Running Birds

Some birds, including the largest of all living birds, have lost the ability to fly. The ostriches and their relatives-rheas, emus, cassowaries, and kiwis-are flightless birds found in Africa, South America, and Australia, including New Guinea and New Zealand. The tinamous of Central and South America are related to the ostrich group, but they have a limited ability to fly. Other birds that feed primarily on the ground and are excellent runners include the bustards (relatives of the cranes) and megapodes, members of a group of chickenlike birds that includes quail, turkeys, pheasants, and grouse. Vegetation is an important part of the diets of running birds.