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).
Quick Facts
- Scientific name:
- Struthio camelus
- 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). While a mass of 200 kg (440 lb) has been cited for the ostrich, no wild ostriches of this weight have been verified.
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