Despite the comical persistence of the myth, ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand. Where this powerful metaphor for wilful ignorance originated remains a mystery, but a potential source could be that when an ostrich is incubating an egg, it will use its head to turn the egg over every day to ensure proper heating.

Ostriches also swallows rocks to aid in digestion, so given enough distance from the subject and taking into account the illusory nature of heat waves and duck-and-cover sandstorms (+ a dash of imagination), it’s not difficult to see how one could be mistaken for thinking ostriches actually do bury their heads in the sand.

Ostrich Farm Tours

Experience the world’s largest bird, the ostrich, which lays the largest egg, has the most beautiful feathers and eyes that make you want to fall in love and hug them.