Ever wondered which birds top the charts in size? You’re definitely not alone. These giants are fascinating, and honestly, figuring out which one lands in sixth place might surprise you. The sixth largest bird is the emperor penguin, standing about 3.7 feet tall and weighing up to 101 pounds.
The emperor penguin doesn’t roam grasslands like some of its giant cousins. Instead, it braves the harsh cold of Antarctica and claims the title of tallest and heaviest penguin out there.
Its size might not quite match up to the ostrich, but you have to admit—it’s impressive for a bird that survives such brutal conditions.
The emperor penguin’s story is actually pretty cool. Birds manage to get big in all sorts of ways, and this one’s journey is a testament to that. Want to dig into what makes other massive birds unique? Let’s keep going.
Identifying the Sixth Largest Bird Species
When you try to figure out a bird’s size, you’ve got to look at a few things. Weight, height, and wingspan all play a role.
Some birds pack on the pounds but aren’t all that tall. Others might look huge because of their wings, even if they weigh less.
Knowing which species come in ahead of the sixth largest helps you see where it fits among the true giants.
How Bird Size Is Measured in Rankings
We usually measure bird size by weight, height, and wingspan. Most people focus on weight since it really shows how hefty a bird can get.
Take the common ostrich, for example—it tops the scales at up to 156.8 kg (346 lb). Height matters too, especially for birds like the emu, which almost reaches ostrich height.
Wingspan is a big deal for flying birds. The wandering albatross, for instance, has the largest wingspan of any living bird at about 3.65 meters (12 feet).
Most rankings lean on weight because it affects how a bird moves and survives day-to-day. But sometimes, height or wingspan can bump a bird up or down the list.
The Role of Weight, Height, and Wingspan
Weight tells you how heavy a bird is, but it doesn’t always give the full picture. Some birds have long legs or massive wings, so they look bigger than their weight suggests.
Take Pelagornis sandersi—it had a wingspan of about 5.2 meters (17 feet) but didn’t weigh as much as the largest flightless birds.
Height helps you imagine what it’s like to stand next to one of these birds. Ostriches and emus really stand out for this reason.
Wingspan matters for flyers, since it changes how they hunt and travel. To really understand the sixth largest bird, you’ve got to look at all three: weight, height, and wingspan.
Which Species Are Bigger Than the Sixth Largest
Several birds beat the sixth largest in size. The common ostrich takes the top spot, followed by birds like the Somali ostrich and the extinct elephant bird (Aepyornis maximus), which could weigh up to 850 kg (1,870 lb).
Other massive birds, like Dromornis stirtoni and Pachystruthio dmanisensis, also make the list, though they’re extinct now.
Among living birds, the emu comes in second for height after the ostrich. Most of these giants can’t fly, which makes sense—flying birds usually stay lighter.
The sixth largest bird sits just below these heavyweights, whether you’re looking at weight, height, or wingspan.
If you’re curious, you can check out more details on the largest birds and how they stack up.
Profile of the Sixth Largest Bird and Runners-Up
The greater rhea grabs the spot as the sixth largest bird, and honestly, it stands out with its impressive height and powerful legs.
You’ll notice it shares a lot with other big, flightless birds like the emu and cassowary. A few other large birds hover near the sixth spot, too.
The Greater Rhea: Key Features and Habitat
Greater rheas live in South America, mostly in open grasslands and savannas. They stand about 5 feet tall and can weigh up to 88 kilograms (194 pounds).
These birds have long, strong legs built for running, which helps them dodge predators.
Their feathers are soft and grayish-brown, and while they can’t fly, they run surprisingly fast—up to 37 miles per hour.
They use their strong legs and broad wings for balance as they sprint. Compared to their close relative, the lesser rhea, they’re bigger and more common.
You’ll often spot them in groups or wandering alone, munching on plants, insects, and small animals. Their eggs are big and tough, usually laid in ground nests.
Comparison to Emu and Cassowary
Emus, native to Australia, come second in size after the ostrich. They can reach up to 6.2 feet tall and weigh between 45 to 59 kilograms (100 to 130 pounds).
Emus run fast—up to 30 miles per hour—and can even swim. They’re curious birds with soft brown feathers.
Cassowaries are a bit shorter but heavier. Some, like the southern cassowary, weigh over 85 kilograms (187 pounds).
They stick to rainforests and show off bright blue and black feathers, plus a tall casque on their heads. Cassowaries have a reputation for being more dangerous, thanks to their strong legs and sharp claws.
When you compare them, the greater rhea prefers open land, while emus and cassowaries like forests or dense cover. Rheas tend to be social, hanging out in groups, but cassowaries usually go solo.
Notable Birds Ranked 5th to 8th in Size
Here are some of the birds that fall right around the sixth largest:
| Rank | Bird | Height (feet) | Weight (pounds) | Region | Flightless? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th | Common Ostrich | 9.2 | 346 | Africa | Yes |
| 6th | Greater Rhea | 5 | 194 | South America | Yes |
| 7th | Emu | 6.2 | 130 | Australia | Yes |
| 8th | Southern Cassowary | 5-6 | 187 | Australia/New Guinea | Yes |
The common ostrich easily holds the record as the largest living bird, both in height and weight. The Somali ostrich is similar but just a bit smaller.
Most birds in these ranks can’t fly, mainly because their bodies are too heavy and their bones too dense. But they sure can run.
King and emperor penguins, though smaller, still make the list at around 4 feet tall. They’re masters of swimming, not flight.
Domesticated turkeys are way smaller, but it’s interesting—they’re still related to these giants in the bird family.
Fascinating Facts About Large, Flightless Birds
Large, flightless birds like the greater rhea, emu, and cassowaries have turned into surprisingly fast runners over time. Their strong legs help them escape predators and roam far and wide looking for food.
Flying birds have lighter bones, but these birds? Their bones feel heavier and thicker. That extra weight supports their big bodies and, well, keeps them stuck on the ground.
You’ll often catch these birds munching on plants, insects, or even small animals—it really depends on where they live.
Cassowaries sport a weird helmet-like casque on their heads. Some people think it helps them push through dense forests, or maybe it just looks impressive to potential mates.
Emus can swim, which is honestly kind of unexpected. That skill helps them cross rivers in the wilds of Australia.
Ostriches lay the biggest eggs of any bird, hands down. Rheas don’t fall far behind, though.
If you ever spot rheas, you’ll probably notice they hang out in groups. Cassowaries, on the other hand, seem to enjoy their own company.
It’s wild how these birds, even though they’re all built on a similar blueprint, find their own ways to fit into different places.
Curious about which birds make the top of the size charts? Here’s a detailed list of the largest living birds.
