Field Guides for Kids: Birds

Field Guides for Kids: Birds — page 7
FLIGHTLESS BIRDS OSTRICH STRUTHIO CAMELUS This flightless species is the largest living bird An ostrich's small head rests on top of a long neck Ostriches have powerful legs and feet with just two toes These help them fight predators and run fast When running to escape lions they can reach speeds of 43 miles per hour 70 kmh HOW TO SPOT Color Pattern Males are mostly black and white while females have more brown coloring Both sexes have heads and necks with pinkish skin covered with downy feathers Size 7 to 9 feet 2.1 to 2.7 m tall 220 to 350 pounds 100 to 160 kg Range Africa Habitat Plains and semidesert savannas Diet Plants fruit from shrubs locusts and grasshoppers Male Female FUN FACT A male ostrich will make a nest by scraping the ground with his feet Multiple females may lay eggs in the nest There can be up to 25 eggs in a single ostrich nest 8