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.

Diurnal

Herbivore

Granivore

Terrestrial

Flightless bird

Precocial

Grazing

Sedentary

Cursorial

Polygyny

Social

Flocking

starts with

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.

Geography

Continents

Africa, Oceania

Subcontinents

North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa

Countries

Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Introduced Countries

Australia, Swaziland

Biome

Tropical savanna

Desert and Xeric Shrublands

Climate zones

Tropical

Arid

Temperate

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, Cursorial

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.

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.

Ostrich

Photos with Ostrich

Distribution

Geography

Biome

Climate zones

Habits and Lifestyle

Diet and Nutrition

Mating Habits

Population

Population threats

Population number

Fun Facts for Kids

References

More Fascinating Animals to Learn About

Ostrich

Photos with Ostrich

Distribution

Geography

Biome

Climate zones

Habits and Lifestyle

Diet and Nutrition

Mating Habits

Population

Population threats

Population number

Fun Facts for Kids

References

Related Animals

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