(Vogelstrauss, Struthio camelus australis)
The Ostrich, or in German »Vogelstrauss«, is the worlds largest living bird. Spread all over the African continent in former times, it today in the wild can only be found in parts of eastern and southern Africa. Mature male birds reach a height of up to 2.6m and a weight of more than 130kg - the female are slightly smaller. The sex can be identified through the colouring of the feathers: male birds are black with white tips on the wings and a white tail, female for camouflage reasons completely brownish-grey.
Due to its strong legs, which he also uses as deadly weapons, the ostrich can run up to 70km/h fast and that way outruns most enemies in situations of danger. Its main habitat therefore is wide open plains without much covering.
Ostriches are polygamous, i.e. many female gather around one male bird. The nests are simple shallow dips that are dug into the soft, sandy ground. All female of one male lay their eggs in the one nest, so the total number of eggs ranges between 15 and 60. Due to their colouring she broods during the day and he during the night. The chicks hatch out after about 40 days and are raised and watched bay both parents.
Ostriches live in small groups with normally only one male bird, but also gather to larger herds if necessary. They often can be spotted in the company of zebras and Springboks, due to the reason that the birds have very good eye-sight whereas the zebras and antelopes sense of smelling is far better.
Population on Vogelstrausskluft: widespread
Main Habitats: Plateau, Canyon Plains
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The Ostrich, or in German »Vogelstrauss«, is the worlds largest living bird. Spread all over the African continent in former times, it today in the wild can only be found in parts of eastern and southern Africa. Mature male birds reach a height of up to 2.6m and a weight of more than 130kg - the female are slightly smaller. The sex can be identified through the colouring of the feathers: male birds are black with white tips on the wings and a white tail, female for camouflage reasons completely brownish-grey.
Due to its strong legs, which he also uses as deadly weapons, the ostrich can run up to 70km/h fast and that way outruns most enemies in situations of danger. Its main habitat therefore is wide open plains without much covering.
Ostriches are polygamous, i.e. many female gather around one male bird. The nests are simple shallow dips that are dug into the soft, sandy ground. All female of one male lay their eggs in the one nest, so the total number of eggs ranges between 15 and 60. Due to their colouring she broods during the day and he during the night. The chicks hatch out after about 40 days and are raised and watched bay both parents.
Ostriches live in small groups with normally only one male bird, but also gather to larger herds if necessary. They often can be spotted in the company of zebras and Springboks, due to the reason that the birds have very good eye-sight whereas the zebras and antelopes sense of smelling is far better.
Population on Vogelstrausskluft: widespread
Main Habitats: Plateau, Canyon Plains
<< back to overview
