Many birds have given up flight, either because they are overweight or because they no longer need flight to survive.
Some flightless birds, such as ostriches or emus, are very large and can outrun their enemies.
Large flightless birds have powerful legs and can deliver strong kicks when enemies approach.
Some birds lost their ability to fly because the remote island they inhabited had few natural enemies.
A bird like the flightless pankauri, which is gluttonous and has a long neck, spreads its short, stiff, thick wings on the shores of the Galapagos Deep.
Kakapo is a rare nocturnal bird of New Zealand that lives on the ground and cannot fly. Its green feathers help it camouflage very well in the forest.
A variety of flightless railbirds have been observed living in solitary habitats. Their slim bodies help them move quickly through thick bushes and hide from danger.
The flightless bird of New Zealand, Wicca, has strong beaks and feet. They often make sudden attacks on litter, other ground-dwelling birds, or predators.
The flightless birds of Lamprey have no means of protecting themselves from predators such as cats and mice.
Penguins are such efficient swimmers that they don’t need flight. Their wings function as flippers and help them maneuver underwater. Sea birds oftenly use their tails like radar to change direction. Like all other birds, penguins cannot fold their wings.
