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Home | Animals | Birds | Ostrich
Ostrich
Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Aves Superorder: Paleognathae Order: Struthioniformes Family: Struthionidae Genus: Struthio Species: S. camelus
Description
The ostrich is a large, flightless bird. It is, in fact, the largest living bird on earth. When full grown, the bird weighs over 250 pounds and stands 98 inches tall. The male ostriches have soft black feathers on its back with white primary feathers on its wings and tail, making him easy to spot. Females and all young ostriches have brownish feathers instead of black to help camoflauge them. Both males and females have bare necks and thighs. This skin is blue or pink in males and pinkish gray in females. They both have long, mobile necks, small heads, large eyes, long, powerful legs, and two toes on each foot. Their voice is either a loud hiss or a booming roar.
Habitat
Ostriches live in the flat areas of Africa that receive low amounts of rainfall.
Diet
Ostriches eat various seeds, grasses, bushes and forage on trees. They suppliment this diet with animal food such as invertebrates and small vertebrates which they chase by running.
Threats
Ostrich chicks have many predators, including the Egyptian vulture, the hyena and the jackal. Only 15 percent of chicks make it to their first birthday, despite having protection from their parents.