AnimalsThe ostrich is the largest living bird and lays the largest eggs. It cannot fly, but it is the fastest runner among birds. It has only two toes on each foot. It does not bury its head in the sand.
Quick facts
- Scientific name
- Struthio camelus
- Group
- Birds
- Diet
- Omnivore (eats plants and animals)
- Lives in
- Africa
- Habitat
- Savanna and semi-desert
- A young one is called
- chick
- A group is called
- flock
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
How it is classified
Scientists sort living things into groups within groups. Reading down, each step is a smaller group, ending with the species itself.
- Kingdom Animalia
- Phylum Chordata
- Class Aves
- Order Struthioniformes
- Family Struthionidae
- Genus Struthio
- Species Struthio camelus
Classification follows the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Other reference works arrange some groups differently. How classification works.
Is it in danger?
The common ostrich is listed as Least Concern. The species is widespread or numerous enough that it is not considered at risk of extinction at present.
This is the IUCN Red List category as recorded in Wikidata on 11 November 2026. The IUCN Red List itself is the authority and may carry a newer assessment. What the categories mean.