Latest news with #flightlessbirds
Forbes
06-07-2025
- Science
- Forbes
A Biologist Spotlights The Smallest Flightless Bird, Found On Earth's Only ‘Inaccessible' Island
Flightless birds like the ostrich or emu tend to be larger than their flight-capable cousins. But ... More that's not always the case. Here's the story of the world's smallest flightless bird, found on one of the most remote island archipelagos on the planet. Flightless birds have had a tough go of it in recent times, with humans to blame. We all know the story of the dodo of Mauritius, a flightless bird that was famously hunted out of existence by human settlers in a span of decades. And there are other examples. The great auk of the North Atlantic, the moa of New Zealand, the elephant bird of Madagascar, and the Réunion ibis of Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean all perished shortly after the humans entered the picture. A 2020 study published in Science Advance reveals just how bleak the picture has been for flightless birds. Taking inventory of all recorded bird extinctions, the scientists estimate that 581 birds have gone extinct in recent times, of which 166 were flightless. In other words, 29% of bird extinctions have been flightless. Compare that to the ratio of flight-capable to flightless birds, which is about 100:1, and you can quickly see how dire the situation is for this quirky animal class. Of course, not all flightless birds have gone extinct. The ostrich, the emu, the penguin, the weka and many other flightless bird species still boast healthy numbers. The smallest flightless bird in existence today, which also boasts relatively healthy numbers despite its limited geographic range, is the Inaccessible Island rail. Here's its story. The World's Smallest Flightless Bird: The Inaccessible Island Rail The Inaccessible Island rail is the world's smallest flightless bird, found only on a remote ... More volcanic island in the South Atlantic. Weighing less than a tenth of a pound (about as much as a golf ball) and measuring around five to six inches in length, the Inaccessible Island rail (Laterallus rogersi) holds the distinction of being the smallest flightless bird in the world. It lives exclusively on Inaccessible Island, a volcanic outcrop in the South Atlantic Ocean that forms part of the Tristan da Cunha archipelago, one of the most remote island chains on Earth. Inaccessible Island is aptly named. It's surrounded by treacherous seas and steep, craggy cliffs, which have mostly protected it from human intrusion. This isolation has allowed the island's wildlife, including the rail, to evolve largely without predators and human interference. The island itself is only about five and a half square miles in size, yet it supports a surprisingly diverse array of life, due to its mix of rugged terrain, grasslands and vegetation. The Inaccessible Island rail spends much of its time hidden among dense tussock grass and ferns, moving through underbrush in search of insects, seeds and small invertebrates. Although it can't fly, the rail is a nimble and fast runner, which helps it evade predators like seabirds. Inaccessible Island, with its steep cliffs and rough seas, has remained largely untouched by ... More humans—safeguarding its unique wildlife. Its ancestors are believed to have been flying rails that somehow reached the island — likely blown off course during a storm. Once there, with no predators and no need to fly, the birds gradually lost their ability to fly. Over time, they shrank in size and evolved into the compact, flightless form we see today. Despite its limited range and specialized habitat, the Inaccessible Island rail is currently listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with a stable population trend. That's due in large part to the uninhabited status of the island, strict conservation protections and the absence of invasive species like rats or cats that have decimated bird populations on other islands. However, scientists remain vigilant. Because the entire global population is confined to a single island, estimated at 5,000 to 10,000 individuals, the rail could face sudden extinction if climate change or an invasive predator became an issue. Other Small Flightless Birds Of The World While the Inaccessible Island rail is the smallest, it's not the only small flightless bird that has carved out a niche in the modern world. Several other species of flightless birds, though often overshadowed by their larger, more famous cousins, continue to thrive in isolated environments across the globe, each with their own story. Take the flightless cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi), for example, which is found only on the Galápagos Islands. It is a striking bird with stubby wings and a powerful body adapted for swimming rather than flying. Unlike its flying relatives, it uses its wings more like rudders while diving beneath the waves. These birds have evolved into underwater hunters, preying on fish and eels along the rocky shores of Fernandina and Isabela Islands. With a population of around 1,400 individuals, the flightless cormorant is currently listed as vulnerable, but ongoing conservation efforts have helped stabilize its numbers. The Tasmanian native-hen is a fast-running, flightless bird often seen darting through grasslands ... More and wetlands across Tasmania. Another small non-flyer is the Tasmanian native-hen (Tribonyx mortierii), which is about the size of a small chicken and found only in Tasmania. Though it cannot fly, it makes up for it with incredible running speed: some individuals have been clocked at up to 31 miles per hour. The Tasmanian native-hen bird thrives in open grasslands and near water sources, often seen in groups. Unlike other island-endemic flightless birds, the native-hen has a robust population and is not currently threatened, thanks in part to Tasmania's relatively predator-free environment. New Zealand is another hotspot for small flightless birds. The weka (Gallirallus australis), a scrappy, curious rail native to the country, is about the size of a chicken. Often spotted scavenging food or rummaging through campsites, weka are adaptable and intelligent, traits that have helped some regional populations thrive. However, habitat loss and predators have led to declines in certain areas, prompting ongoing conservation efforts. Are you an animal lover who owns a pet, perhaps even a pet bird? Take the science-backed Pet Personality Test to know how well you know your little friend.
Forbes
11-05-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Meet 4 Flightless Birds That Have Evaded Extinction. Hint: One Is The Biggest Bird In The World
Flightless birds have had a rough go of it over the past few centuries, with many going extinct — ... More the most iconic being the dodo bird. But not all have perished. Here are four flightless birds that managed to survive against the odds, and the story of how they did it. 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.
