Ostrich

Common ostrich Temporal range: 15–0 Ma PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N Early Miocene-Present
Sooth African ostrich male (left) an females (S. camelus australis)
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kinrick:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Cless:	Aves
Superorder:	Palaeognathae
Order:	Struthioniformes
Faimily:	Struthionidae
Genus:	Struthio
Species:	S. camelus
Binomial name
Struthio camelus Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Subspecies
S. c. camelus Linnaeus, 1758[2] North African ostrich S. c. australis Gurney, 1868[2] Sooth African ostrich S. c. massaicus Neumann, 1898[2] Masai ostrich †S. c. syriacus Rothschild, 1919[2] Arabie ostrich
Struthio camelus distribution map      S. c. camelus       S. molybdophanes      S. c. massaicus       S. c. australis

The Ostrich or Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus) is aither ane or twa species o muckle flightless birds native tae Africa, the anly livin member(s) o the genus Struthio, which is in the ratite family. Some analyses indicate that the Somali Ostrich may be better considered a full species separate frae the Common Ostrich, but maist taxonomists consider it to be a subspecies.

The ostrich shares the order Struthioniformes wi the kiwis, emus, rheas, an cassowaries. It is distinctive in its appearance, wi a lang neck an legs, an can run at up tae aboot \ land speed o ony bird.^[3] The ostrich is the lairgest livin species o bird an lays the lairgest eggs o ony livin bird (extinct elephant birds o Madagascar an the giant moa o New Zealand laid lairger eggs).

The ostrich's diet consists mainly o plant matter, tho it an aa eats invertebrates. It lifes in nomadic groups o 5 tae 50 birds. When threatened, the ostrich will aither hide itself bi lying flat against the grund, or run away. If cornered, it can attack wi a kick o its pouerful legs. Matin patterns differ bi geographical region, but territorial males ficht for a harem o twa tae seiven females.

The ostrich is fairmed aroond the warld, parteecularly for its feathers, which are decorative an are an aa uised as feather dusters. Its skin is uised for laither products an its meat is mercatit commercially.^[4]

1. ↑ BirdLife International (2016). "Struthio camelus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T45020636A95139620. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T45020636A95139620.en. Archived frae the original on 25 Mey 2019. Retrieved 14 Januar 2018.
2. ↑ ^{a b c d e} Brands, Sheila (14 August 2008). "Systema Naturae 2000 / Classification, Genus Struthio". Project: The Taxonomicon. Retrieved 4 Februar 2009.^{[deid airtin]}
3. ↑ Doherty, James G. (1974). Natural History. The American Museum of Natural History. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
4. ↑ Davies, S.J.J.F. (2003). "Birds I Tinamous and Ratites to Hoatzins". In Hutchins, Michael (ed.). Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. 8 (2 ed.). Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group. pp. 99–101. ISBN 0-7876-5784-0.