Address: 610 E Highway 246
Date: Feb 2014
Website: www.ostrichlandusa.com
Located just off the highway as you head towards Solvang is a place called Ostrichland which gives you an opportunity to get up close and feed the largest bird in the world. If you buy some ostrich food you are given a dog bowl filled with feed and screwed onto a dustpan. Then you are sent on your way to where the birds eagerly await. Once you stick your bowl within reach of the fence, it doesn't take long for the birds to polish off all the feed inside. Hold on tight as they repeatedly twist their long necks and slam their heads down to take a big bite.
They also will do their best to take the bowl, dustpan and any remaining feed from you in one swift grab. There are signs warning "Yes, We like to bite!" so we didn't get closer than a 4 foot neck. Also be wary that there are always more birds around you looking to get in on the action. Don't worry if you should drop some feed in the process.
While we were there the ground squirrels stretched their cheeks to the limit in order to carry away every last piece. Don't let the ostriches rob you of all your feed as a little further along is another pen where the emus are awaiting their turn. A great souvenir from the gift shop is an ostrich finger puppet. Just be thankful you still have some to put inside.
Map of Our World
OstrichlandPost # 3