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==Humans== Common ostriches have inspired cultures and civilizations for 5,000 years in [[Mesopotamia]] and African centres like [[Egypt]] and the [[Kingdom of Kush]]. A statue of [[Arsinoe II of Egypt]] riding a common ostrich was found in a tomb in Egypt.<ref name=Thompson/> [[Hunter-gatherer]]s in the [[Kalahari]] use ostrich eggshells as water containers, punching a hole in them. They also produce jewelry from it.<ref name="Davies"/><ref>Anderson, Richard L. (2004). ''Calliope's Sisters: A Comparative Study of Philosophies of Art.'' 2nd edition. Pearson.</ref><ref name=Laufer/> The presence of such eggshells with engraved hatched symbols dating from the [[Howiesons Poort]] period of the [[Middle Stone Age]] at [[Diepkloof Rock Shelter]] in South Africa suggests common ostriches were an important part of human life as early as 60,000 BP.<ref name="Texier"/> [[File:Cyprus-lazarus-church-wall hg.jpg|thumb|Eggs on the oil lamps of the [[Church of Saint Lazarus, Larnaca]], Cyprus]] In [[Eastern Christianity]] it is common to hang decorated common ostrich eggs on the chains holding the oil lamps.<ref name="CathDict"/> The initial reason was probably to prevent mice and rats from climbing down the chain to eat the oil.<ref name="CathDict"/> Another, symbolical explanation is based in the [[Ostrich#Mating|fictitious]] tradition that female common ostriches do not sit on their eggs, but stare at them incessantly until they hatch out, because if they stop staring even for a second the egg will addle.<ref name="CathDict"/> This is equated to the obligation of the Christian to direct his entire attention towards God during prayer, lest the prayer be fruitless.<ref name="CathDict">{{cite book |article= Ostrich Eggs |title= A Catholic Dictionary |edition = 3rd |editor= Attwater, Donald |year=1997 |location= Charlotte, North Carolina |publisher= TAN Books |isbn=978-0-89555-549-6 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=8GrGCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT688}}</ref> {{anchor|Myth}} ==="Head in the sand" misconception=== [[List of common misconceptions|Contrary to popular assumptions]], ostriches do not bury their heads in sand to avoid danger.<ref name=Gosselin/> This misconception likely began with [[Pliny the Elder]] (23β79 CE), who wrote that ostriches "imagine, when they have thrust their head and neck into a bush, that the whole of their body is concealed."<ref name=Kruszelnicki/> This may have been a misunderstanding of their sticking their heads in the sand to swallow sand and pebbles to help digest their fibrous food,<ref name=Kreibich/> or, as [[National Geographic Society|National Geographic]] suggests, of the defensive behavior of lying low, so that they may appear from a distance to have their head buried.<ref name=NationalGeog/> Another possible origin for the assumption lies with the fact that ostriches keep their eggs in holes in the sand instead of nests and must rotate them using their beaks during incubation; digging the hole, placing the eggs, and rotating them might each be mistaken for an attempt to bury their heads in the sand.<ref name="ScienceWorldHeadSand">{{cite web|title=Do ostriches really bury their heads in the sand?|url=https://www.scienceworld.ca/blog/do-ostriches-really-bury-their-heads-sand|website=Science World British Columbia|access-date=2 January 2017|date=11 December 2015}}</ref> ===Economic use=== [[File:Ostrich feathers 1919.jpg|thumb|left|Fashion accessories, Amsterdam, 1919|alt=Fashion accessories made from feathers, Amsterdam, 1919]] [[File:1000 Ostriches on the move.ogv|thumb|Being moved between camps in preparation for filming a movie in South Africa]] In [[Roman Empire|Roman]] times, there was a demand for common ostriches to use in ''[[venatio]]'' games or cooking. They have been hunted and farmed for their feathers, which at various times have been popular for ornamentation in fashionable clothing (such as hats during the 19th century). Their skins are valued for their [[Ostrich leather|leather]]. In the 18th century they were almost hunted to extinction; farming for feathers began in the 19th century. At the start of the 20th century there were over 700,000 birds in captivity.<ref name=Perrins/> The market for feathers collapsed after [[World War I]], but commercial farming for feathers and later for skins and meat became widespread during the 1970s. [[File:Ostrich in captivity.jpg|thumb|An ostrich in captivity in a farm park in [[Gloucestershire]], England.]] [[File:Ostrich Platter.jpg|thumb|A platter of ostrich meat in Oudtshoorn, South Africa]] Common ostriches have been farmed in South Africa since the beginning of the 19th century. According to [[Frank G. Carpenter]], the English are credited with first [[Tame animal|taming]] common ostriches outside [[Cape Town]]. Farmers captured baby common ostriches and raised them successfully on their property, and they were able to obtain a crop of feathers every seven to eight months instead of killing wild common ostriches for their feathers.<ref name="WDL">{{cite web |url = http://www.wdl.org/en/item/566/ |title = AfricaβCape of Good Hope, Ostrich Farm |work = [[World Digital Library]] |date = 1910β1920 |access-date = 30 May 2013 }}</ref> Feathers are still commercially harvested.<ref>{{cite news |last= Bryce|first=Emma |date= 20 February 2023|title=Festivals, fashion and feather bandits: why ostrich plumage is still worth its weight in gold β a photo essay |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/20/ostrich-feathers-farming-south-africa-fashion-luxury-a-photo-essay |work=the Guardian |location= |access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref> It is claimed that common ostriches produce the strongest commercial leather.<ref name=Best/> Common ostrich meat tastes similar to lean beef and is low in fat and [[cholesterol]], as well as high in [[calcium]], protein, and iron. It is considered to be both poultry and [[red meat]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Are-ratites-red-or-white-meat |title=Are ratites "red" or "white" meat? |website=AskUSDA |publisher=US Department of Agriculture |date=17 Jul 2019 |access-date=15 November 2022 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115100641/https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Are-ratites-red-or-white-meat |url-status=dead }}</ref> Uncooked, it is dark red or cherry red, a little darker than beef.<ref name=COA/> [[Ostrich stew]] is a dish prepared using common ostrich meat. Some common ostrich farms also cater to [[agri-tourism]], which may produce a substantial portion of the farm's income.<ref>{{cite news|title=Agritourism helps ostrich farm fly high|newspaper=Farmer's Weekly|date= 19 March 2007}}</ref> This may include tours of the farmlands, souvenirs, or even ostrich rides.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://curacaoostrichfarm.com/?lang=en|title=Curacao Ostrich Farm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=South Africa Ostrich Rides|url=http://www.sa-venues.com/activities/ostrich-rides.htm}}</ref> ===Attacks=== Common ostriches typically avoid humans in the wild, since they correctly assess humans as potential predators. If approached, they often run away, but sometimes ostriches can be very aggressive when threatened, especially if cornered, and may also attack if they feel the need to defend their territories or offspring. Similar behaviors are noted in captive or domesticated common ostriches, which retain the same natural instincts and can occasionally respond aggressively to stress. When attacking a person, common ostriches deliver slashing kicks with their powerful feet, armed with long claws, with which they can [[Disembowelment|disembowel]] or kill a person with a single blow.<ref>{{cite book|author=Coyne, Jerry A. |title=Why Evolution Is True |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XK31XqoKJKoC&pg=PT76 |year=2010 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0-14-311664-6 |pages=76β}}</ref> In one study of common ostrich attacks, it was estimated that two to three attacks that result in serious injury or death occur each year in the area of [[Oudtshoorn]], South Africa, where a large number of common ostrich farms are set next to both feral and wild common ostrich populations, making them statistically, the world's most dangerous bird.<ref name="Wood"/><ref name = "OstrichTrauma"/> ===Racing=== {{See also|List of racing forms#Animal racing}} [[File:OstrichCartJacksonville1.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Jacksonville, Florida]], circa 1911|alt=Ostrich-drawn cart carrying a man, circa 1911, [[Jacksonville, Florida]]]] In some countries, people [[racing|race each other]] on the backs of common ostriches. The practice is common in Africa<ref name="jhbradley"/> and is relatively unusual elsewhere.<ref name=park/> The common ostriches are ridden in the same way as horses with special saddles, reins, and bits. However, they are harder to manage than horses.<ref name=mech/> The practice is becoming less common due to ethical concerns, and nowadays ostrich farms set a limit weight for people to ride ostriches, making the activity mostly suited for children and smaller adults.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ostrich Riding & Racing β The Bizzarre Sport You Never Heard of |url=https://sand-boarding.com/ostrich-riding/ |website=Sand-boarding.com |date=30 December 2021 |access-date=28 April 2022}}</ref> [[File:Struisvogelrennen-514008.ogv|thumb|left|upright|1933, The Netherlands|alt=Racing, 1933, The Netherlands]] The racing is also a part of modern [[South African culture]].<ref name=Pyke/> Within the United States, a [[tourist attraction]] in [[Jacksonville, Florida]], called 'The Ostrich Farm' opened up in 1892; it and its races became one of the most famous early [[tourist attraction|attractions]] in the [[history of Florida]].<ref name=Clark/> Likewise, the arts scene in [[Indio, California]], consists of both ostrich and [[camel racing]].<ref name="Barton 2013">{{cite web|first1=Dave|last1=Barton|url=http://www.ocweekly.com/arts/florian-ayala-fauna-art-magickian-6425518|title=Florian-Ayala Fauna: Art Magickian|work=[[OC Weekly]]|publisher=OC Weekly, LP.|date=7 February 2013|access-date=17 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006210659/http://www.ocweekly.com/arts/florian-ayala-fauna-art-magickian-6425518|archive-date=6 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Chandler, Arizona]], hosts the annual "[[Ostrich Festival]]", which features common ostrich races.<ref name=Scott/><ref name=Hedding/> Racing has also occurred at many other locations such as [[Virginia City]] in [[Nevada]], [[Canterbury Park]] in [[Minnesota]],<ref name=midwest/> [[Prairie Meadows]] in [[Iowa]], [[Ellis Park Racecourse|Ellis Park]] in [[Kentucky]],<ref name=Ethridge/> and the [[Fair Grounds Race Course|Fairgrounds]] in [[New Orleans]], Louisiana.<ref>DeMocker, Michael (August 2014) [http://www.nola.com/horseracing/index.ssf/2014/08/exotic_animal_racing_at_the_fa.html "Exotic animal racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course: photo gallery"]. nola.com</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ostrich Races in the US |url=https://sand-boarding.com/ostrich-races/ |website=Sand-boarding.com |date=31 August 2021 |access-date=23 April 2022}}</ref>
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