Question

The largest bird is
A. Pavo
B. Struthio
C. Pelican
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint:- The largest birds are classified based on height and weight. The ostrich, a flightless bird from the plains of Africa and Arabia, is the largest surviving bird species.

Complete step-by-step solution:-
The common ostrich belongs to the order Struthioniformes. Both ratites, such as kiwis, emus, rheas, and cassowaries, were formerly found in the Struthioniformes. Latest genetic research, however, has shown that the group is not monophyletic, as the tinamous group is paraphyletic, so that the ostriches are now known as the only members of the order.It is one of two existing ostrich species, the only surviving species in the genus Struthio in the proportionate order in birds. The other is the Somali ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes), which was recognised by BirdLife International as a separate species in 2014, having previously been treated as a rather distinctive ostrich subspecies.

Phylogenetic analyses have demonstrated that all other members of Palaeognathae are the sister group and therefore the fled tinamous is the sister group to the extinct moa. With a long neck and wings, it is unique in its appearance and can move at a pace of 55 km / h for a long time in short bursts up to around 70 km / h, the highest land pace of any bird. The common ostrich is the largest live bird species and lays the largest eggs of any live bird.

A big male ostrich can exceed 2.8 metres in height and weigh more than 156 kilogrammes. For the ostrich, a mass of 200 kg has been quoted, but no wild ostriches of this huge weight have been confirmed. Eggs laid by an ostrich can weigh 1,4 kg, and today they are the world's largest eggs.

The diet of the common ostrich consists primarily of plant matter, although it consumes invertebrates as well. They live in nomadic groups of between 5 and 50 birds. The ostrich would either cover itself by lying flat against the ground when attacked, or run away. It will attack with a kick of its strong legs if cornered. Mating habits vary by geographical area, but for a harem of two to seven females, territorial males battle.

Therefore from these discussions we can conclude that Ostrich belonging to the order Struthio is the largest bird.
Therefore the correct answer is option (B).

Note:-
The common ostrich is farmed worldwide , particularly for its decorative feathers, which are often used as feather dusters. Its skin is used for leather goods and its meat, with its leanness being a popular selling point, is commercially sold.