L'autruche d'Afrique (Struthio camelus) est la plus grande espèce d'oiseau connue. Le mâle est pourvu de plumes noires sur le corps et de plumes blanches sur le bout des ailes et de la queue, tandis que les plumes du corps des femelles sont gris-brun. Les individus des deux sexes ont une tête, un cou et des pattes roses à blanches. Leur apparence peut varier en fonction de leur lieu d'origine. Le mâle mesure en moyenne 2,10 m à 2,80 m de haut. La femelle, plus petite, mesure entre 1,70 m et 2 m.
Latin Name
Struthio camelus
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common-ostrich
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Animal Facts
The ostrich is the largest living species of bird, they are also the fastest on the ground; they can run for long distances at 34mph and sprint at 43mph.
Ostriches have the largest eggs in the world, but the smallest eggs of any bird relative to body size.
When incubating a nest, the alpha female sits on the nest during the day, her grey-brown feathers blending with the dusty ground, and the alpha male sits on the nest at night, with his black feathers difficult to see in the dark.
Ostrich males raise the ostrich chicks when they hatch.
Contrary to popular belief, ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand. To hide from predators, they lie flat against the ground and their body blends with the horizon and the dust.