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Ostrich
Fossil range: Early Miocene to Recent
Male Masai Ostrich(Struthio camelus massaicus)
Male Masai Ostrich
(Struthio camelus massaicus)
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Struthioniformes
Family: Struthionidae
Vigors, 1825
Genus: Struthio
Linnaeus, 1758
Species: S. The Miocene is a geological epoch of the Neogene period and extends from about 23 The conservation status of a Species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species remaining extant either in the present day or the near future Least Concern ( LC) is an IUCN category assigned to extant species or lower taxa which have been evaluated but do not qualify for any other category The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data List) created in 1963 is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global Chordates ( Phylum Chordata) are a group of Animals that includes the Vertebrates together with several closely related Invertebrates Birds ( class Aves) are bipedal endothermic ( Warm-blooded) Vertebrate animals that lay eggs. A ratite is any of a diverse group of large Flightless birds of Gondwanan origin most of them now extinct Nicholas Aylward Vigors (1785 &ndash October 26, 1840) was an Irish Zoologist and Politician. Carl Linnaeus (Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as, May 23 new style (13 May old style 1707 who laid the foundations for camelus
Binomial name
Struthio camelus
Linnaeus, 1758
Distribution of Ostriches.
Distribution of Ostriches.
Subspecies

see text

The Ostrich (Struthio camelus) is a large flightless bird native to Africa (and formerly the Middle East). In Zoology, as in other branches of Biology, subspecies is the Taxonomic rank immediately subordinate to a Species. Flightless birds are birds which lack the ability to fly relying instead on their ability to run or swim and are thought to have evolved from their flying ancestors The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. It is the only living species of its family, Struthionidae, and its genus, Struthio. In Biological classification, family ( Latin A genus (plural genera from Γένος Latin genus "descent family type gender" is a low-level Taxonomic Ostriches share the order Struthioniformes with emus, kiwis, and other ratites. A ratite is any of a diverse group of large Flightless birds of Gondwanan origin most of them now extinct The Emu ( Dromaius novaehollandiae, is the largest Bird native to Australia and the only extant member of the Genus KIWI (1029 FM, "Radio Lobo" is a commercial Radio station located in McFarland California, broadcasting to the Bakersfield California A ratite is any of a diverse group of large Flightless birds of Gondwanan origin most of them now extinct It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at speeds of about 65 km/h (40 mph), the top land speed of any bird. [2] The Ostrich is the largest living species of bird and lays the largest egg of any bird species. The largest organism found on earth can be measured using a variety of methods Birds ( class Aves) are bipedal endothermic ( Warm-blooded) Vertebrate animals that lay eggs.

The diet of the Ostrich mainly consists of seeds and other plant matter, though it eats insects. It lives in nomadic groups which contain between five and 50 birds. When threatened, the Ostrich will either hide itself by lying flat against the ground, or will run away. If cornered, it can cause injury and death with a kick from its powerful legs. Mating patterns differ by geographical region, but territorial males fight for a harem of two to seven females.

The Ostrich is farmed around the world, particularly for its feathers, which are decorative and are also used for feather dusters. Agriculture refers to the production of goods through the growing of plants and fungi and the raising of domesticated Animals The study of agriculture A feather duster is an implement used for cleaning It consists typically of a handle and a segment composed of natural or artificial Feathers which form the cleaning-contact Its skin is used for leather and its meat marketed commercially. Leather is a material created through the Tanning of hides and Skins of Animals primarily Cattlehide The Tanning process

Contents

Taxonomy

The Ostrich was originally described by Linnaeus in his 18th-century work, Systema Naturae under its current binomial name. Carl Linnaeus (Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as, May 23 new style (13 May old style 1707 who laid the foundations for The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini / Common Era numbering system The book Systema Naturae was one of the major works of the Swedish doctor of medicine Carolus Linnaeus. [3] Its scientific name is derived from the Greek words for "camel sparrow" alluding to its long neck. The Ancient Greek language is the historical stage in the development of the Hellenic language family spanning the Archaic (c Camels are Even-toed ungulates within the Genus Camelus. The Dromedary, one-humped or Arabian camel has a single hump and the The "true sparrows" the Old World sparrows in the family Passeridae, are small Passerine Birds Generally sparrows tend to be [4]

The Ostrich belongs to the Struthioniformes order of (ratites). A ratite is any of a diverse group of large Flightless birds of Gondwanan origin most of them now extinct This article is about the taxonomic rank for the sequence of species in a taxonomic list see Taxonomic order In scientific classification used A ratite is any of a diverse group of large Flightless birds of Gondwanan origin most of them now extinct Other members include rheas, emus, cassowaries and the largest bird ever, the now-extinct Elephant Bird (Aepyornis). The rheas are species of flightless Ratite Birds in the genus Rhea, native to South America. The Emu ( Dromaius novaehollandiae, is the largest Bird native to Australia and the only extant member of the Genus Cassowaries ( Genus Casuarius) are very large flightless Birds native to the Tropical forests of New Guinea and Elephant birds are an extinct family of Flightless Birds comprising the genera Aepyornis and Mullerornis. However, the classification of the ratites as a single order has always been questioned, with the alternative classification restricting the Struthioniformes to the ostrich lineage and elevating the other groups. Presently, molecular evidence is equivocal while paleobiogeographical and paleontological considerations are slightly in favor of the multi-order arrangement. Biogeography is the study of the distribution of Biodiversity over Space and Time. Palaeontology redirects here For the Scientific journal, see Palaeontology (journal.

Subspecies

Five subspecies are recognized:

Struthio camelus mounted skull and neck.
Struthio camelus mounted skull and neck.

Analyses indicate that the Somali Ostrich may be better considered a full species. mtDNA haplotype comparisons suggest that it diverged from the other Ostriches not quite 4 mya due to formation of the Great Rift Valley. Mitochondrial DNA ( mtDNA) is the DNA located in Organelles called mitochondria. The term haplotype is a contraction of the term " haploid Genotype. In Astronomy, Geology, and Paleontology, mya or " mya " is an abbreviation for "million years ago". The Great Rift Valley is a name given in the late 19th century by English explorer John Walter Gregory to the continuous geographic trough approximately in length that runs Subsequently, hybridization with the subspecies that evolved southwestwards of its range, S. c. massaicus, has apparently been prevented from occurring on a significant scale by ecological separation, the Somali Ostrich preferring bushland where it browses middle-height vegetation for food while the Masai Ostrich is, like the other subspecies, a grazing bird of the open savanna and miombo habitat. Grazing generally describes a type of Predation in which an Herbivore feeds on Plants (such as Grasses, or more broadly on a multicellular A savanna or savannah is a Tropical or Subtropical Grassland or Woodland Ecosystem. Miombo is the Swahili word for Brachystegia, a genus of tree comprising a large number of species [11]

The population from Río de Oro was once separated as Struthio camelus spatzi because its eggshell pores were shaped like a teardrop and not round, but as there is considerable variation of this character and there were no other differences between these birds and adjacent populations of S. Río de Oro ( Spanish for " Gold River" Arabic: وادي الذهب wādī-að-ðahab, often transliterated as Oued Edhahab is with c. camelus, it is no longer considered valid. [12] This population disappeared in the later half of the 20th century. The twentieth century of the Common Era began on In addition, there have been 19th century reports of the existence of small ostriches in North Africa; these have been referred to as Levaillant's Ostrich (Struthio bidactylus) but remain a hypothetical form not supported by material evidence. The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar [13] Given the persistence of savanna wildlife in a few mountainous regions of the Sahara (such as the Tagant Plateau and the Ennedi Plateau), it is not at all unlikely that ostriches too were able to persist in some numbers until recent times after the drying-up of the Sahara. The Sahara (الصحراء الكبرى aṣ-ṣaḥrā´ al-kubra, "The Great Desert" is the world's largest hot Desert and the world's second largest The Tagant Plateau lies in eastern Mauritania, forming a stony part of the Sahara Desert. The Ennedi Plateau, located in the North-East of Chad, in the Bourkou-Ennedi-Tibesti Region, is a Sandstone bulkwark in the middle of the Sahara

Evolution

Farmed ostrich
Farmed ostrich
Wild ostriches at the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa
Wild ostriches at the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa

The earliest fossil of ostrich-like birds is the Central European Palaeotis from the Middle Eocene, a middle-sized flightless bird that was originally believed to be a bustard. The Cape of Good Hope ( Afrikaans: Kaap die Goeie Hoop, Kaap de Goede Hoop Cabo da Boa Esperança Persian Language: دماغه امید نیک The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Palaeotis is a Palaeognath bird from the Eocene epoch. Originally it was thought to be a bustard hence its name ( Palaeotis means ancient bustard The Eocene epoch (558 ± 02 - 339 ± 01 Ma) is a major division of the Geologic timescale and the second epoch of the Palaeogene period in Bustards are large terrestrial Birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. Apart from this enigmatic bird, the fossil record of the ostriches continues with several species of the modern genus Struthio which are known from the Early Miocene onwards. FOSSIL is a standard protocol for allowing serial communication for Telecommunications programs under the DOS Operating system. The Miocene is a geological epoch of the Neogene period and extends from about 23 While the relationship of the African species is comparatively straightforward, a large number of Asian species of ostrich have been described from very fragmentary remains, and their interrelationships and how they relate to the African ostriches is very confusing. In China, ostriches are known to have become extinct only around or even after the end of the last ice age; images of ostriches have been found there on prehistoric pottery and as petroglyphs. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National "Last glacial" redirects here For the period of maximum glacier extent during this time see Last Glacial Maximum The last glacial period Petroglyphs are Images created by removing part of a rock surface by incising pecking carving and abrading There are also records of ostriches being sighted out at sea in the Indian Ocean and when discovered on the island of Madagascar the sailors of the 18th century referred to them as Sea Ostriches, although this has never been confirmed.

Several of these fossil forms are ichnotaxa (that is, classified according to the organism's footprints or other trace rather than its body) and their association with those described from distinctive bones is contentious and in need of revision pending more good material. An ichnotaxon (plural ichnotaxa) is defined by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature as "a Taxon based on the fossilized work of an organism" [14]

Description

Ostrich foot
Ostrich foot

Ostriches usually weigh from 93 to 130 kg (200 to 285 lb),[15] although some male ostriches have been recorded with weights of up to 155 kg (340 lb). Trace fossils are classified in various ways for different purposes The feathers of adult males are mostly black, with white at the ends of the wings and in the tail. Females and young males are greyish-brown and white. The head and neck of both male and female Ostriches is nearly bare, but has a thin layer of down. For the record label see Duck Down Records The down of Birds is a layer of fine Feathers found under the tougher exterior feathers [16]

The strong legs of the Ostrich lack feathers. The bird has just two toes on each foot (most birds have four), with the nail of the larger, inner one resembling a hoof. HoofRearHoovesjpg|thumb|200px|right|Rear hooves of a horse]] A hoof is the tip of a Toe of an Ungulate Mammal, strengthened by a thick horny ( The outer toe lacks a nail. [17] This is an adaptation unique to Ostriches that appears to aid in running. The wings are not used for flight, but are still large, with a wingspan of around two metres (over six feet),[18] despite the absence of long flight feathers. The wings are used in mating displays, and they can also provide shade for chicks. The feathers, which are soft and fluffy, serve as insulation, and are quite different from the flat smooth outer feathers of flying birds (the feather barbs lack the tiny hooks which lock them together in other birds). Feathers are one of the epidermal growths that form the distinctive outer covering or Plumage, on Birds They are considered the most complex integumentary structures The ostrich's sternum is flat, lacking the keel to which wing muscles attach in flying birds. The sternum (from Greek στέρνον sternon, "chest" or breastbone) is a long flat Bone located in the center of the thorax (chest A keel in Bird anatomy is an extension of the Sternum which runs axially along the midline of the sternum and extends outward perpendicular to the plane of the [19] The beak is flat and broad, with a rounded tip. Anatomy Stegosaurus --> Beaks can vary significantly in size and shape from species to species [20] Like all ratites, the Ostrich has no crop,[21] and it also lacks a gallbladder. A ratite is any of a diverse group of large Flightless birds of Gondwanan origin most of them now extinct The gallbladder (or cholecyst sometimes gall bladder is a small organ whose function in the body is to store Bile and aid in the digestive process [22]

At sexual maturity (two to four years old), male Ostriches can be between 1. 8 and 2. 7 m (6 and 9 ft) in height, while female Ostriches range from 1. 7 to 2 m (5. 5 to 6. 5 ft). During the first year of life, chicks grow about 25 cm (10 in) per month. At one year of age, ostriches weigh around 45 kg (100 lb). An Ostrich can live up to 75 years.

A man kills Red-Necked ostriches in a 2nd-century Roman mosaic at Zliten on the Libyan coast.
A man kills Red-Necked ostriches in a 2nd-century Roman mosaic at Zliten on the Libyan coast. Zliten (زليتن is a small town in the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. Libya ( ليبيا ar-Latn Lībiyā; Libyan vernacular: Lībya; Amazigh:) officially the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab

Distribution and habitat

Ostriches are native to savannas and the Sahel of Africa, both north and south of the equatorial forest zone. A savanna or savannah is a Tropical or Subtropical Grassland or Woodland Ecosystem. See also Sahel Tunisia, a region of eastern Tunisia. The Sahel or Sahel Belt (from Arabic ساحل sāḥil [23] The Arabian Ostriches in the Near and Middle East were hunted to extinction by the middle of the 20th century. The Middle Eastern Ostrich or Arabian Ostrich ( Struthio camelus syriacus) is an Extinct Subspecies of the Ostrich which once lived The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. The twentieth century of the Common Era began on

Behavior

Male and female ostriches "dancing".
Male and female ostriches "dancing".

Ostriches live in nomadic groups of 5 to 50 birds that often travel together with other grazing animals, such as zebras or antelopes. Nomadic people, (from the νομάδες nomádes, "those who let pasture herds" also known as nomads, are communities of people that Grazing generally describes a type of Predation in which an Herbivore feeds on Plants (such as Grasses, or more broadly on a multicellular Zebras are African Equids best known for their distinctive white and black stripes Antelope are Ruminant hoofed Mammals of the family Bovidae in the order of Even-toed ungulates. [24] They mainly feed on seeds and other plant matter; occasionally they also eat insects such as locusts. Locust is the Swarming phase of short-horned Grasshoppers of the family Acrididae. Lacking teeth, they swallow pebbles that help as gastroliths to grind the swallowed foodstuff in the gizzard. Gastroliths (' Stomach stones' or ' Gizzard stones' are rocks, which are or have been held inside the digestive tract of an animal The gizzard, also referred to as the ventriculus, gastric mill, and gigerium, is an organ in the digestive tract found in Birds Reptiles An adult ostrich typically carries about 1 kg of stones in its stomach. Ostriches can go without water for a long time, living off the moisture in the ingested plants. [25] However, they enjoy water and frequently take baths. [26]

With their acute eyesight and hearing, they can sense predators such as lions from far away. The lion ( Panthera leo) is a member of the family Felidae and one of four Big cats in the Genus Panthera. When being pursued by a predator, Ostriches have been known to reach speeds in excess of 65 km per hour (40 miles per hour), and can maintain a steady speed of 50 km/h (30 mph), which makes the ostrich the world's fastest two-legged animal. [27]

Ostriches are known to eat almost anything (dietary indiscretion), particularly in captivity where opportunity is increased. Dietary indiscretion is the tendency or act specifically by an animal of eating items that should not be eaten

Thermographic image of two ostriches in winter showing high heat retention in the body.
Thermographic image of two ostriches in winter showing high heat retention in the body.

Ostriches can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. In much of its habitat, temperature differences of 40°C between night- and daytime can be encountered. Their temperature control mechanism is more complex than in other birds and mammals, utilizing the naked skin of the upper legs and flanks which can be covered by the wing feathers or bared according to whether the bird wants to retain or lose body heat.

When lying down and hiding from predators, the birds lay their head and neck flat on the ground, making them appear as a mound of earth from a distance. This even works for the males, as they hold their wings and tail low so that the heat haze of the hot, dry air that often occurs in their habitat aids in making them appear as a nondescript dark lump. When threatened, Ostriches run away, but they can cause serious injury and death with kicks from their powerful legs. [28] Their legs can only kick forward. [29]

Reproduction

An ostrich's nest
An ostrich's nest

Ostriches become sexually mature when they are 2 to 4 years old; females mature about six months earlier than males. Sexual maturity is the age or stage when an Organism can reproduce. The species is iteroparous, with the mating season beginning in March or April and ending sometime before September. Reproduction is the Biological process by which new individual Organisms are produced Oestrus is also the biological genus name of the gadfly. The estrous cycle (also oestrous cycle; derived from Latin The mating process differs in different geographical regions. Territorial males will typically use hisses and other sounds to fight for a harem of two to seven females (which are called hens). In Ethology, Sociobiology and Behavioral ecology, the term territory refers to any sociographical area that an Animal of a particular Species Polygyny (which comes from neo- Greek: πολύ poly "many" + γυνή gyny "woman" is a specific form of Polygamy, [30] The winner of these fights will breed with all the females in an area, but will only form a pair bond with the dominant female. The female crouches on the ground and is mounted from behind by the male.

An ostrich egg.
An ostrich egg.

Ostriches are oviparous. In most Birds and Reptiles an egg ( Latin ovum) is the Zygote, resulting from Fertilization of the Ovum. The females will lay their fertilized eggs in a single communal nest, a simple pit, 30 to 60 cm (12-24 in) deep, scraped in the ground by the male. In most Birds and Reptiles an egg ( Latin ovum) is the Zygote, resulting from Fertilization of the Ovum. Ostrich eggs are the largest of all eggs (and by extension, the yolk is the largest single cell), though they are actually the smallest eggs relative to the size of the bird. An egg yolk is the part of an egg which serves as the Food source for the developing Embryo inside The cell is the structural and functional unit of all known living Organisms It is the smallest unit of an organism that is classified as living and is often called The nest may contain 15 to 60 eggs, which are, on average, 15 cm (6 in) long, 13 cm (5 in) wide, and weigh 1. 4 kg (3 lb). They are glossy and cream in color, with thick shells marked by small pits. [31] The eggs are incubated by the females by day and by the male by night. [32] This uses the coloration of the two sexes to escape detection of the nest, as the drab female blends in with the sand, while the black male is nearly undetectable in the night. [33] The gestation period is 35 to 45 days. The gestation period in a Viviparous Animal is the length of its Gestation. Typically, the male will defend the hatchlings, and teach them how and on what to feed.

The life span of an Ostrich is from 30 to 70 years, with 50 being typical.

Ostriches reared entirely by humans may not learn to direct their courtship behaviour at other ostriches, but instead may do so at their human keepers. [34]

Ostriches and people

Hunting and farming

Hat decorated with ostrich plumes.
Hat decorated with ostrich plumes.

In Roman times, there was a demand for ostriches to use in venatio games or cooking. The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial Venatio ("hunt" was a form of entertainment in Roman Amphitheaters involving the Hunting and slaying of Wild animals Exotic wild beasts They have been hunted and farmed for their feathers, which at various times in history have been very popular for ornamentation in fashionable clothing (such as hats during the 19th century). Fashion refers to styles of dress (but can also include cuisine literature art architecture and general comportment that are popular in a culture at any given time A hat is a headcovering It may be worn for protection against the elements for religious reasons for safety or as a Fashion accessory. The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar Their skins were also valued to make goods out of leather. Leather is a material created through the Tanning of hides and Skins of Animals primarily Cattlehide The Tanning process In the 18th century, they were almost hunted to extinction; farming for feathers began in the 19th century. The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini / Common Era numbering system The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar The market for feathers collapsed after World War I, but commercial farming for feathers and later for skins, became widespread during the 1970s. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All

Ostriches are farmed in over 50 countries, including climates as cold as that of Sweden and Finland, though the majority are in Southern Africa. "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. They will prosper in climates between 30 and −30 °C.

Since they also have the best feed to weight gain ratio of any land animal in the world (3. 5:1 whereas that of cattle is 6:1), they are attractive economically to raise for meat or other uses. Although they are farmed primarily for leather and secondarily for meat, additional by-products are the eggs, offal, and feathers. Offal is the Entrails and Internal organs of a Butchered Animal.

Male and female ostriches on a farm in New Zealand.
Male and female ostriches on a farm in New Zealand. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island

It is claimed that ostriches produce the strongest commercially available leather. [35] Ostrich meat tastes similar to lean beef and is low in fat and cholesterol, as well as high in calcium, protein and iron. Beef is the Culinary name for Meat from Bovines especially domestic Cattle (cows [36] Uncooked, it is a dark red or cherry red color, a little darker than beef. [37]

The town of Oudtshoorn in South Africa has the world's largest population of ostriches. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Farms and specialized breeding centres have been set up around the town such as the Safari Show Farm and the Highgate Ostrich Show Farm. The Safari Show Farm is an Ostrich Farm located 5 Kilometres outside of Oudtshoorn in South Africa. The Highgate Ostrich Show Farm is an Ostrich Farm located 10 Kilometres south of Oudtshoorn in South Africa. The CP Nel Museum is a museum that specializes in the history of the ostrich. CP Nel Museum is an Ostrich Museum on 3 Baron van Rheede Street in the town of Oudtshoorn in South Africa.

Ostriches are classified as dangerous animals in Australia, the US and the UK. There are a number of incidents of people being attacked and killed. Big males can be very territorial and aggressive.

Ostrich racing

Ostrich pulling a cart for racing.
Ostrich pulling a cart for racing. Types of racing Unassisted human racing Using only the Human body 's own Muscles Running: Cross country

Ostriches are large enough for a small person to ride them, typically while holding on to the wings for grip, and in some areas of northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula Ostriches are trained as racing mounts. The Arabian Peninsula (in Arabic: شبه الجزيرة العربية šibh al-jazīra al-ʻarabīya or جزيرة العرب jazīrat al-ʻarab) There is little possibility of the practice becoming more widespread, due to the irascible temperament and the difficulties encountered in saddling the birds. Ostrich races in the United States have been criticized by animal rights organizations. "Animal liberation" redirects here for other uses see Animal liberation (disambiguation.

Cultural depictions

In popular mythology, the Ostrich is famous for hiding its head in the sand at the first sign of danger. The word mythology (from the Greek grc μυθολογία mythología, meaning "a story-telling a legendary lore" [38] The Roman writer Pliny the Elder is noted for his descriptions of the ostrich in his Naturalis Historia, where he describes the Ostrich and the fact that it hides its head in a bush. Ancient Rome was a Civilization that grew out of a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 10th century BC Gaius or Caius Plinius Secundus, ( AD 23 – August 25, AD 79 better known as Pliny the Elder, was an ancient Author Naturalis Historia ( Latin for "Natural History" is an Encyclopedia written Circa AD 77 by Pliny the Elder. He adds that it can eat and digest anything. This is embellished in the Physiologus which reports Ostriches can swallow iron and hot coals. The Physiologus is a Didactic text written or compiled in Greek by an unknown author in Alexandria; its composition has been traditionally dated to the The last belief persisted and evolved in heraldry, where the Ostrich is represented with a horseshoe in its mouth, symbolic of its iron-eating ability. Heraldry in its most general sense encompasses all matters relating to the duties and responsibilities of officers of arms. [39] It was a positive symbol in Ancient Egypt; the deity Shu is portrayed in art as wearing an ostrich feather, while Ma'at, goddess of law and justice, bore one on her head. Ancient Egypt was an Ancient Civilization in eastern North Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now In Egyptian mythology, Shu (meaning dryness and he who rises up) is one of the primordial gods a personification of air one of the Ennead of Maat or Mayet, thought to have been pronounced as *Muʔʕat (Muh-aht was the Ancient Egyptian concept of Truth, balance order— Law [40]

The Ostrich's behavior is also mentioned in the Bible in God's discourse to Job (Job 39. Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin The Book of Job ( איוב) is one of the books of the Hebrew Bible. 13-18). It is described as being joyfully proud of its small wings, but unwise and unmindful of the safety of its nest and harsh in the treatment of its offspring, even though it can put a horse to shame with its speed. Elsewhere, ostriches are mentioned as proverbial examples of poor parenting (see Arabian Ostrich for details). The Middle Eastern Ostrich or Arabian Ostrich ( Struthio camelus syriacus) is an Extinct Subspecies of the Ostrich which once lived

In the Ethiopian Orthodox religion, it is traditional to place seven large Ostrich eggs on the roof of a church to symbolize the Heavenly and Earthly Angels. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (in transliterated Amharic: Yäityop'ya ortodoks täwahedo bétäkrestyan) is an Oriental The Ostrich represents light and water for the Dogon people, its undulating movement symbolic of water movement. The Dogon are a group of people living in the central plateau region of Mali, south of the Niger bend near the city of Bandiagara in the Mopti [41]

There have been no observations of Ostriches putting their heads in the sand. A common counterargument is that a species that displayed this behavior would not survive very long. Ostriches do deliberately swallow sand and pebbles to help grind up their food; seeing this from a distance may have caused some early observers to believe that their heads were buried in sand. Also, ostriches that are threatened but unable to run away may fall to the ground and stretch out their necks in an attempt to become less visible. The coloring of an ostrich's neck is similar to sand and could give the illusion that the neck and head have been completely buried. "Don't hide your head in the sand," is an old saying that means don't ignore a problem thinking that it will go away. [42]

Ostrich feather dusters

The original South African ostrich feather dusters were invented in Johannesburg, South Africa by missionary, broom factory manager, Harry S. Johannesburg ( Pronounced /jō-hān'ĭs-bûrg'/ is the largest city in South Africa. Beckner in 1903.

Feather duster
Feather duster

Ostrich feather dusters were wound on broom handles using a foot powered kick winder and the same wire used to attach broom straw, then sorted for quality, color and length before being wound in three layers to the handle. of the most useful contributions of the Ostrich feather to industry is its use in the Feather duster. The first layer was wound with the feathers curving inward to hide the head of the handle. The second two layers were wound curving outward to give it a full figure and its trademark flower shape.

The first Ostrich feather duster company in the United States was formed in 1913 by Harry S. Beckner and his brother George Beckner in Athol, Massachusetts and has survived till this day as the Beckner Feather Duster Company under the care of George Beckner's great granddaughter, Margret Fish Rempher. Athol is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Today the largest manufacturer of Ostrich feather dusters is Texas Feathers (TxF)which is located in Arlington Texas.

Apprentices still use the manual kick winder to learn the trade of building the hand crafted Ostrich feather duster. However, to speed up the manufacturing process, factories now allow craftsman to use electric powered winders to build the duster.

The Ostrich feather is durable, soft and flexible, which accounts for the success of the Ostrich feather duster over the last 100 years. Because the feather does not zipper together it is prone to developing a static charge which actually attracts and holds dust which can then be shaken out or washed off. Because of its similar makeup to human hair, care of the ostrich feather requires only an occasional shampoo and towel or air dry.

The farming of Ostriches for their feathers does not harm the bird. During molting season the birds are gathered in a pen, burlap sacks are placed over their heads so they will remain calm and trained pickers pluck the loose molting feathers from the birds. The birds are then released unharmed back onto the farm.

Footnotes

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2004)
  2. ^ Doherty (1974)
  3. ^ Linnaeus (1758)}}
  4. ^ Harper (2001)
  5. ^ Scott (2006)
  6. ^ Roots (2006)
  7. ^ Roots (2006)
  8. ^ Roots (2006)
  9. ^ Roots (2006)
  10. ^ Roots (2006)
  11. ^ Freitag & Robinson (1993)
  12. ^ Bezuidenhout (1999)
  13. ^ Fuller, (2000)
  14. ^ Bibi et al. (2006)
  15. ^ Gilman (1903)
  16. ^ Gilman (1903)
  17. ^ Fleming (1822)
  18. ^ Donegan (2002)
  19. ^ Nell (2003)
  20. ^ Gilman (1903)
  21. ^ Bels (2006)
  22. ^ Marshall (1960)
  23. ^ Donegan (2002)
  24. ^ Donegan (2002)
  25. ^ Maclean(1996)
  26. ^ Donegan (2002)
  27. ^ Mountain View Conservation and Breding Centre
  28. ^ Donegan (2002)
  29. ^ Halcombe (1872)
  30. ^ Gilman (1903)
  31. ^ Nell (2003)
  32. ^ Gilman
  33. ^ Nell (2003)
  34. ^ "Ostriches "flirt with farmers"", BBC, 2003-09-05. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1590 - Alexander Farnese 's army forces Henry IV of France to raise the siege of Paris. Retrieved on 2007-05-16. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1204 - Baldwin IX Count of Flanders is crowned as the first Emperor of the Latin Empire.  "Confused ostriches raised on farms are falling for their keepers, according to a researcher. " 
  35. ^ Best (2003)
  36. ^ Clark
  37. ^ Clark
  38. ^ O'Shea (1918)
  39. ^ Cooper (1992)
  40. ^ Cooper (1992)
  41. ^ Cooper (1992)
  42. ^ Zoological Society of San Diego (2007)

References

External links

Dictionary

ostrich

-noun

  1. A large flightless bird (Struthio camelus) native to Africa.
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