Ostrich

The biggest bird — can't fly, but it runs

The ostrich is the biggest bird in the world — taller than an adult! It can't fly, but it runs at 70 km/h. One ostrich egg equals 24 chicken eggs. Ostriches don't bury their heads in sand — that's a myth; when in danger they lie flat and stretch out their necks.

The ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the largest and heaviest bird (2.7 m, 150 kg), living in African savannas and deserts. It can't fly, but on strong two-toed legs it runs at 70 km/h for 30 minutes, with a 5 m stride. Its kick can kill a lion. Its eye is 5 cm across — the largest of any land animal, bigger than its brain. Its egg weighs 1.5 kg — the biggest of any bird. The male incubates the eggs of several females in one nest.

Fun facts

• An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain!
• An ostrich egg weighs 1.5 kg — it takes 1.5 hours to boil.
• One ostrich stride is 5 metres.