|
Ostrich
|
|
|
Copyright © 2009 JungleWalk.com and its licensors.
|
|
|
|
More About Ostriches ...
|
The Ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the largest living bird. It is up to about 2.5 metres (8 feet) in height and flightless, and belongs to the relatively primitive group known as ratites (Palaeognaths).
Other members of the group include rheas, emus, cassowaries and the largest bird ever, now extinct, Aepyornis. Ostriches have very long necks and legs and are capable of running at about 65 km/h (40 mph).
Ostriches occur naturally on the savannas and semi-deserts of Africa, both north and south of the equatorial forest zone. The Middle Eastern race S. c. syriacus is now extinct.
Their feathers do not function as airfoils, but the plumes used to be very popular as ornaments in ladies' hats and such. Ostriches are large enough for a small human to ride them and have been used in some areas of northern Africa and Arabia as racing mounts.
They are bred for meat in climates as cold as that of Finland. Ostrich meat tastes like lean beef.
In popular mythology, the Ostrich is famous for hiding its head in the sand at the first sign of danger. There have been no recorded observations of this behaviour, although the birds are known to lay their head and neck on the ground to appear less conspicuous when predators are near. When threatened, ostriches can seriously injure with kicks from their powerful legs.
Ostriches are noted for communal nesting, where a number of females will lay their eggs in a single nest, to be incubated by the alpha female by day and the male by night. The Ostrich's egg is the largest of all eggs.
|
|
Taxonmony
|
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Struthioniformes
Family: Struthionidae
|
|
Source: Wikipedia Read more about Ostriches
|
|
|
VIDEO CLIPS
|
Ostrich
0.138MB RM View Movie
Dos romances
Ostriches
|
Ostrich
0.572MB MPG View Movie
theBigZoo.com
Ostrich Walking and eating
|
Ostrich
0.000MB MOV View Movie
Getty Images
ostrich chicks running on grassy plain / Africa
If you don't see the relevant video below, please follow this link and search for 582-88 in the search screen.
|
Ostrich
0.000MB MOV View Movie
Getty Images
sillhouette of ostrich walking across grassy plain with orange sky / Africa
If you don't see the relevant video below, please follow this link and search for 582-84 in the search screen.
|
Ostrich
0.000MB MOV View Movie
Getty Images
group of ostriches running on plain
If you don't see the relevant video below, please follow this link and search for 418-73 in the search screen.
|
Ostrich
0.000MB MOV View Movie
Getty Images
ostriches walking in field
If you don't see the relevant video below, please follow this link and search for 88-176 in the search screen.
|
Ostrich
0.422MB MOV View Movie
ShowPoppers - Stock Footage
Long Shot Two Ostriches
|
Ostrich
0.294MB MOV View Movie
ShowPoppers - Stock Footage
Ostrich Feet
|
Ostrich
0.449MB MOV View Movie
ShowPoppers - Stock Footage
Close Up One Ostrich
|
Ostrich
0.002MB MOV View Movie
Getty Images
Ostriches and gemsbok passing through heat wave on rocky plain, Namibia
If you don't see the relevant video below, please follow this link and search for 466-67 in the search screen.
|
Ostrich
0.225MB MOV View Movie
Getty Images
Ostrich and gazelles grazing at sunset
If you don't see the relevant video below, please follow this link and search for 582-86 in the search screen.
|
Ostrich
WMV View Movie
Internet Bird Collection
Walking group. Amboseli National Park, Kenya (ssp massaicus).
|
Ostrich
0.640MB MOV View Movie
Creatas
Ostrich pair
|
Ostrich
0.356MB MOV View Movie
Creatas
Ostrich walking with chicks
|
Ostrich
0.394MB MOV View Movie
Creatas
Ostrich running
|
Ostrich
1.731MB MOV View Movie
DVArchive
Ostrich, close on face looking around
|
Ostrich
View Movie
National Geographic
Jackal vs. Ostrich Eggs vs. Vulture
|
|
