# Ostrich (*Struthio camelus*) The Ostrich is the largest bird in the world! They can't fly, but they can run super fast—up to 45 miles per hour! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Savannas and open grasslands - **Also known as:** Camelus ![Ostrich](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424487/objects/4653.jpg) ## Appearance The Ostrich is the world's largest bird, known for its incredibly long neck and legs, and small head with huge eyes. Males have striking black feathers with white tail plumes and wingtips, while females are duller grey-brown. It is visually distinct from other large birds by its two-toed feet. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Struthioniformes - **Family:** Struthionidae - **Genus:** Struthio ## Interesting facts - Male ostriches perform a unique dance, bowing and flapping wings, to attract a female mate. - Ostrich males and females bravely share the job of incubating their enormous eggs. - Ostriches swallow small stones, called gastroliths, to help grind up tough food in their stomachs! - Their booming call sounds exactly like a lion's roar and can be heard from far away! ## Special abilities - **Speed Demon:** Ostrich can run up to 70 km/h because its powerful, long legs help it quickly escape from predators. - **Mighty Kicker:** Ostrich has incredibly strong legs that deliver a powerful forward kick, helping them defend against dangerous threats. - **Desert Drinker:** Ostrich can go many days without drinking fresh water, because it gets enough moisture from the plants it eats. - **Two-Toed Trekker:** Ostrich has only two toes on each foot, which helps them run faster and gives them better balance. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 210-280 cm - **Wingspan:** 180-200 cm - **Weight:** 63-145 kg - **Lifespan:** 30-40 years - **Speed:** 70 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 15-60 - **Incubation:** 35-45 days ## Diet & Feeding Ostriches are amazing foragers, eating mostly plants but also insects, seeds, and even small lizards! - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Shrubs, Seeds, Fruits, Insects, Lizards - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Lion (*Panthera leo*) — Lions are major predators, often hunting adult ostriches. - **Eaten by:** [Spotted Hyena](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-hyena) (*Crocuta crocuta*) — Hyenas frequently prey on ostrich eggs and young chicks. - **Eats:** Umbrella Thorn Acacia (*Acacia tortilis*) — Ostriches browse on the leaves, flowers, and pods of acacia trees. - **Eats:** [White-backed Vulture](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-backed-vulture) (*Gyps africanus*) — Vultures scavenge ostrich carcasses and sometimes consume unattended eggs. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment. - [Savanna](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/savanna): This habitat trait denotes species native to savannas, which are grasslands with scattered trees, typically found in tropical or subtropical regions with distinct wet and dry seasons. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ostrich? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Ostrich? 210-280 cm ### What is Ostrich's wingspan? 180-200 cm ### How much does Ostrich weigh? 63-145 kg ### How long does Ostrich live? 30-40 years ### How fast can Ostrich move? 70 km/h ### What does Ostrich eat? Ostriches are amazing foragers, eating mostly plants but also insects, seeds, and even small lizards! ### Where is Ostrich usually found? Savannas and open grasslands ## Where to spot - [Cape May County Park & Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cape-may-county-park-and-zoo) — New Jersey, US · Zoo - [Fota Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fota-wildlife-park) — Municipal District of Cobh, IE · Zoo - [Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/natural-bridge-wildlife-ranch) — Texas, US · Zoo - [The Maryland Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/the-maryland-zoo) — Maryland, US · Zoo - [Binder Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/binder-park-zoo) — Michigan, US · Zoo - [Busch Gardens Tampa](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/busch-gardens-tampa) — Florida, US · Zoo [View all places to see Ostrich](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/ostrich) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Ostrich: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ostrich)