Females are primarily brown. Ostriches have been hunted and raised on farms for their plumage, used to decorate military dress helmets and women's garments. Ostrich hide makes a supple leather. Ostriches live in flocks of 5 to 50 with other grazing animals. They chiefly eat plant matter.
Ostriches sometimes lie on the ground with neck outstretched when enemies are near.
This may have given rise to the legend that the bird buries its head in the sand. Actually it is attempting to escape detection or view the enemy against a lighter horizon. Among the three species is Rhea americana, called the common rhea. Rheas are brownish instead of black like the ostrich and have three toes instead of two. They live on plants and, like ostriches, move in groups along with other grazing animals.