What Animal Has Legs But Cannot Walk

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Common, or southern, cassowary (Casuarius casuarius). — Anthony Mercieca—Root Resource/Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Have you ever wished you lot were an hawkeye, soaring loftier above the prairie? How virtually the mythical phoenix, ascension from the ashes? For centuries people have wistfully watched birds take wing and felt a bit jealous. Merely what about birds that don't wing? You'd think they'd concord a grudge confronting their freewheeling cousins, simply these guys are just as awesome in their own right. These eight birds can't fly, but y'all should probably green-eyed them anyhow.

Penguin

emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri)
Emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) in Antarctica.
© Bernard Breton/Fotolia

No list of flightless birds would exist complete without the penguin. All 18 species of penguin are unable to fly, and are in fact better congenital for swimming and diving, which they spend the bulk of their time doing. Their short legs and stocky build give them a distinctive waddling walk. While people tend to associate penguins with Antarctica, most species live in higher latitudes. A few even alive in temperate climates, and the Galapagos penguin actually lives at the Equator. These birds are too remarkably romantic—penguins are largely monogamous and seek out the same mates each flavour, even amidst the hundreds or even thousands of birds that might live in their colony.
Steamer duck

steamer duck
Steamer duck (Tachyeres).
© Leksele/Shutterstock.com

3 out of four species of steamer duck are flightless, just iv out of four species should not be messed with. Even within the flighted species, some males are too heavy to actually accomplish liftoff. These Southward American ducks earned their name past running beyond h2o and thrashing their wings like the wheels on a steamboat. They employ them for other forms of thrashing, besides. Famously aggressive, steamer ducks are known to engage in epic, bloody battles with each other over territory disputes. They have even been known to kill waterbirds several times their size.
Weka

The weka is another bird of New Zealand. This brown, chicken-sized bird was an important resource for native New Zealanders and European settlers, merely is now decreasing in number. While they may look unremarkable, weka have a loud call that males and females sing as a duet. They're too known as clever thieves and will steal nutrient and small objects to their liking and brand off with them. Weka are skilled swimmers, also.
Ostrich

The mighty ostrich is truly the king of birds. The largest living bird, ostriches can grow up to 9 feet tall and weigh more than than 300 pounds. Their eggs, fittingly, are also the globe's largest—about five inches in bore and 3 pounds in weight. Their powerful legs can kick in defence force, and they can run at speeds up to 45 miles per hour across the open up lands of Africa, where they live. And if that's not enough, they have long, luxurious eyelashes, to boot.
Kiwi

kiwi
The kiwi is the national symbol of New Zealand.
© Awcnz62/Dreamstime.com

At that place are five species of kiwi, brown chicken-sized birds that are institute in New Zealand. They have subconscious vestigial wings and soft, hairlike feathers. Unlike other birds, kiwis take their nostrils on the tip of their bills, instead of at the base. These odd little birds are worth admiring, though—the females lay eggs that can exist upwards to one pound in weight. Relative to the size of the bird, this is the biggest egg of whatsoever living species.
Kakapo

The kakapo, also known every bit an "owl parrot" is likewise a native of New Zealand. This nocturnal parrot has an owl's face, penguin'south stance, and duck'due south gait. It is truly a strange bird—but also a beautiful one, with bright dark-green-brown feathers. It tin grow up to ii feet in length, and is the earth'due south heaviest parrot. The males make a distinctive booming call that sounds like a ane-bird jug band, which can be heard upwardly to one-half a mile abroad!
Takahe

Takahe (Notornis mantelli)
G.R. Roberts

This mid-size bird of New Zealand is a hide-and-seek master. It was thought to exist extinct from the belatedly 1800s until it was suddenly rediscovered in 1948. It's a colorful character, besides, with brilliant blue and green plumage and a ruddy bill. And for a bird, the takahe has remarkable longevity—it can alive up to xx years.
Cassowary

southern cassowary
Southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius).
© Javarman/stock.adobe.com

The cassowary is a bird y'all don't want to mess with. This behemothic bird, a native of Australia and the surrounding islands, is in the heavyweight course. The only bird heavier is the ostrich. As if that isn't enough, the cassowary sports a wicked daggerlike hook that tin grow up to 4 inches long on the middle toe of each foot —and they've been known to impale humans. If deadly power isn't your matter, though, yous can however admire the cassowary's manner. These birds sport colorful helmets, or casques, made of keratin (similar man fingernails). And their plush back feathers kind of wait similar glamorous fur capes.