To most people an ostrich is just a big bird that can’t fly. But to those in the know ostriches are so much more than that. These fascinating creatures have been the subject of fascination for centuries and their unique features have made them a popular choice for zoos farms and even as pets. Here we’re going to take a look at everything you need to know about ostriches from their anatomy and diet to their reproduction and lifecycle.
An ostrich is a large bird that is native to Africa. The largest and heaviest living bird an ostrich can weigh up to 156 kg (345 lb) and can be up to 2.8 m (9.2 ft) tall. The ostrich is the only living member of the genus Struthio which is a member of the ratite family. Ostriches are classified as flightless birds meaning they are unable to fly due to their lack of a keel on their breastbone.
Ostriches are herbivorous animals meaning they primarily feed on plants. Their diet consists of leaves flowers buds berries and seeds. Ostriches will also occasionally eat insects small lizards and other small animals.
Ostriches are monogamous animals meaning they will mate with one partner for their lifetime. The male ostrich will build a nest for the female to lay her eggs in. Once the eggs are laid the male will take sole responsibility for incubating them. Once the chicks hatch they will be cared for by both parents until they are old enough to fend for themselves.
The lifespan of an ostrich is anywhere from 30 to 40 years in the wild. In captivity however ostriches can live up to 50 years or more.
Now that we’ve taken a look at some of the basics about ostriches let’s dive a little deeper into their anatomy and physiology.
The ostrich is a digitigrade animal meaning it walks on its toes instead of its whole foot. This is an adaptation that allows the ostrich to run faster. In fact the ostrich is the fastest two-legged animal in the world capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h (43 mph).
The ostrich has a long neck and legs and its head is relatively small in comparison to its body. The ostrich’s eyes are large and dark and they are positioned so that the ostrich can see in front of and behind it at the same time. The ostrich’s beak is curved and sharp and its tongue is black.
The ostrich’s wings are small and winglets. The primary function of the ostrich’s wings is to help the bird balance while running. The ostrich also uses its wings for courtship displays and to shade its chicks from the sun.
The ostrich’s feathers are black with white stripes. The feathers on the ostrich’s wings and tail are used for displays during courtship rituals. The ostrich’s plumage is also used for camouflage as the bird’s feathers help it blend in with the dusty terrain of the African plains.
The ostrich’s feet are large and have two toes. The inner toe is longer than the outer toe and both toes are covered in a tough horny material. The ostrich uses its toes for balance and the claws on its toes are used for self-defense.
Now that we’ve examined the ostrich’s anatomy let’s take a look at its life cycle.
The ostrich lays its eggs in a nest that is built by the male. The female will lay anywhere from 1 to 3 eggs and the incubation period is between 42 and 46 days. The chicks are born covered in down and they are able to fend for themselves within a few weeks.
Ostriches reach sexual maturity at 2 to 4 years of age. The lifespan of an ostrich is 30 to 40 years in the wild and up to 50 years in captivity.
Now that we’ve learned about the ostrich’s anatomy diet and life cycle let’s take a look at some of the more interesting facts about these fascinating creatures.
Ostriches are the largest and heaviest living bird in the world.
The ostrich is the fastest two-legged animal in the world capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h (43 mph).
The ostrich has the largest eyes of any land animal.
Ostriches can go for long periods of time without drinking water.
Ostriches can live up to 50 years in captivity.
The ostrich is the national bird of Ethiopia.
Ostriches are farmed for their meat skin and feathers.
Ostriches are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world.
Now that we’ve looked at some of the many interesting facts about ostriches we hope you’ve come to appreciate these fascinating creatures even more.
How much does an ostrich weigh?
150-300 pounds
How many eggs does an ostrich lay?
10-12 per clutch
How fast can an ostrich run?
43 mph
What is the largest bird in the world?
The ostrich
What does an ostrich eat?
Omnivorous; plants seeds insects lizards rodents
How tall is an ostrich?
8-9 feet
What is the lifespan of an ostrich?
30-40 years
How many toes does an ostrich have?
2
What is the top speed of an ostrich?
70 mph
What is the name of the largest bird in the world?
The ostrich
What is the average weight of an ostrich?
150-300 pounds
What is the average height of an ostrich?
8-9 feet
What is the average lifespan of an ostrich?
30-40 years
What is the maximum speed of an ostrich?
70 mph
How many eggs does an ostrich typically lay?
10-12 per clutch
