Ratite (Noun)
Meaning
Flightless birds having flat breastbones lacking a keel for attachment of flight muscles: ostriches; cassowaries; emus; moas; rheas; kiwis; elephant birds.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- Ratites have large powerful legs that are well-suited for running but they are unable to fly due to their physical characteristics.
- Many species of ratites have become extinct, such as the moa and the elephant bird.
- Kiwis are the smallest ratites and are native to New Zealand.
- Some ratites, such as ostriches and emus, are domesticated and farmed for their meat and eggs.
- Ratites can be recognized by their flat breastbone, which lacks the keel that is present in flying birds.