Habitat:

Ostriches inhabit the Sahara, Somalia, Ethiopia and parts of East and Southern Africa. They are found in sparsely wooded areas, savannah grassland or areas of semi-desert where there is sufficient grass or vegetation.

Description:

The male is black with white wing tips whilst the female is brown in colour. They have two toes; one is long with a short nail whilst the other is short with no nail. They can grow up to 2.5m tall and weigh up to 155kgs.

Status:

Least Concern

Interesting facts:

• The ostrich is the world’s largest bird.
• Group structure: A breeding male will have a primary female partner but will allow up to 5 females to lay eggs in the nest. Each female can lay up to 14 eggs.
• The female’s egg is the largest of any living species with an incubation period of 42 days.
• Commonly the male takes the night watch on the eggs as he is better camouflaged whilst the female resembling the natural daylight terrain takes her turn during the day.
• Diet: Grasses, seeds and insects.
• When alarmed the ostrich can sprint up to 60kms per hour.
• Lifespan: 50 – 70 years.
• The Ostrich brain is roughly the same size as it’s eye.
• Ostrich parents fight to steal each other’s chicks with the perception of future ‘strength in numbers’.