Question

The largest living bird is
A. Rhea
B. Struthio
C. Apteryx
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: This species of the largest flightless living bird is native to Africa and was recognized as a distinct species by Birdlife International in 2014. It has very decorative feathers and its skin is used in leather products.

Complete step by step answer: The Struthio camelus is also known as the common ostrich. It is the largest living flightless bird native to Africa. The common ostrich weighs from 63 to 145 kilograms and has a long neck and legs. They can run at a speed of 55 km/h with short bursts up to about 70 km/h, making it the fastest land bird. These birds lay the largest eggs as compared to any living bird. Its decorative feathers are used as feather busters. Its skin is used for leather products. It lives in nomadic groups of 5 to 50 birds, and when threatened, the common ostrich will either hide by lying flat against the ground or run away.
i. The Rheas are native to South America and are flightless birds without a keel on their sternum bone. Rhea americana is commonly called the Greater Rhea, and Rhea pennata is commonly known as Darwin’s Rhea. Rheas are large, have grey-brown plumage, long leg, long neck and three toes. They prefer broad-leafed plants, fruits, seeds, roots, insects for their diet.
ii. The Kiwis are flightless birds native to New Zealand and belong to the genus Apteryx and are the smallest ratite of the group with a size of a domestic chicken. It has hair-like feathers, short and stout legs. Its egg is one of the largest in proportion to body size.
Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Note: The common ostrich is a homeothermic endotherm as it maintains its body temperature at 38.1–39.7 °C in its extreme living temperature conditions of the savanna and desert regions of Africa and thus, classified as a xeric animal.