Ratites Worldwide + What’s Your Favorite?

[Sphenisciologist]

Ostrich (Struthio)
Geographical Range - Africa
Habitat - Humid Savannas, Woodlands & Deserts
Diet - Plants, Roots, Seeds, Reptiles
IUCN Status - Least Concern (Decreasing)
Subspecies: North African Ostrich, Masai Ostrich, Southern Ostrich, Somali Ostrich, Arabian Ostrich (Extinct)

Emu (Dromaius Novaehollandiae)
Geographical Range - Australia
Habitat - Savannas, Forests & Woodlands
Diet - Grass, Fruits, Plants, Insects
IUCN Status - Least Concern (Stable)
Subspecies: Kangaroo Island Emu (Extinct), Tasmanian Emu (Extinct), King Island Emu (Extinct)

Cassowary (Casuarius)
Geographical Range - Australia & New Guinea
Habitat - Tropical Rainforests, Mangrove Forests & Woodlands
Diet - Fruit, Small Vertebrates, Fungi, Plants
IUCN Status - Vulnerable (Decreasing)
Subspecies: Southern Cassowary, Northern Cassowary, Dwarf Cassowary

Rhea (Rhea Americana)
Geographical Range - South America
Habitat - Grasslands, Scrublands, Rivers, Lakes, Marshes
Diet - Plants, Fruits, Seeds, Insects, Reptiles
IUCN Status - Near Threatened (Decreasing)
Subspecies: Greater Rhea, Darwin’s Rhea

Kiwi (Apteryx)
Geographical Range - New Zealand
Habitat - Farmlands, Forests, Mangroves
Diet - Invertebrates
IUCN Status - Vulnerable (Stable)
Subspecies: North Island Brown Kiwi, Great Spotted Kiwi, Little Spotted Kiwi, Okarito Kiwi, Southern Brown Kiwi

Tinamou (Tinamidae)
Geographical Range - South America
Habitat - Forests, Open Terrains
Diet - Fruits, Seeds, Insects
IUCN Status - Least Concern (Stable)
Subspecies: Small-Billed Tinamou, Elegant-Crested Tinamou, Red-Billed Tinamou, Chilean Tinamou, Little Tinamou, Andean Tinamou, Solitary Tinamou, Etc.

What’s Your Favorite Species?

 

[TinoPup]

Ostrich, rhea, cassowary, kiwi, and tinamou are all types of birds with multiple species, not subspecies.

 

[Great Argus]

Yeah the groups are made up of multiple species except emu. You can't give a IUCN status for multiple species either. Technically most of the IUCN you gave are incorrect since you didn't split the groups, and and least one is entirely incorrect anyway for all three (all cassowaries now LC).

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

I find the cassowaries to be fascinating and beautiful birds but I would say that my favourite ratites (based on morphology, evolutionary history / convergent evolution with mammals and appearance / aesthetics) are the kiwis.

 

[Sphenisciologist]

Ostrich, rhea, cassowary, kiwi, and tinamou are all types of birds with multiple species, not subspecies.

Correct, my bad.

 

[German Zoo World]

i think the southern cassowary is cool because it is so striking looking and it has something from a utahraptor.

 

[dinosauria]

Kiwis are my favorite. I love how instead of becoming tall, lanky runners they instead decided to go all short, stubby and nocturnal. They also have huge eggs in comparison to the body!