Common Ostrich

Overview

Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus) is a species of Ostriches (Struthionidae) in the order Ostriches. The world's largest and fastest-running bird, flightless with long bare legs and a long neck; males are black with white wing plumes, females brownish; lives in open savannas, feeds mainly on plants, and can sprint up to 70 km/h; lays the largest eggs of any living bird; farmed worldwide for meat, leather and feathers.

Scientific Classification

Genus: Struthio; binomial: Struthio camelus; authority: Linnaeus, 1758. Typical size: 200-280cm. Average lifespan: 30-50 years.

Distribution

Breeding range: Africa.

Conservation Status

This taxon is listed as Extant (living) in the IOC World Bird List.

Remarks

See Miller et al. (2011) re genetic structure and phylogeography of ostrich populations.