The Ostrich or Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus) is either one or two
species of large flightless birds native to Africa, the only living
member(s) of the genus Struthio, which is in the ratite family. Some
analyses indicate that the Somali Ostrich may be better considered a
full species separate from the Common Ostrich, but most taxonomists
consider it to be a subspecies.
The ostrich shares the order Struthioniformes with the kiwis, emus,
rheas, and cassowaries. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long
neck and legs, and can run at up to about 70 km/h (43 mph), the
fastest land speed of any bird.
The ostrich is the largest living
species of bird and lays the largest eggs of any living bird (extinct
elephant birds of Madagascar and the giant moa of New Zealand laid
larger eggs).
Khabar Bhitrako Khabar, 19 February 2014, Part 1
The ostrich's diet consists mainly of plant matter, though it also eats invertebrates. It lives in nomadic groups of 5 to 50 birds. When threatened, the ostrich will either hide itself by lying flat against the ground, or run away. If cornered, it can attack with a kick of its powerful legs. Mating patterns differ by geographical region, but territorial males fight for a harem of two to seven females.
Khabar Bhitrako Khabar, 19 February 2014, Part 2
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