Find Ostrich stuffed animals, facts and information at the Aviary at the Forest Cottage.

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These are Ostrich stuffed animals that you can find at Jeannie's Cottage LLC, which is our sponsor's online Gift Shop. Ostriches come from Africa and are very large birds that can't fly. These ostrich stuffed animals are from left to right: Freshfeathers Ostrich from Ganz, Stretch the Beanie Baby Ostrich, Stretch the Beanie Buddy and Masha of the Coca-Cola International Bean Bag Collection representing the country of South Africa. Find plush toy Ostriches at the Jeannie's Cottage Gift Shop.

Ostriches (Struthio camelus) are the largest (to 8 ft. tall and more than 300 lbs.) of all living birds. Ostriches travel across Central African deserts in bands of up to 50, often with herds of zebras and antelopes. When threatened, an Ostrich will run -- as fast as 30 mph. This is a flightless bird with rudimentary wings. The structure of the wing is the same in principle as that found in flying birds, and the wing quills are well developed though stunted or in the form of soft feathers. Ostriches in captivity will hiss and kick. They do well in zoos, where some have lived for more than 25 years.

Ostriches have very strong legs, enabling the bird to run at great speed for long distances.

The head, almost the whole neck and the legs are either bare or covered with down, the other parts of the body with feathers -- black in the male and brownish grey in the female. The wings and tail of the males are adorned with wonderful white plumes which were once highly prized by man. The foot has only two toes. The Ostrich feeds mainly on plants but its large bill indicates that it is capable of capturing even small vertebrates. It swallows small stones to help the stomach in grinding up its food.

The courting male, called a cock, presents an awesome sight as he dances before a female, swaying his head, feathers ruffled, buckling his legs, bristling and spreading his wings and puffing up his neck.

The female lays 10 to 12 eggs in one season. Their eggs may weigh as much as 3 lbs. and are incubated for about 40 days. Birds mature in 3 to 4 years.