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MarioWiki:BJAODN/Ostrich

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On August 6, 2025, the Ostrich page, which is strictly about the ostriches of Donkey Kong Bananza, was needlessly expanded to not only be about ostriches in general, but also to include coverage of Ostro from Super Mario Bros. 2 and Expresso from Donkey Kong Country, including a Profiles section that includes those of Ostro and Expresso, as well as a gallery featuring images of both ostrich species/characters, and a broken <ref> code; all of which was entirely unnecessary for a general ostrich page, even if one meant to "[include] info about the Ostrich species in the Mario & DK series as a whole, NOT just DK Bananza", as the user put it (despite the absence of the ostriches from Mario Kart World). The kicker, though, is that most of the new text that was added appears to be AI-generated through ChatGPT, resulting in not only said text to be flowery, but also some of the information, particularly the naming section, covering real-life ostriches.

Ostrich
Artwork of an ostrich NPC in Donkey Kong Bananza
Artwork from Donkey Kong Bananza
First appearance Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988)
Latest appearance Donkey Kong Bananza (2025)
Variants
Notable members
Expresso
Ostrich Elder
“I may be a hotel employee, but I’m still an ostrich through and through!”
—Ostrich, Donkey Kong Bananza

Ostriches are a recurring group of avian creatures who appear in the Super Mario and Donkey Kong franchises. They are tall birds with long necks and differently colored feathers.

General InformationEdit

NameEdit

The word "ostrich" has a fascinating etymological journey, stemming from various European languages.

Here's a breakdown of its meaning and origin:

  • Ancient Greek Roots: The word ultimately traces back to the Ancient Greek "strouthion", meaning "big sparrow". This is quite surprising given the significant size difference between an ostrich and a sparrow.
  • "Camel-Sparrow": The Ancient Greeks also used the term "strouthokamilos" or "camel-sparrow", acknowledging the ostrich's long neck resembling that of a camel.
  • Latin Influence: The Greek term entered Latin as "struthio", meaning "ostrich", which then combined with the Latin word "avis" for "bird".
  • Old French and Middle English: The combined Latin form evolved into the Old French "ostruce" and then the Middle English "ostrich".
  • Redundancy and Humor: Interestingly, because "avis" means "bird" and "struthio" means "ostrich", the word "ostrich" is somewhat redundant, effectively meaning "ostrich bird". This slightly humorous redundancy might amuse etymology enthusiasts.

The name "ostrich" therefore captures both the ancient Greek perception of the bird as a kind of oversized sparrow and its resemblance to a camel due to its long neck.

SocietyEdit

In the Super Mario and Donkey Kong franchises, ostriches are depicted in various roles and levels of sentience.

  1. In the games:
  • Super Mario Bros. 2
    • Ostro, an ostrich-like enemy in Super Mario Bros. 2, serves as a means of transportation in Subcon.
    • Shy Guys sometimes ride Ostro to attack the player.
    • Players can also ride a free Ostro as a platform to cross obstacles.
    • Ostros are large and cannot be picked up by the player, but can be defeated with any attack.
  • Donkey Kong Country series
    • Ostriches are present on DK Island, with notable examples like Expresso the Ostrich.
    • Expresso is a ridable animal buddy who can run quickly and glide through the air, but cannot defend itself.
    • Expresso's abilities are useful for navigating certain areas and obstacles.
    • Expresso has made appearances in various Donkey Kong Country titles and even features in a racing mini-game in the Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest.
  • Donkey Kong Bananza
    • In Donkey Kong Bananza, a group of sentient, speaking ostriches inhabit the Forest Layer of the Underground World.
    • They manage the Eggshell Hotel under the leadership of the Ostrich Elder.
    • These ostriches are distinct from their real-life counterparts as they are capable of flight.
    • They seek assistance from Donkey Kong and Pauline to repair damage caused by Void Kong to the hotel.
  1. In other media:
  • The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
    • Ostros appear in several episodes of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! as steeds used for transportation, similar to horses.
    • They are depicted as black or dark brown with orange wings and pink head feathers.

In summary, ostriches in the Mario and Donkey Kong franchises encompass both intelligent, speaking individuals forming societies (as seen in Donkey Kong Bananza) and less developed creatures serving as enemies or animal buddies (like Ostro and Expresso).

DietEdit

The specific diets of ostriches in the Mario and Donkey Kong franchises are not explicitly detailed. However, some details can be inferred:

  • Ostro in Super Mario Bros. 2: Ostros are enemies that serve as moving platforms for Shy Guys. Their diet is not mentioned, but they are depicted in a wild setting, which suggests they might eat vegetation and insects, like real-life ostriches.
  • Expresso in Donkey Kong Country/Land: Expresso is an ostrich Animal Buddy in the Donkey Kong Country series. He helps the Kongs move quickly and can sometimes defeat smaller enemies. His connection to the jungle environment suggests a diet including fruits, leaves, and possibly insects.
  • Ostriches in Donkey Kong Bananza: In Donkey Kong Bananza, ostriches inhabit the Forest Layer and operate the Eggshell Hotel. They are described as flying birds. The presence of "Banandium Gems" in the Forest Layer might imply a diet that includes fruits like bananas, given the title.

Note that Expresso's name, a play on "espresso" (coffee), could humorously allude to its speedy nature, but doesn't necessarily indicate a coffee-based diet. 

Ultimately, while the games feature ostriches, their dietary habits are mostly left to player interpretation based on their environment and general behavior. 

SpeechEdit

In the Super Mario and Donkey Kong franchises, ostriches don't typically have speaking roles in most appearances.

  • In the Donkey Kong Country series, Expresso the Ostrich is a ridable Animal Buddy who helps the Kongs traverse levels at high speeds, but he doesn't speak.
  • However, in the game Donkey Kong Bananza, some ostriches are portrayed as sentient and capable of speech. These ostriches work at the Eggshell Hotel, and the Ostrich Elder, in particular, is a large, flightless ostrich with the ability to grant Donkey Kong the Ostrich Bananza power, allowing him to fly, glide, and shoot eggs. 

Therefore, while ostriches in the Donkey Kong franchise are generally depicted as non-speaking Animal Buddies, there are exceptions, such as the sentient and speaking ostriches found in Donkey Kong Bananza. 

List of OstrichesEdit

Notable membersEdit

  • Expresso - This ostrich is an Animal Buddy who helps the Kongs in the Donkey Kong Country series.
  • Ostrich Elder - This giant ostrich is one of the 2 female elders, and like the other elders, helps Donkey Kong and Pauline in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Ostrich speciesEdit

  • Ostro - So far the only variant that is connected to the Ostrich species, they can be used by both Shy Guys and the players (Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach & Toad) in Super Mario Bros. 2.

Profiles and statisticsEdit

Super Mario seriesEdit

Super Mario Bros. 2Edit

  • Instruction booklet description:
    • English:
      He serves as a means of transportation in the world of dreams. Shyguys often ride him.[1]

Super Mario AdvanceEdit

  • Instruction booklet description:
    • English (United Kingdom):
      You've nothing to fear if you can separate Ostros from their riders. Their tremendous speed is something to beware. If you knock them out of action, hearts will appear.[2]

Perfect Ban Mario Character DaijitenEdit

ダウチョ (JP) / Daucho (EN)
 
Original text (Japanese) Translation
種族しゅぞく フライ族 Tribe Fly clan
性格せいかく 警戒心が強く従順 Disposition Alert and obedient
登場とうじょうゲーム USA Game appearances USA
高速で走り回るダチョウ？

マリオUSAに登場するダチョウのようなキャラ。ヘイホーレッドを背中に乗せたまま、猛スピードで走り回る。特に攻撃はしてこないのでこわくはない。アメリカ名をバードーと呼ぶ。[3]

Ostriches running around at high speed?

An ostrich-like character in Mario USA. He runs around at high speed with a red Shyguy on his back. It is not particularly scary as it does not attack. His American name is Birdo.

Donkey Kong seriesEdit

Donkey Kong CountryEdit

  • Instruction booklet: This crazy bird is a valuable animal to find. Although he can't really fly, he can run even faster than Rambi and can make long, wing assisted leaps. Expresso's legs, being long and spindly, are not suitable for jumping on enemies. Smaller enemies will crawl right under him, but larger ones are trouble. You can make Expresso flap his wings by repeatedly pressing the   Button.[4]

Donkey Kong BananzaEdit

  • Nintendo Today! description
    • Character Intro: Ostrich: As employees of the Forest Layer’s unique Eggshell Hotel, these fussy, feathery attendants live to serve.

Super Smash Bros. seriesEdit

Super Smash Bros. BrawlEdit

Trophy
Express
 
Appears in:
SNES Donkey Kong Country
GBA Donkey Kong Country 2
How to unlock: Random
An ostrich friend with sneakers on both feet. Riding Expresso allows for high-speed dashing. As an ostrich, Expresso can't fly, but rapid button pressing can put extra distance on his jumps. This can be used to help Donkey Kong reach distant places.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DSEdit

Trophy
Expresso
 
Category: Series Related
How to unlock:
Random
His name is no joke—this bird is fast! Despite his size, Expresso is light as a feather and loves to glide through the air. In fact, he was too light to hurt enemies at first! He got a little stronger in Donkey Kong Land, and now jumping on foes is a piece of cake! (American English)
Just as fast as his name implies! Expresso can't fly, but his running and jumping make up for it. Try not to step on any enemies, though, or he'll get hurt! Unless you're playing the Game Boy title Donkey Kong Land, that is. If you are, he can stomp on fiendish foes to his heart's content! (British English)

Super Smash Bros. UltimateEdit

Spirit
#153 Expresso
  Series/game Donkey Kong Series
Type Support
Slots 1
Class Novice
Strength / effect(s) Trade-Off Speed ↑
How to obtain World of Light (The Light Realm); Spirit Board
Spirit battle Opponent(s) Falco
Conditions

Rule: Slippery Stage

  • The stage's platforms are really slippery
  • The enemy has increased move speed
  • The enemy falls slowly
Stage Green Hill Zone
Song The Map Page / Bonus Level

GalleryEdit

  • Original design used for Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic

  • Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic Hisshō Kōryakuhō artwork

  • Super Mario Bros. 2 sprite

  • Several Ostros from The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! episode, "The Provolone Ranger".

  • Super Mario USA artwork

  • Artwork from Super Mario Advance of Ostro being ridden by a Shyguy

  • Artwork of Expresso from Donkey Kong Country

  • The Kongs riding Expresso in Orang-utan Gang

  • Expresso competing in Expresso Racing in Donkey Kong Country 2's Game Boy Advance version

  • Donkey Kong Land

  • Donkey Kong Country (GBC)

  • Donkey Kong Country 2 (GBA)

  • Screenshot from Nintendo Today! news article

  • Screenshot from Nintendo Today news article

Names in other languagesEdit

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ダチョウ
Dachō 		Ostrich
Italian Struzzo[5] Ostrich

ReferencesEdit

  1. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named booklet
  2. ^ 2001. Super Mario Advance instruction booklet (PDF). Nintendo of Europe (British English). Page 12.
  3. ^ November 20, 1994. Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten. Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 4-09-259067-9. Page 103.
  4. ^ 1994. Donkey Kong Country instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (English). Page 24.
  5. ^ Mariuigi Khed (July 18, 2025). Donkey Kong Bananza ITA [Live 2]. Italian. Retrieved from YouTube.
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