Common ostrich
Struthio camelus
About
The common ostrich is the largest and fastest-running bird on Earth. Towering over the savannah, it can reach speeds of 37 miles per hour, covering up to five metres in a single stride. Though flightless, its wings play a vital role in steering at high speeds, communicating with the flock and performing striking courtship displays.
Native to Africa, ostriches thrive in open savannahs and semi-arid regions, using their keen eyesight to spot predators from afar. As omnivores, they eat a mix of seeds, fruits, grasses, insects and even small vertebrates.
Incredibly social, they often live in groups, with dominant males leading harems of females during breeding season. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any bird, with each one weighing as much as two dozen chicken eggs. Males and females take turns incubating them, ensuring their survival in the wild.
Common ostrich facts
Threats
Ostriches may not be endangered, but their wild populations are under growing pressure. Expanding farmland, hunting and climate change are shrinking the open landscapes they rely on. Protecting these spaces is key to ensuring their future in the wild.
Human intervention
Expanding farmland and human development reduce their roaming space.
Hunting
Ostriches are hunted for their feathers, meat and skin.
Climate change
Rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns are impacting their habitats.
Visit your favourite animals!
Book your visit today and see all the amazing animals at the zoo!
