When we think of birds, we usually imagine them flying through the sky. But the biggest bird in the world does something completely different—it doesn’t fly at all. The ostrich, found chiefly in Africa, is huge, fast, and full of surprises.
up to 9 feet tall and weigh as much as 150 kilos, making them the largest birds alive today. Even though they have wings, they’re far too big to lift off the ground.
But what they lack in flight, they make up for in speed. Ostriches can run up to 70 km/h (around 43 mph)—faster than most animals. And with legs strong enough to kick a lion, they’re definitely not easy targets.
One of the most fascinating things about ostriches is their egg. It’s the largest egg any living land animal lays—about the size of two dozen chicken eggs put together! These eggs are often kept in shared nests, with males and females taking turns to guard them.
Ostriches live in dry places like deserts and grasslands. They can go for days without drinking water, getting what they need from the plants they eat. Their diet is mostly seeds, roots, and grasses, but they’ll also nibble on insects occasionally.
These birds are also raised on farms in different parts of the world. People use their meat, leather, and feathers, which are all in demand. Although wild ostriches are still doing fine in most areas, some types, like the Arabian ostrich, have sadly disappeared due to hunting and loss of habitat.
What’s amazing is how the ostrich has adapted. Instead of flying like most birds, it evolved to survive on land—running fast, defending itself well, and coping with harsh conditions. It’s a great reminder that being different isn’t a weakness. In fact, for the ostrich, it’s exactly what makes it so remarkable.
