Ostriches, Rheas, Emus and Cassowaries
- Comments
-
Glasgow Museums has a collection of approximately 17 specimens and numerous eggs of ostriches, rheas, emus and other flightless birds in the ratite group. These date from 1879 to 2006.
This collection contains one mount, one leg, one skeleton and about 20 eggs of the ostrich. There are two mounts, two skeletons and one egg of the rhea, and one mount and 14 eggs of the emu. In addition there are three mounts and one skeleton of the cassowary, and six mounted specimens and two eggs of the kiwi. There is also a cast of and egg of the extinct elephant bird and a complete (but disarticulated) skeleton and several other individual bones from extinct moas.
About ostriches, rheas, emus and cassowaries
The ratite group of flightless birds includes ostriches (Struthionidae) from Africa, rheas (Rheidae) from South America, emus and cassowaries (Casuariidae) from Australia and New Guinea and kiwis (Apterygidae) from New Zealand. The extinct elephant birds (Aepyornithidae) from Madagascar and moas (Dinorthidae) from New Zealand are also included in this group. - Broader term
- Staff Contact