If you're feeling a little like you want to put your head in the sand, these days, who could blame you? Adding insult to injury, you're probably now flightless to boot. Such are the times... Thank goodness we have birds.
 
In Rockjumper’s Dream Destinations webinar on Cuba last week, Clayton Burne profiled the smallest bird on the planet, the Bee Hummingbird. Today we take a gander at the largest. And the ostrich is not only the largest but also the fastest on land of any bird, running at speeds over 40mph (70km/hr) and at times taking strides covering 16 feet (4.8m). Their wings are used only for steering while running or when in display, yet these birds cover ground and stand it as well. They're tough and those long legs not only help them speed about the plains, but also are powerful enough to deal a fatal blow to humans on rare occasions. When cornered or with eggs or young, you had best watch your step.
 
The Male incubates at night when its black plumage aids in camouflage, just as the females’ gray-brown plumage conceals her as she incubates during the day. The eggs are enormous, and the biggest of any extant bird. (Those of the fairly recently extinct Moas of New Zealand and the Elephant birds of Madagascar were larger). Just 15% of juvenile ostriches survive to one year of age, but if they make it that far they may live a long time (3 or 4 decades even), and eventually may find themselves standing at over 9 feet tall. Combine its height, its easy gait and fluid canter, its long lustrous eyelashes, and there is little wonder it offers an air of superiority. If you feel as though one is looking down on you, that’s because it is. And given its extensive history with humans, being hunted and farmed, perhaps this is not surprising. We also now know what it has always known, that it does not bury its head in the ground, despite the lore.
 
Of the nine species known, two remain today: the Common Ostrich featured here and the Somali Ostrich confined to the Horn of Africa (where Rockjumper leader Nigel Redman has co-authored an excellent field guide to the region). Both species are not hard to see given a little time and effort. And just imagine the other things you’ll see along the way…
 
You can learn more about these ‘other things’ in the week ahead, when Rockjumper leader Daniel Danckwerts details the fabulous if under-appreciated country of Zambia. Tune in! And remember too, that while today with travel stalled you may be as flightless as the Ostrich, you can consider giving the gift of birding to a friend with a Rockjumper gift card.
 
We hope you’re enjoying some birds wherever you are today. Stay safe!