Common Ostrich

Struthio camelus

Other Pics: Female Common Ostrich

Other Names

  Maasai Ostrich, Ostrich   Autruche d'Afrique   Strauß   Avestruz   Struts   Struisvogel   Struzzo

World: Occurs in 2 bands across the African continent. In the N this is between 10°N and 20°N while the southern population is found S of 15°S.

Kenya: Species of southern Kenya and northern Tanzania

This is one of the 2 species of Ostrich found in Kenya, the other being the Somali Ostrich found further North in the country. The males can be distinguished from their neck and thigh colouration, this is pinkish in the Common Ostrich and blue in the Somali. However this is most obvious in the breeding season when the colours become more distinct. Outside the breeding season, especially when the birds have been dust-bathing (as in the individual pictured above), the colours are less obvious.