Common Ostrich

Least Concern

Struthio camelus

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This flightless giant, standing up to 9 feet tall, roams the African savanna with surprising speed and grace.

Visual Identification

Common Ostrich

Common Ostrich

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

Special Accolades

Fastest Running Bird

Fastest running speed of any bird

Record: 70 km/h (43.5 mph)

Largest Bird

Largest and heaviest living bird

Record: Up to 2.75 m (9 ft) tall and weighing up to 156 kg (344 lb)

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

Garden

Wetland

Coastal

Urban

Farmland

Grassland

Desert

Tundra

Rainforest

Mountain

Savanna

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

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85
Strength 90
Adaptability 75
Aggressiveness 70
Endurance 80

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.

Lifespan

Typical Lifespan Range 30 - 40 years
0
11
21
32
42

years

The Common Ostrich typically lives for 30 to 40 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

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

Decreasing

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

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Ostrich

Family:

Struthionidae

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?

  1. An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.
  2. They can survive without water for several days, obtaining moisture from their food.
  3. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any living bird, weighing up to 1.5 kg.

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References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2018. Struthio camelus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T45020636A132189458.

    View source