11 Backyard Birds That Are Heavier Than Your Average House Cat

This post may contain affiliate links.

The backyard is home to feathered friends flitting about, singing songs, and occasionally stealing the show. Although they may be smaller than your household cat, did you know that some of those winged visitors are heftier than your average house cat? Yep, your gorgeous feline might only tip the scales at around 8 to 12 pounds, but there are birds in your environs that will make your feline look like a tub of lard.

These aren’t birds like your sparrow or finch—they’re the heavier, more serious birds. We’re going to take a closer look at some backyard birds that dust your feline in weight.

Wild Turkey

In North America, the wild turkey is probably the heavyweight champion of backyard birds. Males can weigh up to 24 pounds, females average about 12 pounds, but either way, that’s still a lot heavier than Mr. Whiskers. Wild turkeys have iridescent feathers and are known for their bold personalities, and if you live outside the city, then chances are you’ll encounter them on a regular basis during their mating season.

Mute Swan

With great grace and surprising weight, the mute swan is the backyard pond’s crown jewel. They can weigh anywhere from 15 to 30 pounds. Swans have a serene reputation, but they are fiercely territorial and won’t think twice about chasing off perceived threats, including house cats. It’s hard not to see their signature S shaped neck and pristine white feathers. But if you do spot one, admire at a distance — these beauties don’t want uninvited guests.

Canada Goose

Canada geese might not be anything special, but their size is nothing common. They weigh 8 to 20 pounds depending on the subspecies and the diet they follow. If you haven’t watched them march through parks or honk overhead in their signature V formation, you’ve probably heard about it. Canada geese are one of the most adaptable birds, according to a ResearchGate study, and do just as well in urban and suburban settings as they do in rural ones.

Peacock

The peacock is one of the few birds that is so weighty and its plumage so eye catching. With their bright tail feathers, males can weigh up to 13 pounds. They are native to India, but are kept in backyard aviaries by many people in the U.S. While they’re unlikely to pass unnoticed with so loud a call and such a striking appearance, these birds are surprisingly shy around unfamiliar humans—or perhaps just modest about their size.

Great Horned Owl

This nocturnal predator won’t show up at your backyard feeder, but it’s worth noting. With its piercing yellow eyes and tufted ‘ears,’ the great horned owl, which can weigh between 3 to 5 pounds, isn’t light on this list, but it’s still lighter than most birds. However, it’s their almost 5 feet wingspan that lends them a fearsome appearance.

Bald Eagle

The bald eagle is a national treasure and one of the heaviest birds you may see in the wild. Adults weigh 8 to 14 pounds and females are generally larger. With their broad wings and strong talons, they are good fishers, but they won’t turn down a easy meal. The bald eagle population has bounced back spectacularly in recent decades, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says, rocketing from near extinction to thriving numbers across the nation.

Snow Goose

At first glance, the snow goose isn’t as hefty as it may seem, but they weigh from 5 to 9 pounds due to their dense bodies. It is a sight to behold when these migratory birds land in fields or wetlands because they are often travel in large flocks. Although they’re lighter than some birds on this list, the fact that there are so many of them makes them a weighty presence wherever they go.

Sandhill Crane

Sandhill crane is tall and stately, not only for height but also for weight. They can grow to be as large as 12 pounds, and their legs and necks are so long they look even bigger. Sandhill cranes dance owes its grace while migrating in large numbers. If you see them, look for them in wetlands, they’re not easy to miss.

Turkey Vulture

Turkey vultures may not be much to look at, but they make their presence known. They weigh between 4 and 6 pounds and have a wingspan of almost 6 feet, and they’re a force in the sky. Without these scavengers, carrion would remain uncleaned and disease spread would go unencumbered. Don’t let their ominous look fool you: they’re an important part of the backyard bird community.

Common Raven

While the turkey may weigh more than the common raven (about 2.5 pounds), it’s far heavier than most other backyard birds. Ravens are famous for their intelligence and can solve problems, including mimicking human speech, better than some parrots.

American White Pelican

Another bird whose weight will surprise you is the American white pelican. These are very large waterbirds with wingspans often over 9 feet and up to 20 pounds of body weight. Though more at home near lakes or rivers, they’ve been known to appear inland occasionally, and that’s enough to turn some heads. They do make a splash—literally and figuratively—when they do show up.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.