islands broke the mold. Evolving in isolation, it developed short wings, powerful legs, and strong webbed feet, trading flight for exceptional swimming ability.
This bird is found only on two Galápagos islands: Fernandina and the northern coast of Isabela. With no land predators and plentiful marine food, it thrived without needing to fly – until humans arrived. Introduced predators and habitat disturbances took a toll, and today, only around 1,000 individuals remain.
Still, the flightless cormorant has held on, thanks largely to the Galápagos' protected status and ongoing conservation programs.
Its continued existence underscores how even highly specialized species — seemingly vulnerable — can persist when given a chance.
Does thinking about the extinction of a species instantly change your mood? Take the Connectedness to Nature Scale to see where you stand on this unique personality dimension.
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