Ostrich

The ostrich may be the largest of living birds, but it cannot fly. On the other hand, she is a tireless walker and above all a very good athlete. She only has 2 toes on her legs and yet can run up to 70 km / h! With 2 large eyes of 55 cm in diameter (bigger than those of elephants) are bigger than her brain!

When it pecks at vegetation, the ostrich is at the mercy of predators such as lions. This is why we see her regularly raise her head, on the lookout for danger.

The female ostrich is sexually mature around the age of 2; the male only around 3-4 years old. The couple take care of the brooding together, she during the day, he at night. Indeed, the black plumage of the male ostrich can be seen quickly over great distances. Conversely, that of the female, dull brown, allows it to camouflage itself. The couple take care of their eggs but also those laid by other female ostriches in the same nest.

If the ostrich present in PAL is native to Kenya, there are also 3 other subspecies living in Senegal, Nigeria, Ethiopia and South Africa. The ostrich adapts very well to the desert conditions of these countries, as it absorbs water from the plants it feeds on. Their feathers play an insulating role which allows it to withstand climatic variations.

The ostrich puts its head in the sand in case of danger?

It is a received idea that certainly comes from his habit of putting his head in the sand during sandstorms in order to protect himself ...

• 
  Habitat

  Arid exposed areas in Africa
• Food

  Shoots, flowers, leaves, insects and seeds.

Did you know ?

The ostrich egg is the largest bird egg, as well as the smallest in proportion to the size of the bird.