Animal Profiles
Birds

Ostrich

Struthio camelus

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The common ostrich is a large, ground-dwelling African bird. It lives in open country, feeding mostly on plants and gathering in social groups.

Struthio camelus (ostrich)

Yathin S Krishnappa · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Common ostriches occupy dry, open landscapes in sub-Saharan Africa, including grasslands and scrub.
Habitat
Savanna, Grassland, Desert
Diet
Herbivore
Food
Seeds, grass seed heads, leaves and flowers form most meals; insects are sometimes eaten.

Classification

Common name
Ostrich
Browse group
Birds
Scientific name or taxon
Struthio camelus
Taxon rank
species
Order
Struthioniformes
Family
Struthionidae
Genus
Struthio
Source classification
Aves

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Measurements

Size and speed

Weight
90 to 130 kg adult range reported by ADW

Typical adult ranges. Source: Animal Diversity Web.

Three things to know

  • Males have contrasting black and white plumage.
  • Females are mostly grey-brown.
  • Several females may use a shared nest.

Habitat and range

Common ostriches occupy dry, open landscapes in sub-Saharan Africa, including grasslands and scrub.

Appearance and adaptations

A long neck and long legs make the common ostrich conspicuous in open habitats. The sexes have different adult plumage.

Diet and behaviour

Seeds, grass seed heads, leaves and flowers form most meals; insects are sometimes eaten. Groups can associate with grazing mammals. Eggs lie in a ground scrape, and males and females share incubation duties.

Sources

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