World Record, Smallest vs Largest Birds and 10 lbs to Your Bench Press in 5 Seconds

World Record, Smallest vs Largest Birds and 10 lbs to Your Bench Press in 5 Seconds

World Record-Setters: Smallest and Largest Birds

If the world's smallest and largest birds were to sit next to each other, the effect might be that of a city bus parked next to a tricycle. Birds have evolved to fill every ecological niche on the planet, and have developed body sizes and other adaptations to help them survive. Some birds prefer to be small and light, to maneuver and hide in vegetation. Others are large, heavy, and strong, designed for long-distance flight.

The record holders for world's smallest birds are truly a petite bunch. Coming in at an infinitely small 1.5 grams and 5 centimeters, the Bee hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) is the world's smallest bird overall. Although this bird is small, its appearance belies a fiery personality. The males, which are smaller than the females, are iridescent red, blue, green, and white. The species is endemic to Cuba.

Mellisuga helenae World Record-Setters: Smallest Birds

A tie exists between contenders for the title of world's smallest raptor. The Southeast-Asian Black-legged Falconet (Microhierax fringlius) and Borneo's White-fronted Falconet (Microhierax latifrons) average 5.5 inches in length and 1.25 ounces. Very small mice, beware! Not much is known about the world's smallest parrots, members of Papua New Guinea's genus Micropsitta. Species within this genus, including the Yellow-capped, Buff-faced, Finsch's, Geelvink, Meek's, and Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot, are all approximately 8 centimeters long.

The award for the world's smallest average egg size goes to the egg of the Vervain Hummingbird (Mellisuga minima) of Jamaica. The eggs, less than 1 centimeter in length, are not much larger than a pea.

On the opposite end of the spectrum are the world's largest birds. The winner of the overall category is the imposing ostrich (Struthio camelus), which is endemic to Africa and stands at 2.7 meters (9 feet) tall and weighs 156 kg (345 lbs.). Built for speed, the ostrich is also the world's fastest running bird, clocked at 45 miles per hour, and lays the world's largest eggs, at 2.3 kg.

The largest birds of prey are so outsized, it's a wonder they don't require a landing strip! The world's largest raptor is the Eurasian Black Vulture, which possesses a wingspan of more than 9 feet (3 m) and weighs 30 lbs. (14 kg). The extinct Haast's Eagle (Harpagornis moorei) was even larger, coming in at 15 lbs. and with a wingspan of 10 feet.

The fossil record proves that some extinct birds were so large that they dwarf even the heftiest of today's living birds. The largest bird in the fossil record is elephant bird of Madagascar, which grew to heights of 10 feet (3 m) and weighed an incredible 1,120 lbs. (500 kg). These birds went extinct approximately 300 years ago. Similarly outsized was Australia's Dromornis stirtoni. The tallest bird that ever lived was the Giant Moa (Dinornis maximus), endemic to New Zealand, that went extinct 200 years ago due to overhunting. This mammoth bird stood up to 12 feet (3.7 m) tall. The largest bird capable of flight was condor-like Argentavis magnificens, which possessed a wingspan of 28 feet (8.3 m) and weighed over 175 lbs. (80 kg).

How to Add 10 lbs to Your Bench Press in 5 Seconds

It's the pre-season training camp and today you are testing for your max bench press. You're up next. The head coach is standing there observing with your teammates around you. They are you getting you psyched up. As you lay there ready to bench, your adrenaline is pumping, teammates are cheering you on, you are focused. All of your training has led up to this and the next few seconds can determine whether or not you make the team. You un-rack 315 and begin to descend the weight.

Unfortunately, you have already sold yourself short. What you didn't know was that the 5 seconds prior to your lift was the final factor in determining if you complete the lift or not (assuming you have proper lifting technique).

10 lbs to Your Bench Press in 5 Seconds

Much has been covered regarding breathing techniques during any lift or set, but rarely will you see people focusing on breathing before the lift. The technique I am about to cover helped me break an American Bench Press Record in the 165 weight class. Weighing in at just 162lbs, I was easily able to bench press 330lbs, drug free and without lifting equipment (wrist wraps, benching shirt, etc.). This technique can be dangerous if not executed properly and especially when a spotter is not present.

The technique is what I call "ABT" for Advanced Breathing Technique. ABT is most effective during a 1 rep max (1RM). To perform the ABT, follow the steps below:

1) Inhale completely then exhale forcefully. Be sure that they are full inhalations and exhalations. No partial breaths. (Both actions through your mouth)

2) Repeat the first step 2-3 times. Do not inhale more than 4 times!

3) On your final inhalation, Un-rack the bar and begin lowering.

4) You have completed the ABT.

The first thing you are going to ask is what just happened and why did my max bench feel lighter?

The Answer:

By inhaling and exhaling deeply just 3-4 times, you have caused "Respiratory Alkalosis". Breathing heavily has caused the calcium in your blood to be pushed into your muscles' cells. When this happens, your muscles are able to contract and in fact will contract much easier.

An extreme example of this would be somebody in complete hyperventilation from a state of panic or shock. Their bodies freeze up and cannot be easily moved. This penenomena is due to the constant muscle contraction, resulting from uncontrolled breathing and the calcium movement process.

What we are doing with ABT is taking hyperventilation in a minimalist form and using it to our advantage. This is why I recommend you ONLY INHALE 4 TIMES. Any longer, and you run the risk of being light-headed and possibly even passing out. This will cause serious injury. Only perform this technique with a spotter available.

Check out Bench Press Record for more on the bench press, records, news and other useful information.

This is the only site dedicated to all bench press records across the nation and that is updated daily!

Mike Madlang

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