The ostrich, sometimes called the African ostrich, is the largest bird on our planet. He cannot fly, but thanks to his strong legs he runs faster than racehorses.
Habitat. Distributed in Africa.

Habitat.
The original habitat of ostriches is African semi-deserts or grassy savannas, but birds often settle on rocky or sandy plateaus with sparse vegetation, invariably choosing places near water and avoiding in every possible way the proximity to humans. Sharp daily temperature changes are observed in ostrich habitats. Daytime heat often exceeds 40°C, and at night the temperature drops below 0°C.

Species: Ostrich – Struthio camelus.
Family: Ostrich.
Order: Ostriches.
Class: Birds.
Subphylum: Vertebrates.

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In the distant past, ostriches lived throughout Africa, the Middle East and Asia, but since ancient times people have exterminated these birds for meat, as well as in pursuit of beautiful fluffy feathers. In the Middle Ages, lush plumes of ostrich plumage were used to decorate knightly helmets, and later, the hats of noble nobles. Most of the birds died in the 19th century, when their feathers were used in huge quantities to decorate dresses. Due to uncontrolled hunting, wild ostriches soon found themselves on the verge of death. To prevent this, the first ostrich farm was established in South Africa in 1838. Ostriches are well bred in semi-wild conditions, and there are now many such farms around the world. Nowadays these birds are bred mainly for their tasty meat, eggs and valuable skin. Ostrich farms have helped preserve the wild population of birds, but their range is limited only to national parks in South and East Africa.

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Reproduction.
At the beginning of the nesting season, a flock of ostriches splits into groups of males and females. Males engage in spectacular courtship dances: they circle in place, bristling their tails and flapping their wings wide open, while the females keep an eye on their gentlemen. Having chosen a worthy partner, the female approaches him with spread wings and gives out a portion of urine and droppings as a sign of favor. Having moved away from the group, the partners nibble the grass for a while, and then the male, crouching on the ground, begins to rhythmically beat his wings, throws back his head and, with muffled cries, rubs the back of his head against his back. The female watches his mating, lowering her wings, tail and bowing her head low. Finally she sits on the ground, after which her partner mates with her. If there are other females nearby, the male will not ignore them either, but his first chosen one invariably retains the dominant position in the harem. Having chosen a place for the nest, the couple digs a wide, flat hole in the ground. The dominant female lays up to 8 eggs at two-day intervals, the rest lay 3-4 eggs each. After the laying is completed, the male and the first partner remain at the nest, and the other females are expelled. For 40-42 days, the male incubates her at night, and the female incubates her during the day. Since incubation begins only after the last egg is laid, all chicks hatch at the same time. This process sometimes takes up to two days, since the eggshell is very thick and is not easy to break through. Having barely dried, the chicks leave the nest and energetically begin searching for food. Most often, the young birds are kept with their parents for about a year, but if the adults decide to incubate the second clutch, the young birds are expelled and gather in large teenage groups. By the age of one and a half years they reach the size of adult ostriches.

Lifestyle.
Ostriches are social birds. From morning to evening, they roam the savannah in small groups in search of food. The ostrich eats not only green food, but also insects, mainly grasshoppers and their larvae. Ostriches often also prey on small vertebrates: rodents, lizards, birds and desert tortoises. Birds make up for the lack of mineral salts by swallowing lumps of earth, and swallowed small pebbles help them grind rough food in the stomach. The ostrich requires a lot of water, and if it cannot find it, it eats large quantities of juicy fruits and plants. During the day, the bird travels from 10 to 40 kilometers, and at night, resting, it lies on the ground and dozes with its head held high. Only a few times during the night does the ostrich fall asleep deeply for about 15 minutes, resting its neck on the ground. Acute vision and hearing warn him in advance of approaching danger. At the sight of a threat, the bird instantly flees, and sometimes bravely defends itself, stabbing the enemy with its strong legs. A strict hierarchy reigns in a flock of ostriches: the strongest birds become dominant and impose their will on the rest. The structure of social relations in a flock is very complex. Orphaned chicks are often taken into care by lonely males or birds that have their own offspring. This group of ostriches is called a superfamily. After some time, the young animals gather in separate groups, in which their own hierarchy is established.

Ostrich - Struthio camelus.
Height: up to 275 cm.
Length: up to 180 cm.
Weight: 65-150 kg.
Number of eggs in a clutch: dominant female -8; other females - 3-4.
Incubation period: 40-42 days.
Sexual maturity: male - 3-4 years; female – 2 years.
Food: grass, buds, flowers, leaves, insects.
Life expectancy: 30 years.

Structure.
Head. The small head is covered with short, delicate down.
Eyes. Large eyes provide excellent vision.
Beak. The small but strong beak is adapted to eating various types of food.
Ear holes. Large, slightly turned back ear openings serve as a sensitive organ of hearing.
Neck. Thanks to its long neck, the ostrich has access to a wide variety of food sources.
Body. The massive body has a rounded shape.
Tail. The short tail is covered on top with soft fluffy feathers.
Plumage. The wings and tail of the male are white; the rest of the plumage is black.
Wings. The wings, covered with long feathers, are rounded and greatly reduced.
Legs. Long, muscular legs allow the bird to develop high speed while running.
Fingers. There are only two toes - this is the only case in the class of birds. The inner finger, armed with a powerful claw, is much larger than the outer one.

Related species.
The ostrich is the largest representative of the group of ratites that have long lost the ability to fly. Along with the ostrich, which lives in Africa, large flightless birds also include the Australian emu, cassowary and American rhea. All these birds are endowed with long and strong legs, which allow them to run quickly.

Ostrich is familiar to everyone. Most often children, but sometimes adults too, wonder where the ostrich lives.

The first thing that comes to mind is Africa. Yes, indeed they are found only on this continent. Today, the and, which for a long time were also considered ostriches, are classified as separate species, and are recognized as the largest bird in the world and are capable of running at speeds of up to 70 km per hour.

It is important for a bird to have a good overview, since, without flying, it can only escape from its natural enemies, such as cheetahs, lions, hyenas and leopards, by noticing them in time and running away. Due to extensive domestication and farm breeding for eggs, meat, feathers and skin, giants have spread throughout the world, but in the wild they live only in Africa.

Ostrich habitat

The bird is found on the flat areas of the African continent. Previously, ostriches also lived in other territories, in particular in the Middle East, India, Iran, Arabia and Central Asia. As a result of very active hunting activity in most places, the giants were completely exterminated, including even the Middle Eastern species, which was considered numerous. As a result, the habitat was reduced to Africa.

Experts today divide the species into several types. Thus, birds living in different places in Africa have certain differences in appearance.

1. Living in the eastern regions of the mainland, their distinctive feature is the red color of the neck and paws.
2. Living in Ethiopia, Somalia and northern Kenya, these birds have a distinctive feature that is a bluish tint to the neck and legs.
3. Living in the southwestern regions of Africa, they have gray paws and neck.

Such differences are usually not noticed by most people, and to them all giants are perceived as the same; unless, of course, you arrange their photographs in a row, in which the specific features will be immediately clearly visible.

Birds are found almost everywhere in Africa. The main habitats of ostriches are nature reserves, where the birds feel especially comfortable due to the lack of hunters. These, the largest birds in the world, do not live only in the north of the continent and in the Sahara Desert, in which they simply cannot physically exist without food and water.

The habitat in which the ostrich feels especially comfortable is savannas and desert areas where water and food can be found.

Having learned the general information about where the ostrich lives, you should take a closer look at its specific habitats.

Savannah

The structural features of the bird and the lack of the ability to fly, which is compensated by very fast running, force ostriches to choose for living flat areas covered with grass (savannas) and, much less often, open forests, which, as a rule, border on savannas.

Ostriches breed on the savanna plains, where there is always enough food for parents and chicks. A healthy bird in such conditions is practically inaccessible to predators, since, noticing them from afar, ostriches very quickly move to a safe place, leaving no chance for the pursuer to catch up with them.

In the savannah, the ostrich lives in flocks of up to 50 individuals.

Most often, ostriches graze near herds of antelopes and zebras, as this provides them with additional protection. In such a situation, sneaking predators are noticed more quickly, and they will also quickly prefer an antelope to a bird, which is almost impossible to catch.

It is quite comfortable for a person to live where ostriches live, and therefore it is not uncommon for local tribes, in addition to ungulates, to hunt birds, which provide a large amount of high-quality meat. Because of their attractive feathers, ostriches in nature were exterminated by humans for a long time. Today in Africa, feathered giants are not considered an endangered species.

Desert

The desert is not the most suitable place for life for feathered giants. They are not found at all in the Sahara. However, birds enter the territory of semi-deserts in order to hatch eggs, and also after rains, when enough fresh greenery and insects, as well as various lizards, appear in the area. The soil of semi-deserts is quite hard, and the bird can move well on it, gaining very high speed.

The vast majority of people know what an ostrich is, and they will definitely mention that it is the largest bird in the world. Some will add that ostriches bury their heads in the sand. Someone will remember that they cannot fly. But the life of these large flightless birds is not limited to well-known facts and myths. It is much more interesting and includes many unexpected aspects.

The vast majority of people know what an ostrich is, and they will definitely mention that it is the largest bird in the world

Until recently, rhea, emu, and the common ostrich were included in this systematic genus. According to the latest classification of birds, this is the name of the only species. The South American rhea and Australian emu are now separated into separate genera of rhea and cassowary. The habitat of representatives of the species Struthio camelus (common, or African ostrich) is the savannas of Africa, located north and south of the equatorial forest belt.

The largest bird in the world has an extraordinary appearance: only the body is feathered, and the long strong legs and slender neck with a small head are covered with sparse downy hairs or are completely bare. The height of the ostrich is up to 2.7 m from the ground to the top of the head, but the weight rarely exceeds 70 kg, although individuals have been known to reach a weight of 100 kg.

In these birds, sexual dimorphism is expressed in color. Males have a chic black outfit with white wing tips and the same tail, consisting of the same feathers that medieval gentlemen wore as plumes on their hats, and their ladies - in the form of graceful fans. Females have a protective coloration: their plumage is brown, repeating the shades of burnt grass.

Ostriches have wings, but cannot fly. In the process of evolution, they mastered another method of movement on flat and open terrain: fast running. The maximum speed that birds can reach reaches 70 km/h, but usually the bird runs much slower or walks if nothing threatens it.

Thanks to this method of movement, the ostrich's paw underwent interesting changes during the formation of the species. Most bird species have 4 toes on their feet. Adapting to fast running, ostriches have lost 2 fingers - they are completely reduced and invisible in appearance. Of the remaining ones, one has a large, hard claw, the other has no horny growth, and the finger itself looks underdeveloped.

Life of an African ostrich (video)

Family life

In the vast expanses of the African plains and woodlands, you can see family groups of ostriches. They usually consist of a male, who stands out clearly with his exquisite outfit, and 3-5 females, who are almost invisible against the background of the landscape. But there is a strict hierarchy in the group.

The polygamous male is the real leader in the group. He guards and protects his harem, while highlighting the only female ostrich as the dominant female. It is with her that he forms a pair for the nesting season, and only covers the rest. The “beloved wife” behaves accordingly: when she finishes laying eggs, she expels the remaining females, regardless of whether they lay more. The alpha places his eggs in the center of the nest, where optimal conditions for incubation and hatching will be provided. The remaining eggs laid at this point are laid out around the edges.

Since in areas where ostrich hunting is still permitted, there is a shortage of mature males, up to 50 eggs can accumulate in a nest, which simply do not fit under the bird incubating them. Therefore, those lying on the edges usually remain unbrooded, and the chicks do not hatch from them. The comfortable conditions provided by the dominant female for her eggs allow mainly her chicks to be born.

An ostrich nest is a small hole in the ground, dug by a caring father of a family and his wife. Incubation is carried out by all females in turn, changing from time to time during the day. Their protective coloration contributes to this. At night, the male sits on the nest, and the harem rests nearby. Sometimes birds leave the nest unattended and feed nearby.

Chicks are usually hatched on the 45th day from the start of incubation. From the first hours of life they are completely independent, and at the age of 1 day they are already grazing under the supervision of their father. Those remaining in the nest are broken with their feet. A lot of flies flock to this delicacy, which are eaten with pleasure by the ostrich chicks.

When nesting is finished, family groups can unite into small flocks (up to 50 animals). Very often they can be seen among a herd of zebras or antelopes. Animals perceive their neighbors favorably, since vigilant birds notice the predator before anyone else. The flight of birds notifies herbivores of impending danger.

Gallery: African ostrich (25 photos)

Ostriches and humanity

Because of their beautiful feathers, ostriches were almost exterminated by the middle of the 19th century. But the first experiments in breeding them on farms turned out to be extremely successful. Since hunting meant spending much more time searching for and shooting rare birds, ostrich farms received an extraordinary impetus for development.

Initially, they were located in warm regions with conditions close to natural for these birds. Subsequently, people noticed that the birds tolerate more severe conditions well. Farms began to appear in European countries; currently they exist in Sweden and in central Russia.

Ostriches are bred for their tasty beef-like meat, feathers, and eggs, from whose durable shells various souvenirs can be made. But the most valuable and in demand at the moment is leather. It is considered one of the most expensive types of leather and is valued on a par with crocodile or snake leather.

The phenomenon of riding ostriches is also common. Horse racing is held in the USA, Australia and South Africa, but European legislation prohibits this sport. During racing, special harness and saddles are used, and the bird is controlled in much the same way as a horse. In countries where resort tourism is developed, riding ostriches is allowed only for entertainment purposes.

African ostriches (video)

Facts and myths about ostriches

A vertebra of an ancient bird discovered about 10 years ago suggested that the ostrich's ancestor was quite similar to the modern representative of the species. He was about the same height, but lived in wetter areas and was unlikely to run as fast. The appearance of the modern ostrich resembles some dinosaurs, but in terms of its chromosome makeup, the flightless bird is very close to the formidable predator - the tyrannosaurus.

There are other interesting facts about ostriches that are not familiar to a person who is not specifically studying their life:

1. Scientists assess the structure of the plumage of a savannah inhabitant as primitive, that is, characteristic of ancient forms. Unlike modern birds, ostrich feathers grow evenly throughout the body. Most other birds have pterilia on their skin - areas where stripes of feathers are located, while the rest of the skin is bare or covered with down.
2. The ostrich's brain is very small for its size (about the size of a walnut). Therefore, the bird is not endowed with intelligence and is guided mainly by primitive instincts.
3. There is a widespread myth that ostriches bury their heads in the sand when in danger. In fact, the female sitting on the eggs stretches her neck along the ground to become completely invisible. Young ostriches, whose coloring is also protective, do approximately the same thing: when danger arises, they hide, pressing their head and neck to the ground. When an enemy approaches, they suddenly jump up and run away. Birds often peck at pebbles, which are necessary for digesting food. All these positions of the birds' heads and necks made it possible for Pliny the Elder to write that they hide their heads in the sand.
4. The expression “a stomach like an ostrich” has a very specific basis: a large bird swallows whole hard fruits, turtles, grass and leaves, unwary birds and small animals. In the stomach, any food is crushed by stones during muscular contractions of its walls.
5. The bird's main weapon is its powerful legs. When attacked by predators during nesting, ostriches try to drive away the enemy, but if necessary, they enter into battle, striking with their paws. The male is quite capable of breaking the skull of even a lion.

The large, unusually dynamic bird is now out of danger. Thanks to farming on farms, hunting ostriches has practically ceased. Their numbers are quite large, although their habitat has decreased.

Attention, TODAY only!

Igor Nikolaev

Reading time: 4 minutes

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Ostriches are the largest birds on the Planet. The creatures are amazing. Even children know what an ostrich looks like. There are many fairy tales about them, and a large number of animated films have been created. Everyone knows for sure that ostriches hide their heads in the sand when they are very scared of something. They don't actually do this. When they see danger, they lie down on the ground and hide. This is evidenced by many photographs and images of birds. Where did ostriches come from? What are their characteristics?

Origin of the bird

Scientists note the similarity of ostriches with dinosaurs. They found out that they are related at the genetic level. In their DNA they are close to tyrannosaurs. The animals had 4 limbs. The anterior ones were poorly developed. They served to grab food. The hind legs were strong. The animals ran quickly. Tyrannosaurs had a long tail, which was a necessary balance for them. A small flat head, a long neck, an elongated, fit body of an ancient animal - all this resembles an ostrich.

Considering the relationship with tyrannosaurs, scientists nevertheless came to the conclusion that, despite the genetic relationship, modern ostriches descended from birds. They flew, their hind limbs were not very developed, and their weight and body size were small. It is assumed that due to climate change, the bird's direct enemies have become extinct. She no longer needed to fly. She obtained food from trees thanks to her long neck. The individual began to gain weight, increased in size, the wings and skeleton underwent changes, and the hind limbs became more developed. She gradually transformed into an ostrich.

Birds cannot fly. The following reasons for this phenomenon are noted:

• birds lack a keel;
• the muscles that served for flight atrophied;
• the structure of the wing and the arrangement of the feathers are not conducive to flight;
• large weight of the individual;
• The bones are not hollow enough.

Few people know what the word “ostrich” means. The word is Greek. People saw in the bird the similarity of a camel and a sparrow. Meaning of the word camel sparrow. What does an ostrich have in common with a small bird and a large animal?

The ostrich has little resemblance to the sparrow, only that both birds have feathers and a beak on their heads. But camels have similar characteristics:

• big size; massive body;
• developed two-fingered limbs;
• Long neck;
• large eyes with well-developed long eyelashes;
• the presence of a chest callus;
• ability to live in hot climates;
• Birds can go without water for a long time.

The height of a male can reach 2.7 m. It weighs on average 50-80 kg, but there are also large individuals whose weight can reach up to 160 kg. The wingspan is 2 m. The plumage is beautiful, it is not for nothing that the birds were and are the target of hunters. Feathers were used to decorate hats, dresses, and fans. Individuals have 60 large tail feathers, 16 primary flight feathers and 20 secondary flight feathers.

The plumage color of males is black, with white patches on the tail. Females have grayish plumage. It is not as rich as that of males. Wings are used for balance when running. Ostriches are excellent runners. They can reach speeds of more than 70 km/h. In this mode they can withstand quite a long time. If there is no way to escape from danger, then they spread their wings, which gives them a fighting appearance. Males use their wings to attract females during the mating season.

The birds' legs are muscular and strong. The limbs end in 2 fingers, one has a small growth in the form of a large claw. This is a hoof. It serves as a support during fast movement. An ostrich can fight with its legs. The force of the blow is great, comparable to the blow of a horse's hoof. In order for an ostrich to fall to the ground, it must lean on something. His chest serves as support for him. This explains the appearance of calluses on the chest. Landing on the ground in individuals is the same as that of a camel.

Ostriches, like chickens, eat whatever is given to them, but by nature they are herbivores. They eat grass, leaves, and young shoots of trees. In addition to greens, they can eat small insects. Sometimes they catch grasshoppers. Individuals eat up to 3 kg of food per day. Individuals have no teeth, and they also lack a goiter. They need to eat small stones to grind their food.

The digestive system is unique. It is adapted for splitting coarse fibers. There is no goiter, but there is a proventriculus in which some food can collect. The stomach contains sand and small stones, and gastric juice is secreted. This is where the primary digestion of food occurs. The bolus of food then passes into the small intestine. Its length is 5 m. The main breakdown of coarse fibers occurs in the large intestine. Its length is 8 m.

Birds are unpretentious when it comes to drinking. They drink a lot, but not often. One individual can drink up to 13 liters of water per day. They drink especially a lot of liquid in hot weather. Birds are able to take water from the succulent leaves of plants, so they can go without drinking for a long time.

Ostriches live in families. They consist of 5 females and 1 male. The family also includes offspring. When the young grow up. He gathers in separate herds. The number of young animals can reach 100 heads. A family can consist of up to 30 individuals. The herd may share the same territory with zebras and antelopes. Such a neighborhood is favorable for animals. Ostriches have very good eyesight. They can spot danger from several kilometers away. The birds begin to worry, and the animals neighboring them understand that they need to escape.

Many people do not know where ostriches live. The answers are given differently, in Africa, in Australia, in Asia. Scientists answer unequivocally - ostriches live in Africa. The remaining territories are inhabited by cassowary-like species: these include the Australian emu and cassowary. There are rhea-like individuals: they include rheas, which are very similar in appearance to ostriches.

The main habitat is semi-desert and grassland with good vegetation. They do not enter equatorial forests. There are many dangers there that are difficult to hide or escape from. On average, a bird can live up to 75 years in the wild.

Main subspecies

There are 4 main subspecies of ostrich in Africa: the common or North African, the South African, the Somali and the Masai. Individuals of each species have their own distinctive characteristics. The largest ones belong to the North African subspecies: they are named after the location of the region where the individuals live. They live in Chad, Cameroon, Senegal, and the Central African Republic.

Common ostrich description:

The Masai subspecies lives in the east of the continent. Herds can be found in Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. The individuals are not as large as the North African ones, but they are also distinguished by their large size. The peculiarity of the subspecies is that during the mating season, the males’ body acquires a bright red hue. It is poorly visible on the body, but on the legs and neck the red color is visible from a distance.

The habitat of the Somali subspecies is Southern Ethiopia, Somalia, and northeastern Kenya. Birds can be identified by their skin color. She is blue. This is especially noticeable on the legs and neck. Local residents call an individual of the Somali subspecies “gorayo”. Gorayos do not form large families. They live in pairs. If one of the partners dies, then the second exists alone.

South African individuals occupy the territory of Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Angola. The height of the bird is no more than 2 m. Weight is up to 100 kg. The subspecies can be recognized not only by its relatively small size, but also by its plumage. Females have gray feathers. Ostrich skin has the same shade.

Reproduction

Puberty in birds occurs at the age of 4 years. At this time, the female lays her first clutch. The egg size is large: length 21 cm, width 13 cm. Weight is 2 kg. In terms of chicken eggs, this amounts to 36 pcs. The shell is quite strong.

During the mating season, the male calls the female of his family. He spreads his wings, showing all the beauty of his plumage. He arches his neck and rubs the back of his head against his back. He will not tolerate other males on his family's territory. Sometimes fights over the leading female occur.

The future father has his own responsibilities. He makes a nest. To do this, the male digs a hole 60 cm deep and up to 2 m in diameter. All females of the family lay eggs in this nest. Laying is carried out every other day. After placing the next portion of eggs, the clutch is buried with sand.

The father incubates the eggs at night. You can't see him in the dark. It will not attract wild animals with its color. During the day, females sit on the nest: they have their own order. Females have a plumage color close to the shade of vegetation and soil. During the day they are less noticeable. Hatching of the chicks lasts 45 days. The chicks hatch on their own without the help of their parents.

Chicks hatch weighing 1.5 kg. They immediately get to their feet and open their eyes. The chicks are growing quickly. Offspring require care. For them, you should look for food and drink, you need to teach the young to get food on their own, to hide from enemies. The right to care for offspring must still be earned. Individuals arrange fights. Both females and males participate in them. The winner receives care of the offspring as a reward.

After a year, the young animals leave their family and meet new friends. In one livestock of young animals there may be individuals of different ages. Birds easily get used to each other, and it is difficult to part with the flock.

Economic use

Ostriches are increasingly being bred on private farms. Everything is valuable to them, meat, eggs, and feathers. Meat is a dietary product. In terms of protein content, it is ahead of turkey meat. At the same time, it contains little cholesterol. The product is recommended for baby food. The color of the meat resembles beef, but it is more loose and juicy. It has a peculiarity. The longer you heat it, the harder it becomes. Meat is rich in manganese, iron, B vitamins, and contains nicotinic acid. Young animals aged 1.5 years are used to produce meat.

Fat has medicinal properties. It promotes rapid wound healing, collagen and elastin production. Raw materials increase the level of prostaglandin hormones. Fat is used for the production of medicines, creams, emulsions. The raw material is widely used in cosmetology.

The female brings 80 eggs per year. Farmers use them in different ways. Both whole and empty eggs are sold. Whole table-grade eggs cost 1 thousand rubles. a piece. Empty eggs are sold to artists. The shell is strong, and after proper processing it looks like porcelain. The shell is painted and sold as a souvenir. An empty egg costs about 500 rubles. Entrepreneurs claim that the ostrich egg business is very profitable.

The ostrich is the largest bird on Earth, therefore it is well known to most people. Previously, other closely related species of birds were also classified as ostriches - rhea and emu, but modern taxonomists distinguish them into separate orders, therefore, from a scientific point of view, now there is only one species of true ostriches - the African ostrich. Rhea and emu retained the old names of American and Australian ostriches, although they do not correspond to the modern systematic position of these species.

African ostrich.

Huge size is what first catches your eye when looking at an ostrich, because this bird is as tall as a large horse. The height of the ostrich from the tips of the paws to the top of the head is 1.8-2.7 m, the weight is on average 50-75 kg, but the heaviest males can weigh up to 131 kg! Of course, most of the bird's height falls on its long legs and neck, but the ostrich's head, on the contrary, is very small compared to the size of the body. Even smaller is the brain, which in ostriches does not exceed the size of a walnut. Such a small brain size determines the low level of intelligence of these birds and indicates their primitiveness.

Female African ostrich.

In addition, the external and internal structure of the ostrich contains enough other primitive features. For example, the feathers of ostriches grow evenly throughout the body, while in most birds they are located along special lines - pterilia. This arrangement of feathers is also found in rheas, emus, cassowaries, kiwis and penguins. The feathers themselves do not have a structured fan; the secondary barbs of the feather do not align with each other, but look disjointed. Ostriches do not have a sternum keel, since their pectoral muscles are relatively poorly developed, so ostriches are completely incapable of flight. But the ostrich's legs are perfectly adapted to running. Firstly, the long paws have powerful muscles, and secondly, the ostrich has only two fingers on its paws - one huge, similar to a whole foot and armed with a claw, and the second is smaller and without a claw. The second finger is not a support finger, but only helps to maintain balance and improves traction with the soil while running.

Ostriches are the only birds in the world with only two toes.

Another unique but little-known feature of ostriches is the separate excretion of feces and urine from the body. As is known, all birds excrete urine and feces simultaneously in the form of semi-liquid droppings. But in ostriches, both substances are excreted separately; these are the only birds in the world that have a bladder. Ostriches do not have a crop, but their necks are very extensible and they can swallow fairly large prey whole. The vision of these birds is well developed. The external auditory openings clearly appear on the weakly feathered head and even resemble small ears in their shape.

The ostrich's most feathered body, tail and wings, neck, head and upper legs are covered with short down and can look almost naked. The lower part of the legs is covered with large scales. African ostriches have clearly expressed sexual dimorphism: males are larger and black in color, the tips of the feathers on the wings and tail are white, females are gray-brown and smaller. In addition, different subspecies of the African ostrich may differ in the color of their beaks and paws; in some subspecies they are sandy-gray, in others they may have a bright pink edging or be completely red.

Males of the Somali subspecies of African ostrich have pink beaks and paws.

The ostrich's habitat covers almost all of Africa; this bird is not found only in North Africa and the Sahara. In the old days, ostriches were found even in areas of Asia adjacent to the African continent - on the Arabian Peninsula and in Syria. Ostriches are inhabitants of open plains, they inhabit grassy savannas, dry woodlands and semi-deserts. They avoid dense thickets, swampy plains and deserts with quicksand, since they cannot develop high running speed there. Ostriches are sedentary, often found in small groups, in exceptional cases they can form flocks of up to 50 individuals, and often graze together with zebras and various species of antelope. The flock does not have a permanent composition, but a strict hierarchy reigns in it. Birds of the highest rank hold their tail and neck vertically, while weaker birds hold their tails and necks obliquely.

A flock of ostriches on a farm.

Ostriches are active mainly at dusk; they rest during the intense midday heat and at night. The ostrich's nighttime sleep consists of short periods of deep sleep, when the bird lies on the ground with its neck extended, and long periods of half-asleep when it sits with its neck raised and eyes closed.

The ostrich is a rather stupid bird, but very careful. While feeding, ostriches often raise their heads and look around the surroundings with a keen eye. They can see a moving object on the surface of the plain a kilometer away. If danger is suspected, the ostrich tries to leave in advance, avoiding getting close to the predator. Therefore, the behavior of ostriches is often monitored by other herbivores that are not so vigilant and rely more on their sense of smell. If necessary, an ostrich can run at a speed of 70 km/h, that is, it can freely overtake a horse; in exceptional cases, an ostrich can accelerate to 80-90 km/h (over a short distance). While running, an ostrich can make sharp turns without slowing down, and also suddenly lie down on the ground. In ancient times, the ancient Greek scientist Pliny the Elder wrote that ostriches hide their heads in bushes, believing that they will not be noticed. There is no truth in this statement, but it stuck and over time transformed into the belief that ostriches bury their heads in the sand in case of danger. In reality, ostriches do not demonstrate any reactions similar to this statement.

It should be noted that ostriches show caution only during the non-nesting period. While incubating eggs and caring for their offspring, they turn into very brave and aggressive birds. During this period of time there can be no question of hiding from danger. The ostrich reacts instantly to any moving object and moves across it. First, the bird opens its wings and tries to scare the enemy; if this does not help, then the ostrich rushes at the enemy and tramples him underfoot. With a blow from his paw, a male ostrich can break a lion’s skull, add to this the enormous speed that the bird develops as naturally as when escaping from an enemy. No African animal dares to engage in open combat with an ostrich, but some take advantage of the bird's shortsightedness. During a group attack, hyenas and jackals distract the ostrich's attention and, while it scares away some aggressors, their accomplices often manage to come from the rear and steal an egg from the nest.

Female ostrich in a threatening pose.

Ostriches feed mainly on plant foods, but they can rather be called omnivores. Along with grass, leaves and fruits, they can eat insects, small lizards, turtles and even birds and animals. Interestingly, these birds prefer to pick up food from the ground and rarely pluck branches. Ostriches swallow prey whole, including hard fruits. Also, these birds often swallow pebbles, which help grind food; in an adult bird, up to 1 kg of pebbles can accumulate in the stomach. For this reason, in captivity, ostriches love to taste everything and often swallow inedible objects, for example, buttons, coins, nails. Ostriches can go for a long time without water, but on occasion they willingly drink and bathe.

An ostrich was about to dine on a newborn turtle.

The breeding season for ostriches living in humid areas lasts from June to October. Ostriches living in the desert breed all year round. During this period, herds of ostriches break up, and the males occupy areas that are carefully guarded from competitors. Seeing an opponent, the ostrich rushes to cross him and tries to kick him; the ostrich accepts females favorably. To attract their attention, the ostrich can roar, forcing air through its throat. When the female approaches, the ostrich begins to display, for this it spreads its wings, the span of which can reach 2 m. The male sits on his paws, alternately flaps his wings and bows his head first to one shoulder, then to the other.

Leaking ostrich.

Look at the different forms of mating behavior of ostriches:

• a strong male drives away a weaker opponent ;

Ostriches are polygamous birds, so each male strives to gather more chosen ones around him and mates with all the females. However, in an ostrich harem, one female always occupies a leading position and can linger near the male until the end of nesting, while the rest move away. The male digs a hole in the ground with his paws, into which the females alternately lay eggs. From the first moment to the end of incubation, all concerns about the offspring fall on the male. While he incubates the first eggs, the females literally lay eggs in front of him, which he carefully rolls under himself. Each female lays 7-9 eggs, and in total there are 15-25 eggs in the nest. In areas of mass ostrich hunting, there is a shortage of males (since their feathers are most valued), so up to 50 eggs can accumulate in nests. The probability of survival of such a clutch is negligible, since the male cannot cover all the eggs with his body and they remain unhatched.

Male and female African ostrich at the nest.

Incubation lasts 1.5 months, only the male incubates; the dominant female may be nearby, but does not take part in the incubation. It should be noted that the male sits on the nest mainly at night, and during the day he leaves the clutch to the will of the sun to feed. It is at this moment that the ostrich's nest is vulnerable to hyenas, jackals and vultures who hunt for eggs.

Ostrich eggs are both the largest and... the smallest in the world. In absolute size, ostrich eggs, weighing 1.5-2 kg, are the largest among all birds, but relative to the body size of an adult bird, they are the smallest. Ostrich eggs have an almost spherical shape (15 cm long, 13 cm wide) and a white glossy shell. The shell of eggs is very thick and durable and can support the weight of an adult. But this same shell is a serious test for ostrich chicks: in order to hatch, the chick hammers the shell for several hours, making a small hole, and then expands it, resting the back of its head against the arch of the egg.

African ostrich egg laying.

Incubation lasts 6 weeks; the ostrich chicks, hatched with such difficulty, from the first minutes of life can follow their father and look for food on their own. It is interesting that the ostrich often breaks the eggs remaining in the nest with his feet; the smell of rotten eggs attracts flies, which are pecked by the ostrich chicks. In general, ostrich chicks, unlike adult birds, feed only on animal food, mainly insects. Newborn ostrich chicks are covered with small bristle-like feathers and have a striped yellow-brown color; they grow quickly and can soon reach speeds of up to 50 km/h. Despite this, the chicks are vulnerable to predators, with only 15% of the chicks surviving to one year.

African ostrich chicks.

Male ostriches are exemplary parents; they guide the young, protect them from predators and protect them from the scorching sun, spreading their wings, in the shadow of which the chicks hide. Ostrich chicks are very friendly and follow each other in a dense flock; when two families meet, the ostrich chicks unite into one group and are no longer separated in the future. This leads to conflicts between the parents; each of the males considers the babies their own and a battle ensues between them for the right to perform parental responsibilities. The winner takes the whole group with him and does not divide the chicks into adopted ones and his own. Ostrich chicks put on adult attire at two years old, and reach sexual maturity by 3-4 years. Ostriches live on average 30-40 years, in captivity they can live up to 50.

In nature, ostriches have few enemies; the greatest losses in the population are observed during the incubation of eggs and the raising of young animals. In addition to hyenas, jackals and vultures hunting for eggs, lions, cheetahs and leopards can attack chicks. Adult ostriches fall into the clutches of predators only if they manage to ambush the bird and attack from behind.

Three cheetahs killed an ostrich.

Even in ancient times, ostriches were hunted for their feathers. Since ostrich feathers do not have a shaped fan, they are soft to the touch and sway beautifully in the wind, so they were used to make warriors’ plumes, fans, and, starting from the Middle Ages, to make fans and decorate women’s hats. The peak demand for feathers occurred in the 18th century, when ostriches were exterminated over large areas, and the numbers of the Arabian subspecies were so undermined that by 1966 it became completely extinct.

The widespread extermination of the African ostrich prompted people to start breeding these birds in captivity. The first ostrich farm appeared in the 19th century in South America, and then ostriches began to be bred in Africa, North America, and Southern Europe. In captivity, these birds are very unpretentious and hardy. Some farmers even trained ostriches to carry a rider (this bird can easily support the weight of a person) and to walk in a harness, but these experiments were not widespread. Aggressive during the breeding season and difficult to train, the ostrich is not of interest as a draft force. On modern ostrich farms, products obtained from these birds are increasingly being used. Now ostrich meat and eggs are often supplied to exotic restaurants. Ostrich meat is lean and tougher than that of any other poultry; it tastes like beef. Eggs have become a favorite material for crafts and artistic carvings; candlesticks and souvenirs are made from them. The demand for ostrich feathers is not so great these days, but durable ostrich leather is highly valued. After tanning, the resulting material has a unique texture, which is why ostrich leather is one of the elite types of raw materials. Thanks to captive breeding, the population of wild ostriches is not currently in danger.

At the Tampa Zoo (USA), 3-year-old giraffe Bia and 10-year-old ostrich Vilma became friends.