Ostrich feathers are incredibly light and fluffy, allowing them to be used for many different purposes.
You can create colorful centerpieces and masks with them. Kids of all ages will love working with them in arts and crafts.
Ostriches live up to 40 years, and their feathers are exceptionally soft and smooth.
Ostriches Live for Up to 40 Years
- Ostriches are among the enormous living creatures.
- They live up to 40 years in the wild.
- This remarkable lifespan is a testament to their power and strength.
- Unlike most birds, ostriches have few natural predators and an excellent chance of living long lives.
- Ostrich eggs weigh up to three pounds each and are about 6 x 5 inches.
- Unlike other birds, ostriches are agile and fast. They can run up to 70 km/h (48.4 mph).
- Their short legs enable them to cover a distance of five meters in a single stride.
This also allows them to blend in with their surroundings, as their feathers and skin color are similar to the grounds.
Ostriches can survive days without water and collect metabolic water in plants. However, when cornered, they will defend themselves with their powerful legs.
With a good kick, they can even kill a lion.
Their Feathers are Soft, Smooth, and Loose
The colored ostrich feathers of the ostrich are loose, soft, and fluttery. These feathers are water-resistant, and the ostrich uses them to stay warm during the night and shed heat during the day.
This soft, fluttery quality makes the feathers desirable for adornment and costuming. Ostriches live naturally in eastern and western Africa.
In former times, they roamed the Arabian Peninsula and Asia. Nowadays, their range has been confined to the western and southern Sahara.
They are for Displays and Courtship
Ostrich feathers are made of a unique combination of hair, skin, and a specialized protein. These feathers are used in displays, courtship, and decoration.
For example, the king bird of paradise feather has a spiral of iridescent barbs, which function as a dazzling ornament. Male ostriches also use secondary remiges to produce sound during courtship.
Ostriches display their feathers during courtship, and male ostriches perform elaborate courtship rituals to attract females. During the mating season, male ostriches will raise their tail feathers and droop their heads to impress the female.
Female ostriches lay up to fifteen eggs per breeding season, and multiple ostriches may lay multiple eggs in the same nest.
They are Incredibly Lightweight
Ostrich feathers are incredibly lightweight and durable and are used in various practical applications. These feathers are perfect for cleaning glass, small objects, and other delicate items.
They are incredibly versatile and can be stacked on top of each other to make them even lighter. Ostrich feathers can be trimmed to create a variety of styles.
They are lightweight and stand up straight, making them an excellent choice for costume designs and decorations. These feathers can be purchased in various sizes, colors, and lengths and can be dyed in virtually any color.
Ostrich feathers are an excellent choice for any event and can make a huge difference in your outfit.
They Blend in With the Soil
The ostrich’s long neck and long feathers blend into the sandy soil, making it a highly efficient form of camouflage. When threatened, the ostrich will press its neck against the ground, making it difficult to see it from a distance.
This behavior is responsible for the popular expression, “sticking your head in the sand.” Ostriches also hiss loudly and fluff their wings to scare away attackers. They also use their wings to change direction.
Ostrich feathers are often used in decoration. They can be used to make feather dusters and other items. Their leather is very similar to cow leather.
They are also known for their meat, which is incredibly flavorful and lean. These ostrich products are widely available worldwide.
They are for Dusting Delicate Items
Ostrich feathers are light and fluffy, making them an excellent choice for dusting delicate items. They can be easily washed with water and dried in a cool, ventilated place.
Ostrich feathers have a natural static-free coating, which makes them perfect for dusting sensitive items such as furniture, screens, and more.
They can be easily retrieved and used on various items, including picture frames, keyboards, and murals. They can even be kept in a vase as a decorative piece in the home.
Ostrich feather dusters were developed in 1903 in Johannesburg, South Africa, by a missionary and broom factory manager named Harry S. Beckner.
His first creation was a feather duster wound onto a broom handle. In 1913, a company was formed in the United States to produce ostrich feather dusters. The company is now owned and operated by George Beckner’s great-granddaughter.