The ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the largest bird in the world, a flightless member of the ratite group that can stand 2.6 m tall and weigh 135 kg. Although it cannot fly, it is a very fast runner, and it lives in western, eastern and southern Africa, preferring dry, very open areas where it can run without many obstacles.
Name
Ostrich [Struthio camelus]
Appearance
The ostrich is the largest bird in the world and falls under the Ratite group of flightless birds that don’t have a keel to their breastbone. The Ostrich stands tall on thick bare legs. They have long, curving necks. The male has a deep black feather colour and has white feathers as well. The female has a dusty brown colour and is smaller than the male. They stand at a height of 2.6m and weighs 135 kg, and cannot fly, but are very fast runners.
Diet
The Ostrich has a diet of grass, succulents, berries, seeds and also insects. An unusual habit that the Ostrich has, is it swallows pebbles that helps it grind down the food they consumed.
Breeding
Ostriches take turns nesting. Territorial males will often compete for flocks of 4—5 hens. Ostrich mating dances are often a strange and funny occurrence. They run around, waving their wings around. Ostriches will form communal nests that can have up to 60 eggs. The average weight of an ostrich egg is about 1.8 kg. The male will lay on the eggs during the night because of their black feathers and the female will nest on the eggs during the day because of their light brown feather colour.
Habitat
The Ostrich is a rather common and popular bird that calls western, eastern and southern Africa home. They are often found in protective reserves in the eastern areas. Ostriches prefer areas that are dry and very open so they can run without many obstacles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do ostriches eat?
Ostriches eat grass, succulents, berries, seeds and insects. They also have the unusual habit of swallowing pebbles, which help them grind down the food they have eaten.
How can you tell a male ostrich from a female?
By colour and size. The male has deep black plumage with white feathers, while the female is a dusty brown colour and is smaller than the male.
How many eggs are in an ostrich nest?
Up to 60. Ostriches form communal nests, and territorial males often compete for flocks of 4–5 hens. Their mating dances involve running around while waving their wings.
Why does the male ostrich sit on the eggs at night?
Because of his black feathers. Ostriches share incubation according to colour: the black-feathered male sits on the eggs during the night, and the light-brown female sits on them during the day.
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