These rare animal species belong to the bird family but have been deprived of the privilege of flying freely in the sky.
1. Takahe
This bird is only found in New Zealand and was believed to be extinct until a few individuals were discovered near Lake Te Anau in the Murchison Mountains. With a length of about 63 cm, it is the largest bird in the Rallidae family, characterized by its strong legs and a notably large beak. Currently, only about 225 individuals remain in conservation areas, and protective measures have been enhanced to prevent the species from going extinct. However, their slow maturation and low reproductive rates pose a significant threat to this rare bird.
2. Penguins
Penguins are well-known to us, and although they cannot fly, they are exceptional swimmers with very quick strokes. These birds primarily inhabit the cold regions of the Southern Hemisphere. Currently, it is estimated that there are about 20 species of penguins. The largest is the Emperor Penguin, while the smallest is the Little Blue Penguin. Penguins primarily feed on fish, squid, and other marine creatures that they catch while swimming underwater.
3. Kiwi
This is a native bird species of New Zealand and is considered a national symbol. There are only about 5 species of this bird. Kiwis are very small, making them quite shy and primarily nocturnal. You can only see them during the day in conservation areas dedicated to this rare bird. They have a keen sense of smell and are unique for having nostrils located at the tip of their beak.
4. Ostrich
This is the largest species on the list and the only one that lives in flocks. The ostrich is known to be a “super-speed racer” with speeds of up to 46 mph. Its brain is quite small, leading to some rather crazy behaviors. It is advisable not to approach this bird as they are large and can be quite aggressive, capable of delivering a “dangerously unpredictable” kick.
Cassowary
Although smaller than ostriches, the cassowary in Australia is another unusually large bird. Its primary diet consists of fruits and various plants. This species is known to be aggressive and very dangerous, and it has only recently faced extinction.
6. Rhea
Native to South America, the rhea has very large wings and often spreads its wings wide when running. There are only two species of this genus: the Greater Rhea and the Darwin Rhea. They take 6 months to mature but only begin the mating process at 2 years of age.
7. Kakapo
This bird was once very common in New Zealand, with many ancient fossils found everywhere. However, the kakapo is now at a high risk of extinction, prompting urgent conservation plans to prevent this potential danger. A positive sign is that the population of this species has recently increased significantly. This nocturnal bird is aptly named Kakapo, which means “night parrot.” Additionally, due to many parrot-like characteristics, they are also referred to as “owl parrot.”
8. Emu
This is the largest native bird species in Australia, reaching a height of up to 2 meters. They are also fast runners, with a maximum speed of 30 mph, though they lag behind ostriches. They thrive in excellent environmental conditions and face virtually no threats. There are about 3 different species of this genus in Australia.
9. Galapagos Cormorant
Named so because they are native to the Galapagos Islands near Ecuador, this is the only cormorant species that has lost the ability to fly and primarily lives in water and on land. Their favorite foods include fish, eels, small octopuses, and other small marine creatures. The breeding season for the Galapagos cormorant usually begins during the colder months from July to October when food sources are plentiful. With only about 1,500 individuals left in the wild, the risk of extinction for this species is also very high.
10. Campbell Teal
There are two flightless teal species: the Auckland teal and the Campbell teal. The Campbell teal is a nocturnal forager, typically feeding on insects and crustaceans. This species is found on Campbell Island, hence its name.
Currently, the Campbell teal is at risk of extinction, and scientists are conducting research to conserve and maintain the population of this rare duck.
11. Titicaca Waterbird
This adorable bird is found in Peru and Bolivia, primarily living on Lake Titicaca. Although it cannot fly, this bird swims quite quickly and catches small fish for food. The Titicaca waterbird’s population has declined by thousands due to fishing by fishermen.
12. Weka
This flightless bird is known for its curious and feisty nature. They tend to listen more than see. Like raccoons, the Weka is known for its food theft skills, often finding a new hiding place to explore after stealing food.
13. Guam Kingfisher
This bird species once had a significant population on Guam. Due to nesting on the ground and their inability to fly, they had little defense against predators. As a result, when the brown tree snake appeared on the island in the 1960s, the population of this bird significantly declined. By 1983, this species had completely gone extinct.
14. Inaccessible Island Rail
Inaccessible Island, located in the South Atlantic, is home to a unique bird that attracts many tourists. This bird lives around the island’s steep cliffs and is considered the smallest flightless bird in the world. They often wander through the grasslands searching for insects and larvae for food.
