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Taxonomy

The common ostrich was originally described by Carl Linnaeus from Sweden in his 18th-century work, Systema Naturae under its current binomial name. Its genus is derived from the Late Latin struthio meaning "ostrich". The specific name is an allusion to "strouthokamelos" the Ancient Greek name for the ostrich, meaning camel-sparrow, the "camel" term referring to its dry habitat. Στρουθοκάμηλος is still the modern Greek name for the ostrich.

The common ostrich belongs to the Infraclass Palaeognathae commonly known as ratites. Other members include rheas, emus, cassowaries, moa, kiwi, elephant birds, tinamous.