Information about the ostrich

One of the largest birds in the world, the ostrich is a flightless bird. It has characteristics and specifications that make it different from other birds. In this article, we will provide you with some interesting information about the ostrich

The African ostrich (lat.Struthio camelus) is the largest bird in the world and the only representative of the ostrich-like order, the ostrich family, and the genus Ostrich. Belongs to the class of birds, subclasses

What does an ostrich eat

The ostrich is a carnivorous bird, and although the diet of the young is mainly animal food, adult birds feed on all kinds of plants. Their diet consists of herbs, plant seeds, flowers, ovaries, as well as fruits, including very hardy species. However, adults are far from vegetarians and, if possible, will not give up various insects, for example, locusts, as well as lizards, small rodents, which fall in the form of uneaten prey of large predators. Ostrich has nothing to chew its food, therefore, to improve digestion, it eats sand and small pebbles, often various inedible: wood chips, pieces of plastic, metal and even nails. An ostrich can also fast for several days

Like camels, ostriches are able to do without water for a long time: they have enough liquid from the green mass of the plants used. But, having managed to get into the water, the ostrich drinks a lot and willingly. The ostrich swims with the same great fun

Where do ostriches live

The ostrich lives in Africa. Birds avoid tropical rainforests, preferring open grassy landscapes and semi-deserts in the north and south of the tropical forests. African ostriches live in family groups consisting of a mature male, 4-5 females and their offspring. The number of flocks often reaches 20-30 individuals, small ostriches live in the south of the range in groups of up to a hundred birds

Ostrich breeding

Sexual maturity of ostriches occurs at the age of 2-4 years. During the mating period, each male vigilantly guards his personal territory within a radius of 2 to 15 square kilometers and ruthlessly drives out competitors. The neck and limbs of the male become bright red, and to attract the female, he falls to his knees, strokes his wings hard, bends his neck back, and rubs the back of his head with his back. While competing for possession of the female, the males make very original horn and hissing sounds. He pulls more air into the goiter, and the ostrich sharply pushes it into the esophagus, declaring the surroundings something like a womb roar, reminiscent of a lion's roar

Of all species of birds, ostriches have the largest eggs, despite their small size in relation to the body. On average, an ostrich egg has a length of 15 to 21 centimeters and a width of about 13 centimeters. The weight of the egg reaches 1.5-2 kg, which is equal to 25-35 chicken eggs. The thickness of the shell is about 0.6 mm, its color is straw-yellow, sometimes darker or lighter, on the contrar

The eggs laid by different females have different shells and can be shiny and lustrous or dull and porous

Enemies of ostriches in nature

Ostrich eggs hunt jackals, hyenas and litter. For example, an eagle grabs a large stone by its beak and throws it over an egg several times until it cracks. Chicks can also be attacked by lions, leopards, leopards, or hyenas

ostrich age

African ostriches are long-lived and under favorable conditions they can live for about 75 years

ostrich traits

With its huge feet, bare neck like a tube, topped with a small smooth bald head, and huge feathered fur, the ostrich looked like one of the "cartoon" characters and was covered in feathers. She experienced this lack of unusual speed for the sprint as she could beat one of the racehorses

The ostrich is greedy and has a great appetite. It swallows most types of food in huge quantities to fill its strong and coarse stomach. And it can drink two gallons of water at once, and unlike chickens that only have a small frame of feathers, male ostriches have gorgeous black and white plumage, but this decoration was the cause of the extinction of ostriches in the past because Africans and Europeans hunted them in search of their feathers, and when The enraged ostrich roared and let out a loud, hollow shriek and seemed to be trying to tell everyone that, after all, she claims to be the queen of birds with her inability to fly

Information about the ostrich

Ostrich's main food is plants, but in captivity it is attracted to anything brightly colored and may swallow bottles, coins, and even coins, pins, pens, and watches if you find them

When danger approaches, ostrich chicks scatter in different directions, and to protect them, the father bravely attacks an enemy such as a rhinoceros and knocks him out with violent blows from his beak

At the beginning of the mating season, males appear in groups and chase their wings spread out like thrushes, and each male gathers a group of females that he pollinates one by one

Because of their strength and lightness, they can reach speeds of up to 25 mph, and are sometimes used in racing, either by jockey or attached to a chariot

In cases of warning, the ostrich lies on the ground and limits its long neck, and this may be the reason for the misconception that it buries its head in the sand at the time of danger, and these birds can be caught alive from the car by means of a rope at the end of the rod