Facts About the Ostrich
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Facts About the Ostrich

The ostrich is one of the strangest animals on the Earth. It is unique to Africa and only seen in other countries in Zoos. Ostriches and their eggs are very large. In fact, the ostrich is the largest living bird on Earth, they can grow taller than a human. Despite the large size of ostriches, they are still able to outrun most of their predators.

Ostriches are animals unique to the continent of Africa. They are large birds who descended from an even larger family of birds. Ostriches are one of the birds who are unable to fly due to their large size, although their ability to run at a fast pace makes up for this disability. It is said that the brain of the ostrich is smaller than its eye, although ostriches show some intelligent behaviour.

The eggs of the ostrich can be as long as 6 inches and wide as 4 inches. The ostrich egg can weigh up to 3 pounds; it is the world’s biggest egg.

Why does the ostrich hide its head?

Image source: http://www.ostrichheadinsand.com/images/ostrich_head_in_sand.jpg

Some people believe that the ostriches bury their head in the sand when they are frightened or chased by predators. They believe that this behaviour is influenced by the size of their brain. But actually, the ostrich is actually protecting her eggs. She buries her eggs and since her head is under the ground her body will look like an uninteresting thorn bush to predators.

Why can’t the ostrich fly?

The ostrich is the largest living bird on the earth. It can grow taller than a human being.  The ostrich is heavy and big, it also has small wings which cannot support the ostrich’s weight. The long legs of the ostrich gives him the ability to run at a fast pace and be able to make a quick getaway.

How do ostriches defend their selves?

Image Source: http://africafreak.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Running-ostrich.jpg

Ostriches can run up to 60 miles an hour; this is actually faster than the speed of how a bird could fly.  Ostriches could simply outrun other runners and predators. When the predator comes close it uses its large legs. With the large legs of the ostrich it is able to bring forth a powerful kick to its predators.

Ostriches also show a very interesting behaviour to protect their young. When an ostrich sees a predator coming, it acts like it is injured and cries. The lion would think that it would be an easy catch and the ostrich is unable defend herself, this is where the ostrich deliver a strong kick.

The feathers of a female ostrich are slightly coloured brown which allows them to blend perfectly on the desert sand. The female ostrich guards her eggs during daytime. The male ostrich on the other hand has a mixture of shiny black feathers and curly white plumes. This colour is easily seen at day time that is why the male ostrich protects his egg during the night time where this colour can blend in.

Extra Fact

Ostriches usually travel along with other animals to act like a sentry tower. While the other animals are storming through the field making insects leave and be prone to the ostrich, the ostrich will watch over the animals because of their long necks which can see farther.

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Comments (6)

I never knew this. Thanks for the lesson.

Very entertaining and informative. Thank you.

I also didn't know most of this about ostriches.  A great article on these fascinating (and very fast!) birds :D

Ranked #3 in Birds

Great article.  Loved reading about this bird.

Keep writing about animals. I like animals.

Good work. Thanks for sharing this, Gerard.