Have you seen my ostrich run past? Quiz

Answer: Africa

Ostriches belong to their own family, Struthionidae, in the bird kingdom. In the past they were widespread in Africa, on the Arabian subcontinent and West Asia. The large birds are now confined to Africa south of the Sahara.

Answer: Flat keel on sternum

Most birds have a shaped keel on their sternum to which the flying muscles are attached. Flightless birds such as cassowaries and emus have a sternum but it is flattened. So while it is true that ostriches at about 100kg are too heavy to fly, the main cause is their anatomy. Their feathers are ragged instead of forming a smooth outer surface necessary for aerodynamics.

Answer: Mating displays

Male birds sport black and white feathers and use them in mating displays to impress the grey-winged females. They also use their wings for balance when running. Their long, muscular legs allow them to run up to 70km per hour and also deliver deadly kicks.

Answer: Uncover their legs

The legs and flanks of the ostrich are bare. In hot weather they uncover these bare parts to cool off and in cold weather they cover the parts with their wing feathers to retain heat.

Answer: True

It is believed that ostriches swallow stones or pebbles to help aid their digestion. Stones aid the grinding of hard seeds in their gizzards.

Answer: Gallbladder

Birds that eat insects and worms need gall bladders to digest the fat of their meals. Ostriches do not have gall bladders. Insects such as locusts are only occasional treats on the ostrich menu. They subsist on grass and seeds.

Answer: Sand

The ostrich has a large eye relative to the size of its head, making the eye vulnerable to the environment. Because it lives in arid areas, sand and dust storms are prevalent.

Answer: Depression in the ground

The nest is nothing more than a shallow scrape, albeit up to 3 metres in diameter. The eggs almost seem to lie unprotected on the hard ground. Several females, belonging to one male, may contribute to one nest. The volume of one ostrich egg is equal to twenty-four chicken eggs, making it the largest egg of any living bird.

Answer: March

In drier areas, breeding season may well depend on rainfall. Once the eggs are laid, the female sits on them at day while the male guards them at night. When the chicks hatch after about fifty days, they are striped balls of buff feathers. The proud father takes charge of his offspring.

Answer: Racing

On ostrich farms in the Karoo region of South Africa, adult ostriches are raced against each other. No saddle is used and the jockeys hold onto the base of the wings. As a treat, tourists also enjoy a short ride but the big birds often shake them off their backs.