ostriches do not have three stomachs. Like other birds, ostriches have a digestive system that consists of various parts, including the crop, proventriculus, gizzard, and intestines, but they do not possess multiple stomachs.
The digestive system of an ostrich functions as follows:
Crop: The crop is a muscular pouch located near the base of the ostrich's neck. It serves as a storage area for food and initial moistening and softening of ingested plant material.
Proventriculus: The proventriculus is the glandular stomach of the ostrich. It secretes digestive enzymes and acids to begin the breakdown of food.
Gizzard: The gizzard is a muscular organ located in the lower part of the ostrich's digestive system. It helps grind and break down food mechanically. In the gizzard, strong muscles contract and work together with small stones or grit that the ostrich has swallowed, aiding in the grinding process.
Intestines: The partially digested food moves from the gizzard to the intestines, where further digestion and absorption of nutrients take place. The intestines are responsible for extracting nutrients from the food and eliminating waste.