Ostrich

Struthio camelus

While birds can make fantastic pets, exotic bird species have the potential to negatively impact our native flora and fauna should they be allowed to escape into the environment.

They have the potential to spread disease, out compete native species, damage agricultural crops and denigrate natural spaces through over population. The risk of this can be minimised through secure bird keeping practises and reporting wild populations of exotic bird species, such as the ostrich, to Agriculture Victoria.

How to identify an ostrich

Ostriches are the largest living bird species in the world. Males are predominantly black in colour with white wings and tail, whilst females and juvenile birds are greyish brown in colour with some white patches

About the Ostrich

Habitat

Ostriches are native to Africa, where they can be found in open arid and semi-arid habitats such as savanna plains, deserts and open woodlands.

Behaviour

Ostriches are a nomadic species and the movement of a herd depends on the availability of food and water. When under threat, they can reach sprint speeds of up to 70 kms per hour. Each two toed foot has a long, sharp claw which, when used defensively, can kill a human or predator such as a lion. Ostriches have excellent vision and can assess a threat from a long distance. When under direct threat, ostriches lie low to the ground and press their neck down flat in an attempt to conceal themselves.

Ostriches are omnivores and eat plants, roots and seeds but will also eat insects, snakes, rodents or lizards when available. Most of their water requirements are met by their mostly plant-based diet. Ostriches swallow sand and pebbles which assist them to grind food in their gizzard.

Ostriches live in small herds of twelve birds or less. All females in the herd lay their eggs in a single nest – a shallow scrape on the ground. Communal nests may contain up to 60 eggs. Eggs hatch in six weeks and ostriches reach sexual maturity at 3-4 years of age. Ostriches can survive for 30-40 years in the wild. Dominant males defend the herd’s territory and use a variety of hissing and loud, deep warning calls.

Distribution

Ostriches are farmed worldwide for their meat, leather, feathers and eggs. Ostriches were introduced to Australia in the late 1800’s however like many niche agriculture industries it has fluctuated over the years. During periods when the Ostrich industry has struggled many birds either escaped or were released. Small populations may remain in the rangelands of South Australia.

Responsible keeping of exotic birds

Ostrich farms can be found in Victoria, and reports of escaped animals have been recorded. Please adhere to the following guidelines if you choose to keep ostriches;

• Maintain in a secure, well-fenced paddock,
• Research the dietary needs of the particular species and provide a balanced and varied diet,
• Consult regularly with an avian veterinarian and seek assistance at the first signs of illness or injury,
• Ensure birds are identified with an appropriate band or microchip,
• Do not allow them to escape or intentionally release them into the wild.

If seen in the wild in Victoria, please report the sighting to Agriculture Victoria via our online reporting tool. Or by emailing: highrisk.invasiveanimals@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Mistaken Identity

In Australia, the Ostrich may be mistaken for our native emu. Generally speaking, ostriches are three times larger than emus, reaching a height of up to 2.7 metres and weighing up to 135 kgs. In comparison, emus can reach between 1.5-1.9 metres in height and weigh up to 60kgs. Emus have three toed feet, ostriches have two toes. Ostrich eggs are white, emu eggs are blue-green in colour and when emu chicks hatch they have stripey feathers.