Birds for Kids

NATURAL WORLD : BIRDS - OSTRICHES Ostrich Ostriches are the largest and heaviest birds in the world. They are 7 to 9 feet tall and weigh around 300 pounds or as heavy as two or three people together. This fierce looking bird has large round eyes in a small head held up on a large thin neck. The eyes are almost 2 inches in diameter, the largest among birds.  Since it is too heavy to fly, it can run as fast as 43 miles per hour or as fast as a small car. Ostrich : Open Wings When does an Ostrich open its wings? A male  ostrich with black and white feathers opens its wings while courting a female.   It also opens its wings to use as a rudder for changing directions while running.  They also open their wings and hold them sideways to scare the opponent when they feel they are in danger. But most of the times they run away and try to hide by laying their head and neck flat on the ground. If threatened they attack with hard kicks. They can kick so hard that a per...