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4

Ratites

Dale A. Smith

Natural History

Ratites are flightless birds in five orders of the infraclass Palaeognathae: ostriches, emus, cassowar-
ies, rheas, and kiwis (Gill and Donsker 2015). The term “ratite” comes from the Latin ratis mean-
ing raft and refers to the flat smooth sternum that is characteristic of these birds. Ostriches, emus,
and rheas are raised commercially for meat, leather, and feathers – and in the case of the emu, oil.
Cassowaries and kiwis are handled more as specimens in zoological or display collections, or – par-
ticularly for the kiwi – as part of conservation and rehabilitation projects. All species have lived for
30 years or more in captivity. The tinamous are the sixth group of birds in the Palaeognathaea, and
are flighted. Some commercial raising of tinamous has been undertaken.
The ostrich (Struthio camelus, Order Struthioniformes, Family Struthionidae) was originally
found throughout Africa and extending into the Middle East. Wild birds are currently found in
greatly reduced numbers in geographically limited pockets. Four subspecies have survived: the
North African Ostrich (Struthio camelus camelus), the Somali Ostrich (Struthio camelus molyb-
dophanes), the Masai (East African) Ostrich (Struthio camelus massaicus), and the South African
Ostrich (Struthio camelus australis) (Folch 1992e). In the 1800s, North African and South African
Ostriches were interbred in South Africa to produce the domesticated South African or Cape
Black Ostrich (Struthio camelus domesticus). Because of the color of the skin on the legs and
necks of males during the breeding season, North and East African birds are commonly known
as Red‐neck, and Somali and South African birds as Blue‐neck. Ostriches are the largest living
birds; males commonly stand 6.5–9.8 ft. (2–3 m) in height and may weigh up to 400 lb (180 kg).
Females are smaller with weights up to 330 lb (150 kg). Male birds have black and white plumage;
females and juveniles are brownish gray. Ostriches have relatively large wings and two unequally
sized toes pointing forward.
The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae, Order Casuariiformes, Family Casuariidae) is found in a
variety of open and semiarid habitats through most parts of Australia (Folch 1992b). Birds stand
up to 6 ft. (1.8 m) in height and weigh up to 110 lb (50 kg); females are slightly taller and heavier
than males. Both sexes have brown and black feathering. Emus have vestigial wings and three
forward‐facing toes.
The rhea is native to South America (Order Rheiformes, Family Rheidae) (Folch 1992d). There
are two species: the Greater or Common Rhea (Rhea americana) and the Lesser or Darwin’s Rhea
(Pterocnemia pennata). The Common Rhea, the species raised commercially, may stand up to 5 ft.

Hand-Rearing Birds, Second Edition. Edited by Rebecca S. Duerr and Laurie J. Gage.
© 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Published 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.