In the bird world hall of fame, none came bigger than the extinct Vorombe titan, which translates to ‘big bird’. Standing 10ft tall and weighing almost a tonne, this Madagascan giant would have dwarfed today’s largest birds. But just how do our British birds measure up in comparison?
White-tailed eagle
With an 8ft wingspan, the UK’s largest bird of prey is the white-tailed eagle. Persecuted to extinction by the end of the 19th century, its reintroduction to Scotland in the 1970s (and last year to the Isle of Wight) is a huge conservation success. Aptly called the ‘flying barn doors’, these monogamous raptors perform a spectacular aerial courtship, which culminates in the pair locking talons, while cartwheeling down, separating just moments from hitting the ground.
Capercaillie
This story is from the June 02, 2020 edition of WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
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This story is from the June 02, 2020 edition of WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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