the Brandenburg ostrich - Landesamt für Umwelt, Gesundheit und ...

Habitat and Biology15Did you know...the adult animalseat herbs, floweringstocks, insects, andsmall mammals, butthe young animalsare initially only fedon insects? In thefirst two weeks of lifeGreat Bustard chicksneed more than10,000 insects –almost a kilogram –in order to survive....and with successful matingAfter a brooding period of about 25 days the eggshatch, and the chicks weigh about 90 grams. Eventhough they immediately leave the nest, they areonly able to follow the hen clumsily and slowly inthe first days of life.The hen continually feeds them small bits of foodwith her beak: initially only insects. From the tenthday on the portion of plant fare increases dramatically.But without a sufficient source of insects thechicks have no chance of survival.