Struthio camelus
Ostriches are the largest bird on Earth! They are flightless, but they can run really fast, reaching speeds of 40 miles per hour with strides of 10 feet long. If cornered, they might kick—hard! Or, they might just lie down flat to be less visible. It’s a myth that they stick their heads in the ground to hide, though.
Male ostriches display their big, showy body feathers to attract females. Several ostrich pairs meet up together to lay their eggs in one shared nest. Both parents incubate the eggs, which are huge: about 5 inches long and weighing 3 pounds each! After being raised by its parents for over a year, ostriches search out mostly grasses, seeds and other plant parts in their dry habitats. An ostrich can live up to 50 years!
Ostriches are not at risk of extinction, but their populations are shrinking. They used to be hunted widely for their skins, feathers and eggs. Today, habitat loss adds to their threats. You can help wild animals by buying products made sustainably and eating less meat, which lowers the energy needed for farming and helps tackle climate change.