| Common Ostrich | |
|---|---|
 male | |
 female | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Struthioniformes |
| Family: | Struthionidae |
| Genus: | Struthio |
| Species: | Struthio camelus |
The Common Ostrich, or Struthio camelus, is one of the largest birds in the world. Ostriches share the infraclass Palaeognathae with emus, kiwis, and other ratites. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at speeds of about 74 km/h (46 mph), the top land speed of any living bird. The Ostrich is the largest living species of bird and lays the largest egg of any bird species.
Appearance[]
The Ostrich can grow up to 9 feet (2.7 m) tall and weighs up to 345 pounds (156 kg). The Ostrich also has the biggest eyeballs of any bird alive today; each eyeball is 2 inches (5 cm) across. It has a long neck that allows it to see predators from far away. The ostrich has tiny, almost useless wings. The legs are long and powerful; there are two toes on each foot. The fluffy feathers are black, white, and brown, which helps camouflage (hide) this large bird in its habitat. The feathers of adult males are mostly black with white at the ends of the wings and in the tail. Females and young males are grayish-brown and white. The head and neck of both male and female Ostriches is nearly bare, but has a thin layer of down.
Nesting[]
The Ostrich lays the biggest egg in the world; ostrich eggs are 4.5 x 7 inches (11 x 18 cm) across and weigh 3 pounds (1400 g). One Ostrich egg is equivalent in volume to two dozen chicken eggs. The nest is a shallow hole in the ground.
Feeding[]
Ostriches eat mostly plants, but also eat insects, fruits, seeds, nuts, and some small animals (including lizards). Lacking teeth, they swallow pebbles that help as gastroliths to grind the swallowed foodstuff in the gizzard. An adult ostrich typically carries about 1 kg of stones in its stomach. Ostriches can go without water for several days, living off the moisture in the ingested plants.
Habits[]
Ostriches live in nomadic groups of five to 50 birds (led by a top hen) that often travel together with other grazing animals, such as zebras or antelopes. Though they don't need to drink often, they enjoy water and typically take baths where it is available. The Ostrich can outrun most predators, but can also kick to protect itself; another strategy against threats is to crouch close to the ground to camouflage itself.
Distribution[]
Ostriches are native to savannas and the Sahel of Africa, both north and south of the equatorial forest zone. The Arabian Ostriches in the Near and Middle East were hunted to extinction by the middle of the 20th century.
Relationship with humans[]
Ostriches are farmed for their meat, leather, and feathers.