Struthio camelus

The common ostrich is the world’s largest bird and a remarkable resident of Africa’s savannas and open plains. Known for their long legs, large eyes, and powerful running abilities, ostriches are built for speed and survival in wide-open landscapes.

Common ostriches live in grasslands, savannas, and semi-desert regions where they can spot predators from far away. Their long legs allow them to run up to 45 miles per hour, and their large wings help them balance while sprinting. Ostriches cannot fly, but they are excellent runners and can cover long distances with ease.

Ostriches are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their diet includes grasses, seeds, flowers, and occasionally insects or small animals. They swallow small stones to help grind food in their muscular stomachs.

These birds are social animals and live in groups called flocks, which provide safety and allow them to work together to watch for predators. Female ostriches lay the largest eggs of any living bird, and both males and females take turns incubating them.

Ostriches play an important role in their ecosystem. Their grazing helps maintain healthy grasslands, and their nests provide food for scavengers once hatched. By spreading seeds through their droppings, they also support plant growth across their habitats.

Did You Know?

Ostriches can live up to 40–50 years and can weigh more than 300 pounds! Their eyes are the largest of any land animal, giving them excellent vision to spot predators. Their kicks are powerful enough to defend themselves against lions and other large predators.