[The sexual behavior of the African ostrich (Struthio camelus)]

The African ostrich (Struthio camelus) is different from other birds not only because it is a running bird (Ratitae), but also because it urinates and the male bird has a penis. On a specialized farm in Israel the sexual behaviour of ostriches was studied. Courtship behaviour and mating have a very refined pattern. The copulation, which starts with an immission of the penis and ends with an orgasm, lasts about one minute. Most of the copulations take place during the morning morning hours. Occasionally, female ostriches demonstrate courtship behaviour to other females. Sometimes female ostriches mount other females as in the case of copulation.