The ostrich holds the title of being the largest bird on the planet! With males standing over 9 feet tall and weighing more than 300 pounds, they’re truly magnificent creatures. Not only are they massive, but they also lay the largest eggs of any bird—each weighing about 3 pounds!

Males sport black plumage while females have a more grayish color. During the breeding season, the males also develop pink pigmentation on their beaks and legs to attract mates. Despite their size, ostriches are flightless, but they're the fastest running birds, capable of reaching speeds of up to 43 miles per hour!

They live in arid savannas and grasslands across sub-Saharan Africa and southern Africa, where they graze on grasses, seeds, fruits, and flowers. Contrary to the popular myth, ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand. The misconception likely arose when people observed them feeding from the ground and assumed they were hiding their heads when, in fact, they were just foraging.

Outside of breeding season, you’ll typically see ostriches in pairs, but during breeding season, they may gather in large groups of up to 100 individuals.

At the zoo, we care for a pair of ostriches. They enjoy a diet of special ostrich pellets, corn, and crushed oyster shell. For enrichment, our ostriches love water misters, small pools, and fresh sand to bathe in. It’s a luxurious life for our majestic birds!