flightless

American  

[flahyt-lis] / ˈflaɪt lɪs /

adjective

1. incapable of flying.

   flightless birds such as the moa, rhea, and dodo.

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flightless British  

/ ˈflaɪtlɪs /

adjective

1. (of certain birds and insects) unable to fly See also ratite

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Etymology

Origin of flightless

First recorded in 1870–75; flight ¹ + -less

Example Sentences

A one-eyed flightless African Grey parrot has been given a specially-adapted aviary to help her thrive.

From BBC

She could not fly, for ostriches are flightless birds, but she could run like the wind, and gave the children ostrich rides that were thrillingly fast.

From Literature

This took enormous effort, for although chickens are not, technically speaking, flightless birds, like ostriches or dodos, nor are they known for their ability to easily “lift off,” as we say nowadays.

From Literature

At the sound, Bertha spread her flightless wings into a threatening arch and emitted a long, furious hiss.

From Literature

New Zealand’s native animals, including flightless birds like the kiwi, evolved without ground-dwelling mammalian predators.

From The Wall Street Journal