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The Ostriches, Cassowaries, Rheas, Emus, Kiwis and Tinamous are studied in the Ratites & Tinamous.

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Ratites & Tinamous
Superorder Paleognathae

Greater Rheas in Uruguay. The Rheas, from South America, are ratites, in the Superorder Paleognathae.
Greater Rheas in Uruguay. They are studied in the Ratites, Superorder Paleognathae.

The Ratites are terrestrial. As time went by their ancestors, which were able to fly, adapted to using their legs as the main form of locomotion. Eventually the wings lost their usefulness for flight and evolved to serve other purposes. The living birds in this group have wings too small to lift their weight, which in some of them is considerable. Included in the Ratites are the largest birds alive.


As a consequence of evolution, the internal anatomy also went thru some changes. One of them was the breastbone becoming flat, opposed to a keel.


The Southern Cassowary, from the forests of northeastern Australia, New Guinea and close by islands, is a ratite, in the Superorder Paleognathae.
The Southern Cassowary, from Australia,
is also a ratite, Superorder Paleognathae.

In this superorder are also grouped the Tinamous, which present a very interesting case in evolution. The breastbone is in the form of a keel and they are able to fly. Some authors believe they are very “primitive” ratites which still have not lost the capability of flight; others prefer not to call them ratites.


The Living Ratites & Tinamous
Superorden Paleognathae

Ostriches
Cassowaries
Emus
Kiwis
Rheas
Tinamous


In the Ratites the Ostrich is also included, from the African plains.
The Ostrich, also in the Ratites, is the largest living bird,
but once there were others taller and heavier.


Information, maps and everything in the Web
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More information on the Ratites & Tinamous:
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Last revision: February 1, 2007
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