Oi, Big Bird! Ostrich Feeding in South Africa

During my trip to South Africa I visited an ostrich farm (I was poorly attired, but that's another story told elsewhere on this blog). I hadn't previously appreciated just how big these birds are. Being quite a small bird myself, I definitely felt that if it came to fight or flight between me and one of these fluffy, feathered, velociraptor cousins, then I'd probably come off the worse for it. Don't reckon I could outrun one of these. Their feet are several sizes larger for a start.

We were give the opportunity to feed the greedy beggars, which was slightly daunting. I'm not sure the ostriches understood the point of the spoons. Maybe they quite fancied eating them, since, as per the picture below, they seem to enjoy an eclectic diet...I guess that explains the chain on the end of the spoon. One chap had his finger bitten (can a beak bite?) when he tried to feed them by hand, so there was no chance of me trying that. 

Having said I couldn't outrun one, I don't believe I could out-prance an ostrich, either. Please see video below for an ostrich oozing attitude in a feathered flounce. He's certainly got some neck!

 

Ostentatious Ostrich Prance