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
Algeria
Angola
Australia
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
Djibouti
Egypt
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Israel
Official estimate
Kenya
Libya
Official estimate
Mali
Mauritania
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Senegal
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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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
