The ostrich is a member of the ratite family of birds all of which have a flat breastbone that lacks the keel to which wing muscles attach in flying birds. The ostrich is the largest living bird. It is distinctive in its appearance with a long neck and legs and (in the male) long bare legs with powerful clawed feet. The ostrich is the fastest two-legged animal on land and can cover 10 to 16 feet in a single stride.
The ostrich is native to Africa and occurs in the wild in a number of African countries. The common ostrich is the best known but there are two other species the red-necked ostrich and the Somali ostrich. All three species are similar in appearance but the red-necked ostrich is slightly larger than the common ostrich and has red plumage on its neck and legs. The Somali ostrich is the smallest of the three and has blue-gray plumage.
Ostriches are omnivorous and eat a variety of plant and animal matter. Their diet consists of seeds fruits leaves stems roots flowers and insects. They also eat small mammals reptiles and birds.
When an ostrich is frightened it will often lay its head and neck flat on the ground. This behavior is thought to be a form of camouflage as the long neck and legs make the ostrich look like a part of the landscape.
The ostrich is a social bird and typically lives in groups of 10 to 50 individuals. These groups are called flocks and are usually made up of females and their young with a few adult males. The males are generally larger than the females and have more plumage.
The ostrich is polygamous and will mate with multiple females. The male will build a nest for the female to lay her eggs in and will help to incubate them. After about two months the chicks will hatch. The chicks are born with a downy feathers and are able to walk and run soon after hatching. They will stay with their mother for several months before striking out on their own.
ostriches are interesting creatures and there is a lot to learn about them. If you want to find out more be sure to check out some of the references below.
References:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostrich
2. https://www.britannica.com/animal/ostrich
3. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/o/ostrich/
What is the name of the process where a baby ostrich is born?
Hatching
