HOW TO USE THIS BOOK Tab shows the bird category The bird's common name appears here This paragraph gives information about the bird Fun Facts give interesting information related to birds Images show the bird 6
The bird's scientific name appears here How to Spot features give information about the bird's color pattern size range habitat and diet Bird length is determined from the tip of the bird's bill to the tip of its tail Sidebars provide additional information about the topic 7
FLIGHTLESS BIRDS OSTRICH STRUTHIO CAMELUS This flightless species is the largest living bird An ostrich's small head rests on top of a long neck Ostriches have powerful legs and feet with just two toes These help them fight predators and run fast When running to escape lions they can reach speeds of 43 miles per hour 70 kmh HOW TO SPOT Color Pattern Males are mostly black and white while females have more brown coloring Both sexes have heads and necks with pinkish skin covered with downy feathers Size 7 to 9 feet 2.1 to 2.7 m tall 220 to 350 pounds 100 to 160 kg Range Africa Habitat Plains and semidesert savannas Diet Plants fruit from shrubs locusts and grasshoppers Male Female FUN FACT A male ostrich will make a nest by scraping the ground with his feet Multiple females may lay eggs in the nest There can be up to 25 eggs in a single ostrich nest 8
SOUTHERN CASSOWARY CASUARIUS CASUARIUS Southern cassowaries are large shy birds They scour the rain forest for fruit and are good swimmers If threatened these birds can get aggressive They make a deep booming sound which carries through the forest Scientists believe the helmet on top of their heads helps amplify their booming voices HOW TO SPOT Color Pattern These birds have shaggy black feathers red wattles dark blue and purple necks and bare blue skin on their heads Size Up to 5.5 feet 1.7 m tall males weigh around 121 pounds 55 kg and females weigh around 167 pounds 76 kg Range Australia New Guinea and Indonesia Habitat Dense rain forests Diet Fallen fruit snails fungi and some small mammals and reptiles ANATOMY OF A SOUTHERN CASSOWARY Southern cassowaries have a 5 inch- 12.7 cm long claw on each foot The helmet on their heads are hard on the outside When provoked they kick and sometimes jump on their victims These birds may look fierce but they are peaceful when left alone
