Discover the Amazing Ostrich: Africa's Giant Bird

The common ostrich lives predominantly in two areas: across the southern portion of the Sahara desert (Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan, and Tanzania), and in southern Africa (Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa). These flightless birds are the largest living species of bird, reaching up to 9 feet tall and weighing up to 320 pounds. Their distinctive black and white feathers, long necks, and powerful legs are instantly recognizable. Known for their incredible speed (up to 40 mph), ostriches are omnivores with a diet ranging from plants and seeds to insects and small animals like lizards and rodents.