Birds with long necks have been around for a while now and never seem to go out of style in birdwatchers’ eyes. The long neck is elegant and allows the bird to reach food that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Long neck birds are usually found in Africa, Asia, and some parts of Europe, where they spend most of their time in trees and bushes. check them out (photos included)
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10 Amazing Birds With Long Necks Around The World
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1. Greater Flamingo
Greater Flamingo is the most widespread species of the flamingo family. They are found in Africa, the Middle East, India, Europe, and South America. The Greater Flamingo gets its name from its bright pink feathers, resulting from a diet rich in shrimp and algae.
The appearance of the Greater Flamingo is unmistakable with its long neck and legs and its large bill that curves down at the end. The Greater Flamingo is a social bird that often forms flocks of over a thousand birds.
2. Common Ostrich
Common Ostrich is the giant living bird in the world. They are found in Africa, where they inhabit open plains and woodlands. The Common Ostrich gets its name from its long neck and legs, which allow it to run at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.
The Common Ostrich is a flightless bird that can grow up to 9 feet tall and weigh over 200 pounds. Ostrich is a bird with long neck and beak. An omnivorous bird feeds on plants, insects, and small mammals.
The bird breeds in colonies and builds nests out of sticks and leaves. The female ostrich lays 1-3 eggs, which both parents incubate for about 40 days.
3. Australian Emu
The Australian Emu is the second largest bird in the world by height, after its relative, the Ostrich. The Emu is endemic to Australia, where it can reach up to 2 meters in height and weigh as much as 50 kg. It is known for its long neck, legs, and brown plumage.
This bird with a long neck is famous for its speed and can reach up to 30 km/h. The Emu is a nomadic bird and will travel long distances in search of food and water.
It feeds on various plants, seeds, and fruits. The fact that it can go without drinking water for long periods has made it an essential part of the Australian ecosystem.
4. Black Swan
A black swan is one of the most common birds with long necks. It is native to Australia and can be found in other parts of the world. The majestic-looking bird is all black with a long neck. It is a good swimmer and is often seen swimming in the lakes and ponds.
This black bird with long neck is also an excellent dancer. When it comes to dancing, the male black swan is more graceful than the female. The black swan is a bird that is also considered to be very intelligent.
5. Magpie Goose
The family of magpie geese consists of 2 species, the Anseranas and the Anseranatidae. These are large birds with long necks. The family is the last of the extended extinct family of birds.
The bill is black, and the plumage is grey-brown. The wings are short and pointed. The neck and head project well beyond the body when the bird rests. The legs are stubby and set far back on the body.
6. Canada Goose
Canada Goose is a large goose with a black head and neck, white patches on the face, and a brown body. It is native to North America, and its migration patterns have been the subject of much research.
It is one of the most common birds with long necks that fly in formation. Also, it is a scary bird because it does not let go when it attacks. You might think its beak isn’t that sharp, but it can pierce through skin and leave a nasty wound.
The main thing you need to worry about with these birds is their wingspan. A Canada Goose’s wingspan can be up to 7 feet wide at full stretch!
7. Green Heron
Green Heron is a small heron with greenish-black plumage. It is found in North and Central America and breeds near water bodies such as lakes, ponds, and swamps. This bird is most active at dawn and dusk when it can be seen stalking its prey.
Extended beaks help in woodpecker behavior and can judge the water depth for fishing. The male and female Green Heron are similar in appearance, but the female is usually slightly smaller.
This bird is usually found alone or in pairs, but during the breeding season, large colonies can form.
8. Great Egret
Great Egret is a large, white wading bird with a long neck and legs. It is found in freshwater habitats in tropical and subtropical regions. The Great Egret is the emblem of the National Audubon Society, an organization dedicated to conserving birds and their habitats.
It is a white bird with a yellow bill and black legs. They tolerate human presence well and can often be seen in parks, gardens, and the wild.
They will stand still for long periods, waiting to strike at fish or other prey. Great Egrets can grow to a height of 3.3 feet and have a wingspan of 5.6 feet.
9. Anhinga
Graceful Anhinga is a long-necked, black waterbird with a sharp beak. It is found in freshwater habitats in the Americas, where it hunts for fish and other small animals. The Anhinga is also known as the Snakebird or Water Turkey.
If you see one of these birds swimming, you might think it is a snake. But when it raises its head to look around, you’ll see it’s a bird!
The Anhinga has webbed feet and sharp claws that help it catch fish. It also has special glands that allow it to secrete excess salt from its body.
10. Kori Bustard
Kori Bustard is the heaviest flying bird in the world! It is a large, stocky bird with a long neck and legs. It mainly eats seeds, but it will also eat insects, reptiles, and small mammals.
The Kori Bustard is found in Africa and is considered a national symbol in some countries.
Sometimes called the African Ostrich, this bird can grow to a height of 4.6 feet and a weight of almost 90 pounds. The Kori Bustard is an excellent flier known to travel long distances in search of food.
What Is The Evolutionary Path of Birds With Long Necks?
The necks of long-necked birds are an excellent example of convergent evolution. This means that different species from different groups independently develop similar traits as they adapt to their environment.
In the case of long necks, this is usually in response to feeding on aquatic plants or animals in shallow water.
Some scientists believe that the ancestors of modern long-necked birds were small, two-legged dinosaurs. These creatures first appeared around 250 million years ago during the Triassic period. They had long necks and tails but were only about the size of a chicken.
Over time, some of these animals evolved into larger, four-legged creatures. This eventually led to the development of actual dinosaurs, such as the Brontosaurus.
However, some smaller two-legged creatures continued to exist and evolve into modern birds. The first known bird with a long neck was the Hesperornis, which lived during the Cretaceous period around 100 million years ago.
This creature was about the size of a modern duck and had webbed feet, making it an excellent swimmer.
Today, there are several different groups of birds with long necks. Each group has unique features, but they all share the common trait of a long neck.
Some Fun Facts About The Birds With Long Necks
Birds with long necks are a unique and exciting sight. Though they may look awkward, these birds are graceful and agile. The fun facts below will give you a better understanding of these fascinating creatures.
- The largest bird with a long neck is the Ostrich. Ostriches can grow up to 9 feet tall and weigh over 400 pounds.
- The neck of a long-necked bird is usually about half the length of its body.
- These birds use their long necks to reach food other animals can’t. They also use their necks to help them balance while they are running.
- Birds with long necks often live in Africa and Asia.
- Many of the birds with long necks are endangered. The main reason for this is the loss of habitat due to human activity.
- A bird’s long neck helps it stay cool in hot weather. The neck has many blood vessels that help regulate the bird’s body temperature.
Conclusion
There you have it, 10 amazing birds with long necks worldwide. Some of these creatures are rare, so if you’re lucky enough to spot one in the wild, take a moment to appreciate its beauty.
The above 10 creatures are all fantastic in their ways, but we can’t help but wonder, which one is your favorite?
Do you have a favorite bird with a long neck? Let us know in the comments below!
