Somali Ostrich

À propos

A slightly smaller ratite than the Common Ostrich with distinctive blue-grey neck and thigh skin in breeding males. Flightless and capable of speeds up to 70 km/h. Native to the Horn of Africa—Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya—in arid scrublands. Males display vivid bare-skin coloration during the breeding season.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value	Imperial
Envergure	102,1 cm	40.2 in
Poids	107875,0 g	3805.18 oz

Identification

Plumage

Males have black body feathers with white wing plumes and tail; neck and thighs bare, blue-grey skin. Females are dull grayish-brown. Chicks cryptically streaked.

Habitat & Range

Arid and semi-arid scrublands, open savanna, and thornbush in the Horn of Africa. Prefers flat or gently undulating terrain with sparse vegetation. Avoids dense forest and permanently waterlogged ground.

🌾 Grassland

Répartition géographique

Restricted to the Horn of Africa—Somalia, eastern Ethiopia, northern Kenya. Non-migratory; sedentary year-round in arid scrublands.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous grazer; pecks roots, seeds, succulents, and insects across semi-arid Horn of Africa scrublands. Swallows pebbles for digestion.

Statut de conservation

Vulnerable

IUCN Red List

Comportement et reproduction

Nidification

Nest type: SC. Incubation: 42-46 days. Fledging: 120-150 days.

Taille de la couvée

5-11

Son

Chant

Similar to Common Ostrich: a deep, resonant booming roar from males during breeding, though less studied. Also gives hissing sounds. Vocalizations relatively undocumented in detail.

Taxonomie

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Ordre	Struthioniformes (Ostriches)
Famille	Struthionidae (Ostriches)
Genus	Struthio
Espèces	Struthio molybdophanes

Distribution

Somali Ostrich has been recorded in 1 countries.

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Présent Not recorded

countries highlighted

🇳🇴 Norway

External Databases

Foire aux questions

What does the Somali Ostrich eat?

Omnivorous grazer; pecks roots, seeds, succulents, and insects across semi-arid Horn of Africa scrublands. Swallows pebbles for digestion.

Where does the Somali Ostrich live?

Arid and semi-arid scrublands, open savanna, and thornbush in the Horn of Africa. Prefers flat or gently undulating terrain with sparse vegetation. Avoids dense forest and permanently waterlogged ground.

Is the Somali Ostrich endangered?

The Somali Ostrich has a conservation status of Vulnerable.

How does the Somali Ostrich nest?

Nest type: SC. Incubation: 42-46 days. Fledging: 120-150 days.

What does the Somali Ostrich sound like?

Similar to Common Ostrich: a deep, resonant booming roar from males during breeding, though less studied. Also gives hissing sounds. Vocalizations relatively undocumented in detail.

How big is the Somali Ostrich?

The Somali Ostrich has a wingspan of 102.1 cm, weight of 107875.0 g.

What order and family does the Somali Ostrich belong to?

The Somali Ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes) belongs to the order Struthioniformes and the family Struthionidae.