The Immense Emu

Standing as tall as 6.6 feet in height and weighing up to 120 pounds, adult Emus are a very impressive sight, and are the largest bird in Australia, though not the largest bird in the world. They are part of the most ancient group of birds, called "ratites" which are all flightless and found on three different continents. The African Ostrich claims the title for world's largest bird, up to 9.2 feet and 340 pounds. The very dangerous Cassowary of Australia measure up to 5.6 feet and weighs up to 130 pounds. In South America the Rhea is up to 4.6 feet tall and weighs up to 88 pounds. Finally, the adorable, odd-looking Kiwi from New Zealand is only as tall as 18" and weighs up to 7.3 pounds.

Now, if you think Emus and Ostriches are enormous, there are two extinct ratites which were even bigger! The Elephant Bird grew up to 9.8 feet tall and weighed as much as 880 pounds, the heaviest bird that ever existed!! The Moa is the largest bird that ever lived on earth, up to 12 feet tall and 510 pounds! WOW, that's amazing!! :D

I've uploaded two other pictures today and I hope you'll visit them too!

Thanks to all of you who have visited and have left comments and favorites! I try to go to all of your pages within a day or two and is a highlight for me to see your beautiful photography! :)