What is the largest bird in the world?

The ostrich is both the largest and the heaviest bird in the world. Females are 6 feet tall on average, while the male of the species can reach a height of 9 feet. Adult ostriches weigh from 220 to 350 pounds.

An ostrich can sprint up to 43 miles per hour for short periods of time. The large bird can cover a distance of up to 16 feet in just a single stride. An ostrich's legs are extremely powerful. It can easily kill a human or predator with a well-placed kick of its powerful limb. In dangerous situations, the bird does not bury its head as many believe. It merely stretches out and lies close to the ground to diminish its visibility.