Interesting Facts About Flightless Birds
By: NDTVNewsDesk
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Flightless birds are incredibly diverse, ranging from the giant, fast-running Ostrich to the tiny Inaccessible Island Rail.
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They are adapted to run, swim, or dig instead of fly, often due to fewer land predators in places like New Zealand.
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Key traits include reduced wing bones, a smaller or missing keel (breastbone for flight muscles), and unique survival skills.
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The examples of flightless birds include ostrich, emu, kiwi, penguin, kakapo, cassowary, etc.
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Ostriches are the fastest birds, reaching 43 mph and covering huge distances thanks to powerful legs and tiny wings.
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Penguins use their wings as flippers, becoming expert swimmers and divers, with some species diving incredibly deep for food.
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Kiwis use long beaks and strong legs to find insects and worms in the dark, while cassowaries use sharp claws for defense in rainforests.
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Most flightless birds lack a prominent keel on their breastbone, where flight muscles would attach, but penguins are an exception.
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