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Ostrich fact-file

June 13 - 19, 2007
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Gulf Weekly Ostrich fact-file

* The ostrich (Struthio camelus) is a flightless bird native to Africa. It is the only living species of its family, Struthionidae, and its genus, Struthio.

* Ostriches are the largest living species of bird and are farmed in many areas all over the world.
* The scientific name for the ostrich is from the Greek for ‘camel sparrow’ in allusion to its long neck.
* Ostriches are large enough for a small human to ride them, typically while holding on to the wings for grip, and in some areas of northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula ostriches are trained as racing mounts.
* The Arabian Ostriches in the Middle East were hunted to extinction by the middle of the 20th Century.







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