A few facts on our testy feathered friend here:
- The largest bird in the world.
- Can't fly
- Large powerful legs can propel it to speeds of 35 mph.
- Lays the largest egg. Each egg weighs 3 pounds! (that's about 20 chicken eggs!)
- Only has 2 toes on each foot, unlike other birds which have 3-4 toes.
- Eats grasses, seeds, leaves, and flowers. Occasionally the small invertabrate and vertabrate which they chase by running after them.
- Males usually have a harem of three to five females.
- The females lay their eggs in the same nest. A clutch of eggs can hold from 15-50 eggs
- An adult male ostrich can stand 8 feet tall and weigh 345 pounds.
- Is considered one of the fastest of all birds. Has been seen passing an antelope at full gallop at speeds of 40mph. Not to shabby for not being able to fly.
- Ostrich's have excellent hearing and very good eyesight
- The ostrich's long eyelashes protect it's eyes during a sandstorm.
- They are found in sparsley wooded areas, savannah grasslands and semi arid dessert.(Somalia, Sahara, Ethiopia, and parts of East Africa and Zambesi)
- They are very nomadic birds but never straying far from water as an adult ostrich needs a gallon to a gallon and a half of water a day. Just like me.