Which African safari bird is the world’s largest living bird?

The common ostrich is the world’s largest living bird.

Adult males can stand around 2.7 metres tall and may weigh more than 100 kilograms. Females are generally smaller and brown-grey, while males have mostly black body plumage with white wing and tail feathers. The species lives in open African habitats, including savannas, grasslands and semi-deserts.

The ostrich is flightless, but its long legs make it an exceptional runner. It can sustain speeds near 50 kilometres per hour and reach higher speeds in short bursts. Its wings are still useful for courtship displays, balance and steering.

The ostrich’s eggs are also the largest of any living bird. Several females may lay eggs in a communal nest, and the dominant female’s eggs occupy the safest central positions. Both sexes can help incubate the clutch, with the male often incubating at night.