by

Collective Nouns · Ratites · Animal Facts

What Is a Group of Ostriches Called?

All Collective Nouns, Explained

From “wobble” to “flock,” this guide explores the collective nouns for ostriches and the truth behind the world’s largest, fastest-running bird.

📖 7 min read 🪶 RATITE SERIES 🔎 Updated August 2026

What Is a Group of Ostriches Called?

🪶 QUICK ANSWER

A group of ostriches is called a wobble of ostriches.

A group of ostriches is most distinctively called “a wobble of ostriches,” a playful nod to their swaying gait. “A flock of ostriches” is also commonly used, especially in more general or agricultural contexts. Ostriches are the largest living birds and, despite being flightless, are the fastest runners of any bird species.

Primary noun: wobble of ostriches
Neutral wording: group of ostriches
Animal type: large flightless bird
Scientific name: Struthio camelus

Ostriches are record-breakers among birds, the largest, the fastest runners, and the layers of the largest eggs of any living bird species. Despite being unable to fly, they’re superbly built for life on the open savanna.

When several ostriches gather, the group is known as a wobble of ostriches, a term that captures the distinctive, swaying way these enormous birds move on their long, powerful legs.

Collective Nouns for Ostriches

A few expressions describe multiple ostriches, with one standing out as especially memorable.

Primary Collective Noun

Wobble of Ostriches
The most distinctive and widely cited collective noun, referencing their swaying walk.


Example:
A wobble of ostriches crossed the open savanna at dawn.

Common Collective Noun

Flock of Ostriches
A more general term commonly used, especially on ostrich farms and in agricultural settings.


Example:
The farm raised a large flock of ostriches for over a decade.

Historical Collective Noun

Pride of Ostriches
A less common alternative occasionally found on historical word lists.


Example:
A pride of ostriches gathered near the watering hole.

Neutral Descriptive Noun

Group of Ostriches
The straightforward phrase used in everyday conversation.


Example:
A group of ostriches ran alongside the safari vehicle.

Animal Facts

A deep dive into ostrich biology and behavior.

How fast can ostriches run?

Ostriches can sprint up to 45 mph (70 km/h) in short bursts, making them the fastest-running bird on Earth.

Where do ostriches live?

Wild ostriches live across the savannas and deserts of Africa, in open habitats with room to roam and run.

How big are ostrich eggs?

Ostrich eggs are the largest eggs of any living bird, weighing around 3 pounds (1.4 kg), roughly equal to two dozen chicken eggs.

How big are ostrich eyes?

An ostrich’s eye is about 2 inches (5 cm) across, the largest eye of any land animal, and actually larger than its own brain.

How long does it take an ostrich egg to hatch?

Ostrich eggs take about 42–46 days to incubate before hatching.

How long do ostriches live?

Ostriches can live 40 years or more in the wild, one of the longest lifespans of any bird species.

Built for Speed

Ostriches traded flight for something else entirely: raw speed and power on the ground. A wobble of ostriches can cover enormous distances quickly, using powerful legs capable of a single stride over 15 feet long.

Those same legs double as formidable weapons, a well-placed kick from an ostrich is strong enough to seriously injure or even kill a predator like a lion.

Famous Ostriches

The World’s Largest and Fastest Bird

The ostrich holds a genuinely famous title in the animal kingdom: it’s both the largest living bird species and the fastest bird on land. No individual ostrich has achieved the kind of singular fame of a Koko or a Dolly, but the species as a whole has earned its place in record books and popular imagination worldwide.

What Is a Group of Baby Ostriches Called?

Baby ostriches are called chicks.

There isn’t a distinct collective noun for a group of baby ostriches specifically. Ostrich chicks grow extremely quickly, gaining roughly a foot of height per month during their first year.

The Wobble..

The Truth About “Burying Their Heads”

The popular myth that ostriches bury their heads in the sand is false. When ostriches lower their heads to ground level, usually to turn their eggs or feed, the movement can look from a distance like their head has disappeared into the sand.

When actually threatened, ostriches either run at high speed or lie flat with their neck stretched along the ground to appear less visible.

How Big Is an Ostrich Wobble

Wild ostrich groups typically number 5–50 individuals, often centered around one dominant breeding pair.

Communal nesting is common, where multiple females may lay eggs in a single shared nest tended primarily by the dominant pair.

Example Sentences

• A wobble of ostriches sprinted across the open plain.
• The reserve is home to a resident flock of ostriches.
• A group of ostriches gathered near the watering hole at midday.
• Tourists watched an entire wobble forage near the safari lodge.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ostriches

Do ostriches really bury their heads in sand?

No, this is a widespread myth. Ostriches lower their heads to the ground to tend eggs or feed, which can look like burying from a distance.

Can ostriches fly at all?

No, ostriches are completely flightless. Their wings are used instead for balance while running and for courtship displays.

Are ostriches dangerous?

They can be. A cornered or threatened ostrich can deliver a powerful, potentially dangerous kick, so wild ostriches should always be observed from a safe distance.

What’s the difference between male and female ostriches?

Males typically have striking black-and-white plumage, while females have more subdued grey-brown feathers that help camouflage them while nesting.

Why can’t ostriches fly?

Ostriches evolved from flying ancestors but lost the ability over time as their large body size and running speed became a more effective survival strategy than flight.

Are ostriches endangered?

Common ostriches are not endangered and remain widespread, though some regional subspecies, like the North African ostrich, face serious population declines.

Quiz Time! What do you remember about ostriches?

Quick Quiz: What is the most distinctive collective noun for ostriches?

  • Wobble of ostriches
  • Pack of ostriches
  • Pod of ostriches
  • Colony of ostriches

Quick Quiz: About how fast can an ostrich run?

  • 45 mph
  • 15 mph
  • 25 mph
  • 60 mph

Quick Quiz: Do ostriches really bury their heads in the sand?

  • False, it’s a myth
  • True, always
  • Only when sleeping
  • Only as chicks

Explore More Animals