1. Nest Construction: Ostriches construct large communal nests, often called "nests" or "platforms." These nests can be up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) wide and built using materials like grass, twigs, sticks, leaves, and feathers. The male ostrich is primarily responsible for nest construction and preparation.
2. Egg Laying and Incubation: Female ostriches lay their eggs in the communal nest. Each female can lay up to ten eggs within the same nest. Both male and female ostriches participate in incubating the eggs, with the male taking the primary role during the day, and the female primarily incubating at night.
3. Protection and Defense: Ostriches are extremely protective of their young and nests. They have sharp eyesight and keen senses that help them detect potential predators. When danger approaches, ostriches may employ various defensive strategies to protect their young, including hissing, kicking, running, or attacking the predator.
4. Hatching and Early Care: Ostrich eggs hatch after an incubation period of approximately 40 to 45 days. The chicks hatch in an advanced stage of development, covered with downy feathers and able to walk almost immediately. Initially, the chicks stay near the nest and are guarded and cared for by both parents.
5. Feeding and Provision: Ostriches are omnivorous and their diet includes plants, seeds, insects, and small animals. The young chicks feed by pecking at the ground and searching for food alongside their parents. The parents may assist in finding and pointing out suitable food items to their young.
6. Creche Formation: As the ostrich chicks grow older and become stronger, they may form groups known as "crèches." These creches consist of multiple broods of chicks from different parents and are led by a dominant pair of adult ostriches. The communal creches provide safety in numbers and allow the adults to forage and care for the young collectively.
7. Independence and Dispersal: Ostrich chicks gradually become independent as they grow. After several months, they reach a stage where they no longer require constant parental care. They start to join larger flocks of ostriches and eventually disperse to find their own territories and mates.
It's important to note that ostriches primarily rely on their communal nesting, shared incubation, and group defense strategies rather than direct parental care to ensure the survival and protection of their young in their natural environment.