Somali Ostrich Bird Facts (Struthio molybdophanes)

Somali Ostrich

Struthio molybdophanes

Vulnerable

Majestic in stature and remarkable for its unique blue neck, the Somali Ostrich roams the arid savannas and grasslands of the Horn of Africa. As a cousin to the more widespread Common Ostrich, this impressive bird stands tall with a bold black and white plumage that sets males apart, while females and juveniles don more camouflaged hues. Not known for flight, the Somali Ostrich is nonetheless fleet-footed and grounded in its semi-desert home, embodying the resilience and beauty of the African wilderness.

Appearance and Identification

Male Female Juvenile

Primary Color

Black

Primary Color (female)

Brown

Primary Color (juvenile)

Brown

Secondary Colors

Blue, Grey

Secondary Colors (female)

Grey

Secondary Colors (juvenile)

Grey

Secondary Colors (seasonal)

Wing Color

White

Wing Color (female)

White

Wing Color (juvenile)

White

Beak Type

Flat and broad

Beak Color

Grey

Beak Color (female)

Grey

Beak Color (juvenile)

Grey

Leg Color

Grey

Leg Color (female)

Grey

Leg Color (juvenile)

Grey

Distinctive Markings

Males with blue neck and thighs during mating season

Distinctive Markings (female)

Generally drabber than males

Distinctive Markings (juvenile)

Similar to females, less vibrant

Tail Description

Short, with white plumes

Tail Description (female)

Short, with white plumes

Tail Description (juvenile)

Short, with white plumes

Size Metrics

195cm to 275cm

Length

200cm to 250cm

Wingspan

100kg to 130kg

Weight

Photos

Click on an image below to see the full-size version

Female Somali Ostrich

Somali Ostrich in natural habitat

Female Somali Ostrich walking in natural habitat

Somali Ostrich spreading his wings

Somali Ostrich close up

Vocalization and Sounds

Primary Calls

Booming

Call Description

Deep, resonant booming calls produced by males

Alarm Calls

Hissing

Behavior and Social Structure

Daily Activities

Grazing and resting during the hottest part of the day

Social Habits

Forms groups called herds, sometimes seen alone

Territorial Behavior

Territorial during breeding season

Migratory Patterns

Non-migratory

Interaction with Other Species

Limited interaction with other bird species

Diet

Primary Diet

Plants, Grasses, Seeds

Feeding Habits

Herbivorous, grazing on a variety of plant material

Feeding Times

Morning and late afternoon

Prey Capture Method

Foraging on the ground

Diet Variations

May vary with habitat and seasonal availability of plants

Special Dietary Needs (if any)

Requires large quantities of food due to size

Nesting

Nesting Location

Scrapes in the ground

Nest Construction

Simple nest scrapes lined with grass and leaves

Breeding Season

Varies with location, often after the rainy season

Number of clutches (per breeding season)

Up to three, sometimes more

Egg Appearance

Large, pale eggs with a glossy finish

Egg Size

15cm x 13cm

Clutch Characteristics

Typically 5-11 eggs

Incubation Period

35-45 days

Fledgling Period

Several months before juveniles are independent

Parental Care

Females incubate and raise the young

Distribution and Habitat

Geographic Range

Horn of Africa, including Somalia, eastern Ethiopia, and northern Kenya

Habitat Description

Semi-arid grasslands, open savanna, and bushland

Elevation Range

Various, predominantly lowland

Migration Patterns

Non-migratory

Biome

Grasslands, Savannas

Climate zones

Arid, Semi-arid

Distribution Map

Please note, this range and distribution map is a high-level overview, and doesn't break down into specific regions and areas of the countries.

Resident or Present

Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia

Lifespan and Life Cycle

Lifespan range (years)

Average Lifespan

35 year(s)

Maturity Age

2-4 year(s)

Breeding Age

3-5 year(s)

Reproductive Behavior

Polygamous, males may mate with multiple females

Age-Related Changes

Males develop more vibrant neck and thigh coloration as they mature

Conservation Status

Current Status

Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)

Major Threats

Habitat loss, hunting, and human disturbance

Conservation Efforts

Protected areas and legal protection from hunting in some range countries

Population Trend

The population is believed to be decreasing due to various threats

Similar Birds

Common Ostrich

Struthio camelus

Classification

Other names:

Blue-necked Ostrich

Family:

Struthionidae

Population size:

Not precisely known

Population trend:

Decreasing

Conservation status:

Vulnerable

IUCN Red List

Somali Ostrich

Appearance and Identification

Primary Color

Primary Color (female)

Primary Color (juvenile)

Secondary Colors

Secondary Colors (female)

Secondary Colors (juvenile)

Secondary Colors (seasonal)

Wing Color

Wing Color (female)

Wing Color (juvenile)

Beak Type

Beak Color

Beak Color (female)

Beak Color (juvenile)

Leg Color

Leg Color (female)

Leg Color (juvenile)

Distinctive Markings

Distinctive Markings (female)

Distinctive Markings (juvenile)

Tail Description

Tail Description (female)

Tail Description (juvenile)

Size Metrics

Photos

Vocalization and Sounds

Primary Calls

Call Description

Alarm Calls

Behavior and Social Structure

Daily Activities

Social Habits

Territorial Behavior

Migratory Patterns

Interaction with Other Species

Diet

Primary Diet

Feeding Habits

Feeding Times

Prey Capture Method

Diet Variations

Special Dietary Needs (if any)

Nesting

Nesting Location

Nest Construction

Breeding Season

Number of clutches (per breeding season)

Egg Appearance

Egg Size

Clutch Characteristics

Incubation Period

Fledgling Period

Parental Care

Distribution and Habitat

Geographic Range

Habitat Description

Elevation Range

Migration Patterns

Biome

Climate zones

Distribution Map

Lifespan and Life Cycle

Lifespan range (years)

Average Lifespan

Maturity Age

Breeding Age

Reproductive Behavior

Age-Related Changes

Conservation Status

Current Status

Major Threats

Conservation Efforts

Population Trend

Similar Birds

Common Ostrich

Classification

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