Ostrich

Behavior and diet

Native to Africa, the ostrich is the largest bird on earth and lays the largest of all bird eggs. Males can reach a height of up to 3 m (9 ft) and weight 160 kgs (345 lbs). Ostriches are diurnal omnivores that primarily eat grass, flowers, fruits and leaves but have also been known to eat insects. The ostrich is a very powerful bird and can move at great speeds as great as 70 kph (45 mph). Their swiftness is a great attribute to their survival, as they are flightless birds. Most predators cannot outrun them or are hard pressed to outrun them, with the obvious exception of the cheetah. Ostriches lay their eggs in a communal nest that is controlled by the alpha female who may destroy some of the other eggs in the nest. The incubation period is around 40 days, and due to high predation, less than 15% normally survive.

Contrary to popular belief, the ostrich does not bury its head in the sand when scared.