The Northern ostrich is a species of ostrich that lives in European grasslands, forests, swamps, cities, and towns, and Asia's grasslands, forests, rainforests, swamps, cities, and towns. Their ancestors were African ostriches that were let loose in 2,500 B.C. by ancient Romans. They resemble an African ostrich, but with thicker feathers on their heads, necks, legs, and feet than their ancestors.