Animals that have wings include Albatross, Bees, Bats, Butterflies, and Beetles.
There are a surprising number of animals that have wings and that can fly through the air with ease.
In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common winged animals on Earth. We will also take a look at how wings help these animals stay in the air and navigate their environment.
Examples of Animals that Have Wings
1. Albatross
| Scientific Name | Diomedeidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Antarctica to Australia, South Africa, and South America |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The albatross is a large seabird that can weigh up to eleven pounds. This bird has wingspans of up to ten feet, which allow it to fly long distances over the ocean. The albatross uses its wings to stay in the air and navigate wind currents.
2. Bees
| Scientific Name | Anthophila |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Bees are a type of insect that has wings. These insects have two pairs of wings on each side, which allows them to fly through the air with ease.
3. Beetles
| Scientific Name | Coleoptera |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Beetles are one of the most common winged animals that people encounter in everyday life. They have four wings: two large ones and two small ones. When a beetle wants to fly, it spreads out its wings like an umbrella so they catch air currents and lift off from the ground.
4. Bulldog Bat
| Scientific Name | Noctilio |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Mexico to Northern Argentina |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The bulldog bat is a species of bat that can be found in North and South America. It has short, stubby wings that help it fly in tight spaces. The bulldog bat uses its wings to steer while flying and to help it stay in the air for long periods of time.
5. Butterflies
| Scientific Name | Rhopalocera |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Herbivore |
A butterfly is another type of insect that has four wings on its backside and can stay in the air for long periods of time by flapping them up and down.
6. Caddisflies
| Scientific Name | Trichoptera |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Caddisflies are a type of insect that can be found near water. They have two pairs of wings, and they use them to fly through the air and navigate their environment.
7. Cranes
| Scientific Name | Gruidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | India and Bhutan |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Cranes are large, tall birds that have long necks and slender legs. They use their wings to fly from one place to another, and they can also use them to help them stay in the air while they’re running.
8. Cuckoos
| Scientific Name | Cuculidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Cuckoos are a type of bird that can fly long distances. They have large, pointed wings that help them stay in the air for extended periods of time. In addition to their powerful wings, cuckoos also have an amazing ability to navigate their way around the world.
9. Damselflies
| Scientific Name | Zygoptera |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | every continent except Antarctic |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Damselflies are another common type of winged animal. They have slender, elongated bodies and two pairs of wings. Damselfly wings are transparent, which allows them to see through the air while they’re flying. This also makes them very agile in the air and helps them avoid obstacles.
10. Dragonflies
| Scientific Name | Anisoptera |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | every continent except Antarctica |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Dragonflies are another type of insect that can fly through the air with ease. These creatures have four wings that help them navigate their environment and stay in the air for long periods of time.
Related Article: Do Dragonfly Have Wings?
11. Eagles
| Scientific Name | Accipitridae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Eurasia and Africa |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Eagles are one of the most well-known birds in the world, and they are also one of the best flyers. They have large wings that help them stay in the air for long periods of time. Eagles use their wings to soar through the air, looking for prey or scanning their environment for threats.
12. Falcons
| Scientific Name | Falco |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Falcons are birds of prey that have long, narrow wings. These allow them to soar on the wind and dive at high speeds when hunting other animals for food.
13. Flamingos
| Scientific Name | Phoenicopterus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | South America |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Flamingos are another common winged animal. They have long, skinny legs that they use to wade through the water and their wings help them stay in the air. Flamingos use their wings to fly short distances or to help them keep balance when they are running.
14. Flying Fish
| Scientific Name | Exocoetidae |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Barbados |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Flying fish are a type of ray-finned fish in the family Exocoetidae, or “Exocoetids”. These marine animals can be found all over the world’s oceans but they prefer warmer waters near tropical islands. They have evolved wing-like fins that allow them to glide through air and water with ease.
15. Flying Foxes
| Scientific Name | Pteropus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | tropical islands from Madagascar to Australia and Indonesia and in mainland Asia |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Flying foxes are a type of bat that can be found in Australia and Southeast Asia. They have furry wings that allow them to fly through the air without issue. Their wings also help them stay warm in colder climates.
16. Fruit Flies
| Scientific Name | Drosophila melanogaster |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Fruit flies are another common example of an insect that can fly. They have two wings that are covered in tiny hairs. These hairs help the fruit flies stay in the air and navigate their environment.
17. Herons
| Scientific Name | Ardeidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North America and Central America |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Herons are a type of bird that is known for their long, slender legs and wings. They use their wings to help them fly long distances in search of food.
18. Horseshoe Bats
| Scientific Name | Rhinolophidae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Horseshoe bats are the only type of bat that can fly. They have large wings that allow them to stay in the air for long periods of time. Their wings also help them maneuver through tight spaces and avoid obstacles while they are flying.
19. Hoverflies
| Scientific Name | Syrphidae |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Hoverflies are a species of fly that can be found across the globe. They have two wings and use them to hover over flowers while feeding on nectar.
20. Hummingbirds
| Scientific Name | Trochilidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | the Americas |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Hummingbirds are some of the most amazing creatures on Earth. They can fly backward and upside down, and they can even hover in midair. Their wings are specially adapted to help them stay in the air for long periods of time.
Read Also: Are Hummingbirds Herbivorous?
21. Mayflies
| Scientific Name | Ephemeroptera |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | throughout North America and worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Mayflies are another common winged insect. They have two pairs of wings, and they use them to fly in a very unique way. When Mayflies want to take flight, they first jump into the air. Then, they flap their wings rapidly to create enough lift to stay in the air.
22. Microbat
| Scientific Name | Microchiroptera |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | South and Central America |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Microbats are tiny flying mammals that weigh less than a penny. They have very large ears and excellent hearing, which they use to navigate their environment in the dark when hunting for food or avoiding predators.
23. Mosquitoes
| Scientific Name | Culicidae |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Mosquitoes are some of the most hated creatures on Earth, but they are also one of the most common winged animals. They have two wings that help them fly around and find food. Mosquitoes use their wings to sense movement in the air, which helps them track down their prey.
24. Owls
| Scientific Name | Strigiformes |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Owls are well known for their ability to fly silently through the air. This is because owls have large, fluffy wings that help them reduce the noise they make when flying.
25. Pelican
| Scientific Name | Pelecanus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | all continents except Antarctica |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Pelicans are large birds that live near the water. They have webbed feet and a long, pointed beak. To fly, pelicans flap their wings rapidly to create lift. They can also use their wings to steer and navigate in the air.
26. Penguins
| Scientific Name | Spheniscidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Angola, Antarctica, Argentina, Australia, Chile, Namibia, New Zealand, and South Africa |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Penguins are another type of animal that has wings, but they do not fly. Instead, penguins use their wings to paddle through the water like a boat or propel themselves along ice floes in a similar manner.
27. Potoos
| Scientific Name | Nyctibius |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | very Central and South American country |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The potoo is a nocturnal bird that lives in Central and South America. It has large, dark wings that it uses to glide through the air for long distances. The potoo can stay in the air for up to 20 minutes at a time.
28. Snakeflies
| Scientific Name | Raphidioptera |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Europe and Asia |
| Diet | herbivorous, carnivorous, scavenger |
Snakeflies are a type of insect that is found all over the world. They have two pairs of wings that they use to fly. Their wings are very delicate and can be damaged easily, so snakeflies often land on trees or other objects before taking flight again.
29. Storks
| Scientific Name | Ciconiidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Africa, Asia, and Europe |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Storks are another common winged animal. They have very long necks and legs, which make them great at wading through water in search of food. When they want to fly, they extend their wings and take off into the air.
30. Swifts
| Scientific Name | Apodidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North America and Europe |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Swifts are small, aerial birds that live in North America and Europe. They have long wings that allow them to fly for hours at a time without stopping. Swifts use their wings to navigate through the air and stay away from predators.
31. Termites
| Scientific Name | Isoptera |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Termites are another common winged creature. They have two pairs of wings that they use for flying. Termites use their wings to navigate their way around their environment and find food sources.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.