Editing Common ostrich (section)

===Economic use===
[[File:Ostrich feathers 1919.jpg|thumb|left|Fashion accessories, Amsterdam, 1919|alt=Fashion accessories made from feathers, Amsterdam, 1919]]
[[File:1000 Ostriches on the move.ogv|thumb|Being moved between camps in preparation for filming a movie in South Africa]]
In [[Roman Empire|Roman]] times, there was a demand for common ostriches to use in ''[[venatio]]'' games or cooking. They have been hunted and farmed for their feathers, which at various times have been popular for ornamentation in fashionable clothing (such as hats during the 19th century). Their skins are valued for their [[Ostrich leather|leather]]. In the 18th century they were almost hunted to extinction; farming for feathers began in the 19th century. At the start of the 20th century there were over 700,000 birds in captivity.<ref name=Perrins/> The market for feathers collapsed after [[World War I]], but commercial farming for feathers and later for skins and meat became widespread during the 1970s. 
[[File:Ostrich in captivity.jpg|thumb|An ostrich in captivity in a farm park in [[Gloucestershire]], England.]]
[[File:Ostrich Platter.jpg|thumb|A platter of ostrich meat in Oudtshoorn, South Africa]]
Common ostriches have been farmed in South Africa since the beginning of the 19th century. According to [[Frank G. Carpenter]], the English are credited with first [[Tame animal|taming]] common ostriches outside [[Cape Town]]. Farmers captured baby common ostriches and raised them successfully on their property, and they were able to obtain a crop of feathers every seven to eight months instead of killing wild common ostriches for their feathers.<ref name="WDL">{{cite web |url = http://www.wdl.org/en/item/566/ |title = Africa—Cape of Good Hope, Ostrich Farm |work = [[World Digital Library]] |date = 1910–1920 |access-date = 30 May 2013 }}</ref> Feathers are still commercially harvested.<ref>{{cite news |last= Bryce|first=Emma  |date= 20 February 2023|title=Festivals, fashion and feather bandits: why ostrich plumage is still worth its weight in gold – a photo essay |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/20/ostrich-feathers-farming-south-africa-fashion-luxury-a-photo-essay |work=the Guardian |location= |access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref> It is claimed that common ostriches produce the strongest commercial leather.<ref name=Best/> Common ostrich meat tastes similar to lean beef and is low in fat and [[cholesterol]], as well as high in [[calcium]], protein, and iron. It is considered to be both poultry and [[red meat]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Are-ratites-red-or-white-meat |title=Are ratites "red" or "white" meat? |website=AskUSDA |publisher=US Department of Agriculture |date=17 Jul 2019 |access-date=15 November 2022 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115100641/https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Are-ratites-red-or-white-meat |url-status=dead }}</ref> Uncooked, it is dark red or cherry red, a little darker than beef.<ref name=COA/> [[Ostrich stew]] is a dish prepared using common ostrich meat.

Some common ostrich farms also cater to [[agri-tourism]], which may produce a substantial portion of the farm's income.<ref>{{cite news|title=Agritourism helps ostrich farm fly high|newspaper=Farmer's Weekly|date= 19 March 2007}}</ref> This may include tours of the farmlands, souvenirs, or even ostrich rides.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://curacaoostrichfarm.com/?lang=en|title=Curacao Ostrich Farm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=South Africa Ostrich Rides|url=http://www.sa-venues.com/activities/ostrich-rides.htm}}</ref>