Editing Ratite (section)

== Description ==
Ratites in general have many physical characteristics in common, although many are not shared by the family [[Tinamidae]], or tinamous. First, the [[pectoralis major muscle|breast muscles]] are underdeveloped. They do not have keeled [[sternum|sterna]]. Their wishbones ([[furcula]]e) are almost absent. They have simplified wing skeletons and musculature. Their legs are stronger and do not have air chambers, except the [[femur]]s. Their tail and flight feathers have retrogressed or have become decorative plumes. They have no feather vanes, which means they do not need to oil their feathers, hence they have no [[preen gland]]s. They have no separation of pterylae (feathered areas) and apteria (non-feathered areas),<ref>http://www.freedictionary.com for definitions of the two latin words</ref> and finally, they have [[palaeognath]]ous [[palate]]s.<ref name = Bruning />

Ostriches have the greatest [[Sexual dimorphism|dimorphism]]; rheas show some [[dichromatism]] during the breeding season. Emus, cassowaries, and kiwis show some dimorphism, predominantly in size.

While the ratites share a lot of similarities, they also have major differences. Ostriches have only two toes, with one being much larger than the other. Cassowaries have developed long inner toenails, used defensively. Ostriches and rheas have prominent wings; although they do not use them to fly, they do use them in courtship and predator distraction.<ref name = "Bruning" />

Without exception, ratite chicks are capable of swimming and even diving.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}

On an [[allometric]] basis, [[paleognath]]s have generally smaller brains than [[neognath]]s. Kiwis are exceptions to this trend, and possess proportionally larger brains comparable to those of [[parrots]] and [[songbirds]], though evidence for similar advanced cognitive skills is currently lacking.<ref name="Corfield2007"/>

=== Gallery of living species ===
<gallery>
Image:Autruche Thoiry 19801.jpg|[[Ostrich]]
Image:Masai Ostriches Benh.jpg|Ostrich herd (''S. camelus massaicus'')
Image:Rhea side profile.jpg|[[American rhea]]
Image:Darwin-Nandus.jpg|[[Darwin's rhea]]
Image:Double-wattled Cassowary.jpg|[[Southern cassowary]]
File:Casuarius unappendiculatus -Northern Cassowary -head to toe.jpg|[[Northern cassowary]]
Image:Mooruk-Wolf.jpg|[[Dwarf cassowary]]
File:Dromaius novaehollandiae qtl1.jpg|[[Emu]]
Image:Apteryx haastii.jpg|[[Great spotted kiwi]]
Image:Apteryx owenii 0.jpg|[[Little spotted kiwi]]
<!-- Image:Kkr.jpg|[[Okarito Brown Kiwi]] -->

Image:Kiwifugl.jpg|[[North Island brown kiwi]]
</gallery>