Ostriches stick their heads in the sand when they're scared or threatened.

It's a myth and an optical illusion! Ostriches are the largest living birds, but their heads are pretty small. "If you see them picking at the ground from a distance, it may look like their heads are buried in the ground," says Glinda Cunningham of the American Ostrich Association. Ostriches don't bury their heads in the sand—they wouldn't be able to breathe! But they do dig holes in the dirt to use as nests for their eggs. Several times a day, a bird puts her head in the hole and turns the eggs. So it really does look like the birds are burying their heads in the sand!

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50 Comments

Carol Waldron

You said stick head in sand, not bury. They stick their heads in the sand to turn their eggs!!

Erik Bell

What? You think this question was vague or ambiguous? Then you're an idiot. Do they bury their heads in the sand when threatened? No. They run. Jesus this couldn't be more clear.

Madilyn Madison

The question is regarding whether they bury their head BECAUSE they feel scared or threatened. Don't know how that question could be tricky?

Paul Kelly

Damn people look at the question, bury their heads When Threatened, not under other circumstances, some of you need remedial reading or a class in critical thinking

Kat

Carol Waldron, if they are turning their eggs, that is not a sign of feeling threatened. You have to read all the words.

Bank-Robber

Finally, False answer!!!

Dog001

Maldwin Williams, American's among other countries also have associations which represent farmers, growers, processors for all sorts of meat, vegetable and produce items that are not native to their country. If there is a product or service, and they can make money from it, there will be an association formed to represent those companies.

Irene Townsend

Carol Waldron, That is nip-picking, stick/ bury. They put their heads in a hole where the eggs are to turn them, so the Ostrich neither stick nor bury the heads anywhere near the sand, as was stated 'from a distant it may look like they do'.