Ostrich strides proudly through Toronto Zoo

The ostrich is the largest bird on earth. The male can reach up to 2.8 metres tall and the female can grow to 2 metres.

This bird is a member of Struthio camelis, and is native to southern Africa. They live on the savannah, and although they eat occasional invertebrates, these ostriches feed mostly on leaves, gourds and fallen fruit.

With eyelids the size of tennis balls, they have excellent vision, and can run at speeds up to 80 kmh. Like other ratites, including the emu, the kiwi and the cassowary, this bird is flightless.

Males have harems of three to five hens, and defend their territories.