An exception to the rule: birds of our planet who cannot fly

Everyone is familiar with penguins and African ostriches, which, although they belong to the class of birds, but cannot fly. They have wings, as well as other birds, but as a result of evolution they have lost the ability to fly. But it turns out that the list of flightless birds is not limited to penguins and ostriches, there are much more of them. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with other representatives of the bird class, which are the exception and do well without wings.

Kiwi

This genus of birds includes 5 species that live only on the islands of New Zealand and are a symbol of the country. All of them cannot fly, and their wings are practically undeveloped. Kiwis are nocturnal and have not very good eyesight.

Cacapo Parrot

Another New Zealand endemic that has lost its ability to fly. These parrots, which look very much like owls, live in the south of the South Island and are mostly nocturnal.

Takache

Takaha, or the wingless sultanka, is also endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. This is a very rare bird that is under protection, and in the area of Lake Te Anau a nature reserve has been organized specifically for the conservation and study of takahe.

Cassowary

The cassowary genus includes three species of birds: helmet-bearing cassowary, cassowary muruk and orange-necked cassowary. All of these large flightless birds inhabit the islands of New Guinea and on the northern coast of Australia.

Emu

Another bird of the cassowary order, which lives in Australia. Emus, outwardly very reminiscent of ostriches, can not fly, but they swim beautifully.

Nandu

Despite the significant similarities with African ostriches, the nandus are allocated in a separate squad of Nanduiformes. Both species of the genus Nandu (common Nandu and Darwin Nandu) live in South America, in the savannah zone.

Toadstool Tachanovsky

Another representative of the South American avifauna that does not know how to fly. Tachanovsky’s grebe lives only on the Peruvian Lake Junin, which is located in the Andes at an altitude of more than 4,000 meters. This waterfowl can scatter across the water, flap its wings and even tear off a little from the water, but alas, it cannot fly. Tachanovsky’s grebes never leave the limits of Lake Junin.

Galapagos Flightless Cormorant

The only member of the cormorant family who cannot fly. These birds live only on two islands of the Galapagos archipelago, and their wings are underdeveloped. In the absence of terrestrial predators, the ability to fly has lost its relevance.

Tristan shepherd

This tiny cowgirl bird lives in one single place on Earth. This is the small island of Inaccessible, near St. Helena in the Atlantic Ocean. Due to its remoteness and inaccessibility, the island has preserved a unique fauna, including flightless birds - Tristan shepherds.