16 flightless birds you must know

Not all birds are built for the skies. Some have wings but prefer to walk, waddle, or run. Whether they evolved this way for survival, lived in places with few predators, or just got too big to lift off, these flightless birds are fascinating in their own right. Let’s start with one of the most impressive:

Birds That Have Wings But Can’t Fly

1.Cassowary

The cassowary looks like it walked out of a dinosaur movie—and honestly, it kind of did. Found in the tropical rainforests of New Guinea, northeastern Australia, and surrounding islands, this large bird is famous for its helmet-like casque, powerful legs, and vibrant blue neck. It can’t fly, but it can run up to 30 miles per hour and jump nearly 5 feet into the air!

Despite having wings tucked under its dense black feathers, the cassowary doesn’t need them to soar. Its wings are small and hidden, with a claw-like spike on the tip—more for defense than flight.

• Wingspan: Around 5 feet (though not used for flying)
• Lifespan: Up to 40–50 years in captivity
• Eggs: 3–5 large, green eggs per clutch

Cassowaries are shy by nature but can become aggressive if cornered—especially during nesting season. Known as one of the world’s most dangerous birds, they’ve even been known to defend themselves with slashing kicks.

Still, they play a key role in the ecosystem by swallowing fruits whole and spreading seeds through the forest. Think of them as jungle gardeners in running shoes.

2.Ostrich

The ostrich is the world’s largest living bird, and while it has wings, it’s never getting off the ground. Native to the savannas and deserts of Africa, this bird is built for speed, not flight. With long, powerful legs and a curious personality, the ostrich is a runner—able to sprint up to 43 miles per hour!

Its wings, though flightless, serve other purposes. Ostriches use them for balance while running, courtship displays, and to shade their chicks. The feathers are fluffy, soft, and not the stiff kind used for flying.

• Wingspan: Around 6.5 feet (used for display, not flight)
• Lifespan: 30–40 years
• Eggs: 7–10 eggs per nest, with the largest eggs of any living bird

The ostrich’s huge size and flightless status might seem like a disadvantage, but they make up for it with strong legs that can deliver deadly kicks. These birds also have keen eyesight and can spot predators from far away.

Despite their size, ostriches are still prey to lions and hyenas—but they don’t go down without a fight. They’re built to survive in open landscapes, proving that sometimes, staying grounded has its advantages.

3.Kiwi

Tiny, shy, and nocturnal, the kiwi is a national treasure of New Zealand. Despite having wings, it can’t fly at all—and they’re so small you might not even notice them under all those fuzzy feathers. Kiwis rely on their strong legs and incredible sense of smell, which is rare for birds.

Their body is round like a pom-pom, and their long, slender beak helps them sniff out insects and worms underground. Kiwis are solitary, quiet, and mostly active at night.

• Wingspan: Not visible (tiny, hidden wings)
• Lifespan: 25–50 years
• Eggs: Just 1, but it’s huge compared to their body

Fun fact? The kiwi lays one of the largest eggs in proportion to its body size of any bird on Earth.

4.Kākāpō

Meet the world’s heaviest parrot—and another flightless wonder from New Zealand. The kākāpō is a chubby, moss-green bird that’s nocturnal, super rare, and sadly, critically endangered. Its wings are more decorative than functional, and it prefers to walk or climb rather than fly.

Kākāpōs are gentle, curious, and have a sweet musky smell. Their main claim to fame? Their unique booming call during mating season that can be heard miles away.

• Wingspan: Not used for flight
• Lifespan: Up to 60 years
• Eggs: 2–4 per clutch

These birds are under 300 in the wild, with massive conservation efforts helping them survive.

5.Penguin

Probably the most famous flightless birds out there, penguins use their wings to swim, not soar. Their flippers are built like paddles, helping them zip through icy waters in the Southern Hemisphere, especially Antarctica.

Penguins are masters of the cold. They huddle together for warmth, take turns in the freezing wind, and slide on their bellies to get around faster on land.

• Wingspan: Not applicable (they’re flippers)
• Lifespan: 15–20 years
• Eggs: 1–2 per breeding season

There are over 18 species of penguins, each with its own quirks—but none of them can fly.

Read also: 15 bird with a spike on its head

6.Steamer Duck

These chunky ducks live around the southern coasts of South America, and while some species can fly, a few—like the Fuegian Steamer Duck—are fully grounded. They get their name from the way they flap their wings and kick across water like a steamboat paddle.

Despite their cuddly look, they can be surprisingly aggressive and territorial, especially during breeding.

• Wingspan: 32–39 inches
• Lifespan: 10–20 years
• Eggs: 4–6 per clutch

You’ll usually find them cruising across the water surface like little feathered tugboats.

7.Emu

The emu is Australia’s answer to the ostrich—big, fast, and definitely flightless. These birds can run over 30 mph thanks to their strong legs. While they have wings, they’re short and not capable of lifting their large bodies off the ground.

Their shaggy feathers help keep them cool in the hot Outback sun, and males are the ones who raise the chicks after hatching.

• Wingspan: Not used for flight
• Lifespan: 10–20 years
• Eggs: 5–15 per clutch

They’re surprisingly curious and will often follow humans just to check them out.

8.Rheas

Native to South America, rheas are the continent’s largest birds. They look like smaller ostriches, and like their African cousins, they can’t fly—but they’re fast runners and great at dodging predators with quick turns and speed.

They live in grasslands and open areas, and one interesting fact: Males do all the parenting, from building nests to raising chicks.

• Wingspan: Not for flight
• Lifespan: 15–20 years
• Eggs: 10–60 eggs in a shared nest

With their alert eyes and graceful stride, rheas are ground birds with a strong presence.

9.Takahe

The takahe is a chunky, brightly colored bird once thought to be extinct—but rediscovered in the wilds of New Zealand. Its short wings and heavy body make flight impossible, but it’s a strong walker and climber in mountain grasslands.

Conservation efforts have brought them back from the brink, and they now live in protected reserves.

• Wingspan: Not flight-capable
• Lifespan: Up to 20 years
• Eggs: 1–3 per clutch

With its blue-green plumage and orange beak, the takahe is one of New Zealand’s most beloved birds.

10.Weka

The weka is a curious, chicken-sized bird from New Zealand. It’s known more for its bold personality than its flying skills—because it doesn’t have any. Despite having short wings, it prefers running and sneaking into campsites to steal shiny objects or food.

Wekas are strong walkers and are often spotted patrolling beaches, forests, and even roadsides.

• Wingspan: Too short for flight
• Lifespan: Up to 14 years
• Eggs: 2–4 per clutch

They’re playful, mischievous, and a favorite among hikers and wildlife lovers in New Zealand.

11.Guam Rail

Once extinct in the wild, the Guam rail is making a comeback thanks to conservation efforts. Native to the island of Guam, these shy, chicken-sized birds can run quickly through dense vegetation but have lost the ability to fly.

• Wingspan: Too short for flight
• Lifespan: 5–10 years
• Eggs: 2–4 per clutch

They’re now being reintroduced into nearby islands free from predators.

12.Campbell Teal

The Campbell teal is a rare, nocturnal duck found only on Campbell Island in New Zealand. It can flap its wings but can’t take off, and it prefers to sneak around thick vegetation looking for insects at night.

• Wingspan: Not flight-capable
• Lifespan: Unknown
• Eggs: 2–5 per clutch

They were once wiped out by predators but were successfully reintroduced from captive breeding programs.

13.Domestic Chicken

Yes, chickens technically have wings, but most can’t fly more than a few feet—especially modern breeds raised for eggs or meat. Some wild breeds can flutter a bit longer, but overall, chickens are more about scratching and pecking than soaring.

• Wingspan: Around 2–2.5 feet
• Lifespan: 5–10 years
• Eggs: 200–300 per year

They’re now one of the most widespread bird species in the world, living just about everywhere humans do.

14.Giant Coot

Found in the high-altitude lakes of South America, the giant coot is a bulky bird that’s too heavy to fly once it reaches adulthood. Juveniles might flutter a bit, but grown-ups stick to waddling or swimming.

• Wingspan: Up to 3 feet
• Lifespan: Unknown
• Eggs: 2–7 per clutch

Their size and altitude-loving lifestyle make flight unnecessary.

15.Inaccessible Island Rail

This bird has one of the best names—it lives on Inaccessible Island in the South Atlantic. It’s also the smallest flightless bird in the world, about the size of a sparrow. It scurries between rocks and grasses, totally flightless.

• Wingspan: Not used for flying
• Lifespan: Unknown
• Eggs: 2–3 per clutch

The island’s isolation has protected it from predators for centuries.

16.Titicaca Grebe

This grebe species lives only in Lake Titicaca on the border of Peru and Bolivia. It’s a skilled diver and swimmer, but its wings are too short and stiff for flight.

• Wingspan: 18–20 inches
• Lifespan: Unknown
• Eggs: 2–3 per clutch

It nests on floating vegetation and is considered vulnerable due to habitat threats.

FAQs

Why do some birds have wings but can’t fly?

Over time, some birds evolved in places with few predators or abundant ground food. Flying wasn’t necessary, so their wings shrunk and their legs got stronger. In many cases, energy that would’ve gone into flying was redirected toward running or swimming.

Do flightless birds use their wings for anything?

Yes! Even though they can’t fly, wings still serve a purpose. Penguins use theirs to swim, ostriches and emus use them for balance, and birds like cassowaries use them for display or defense.

Are all flightless birds big in size?

Not at all. While many like ostriches and emus are massive, others—like the Inaccessible Island Rail—are tiny and sparrow-sized. It’s not about size alone, but also environment and evolution.

Can flightless birds glide or jump?

Some can! Birds like cassowaries and chickens can leap quite high, and others like rheas use their wings to help with balance during fast running. But true gliding is rare in flightless birds.

Are flightless birds endangered?

Many are. Because they can’t escape predators easily, introduced animals like cats, rats, and humans have pushed several flightless birds to extinction—like the moa and elephant bird. Others like the kākāpō are critically endangered and need strong conservation efforts.

6. What’s the smallest and largest flightless bird? The Inaccessible Island Rail is the smallest, while the extinct elephant bird was the largest. Today, the ostrich holds the record for the biggest living flightless bird.