This world is full of wonders, especially the realm of birds, which is brimming with amazing secrets. How much do you know about these flying creatures? Among birds are many unique "firsts"—how many do you know? Let's explore these avian record holders together, including the long-distance flight champion Arctic tern, the massive African ostrich, the incredibly fast swift, the black and white vulture that challenges altitude limits, the magnificent-winged wandering albatross, the elegant swan with the richest plumage, and the tiny hummingbird. Next, we will delve into their wondrous world.
1. The bird that flies the farthest in the world (Arctic tern)
The Arctic tern, known for its long migratory routes, is a species of seabird in the genus *Tern*. This medium-sized bird typically measures 33 to 39 centimeters in length and has a wingspan of approximately 76 to 85 centimeters. Its plumage is primarily grey and white, with a bright red beak and legs. The forehead is white, the crown and back of the neck are black, and the cheeks are white. The wings are grey, measuring 305 millimeters in length, with pale brown feathers on the shoulders.
Arctic terns primarily inhabit the Arctic and surrounding areas and are typical migratory birds. Each year, they experience two summers, migrating south from their northern breeding grounds to the waters near Antarctica, and then returning to their northern breeding grounds. This two-way migration covers an astonishing distance of over 40,000 kilometers.
2. The world's largest bird (African ostrich)
The African ostrich, as the world's largest bird, has an undeniable influence. Adult individuals can reach 2.5 meters in height, and males can weigh up to 150 kilograms. The ostrich has a long, slender neck, like a snake, supporting a tiny head. Its beak is short and flat, composed of multiple horny sheaths, and shaped like a triangle.
The most distinctive feature of the African ostrich is probably its underdeveloped keel, which prevents it from flying. Furthermore, it is the only two-toed bird on Earth, with a pair of sharp nails about 7 centimeters long on the big toe of each hind foot. Its hind legs are also muscular and powerful, making it an excellent runner.
3. The fastest long-distance flying bird in the world (swift).
The swift is renowned for its astonishing long-distance flight speeds, typically reaching 170 kilometers per hour, and in extreme cases, soaring to 352.5 kilometers per hour. This bird has long, pointed wings and short legs, allowing its wings to lie close to its body when standing, with the tips extending beyond its tail. It has a short, wide-open beak and spends most of its time in flight, frequently catching insects in mid-air. It possesses long, sharp, and powerful wings, while its legs and feet are relatively weak.
The swift's feathers are relatively short, making it significantly different from the swallows commonly known—birds that typically exhibit seasonal migration. Swifts are climbing birds, and a notable difference is that all four of their toes point forward. Swallows, on the other hand, are songbirds, with three toes pointing forward and one backward. They belong to different orders of birds.
4. The world's highest-flying bird (Black-and-white vulture)
The African griffon vulture is widely recognized as the highest-flying bird, capable of soaring freely at altitudes of up to 11,000 meters. This large African vulture typically measures 85-107 centimeters in length, has a wingspan of 230-260 centimeters, and weighs between 6.4 and 9 kilograms. Male and female African griffon vultures share many physical similarities, and like other vultures, they form a distinctive silhouette in flight.
The black-and-white vulture has broad wings and a blocky tail. Furthermore, they are considered highly social birds, gathering in large flocks to display their gregarious nature. They are capable of flying at speeds up to 35 kilometers per hour and can fly to places 150 kilometers away from their nests in search of food.
5. The bird with the longest wingspan in the world (the wandering albatross)
The wandering albatross is considered the largest albatross species and also holds the record for the longest wingspan among living birds, averaging 3.1 meters and reaching up to 3.7 meters. This well-known enormous wingspan gives the wandering albatross exceptional gliding ability, allowing them to glide for hours without frequent wing flapping. Notably, they can glide 22 meters for every meter they descend.
Wandering albatrosses spend most of their time in the Southern Hemisphere. At 40 degrees south latitude, there are almost 27 days a month with stable westerly winds and waves, providing ideal living conditions for albatrosses, which can be called albatross paradise.
6. The bird with the most feathers in the world (swan)
Among birds, swans boast the most numerous plumage, possessing over 25,000 fine feathers. These elegant winter migratory birds prefer to live in groups in lakes and marshes. They feed on aquatic vegetation and play a vital role in the ecosystem.
The four species of whooper swans in the Northern Hemisphere have a long history and have long been known to humankind. Their snow-white plumage, elegant posture, melodious calls, and loyal pair behavior have made swans symbols of purity, fidelity, and nobility in both Eastern and Western cultures. In Chinese culture, swans have a long history, having been known by various names such as 鹄 (hu), 鸿 (hong), 鹤 (he), 鸿鹄 (honghu), 白鸿鹤 (baihonghe), 黄鹄 (huanghu), and 黄鹤 (huanghe). These beautiful names have also been incorporated into many place names, such as Yanmen Pass, 鹄岭 (huling), 鹄泽 (huze), and the famous Yellow Crane Tower. These places are not only rich in cultural connotations but also of great significance to the migration of swans and other anserine birds; many areas remain important migratory routes for them to this day.
7. The world's smallest bird (the hummingbird)
The hummingbird, a universally recognized miniature bird, is considered the smallest bird in the world and also the smallest warm-blooded animal. Its total length, including the beak and tail feathers, is approximately 5.6 to 6.5 centimeters. This bird is remarkably small, smaller than a horsefly and even thinner than a bumblebee. It weighs an average of only 2 grams, lighter than a coin. Its eggs weigh only 0.2 grams, about the size of a pea.
The hummingbird is mainly found on the island of Cuba in Central America and is endemic to the region. Its primary diet consists of nectar, and its long, slender beak is perfectly suited for collecting nectar from tubular flowers. Surprisingly, they can feed on up to 1,500 flowers a day, making a significant contribution to the pollination of tropical flowers.
8. The fastest sprinting bird in the world (peregrine falcon)
The peregrine falcon is renowned for its astonishing dive speeds, although its normal level flight speed, between 50 and 100 kilometers per hour, is not particularly fast. However, when diving to hunt, its speed can surge to over 300 kilometers per hour, which is quite remarkable. Among falcons, the peregrine falcon is one of the larger members, with a body length ranging from 38 to 50 centimeters, a wingspan of 95 to 115 centimeters, a weight between 647 and 825 grams, and a lifespan of approximately 11 years.
What's remarkable is that the peregrine falcon's high-speed, stealthy hunting ability isn't innate. This falcon exhibits a relatively rare behavior in nature—teaching its chicks hunting skills. After their feathers have fully grown and they've taken their first flight, the chicks don't immediately leave their mothers to survive independently. Instead, they continue to live with their parents for a period, during which time they receive food and survival skills training from their parents until they have fully mastered the ability to survive on their own.
9. The fastest swimming bird in the world (penguin)
Known as the "ships of the sea," penguins are among the oldest waterfowl and the fastest swimmers of all birds. There are 18 distinct penguin species worldwide, with the Emperor penguin being the largest, averaging about 1.1 meters in height and weighing over 35 kilograms. Conversely, the Little Blue penguin is the smallest penguin species, standing only about 40 centimeters tall and weighing approximately 1 kilogram.
Penguins are known for their unique marine adaptations. Although they cannot fly, they are first-rate swimmers. Unlike many waterbirds that propel themselves by paddling with their flipper-like feet, penguins, while also having flippers, primarily use them as rudders to control their direction of movement. The propulsive force comes entirely from their paddle-like wings, which they flap to propel themselves through the water.
10. The slowest flying bird in the world (Woodcock)
The Upperwood Sandpiper, also known as the Wood Sandpiper or Great Waterhawk, is renowned as the slowest-flying bird, with a flight speed of only 8 km/h. The Upperwood Sandpiper is a medium-sized wading bird, typically around 35 cm in length, with a slightly plump body and predominantly greyish-brown plumage, its back adorned with markings. This bird has relatively short legs and an exceptionally long, straight, arrow-like beak.
These birds are widely distributed, especially in Eurasia, where they are found in large populations. Woodcocks tend to nest in shady, damp forest areas, and can sometimes be found in marshes at forest edges and in damp grasslands. Their diet consists mainly of insects such as dipterans, earthworms, snails, and other small invertebrates, occasionally supplementing their diet with plant roots, stems, and fruit pulp.
The bird that lays the most eggs per clutch in the world (Grey Partridge)
The world's heaviest flying bird (Grey-necked Bustard, also known as the Collie).
The world's most mimicking bird (reed warbler)
The bird with the largest nest in the world (bald eagle)
The bird with the longest tail feathers in the world (long-tailed chicken).
The bird with the longest single flight time in the world (Golden Plover).
The bird with the widest beak in the world (Shoebill)
The bird with the largest wingspan in the world (Andean condor)
This list of the world's top ten birds is primarily based on their size, appearance, abilities, and other relevant information, while also referencing other online rankings. This list is for reference only and aims to help you understand various world-class bird species. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment or offer corrections at the end.
