Emu and Ostrich
Males incubate and hatch eggs
Also care for young.
Pre co ci ous young
Run from lions and father
Protects them so well.
Emu's useless wings
So small they are barely seen
But very large legs.
Ostrich are so big
They are ridden in races
As fast as a horse!
Ostrich's egg shell
So hard a chemical helps
To aid in hatching.
Cassowary's range
Australia / New Guinea
Another ratite.
Cassowary's legs
Are extremely dangerous
They even take chase.
Cassowary's eggs
Are green from billverlin. A
Pigment from the bile.
Emu egg shells are
Dark forest green to near black
Large avocados!
Very large Ostrich
Eggs--creamy white or yellow
Many chicken eggs!
Tinamous can fly
They prefer to walk or run
A small but strong heart.
As with the Emu,
Tinamou males incubate
And perform chick care.
Tinamou eggs bright
Colorful turquoise to red
Plus purple and brown.
Tinamou nests are
Rudimentary scrapings
Hidden on the ground.
Neotropical
Tinamou range--Mexico
To Argentina.
Emu's flat breastbone
This bone has no keel--no flight
Thus few breast muscles.
Powerful three toes
Second tallest living bird
Large strong legs to run.
Emu's feather-shaft
Is doubled. Soft and shaggy
Appearance. Unique.
Emu inflates pouch
Produces deep booming sound
This attracts a mate.
Mates with many males
Female is pol y an drous
She just walks away.