Birds
Feathered animals that can fly, sing, and build nests, including eagles, penguins, and parrots, found all over the world.
King Penguin
King Penguin
Scientific Name
Aptenodytes patagonicus
Weight LB
26 to 35 lbs
Average Life Span
20-26 years
Fact
King Penguins do not build nests; they carry their single egg on top of their feet, tucked under a warm fold of skin called a brood pouch, for the entire incubation period.
Weight KG
12 to 16 kg
Continent
Antarctica
Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinal
Scientific Name
Cardinalis cardinalis
Weight LB
0.075–0.095 lb
Average Life Span
3–5 years (up to 15 years in captivity)
Fact
Five Fun Facts About Northern Cardinals – Forest Preserves ...A fun fact about Northern Cardinals is that both males and females sing, with females often singing from the nest to communicate with their mates, and they are famous for fiercely attacking their own reflections in windows during breeding season, mistaking it for a rival. They get their vibrant red color from carotenoids in their diet, and if they lack these pigments, they can appear duller or even yellowish, a rare genetic condition called xanthochromism.
Weight KG
0.034–0.043 kg
Country
United States
Continent
North America
Habitat
gardens, shrublands, Woodlands
Diet
Omnivore
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Region
North America
Ostrich
Ostrich
Scientific Name
Struthio camelus
Weight LB
140–320 lb
Average Life Span
30–40 years (Wild); up to 50+ years (Captivity)
Fact
The Ostrich is the only bird that has just two toes on each foot (all other birds have three or four). The inner toe is equipped with a formidable, 4-inch-long claw that can kill a lion with a single forward kick. This two-toed structure is an adaptation for speed; it reduces the surface area contacting the ground, allowing them to maintain a steady speed of 30 mph (48 km/h) for long distances and reach bursts of up to 45 mph (72 km/h).
Weight KG
63–145 kg
Continent
Africa
Peacock
Peacock
Scientific Name
Pavo cristatus
Weight LB
9–13 lb
Average Life Span
15–20 years (Wild); up to 25 years (Captivity)
Fact
A peacock's magnificent "train" can make up more than 60% of its total body length, yet they are still capable of flying! These feathers are shed every year after the breeding season and regrown. Interestingly, the brilliant colors aren't actually caused by green or blue pigments; they are a result of structural coloration. Microscopic "crystal-like structures" on the feathers reflect different wavelengths of light, creating that shimmering, iridescent effect depending on the angle you look at them.
Weight KG
4–6 kg
Country
India
Continent
Asia
Peregrine Falcon
Peregrine Falcon
Scientific Name
Falco peregrinus
Weight LB
1.5–3.3 lb
Average Life Span
12–15 years (Wild); up to 25 years (Captivity)
Fact
The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest animal on the planet. During its signature hunting dive, called a "stoop," it soars to a great height and then plummets at speeds of over 200 mph (320 km/h).
Weight KG
0.7–1.5 kg
Region
Africa, Arctic, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America
Pigeon
Pigeon
Scientific Name
Columba livia
Weight LB
9 to 13 ounces
Average Life Span
3-5 years
Fact
Pigeons are the world's oldest domesticated bird. They have been used for thousands of years as messengers, even receiving medals of honor for saving lives during WWI and WWII!
Weight KG
250 to 370 grams
Country
United States
Continent
North America
Region
Africa, Arctic, Asia, Australia, Bermuda, Europe, Isle of Man, North America, Oceania, South America
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Scientific Name
Archilochus colubris
Weight LB
0.004–0.013 lbs
Average Life Span
3–5 years (though some have lived up to 9 years).
Fact
During migration, they fly non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico—a 500-mile journey—without landing once!
Weight KG
0.002–0.006 kg (roughly the weight of a penny!)
Country
Canada
Continent
North America
Scarlet Macaw
Scarlet Macaw
Scientific Name
Ara macao
Weight LB
2–2.6 lb
Average Life Span
40-50 years
Fact
A fun fact about Scarlet Macaws is their incredibly strong beaks, powerful enough to crack hard nuts and seeds, and they use them like a third limb for climbing and maneuvering through trees, with some even showing "handedness," preferring one foot over the other, similar to humans.
Weight KG
0.9–1.2 kg
Continent
North America
Habitat
river edges, Tropical rainforests
Diet
Omnivore
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Region
North America, South America
Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl
Scientific Name
Bubo scandiacus
Weight LB
3.5-6.6 lbs
Average Life Span
10-28 years
Fact
A fun fact about snowy owls is that unlike most owls, they are diurnal (active during the day) and hunt in broad daylight, especially during the continuous sun of the Arctic summer, and males become whiter as they age while females retain dark bars for camouflage. They also have incredibly dense feathers, including covering their feet, to survive extreme Arctic cold, and can swallow prey like lemmings whole.
Weight KG
1.6-3 kg
Country
United States
Continent
North America
Habitat
Arctic tundra, open plains
Diet
Carnivore
Conservation Status
Vulnerable
Region
Asia, North America
Toucan
Toucan
Scientific Name
Ramphastos toco
Weight LB
1.1–1.9 lb
Average Life Span
15–20 years
Weight KG
0.5–0.85 kg
Continent
South America