# Ostrich: Key Facts

> Ostrichs (Struthio camelus) are birds found across Africa. The largest and fastest bird on land.

- **Species:** Ostrich (*Struthio camelus*)
- **Conservation status:** Least Concern
- **Diet:** Omnivore (mostly plants)
- **Habitat:** Savanna, semi-desert, open plains
- **Lifespan:** 40–45 years in the wild
- **Top speed:** 70 km/h (43 mph) on foot
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/ostrich/ostrich-facts/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/ostrich/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Quick answer

The ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the largest and heaviest living bird, a flightless native of Africa's savannas, semi-deserts, and open plains. Adults stand up to about 2.8 m tall and weigh 63 to 130 kg, yet they are the fastest bird on land, sprinting at 70 km/h. Mostly plant-eating omnivores, wild ostriches live 40 to 45 years and are listed as Least Concern.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need the full biology — use the [Ostrich profile](https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/ostrich/) instead.

## Built for running, not flying

The ostrich long ago traded flight for speed on the ground. Its two-toed feet, unique among birds, act like sprinter's spikes and let it reach 70 km/h (43 mph), the fastest running speed of any bird. Powerful legs also deliver a forward kick strong enough to injure a lion or a person. Its stubby wings are useless for flight but work as rudders and stabilisers, helping it change direction sharply at full pace.

## Help protect the Ostrich

Even familiar animals lose ground as wild habitat keeps shrinking worldwide.

[Donate to wildlife protection](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/donate/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/ostrich/ostrich-facts/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.