Common Ostrich
The largest extant bird by mass, the common ostrich trades flight for powerful legs and towering height on the African savanna.
The common ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the largest extant species of bird measured by mass. A male ostrich can reach a height of 2.8 metres (9.2 feet) and weigh over 156.8 kg (346 lb). A mass of 200 kg (440 lb) has been cited for the ostrich but no wild ostriches of this weight have been verified. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any living bird, averaging 1.4 kg (3.1 lb).
- Scientific Name:
- Struthio camelus
- Max Height:
- 2.8 metres (9.2 feet)
- Max Weight:
- over 156.8 kg (346 lb)
Lore & Background
The common ostrich is the largest extant species of bird measured by mass, closely followed by the Somali ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes). A male ostrich can reach a height of 2.8 metres (9.2 feet) and weigh over 156.8 kg (346 lb). While a mass of 200 kg (440 lb) has been cited for the ostrich, no wild ostriches of this weight have been verified. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any living bird, averaging 1.4 kg (3.1 lb).
In Their Own Story
The largest extant species of bird measured by mass is the common ostrich (Struthio camelus). A male ostrich can reach a height of 2.8 metres (9.2 feet) and weigh over 156.8 kg (346 lb). A mass of 200 kg (440 lb) has been cited for the ostrich but no wild ostriches of this weight have been verified. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any living bird, averaging 1.4 kg (3.1 lb).
Reader's Guide
The common ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the largest extant species of bird measured by mass. A male ostrich can reach a height of 2.8 metres (9.2 feet) and weigh over 156.8 kg (346 lb). A mass of 200 kg (440 lb) has been cited for the ostrich but no wild ostriches of this weight have been verified. Ostrich eggs are the largest of any living bird, averaging 1.4 kg (3.1 lb).
Did You Know?
- The common ostrich is the largest extant species of bird measured by mass.
- A male ostrich can reach a height of 2.8 metres (9.2 feet).
- A male ostrich can weigh over 156.8 kg (346 lb).
- A mass of 200 kg (440 lb) has been cited for the ostrich but no wild ostriches of this weight have been verified.
- Ostrich eggs are the largest of any living bird, averaging 1.4 kg (3.1 lb).
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