Ostrich

The ostrich is unique in many ways. It is the world's largest bird, it can run faster than any other two-legged animal, and it lays the largest eggs of any living creature!

Habits
Depending on the amount of grass and food available, ostriches will live in a variety of habitats such as wooded areas, savannah grasslands, and semideserts. Outside the breeding season, adult ostriches spend their time in small groups of 2-5 birds. They travel great distances to find food and to avoid droughts.

Food and Feeding
The ostrich feeds on scarce but nutritious plant shoots, leaves, flowers, and seeds. With its long neck, it gathers food and stores it in its throat, called a gullet, before passing it down to its digestive tract. Like many other birds, the ostrich also swallows dirt, sand, and small stones along with its food. This material grinds up the tough plant fibers that are in its gizzard (the second stomach) and also helps with digestion. While grazing, ostriches scan the horizon for any sign of predators.

Breeding
During breeding season, each male pairs up with a female- the major hen- who chooses where to nest were she can lay up to 12 eggs. 2-5 additional hens also lay their eggs in the same nest because of its size. Soon after hatching, the brood joins up with other broods from other nests, and the large flock of chicks are guarded by 1 or 2 adults.

Ostrich and Man
Ostriches were onced farmed for their feathers, which were used as hat plumes. Today they are raised for their meat and skin. They have also been trained to scare other birds away from crops, and to round up sheep, aswell as to be ridden in races. Many of the ostriches being farmed escaped and started breeding in the wild.

Key Facts

Sizes
Height: Males, 6-9 ft. Females, 5-6 ft.
Weight:Males, up to 350 lb. Female, up to 200 lb

Breeding
Mating season: Varies.
Eggs: 10-12, cream or white
Incubation:About 42 days
Fledging:4-5 months

Lifestyle
Habit:Usually forms small groups
Diet:Grass, seeds, leaves, and flowers.
Lifespan:Over 40 years

Related Species
Nearest relatives are rheas, cassowaries, kiwis, and emus