What is an ostrich*An ostrich is a large, flightless bird native to Africa. It is known for being the largest bird in the world and for its impressive running speed. Ostriches belong to the ratite family, which also includes emus, kiwis, and other flightless birds. They have long, powerful legs designed for running and can reach speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour (43 miles per hour). Ostriches have a distinctive appearance with a long neck, large eyes, and a small head. Their feathers are usually brown or grey, and males have bold black-and-white coloring on their tail feathers and wings.Ostriches are omnivorous and primarily feed on plants, seeds, and insects, but they can also eat small vertebrates and invertebrates when available. They live in flocks that can contain anywhere from five to fifty birds, and they are well-adapted to living in savannas, grasslands, and semi-arid regions.One interesting aspect of ostriches is their reproductive behavior. They lay the largest eggs of any living land animal, and during the breeding season, a dominant male will establish a territory and mate with multiple females. All the females place their eggs in a communal nest, but the dominant female's eggs are given the center and safest position. Both the male and the dominant female take turns incubating the eggs.Ostriches have been hunted and farmed for their feathers, skin, and meat. Ostrich farming is still practiced in various parts of the world, including their native Africa, as well as other regions where they have been introduced, such as Australia and the United States.*Why is an ostrich called a birdAn ostrich is called a bird because it belongs to the class Aves, which encompasses all birds. Despite its inability to fly, the ostrich shares several characteristics with other birds, includingFeathers:
