The bird that lays the largest egg of any living bird

 Struthio camelusis a large flightless bird native to  Africa. The flightless ostrich is the world's largest bird and the largest living species of bird and lays the largest egg of any living bird. They roam African savanna and desert lands and get most of their water from the plants they eat. Ostriches usually weigh from 63 to 130 kilograms (140–290 lb) with exceptional male Ostriches weighing up to 155 kilograms (340 lb).

Though they cannot fly, ostriches are fleet, strong runners. They can sprint up to 43 miles (70 kilometers) an hour and run over distance at 31 miles (50 kilometers) an hour. They may use their wings as "rudders" to help them change direction while running. An ostrich's powerful, long legs can cover 10 to 16 feet (3 to 5 meters) in a single stride. These legs can also be formidable weapons. Ostrich kicks can kill a human or a potential predator like a lion.Each two-toed foot has a long, sharp claw.

Ostriches live in small herds that typically contain less than a dozen birds. Mating patterns differ by geographical region, but territorial males fight for a harem of two to seven females. The male sometimes mates with others in the group, and wandering males may also mate with lesser hens. 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.
Contrary to popular belief, ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand. The old saw 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.


Ostriches typically eat plants, roots, and seeds but will also eat insects, lizards, or other creatures available in their sometimes harsh habitat. An adult Ostrich carries about 1 kilogram (2.2 lb) of stones in its stomach. Ostriches become sexually mature when they are 2 to 4 years old; females mature about six months earlier than males. The species is iteroparous, with the mating season beginning in March or April and ending sometime before September. The mating process differs in different geographical regions.


Ostriches formerly occupied Africa north and south of the Sahara, East Africa, Africa south of the rain forest belt, and much of Asia Minor and prefer open land and are native to the savannas and Sahel of Africa, both north and south of the equatorial forest zone.The Ostrich is farmed around the world, particularly for its feathers, which are decorative and are also used as feather dusters. Its skin is used for leather products and its meat marketed commercially.

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