The African ostrich (Struthio camelus) (STRUTHIONIDAE) is the largest of modern birds, and its body height reaches 3 m and weight – 130 kg. These birds live in African savannah to the south from Saccharums. Males differ from females by brighter black-and-white feathers. In the past their pens were utillized for ladies' adornments, and ostriches were the object of hunting. However, fortunately fashion on such adornments has passed, and now nothing threatens the African ostriches. Moreover they breed well in captivity and in special ostrich farms.

The wings of an ostrich are weak and are not suitable for flight. Ancestors of ostriches were obviously flying birds but in course of evolution they lost the ability to fly. Their flying musculature has reduced but legs are very strong and perfectly advanced for running. In running ostriches can compete with horses. An ostrich is mainly a vegetarian bird. Eggs of an ostrich are very large: weight of one egg is 1200-1600 g. During period of reproduction female lays up to 20 eggs.

The African ostriches in the Moscow zoo are young birds which have not put on the bright adult feathers yet.