The ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the world’s largest living bird, a flightless species native to Africa’s open savannas and deserts. Standing up to nine feet tall and weighing over 300 pounds, this massive bird often sparks curiosity about its temperament and relationship with people. This article explores the actual behavioral patterns of ostriches, examining whether they are truly “attracted” to people or simply exhibiting natural, instinctual responses. Understanding their behavior, especially their defense mechanisms, is important for safe interaction.
The Nature of Ostrich-Human Interaction
Ostriches are generally not “attracted” to humans in a social sense, but they are naturally highly curious animals. In the wild, they maintain a distance, relying on their keen eyesight and speed to avoid potential threats, though their inquisitiveness may lead them to approach unfamiliar objects.
This behavior changes significantly in captive or farmed settings, where frequent interaction and feeding lead to habituation. Ostriches raised on farms associate humans with care, causing them to approach people readily—a behavior often mistaken for friendliness.
Misdirected Imprinting
On commercial farms, some ostriches exhibit misdirected imprinting, confusing human handlers with potential mates. Studies have observed farmed ostriches displaying courtship behaviors toward humans. This unusual behavior results from being raised entirely by humans without the presence of their own species during critical developmental periods.
Understanding Ostrich Defensive Behavior
While a conditioned ostrich may approach a human, their defensive instincts must be respected. Ostriches possess a strong fight-or-flight response, and their first reaction to a perceived threat is to run, reaching sprint speeds up to 45 miles per hour. They can maintain this rapid pace for a considerable distance.
If flight is not an option, the bird will defend itself with a powerful kick. Their long, muscular legs deliver a forward-and-downward strike that can generate a force of approximately 500 pounds. The foot is equipped with two toes, the larger of which bears a four-inch claw that can cause severe injury or death to a predator.
Aggression is often triggered by territoriality, particularly during the breeding and nesting season. Male ostriches become fiercely protective of their harem and the nest, performing a booming display to warn intruders. Both parents aggressively defend their chicks, and any perceived threat will trigger a potentially deadly confrontation.
Common Misunderstandings About Ostrich Behavior
One persistent myth about ostriches is the notion that they bury their heads in the sand when frightened. This misconception has been perpetuated since ancient Roman writers, but the reality is that an ostrich cannot breathe with its head fully buried.
The misunderstanding likely stems from two natural behaviors.
Camouflage
When an ostrich senses danger and cannot immediately flee, it stretches its long neck and head flat against the ground. This behavior is a form of camouflage, allowing the bird’s body to blend into the background terrain.
Nesting Ritual
Ostriches lay their eggs in shallow depressions, or scrapes, in the ground. To ensure proper incubation, the parents periodically lower their heads to the ground to turn the eggs with their beaks. From a distance, this action can easily create the illusion that the bird is burying its head in the sand.