Species Profile
Common Ostrich
Struthio camelus
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernLifespan
30–40 years
Length
210–275 cm
Weight
63000–145000 g
Wingspan
200–250 cm
Migration
Resident
Also known as: Ostrich
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Appearance
The Common Ostrich is a striking bird. Males boast black body feathers contrasted by white wing and tail plumes. Their long, bare necks and legs are pinkish-grey, and their heads are relatively small with large, expressive eyes.
Females are slightly smaller and have duller, brown-grey plumage. Juveniles resemble females but have streaked necks and legs. Both sexes have two-toed feet, which is unique among birds.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Black
- Secondary
- Brown
- Beak
- Pale Yellow
- Legs
- Pink
Female Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Pink
Male Markings
Males have bold black and white plumage, females and young are more drab
Tail: Short and stumpy
Female Markings
Duller plumage compared to males, with brown-grey feathers
Tail: Short and less contrasting
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Common Ostriches inhabit open, arid, and semi-arid landscapes across sub-Saharan Africa. They thrive in grasslands, savannas, and the fringes of deserts, where their excellent vision and speed are advantageous.
While primarily found in East and Southern Africa, including countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa, small populations also exist in West Africa. They are absent from densely forested areas and true deserts.
Distribution
Diet
Behaviour
Ostriches are highly social, often forming large flocks outside the breeding season. They are known for their impressive speed, using their powerful legs to outrun predators.
When threatened, they may also lie flat on the ground to blend in with their surroundings, contrary to the myth of burying their heads in sand.
Calls & Sounds
Nesting & Breeding
Ostriches breed during the dry season. Males perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females. A dominant male may mate with several females, forming a harem.
Nests are simple scrapes in the ground, often in communal nesting areas. The dominant female lays 7-10 cream-coloured eggs, with subordinate females adding their eggs to the clutch, totalling up to 60 eggs per nest.
Incubation lasts about 42 days, with the male primarily incubating at night and the female during the day. Chicks are precocial, able to run within hours of hatching, and remain with their parents for up to a year.
Conservation
Population
Estimated: Unknown
Trend: Decreasing
Populations are decreasing due to habitat loss and hunting
Elevation
Up to 3,000 meters
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- 15cm long and 13cm wide
- Predators:
- Adult ostriches have few natural predators due to their size and speed, but chicks and eggs are vulnerable to lions, hyenas, jackals, and large birds of prey.
- Alarm calls:
- Hissing when threatened
- Breeding age:
- 2-4
- Maturity age:
- 2-4
- Feeding times:
- Mainly in the cooler morning and evening hours
- Major threats:
- Habitat loss, hunting for feathers and meat, and egg collection
- Parental care:
- Females and males take turns incubating; males defend the nest
- Primary calls:
- Booming, hissing, and whistling
- Social habits:
- Gregarious, forming flocks with complex social structures
- Egg appearance:
- Glossy cream-colored with thick shells
- Feeding habits:
- Herbivorous and omnivorous, grazing on plants and occasionally consuming small animals
- Breeding season:
- Varies with location, usually during the dry season
- Diet variations:
- Depends on seasonal availability of food
- Fledging period:
- 3-4 months
- Average lifespan:
- 40-45
- Call description:
- Loud booming noises can be heard up to several kilometers away
- Daily activities:
- Diurnal, spending the day foraging, resting and dust-bathing
- Nesting location:
- Open ground
- Number of broods:
- Up to three, sometimes more
- Incubation period:
- 35-45 days
- Nest construction:
- Shallow depression in earth, sometimes lined with grass and leaves
- Migration patterns:
- Nomadic movements in response to environmental conditions
- Migratory patterns:
- Non-migratory, but can travel extensively for food and water
- Age related changes:
- Males develop more vivid plumage as they mature
- Prey capture method:
- Pecking and grabbing with their beak
- Conservation efforts:
- Conservation areas and breeding programs in place in some regions
- Territorial behavior:
- Territorial during breeding season, with males defending their territories
- Reproductive behavior:
- Polygynous, with dominant males mating with multiple females
- Special dietary needs:
- Requires grit and pebbles to aid digestion
- Clutch characteristics:
- 5-11 eggs, communal nests may have more
- Interaction with other species:
- Generally peaceful but can be aggressive during breeding season
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for ostriches in open grasslands and savannas
- Observe from a safe distance, as they can be aggressive if approached too closely
- Watch for their distinctive gait and tall profile on the horizon
- Visit wildlife reserves in East or Southern Africa for the best viewing opportunities
Did You Know?
- An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.
- They can survive without water for several days, obtaining moisture from their food.
- Ostrich eggs are the largest of any living bird, weighing up to 1.5 kg.
Records & Accolades
Fastest Running Bird
70 km/h (43.5 mph)
Fastest running speed of any bird
Largest Bird
Up to 2.75 m (9 ft) tall and weighing up to 156 kg (344 lb)
Largest and heaviest living bird
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