Ratites - Knowt

Ratite

Wide variety of birds that are primarily flightless

Ratis

This latin word is where the term ratite is derived from, which means "raft".

Unkeeled

The latin word ratis refers to the ratites' flat, __ breastbone

Struthioniformes

Order of ratites

Struthionidae

Family of ostriches

Rheidae

Family of rheas

Casuariidae

Family of cassowary

Dromaiidae

Family of emus

Apterygidae

Family of kiwis

Ostriches

These are the world's largest and heaviest birds with the widest eyes.

Almost 2 inches

Measurement of Ostrich eyes in diameters.

Brownish-grey

What color are the feathers of young and adult female ostriches?

Black with white wings and tail feathers

What color are the feathers of the adult male ostrich?

Rheas

Long-legged, towering birds that are perfectly suited to living on land

They have feathers on their head, neck, and thighs

These features of the Rheas differentiate them from ostriches.

Black ring around their necks

Rheas have greyish-brown plumage. What feature do males have that defines them from females?

claw, retrices

Rheas have on each wing, but lack _, or tail feathers.

Cassowaries

These ratites have coarse, black, hanging feathers and necks with colored skin.

Wattles

This feature is unique to cassowaries among the ratites and are long folds of unfeathered skin that dangle from the neck of two species of cassowary: northern and southern cassowaries

casque or helmet

All three species of the cassowaries have a ___, that gradually grows over the course of the first few years of life.

Emus

This ratite is better suited to sprinting and long-distance running since they are the only birds with calf muscles.

Whitish-blue

What color are the long necks of the emus

Kiwis

These are the smallest ratites

Touch-sensitive whiskers

Due to their small eyes and limited vision, what feature do kiwis have at the base of their beaks that is particularly crucial for these birds?

Africa

Ostriches are native to ___

South America

Where are rheas found?

Australia

Emus are native to _

Australia and New Guinea

Cassowaries are found in and _

New Zealand

Kiwis are endemic to ___

Diurnal

Ostriches are __. They spend most of the day in motion

Seed dispersal agent and helps regulate rodent populations

Ecological importance of ostriches

Ostriches let gazelles use their feeding grounds and gazelles alert ostriches to potential predators

An example of a symbiotic connection that ostriches develop with other species

Eggs, meat, and feathers

Rheas are hunted for their what?

Egg predation

This is the main reason for unsuccessful reproduction in rheas.

Pampas foxes and large hairy armadillos

These species prey on the eggs of rheas if not continuously protected

Humans, pampas cats, cougars

These are the only known predators of adult rheas

Seed dispersal agents

Ecological importance of ratites

Nocturnal

Kiwis spend most of their days in their burrows and are mostly _.

Vocalizations like grunts and shrieks as well as droppings to mark their territory

Kiwis are territorial birds. What do they do to mark their territory?

Predation to imported mammals like stoats, which are especially harmful to kiwi eggs and chicks

Main threat to kiwis

Reduced or vestigial wings, modified pectoral girdle, shoulder bones often fused

Aside from the absence of a keel, what other features are found in ratites that are different from other bird species?

Thigh muscles

These muscles, in particular, are massive and powerful, responsible for extending the hip and ankle joints to generate long strides for running

Crop

Ratites lack this organ for food storage

Two-part stomach and intestinal tract

Specialized feature of the digestive tract of ratites

Swallowed stones or gastroliths

A significant adaptation in ratite digestion

Muscular gizzard or ventriculus

In which digestive organ are the stones found that help in grinding up food in place of teeth?

Reduced air sac capacity

Unlike flying birds, which require a large respiratory capacity to meet the high metabolic demands of flight, ratites have relative to their body size.

Large, intromittent phallus

Unique reproductive feature of male ratites

Retain two functional ovaries

The kiwi is a rare exception among birds in relation to their reproductive system. Why?

Ostriches and Rheas

These ratites are polygamous

Emus and cassowaries

These ratites typically only pair up during breeding season

Kiwis

These ratites generally form monogamous pairs for life.

May to August

Breeding season of ostriches in the northern hemisphere

High in fiber to promote healthy gut function via fermentation in the cecum

Key nutritional needs of ostriches

Protein (20-24%)

Nutritional requirement that is highest in ostrich chicks.

Frugivorous

Cassowary diets primarily consist of fruits from over 200 plant species. This makes them _

15-20%

Protein content in Emu diet

Insectivorous/carnivorous

Ratites are typically omnivores, but their diet depends on their individual preferences. Kiwis are primarily _.

Thick overalls

Safety glasses

Sturdy boots

Protective gear to prioritize when handling ratites

3

It is recommended to have at least ____ handlers when handling adult ratites

Approach from behind

Safest approach to avoid the bird's forward kick

Herding

Safest method for moving a group of ratites

Shepherd's crook

Tool used to hook the bird's neck just below the head and pull it downwards below the level of the bird's back

Hooding

Placing a hood or cloth sack over the bird's head to calm some species by restricting its vision

Gait

Posture

Behavior

Respiration

Droppings

Clinical examination of ratites

Heart rate: 43-167bpm

RR: 6-12 breaths/min

Body Temp: 37.2 - 38.5C

Vital signs of Ostriches according to the material

Heart rate: 100-200bpm

RR: 4-8 breaths/min

Body Temp: 37 - 38.5

Vital signs of Emus according to the material

Heart rate: 100-200bpm

RR: 4-8 breaths/min

Body Temp: 38- 40C

Vital signs of Rheas according to the material

Heart rate: 70-240bpm

RR: 12-60 breaths/min

Body Temp: 37 - 38C

Vital signs of Kiwis according to the material

This is due to their aggressive behavior, making it difficult to handle

Why is there no published figures for Cassowaries' vital signs?

Lions

Cheetahs

Jackals

Predators of ostriches

Poaching

Habitat loss

Conflict between human and wildlife

Threats to ostriches

Loss and fragmentation of habitat brought on by agriculture and human activity

Main threat to cassowaries

Attacks by domestic dogs and feral dogs, vehicle strikes

Major causes of injury and fatality to cassowaries

Habitat loss

Vehicular accidents

Predators

Threats to emus

Foxes

Dingoes

Feral dogs

Predators of emus

Loss of habitat

Hunting and poaching for meat and eggs