Animals On Earth: Africa

Ostrich

The common ostrich (Struthio camelus), or simply ostrich, is a of native to certain large areas of Africa. It is one of two extant species of ostriches, the only living members of the in the order of birds. The other is the (Struthio molybdophanes), which was recognized as a distinct species by in 2014 having been previously considered a distinctive subspecies of ostrich.

The common ostrich belongs to the . Struthioniformes previously contained all the ratites, such as the , , , and . However, recent genetic analysis has found that the group is not monophyletic, as it is paraphyletic with respect to the , so the ostriches are now classified as the only members of the order. studies have shown that it is the sister group to all other members of and thus the flighted tinamous are the sister group to the extinct . It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs, and can run for a long time at a speed of 55 km/h (34 mph) with short bursts up to about 70 km/h (43 mph), the fastest land speed of any bird. The common ostrich is the of bird and . It lays of any living bird (the extinct giant elephant bird (Aepyornis maximus) of and the south island giant moa (Dinornis robustus) of New Zealand laid larger eggs). Ostriches are the most dangerous birds on the planet, with an average of two to three deaths being recorded each year in .

The common ostrich's diet consists mainly of plant matter, though it also eats and small reptiles. It lives in nomadic groups of 5 to 50 birds. When threatened, the ostrich will either hide itself by lying flat against the ground or run away. If cornered, it can attack with a kick of its powerful legs. Mating patterns differ by geographical region, but territorial males fight for a harem of two to seven females.

The common ostrich is around the world, particularly for its feathers, which are decorative and are also used as . Its skin is used for products and its meat is marketed commercially, with its leanness a common marketing point.

Under natural conditions, a female ostrich lays 12–18 eggs. Under farm conditions, young females produce 10–20 eggs in the first year and from 40 to 130 eggs annually (most often 40–60 eggs) in subsequent years.

Although ostriches are not predators that typically seek out or go after small animals, they will scavenge and eat remains of animals that are left by carnivorous predators. In the wild, ostriches will consume mice, rats, snakes, lizards, grasshoppers, crickets and moths.

Male ostriches are called cocks or roosters, and females are called hens. A group of ostriches is called a flock.

Did you know ostriches are the fastest running birds in the WORLD? They can continuously run at speeds of 30-37 mph and can sprint up to 43 mph in short bursts!

Ostriches can swim, but it's not a common behavior. However, ostriches are sometimes spotted cooling off in rivers, pools, and lakes on exceptionally hot days

The common ostrich is the largest and heaviest living bird. Males stand 2.1 to 2.75 m (6 ft 11 in to 9 ft 0 in) tall and weigh 100 to 130 kg (220 to 290 lb), whereas females are about 1.75 to 1.9 m (5 ft 9 in to 6 ft 3 in) tall and weigh 90 to 120 kg (200 to 260 lb). While exceptional male ostriches (in the nominate subspecies) can weigh up to 156.8 kg (346 lb), some specimens in South Africa can only weigh between 59.5 to 81.3 kg (131 to 179 lb). New chicks are in color, with dark brown spots. After three months they start to gain their juvenile plumage, which is steadily replaced by adult-like plumage during their second year. At four or five months old, they are already about half the size of an adult bird, and after a year they reach adult height, but not till they are 18 months old will they be fully as heavy as their parents.