The Andean condor, with a wingspan of up to 2.9 metres, is the largest flying bird! This bird lives in the Andes Mountains of South America. Both the Andean condor, and its slightly smaller cousin, the California condor, have unusual wings which allow them to soar only when there is an upward rising air current, and when the weather is dry. When it rains, condors cannot fly, so they must stretch out their wings and allow them to dry before they can once again take to the air. California condors are an endangered species.
The wandering albatross is also a large flying bird. From one wing tip to another, it’s as long as a family car!
To escape winter, the whooper swan flies nonstop from Iceland to Scotland – a 1125 km flight. This is the longest flight made by any species of swan. Whoopers are very shy birds, who got their name from the whooping calls they make. They are usually found in fresh water, though at times, they can be seen on sheltered inlets. There are only 1,00,000 Whoopers in the entire world, but their future is very secure, because it is against the law to kill them.
Picture credit: google