Large birds vary a great deal by each specific species. Some are wetland birds, some live in tropical areas and other live at sea. Large birds are fascinating creatures and may people take great joy in bird watching since these birds are beautiful and it is fun to watch the unique characteristics and personality traits. Here are some details about several large birds.

The Ostrich

The Ostrich is an amazing creature. It is the largest living bird in the world and lives in the African Plains. The Ostrich does not fly; in fact it is physically impossible because the bird's relatively small wings cannot support the large body. They have a long, slim neck with a plump middle and can weight over 200 pounds. Their strong legs allow them to run as fast as 40 miles per hour.

Herons and Egrets

Herons and egrets are closely related large birds. Herons are heavily populated in North America and they like to live in wetland areas. They mainly live off of fish, frogs and other small crustaceans. The egrets are different in that they have all white feathers. Both the heron and the egret differ from the spoonbill in that their necks are not outstretched.

Spoonbills

The spoonbill is another large bird that is related to the herons and egrets. They are easily recognized by their long legs and unusual bills. Their bill is rather slim towards the head, but as you move closer to the end of the bill it gets wider and more rounded.

Pelicans

The pelican has a common characteristic that links it to its species, the Pelecanus, and that is its four webbed toes. They are known to swallow fish whole and rarely eat anything else. Pelicans are rather plum, large birds. They can hold up to a week's worth of food in their long bills. They are the largest type of bird than can fly, which is nothing short of amazing. The Pelican is the biggest bird you will see in the sky.

King Parrots

King Parrots tend to travel and live in pairs. They are approximately 45 cm long from head to tail. They live in tall, wooded areas. They have a distinctive red head and chest with brilliant green body and wings. They feed on seeds, fruits and insects. These large birds are often raised in captivity and require a lot of space and a large bird cage.