The Largest Bird on Earth
The ostrich is the largest bird in the world. Even though it has wings, it cannot fly.
Instead, ostriches are built for running. With their long legs and powerful muscles, they can run faster than many animals on the African plains.
Ostriches are famous for their long necks, big eyes, and huge eggs—the biggest eggs of any bird.
What Is an Ostrich?
An ostrich is a flightless bird that lives in Africa. It belongs to a group of birds called ratites, which includes emus, cassowaries, and kiwis.
Unlike most birds, ostriches:
- Cannot fly
- Have only two toes on each foot
- Run very fast
- Lay the largest eggs of any bird
Scientific name: Struthio camelus
Where Do Ostriches Live?
Ostriches live mainly in Africa.
You can find them in:
- Eastern Africa
- Southern Africa
- Open plains and savannas
Long ago, ostriches also lived in parts of the Middle East and Asia.
Types of Ostriches
Scientists usually divide ostriches into several subspecies depending on where they live.
Common types include:
- Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus camelus)
- Masai Ostrich
- Somali Ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes)
The Somali ostrich is sometimes considered a separate species.
Habitat
Ostriches live in open areas where they can see predators coming.
Their habitats include:
- Savannas
- Grasslands
- Semi-desert regions
Because they are tall, ostriches can see long distances across the plains.
What Do Ostriches Eat?
Ostriches are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals.
Their diet includes:
- Seeds
- Grasses
- Leaves
- Fruit
- Insects
- Small animals like lizards
Ostriches sometimes swallow small stones to help grind food in their stomachs.
What Eats Ostriches?
Even though ostriches are large, they still have predators.
Animals that hunt ostriches include:
- Lions
- Cheetahs
- Leopards
- Hyenas
- Wild dogs
Young chicks and eggs are especially vulnerable.
When threatened, an ostrich may:
- run away
- kick with powerful legs
- strike with its claws
A strong ostrich kick can seriously injure a predator.
Parts of an Ostrich
Ostriches have several unusual body features.
Long Neck
Helps them see far across the plains.
Large Eyes
Their eyes are about 2 inches wide, among the largest of any land animal.
Powerful Legs
Ostriches can run up to 45 mph (70 km/h).
Two-Toed Feet
Most birds have three or four toes, but ostriches only have two.
Small Wings
They cannot fly, but they use their wings for balance when running.
Babies and Eggs
Ostriches lay the largest eggs of any bird.
Ostrich egg facts:
- about 6–8 inches long
- weigh about 3 pounds
- about the size of 24 chicken eggs
Several females may lay eggs in the same nest.
The male and female take turns sitting on the eggs.
After about 40 days, the chicks hatch.
Baby ostriches can stand and walk soon after hatching.
Size Comparison
How big is an ostrich?
An ostrich can be taller than most people.
Here’s how they stack up:
| Animal | Height |
| Chicken | 1.5 ft |
| Dog (large) | 2–3 ft |
| Human | ~6 ft |
| Ostrich | 7–9 ft |
5 Interesting Ostrich Facts
Here are five interesting Ostrich facts.
- Ostriches are the fastest-running birds.
- Ostriches can run 45 mph.
- Ostrich eggs are the largest eggs on Earth.
- Ostriches have only two toes.
- Ostriches eyes are bigger than their brains.
Ostrich FAQs
Curious about ostriches? Here are answers to some of the most common questions kids ask about the largest bird on Earth.
Can ostriches fly?
No, ostriches cannot fly. Their bodies are too large and heavy, and their wings are too small to lift them into the air. Instead of flying, ostriches use their strong legs to run very fast across open land.
How fast can an ostrich run?
An ostrich can run up to about 45 miles per hour (70 kilometers per hour). That makes it the fastest running bird in the world.
What do ostriches eat?
Ostriches are omnivores. They eat plants like seeds, grasses, leaves, and fruit, but they also eat insects and small animals. They sometimes swallow small stones to help grind food in their stomachs.
Where do ostriches live?
Ostriches live in Africa. They are found in open habitats such as savannas, grasslands, and semi-desert areas where they can spot danger from far away.
How tall is an ostrich?
An adult ostrich can grow to about 7 to 9 feet tall. That means some ostriches are taller than most adults.
How big is an ostrich egg?
An ostrich egg is the largest egg of any bird. It is usually about 6 to 8 inches long and can weigh around 3 pounds, which is about the same as 24 chicken eggs.
Why do ostriches have two toes?
Ostriches have only two toes on each foot, which is unusual for birds. This helps them run faster and more efficiently across the ground.
What animals hunt ostriches?
Large predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and wild dogs may hunt ostriches. Eggs and young chicks are especially at risk.
How long do ostriches live?
Ostriches can live for around 30 to 40 years, and some may live even longer in captivity.
How many eggs do ostriches lay?
A female ostrich can lay many eggs during a breeding season, often around 10 to 12 eggs. Sometimes several females lay their eggs in the same nest.
Teacher Tip
Here are some questions teachers may explore with their students:
- Why do some birds fly but others cannot?
- What adaptations help the ostrich survive?
- How does the ostrich’s habitat affect its body design?