Ostrich

Ostriches at a glance

Need to know

• Ostriches are the largest living birds on Earth, reaching up to 2.75 meters in height.
• They can run at speeds up to 70 km/h (43 mph), making them the fastest birds on land.
• Unlike most birds, ostriches cannot fly but have powerful legs for running and defense.
• Ostrich eggs are the largest of any living land animal—up to 15 cm in length and weighing over 1.4 kg.
• Males have striking black-and-white plumage, while females are brown and more camouflaged.

About the Ostriches

Ostriches (genus Struthio) are iconic flightless birds native to the savannas and open landscapes of Africa. They are unmatched in size and speed, being the largest and fastest-running birds alive today. Two living species are widely recognized: the Common Ostrich, found across southern, eastern, and western Africa, and the Somali Ostrich, native to the Horn of Africa. Ostriches possess unique adaptations for survival in harsh conditions, including long, powerful legs, excellent eyesight, and highly efficient thermoregulation. Though they can no longer be found across their historic range—which once included the Middle East and parts of Asia—ostriches remain widespread in protected areas and game reserves. Their eggs, feathers, and leather are culturally and economically significant in several African regions.

Ostriches play vital roles in their ecosystems as both seed dispersers and prey for large predators, such as lions and cheetahs. Though their wild populations are under pressure from habitat loss, hunting, and local conflict, ostrich farming and targeted conservation have helped stabilize their numbers in many areas.

Physical characteristics

Size: 1.8 to 2.75 meters tall. Weight: 90 to 156 kilograms. Lifespan: Average 30 years in wild, up to 45 in captivity.

• Long, bare neck and legs
• Large brown or black eyes with long eyelashes
• Males: bold black and white plumage
• Females: dusty gray-brown coloration
• Enormous, powerful legs with two-toed feet

Notable species

• Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus) — Least Concern. Open savannas, grasslands, semi-arid regions Regions: East Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa, Northeast Africa, Sahel region.
• Somali Ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes) — Vulnerable. Open bushland and arid zones Regions: Horn of Africa, Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya (northern), Eastern Ethiopia.
• North African Ostrich (Extinct in Wild/Remnant Populations) (Struthio camelus camelus) — Critically Endangered (subpopulation, IUCN). Sahelian grasslands and desert margins Regions: Sahara, Sahel, Morocco (reintroductions), Chad, Niger.
• Masai Ostrich (Struthio camelus massaicus) — Least Concern (subspecies). Savannas and open plains Regions: Southern Kenya, Northern Tanzania, Serengeti ecosystem, Maasai Mara, Tsavo National Park.

Habitat and range

Original range: Open savannas, grasslands, and semi-arid regions throughout Africa, with extinct populations formerly in the Middle East and Asia.

Current distribution: Primarily sub-Saharan Africa, some reintroduced populations in North Africa and Morocco; large populations in reserves and on ostrich farms globally.

Preferred environments: Savanna, Open grassland, Semi-desert, Shrubland, Bushland

Regions: East Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa, Horn of Africa, Sahel, Sahara (reintroduction sites)

Where to see Ostriches

• Serengeti National Park, Tanzania — June to October. Best seen on open plains during the dry season.
• Kruger National Park, South Africa — May to September. Often seen near waterholes and open grassland.
• Awash National Park, Ethiopia — November to February. Good for seeing Somali Ostriches in arid bushland.

Behavior and diet

Diet: Primarily herbivorous: grasses, seeds, leaves, flowers, fruits; occasionally insects, lizards, or small invertebrates.

Social structure: Live in small groups of 5-50, often mixed-sex; dominant alpha males with harems and subordinate males; form larger flocks during mating season or near water.

Communication: Use deep booming calls, hisses, and body language such as feather displays and head movements; males display wings to attract females.

• Males perform elaborate dancing and wing-flapping displays to attract mates.
• Females lay eggs in communal nests (one ‘major’ hen’s eggs are central and best incubated).
• Adults use their wings for balance and to help steer at high speed.
• They swallow pebbles to aid digestion in the gizzard.

Interactions with other animals

• Lion (predator): Lions occasionally prey on ostriches, particularly juveniles or incubating adults.
• Cheetah (predator): Cheetahs may hunt ostrich chicks but usually avoid adults due to their speed and defensive kicks.
• Zebra (competitive): Ostriches and zebras often browse together and use each other as additional eyes for detecting predators.
• Jackal (predator/scavenger): Jackals prey on ostrich eggs and sometimes chicks.

Conservation

IUCN Red List status: Least Concern (overall)

Threats

• Habitat loss and fragmentation
• Overhunting for feathers, skin, and meat
• Egg collection
• Competition with livestock
• Climate change impacts in arid regions

Conservation efforts

• Establishment of major reserves and protected areas
• Ostrich farming to reduce pressure on wild populations
• Reintroduction programs in North African countries
• Legal regulation of ostrich product trade

How to help

• Support African wildlife conservation organizations
• Avoid purchasing products made from wild ostrich eggs, feathers, or leather
• Promote sustainable tourism that respects protected reserves
• Raise awareness about habitat conservation needs

Ostriches facts for kids

Ostriches are the biggest birds on Earth, but they can't fly! They have long necks, huge eyes, and can run super fast—faster than most cars in a city. You're most likely to spot them running across grassy plains in Africa.

• Ostriches can run as fast as a car on a city street—up to 70 km/h!
• One ostrich egg is as big as two dozen chicken eggs put together.
• Male ostriches do a funny dance to attract girlfriends.
• They can give powerful kicks to defend themselves.
• Instead of teeth, ostriches swallow stones to help mash up their food.

Did you know? Did you know an ostrich's eyes are bigger than any other land animal—even bigger than its own brain?

Watch & learn

• Ostrich: The World's Largest Bird | African Wildlife Documentary — BBC Earth. This documentary features the incredible adaptations and behaviors of ostriches in the African savanna, including their speed, size, and unique survival strategies. The cinematography captures these birds in dramatic interactions with their environment and predators.
• Ostrich Survival Tactics | Big, Bold, and Fast — National Geographic Wild. Explore the remarkable strategies ostriches use to defend themselves and their young in the wild, with striking footage that highlights their impressive speed and unique nesting habits.
• Ostrich Intelligence and Parenting | Africa's Tallest Bird — Smithsonian Channel. Delve into the social lives of ostriches with a focus on their intelligent parenting behaviors, herd dynamics, and the way they interact with other African fauna.
• Inside the Ostrich: Unique Biology of an African Icon — PBS Nature. This episode uncovers the anatomy and biology behind the world's largest bird, investigating how ostriches run so fast, survive harsh climates, and thrive in their environment.
• Giant Birds: The Ostrich in Action — BBC Earth. Experience the daily challenges of ostrich life, from escaping predators to raising chicks, portrayed through stunning high-definition footage and the captivating storytelling that BBC Earth is known for.