Common ostrich

Arabian ostrich, 1 of 4 subspecies, was hunted to extinction in mid-20th century

Yathin S Krishnappa


Common ostrich

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Arabian ostrich, 1 of 4 subspecies, was hunted to extinction in mid-20th century

Population 150,000

The Common ostrich stands as a living monument to the avian world’s incredible diversity and adaptability. As the largest and heaviest bird that walks the Earth, the common ostrich is a non-flying bird with a suite of fascinating biological features.

Reaching heights of up to 2.8 meters (9 feet) and weighing as much as 156 kilograms (344 pounds), the common ostrich dwarfs all other bird species in size. Their eyes complement their size, the largest of any land vertebrate, measuring around 5 centimeters (1.97 inches) in diameter. These large eyes are not just a striking feature; they provide the ostrich with exceptional visual acuity to spot potential predators from great distances.

The eggs laid by a common ostrich are the largest of any living bird, each one equivalent in size to about 24 chicken eggs. These eggs are a marvel in themselves, with thick shells that can support the weight of an adult human.

Unique among birds, ostriches have just two toes on each foot. One toe bears a formidable claw, up to 10 centimeters (3.94 inches) in length, which serves as an effective defense mechanism. These powerful legs and feet can deliver strong kicks capable of deterring predators, including lions.

Ostriches’ dietary habits are as unusual as their physiology. They are omnivores, consuming a variety of plant matter, insects, and small animals. Lacking teeth, ostriches swallow pebbles and sand to aid in the grinding of food within their gizzard, a specialized stomach structure. This sometimes misunderstood behavior has led to the myth that ostriches bury their heads in the sand. In reality, when ostriches feed on the ground or tend to their eggs in the nest, their head-and-neck alignment with the soil can create the optical illusion of “head-burying.”

The common ostrich is native to various African savannah and Sahel environments, from open plains to desert edges. While they have no natural predators as adults, their eggs and young are vulnerable to a range of carnivores.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Algeria
2018
Angola
2018
Australia
2018
Introduced
Botswana
2018
Burkina Faso
2018
Cameroon
2018
Central Af. Rep.
2018
Chad
2018
Djibouti
2018
Egypt
2018
Eritrea
2018
Eswatini
2018
Introduced
Ethiopia
2018
Israel
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 1920s
Kenya
2018
Libya
Official estimate
EX
Extinct locally
Mali
2018
Mauritania
2018
Mozambique
2018
Namibia
2018
Niger
2018
Nigeria
2018
Senegal
2018
South Africa
2018
South Sudan
2018
Sudan
2018
Tanzania
2018
Uganda
2018
Zambia
2018
Zimbabwe
2018

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No