Where are they found?
Ostriches are native to Africa. They live in the open, arid country of central and eastern Africa. They usually congregate in groups with gnus, antelope, zebra, and other grazing animals and help each other. The Zebras stir up insects and rodents for the Ostrich to eat, and the Ostrich can warn the Zebra of any approaching danger.

What are they?
They are a flightless bird.

What do they look like?
Adults usually weigh between 150 to 330 pounds and stand up to 9 feet tall. A male Ostrich stands between 6 and 9 feet at maturity, while females will range between 5 to 6 feet tall at maturity. Ostrich chicks grow about 10 inches per month for the first year and weigh about 100 pounds at 12 months of age. Males have contrasting bright white and black plumage. The female's plumage is grey. Their lead-blue skin colour usually becomes scarlet over the beak, on the forehead, and around the eyes during the mating season. During hot weather, Ostriches lift and fan their wings, while during cold weather they cover their thighs with their wings.

How long do they live? Ostriches normally live from 30 to 70 years in captivity. What do they eat? Ostriches are omnivorous, but chiefly a daytime browser on fruits, seeds and succulents. They also eat insects, small reptiles and rodents.

Breeding
Females mature about 6 months earlier than the males. Domesticated Ostriches reach maturity at 2 to 3 years of age. The nest for the Ostrich eggs is a shallow depression in the ground that is built mostly by the male. One male may have several females, all of which lay eggs in one nest. The incubation is shared by both sexes. After 40-42 days, the young are hatched. They are fully grown in 18 months, and mature enough to breed themselves at 3 to 4 years.

Are they rare?
Captive breeding populations have been established in various areas of the world. The Ostrich meat and feathers are sold widely, which means they are in no danger of extinction.

Did you know?
Ostriches are the largest living bird in the world. However, ostriches are flightless, though their wings are surprisingly strong.

Ostriches can cover between 16 to 23 feet per stride and maintain speeds between 30 and 50 miles per hour for 30 minutes. It is the only bird to have only 2 toes on each foot.

The Ostrich does not eat metal objects or bury its head in the sand, as myth would have it, but it does frequently rest with the neck outstretched on the ground.