Common Ostrich
Struthio camelus
The world’s largest and heaviest bird, reaching up to 9 feet tall and 320 pounds, and completely flightless. It is the fastest running bird on Earth, capable of sustained speeds of 30–35 mph and bursts up to 45 mph.
At A Glance
Weight: Males: 220 – 290 lbs.; Females: 200-240 lbs.
Size: Males: 7 – 9 feet; Females: 5.5 – 6.5 feet
Lifespan: Human Care: Up to 50 (in rare cases); Wild: 30 – 40 years
Location: Eastern and Southern Africa
Fun Facts
- They have excellent eyesight.
- Eyes are so large it they take up majority of their cranial space.
- Males bellow.
- They are the largest non-flighted bird.
- Ostrich egg weighs ~3-5 lbs.
- 4-inch claw on their big toe; only have 2 toes to a foot unlike other birds.
IUCN Status
IUCN is the International Union for Conservation of Nature. They collectively work to determine what animals are endangered, at risk, or stable. Learn More about IUCN here.
IUCN Red Status: Least Concern
IUCN Green Status: Not Evaluated
