Ostriches, Emus and Rheas are members of this family. The Kiwi and Cassowary are also members of this family. Emus have small wings, but Rheas and Ostriches have large wings that cover their bodies.
Ratites have flat breastbones with no keel.
In flight birds, the keel is where the breast muscles of flight attach. Ratites have been around for at least 80 million years. They probably flew in the past, but today have adapted to running rather than flying. These birds are used for several things such as meat, leather, feathers, oil, eggshells and eggs. Adult males are black with a white tail and wing feathers.