OSTRICH(Struthio camelus)
The ostrich is the world's largest bird and the only one with two-toed feet. It lives on open plains, where its height gives it a good view of approaching predators. Ostriches can run at up to 45 mph, but if they are cornered, they kick out with their feet, using their claws as weapons. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any bird, measuring as much as 8 inches long. Each female lays up to 12 eggs, with several females often laying in the same nest. When the eggs hatch, the male takes charge of the young and may gather several families of young together. Because they are easily tamed, ostriches are often kept in captivity. In the wild, they feed mainly on seeds and fruit, but captive birds will swallow almost anything.
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Rheas are like small ostriches and live in the open plains of South America. There are two species, the greater rhea and the lesser rhea (Pterocnemia pennata). Both have brown plumage and both live in flocks. Like ostriches, rheas use shared nests, with up to six females laying their eggs in the same hollow in the ground. Unusually for birds, the females take no part in incubating the eggs or looking after the young. The males do it all instead.
The emu is Austrailia's tallest bird. It has brown-grey plumage with a distinctive, pale blue throat. Emus feed on seeds and insects and can be serious pests on farmland. In the 1930s, a team of army machine gunners tried to keep emu flocks out of the wheat-growing region of western Austrailia, but emus still managed to thrive. Emus lay dark green eggs. The male incubates them on his own, and the striped chicks hatch after about eight weeks.
Cassowaries are solitary birds that live in rain forests. They have black plumage, blue and red necks, and a large, bony shield called a casque on top of their heads. Cassowaries are more unpredictable and dangerous than other flightless birds. Instead of running away from people, they may attack with their claws, sometimes fatally. Cassowaries lay their eggs on a bed of leaves on the forest floor. The male takes care of incubation, but both parents look after the chicks.
Kiwis live in New Zealand's forests, where they come out to feed after dark. They eat earthworms and other small animals, and unusually for birds, they sniff out their food using nostrils at the end of their beaks. Their wings are tiny, but their hairlike plumage provides protection from the rain. Female kiwis often lay just one egg, which can be a forth of the female's total weight.
The world's largest penguin, this is also one of the few that breeds on the Antarctic ice. The female lays one egg in late fall, then swims out to sea. The male protects the egg through winter, warming it under a flap of skin on his feet. When the female returns in early spring, the chick has hatched, and the male urgently needs food. Emperor penguins can dive to a depth of 850 feet to find fish and krill to eat.
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**All Facts and Information contained in this website can be found in the following reference materials: The Kingfisher Illustrated Animal Encyclopedia and The Complete Book of Animals from The American Education Publishers
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GREATER RHEA
EMU
COMMON CASSOWARY
BROWN KIWI
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