Ostrich Gives the Performance of His Life | The Mating Game | BBC Earth

Pink shins, shiny feathers, can’t lose.
The end result might not be as smooth and slick, but this ostrich does have some moves…
Discover more beautiful and bizarre animal performances like this with #TheMatingGame. Find out more 👉 www.bbcearth.com/shows/the-ma...
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The story behind the most fascinating, hilarious and dramatic quests to find a mate and leave a lasting legacy. Some species need to overcome the challenges of a vast environment just to find a member of the opposite sex. Others find themselves pitched against their neighbours in mass mating aggregations. Some must impress with complex displays. Others build extraordinary structures just to prove their worth. One thing, however, connects them all - the drive to succeed at all costs. Exploring five different habitats across six continents, this series reveals the varied, fascinating and downright bizarre strategies different animals use to find a mate. It is the ultimate inside view on what it takes to succeed at the mating game.
Welcome to BBC EARTH! The world is an amazing place full of stories, beauty and natural wonder. Here you'll find 50 years worth of entertaining and thought-provoking natural history content. Dramatic, rare, and exclusive, nature doesn't get more exciting than this.
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[@DinoDirk1997]

Tried that dance once in a night club. Didn't work out so well for me.

[@ike212111]

The secret is the neck, you really need to go for it and stretch it hard.

[@tikakatili]

😂😂😂😂

[@vminshi]

🤣

[@womanofsubstance8735]

You probably didn't have enough big beautiful feathers.

[@a9speedbump379]

@@womanofsubstance8735 🤣

[@Mr_Fission]

She's like "yeah that's nice hon. I'm gonna eat some sand."

[@Randomname235]

Wait what they eat sand 🤣

[@Sheba_316]

😂😂😂

[@AntisocialExtrovert90]

@@Randomname235 they “eat” small rocks to help them digest food since they cant chew. Their main food source is plant roots and insects.

[@judybargenquast7669]

Girl's gotta be practical. Somebody has to.

[@downhomesunset]

@@AntisocialExtrovert90 yes the small rocks and gravel grind their food up. This is why you give budgies gravel to eat.

[@kpcomments]

I love that she was still looking for snacks during the whole process

[@stoodmuffinpersonal3144]

what a fucking mood

[@cle7ic]

🙄

[@michellemacco]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@mixingtalks6286]

while he was giving his life best performance. Time to die ostrich.

[@conmckfly]

Let's see . . . What can I eat until dum-dum has finished.

[@Jibberish55]

The ostrich mating dance never fails to make me laugh.

[@Sandy-sd5cv]

Many human beings do such dance😂

[@TK-ij2xi]

It's the tip toeing. I'm going to ask my husband to tip toe towards me if he's feeling amorous. 😂

[@shantor100]

You should see birds of paradise

[@Jibberish55]

@@shantor100 they don't even look real to me lol

[@shaunaray1]

@@Sandy-sd5cv napoleon dynamite

[@starflyer3219]

The Jurassic era must have been more interesting than we can imagine.

[@lisarochwarg4707]

Dinos were rhythmic animals.

[@thatkidwiththehoodie]

@@lisarochwarg4707 they had the moves to show these avian whippersnappers how it’s done

[@ta_nimal2023]

🤣😂😆 Underrated comment!

[@anyascelticcreations]

I was thinking what weird looking dinosaurs these are, too.

[@whitealliance9540]

T rex had to bust a dance move Sis-boom ba!

[@curvedbridge]

"And that kids is how I won over your mother's heart"

[@nraphael9004]

😎bravo 👍🏼

[@maggiepatterson7949]

😂

[@nikhilmandpe1523]

🤣😂

[@idotgotitme3280]

Classic, how I met your mother, Ostrich style.

[@cc6755]

That running stamina test had me rolling 🤣🤣🤣

[@OneTwo-yw4ij]

Me too! I was like get it, get it, get it boy! The female was like the state farm commercial...."you gotta be quicker than that" ......😂

[@agnesinfrance]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@idotgotitme3280]

It reminds me of the stress test that they give humans 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️💃🕺

[@airotiv7916]

Right?! Who knew? 🤣💜

[@reezgaming1475]

All I hear is “fast asf boi still fast asf”😂😂

[@snifftheglove1119]

I could watch an ostrich run all day. It cracks me up how the body seems to operate completely independent from the neck and head! 🤣

[@brendareed8412]

They are legs with a bit of bird on top.

[@thebaddestradish9678]

Right?!! 😂😭

[@heavystarch100]

Riverdance running!!😂😂😂

[@832.renukakalisetti2]

My boy was so into it and she's just like lemme get some snacks here😂

[@yaoxiden219]

Is it in yet?

[@RakhiDhavale]

😂

[@user-ev2gv9zk2t]

“He performs his final trick, it’s not prefect but he gets to perform the trick of his life” 💀what a narration line, well done 😂

[@joylynch5204]

Agree 😂

[@Heyu7her3]

Did I just watch ostrich porn????

[@beautyforashes2022]

His twinkle toes dance made me laugh. He's like, "hey baby, check out these thighs!" ~twinkle twinkle twinkle~

[@procatist8624]

Toph "leave the nicknames to us, honey"

[@the_picsopedia]

Avatar reference? 😜

[@xtinamarie_333]

I was checking out those thighs thinking, wonder how they taste 🤣✌️

[@lindadavies6109]

@@xtinamarie_333 delicious actually, you should try ostrich sometime 👌

[@elisemiller13]

After discovering male Ostrich can weigh 350 pounds, that "twinkle toes" dance takes on new proportions of marvelous!

[@shire69420]

Y'all there's something about David Attenborough, he's the best narrator for wildlife.

[@artloverivy]

He’s been our guide to learning about our planet. I’m forever grateful that he’s still narrating content to this day ❤

[@christianjunghanel6724]

Ever ! Period !

[@lysergic_visions3203]

So was his brother from Jurassic park - with dinosaurs 🦖🦕

[@KOOLBadger]

Sir David..

[@dlslegendronish4626]

thanks for the name

[@jay-leevanderberg8174]

The male dances as he mates??!! Oh my goodness that is so cute 🥰

[@jay-leevanderberg8174]

Also, pretty sure they mate for life. She’s stuck with this cute little dancing man who falls on her, for life ♥️

[@TripleKmafia]

@@jay-leevanderberg8174 You’ll find a mate someday too, I think.

[@davidh9844]

Uhm, don't we all?

[@bartwilson2513]

@@davidh9844 I usually don’t bring out the Jazz hands, lol.

[@ghermeziancchristian1836]

Yeah... So cute, how are you doing ma'am?

[@cosmopolitanwonder9675]

As she carries on eating, marvellous animals.

[@ughmazing8073]

I love that he's just going to ostrich plow town and she's just continuing to eat bugs off the ground 😂

[@whiteheart6827]

The male ostrich performed a ballet. Simply stunning.

[@robotzombie4754]

Nah,he pulled a burlesque dance

[@drewelliott9062]

He was doing the Funky Chicken.

[@samp4050]

🤣🤣 I've never seen courting animals or birds, make such hilarious, sexy gestures....in their own way of course! Wow, this is so funny.🤣🤣🤣 Probably called the Ostrich Ballet Mating Dance. 😂 I think some ladies can learn from them, how to get a man running after you.... literally. Yes, I'm a female! 😂

[@Freespirit_survivor]

🤩

[@ivin6415]

Amazing the creation of GOD; macro evolution never happened.🤓

[@TripleKmafia]

@@ivin6415 Good bait, almost fell for it:

[@tenwaystowearit]

His roll-neck was perfection 💋👌🏾!

[@betkay6684]

I love that Daddy Ostrich looks after his kids from egg onwards .... such a treasure as a partner !!

[@fauxamy23]

yeah Daddy is on paternity leave 😆

[@cindywilson6520]

"he's not perfect".. but she thinks he is and that's all that matters. My goodness what a show beautiful feathers my gosh!

[@evamekonnen]

His like “ look these dancing skills will support our future family “

[@amandahirschfeld7382]

How amazing. My old man better step his game up after seeing this.

[@sunshinesunshine94]

Lol

[@judahtribe7]

Just bring you some snacks

[@husseinkebede4052]

Hey i am here for you.hit me

[@NothingMaster]

The very definition of: PLAYING HARD TO GET.

[@Hellothere-gg8id]

Only works for animals, tho. In human society, you'll catch a lawsuit if you pursue after she flees 😂

[@kathleenmcgovern8669]

I loved this whole programme. It made me laugh out loud several times. Well done to the editing, script and music team.

[@elenahk7315]

Especially the music

[@KeepingOnTheWatch]

“There’s only one thing to do after a moment like this: strut!” (‘Stayin’ Alive’ starts playing)

[@anyascelticcreations]

The look on the female's face. She's definitely scrutinizing his every detail. Lol

[@renelznicolas8659]

I wish my life had a soundtrack like that

[@NikoleskuN]

The main thing is that there is no commentator like that! 😆

[@kathycrawford8777]

Develop a mating dance ritual and somebody somewhere will run audio for you!

[@renelznicolas8659]

@@kathycrawford8777 😂😂😂😂😂

[@kstick2624]

My boy had her face down featherz up 😂💯

[@cle7ic]

🤣🤣🤣

[@nibirue]

"She makes him chase her." I guess we're all the same.

[@nirangarathnayaka5296]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZC1l2OpmrmAkLs wild elephant attack caught on camera minneriya national park srilanka

[@awesome1ru]

Haha

[@ninam.6781]

Queen shit 💅🏽

[@naomimakin1908]

You see all he has to do is get down on one knee to prove he's serious 😂

[@nirangarathnayaka5296]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZC1l2OpmrmAkLs wild elephant attack caught on camera minneriya national park srilanka

[@teebashdefat3775]

"Watching animals dictionary" My parents enters the room : 2:24

[@Begam_chan]

"At last he seems to be getting some attention" Bird continues to eat sand

[@harrietking8768]

That was mesmerising. How incredible, beautiful and complex nature is.

[@maggiepatterson7949]

The mind of GOD Who created all this! He was definitely showing His sense of humor when He created ostriches!

[@DiamondsRexpensive]

@@maggiepatterson7949 I think so too, I know I laughed a good laugh at this

[@bedford4383]

@@maggiepatterson7949 sure.

[@WildThoughtsAI]

@@maggiepatterson7949 there is no god If there is then god is evil to create such an unfair world specially nature Nature is unfair

[@thatlyingwitchinyourwardro3893]

I love learning about how birds woo their mates. So fascinating.

[@Rappercalledbiggansta]

2:31 the chicken dance lol 😂

[@MuhammadEgypt]

This is so beautiful and exhilarating. He's like, Hurray, hurray, hurray! haha

[@teebashdefat3775]

1:25 damn bro I didn't expect that at all! I laughed so hard as he pend down on his knees 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mahaonexpress]

🤣

[@marianacamplese9519]

Aaugh he got down on his knees and begged. So sweet!

[@suzettecraig1811]

2:16 bruh. He's like "oh, e..excuse me, whoops!"

[@user-my7jo9co6h]

I've never ever saw an ostrich kneel down and do the dance before . Shoot I'm impressed ❤️🥰😊.

[@enra9111]

These two ostriches had the best background music.

[@IntrepidFraidyCat]

I love the tippy toe fan dance!

[@samp4050]

This is the best natural ballet scene I've ever seen. 😂

[@catterbitd]

I stretch, I stretch my neck for ya.

[@Enticing27]

0:49 Just dust in the sun My brain: That's fire

[@mafkrimnra8084]

Omg this is my first time seeing this and it’s amazingly beautiful 😍

[@ranoosamagic9068]

I wish you also see the meeting of tortoise to know real meaning of horror porn

[@edyr]

damn what are they doing there is a crise going on

[@a---------------]

first time seeing ostrich porn?

[@jnolette1030]

"She seems impressed" yet still focused on eating the whole time.

[@nraphael9004]

Maybe it's not eating really...! It could be just drama so that the male perform even better 😂

[@jnolette1030]

@@nraphael9004 A female and drama? No way lol

[@ike212111]

Saturday, on the dance floor. I am coming!

[@stoodmuffinpersonal3144]

"Let us do the running dance of the sexy times."

[@Master_Petes_Theater]

😂😂🤣🤣👍🏻

[@pedrord19]

Ostriches are the most gorgeous and marvellous Birds !!!! It's so satisfying to see that BBC is finally learning that Africa is much much more than just Lion, Elephant and Zebra ... 🙏🏻💖🥰

[@Deas-Mhumhna]

BBC has always done more than the basics. It's the people at home that only want to see lions. They need to expand and see what other animals are out there. Meercats are so cute, and dung beetles are very interesting.

[@pedrord19]

@@Deas-Mhumhna Yeah, most people always want to see the same animal ALL the time ... And BBC has a lot of shows about Lions, and they are very cool !! But sometimes they focused too much in certain types of Creatures, like in the upcoming Dynasties II ... It ALL about Mammals, again ...

[@Deas-Mhumhna]

@@pedrord19 They have done shows on insects, birds, oceanic animals. The island ome is really cool. I have the DVDs.

[@pedrord19]

@@Deas-Mhumhna Seven Worlds, One Planet, A Perfect Planet and Planet Earth are among the most epic ones, because of the massive variety of species !!!

[@rparrey2011]

Your narration is extraordinary sir, no words to appreciate

[@socalbass758]

Theres NOTHING better to watch then pure Nature as its BEST!!!

[@tonysmith7632]

I wonder if t-rex did anything like this?

[@chaz693]

Probably

[@pedrord19]

Struthiomimus and Gallimimus certainlly did !!! 😁

[@pedrord19]

@@Luke_4044 😁

[@procatist8624]

@@Luke_4044 Latin names are the worst

[@28carter]

First worthwhile comment I've read

[@Easy_Going__]

Ostriches have the best shock-absorbing legs! Their heads never seem to move when they’re running.

[@unique-bysudhamani3226]

Kudos to the camera team for capturing such intimate moments. It's always dangerous to be close to mating-ostriches or any other animals.

[@bonniekeough244]

I'm so darn sensitive, his final dance made me cry.

[@johnwt7333]

You need to get off the couch

[@raerae555]

Omg me too @Bonnie! The music didn’t help lol

[@cle7ic]

🤣

[@jeffmartin3406]

Kentucky Fried chicken, mega style.

[@KOOLBadger]

So beautiful. Im greatful they are still here on Planet Earth..

[@bigw813]

Wonderfull Birds.

[@bobcharlie2337]

I'm full of fluffy feathers. Pick me!! Pick me!!

[@betkay1018]

This is almost the Ostrich version of Swan Lake minus the ending !!

[@DiamondsRexpensive]

Swan Lake is shaking and can't match up the refreshing ridiculousness of ostrich desert

[@m_rwema]

🤣🤣🤣 his final tricks.....ooh man You're the best

[@taylercumings547]

Gorgeous creatures, Ostriches are my 11th favorite animal. When he squatted at first I thought he lost his footing but when I saw him do that dance, I couldn't help but smile.

[@joylynch5204]

They are my first favorite.

[@lannguyen-pu1db]

Absolutely BEEAUUUTIFUUL eyelashes

[@iamthechosenone10]

It's funny on the way to the female he's like "I'm gonna get some , I'm gonna get some !!!! " lol

[@redwoods7370]

What an amazing world we live in. Never ceases to amaze me.

[@eekay5710]

Its all the work of our wonderful Creator. Nature is so alive, just as the clouds in the sky. I see Him in His every-day movements. 👋

[@MooBerry2009]

"Ooooo you almost had it, ya gotta be quicker than that..." -allstate commercial

[@elizabethgaspodnetich4322]

I think human men should have to perform a dance like this to win his lover! I want to see that tippytoe neck sway number, and he better be swing his neck from side to side when he does it or the answer would be a big fat NO!! Lol, that would be priceless to watch!

[@Sheba_316]

@Elizabeth😂😂😂

[@Moritz19081980]

Humans do very similar things actually. A disco/club is a place were peope flirt a lot for a reason. A lot of people go there to "dance sexy" to get attention and a potential partner. Not much difference. Just that Ostriches are the much better dancers.^^

[@americangirlx4]

@@Moritz19081980 Yes, without the long spindly legs and flamboyant feather plumes......not as visually stimulating. 😊 Many cultures adorn with feathers, large ruffles and long trains emulating peacock tails, even crowns. Looks like human style and behavior has gone to the birds.

[@jasminej6281]

In Africa they do

[@DiamondsRexpensive]

@Philonoist good, work for it. People don't like or appreciate things that are effortless.

[@Kris-dr8ef]

That was beautiful and endearing in a way..

[@NolanFriedline]

Now this is quality content, thank you!

[@debrabolton9372]

I adore ostriches. A real class act.

[@thebenefactor6744]

The 1930's Sigfield follies routine is always the showstopper. Gets 'em every time.

[@holytrashify]

that final trick was pretty impressive

[@TeddyZickZack]

Most beautiful thing I’ve seen

[@ultimate_animal_showdown]

If only I could dance like that…

[@ChristopherX30]

😂😂😂

[@professionalamateur1549]

Just gotta practice

[@christyann]

"So you think you can dance?" YES! ...... incredible.

[@ghermeziancchristian1836]

Hello ma'am, how are you doing today?

[@YourExcellency]

This is amazing. Just imagine how even more strange and fantastical lifeforms are on other planets.

[@shades3773]

The dance on his knees tho🥺

[@ChaddMichael]

I did the same dance once. It was in Mexico… I hadd a lot of tequila. And I’ll be damned if I didn’t get the same outcome. The things we learn from nature, huh?

[@judybraviere2715]

Oh my gosh. Stunning performance. That’s beautiful 💜🌻💙

[@kevinmitei3489]

Dang..the ostrich is simping hard🤣🤣🤣😂

[@lifewithbritney4413]

it's so amazing how smart animals is

[@lilianabartosi7356]

I love this voice! Every time I hear the voice of David Attenborough I know for sure that it will be something great to watch!!! ❤️

[@soheilak6208]

Absolutely amazing

[@funshine817]

Most birds are very respectful. Birds are awesome! ❤😎😁

[@SethHixie]

"Ay yo shawdy! Slow down! I'm just tryna get in those drawers!"

[@suziperret468]

Wow! Such beauty! These Ostriches are gorgeous!

[@akbarrana9115]

It's such animals that make this planet extremely beautiful.

[@whitealliance9540]

Birds have the best dances for mating rituals.

[@CalebHendrickspoetry]

Ostriches never fail to make me smile

[@FriendlyPCGamers]

David - "Female ostritches are very choosy" Me - "Females are very choosy"

[@professionalamateur1549]

Because there's so many simps out there

[@harshityadavCamper]

Singles singles everywhere

[@achayootto4221]

Imagine even an animal knows her worth is is picky. But human females are judged for being picky..

[@scotts4298]

Lower your standards. Let's be real you're probably the one who's being choosy.

[@mariia099]

@@professionalamateur1549 i bet you unironically watch sigma grindset videos

[@stevescott6503]

used to raise them in Canada years ago, lots of fun to work with. Also very dangerous , you can be badly hurt if one decides to kick you .

[@Mostie-ev7oh]

I’ve heard in captivity that sometimes ostriches will pull mating dances to their keepers. Has that ever occurred to you?

[@kassiapencek6185]

Omg this is awesome! So glad to see a new part of our marvelous world.

[@nixie_moon]

I love that she's still eatting with him dancing on top of her

[@admiralhugo1440]

I love the narrator

[@AniFam]

Such an amazing runner and dancer~🤗💞

[@vienchiez3954]

0:07 got me laughing so hard 😂

[@lesliesmith5797]

Isn’t that just like a man showing off, lol 😂. So beautiful, his dance 🦋

[@Alberuniii]

Absolutely adorable

[@matoseen6349]

U can't replace sir David Attenborough... Voice love from Kenya 🇰🇪

[@justme-zm2vv]

He never gave up. Amazing courting ritual!

[@themintleaf1778]

Spectacular, well captured never seen before. Loved every minute. Those feathers are multi purpose natural show inside out. Wow!