Read About Ostrich Bird

Ostrich Bird is largest living flightless bird today. They can be found in Africa and parts. Here's everything you need to know about them.

Ostrich Bird -- Facts

1. Breed:

   The ostrich is the member of Ratite family.

2. Size:

   A male ostrich stands between 6 and 9 feet at maturity, while females will range between 5.5 and 6.5 feet tall at maturity & weigh between 150 to 330 pounds.

3. Life Span:

   Ostriches normally live from 30 to 70 years.

4. Varieties:

   Depending on the colors, there are three varieties of ostriches. They have blue, red and African black colors.

5. Origins:

   Ostriches are believed to be originated in Africa. They are also seen in Europe and Asia.

   Physical Traits:

   Male ostrich birds are bright scarlet in color with black markings on throat and face. Females are brown in color.

6. Temperament:

   Ostriches are highly adaptable to almost any climate. They prefer to be solitary birds and can easily fend for themselves alone. However they are very protective about their young and may turn aggressive when endangered.

7. Trainability:

   Ostriches have great capabilities of performing, dancing and swaying, but training such huge birds is not everyone's cup of tea owing to their large size.

Ostrich Bird -- Care

1. Habitat:

   This bird is native to the dry savannas of Africa and is well adapted to desert life. Ostriches get water from the plants they eat.

2. Food:

   An ostrich in captivity requires 3.5 kg of food per day. They can survive without water for long periods of time. They are herbivorous birds, but they may sometimes eat leftovers of the prey killed by other animals. They are very selective feeders, taking the seed heads of grasses and certain flowers and seeds. They sometimes eat locusts.

3. Compatibility:

   Ostriches live in flocks of 5 to 50, and they are normally found in the company of grazing animals like antelope and zebras. Flocks occupy territories of 2-15 sq km during the breeding season, which lasts around 5 months.

Ostrich Bird -- Concerns

1. Benefits:

   Ostriches were used by African tribals to make leather from their hides. Their eggs are also very important, as a single egg of an ostrich is equivalent in size to 24 fowl eggs.

2. Liability:

   Indiscriminate hunting and the craze for ostrich eggs had almost wiped them out in the eighteenth century.

3. Health Issues:

   Ostriches can carry diseases like bird flu and Congo fever.

4. Specific Care Needs:

   There are no specific health problems in ostriches as they are very strong birds.

5. Special Household Needs:

   Ostriches are not pet birds; hence, there are no household requirements for them.

Ostrich Bird -- How to Choose

1. What to Look for:

   Ostriches are not purchased as pets. Hence, there is nothing you should specifically look for in them.

2. Supplies:

   Ostriches do not require any supplies from humans.

3. Expense:

   Ostriches are not sold as pet birds.