Instruct: Given a question, retrieve relevant passages that answer the question.
Query: How tall is an ostrich?
Common ostriches usually weigh from 63to 145 kilograms (139–320lb), or as much as two adult humans.[7][9] The Masai ostriches of East Africa (S. c. massaicus) averaged 115kg (254lb) in males and 100kg (220lb) in females, while the nominate subspecies, the North African ostrich (S. c. camelus), was found to average 111kg (245lb) in unsexed adults. Exceptional male ostriches (in the nominate subspecies) can weigh up to 156.8kg (346lb). At sexual maturity (two to four years), male common ostriches can be from 2.1 to 2.8m (6ft 11in to 9ft 2in) in height, while female common ostriches range from 1.7 to 2.0m (5ft 7in to 6ft 7in) tall.[7] New chicks are fawn in colour, with dark brown spots.[10] During the first year of life, chicks grow at about 25cm (9.8in) per month. At one year of age, common ostriches weigh approximately 45 kilograms (99lb). Their lifespan is up to 40–45 years.
Only 15% of the surviving chicks reach 1 year of age Ostrich chick Common ostrich chick, recently hatched from egg Common ostrich hen with chicks Female incubating eggs in a shallow nest on the ground Ostrich nest
The African ostrich is the largest living ratite. A large member of this species can be nearly tall, weigh as much as , and can outrun a horse.
The largest living bird, a member of the Struthioniformes, is the common ostrich ("Struthio camelus"), from the plains of Africa and Arabia. A large male ostrich can reach a height of and weigh over . A mass of has been cited for the common ostrich but no wild ostriches of this weight have been verified. Eggs laid by the ostrich can weigh and are the largest eggs in the world today.
The largest bird in the fossil record may be the extinct elephant birds ("Aepyornis") of Madagascar, which were related to the ostrich. They exceeded in height and . The last of the elephant birds became extinct about 300 years ago. Of almost exactly the same upper proportions as the largest elephant birds was "Dromornis stirtoni" of Australia, part of a 26,000-year-old group called mihirungs of the family Dromornithidae. The largest carnivorous bird was "Brontornis", an extinct flightless bird from South America which reached a weight of and a height of about . The tallest carnivorous bird was "Kelenken", which could reach 3 to 3.2 meters in height and 220 to 250 kilograms. The tallest bird ever was the giant moa ("Dinornis maximus"), part of the moa family of New Zealand that went extinct around 1500 AD. This particular species of moa stood up to tall, but weighed about half as much as a large elephant bird or mihirung due to its comparatively slender frame.
Of the living species, the Australian emu is next in height, reaching up to tall and about . Like the ostrich, it is a fast-running, powerful bird of the open plains and woodlands.
Common ostriches have been farmed in South Africa since the beginning of the 19th century. According to Frank G. Carpenter, the English are credited with first taming common ostriches outside Cape Town. Farmers captured baby common ostriches and raised them successfully on their property, and were able to obtain a crop of feathers every seven to eight months instead of killing wild common ostriches for their feathers.[93] It is claimed that common ostriches produce the strongest commercial leather.[94] Common ostrich meat tastes similar to lean beef and is low in fat and cholesterol, as well as high in calcium, protein and iron. Uncooked, it is dark red or cherry red, a little darker than beef.[95] Ostrich stew is a dish prepared using common ostrich meat.
The largest extant theropod is the common ostrich, up to 2.74m (9ft) tall and weighing between 63.5 and 145.15kg (140 - 320lb).[23]
The feather bonnet began with the knitted blue bonnet with a chequered border. This was propped up and worn with a tall hackle. During the 17th and 18th century, the highlanders who wore this hat began to add ostrich feathers to decorate it. This decoration evolved into a full covering of the original bonnet. The ostrich feathers were then entwined into a lightweight cage, producing the height. The feather bonnet has one or more (usually 4 or 5) "tails" that hang down below the headband, and the regimental badge and hackle are displayed on the left.
Over the next 50 years the entire industry bottomed out and maintained a minimal presence in the world. This status quo would not last, however. In 1945 the Klein Karoo region near Oudtshoorn set up a cooperative of farmers and speculators ("KKLK") who would work together to rebuild the ostrich industry. Eventually the demand for ostrich meat locally grew to a point where an abattoir was needed. In 1963/64 the world's first ostrich abattoir was erected in Klein Karoo by the KKLK to supply dried and fresh ostrich meat locally. The marketing of ostrich skin started in 1969/1970 when a leather tannery was built near the abattoir. Prior to this, there was very little known about the tanning process of ostrich skin. Most likely, ostrich skins were sent from the abattoir to tanneries in England and then sold to fashion houses. It appears that a group of South African entrepreneurs set out earlier in the 1960s in search of ways to tan ostrich skin. “I will give anything to see ostrich skins used,” said Gerhard Olivier. With Hannes Louw, Jurgens Schoeman and the tanner Johan Wilken, he traveled abroad for the first time in search of people who could tan ostrich leather. They came across Arnold and Dianne de Jager, founders of a tannery in London, who offered to train a tanner for Klein Karoo. In 1970, the first ostrich skin tannery opened in Klein Karoo.
The earliest fossils of ostrich-like birds are Paleocene taxa from Europe. "Palaeotis" and "Remiornis" from the Middle Eocene and unspecified ratite remains are known from the Eocene and Oligocene of Europe and Africa. These may have been early relatives of the ostriches but their status is questionable, and they may in fact represent multiple lineages of flightless paleognaths. The African "Eremopezus", when not considered a basal secretarybird or shoebill, is sometimes considered an ostrich relative or an "aepyornithid-like" taxon. Apart from these enigmatic birds, the fossil record of the ostriches continues with several species of the modern genus "Struthio" which are known from the Early Miocene onwards. Several of these fossil forms are ichnotaxa (that is, classified according to the organism's footprints or other trace rather than its body) and their association with those described from distinctive bones is contentious and in need of revision pending more good material. While the relationship of the African fossil species is comparatively straightforward, a large number of Asian species of ostrich have been described from fragmentary remains, and their interrelationships and how they relate to the African ostriches are confusing. In China, ostriches are known to have become extinct only around or even after the end of the last ice age; images of ostriches have been found there on prehistoric pottery and petroglyphs.
The North African ostrich,red-necked ostrich, or Barbary ostrich ("Struthio camelus camelus") is the nominate subspecies of the common ostrich from West and North Africa. It is the largest subspecies, making it the largest living bird.
One adult ostrich can provide around 100 kilos of red meat, which can be sold for 400–500 pesos (US$8–11 as of January 2014) per kilo. Ostrich eggs, skin and feathers had also been sold to the market. Ostrich feathers are used to produce feather dusters and as decorations, while ostrich skin is used to produce leather. Eggs cost 500 pesos (US$11) apiece, providing to one ostrich farming business an annual income of 50,000 pesos (US$1,100) per adult female, because a mother ostrich can lay about 100 eggs annually.
On March 29, 1998, the Henan General Supply and Marketing Cooperative Department invested more than 10 million RMB to import 240 African Black Ostriches. This park that has the largest population of ostrich in Asia. At that time, Zhengzhou Ostrich Park mainly cultivated ostriches to produce large amount of ostrich meat and eggs to satisfy the market demand. Later in 2004, due to the high aesthetic value of the ostrich, the park was officially opened to the public as to promote eco-tourism. Recreation facilities, such as the racetrack, grass skating court and the aerial cable wapway were set and put into practice.
The Cawston Ostrich Farm became a premier tourist attraction for many years. Its proximity to the Pasadena and Los Angeles Electric Railway's trolley line that came through from downtown Los Angeles brought many tourists to visit the farm through the earlier part of the 20th century. Guests were able to ride on the backs of ostriches, be taken for ostrich drawn carriage rides and buy ostrich feathered hats, boas, capes and fans at the Ostrich Farm store that was connected to the factory. The ostrich farm feather products were shipped and sold throughout the world.
In Zhengzhou Ostrich Park, there are many interesting activities with ostriches. It is also possible the passengers to feed the ostriches. Besides, there is a labyrinth in the centre of the ostrich park. The person who passes the labyrinth first will get a pride--- an ostrich egg. What is more, aerial wapway, artificial lake, water park, snack street, rock climbing, and bungee jumping are set in the park. Games are held by the park every weekend, such as boating, climbing. Winners will get the ostrich eggs as the award. In summer, the Park has some discount for the students. Students can get a half price to get in by bringing their student cards.
Ostrich leather was instantly popular in high fashion throughout Europe and the United States where it was used for cowboy boots. Notably, during the 1980s, demand was extremely high in the United States. During this period, apartheid and other political turmoil caused some countries, the United States included, to put pressure on South Africa in the form of trade sanctions. It was hard for ostrich leather to make it into the States, but it did. However, it came at a cost and the ostrich leather purveyors, brothers John G. Mahler and Wilfred Mahler of Dallas, TX, were the only importers of ostrich skin for many years. Just like the single channel KKLK, who had an iron grip on the exportation of the only viable ostrich skins, the Mahlers were able to control not only prices but also who got skins in the United States and how many they were allowed. Their control was so absolute that some bootmakers would be reprimanded by John if they sold his skins to other bootmakers. The entire arrangement has been compared to the DeBeers diamond cartel.
The earliest fossils from this genus are from the early Miocene (20–25 mya), and are from Africa, so it is proposed that they originated there. Then by the middle to late Miocene (5–13 mya) they had spread to Eurasia. By about 12 mya they had evolved into the larger size of which we are familiar. By this time they had spread to Mongolia and later southern Africa. While the relationship of the African fossil species is comparatively straightforward, a large number of Asian species of ostrich have been described from fragmentary remains, and their interrelationships and how they relate to the African ostriches are confusing. In China, ostriches are known to have become extinct only around or even after the end of the last ice age; images of ostriches have been found there on prehistoric pottery and petroglyphs.
Traditionally, fashion has driven the demand for ostrich leather. Fashion houses successfully used ostrich leather in handbags for many years. Most designer brands have at least one purse made with ostrich leather. Footwear is another way in which designers showcase the material. But, by far the most widely used application is for ostrich leather boots. Just about every bootmaker uses ostrich and the demand for ostrich boots is higher than any other ostrich leather product. Belts are another major accessory that utilize ostrich leather (most ostrich boots are purchased with a matching ostrich belt). Of course there are other uses for ostrich leather notably shoes, wallets and jackets. The cost for most items is usually between $500 to $5000; handbags and jackets are highest priced due to the sheer amount of leather used.
In the improved vigilance effect, groups are able to detect predators sooner than solitary individuals. For many predators, success depends on surprise. If the prey is alerted early in an attack, they have an improved chance of escape. For example, wood pigeon flocks are preyed upon by goshawks. Goshawks are less successful when attacking larger flocks of wood pigeons than they are when attacking smaller flocks. This is because the larger the flock size, the more likely it is that one bird will notice the hawk sooner and fly away. Once one pigeon flies off in alarm, the rest of the pigeons follow. Wild ostriches in Tsavo National Park in Kenya feed either alone or in groups of up to four birds. They are subject to predation by lions. As the ostrich group size increases, the frequency at which each individual raises its head to look for predators decreases. Because ostriches are able to run at speeds that exceed those of lions for great distances, lions try to attack an ostrich when its head is down. By grouping, the ostriches present the lions with greater difficulty in determining how long the ostriches' heads stay down. Thus, although individual vigilance decreases, the overall vigilance of the group increases.
The ostrich farm specialises in the breeding and conservation well being of ostriches and has over 2,500 animals. The farm offers a tour around the farm every hour to tourists. The tours depart from 08h00 until 16h00 when the last tour of the day starts.
Oudtshoorn is the ostrich capitol of the world with more ostriches to be found here than anywhere else. Safari Ostrich Farm was established as a tourist attraction in 1956. Safari was established by Derek Fisch and Harry Lipschitz both 4th generation ostrich farmers.
The climate in the Klein Karoo region is ideal for these large birds to breed and live. Ostriches being desert birds prefer hot and dry climates like in Oudtshoorn.
Safari Ostrich Farm provides interesting and fun tractor tours of the working farm conducted by their professional guides. The guided tour will allow you to learn more about ostriches and their fascinating nature. The duration of each tour is approximately one hour long and is a combination of an easy walking tour with a fun ride on the Safari tractor trailer.
The tour also includes a visit to one of the hatcheries where you will be able to see chicks hatching. The guides will also show you the exquisite and sought-after "Feather-boom" ostrich feathers and you will get a chance to learn more about ostrich skins and the process of making ostrich leather goods.
The tractor drive will take you through an ostrich camp with 18 adult Zimbabwe Blue breeding ostriches around you. The tour also includes a visit to one of the breeding camps where a great photo opportunity presents itself where visitors are allowed to stand on ostrich eggs to test their strength.
You will also be shown the Kenyan Red and Zimbabwe Blue Ostriches as well as the local South African breed. 
The Safari farm provides for meals in their restaurant and offer light meals in their café. They also have a gift shop with a wide range of ostrich related products such as leather bags, feather-dusters and ornamental ostrich eggs.
The common ostrich (Struthio camelus), or simply ostrich, is a species of large flightless bird native to Africa. It is one of two extant species of ostriches, the only living members of the genus Struthio in the ratite order of birds. The other is the Somali ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes), which was recognized as a distinct species by BirdLife International in 2014 having been previously considered a very distinctive subspecies of ostrich.[2][3]
The ostriches are a family, Struthionidae, of flightless birds. Ostriches first appeared during the Miocene epoch, though various Paleocene, Eocene and Oligocene fossils may also belong to the family. Ostriches are classified in the ratite group of birds, all extant species of which are flightless, including the kiwis, emus, and rheas. Traditionally the order Struthioniformes contained all the ratites. However, recent genetic analysis has found that the group is not monophyletic, as it is paraphyletic with respect to the tinamous, so the ostriches are classified as the only members of the order. There are two extant species of ostrich, the common ostrich and Somali ostrich, both in the genus "Struthio", which also contains several species known from Holocene fossils such as the Asian ostrich. The common ostrich is the largest living bird species, and other ostriches are among the largest bird species ever.
The South African ostrich ("Struthio camelus australis"), also known as the black-necked ostrich, Cape ostrich or southern ostrich is a subspecies of the common ostrich endemic to Southern Africa. It is widely farmed for its meat, eggs and feathers.
The Masai ostrich ("Struthio camelus massaicus"), also known as the pink-necked ostrich or East African ostrich, is a large subspecies of the common ostrich native to East Africa. Today it is farmed for eggs, meat and feathers.
The business of ostrich farming in the Philippines began in the Philippines in 1996. It was started by Lorenzo U. Limketkai, an engineer, and his son Heintje Limketkai. Heintje Limketkai took a month-long training course on ostrich farming in Australia. After that training, the Limketkais established their ostrich farming business and named it as the Philippine Ostrich and Crocodile Farms, Inc., becoming the first combined ostrich and crocodile farm in the country. 