Download This Sample
This sample is exclusively for KidsKonnect members!
To download this worksheet, click the button below to signup for free (it only takes a minute) and you'll be brought right back to this page to start the download!
Sign Me Up
Table of Contents
The ostrich is a member of the ratite family of birds. The ratite is a type of bird that is not able to fly. The ostrich is the largest living bird in the world and although it is native to Africa, the ostrich thrives in countries all over the world.
See the fact file below for more information on the Ostrich, or you can download our 31-page Ostrich worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
ORIGIN OF OSTRICHES
- Ostriches, also known as Struthionidae, are members of the Struthioniformes, a group of paleognath birds that first appeared during the Early Eocene epoch.
- It included a variety of flightless forms that were present throughout the Northern Hemisphere – Europe, Asia, and North America – during the Eocene epoch (66 million to 23 million years ago).
- These birds are ancient prehistoric birds, although they first appear in the human record as ostrich eggshell fragments and beads from archaeological sites around 60,000 years ago.
- Radiocarbon dates on archaeological sites associated with ostrich eggshell fragments start near the end of the Pleistocene (2,580,000 to 11,700 years ago), late in Marine Isotope Stage 3, which occurred between 60,000 and 25,000 years ago.
- During the Holocene epoch (11,700 years ago), Central Asian ostriches became extinct. Ostriches and mammoths were considered the last Asian megafaunal species (referring to animals weighing more than 100 kg) to go extinct.
ANATOMY
- The ostrich is the world’s largest bird. It stands over two meters tall and weighs between 130 and 150 kilograms. The anatomy of the ostrich is distinct, owing primarily to the length of the neck.
- The ostrich’s respiratory system, like that of any other bird, consists of the lungs and a system of air sacs located in the intercostal spaces.
- These bags are used by the ostrich to regulate its body temperature. Their normal breathing rates range from 7 to 12 breaths per minute.
- Ostriches, like emus and kiwis, do not fly despite having wings. The ostrich has a strong chest that protects the heart and liver by covering the rib cage.
- The family where the ostriches belong to are distinguished by the absence of sternum muscles, which would allow them to fly.
- Its muscular structure is designed in such a way that the bird has very high agility as well as a very high speed of movement, making it the fastest creature on the planet after the cheetah.
- It can reach and maintain a speed of 65 km/h for tens of minutes, sometimes exceeding the speed of a cheetah.
LIFE PROCESS
- Ostrich eggs are large, measuring 11 x 18 centimeters across and weighing approximately 1400 grams or 1.4 kilograms, with extremely thick shells.
- They are shiny and white so that when exposed to the sun for a short period of time, they reflect the heat away, preventing the eggs from overheating.
- Ostriches reproduce sexually and lay eggs. Because these birds share some of the same sexual organs as humans, they reproduce in the same manner.
- A female ostrich can mate with only one male, whereas a male ostrich can mate with multiple females. They can lay between 10 and 70 eggs.
- A male ostrich guards the nest of eggs laid by numerous females with whom he has mated. Ostrich eggs are typically laid in a nest, which is typically a slight hollow scraped into the ground.
- On the other hand, only one of the females who laid the eggs will help them hatch by sitting on the eggs all day.
- This female directs all of her eggs to the center of the nest, the most sheltered location, because eggs at the edges have a low survival rate.
- Ostrich eggs hatch in 35 to 40 days and both the female and the male take care of the chicks. Ostriches’ powerful legs not only carry them where they want to go; they’re also extremely effective in self-defense.
- However, as they age, their legs become weaker. Diseases such as bird flu, cancer, and others have been observed in aging ostriches. An ostrich can live for 50 to 70 years in captivity and about 40 years in the wild.
OSTRICH HABITAT
- These wild birds are commonly found in savannas, woodlands, deserts, plains, semi-deserts, dry grasslands, and scrubs. These wild birds will also be common in environments devoid of trees.
- South of the Sahara Desert, Africa is home to four distinct ostrich subspecies. The North African ostrich is found throughout northern Africa, from the western coast to the east.
- The ostrich is a nomad that must follow its food sources, going wherever it can find enough berries, grasses, seeds, and insects to eat.
- Regardless of the fact that they get some moisture from the plants they eat, ostriches require a consistent source of drinking water.
KINDS OF OSTRICHES
- Due to hunting for food and their feathers, many ostriches outside Africa became extinct. One of them is the extinct Arabian Ostrich (Struthio camelus syriacus).
- Even as recently as 1966, the Middle Eastern or Arabian Ostrich was abundant in parts of Syria and the Arabian Peninsula. It was slightly smaller than the North African ostrich.
- Unfortunately, due to the area drying up, as well as widespread poaching and the use of firearms in the area, this subspecies was wiped out.
- Surviving ostriches have a natural habitat mostly in Africa and some are bred in other countries like United States, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and India.
- The most common ostriches today found in the African continent are:
- North African Ostrich (Struthio camelus camelus)
- Masai Ostrich (c. massaicus)
- South African Ostrich (c. australis)
- Somali Ostrich (c. molybdophanes)
OSTRICH CONSERVATION
- Ostriches have been hunted for their meat, feathers, and eggs since the late Pleistocene.
- As human populations are expanding into areas where wildlife used to roam freely, the development of settlements and roads, as well as agricultural cultivation, all contribute to the habitat loss of ostriches.
- They are raised for their meat, their skin, which is used to make leather, and their soft and appealing feathers, which are prized in the fashion industry and used as feather dusters.
- The only feasible method for preserving the ostrich population is known as “reinforcement.” This entails adding to the existing population in order to improve its chances of survival.
- The extensive use of ostrich breeding farms will be critical in reducing the decline of the ostrich population and increasing its numbers.
Ostrich Worksheets
This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Ostrich across 31 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Ostrich, a member of the ratite family of birds which means they are not able to fly.
Download includes the following worksheets
- Ostrich Facts
- Fun Anatomy
- Life of an Ostrich
- Name the Ostrich!
- Quick Quiz
- Prehistoric Ostrich
- Egg-xactly that Size!
- Ostrich Word Find
- Ostrich Adjectives
- The Ostrich and the Pelican
- The Ostrich
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ostrich?
An ostrich is a large flightless bird that is native to Africa. It is the largest bird in the world and can grow up to 9 feet tall and weigh up to 350 pounds. Ostriches are known for their long legs and necks and for their ability to run at high speeds.
What do ostriches eat?
Ostriches are omnivorous and eat a variety of plants and animals. They eat grass, leaves, seeds, fruits, and insects, as well as small mammals, reptiles and other birds. Ostriches are also able to go without food and water for a few days.
How fast can ostriches run?
Ostriches are able to run at high speeds, up to 45 miles per hour, making them the fastest land bird in the world. They are also able to maintain high speeds for long distances, making them hard to catch.
Can ostriches fly?
Ostriches are flightless birds, meaning they cannot fly. They have small wings that are used for balance and to make sudden turns while running.
Why are ostriches important?
Ostriches are important for several reasons, including their economic value. Ostriches are farmed for their meat, eggs, and feathers. Their hide is also used for making leather products. Ostriches also play an important role in the ecosystem as they help to control the population of insects, rodents, and other small animals that they eat. They also help to spread the seeds of the plants they consume.
Link/cite this page
If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.
Link will appear as Ostrich Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, January 10, 2023
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.