Common Ostrich

1. Enormous size and upright posture with a long neck and powerful legs-nothing else in Australia looks remotely similar

2. Males have striking black-and-white plumage, while females and young are brownish-grey

3. Only two toes per foot, with the inner toe much larger and equipped with a long claws

Ostriches are omnivores, feeding mainly on seeds, grasses, leaves, and fruit, but will also eat insects and small vertebrates when available. They swallow pebbles to help grind food in their gizzard. Ostriches live in nomadic groups and form complex social structures, with domit males maintaining territories and communal nests. Females lay their eggs in a single, shallow pit scraped by the male; the eggs are the largest of any living bird, averaging 1.4 kg. Both sexes share incubation duties, with the female incubating by day and the black male by night for camouflage. When threatened, they either flee or flatten themselves on the ground; if cornered, they can deliver powerful, potentially lethal kicks.

In Australia, Common Ostriches are primarily found on specialized farms and in wildlife parks, though some feral populations have existed following escapes from farming operations. They prefer open habitats similar to their native African savannas and semi-arid plains, avoiding dense forests. Ostriches are typically seen in small groups roaming open grasslands and lightly wooded country. They are well adapted to arid environments and can go several days without drinking, obtaining most of their moisture from plant material.

Ostriches were first imported to Australia in the 186s for farming, with commercial operations supplying feathers for fashion until the early 2th century. After the feather market collapsed, many farms closed, and some birds escaped or were released, leading to temporary feral populations. Today, ostriches are mainly seen in farming or tourism contexts, producing meat, leather, and feathers, and are much less common than Australia’s native emu.