Birds · Struthioniformes · Struthionidae

Common Ostrich

Struthio camelus

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

It is the largest and heaviest living bird in the world, and the fastest on land of any bird, running at over 60 km/h. It cannot fly, but a single kick can be lethal to a predator.

Weight

up to 156.5 kg

Size

up to 2.8 m

Lifespan

40 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

Herd

Lives in large groups as a strategy against predators.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

SavannaOmnivore Diurnal In herds Bird Savanna

43countries 18parks1same family

Fun facts

The ostrich egg is the largest in the world: about 1.5 kg and 16 cm long.
It can run at over 60 km/h, the fastest land speed of any bird.
Several hens lay their eggs in a single communal nest.
anatomíaIt has the largest eyes of any land bird — each one bigger than its own brain.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - non-pneumatised bony skeleton (flightless bird)
Habitat & environment: Savanna, open grassland and semi-desert country of Africa
Birth weight: Hatches after 35-46 days of incubation, in mottled down
Size at birth: The ostrich egg is the largest in the world: ~1.5 kg and 16 cm long
Sexual maturity: 3-4 years
Gestation / incubation: 35-46 days of incubation (sources give between 40 and 48 days depending on the population)
Litter / clutch size: A communal clutch of 15-60 eggs from several females; the main hen may lay up to 11
Lifespan in captivity: Up to 40-50 years in captivity