Ostriches: Big Eyes, Tiny Brain

An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. That’s right, the world’s largest bird is also home to one of nature’s quirkiest proportions.

Each eye on an ostrich can be nearly 2 inches across — about the size of a billiard ball. In contrast, its brain is roughly the size of a walnut. Imagine if your eyeballs were the size of baseballs, but your brain was the size of a ping-pong ball!

Those massive eyes give ostriches exceptional vision. They can spot a predator like a lion from over two miles away. Their long necks work like built-in periscopes, letting them scan the horizon without moving much.

But a big eye doesn’t mean a slow mind. Ostriches are surprisingly quick thinkers when it comes to survival. They can run up to 45 miles per hour to escape danger. Their eyesight works like a high-definition warning system for their speedy legs.

Another fun twist: even though their brains are small, ostriches have complex social lives. They travel in flocks, take turns watching for threats, and sometimes team up with zebras for extra safety. Zebras have great hearing, ostriches have great vision, and together they make a perfect predator alarm team