Fun Facts About the Ostrich

From their towering stature and record-breaking speed to their impressive parenting strategies and survival adaptations, ostriches are far more than just big birds. In this article, we’ll explore fun facts about the ostrich that showcase its distinctive lifestyle, physical traits, survival instincts, and more.

Towering Giants of the Bird World

Ostriches hold the impressive title of the world’s largest birds. Adult males can reach up to 9 feet in height and weigh as much as 330 pounds, making them true titans among birds. Despite their immense size, ostriches are flightless, relying instead on their powerful legs for movement. Their wings, though incapable of lifting them into the air, are used for balance, mating displays, and shading chicks from the sun.

Egg-straordinary Eggs

One of the most astounding fun facts about the ostrich involves its giant eggs. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any bird species and can measure up to 6 inches in diameter, weighing around 3 pounds each. To put that in perspective, one ostrich egg is equivalent to 24 chicken eggs and contains over 2,000 calories.

These eggshells are extremely tough, requiring specialized tools or prolonged boiling to crack open or cook. In many cultures, ostrich eggs are considered delicacies or used in decorative arts due to their size and durability.

Unique Nesting and Parenting Habits

Ostriches have a fascinating and complex approach to nesting and child-rearing. Rather than each female creating her own nest, ostriches engage in communal nesting, where multiple females lay their eggs in a single large nest dug in the ground. The dominant female lays her eggs first and gets the prime, central position in the nest, where the survival rate is highest.

These communal nests can hold up to 50 eggs at once. Each female, however, is capable of recognizing her own eggs among the many, ensuring she can care for her offspring specifically. This ability adds another layer to the list of fun facts about the ostrich, revealing their advanced instincts and social structure.

Camouflaged by Day, Guarded by Night

Incubation of the eggs is a shared responsibility between the male and the dominant female. During the daylight hours, the female incubates the eggs. Her brown feathers blend seamlessly with the sandy surroundings, providing excellent camouflage from predators.

At night, the male takes over. His darker plumage is better suited for the nighttime landscape, offering protection against nocturnal threats. This strategic division of labor reflects the ostrich’s keen adaptation to its environment and highlights the teamwork between the sexes.

Speed Demons of the Animal Kingdom

Another one of the most jaw-dropping fun facts about the ostrich is its speed. When threatened, ostriches don’t bury their heads in the sand—a persistent myth with no basis in fact. Instead, they rely on either fight or flight to survive. And their version of flight is more like flying down the highway—ostriches can run at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour.

This makes them the fastest birds on land, able to maintain high speeds over long distances. Their long strides, sometimes covering up to 16 feet in a single step, and muscular legs make them agile and efficient runners.

Defensive Powerhouses

In addition to their speed, ostriches have a powerful weapon in their arsenal: their legs. With only two toes per foot—an adaptation that aids their running—the ostrich’s main toe ends in a strong claw that resembles a hoof. When cornered or attacked, an ostrich can kick with tremendous force, reportedly as much as 2,000 pounds per square inch.

This power is enough to injure or even kill a lion, their occasional predator in the wild. These defensive kicks make ostriches formidable despite their inability to fly, and it’s one of the fun facts about the ostrich that often surprises people.

An Omnivorous Diet and Triple Stomachs

Ostriches are omnivores, meaning they eat a variety of foods, including seeds, grasses, flowers, insects, lizards, and even small rodents. Because they lack teeth, ostriches swallow small stones to help grind up their food in their gizzard.

Even more impressive is the fact that ostriches have three stomachs to aid in digestion. This complex digestive system allows them to extract nutrients from tough plant materials and thrive in arid, food-scarce environments.

Social Behavior and Group Living

Ostriches are social animals that typically live in flocks ranging from 15 to 50 individuals. These groups provide safety in numbers, allowing them to keep watch for predators and raise their young more effectively. However, during colder seasons or in less favorable conditions, ostriches may become more solitary or live in pairs.

Flocks are usually led by a dominant male and female, who also take on the bulk of the reproductive responsibilities. The rest of the group helps by acting as extra eyes and ears for danger.

Lifespan and Longevity

When it comes to longevity, ostriches live fairly long lives. In the wild, they typically live up to 40 years, but in captivity, with proper care, they can live as long as 70 years. This dramatic increase in lifespan under human care highlights their resilience and adaptability.

Farm-raised ostriches are common across various continents, primarily for their feathers, meat, and leather. Ostrich farming is a growing industry due to the bird’s efficient feed conversion and the value of its byproducts.

A Myth Busted: They Don’t Bury Their Heads!

One of the most common misconceptions about ostriches is that they bury their heads in the sand when scared. In truth, this myth likely stems from a defensive behavior where ostriches lower their heads to the ground, attempting to blend into their surroundings. From a distance, this can look like they’ve “buried” their heads, but they are trying to remain unseen.

This widespread myth has no basis in fact, and the reality is far more interesting. Ostriches are alert, aware, and capable defenders of themselves and their families.