About the Ostrich

Zoology

The ostrich Struthio camelus, is the world's largest living bird belonging to the small order of birds know as Ratites, or running birds. Other Ratites include the Emu (Australia); the Cassowary (Australia); the Rhea (South America); and the Kiwi (New Zealand). All these birds originate from the Southern Hemisphere and in the case of the ostrich, it spread northwards throughout Africa. Formerly found in Syria and Saudi Arabia until the middle of the present century, wild ostriches are now confined to Africa.

Ostriches are flightless birds, their great body size and reduced wing size render them incapable of flying. They have a long neck, long bare legs and two toes. Their strong legs allow them to run up to 70 km per hour when necessary, with strides of up to 8 m. Neck and thigh muscles are well developed and un-feathered. Adult males stand 2,4 m tall and can weigh well over 100 kg; the female is slightly smaller.

 

Habitat

Ostriches are found in a variety of open habitats, they normally avoid areas of thick bush or heavy tree cover, and inhabit wooded grasslands or other open country. Semi-arid, open and short-grass plains are usually associated with the highest ostrich densities and they are also able to thrive in very poorly vegetated areas.

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Adaptation

The ostrich is very adaptable and thrives under extreme conditions. Among the many ways of regulating its body temperature, it controls heat loss during cold weather by covering its thighs with its wings, and during hot weather, by lifting and moving its wings which creates a gentle breeze. The feathers are excellent insulators, minimising heat gain from direct solar radiation, as well as reducing heat loss during cold desert nights. It has a remarkable tolerance to heat, withstanding air temperatures of 56 °C without undue stress. Heat is lost by painting via the well-developed air sac system that avoids over ventilation of the lungs and consequent dangerous water loss. Adaptations of the blood circulatory system permit its body to heat up to a greater extent than those of other warm-blooded animals while still keeping the head at a safe temperature. Ostriches rarely seek shade, as most desert animals regularly do, furthermore the ostrich's urine contains uric acid carried in a mucus-like substance that helps to minimise water loss.

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Behavior

Ostriches are completely diurnal. They are on their feet for most of the daylight hours, except when dust-bathing, resting or nesting. They invariably sit down at dusk and remain virtually inactive throughout the night, unless disturbed. The chicks and juveniles are strictly gregarious and always remain in compact groups, whereas the adults are semi-gregarious and tend to be attracted to each other for short periods. Like camels, ostriches can travel for long distances in search of food and water. In addition to temperature control, ostriches use their wings for a variety of display purposes, including courting, protecting eggs and young and submission. The ostrich's posture communicates information to other birds. A more confident and aggressive bird will hold its head and neck high, with the front of the body tilted upwards and the tail up, while a submissive bird will hold its head low and its tail down.

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History

The ostrich has been appreciated by humans for a long time, thanks to its meat, feathers and eggs. Originally, the eggs were the most important product from the ostrich. In the second part of the 18th century the eggs became less important, with the ostrich feathers becoming a status symbol of the Royal families. In the 19th century ostriches were bred for their feathers. Oudshoorn (South-Africa) was the center of the ostrich production where the feathers were exported to Europe and America, but the first world war put an end to this export. After the second world war, the industry began to grow again, but this time the ostrich leather became the most important product. The meat was first seen as a bi-product, but later it became more popular in Europe. Today, all parts of the ostrich can be used from the leather and meat to its two toe claws which are used in Chinese medicine. The four products we supply are Meat, Feathers, Leather and Eggs.

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