South African ostrich

Struthio camelus australis

Ostriches are the fastest runners among birds. However, they cannot fly – they are completely flightless.

Red List

Least Concern

The saying ‘like a ostrich burying its head in the sand’ is a myth. What actually happens is that the male uses his beak to dig a hollow in the ground in order to build a nest. From a distance, this can look as though he is burying his head in the sand.

If danger threatens, the ostrich defends itself with powerful kicks. These can even kill an attacker.

These large flightless birds are capable of running at speeds of up to 70 km/h for short bursts. That’s a world record amongst birds!

Taxonomy

Struthionidae, genus Struthio (2 species)

Habitat

savannah, steppe, semi-desert

Social structure

during the breeding season: males are territorial, with a dominant hen and secondary hens; outside the breeding season: in hierarchically structured groups

Diet

mainly plants (grass, seeds and nuts), and occasionally small reptiles and mammals

Habitat at the zoo:

Lewa Savanna