Ostrich
Ostrich

Ostrich

Common ostrich

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Struthioniformes
Family
Struthionidae
Genus
Struthio
SPECIES
Struthio camelus
Population size
2 Mln
Life Span
40-50 yrs
TOP SPEED
70 km/h
WEIGHT
63-145 kg
HEIGHT
1.7-2.8 m

These enormous birds, usually taller than a human, live in the deserts and savannas of Africa. They are the tallest, largest, and heaviest birds alive, and one of the most unique. Their relatively small head features the largest eyes (5 cm in diameter) of any land animal, protected by their long black lashes. A male has bold black-and-white markings that are used to attract females, while females are light brown. Ostriches have rather prehistoric-looking feet, and are the only birds with only two toes on each foot. The inner one is thick and strong, and is adapted for running. It has a formidable claw, 10 cm long, which may be used in defense.

Di

Diurnal

He

Herbivore

Gr

Granivore

Te

Terrestrial

Fl

Flightless bird

Pr

Precocial

Gr

Grazing

Se

Sedentary

Po

Polygyny

So

Social

Fl

Flocking

O

starts with

Photos with Ostrich

Ostrich: Whipsnade Zoo: 09-June 2012
Ostrich #1
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Distribution

Ostriches live in the wild in western and eastern Africa, as well as South Africa. Once they roamed all over Africa, Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula. Now, due to being hunted so extensively, they are found only in sub-Saharan Africa. Ostriches farmed in Australia, New Mexico and Israel have established feral populations. These birds inhabit a range of semi-arid plains, from savanna to desert, as well as areas of open woodland.

Ostrich habitat map

Geography

Continents
Africa, Oceania
Subcontinents
North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa
Countries
Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Show More Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe Show Less
Introduced Countries
Australia, Swaziland

Biome

Tropical savanna
Desert and Xeric Shrublands

Climate zones

Tropical
Temperate
Arid
Opera of Ostrich

Habits and Lifestyle

Ostriches live in flocks numbering 5 to 50, and are normally found alongside grazing animals such as antelope and zebras. During the breeding season, of about 5 months, flocks will occupy territories extending 2-15 sq km. Outside the breeding season, smaller, looser flocks of 2-5 members form. Ostriches have a lifestyle which is nomadic and mostly diurnal, being active early in the day as well as late. Males are territorial, defending their territory aggressively. These birds like water and frequently take baths, if given the opportunity, and are good swimmers. Sometimes, to escape detection, they lie down with their necks outstretched, which probably was the origin of the myth that an ostrich buries its head in the sand. They use posture to threaten a rival or predator, fluffing up the feathers of their wings and hissing loudly. These birds are fast runners and usually will comfortably outrun their predators. Ostriches are very vocal, and their sounds include whistling, booming, snorting and hissing.

Group name
flock, troop
Lifestyle
Terrestrial, Flightless bird, Precocial, Grazing, Sedentary

Diet and Nutrition

Ostriches are mainly herbivores (granivores), they eat buds, leaves, seeds and flowers, and sometimes lizards, grasshoppers and animal remains that carnivorous predators have left.

Diet Herbivore, Granivore

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
Polygyny
REPRODUCTION SEASON
March or April-September
INCUBATION PERIOD
6 weeks
INDEPENDENT AGE
18 months
FEMALE NAME
hen
MALE NAME
cock
BABY NAME
chick, hatchling
BABY CARRYING
2-11 eggs

Ostriches are polygynous, each male having three to five hens, with a “major” hen and several “minor” hens. Dominant males defend their territory and mate with their major hen and other hens within the area. The major hen is given more careful consideration, getting first choice of nesting ground. She lays her eggs first, then allows the others in the flock to produce theirs. The major hen will know which are her eggs and protects her clutch by pushing away other hens’ eggs. The mating season starts in March or April, running until September. The male will scrape out a nest, which is just a depression in the ground, then attracts the hens by dancing, fluffing up his feathers and flapping his wings, as well as swinging his head while going down on his knees. Females lay 2 to 11 creamy eggs in the communal nest. Only dominant male and major female guard the nest. The eggs are incubated for about 6 weeks. The female is on the nest during daylight hours, and the male at night. Within the first three days the chicks leave the nest. They fledge when they are 4 to 5 months old, and by about 18 months they are fully grown, reaching maturity at 2 to 4 years.

an ostrich family
Population Trend
Decreasing
POPULATION STATUS
Least concern (LC)
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Population

Population threats

Although not considered globally threatened and still relatively abundant, in recent times, ostrich numbers have decreased, as has their range. Their feathers and eggs have been used by humans for a long time, almost causing their extermination in northern and southern Africa. Overgrazing has caused habitat destruction and greatly reduced their range, this currently being the main threat.

Population number

According to the Animal-Corner resource, the total population size of the ostrich is around 2 million individuals worldwide. Currently this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, but its numbers today are decreasing.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • The ostrich is unique amongst birds in having two toes on each of its feet. All other birds possess three or four toes.
  • "Strothio camelus", the ostrich’s scientific name, means camel-like.
  • The feathers of the ostrich are unusual because they don’t have the usual tiny hooks that keep the feather together, leaving the barbs or ‘branches’ loose, and giving the feathers a very soft, smooth feel.
  • Males change color during the breeding season, their skin turning bright red, signaling to the hens that they are ready to mate.
  • One ostrich egg weighs as much as 24 or so chicken eggs.
  • Ostriches peck curiously at small, shiny objects, being attracted to them.
  • In Nairobi National Park, one communal ostrich nest had 78 eggs from different females.
  • Lacking teeth, ostriches ingest pebbles in order to grind their food, with an adult ostrich carrying in its stomach about 1 kg of stones.

References

1. Ostrich Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_ostrich
2. Ostrich on The IUCN Red List site - http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/45020636/0

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