Ostrich
QUICK FACTS
Scientific Name
Struthio camelus
Species Survival Plan
No
Habitat
Open semi-arid plains and woodlands
Predators
Chicks - Egyptian vulture, hyena and jackal
Food
Roots, leaves, flowers, fruit, seeds, locusts, insects, lizards and small tortoises
Originally Native To
Africa
Height
72 - 96 inches tall
Weight
340 lb.
Characteristics
Very long bare neck and legs; the only bird with two toes; males are black with white wings and tail feathers, females are brown with “dirty” white wings and tail feathers
Gestation Period
42 - 48 days
Offspring
6 - 8 eggs
Birth Season
April - October
Lifespan
Wild ?
Captivity 20 - 70 years
Social Behavior
Flocks of 5 - 50 birds
About Ostrich
The ostrich is the world’s largest living bird. Its weight, small wings and weak wing muscles combine to make it flightless. Ostriches use their wings mainly for communication, elaborate courtship displays and to help them turn or brake when running.
An ostrich can maintain a speed of 30 mph for 30 minutes and can attain a top speed of 43 mph. Their strides can reach 16 feet in length.
Ostriches sometimes join groups of antelope, zebra and wildebeest. With the mammals’ sense of smell and the birds’ elevated eyes and excellent vision, these groups are often successful at detecting predators. When cornered, the ostrich can deliver a very powerful kick that can disembowel a lion.
Ostriches breed in the spring and are polygamous. Mating takes place after an elaborate courtship display. The male makes the nest – a scrape in the sand about three feet across and one foot deep.
The “major hen” lays an egg in the nest first, followed by any “minor hens.” They each lay up to 12 eggs over a three-week period. A hen can lay about 70 eggs each year.
Each egg weighs about two pounds and has a thick ivory-colored shell. The egg is the equivalent of about 18-24 chicken eggs. Many animals and humans eat the eggs, and the African people use the shells for holding water.
The male, which is black in color, sits on the nest at night. Only the major hen sits on the nest during the day when her lighter brown coloration provides better camouflage.
They turn the eggs regularly and somehow manage to keep the major hen’s eggs in the middle of the nest where they have the best chance for survival. Incubation takes 42-48 days.
A baby ostrich is well-developed and active as soon as it is hatched. It is about the size of a domestic hen. The male and major hen share the responsibility of raising and protecting the chicks.
Loud booming calls can be heard by the males when displaying or at night when a predator is near. Some farmers use ostriches as guard animals instead of dogs.
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ANYTHING YOU GIVE HELPS THE ANIMALS
As a private nonprofit corporation, Fossil Rim does not receive national or state government support. Every cent spent or donated here goes in some way, directly or indirectly, toward the care of our animals.