Ostriches are large birds best described by their long legs and necks. They are some of the fastest creatures that can run at a speed of about 70kms per hour if in danger. The males are black in color while the females are brown-greyish in color making it easy to be recognized. It can weigh up to 180Kgs which is one of the reasons it can’t fly at all. the strength of this great bird is its strength against its predators; like the lions, leopard and humans, it has capacity to kick and injure or kill anything threatening its life.
Ostriches can grow as tall as 2.5 meters, their pink necks and the bight legs are clearly viewed even when they are in tall grass especially during their breeding period. The males have a black color, white wings and tail, brown eyes and the females are brown greyish.
They are found in the Kidepo Valley National Park and Pian Upe game reserve and this is the onl place that you will find these amazing birds in Uganda.
Feeding
Ostriches are omnivores in nature just like most birds feeding on insects, flowers, seeds, fruit, green vegetation etc….
The roar of a male ostrich is more or less like the lion scaring away its enemies who may be planning to attack it. Though the nature of an ostrich is to hiss.
Breeding
Breeding of these birds is a rough experience of laying and protecting the eggs from the enemy until they hatch. The older and younger ostriches sometimes lay eggs on the same nests. The lay about 25-30 eggs. The incubation of the eggs is done in turns with some going on during day and others at night including the father. The incubation takes 6 weeks and the chicks are let out of the nest to join other chicks 4 days after they hatch.
Ostriches are counted fully grown at 3-4 years while the necks of the little ones are black in color. They sometimes live in small groups of huge flocks and can also live in singles.
