The ostrich is the world’s largest and heaviest bird. Adult males can stand nearly 2.7 meters (9 feet) tall and weigh over 150 kilograms. Ostriches have long necks, powerful two-toed legs built for running, and rounded bodies covered in large, loose feathers. Despite their size, these flightless birds have incredible speed (up to around 70 km/h) that allow them to escape predators across open savannah and semi-arid habitats.
Ostrich
Zone
Africa
Scientific name
Struthio camelus
IUCN Red List status
Least Concern (LC)
Natural habitat
Ostrich habitats include Africa’s savannahs, deserts and open woodlands.
Dietary Requirements
Omnivore: Ostriches eat plants, insects, snakes, lizards and rodents. They also swallow sand, pebbles, and small stones to help grind up food in the gizzard.
Threats
No threats to populations.
Did you know?The Ostrich is the world’s largest and fastest land bird, reaching 70 km/h.
A group is called a “flock”.
A group is called a “flock”.
About Al Ain Zoo
About Al Ain Zoo
A Pioneering Vision
Established in 1968 by the UAE’s founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Al Ain Zoo has been in the forefront of preserving the region’s wildlife and delicate ecosystem, while caring for hundreds of endangered animals.
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