ratite
nounUK /ˈrætaɪt/
US /ˈrætaɪt/
A ratite is a big bird that cannot fly, like an ostrich or an emu.
The ostrich is the largest ratite in the world.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Relating to a group of flightless birds with a flat breastbone.
Scientists studied the ratite family of birds.
3. A bird whose breastbone lacks the ridge that flying muscles attach to.
The ratite skeleton shows no keel on the sternum.
4. Any member of the order Struthioniformes, including ostriches and their relatives.
The museum displayed several ratites from different continents.