For many years it is believed that the ostriches bury their heads in the sand. This however is not true.

There are numerous reasons why this is a myth. One for instance is that when females turn the eggs twice a day, she will keep her head low to the ground and due to the fact that she is grey in colour she will also blend in nicely with the environment.  At night it will be the male’s turn to incubate. Secondly when ostriches look for food and pebbles it seems from a distance like they put the head in the sand. Pebbles are swallowed as they have no teeth and they need it for digestion.

Another explanation is when the ostriches relax or sleep the head is stretched out in front of them and only the body is visible. Interestingly enough ostriches eat the entire day long and soon as the sun sets, they stop eating and settle for the night.

Last but not least ostriches will keep their heads low to the ground during a sandstorm in order to protect their eyes.

On the funny side I personally think the day ostriches will put their heads in the sand is the day horses will grow horns.