Unusual Facts

Although not all of the birds on this page are found in New England, we hope you will enjoy these interesting facts:

1. The world's smallest bird, the Bee Hummingbird (Cuba and the Isle of Pines in the Pacific Ocean), is only a little longer than the eye of the world's largest bird, the Ostrich (Africa and Middle East).

2. The flightless Ostrich (Africa and Middle East) is the heaviest, tallest, and the fastest-running of all birds. The smallest flightless bird is the Inaccessible Island Rail (Inaccessible Island in the South Atlantic Ocean).

3. The Andean Condor (South America) is the heaviest of all birds of prey, while the smallest bird of prey is the Bornean Falconet (North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia).

4. The Peregrine Falcon (South America) is the fastest-moving bird when diving among its prey.

5. Among the fastest in level flight is the Red-Breasted Merganser (Europe, Asia, North America, China).

6. The bird with the slowest power of flight is the American Woodcock (U.S.A.).

7. Among seabirds, the Emporer Penguin (Antarctica) is the world's heaviest and tallest species, and the Least Storm Petrel (U.S.A.) is the smallest.

8. The fastest swimmer of all birds is the Gentoo Penguin (Antarctica).

9. The fastest-running flying bird is the Great Roadrunner ( U.S.A., Mexico).

Sources:

Perrins, Dr. Christopher M,.The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Birds, New York, Prentice Hall Press, 1990.

Collier's Encyclopedia, 1986 ed.,S.v. "Falcon."

Webster's New Geographical Dictionary, Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 1984 ed.

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