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Flightless Birds
All birds have wings, but not all use them for flight. Learn about the world's flightless bird species in this category.
387 Questions
How is the kagu important to the earth?
The Kagu is a nearly flightless bird which lives in New Caledonia. There are several reasons to consider it important.
While virtually every living thing may be said to be important to the Earth, the Kagu has a number of rare or unique characteristics that make it a species of particular interest or, one could say, greater importance.
If one feature stands out, it may be the physiology. In particular, it has a peculiarly high concentration of hemoglobin in its red blood cells. With three times the normal hemoglobin concentration it has also one third the number of red blood cells that are typical in birds. (One immediately wonders what the cause of this extra hemoglobin might be and whether understanding that cause could have medical consequences. Millions of people suffering from respiratory problems would be effectively cured if the blood were able to carry more oxygen.)
It is in danger of extinction. In this case, it is not only the extinction of a species but it is also the only surviving example of the family Rhynochetidae. There is limited fossil record of a few similar species.
Being a species, or at earlier times a few closely related species, that are located on the islands of new Caledonia, they provide and example an evolutionary process where speciation was driven by geography. There are several factors related to this that are important topics of biological study. The most famous example is seen in "Darwin's finches" which were a key factor in Darwin's development of the theory of evolution.
As a ground dwelling carnivorous bird, it is somewhat unusual since most birds are vegetarians. It has a few other evolutionary features of interest with the "nasal corns" covering its nostrils being unique.
It is important to the Kanak tribes of New Caledonia. It has been incorporated into tribal beliefs and customs.
If the very small and endangered population of Kagu suffer extinction, we will lose a bird species with numerous unusual characteristics, (physical, behavioral and evolutionary) and thereby lose the opportunity to study the bird and learn from it.
What does the name Rhea represent?
It refers to the Greek titaness Rhea, mother goddess and wife of Saturn, and daughter of Uranus and Gaia.
The name rhea is also a genus of large flightless ratite birds.
How pukeko's beak adaptations?
your question doesnt make any sense. do you mean what are the adaptations of the pukeko? or what does a pukekos beak do to help in its habitat :) your so stupid
What are the birds that can't fly and why can't they fly?
There are 7 families of flightless birds in total. They include the Kiwis, Cassowaries, Rheas, Ostriches, Tinamous, Emus and Penguins.
There are also numerous flightless birds within other groups of birds which are mostly made up of species which can fly. Rails, for example, include waterfowl such as moorhens, swamp hens and other small to medium birds which can fly but prefer not to. They cannot fly for any great distance, and within the rail family, there are numerous flightless birds, such as the Takahē and the weka of New Zealand, and the Inaccessible Island rail.
Other bird families have some members which cannot fly, even though most of the family can. The kakapo, which lives in New Zealand, is the world's only flightless parrot. The flightless steamer duck of the Falkland Islands is another bird which is an anomaly with its family. The Giant Coot of South America is unusual, as the adult cannot fly, but the young birds can.
There are many more species of flightless birds. See the related link for a more complete list.
Extinct birds which cannot fly include the dodo, elephant bird and Terror bird.
Where does the native bird moa come from?
The Moa is a now-extinct flightless bird which once inhabited New Zealand.
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What do penguins eat besides fish?
penguins eat shrimp, fish, squid, plankton, krill, and dead bodies of krill.
What does a cassoway do when it cannot fly?
They either fight or run. The cassowary can kick with it's powerful legs, which have long sharp nails on the toes.
there is alot of them that i didnt know about
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/birds/printouts/Flightless.shtml
The cost of a rhea typically ranges from $150 to $300, depending on factors such as age, health, and the seller. Prices may vary based on location and availability. Additionally, potential buyers should consider the costs of proper care, housing, and feeding when acquiring a rhea.
Why are the birds mostly flightless in the savanna grassland?
Birds in savanna grasslands are often flightless due to evolutionary adaptations that favor ground-based living. These environments provide ample food sources and nesting opportunities on the ground, reducing the need for flight. Additionally, the open terrain may favor birds that can run quickly to evade predators rather than relying on flight for escape. Flightlessness can also be a result of reduced predation pressure, allowing these birds to thrive without the need for flying.
The takahe, a flightless bird of New Zealand, can grow to about 63 cm in length and weigh up to 4kg.
