O Ostrich, Dear Bird Trivia Quiz

Answer: 5 to 6" long and 20 x the size of a chicken egg

They're the largest of all living bird's eggs, and they vary a bit in size, but one egg is usually enough to make an omelet for ten people. The eggs are also used as carriers for water and other things by native tribes, and they are often decorated. In modern times they have been elaborately adorned to resemble the fabulous Faberge eggs, and painted with miniature masterpieces.

The American Ostrich Association has an annual gathering where all types of ostrich art is on display, as well as live ostriches in pens.

In nature the eggs are rough and lightly bumpy in an ecru color. If used for decorating, they should be washed in a mild chlorine and water solution and scrubbed clean - if you purchase them there will probably be a hole in each end so the insides could be blown out, as this would be an unfertilized egg still containing some matter.

Answer: Asia and Western Europe

Native ostriches were declared extinct in the Mideast in 1966, probably from overhunting; fossils have been found in China. North African ostrich populations have been declining and are 'critically endangered', but most others, now spread over the planet (except for Antarctica) are considered of 'least concern' in the wild, and in reserves and ranches. Ostriches are very hardy and adapt to almost any climate, so they are found as far north as Alaska and as far south as South Africa. South America is home to the rhea, related to the ostrich; Australia is home to the kiwi, cassowary and emu, the only other related birds.

These five remaining ratite type of birds are flightless. Their other relatives, the Giant moa of New Zealand and the elephant bird of Madagascar, are extinct.

Answer: False

Ostriches will run away if they can, but they will also stand and fight if they need to, especially when defending their young. These birds are quite tall, some males growing to around nine feet, and the females usually no more than seven feet.

They are also heavy-bodied, the average male ranging from 140 to 340 pounds, depending on species and diet. Ostriches have very powerful legs with a scaly lower leg, two-toed feet and long talons that are strong enough to disembowel an enemy. They are also able to kill with one well-placed kick. If they have to run they can outlast any other animal for long distances, maintaining a steady gait around 30mph, and have been clocked at speeds of 45mph, covering sixteen feet in a single stride. These defenses are necessary as the bird has many predators in the wild: lion, cheetah, leopard, hunting dog and spotted hyena. Ostrich nests are also in danger from jackals, warthogs, mongoose, Egyptian vultures and birds of prey.

On some occasions an ostrich will try hiding first, by flattening its body to the ground and making itself look like a mound of earth. They do not stick their heads in the sand.

Answer: True

The 'head hen' is the first to lay her eggs in a nine foot wide and two to four foot deep hole made by the male. Other hens then deposit their eggs, and before they are all covered the head hen sorts through and tosses out any she doesn't want - whether this is genetically based or a political power play is not known, but she can distinguish her own eggs from others. For camouflage purposes the lighter colored hens sit on the eggs by day and the darker males at night.

Incubation takes about 35 to 40 days; less than ten percent of all nests survive, and then only fifteen percent of the hatched survive to one year of age. Growth is very fast, about ten inches per month in the first year. Maturity is generally from two to four years, with the females maturing faster.

Answer: Mating displays and shading chicks

The mating ritual is a stylized dance involving both male and female. The wings are used as signals and ostentatious displays, and the female, after doing her dance, will settle into position allowing the male access. The male will usually have several females in his harem and will service them as well. Picture two ostriches dancing to "Night Fever"!

The male ostrich will spread his wings to provide shade for his chicks. Male ostriches will fight other males for the right to mate, and are sometimes fatally injured by a head butt or kick. The average lifespan of the ostrich is forty to forty-five years.

Answer: Tarsus

Ostrich legs are mostly featherless and their skin ranges in color depending on the type and gender. The tarsus (ankle) on the male is usually red and is black on the female.

Answer: Catching fish with their beaks

Every part of the ostrich is used. The hide is used for leather, the toenails for jewelry, the soft fluffy feathers for decoration, and the meat for making all the same things as other meats. Ostrich meat is a deep red, has little to no marbling or fat, low cholesterol and calories, and a bland flavor. You can make sausages, meatballs ('fowl balls'), stew, hash, steak, roast, birdburgers, jerky, etc. The meat usually needs flavoring with spices or herbs. Ostrich meat tends to be expensive depending on location, availability of slaughterhouses, supply and demand, and so on.

To my knowledge the birds have not been used for hunting, but they have been hunted themselves, to extinction in some areas. They have also been used for racing and riding, although they are considerably more difficult to handle than horses. As for fishing, the beak is not suitable, and fish is not part of the diet, as they tend to eat plants, seeds and invertebrates. Having no teeth, ostriches swallow pebbles that aid in grinding their food in the gullet.

Answer: 25%

The bird will usually show no signs of dehydration unless it has lost about one quarter of its body weight. When the ostrich finds water it enjoys drinking and bathing. This bird is something like a camel in being able to store water.

The Masai ostrich grazes in open savannahs, while the Somali prefers bushland. The two types are believed not to mate much in the wild as they are separated by the East African Rift as well as preferred habitat.

Answer: True

For some reason, perhaps exhaustion after the mating and child rearing season, the ostrich seems to prefer solitude or one other bird for company in the winter. At other times of year ostriches will often travel with other grazing animals, and are probably beneficial to these others because they are tall and excellent at detecting predators.

Answer: A reliable breeder

Just as with any animal you want to care for or invest in, gather ye information before ye set out on a rather complex operation. Ostriches may look easy, but they are not. They have dietary preferences as well as needing space to flex, breed and roam. At times they may need to be isolated from one another, as when males get edgy about who's got mating rights. You need land, high fencing, and a caring disposition. The ostrich brain is smaller than its eye, but it has feelings and needs.
The market for trios, one male and two females (the usual package), can range from $1000 to $100,000. Don't venture into this business unless you have tons of reliable info!
As for Howard Keel, ostriches don't have keels, which is why they are flightless.
You can find recipes online. Birdland was a popular nightclub in New York from 1949 to 1965, and opened again nearby, in the theater district, in 1986. Charlie Parker was the original headliner act.