PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games ForumsArts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and Garden Relationship QuizzesCars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and Style Sports and FitnessComputers and ElectronicsHealthPets and Animals TravelEducation & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and Religion Work WorldFamily LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationships Youth
LOG IN
Log in
Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. FacebookGooglewikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
RANDOM
Home
Random
Browse Articles
TrendingNew
Quizzes & Games
All QuizzesHot
Love Quizzes
Personality Quizzes
Fun Games
Dating Simulator
Learn Something New
Forums
Courses
Happiness Hub
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Health
First Aid and Emergency Health Care
Wilderness First Aid
How to Survive an Encounter with an Ostrich Download Article Co-authored by wikiHow Staff
Last Updated: August 1, 2025 Fact Checked
Download Article
Fighting an Ostrich
|
Evading a Charging Ostrich
|
Avoiding Encounters
|
Video
|Show more|Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,628,276 times. Learn more...
Imagine you're face-to-face with one of the most dangerous birds on earth—the ostrich. Extremely fast on foot, these massive birds can run up to 45 mph (72.5 kph).[1]XResearch source Not to mention, ostriches can deliver mortal blows by the sheer force of their legs and lethally sharp talons. Although they don’t prey on humans, ostriches have been known to injure and kill when provoked. So, how should you react? The best thing you can do is steer clear and keep your distance. If that fails, ducking for cover and hiding works best. As a last resort, you may even have to fight them. Wondering how to beat an ostrich? Read on for the ultimate ostrich-attack survival guide.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Fighting an Ostrich
Download Article
1 Use a long weapon. If you are forced to defend yourself against an ostrich, avoid close-quarters combat. Keep as far out of reach of its legs as you can, since ostriches can kick hard enough to kill a lion. Use the nearest, longest object that could be used as a weapon, such as a pole, rake, broom, or branch.[2]XResearch source
If you have a gun and need to use it, aim for the ostrich's main body to better ensure hitting your target. Although they will be attacking with their legs and/or beak, their legs and neck are very thin and easy to miss.
2 Keep to the ostrich’s side. Consider yourself at the most risk when the two of you are face-to-face. Remember that an ostrich is only able to kick its legs directly in front of it. Stay behind or to the side of the bird as much as possible to keep clear of its most powerful weapon. Advertisement
3 Aim for the neck. Consider this to be the ostrich’s weakest body part. Strike it where it is most vulnerable and least protected to defeat it more quickly. Failing that, aim for its breast. Concentrate your efforts between the two as opportunity affords. Continue to strike until it quits and runs away.[3]XResearch source
4 Damage its wings. If the ostrich refuses to give up despite your attacks on its neck, aim for its wings when given the opportunity. Know that an ostrich uses its wings not for flight, but to alter course more smoothly when running, just like a ship’s rudder.[4]XResearch source Damaging its wings may marginally improve your chances of running away in a zigzag fashion if you are forced to retreat.
5 Go for its legs. If you find yourself behind or to the side of the ostrich with an easy shot at one of its legs, take it. Know that the ostrich’s center of gravity depends entirely upon those two skinny legs.[5]XResearch source If given the chance, deliver one or both a blow to upset its balance, speed, and striking power.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Evading a Charging Ostrich
Download Article
1 Run for nearby cover. Expect ostriches to attain speeds of 43 mph (70 km) over open ground.[6]XResearch source If there is dense vegetation or woods close enough for you to reach before the ostrich reaches you, sprint for that.[7]XResearch source Prevent the ostrich from attaining optimum speed so it has less chance of outrunning you.
If there is a more sturdy cover than vegetation (such as a car or manmade structure), go for that. A kick from an ostrich’s leg can hit you with an impact of 500 psi, which is enough to kill a human.
If you don’t think you can make it, DO NOT attempt it. Ostriches are extremely fast and will attack by kicking you in the back as soon as they catch up to you.[8]X Trustworthy Source PubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
2 Conceal yourself. Rest assured that, while ostriches do eat meat, they stick to insects, small reptiles, and rodents.[9]XResearch source Understand that a provoked ostrich will chase humans primarily because it feels threatened, not because it wants to eat them. At your first opportunity, duck behind cover that conceals you from its view, rather than risk a prolonged chase.[10]XResearch source Expect the ostrich to lose interest once it thinks that you are gone.
3 Elevate yourself. Remember that an ostrich is incapable of flight.[11]XResearch source If no hiding places are to be found on ground-level, climb a tree, fence, or other structure. Wait for the ostrich to lose interest and leave before coming back down.
An adult ostrich typically stands 7 to 9 feet tall (2 to 3 meters). Although it has no teeth, it may jab at you with its beak and potentially upset your balance. Seek a higher elevation to keep out of range.
4 Dive into a thorn bush. Opt for getting pricked by thorns instead of being disemboweled by the ostrich’s razor-sharp talons. If no other hiding spots are available, jump straight into a thorn bush. Wait for the ostrich to leave before climbing out.[12]XResearch source
Expect the ostrich to refrain from poking its head in after you, to protect its large eyes.
5 Lie on the ground. Resist the urge to run for cover or elevation if it is too far away. Instead, play dead as a last-ditch effort. Press your stomach to the ground. Cover the back of your head with your arms to protect your skull. Brace yourself for the ostrich to toy with you. Wait for it to tire of this and leave before getting back up. Be aware that this method may still result in injury.[13]XResearch source
The risk of injury from the force of impact of an ostrich’s kick is dramatically reduced when you lie down. The ostrich kicks forward, then downward, with most of its force spent in the forward motion.
The talons still do pose a danger. Lie on your stomach to better protect your organs, since the ostrich may rake you with its talons.
The ostrich may stand or even sit on you before it tires. An adult ostrich may weigh between 198 and 350 lbs (90 and 159 kilograms).[14]XResearch source
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Avoiding Encounters
Download Article
1 Be aware of your surroundings. Whenever you are in an area that may be home to ostriches, evaluate the landscape. Avoid open areas. Stick close to cover and note which areas would be the safest to retreat to should you encounter an ostrich that charges you.
2 Avoid close contact. Maintain your distance when you spot an ostrich in the wild. Consider any distance less than 110 yards (100 meters) as too close. If an ostrich advances toward you, back away, even if the ostrich appears calm. Never back one into a corner, since this will trigger a “fight” response instead of a “flight” one.[15]XResearch source
Although images of people petting, kissing, and even riding ostriches may lead you to believe that it is safe to approach them, note that such images are of tamed ostriches from farms. Even these birds should be treated with the same caution and respect as wild ones to avoid injury.
3 Beware of ostriches during breeding season. Consider them to be at their most easily provoked at this time, especially males, who are tasked with protecting the female’s eggs. Since ostriches tend to roam in pairs or alone at other times of the year, breeding season is marked by the presence of herds numbering anywhere from 5 to 50 ostriches at a time.
Identify males by their black feathers, white wingtips and tail plumes, and the red flush that appears on the front of their legs.
Distinguish females by their brown feathers and gray wingtips and plumes.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search Add New Question Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Video
Tips
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
You Might Also Like
Could You Win a Fight With an Ostrich? Fight Skills QuizHow toSurvive a Cheetah AttackWhy Hippos Are So Aggressive: An In-Depth LookHow toSurvive a Charging ElephantHow toSurvive an Encounter with a Crocodile or AlligatorHow toSurvive Animal AttacksHow toSurvive a Leopard AttackHow to Protect Yourself from a Kangaroo AttackHow toDefend Against a RamHow toSurvive a Lion AttackHow toDeal With a Hippo EncounterHow toAvoid or Escape a BullHow toSurvive a Tiger AttackHow toStop a Goose Attack Advertisement
Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 1,628,276 times. 971 votes - 95% Co-authors: 83Updated: August 1, 2025 Views: 1,628,276 Categories: Featured Articles | Wilderness First Aid | Wild Birds In other languages Spanish Portuguese Italian Russian German French Indonesian Dutch Arabic Vietnamese Turkish Chinese Czech Japanese
Print
Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,628,276 times.
Reader Success Stories
Unknown A.
Dec 3
"At first I saw this article and laughed. I thought those who needed a guide to survive an ostrich attack are weak that I could easily do what they could not. But I found my self proven wrong. I wouldnt have lived to tell this tale if I hadnt taken the time to study this article."..." more Rated this article:
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer Co-authors: 83Updated: August 1, 2025 Views: 1,628,27695% of readers found this article helpful. 971 votes - 95% Click a star to add your vote
Unknown A.
Dec 3
"At first I saw this article and laughed. I thought those who needed a guide to survive an ostrich attack are weak that I could easily do what they could not. But I found my self proven wrong. I wouldnt have lived to tell this tale if I hadnt taken the time to study this article."..." more Rated this article:
Anonymous
Sep 30
"Wow! This is so helpful for my very specific situation in which I got jumped by an ostrich! Thanks wikiHow!"
Ne H.
Sep 10
"I was at the zoo, saw an ostrich, and did this. 5/5." Rated this article:
Barrack O.
Sep 2
"The ostrich stood no chance."
Hunter H.
Aug 26
"Thanks to this article, I am still alive. Without this article, I never would have been able to fight the ostrich that kept attacking me on my way to work. Now I am the victor, and the ostrich was dinner."..." more Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
Quizzes & Games
Could You Win a Fight With an Ostrich? Fight Skills QuizTake QuizCould You Survive 100 Men vs 1 Gorilla?PlayWhat Bird Am I QuizTake QuizAnimal Riddle QuizTake QuizGuess the Animal QuizTake QuizGuess the Animal Photo QuizTake Quiz
You Might Also Like
Could You Win a Fight With an Ostrich? Fight Skills QuizHow toSurvive a Cheetah AttackWhy Hippos Are So Aggressive: An In-Depth LookHow toSurvive a Charging Elephant
Featured Articles
15 Signs Your Ex Misses You (and What to Do About It)How to Observe Hanukkah (From Candle Lighting to Latke Frying)165+ "You Are Special" Quotes For Friends, Family, Partners & More115+ Brain Teasers For Adults & Kids (With Answers!)When Will I Get My First Kiss Quiz17 Believable Excuses to Miss Class At the Last Minute
Trending Articles
Let Us Rate You 1-10: Attractiveness Scale QuizHow Much Do I Mog QuizAm I Annoying QuizCollege Grad Intelligence Test: Can You Score An A+?How Nonchalant Am I QuizHow Weird Am I Quiz
Featured Articles
How to Speed Up Your Slow-Performing Mobile DataHow to Get a Nice BodyIce Cream Personality TestHow toDress for WinterNicknames for Your Girlfriend: 125+ Funny, Sweet & Clever IdeasHow to Give Someone a Great Gift
Featured Articles
What Would My Life At Camp Half-Blood Be Like QuizThe Best Hairstyles for Guys with Big Foreheads22 Best Ideas for Scary (and Funny) PranksHow to Text Yourself: Fake Text Messages, Reminders, and MoreAccurate Omegaverse Quiz: 100% GuaranteeThe Hardest & Most Difficult Riddles for Adults
Watch Articles
How to Marinate Chicken: 4 Recipes and a Step-By-Step GuideHow toClean Shower TileHow toDo Oblique CrunchesSimple Ways to Riffle Shuffle and Bridge Playing CardsHow toMake Black CoffeeHow toPlant a Seed in a Pot
Trending Articles
Can We Guess How Tall You Are QuizHow Would My Fandom See Me If I Were a Fictional Character QuizGet Claimed by Your Godly Parent (Percy Jackson Quiz)Am I a Furry Quiz170+ Deep, Heartfelt & Passionate Love Messages to Send Your GuyThe World's Hardest Riddles (for Kids & Adults)
Quizzes & Games
How Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizTake QuizWhat Dinosaur Am I QuizTake QuizWould You Survive the Escaped Hungry Dinosaurs at Jurassic World?PlayWhich Animal Personality Do I Have QuizTake QuizHow Will I Die QuizTake QuizWhat Mythical Creature Am I QuizTake Quiz
Categories
Health
First Aid and Emergency Health Care
Wilderness First Aid
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
Download Article Co-authored by wikiHow Staff 
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 1,628,276 times. 971 votes - 95% Co-authors: 83 Updated: August 1, 2025 Views: 1,628,276 Categories: Featured Articles | Wilderness First Aid | Wild Birds In other languages Spanish Portuguese Italian Russian German French Indonesian Dutch Arabic Vietnamese Turkish Chinese Czech Japanese 
Take Quiz
Play
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Play
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
522 
1 Use a long weapon. If you are forced to defend yourself against an ostrich, avoid close-quarters combat. Keep as far out of reach of its legs as you can, since ostriches can kick hard enough to kill a lion. Use the nearest, longest object that could be used as a weapon, such as a pole, rake, broom, or branch.[2] 
2 Keep to the ostrich’s side. Consider yourself at the most risk when the two of you are face-to-face. Remember that an ostrich is only able to kick its legs directly in front of it. Stay behind or to the side of the bird as much as possible to keep clear of its most powerful weapon. Advertisement 
3 Aim for the neck. Consider this to be the ostrich’s weakest body part. Strike it where it is most vulnerable and least protected to defeat it more quickly. Failing that, aim for its breast. Concentrate your efforts between the two as opportunity affords. Continue to strike until it quits and runs away.[3] 
4 Damage its wings. If the ostrich refuses to give up despite your attacks on its neck, aim for its wings when given the opportunity. Know that an ostrich uses its wings not for flight, but to alter course more smoothly when running, just like a ship’s rudder.[4] Damaging its wings may marginally improve your chances of running away in a zigzag fashion if you are forced to retreat. 
5 Go for its legs. If you find yourself behind or to the side of the ostrich with an easy shot at one of its legs, take it. Know that the ostrich’s center of gravity depends entirely upon those two skinny legs.[5] If given the chance, deliver one or both a blow to upset its balance, speed, and striking power. Advertisement 
1 Run for nearby cover. Expect ostriches to attain speeds of 43 mph (70 km) over open ground.[6] If there is dense vegetation or woods close enough for you to reach before the ostrich reaches you, sprint for that.[7] Prevent the ostrich from attaining optimum speed so it has less chance of outrunning you. 
2 Conceal yourself. Rest assured that, while ostriches do eat meat, they stick to insects, small reptiles, and rodents.[9] Understand that a provoked ostrich will chase humans primarily because it feels threatened, not because it wants to eat them. At your first opportunity, duck behind cover that conceals you from its view, rather than risk a prolonged chase.[10] Expect the ostrich to lose interest once it thinks that you are gone. 
3 Elevate yourself. Remember that an ostrich is incapable of flight.[11] If no hiding places are to be found on ground-level, climb a tree, fence, or other structure. Wait for the ostrich to lose interest and leave before coming back down. 
4 Dive into a thorn bush. Opt for getting pricked by thorns instead of being disemboweled by the ostrich’s razor-sharp talons. If no other hiding spots are available, jump straight into a thorn bush. Wait for the ostrich to leave before climbing out.[12] 
5 Lie on the ground. Resist the urge to run for cover or elevation if it is too far away. Instead, play dead as a last-ditch effort. Press your stomach to the ground. Cover the back of your head with your arms to protect your skull. Brace yourself for the ostrich to toy with you. Wait for it to tire of this and leave before getting back up. Be aware that this method may still result in injury.[13] 
1 Be aware of your surroundings. Whenever you are in an area that may be home to ostriches, evaluate the landscape. Avoid open areas. Stick close to cover and note which areas would be the safest to retreat to should you encounter an ostrich that charges you. 
2 Avoid close contact. Maintain your distance when you spot an ostrich in the wild. Consider any distance less than 110 yards (100 meters) as too close. If an ostrich advances toward you, back away, even if the ostrich appears calm. Never back one into a corner, since this will trigger a “fight” response instead of a “flight” one.[15] 
3 Beware of ostriches during breeding season. Consider them to be at their most easily provoked at this time, especially males, who are tasked with protecting the female’s eggs. Since ostriches tend to roam in pairs or alone at other times of the year, breeding season is marked by the presence of herds numbering anywhere from 5 to 50 ostriches at a time.