Birds Posters
Ostrich
The Ostrich, (Struthio camelus), is a large flightless bird native to Africa.
It is the only living species of its family, Struthionidae and its genus, Struthio.
Ostriches share the order Struthioniformes with the kiwis, emus, and other ratites.
It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at maximum speeds of about 70 km/h (45 mph), the top land speed of any bird.
The Ostrich is the largest living species of bird and lays the largest egg of any living bird (extinct elephant birds of Madagascar and the giant moa of New Zealand laid larger eggs).
Ostriches are currently restricted to drier and sandy regions of central and southern Africa.
Huge (stands 2 m tall), terrestrial bird. Males are black and white, females gray brown.
Exact pattern varies geographically. Ostriches form bisexual groups with a complex structure. Territorial males compete for flocks of 3 to 5 hens.
Elaborate displays, including hisses and other noises, are often used by males to intimidate each other.
Once divided into mating groups, ostriches in some areas use communal nests to hold anywhere from 15 to 60 eggs.
Ostriches live in flocks of 5 to 50, and they are normally found in the company of grazing animals like antelope and zebras.
Flocks occupy territories of 2-15 sq km during the breeding season, which lasts around 5 months.
Another characteristic of ostriches is that they are very fond of water. They frequently take baths when given the opportunity.
Ostriches are herbivorous living mostly on plant matter, but they occasionally eat animal remains left by carnivorous predators.
They are very selective feeders, taking the seed heads of grasses and certain flowers and seeds.
They sometimes eat locusts. An ostrich in captivity requires 3.5 kg of food per day. They can survive without water for long periods of time.
Ostriches were often killed for the use of their hides, which makes a fine leather, and their feathers.
Their eggs, which are equivalent to 24 fowl eggs, are eaten by animals as well as humans.
African tribes use ostrich shells as a means of holding water for bathing and drinking.