Fact or Myth: Do Ostriches Bury Their Heads in Sand when Scared?

Ostriches are the heaviest and largest living birds on our planet. They are native to the grasslands and savannas of Eastern and Southern Africa. For years, there has been a belief that ostriches bury their heads in sand when they sense danger. Read on to find out if this is true or false.

To begin with, I have been to a number of national parks and game reserves in Kenya where ostriches live but I have never seen any bury its head in the sand. Ostriches are fierce fighters and running is usually their last option when they sense danger.

So, the belief that ostriches bury their heads in sand is false. There is completely no factual information or scientific evidence for that. This myth has lived on because it’s commonly used as a metaphor that describes people who refuse to face their problems head-on. 

What we know

Ostriches don’t build nests, they dig shallow holes in the sand to keep their eggs for incubation. Both males and females routinely check on the eggs by rotating them using their beaks. For someone without the idea, it may appear like they are burying their heads in the sand. 

The other explanation for this narrative is that ostriches have small heads relative to the size of their body. Their heads become almost invisible when they are feeding or nibbling on the grass. Sometimes, to avoid detection, ostriches may lie on the ground with their necks outstretched.

Let’s put aside this old narrative and learn a little more about ostriches.

Physical description

Ostriches have a long neck, muscular legs, and two toes on each foot which sets them apart from any other bird. An adult can weigh anywhere between 63 and 150 kilograms. Their bulky bodies are covered in large puffy feathers except for the neck and head with wispy feathers.

Despite having large wings, ostriches cannot fly. They stick out their wings when running to create a rudder-like effect suitable for speed and change of direction. These birds can sprint at speeds of 30-37 and keep running for hours without stopping. This gives them an edge over some predators.

Social structure

In the wild, ostriches live in small groups of about 10 birds but it’s not uncommon to find just a male and female pair or large flock of 100 or more. These groups have one dominant male, a head female, and several subordinate females. Males play a critical role of making a nest and protecting the group from intruders.

Sometimes groups mingle together but the identity of the flock remains intact. During dry seasons, it’s common to see ostriches congregating at water points in hundreds. When the flock is too large, sub-groups of middle-aged adults can emerge.

Although living in groups enhances their protection, ostriches face a variety of formidable predators including lions, cheetahs, and leopards among others. According to Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, the lifespan of an ostrich in the wild can range from 30-40 years. 

Breeding

Ostriches are polygamous as one male can mate with several females to produce offspring. To attract a mate, male ostriches perform an elaborate dance. They can be seen bowing, flapping their wings, shaking their tail, and stomping on the ground to impress the female. 

All the female ostriches in a group will lay their eggs in one nest but it’s the lead female and the dominant male who will keep an eye on them until they hatch. The eggs are big, about 6 inches (15 centimeters) long, and 3 pounds in weight. The hatching time ranges between 38 to 45 days.

When they first hatch, baby ostriches are roughly the size of a chicken. These chicks grow incredibly fast and they can reach the size of their parents in just 6 months. However, they take about 3 to 4 years to be ready for courtship and breeding.

Feeding

Ostriches are omnivores, meaning they feed on a variety of foods consisting of both plants and animals. In the wild, they consume leafy greens, such as grass, shrubs, and succulents. They can also scavenge on the remains of animals or eat mice, rats, snakes, lizards, and grasshoppers.

Since ostriches don’t have teeth, they swallow pebbles, rocks, and other hard materials and hold them in a muscular part of their stomach called a gizzard. These rocky materials help grind down various foods that ostriches consume to make them easy to digest.

The location of where they reside has a direct impact on their diet. Farm-raised ostriches can be fed commercially available feeds that mimic what they would naturally eat in the wild. Although they hardly drink water, these birds are fond of water. They can bathe frequently when given an opportunity.

Communication

Ostriches use a variety of sounds to communicate with each other. They can chirp, hiss, or growl depending on the kind of message they want to pass across. Male ostriches can also roar like a lion during the breeding season mainly to signal and attract females for mating.

Survival threats

According to a report by the  University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, ostriches occurred naturally in southwestern Asia, the Arabian peninsula, and Africa. They have since been hunted to extinction and they are currently restricted to drier and sandy regions of sub-Saharan Africa.

The African Wildlife Foundation has also pointed out that, if not for ostrich farming, which began in 1838, then the world’s largest bird would probably be extinct. Ostrich feathers were so popular in ladies’ fashion. This caused intensified hunting that wiped the birds from all of North Africa.

Habitat loss is due to human population growth, expansion of agricultural cultivation, and construction of settlements and key infrastructures like roads are also a threat to the survival of the world’s largest living bird. Unfortunately, ostriches are still hunted for feathers, skin, meat, eggs, and fat.

Final thought

Ostriches are not only beautiful to look at but they are an important continental heritage. As the largest living birds on earth, they are undoubtedly coveted creatures. The IUCN’s Red List has the Somali ostrich as “Vulnerable and the common ostrich as “Least Concern.”

More ostrich farming and elaborate conservation efforts are needed to make sure these gigantic birds are not facing extinction.