Birds with superpowers: these are the world’s most amazing feathered record breakers!

Birds are some of the world’s most incredible record-breakers! 🐦

These feathered flyers, swimmers, and world travellers have evolved incredible skills to survive and thrive, earning them some cool world records along the way.

Do you like birds?

Keep reading for some of their most awesome records, and to discover how YOU can break one. 👇

Greatest head rotation by an animal

No animals can turn their heads as far as owls can!

Some types of owls can twist their heads up to 270° in each direction – that’s about 3 times as far as we can turn ours. 🤯

They can do this because they have extra neck bones (14, while humans only have 7) and special blood vessels in their necks that keep blood flowing to their brains, even when their heads are turned.

This amazing trick helps owls stay super alert and spot their prey easily. 👀

Fastest bird

The peregrine falcon is the fastest bird in flight in the world.

When it dives to catch its food, it can speed through the air at more than 200 miles (300 km) per hour…

That’s faster than most cars drive on highways! 🚗

Deepest and longest-diving bird

The emperor penguin is the largest penguin species in the world, growing as tall as 4 feet (121 cm).

But what’s more impressive is that it is also the best at diving.

This penguin can swim as deep as 1,800 feet - about the length of 6 football fields!

What is more, it can hold its breath for over 30 minutes while hunting for fish under the icy waters of Antarctica ❄️, making it the longest-diving bird.

Isn’t that impressive?

Heaviest bird

The Andean condor is the heaviest bird of prey in the world! 😮

Adult males weigh between 9 and 12 kg (20 to 27 pounds), and their wings are longer than ironing boards – spanning over 3 metres (9 feet 10 inches).

These ginormous vultures glide over long distances to find food, using mountain air currents to stay high.

Longest beak

The beak of an Australian pelican can grow up to 47 cm (1 foot 6 inches) long, which is about the same length as a human newborn baby! 👶

This long, strong beak helps the pelican catch and carry fish, making it an expert fisherman in the wild.

Fun facts about birds

Here are some more cool bird facts:

Flamingos can only eat with their heads upside down🦩
The smallest bird in the world is the Bee hummingbird of Cuba which can measure as little as 57 mm (2.24 in)
The albatross can sleep while flying – yes, really 😴
The African Grey Parrot can say over 800 words

Break a record!

So, a little bird told us that you want to break a world record… 🐤

But how fast are you at naming the various bird species?!

Challenge yourself and become the ultimate bird expert by breaking the record for most bird species identified in one minute.

Good luck!