1. The three genera of these flightless ratites ( Aepyornis) appear to have been confined to Madagascar and were primitive members of the ostrich-rhea-emu lineage.

2. Like most ratites, it has a small head and a small bill, the latter measuring 6.2 to 9.2 cm (2.4 to 3.6 in), but has long legs and a long neck.