The Ostrich

The ostrich belongs to the Ratite family of birds with the male ostrich being called a rooster while the female ostrich is called a hen. One of the most well known ostrich facts is that an ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain! The eye measures almost two inches across, which makes it the largest eye of any land animal and further more it is the largest and heaviest living bird in the world. This bird is a flightless bird for many reasons. Firstly, it has small and loose feathers and does not have a keeled sternum (breastbone) which is common to most birds. The main use of these feathers is to help them maintain their balance when they run, which specially comes in handy if they suddenly change direction. They also use them during the mating season by displaying the wings proudly to potential mates alongside their tail feathers. To show dominance, an ostrich holds its head up high and lifts its wings and its tail feathers (For male). To show submission, the head, wings and tail droop down (For the females).
Ostriches live in small herds that typically contain less than a dozen birds with the Alpha males maintaining these herds, and mate with the group's dominant hen (It is a patriarchal society). The male sometimes mates with others in the group, and wandering males may also mate with lesser hens. Interestingly all of the group's hens place their eggs in the dominant hen's nest—though her own are given the prominent center place The dominant hen and male take turns incubating the giant eggs, each one of which weighs as much as two dozen chicken eggs. When they hatch the females take turns to take care of the young chicks especially the ‘alpha female’s eggs’.
Ostrich meat resembles beef in its appearance and is cooked in almost the same way. Ostrich meat is a red meat and is very low in cholesterol, calories and is almost fat free, the best part is that the ostrich is not anywhere near being an endangered species so perhaps we could introduce it onto our menus for purpose of having variety. Ostriches produce the strongest commercially available leather in the world and also some of the most beautiful feathers around. Ostrich’s skeletons and fossils have been found to date back to over 120 million years with some archeologists saying that they could be part of the family of the extinct dinosaurs. There are 3 main species of ostriches of which only one, (the Struthio Camelus Domesticus (the African Black)), that is found in captivity.
Contrary to popular belief, ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand. The old saying probably originates with one of the bird's defensive behaviors. At the approach of trouble, ostriches will lie low and press their long necks to the ground in an attempt to become less visible. Their plumage blends well with sandy soil and, from a distance, gives the appearance that they have buried their heads in the sand.

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