Common Ostrich Bird Facts (Struthio camelus)

Visual Identification

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.

Size

Length

210cm to 275cm

Wingspan

200cm to 250cm

Weight

63kg to 145kg

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Black White

Secondary Colour

Brown Grey

Beak Colour

Pale Yellow Grey

Leg Colour

Pink Grey

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour (Female)

White

Beak Colour (Female)

Grey

Leg Colour (Female)

Pink Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Common Ostrich is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Common Ostrich is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Common Ostrich is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Common Ostrich is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Common Ostrich is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Common Ostrich is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Common Ostrich can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Common Ostrich can be found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Common Ostrich is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Common Ostrich is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Common Ostrich is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Common Ostrich can be found in Savanna habitats.

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.

Elevation Range

Up to 3,000 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical, Arid

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Common Ostrich. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Algeria Angola Australia Botswana Burkina Faso Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Djibouti Egypt Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia Kenya Mali Mauritania Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Senegal South Africa South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Common Ostrich exhibits remarkable agility for its size, capable of sprinting at speeds up to 70 km/h (43 mph). Its long, powerful legs and two-toed feet enable swift changes in direction, crucial for evading predators in open habitats.

Strength 90

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As the world's largest bird, the ostrich possesses formidable strength. Its muscular legs can deliver powerful kicks, capable of seriously injuring potential predators. The bird's size and strength allow it to carry up to 145 kg, showcasing its robust build.

Adaptability 75

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Ostriches demonstrate good adaptability, thriving in various open habitats from grasslands to semi-arid regions. Their ability to survive without water for several days and their omnivorous diet contribute to their adaptability. However, they are limited to specific habitat types, reducing their overall adaptability score.

Aggressiveness 70

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While generally not aggressive, ostriches can display significant aggression when threatened or during breeding season. Males, in particular, may fiercely defend their territory and mates. Their powerful kicks make them formidable opponents, but they typically prefer flight over fight when given the option.

Endurance 80

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Ostriches possess impressive endurance, adapted for life in harsh African environments. Their ability to maintain high speeds over long distances, survive without water for extended periods, and thrive in hot climates demonstrates remarkable stamina. However, they are not migratory, which slightly limits their endurance rating.

Diet

Ostriches are omnivorous, primarily feeding on plants, including leaves, seeds, and fruits. They also consume insects, small reptiles, and rodents. Their diet is supplemented by pebbles, which they swallow to aid in grinding food in their gizzards.

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.

Vocalisation

Despite their size, ostriches are relatively quiet birds. Males produce a deep, booming call during courtship or territorial disputes, often described as a 'boom' or 'hum'. Females and chicks make soft hissing or whistling sounds when alarmed.

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 and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While listed as Least Concern globally, some ostrich populations face threats from habitat loss and hunting. Conservation efforts focus on sustainable farming practices and protecting wild populations in national parks and reserves across Africa.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

Unknown

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Ostrich

Family:

Struthionidae

Average Lifespan

30 to 40 years

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.

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.