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Grounded by Nature: Birds That Cannot Fly

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Flightless birds are quite rare and each of them has unique and at times eccentric habits. They use their wings for balance, to change direction when running and to scare off predators by flapping violently. We mark International Bird’s day with a list of feathered, yet flightless creatures.

Flightless birds are quite rare and each of them has unique and at times eccentric habits. They use their wings for balance, to change direction when running and to scare off predators by flapping violently. We mark International Bird’s day with a list of feathered, yet flightless creatures.

© Flickr / Benh Lieu SongOstriches compensate the inability to fly by being the fastest land speed of any bird.
Ostriches compensate the inability to fly by being the fastest land speed of any bird. - Sputnik International
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Ostriches compensate the inability to fly by being the fastest land speed of any bird.
© Flickr / Chirs KIt is believed that the emu is a survivor of prehistoric times and dates back some 80 million years roaming the outback of Australia. The Aborigine tribes relied upon the emu for their existence.
It is believed that the emu is a survivor of prehistoric times and dates back some 80 million years roaming the outback of Australia. The Aborigine tribes relied upon the emu for their existence. - Sputnik International
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It is believed that the emu is a survivor of prehistoric times and dates back some 80 million years roaming the outback of Australia. The Aborigine tribes relied upon the emu for their existence.
© Flickr / Toshihiro GamoThe flamboyant cassowary is natively found in the forests of Papua New Guinea and on its surrounding islands. It has adapted to a life without the need to fly due to the fact that, historically, the cassowary had no predators within it's natural environment and therefore had no need to flee.
The flamboyant cassowary is natively found in the forests of Papua New Guinea and on it's surrounding islands. It has adapted to a life without the need to fly due to the fact that, historically, the cassowary had no predators within it's natural environment and therefore had no need to flee. - Sputnik International
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The flamboyant cassowary is natively found in the forests of Papua New Guinea and on its surrounding islands. It has adapted to a life without the need to fly due to the fact that, historically, the cassowary had no predators within it's natural environment and therefore had no need to flee.
© Flickr / Harvey BarrisonNative to the Galapagos Islands, the Galapagos cormorant gets its food primarily through diving along the food-rich shorelines. It is unique in that it is the only cormorant that has lost the ability to fly.
Native to the Galapagos Islands, the Galapagos cormorant gets its food primarily through diving along the food-rich shorelines. It is unique in that it is the only cormorant that has lost the ability to fly. - Sputnik International
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Native to the Galapagos Islands, the Galapagos cormorant gets its food primarily through diving along the food-rich shorelines. It is unique in that it is the only cormorant that has lost the ability to fly.
© Flickr / Elizabeth OliverAll penguin species share torpedo-shaped bodies and instead of broad, long wings and tails suitable for flight, penguins have stiff paddle-like flippers, stubby tails, and broad feet that allow them to "fly" underwater.
All penguin species share torpedo-shaped bodies and instead of broad, long wings and tails suitable for flight, penguins have stiff paddle-like flippers, stubby tails, and broad feet that allow them to “fly” underwater. - Sputnik International
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All penguin species share torpedo-shaped bodies and instead of broad, long wings and tails suitable for flight, penguins have stiff paddle-like flippers, stubby tails, and broad feet that allow them to "fly" underwater.
© Flickr / Department of ConservationKakapo is one of the world’s rarest parrots and is the only flightless and nocturnal parrot, as well as being the heaviest in the world, weighing up to 3.5 kilograms (8 lbs).
Kakapo is one of the world’s rarest parrots and is the only flightless and nocturnal parrot, as well as being the heaviest in the world, weighing up to 3.5 kilograms (8 lbs). - Sputnik International
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Kakapo is one of the world’s rarest parrots and is the only flightless and nocturnal parrot, as well as being the heaviest in the world, weighing up to 3.5 kilograms (8 lbs).
© Flickr / Austronesian ExpeditionsThe Auckland teal is a territorial bird and rarely forms flocks. It can be found in the Auckland Islands, south of New Zealand. The bird’s wings are very small and it doesn’t have the power of flight.
The Auckland teal is a territorial bird and rarely forms flocks. It can be found in the Auckland Islands, south of New Zealand. The bird’s wings are very small and it doesn’t have the power of flight. - Sputnik International
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The Auckland teal is a territorial bird and rarely forms flocks. It can be found in the Auckland Islands, south of New Zealand. The bird’s wings are very small and it doesn’t have the power of flight.
© Flickr / Ron KnightThe greater rhea is the largest of all South American birds and can be found in Argentina and Brazil. This flightless bird uses its wings for balance and changing direction when running.
The greater rhea is the largest of all South American birds and can be found in Argentina and Brazil. This flightless bird uses its wings for balance and changing direction when running. - Sputnik International
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The greater rhea is the largest of all South American birds and can be found in Argentina and Brazil. This flightless bird uses its wings for balance and changing direction when running.
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