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Resources > Birds

OSTRICHES (Struthio camelus)

Weighing in at up to 150 kilograms, the OSTRICH is the largest of earth's surviving birds. To lift such an enormous body off the ground and keep it in flight would require an enormous expense of energy, so these birds have evolved a different strategy for survival. Their wings have become smaller - and are now essentially useless - whilst the legs have developed into powerful and muscular structures. In defense the strength of these legs becomes evident - the ostrich can run away from danger at speeds of more then 70 kilometers an hour, and, as a last resort, can deliver vicious, slashing kicks which will deter any potential predator.

Ostriches are not very common, but occur widely in the central and northern areas where they are occasionally seen in small groups of one or two males and a few females. The males have black plumage with contrasting white feathers ending off the wings, while the females are covered with unattractive, dirty-brown feathers. Ostriches avoid thick, densely wooded areas where it is not easy to see danger approaching and their running would be obstructed by bushes. On the open plains they scratch away and feed on plant material such as seeds, berries and succulent shrubs, now and then swallowing a pebble which helps crush un-chewed vegetation in the stomach.

Females lay up to 20 eggs in a breeding season, depositing them in a simple hollow in the earth. Such a nest is a sight to behold, as each off- white rounded egg holds the equivalent content of 24 normal chicken eggs. Their shells are very tough and can support the weight of a full- grown man.

Males and females take turns in incubating the eggs, the black- feathered males sitting on the eggs at night, whilst the brown females, which blend very well with the soil and surrounding drab vegetation, keep the eggs warm and protected during the day.

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