It is the world’s largest and heaviest living species of bird. Due to its weighty body, flat breastbone and loose feathers it means they are unable to fly and are instead built to run like the wind reaching speeds of up to a staggering 43mph. They also lay claim to the biggest eggs of any bird throughout the world, around 20 times the size of a chicken egg. They are a glossy-cream colour with a thick shell and are marked by distinctive small pits all over them. 

We’re into the ostritch breeding season here and after a false start (our birds were laying eggs where it made it difficult to incubate them) they are now showing a lot more interest.

A curious procedure the dominant female of the group will lay her eggs first which may be up to 11 eggs. The lesser females will then lay theirs, usually around 2-6 in the same nest. The main female may later discard the weaker hen’s eggs from the nest close to the time of incubation. as each female can distinguish her own eggs from others. This generally leaves around 20 eggs ready to be incubated. The incubation period lasts between 42-46 days. The eggs are incubated by the main female during the day and by the male during the night due to the difference in colour of their feathers. Female’s feathers are brown/grey helping them blend in with their sandy habitat whereas male’s feathers are black making them virtually undetectable at night. This helps camouflage nests from potential predators leading to greater survival. 

Call and see them when you visit and you might get a glimpse of one of their giant eggs!