The Ostrich - Biggest Bird in the World

Ostriches are Reared for Leather, Eggs, Feathers and Meat

May 16, 2009 Fleur Hupston

Can ostriches fly? Do they bury their heads in the sand? Do ostriches really eat stones? This fascinating bird, indigenous to Africa, is now found all over the world.

The majority of ostrich farms are located in Southern Africa, specifically South Africa and Botswana, although ostriches are now reared in countries as cold as Sweden and Finland. In total they are farmed in 50 countries around the globe. Although ostriches are hardy birds and survive in colder climates, they prosper in hot climates.

Uses For Ostrich Feathers and Leather

From the Victorian Times onwards, ostrich feathers have been popular in decorating hats, fans and other fashion items. Today ostrich plumes are just as sought after for decorating extravagant costumes for carnivals in Rio de Janeiro or the Moulin Rouge in Paris..

Apart from making beautiful leather handbags, wallets, purses and belts, ostrich leather has become popular for the fashion industry where designers have made beautiful jackets, skirts and dresses out of ostrich leather. The leather has also become popular for use as insert panels in luxury cars. At least 30% of ostrich leather is sold to the luxury brands market.

Ostrich feathers are also used to make effective feather dusters in all shades of color.

How Healthy Is Ostrich Meat and Eggs?

Ostrich meat is the healthiest red meat available, containing 96.9 calories per 3 oz serving compared to 240 calories for beef, 1.2g fat versus 15g of fat for the same portion. The meat tastes good and there are plenty of ostrich meat recipes available.

One ostrich egg is equal to approximately 24 hens eggs and can be prepared in the same way. Ostrich eggs are creamier and richer and make excellent scrambled eggs or omelettes.

Ostrich Arts and Crafts

Ostrich eggshells were first used by the San Bushmen as jewelry, in the form of discs on a necklace and earrings. To this day, the San will fry pieces of egg-shell in hot oil to change the color of the shells from white to various shades of brown for decorative purposes in earrings and necklaces.

The San bushmen used and still use ostrich eggshells as containers to transport and store water in the dry Kalahari desert where they live. These days ostrich eggs are carved, decorated and painted and even used as lamps.

Do Ostriches Really Bury Their Heads in the Sand?

The answer is no – ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand at a sign of danger but the myth may have originated from the fact that the ostriches appear to do so when they feed, also they swallow sand and pebbles to help grind their food which makes them look like their heads are grubbing about in the sand.

When incubating a clutch of eggs, ostriches will lay their heads and necks flat on the ground when predators such as lions are in the area, this will make them blend into the landscape and escape danger.

How Fast Can an Ostrich Run?

When threatened, ostriches will run away but if cornered can cause serious injury and death with kicks from their powerful legs. Their legs can only kick forward. They have excellent eyesight and hearing, ostriches can sense predators such as lions from far away.

If pursued by a predator, they have been known to reach speeds in excess of 70 km/h (45 mph). These birds have enormous stamina and can maintain a steady speed of 50 km/h (30 mph) which makes the ostrich the world's fastest two-legged animal.

What Do Ostriches Eat and Drink?

They mainly feed on seeds, shrubs, grass, and other plant matter occasionally they also eat insects such as locusts or they may even eat lizards. Lacking teeth, they swallow pebbles that help as gastroliths (stomach stones found in creatures without teeth) to grind the swallowed food – adult ostriches carrying as much as 1 kg (2lb) of stones in the stomach.

Ostriches are well adapted to life in the desert with where very little water is available and can survive for long periods of time without this precious liquid, however in the rainy season when more water is available, they enjoy it thoroughly and bath whenever they can.

Ostrich tours are given at many of the farms where ostriches are reared and this can provide an introduction to this fascinating creature, especially for children.

References:

South African Ostrich Business Chamber, Ostrich Industry
Value of Foods USDA, Home & Garden Bulletin No. 72 and AMSI Quality Testing Laboratory Report No. C80-0100, for Dr. Kevin Owen, 27 Jan 1989.

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