Ratite Collection

Sir Richard Owen (1804-1892)
Portrait of Sir Richard Owen, an English biologist, comparative anatomist and palaeontologist. Picture shows Owen and the skeleton of Dinornis maximus, c. 1877. From The Life of Owen (1894)

Portrait of a male ostrich, Struthio camelus, in Ndutu plains. Ndutu, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

Southern brown kiwi (Apteryx australis) primative flightless bird endemic to New Zealand, Stewart Island, New Zealand

Great spotted kiwi (Apteryx hstii) Captive, Otorohanga Breeding Facility, New Zealand

Brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) in nocturnal kiwi house with reversed daylight cycle, Orana Wildlife Park, Christchurch, New Zealand. February

Stewart Island Brown Kiwi / Southern Tokoeka (Apteryx australis lawryi), female probing by scent for sand hoppers in rotting kelp beach wrack, Ocean Beach, Stewart Island, New Zealand

Okarito Brown Kiwi (Apteryx rowi) male known as Scooter patrolling his territory, from population of 200. Okarito Forest, Westland, South Island, New Zealand

Great Spotted Kiwi (Apteryx hstii) foraging in rainforest habitat at night, NW Nelson, South Island, Otorohanga Breeding Facility, New Zealand

Male Ostrich (Struthio camelus) protecting chicks from the sun with its wings, Samburu National Reserve, Kenya, Africa

Rowi or Okarito Brown Kiwi (Apteryx rowi) male called Scooter in rainforest habitat. Okarito Forest, Westland, South Island, New Zealand

Umbrella thorn tree (Vachellia tortilis) in the Etosha pan with common ostrich (Struthio camelus) male. Etosha National Park, Namibia

Greater rhea (Rhea americana) nest with many eggs, at edge of arable field. Patagonia, Argentina. October

Okarito Brown Kiwi (Apteryx rowi) feather detail resembling mammalian hair. Okarito Forest, Westland, South Island, New Zealand

Common ostriches (Struthio camelus), male and female, standing at waterhole in front of Grant's zebras (Equus quagga boehmi). Tsavo East National Park, Kenya

Ostrich (Struthio camelus) with chick feeding on termites, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa

Female Ostrich (Struthio camelus) feeding on desert plants, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa

Ostrich (Struthio camelus) chicks gathered near adult, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa

Three male Ostriches (Struthio camelus) running and flapping wings in aggressive display, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa

A Northern Cassowary at London Zoo, October 1914 (b / w photo)
2563677 A Northern Cassowary at London Zoo, October 1914 (b/w photo) by Bond, Frederick William (1887-1942); Zoological Society of London; (add.info)

A Southern Cassowary at London Zoo in June 1925 (b / w photo)
3066190 A Southern Cassowary at London Zoo in June 1925 (b/w photo) by Bond, Frederick William (1887-1942); Zoological Society of London; (add.info)

A Southern Cassowary at London Zoo in June 1925 (b / w photo)
3066187 A Southern Cassowary at London Zoo in June 1925 (b/w photo) by Bond, Frederick William (1887-1942); Zoological Society of London; (add.info)

Ostrich (Struthio camelus) male preening, looking headless, Samburu Reserve, Kenya, Africa

Lesser rhea (Pterocnemia pennata) altiplano, Bolivia September

African elephant (Loxodonta africana) with Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) and an Ostrich (Struthio camelus) in background. Etosha National Park, Namibia

Southern Tokoeka / Stewart Island Brown Kiwi (Apteryx australis lawryi) female drinking from stream after feeding on sand hoppers in rotting kelp. Ocean Beach, Stewart Island, New Zealand. Endemic

Stewart Island Brown Kiwi / Southern Tokoeka (Apteryx australis lawryi), female probing by scent for sand hoppers in rotting kelp beach wrack, Ocean Beach, Stewart Island, New Zealand

African Ostrich -Struthio camelus- performing a mating dance, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

Male common ostrich walking through the long grass at the Gabus Game Ranch, Otjozondjupa, Namibia
Portrait of a male, common ostrich (Struthio camelus) lowering head and walking through the long grass at the Gabus Game Ranch; Otavi, Otjozondjupa, Namibia

Emu, rheas and kangaroos at Tring Park
Live animals collected by Walter Rothschild in the grounds of Tring Park, with keeper Mr Marcham, 1890 Date: 1890

Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus), La Isla Magdalena, Patagonia, Chile, South America

Ostrich -Struthio camelus-, Bontebok National Park, South Africa

Emperor penguin -Aptenodytes forsteri- walking in front of an iceberg, Weddell Sea, Antarctica

Humboldt Penguin or Peruvian Penguin -Spheniscus humboldti-, adult, Luisenpark, Mannheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

African Penguin or Jackass Penguin -Spheniscus demersus-, adult on rock, moulting, Bettys Bay, Western Cape, South Africa

Picture No. 11992999
Greater Rhea - adult white rhea - Germany Date:

Picture No. 11992998
Greater Rhea - adult male - Germany Date:

Picture No. 11992997
Greater Rhea - adult male - Germany Date:

Picture No. 11992996
Greater Rhea - female portrait - Germany Date:

Picture No. 11992995
Greater Rhea - adult female - Germany Date:

Picture No. 11992994
Greater Rhea - adult female - Germany Date:

Picture No. 11992993
Greater Rhea - adult female - Germany Date:

Picture No. 11992992
Greater Rhea - adult female - Germany Date:

Picture No. 11992991
Greater Rhea - adult female - Germany Date:

Emu and rheas at Tring Park
Rheas from South America and Emus from Australia are examples of the flightless ratite birds kept by Walter Rothschild at Tring Park

Rhea by Gambier Bolton
Rhea photogrpaph by Gambier Bolton, F Zs 354, held at The Natural History Museum at Tring

Moa bone fragment
First piece of moa bone, found between 1831 and 1836. The 15cm fragment comes from the species Dinornis novaezealandiae and is 0.01-1.8 million years old

Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae). The Emu is quite common in Australia and is also
Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), Victoria, Australia

African ostriches (Struthio camelus), ostrich farm, Thalheim, Oschatz, Saxony, Germany, Europe

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Ratite, a term coined by Sir Richard Owen in the 19th century, refers to a group of flightless birds that includes some fascinating species. One such example is the Great spotted kiwi (Apteryx hstii), found in the Otorohanga Breeding Facility in New Zealand. These captive birds provide researchers with valuable insights into their behavior and conservation. In contrast, the Brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) can be observed in a nocturnal kiwi house with a reversed daylight cycle. This unique setup allows visitors to witness these elusive creatures as they go about their activities during nighttime hours. Meanwhile, Scooter, an Okarito Brown Kiwi (Apteryx rowi) male, diligently patrols his territory. With great determination and vigilance, he ensures the safety of his domain while contributing to the preservation efforts for this endangered species. Venturing into the rainforest habitat at night brings us face-to-face with another ratite species: the Great Spotted Kiwi (Apteryx hstii). Here we witness its remarkable foraging skills as it navigates through dense vegetation in search of food sources. Moving away from New Zealand but staying within the ratite family, we encounter Male Ostriches (Struthio camelus) protecting their chicks from harsh sun rays by using their wings as natural umbrellas. This nurturing behavior showcases both strength and tenderness within these magnificent creatures. Kenya's Tsavo East National Park offers breathtaking scenes where Common ostriches (Struthio camelus), alongside Grant's zebras (Equus quagga boehmi), gather around waterholes. The harmonious coexistence between different species highlights nature's intricate balance. The Southern brown kiwi (Apteryx australis), endemic to New Zealand, represents one of nature's primitive flightless wonders. Its existence serves as a testament to the unique biodiversity found on this island nation.