Description of the African ostrich: appearance and lifestyle

The vast majority of people know what an ostrich is, and they will definitely mention that it is the largest bird in the world. Some will add that ostriches bury their heads in the sand. Someone will remember that they cannot fly. But the life of these large flightless birds is not limited to well-known facts and myths. It is much more interesting and includes many unexpected aspects.

The vast majority of people know what an ostrich is, and they will definitely mention that it is the largest bird in the world

African ostrich: description

African ostriches are now considered the only representatives of this family. This largest flightless bird inhabits vast areas of the African continent, while African ostriches thrive in captivity, so these birds are artificially raised on ostrich farms.

Appearance

These are the largest birds found in the wild on our Planet. Adult birds can reach a height of up to 2.7 meters and weigh about 150 kilograms . These birds have a fairly dense build, a very long neck and a relatively small, flattened head. The beak of ostriches is quite soft, straight and flat, while in the area of ​​the beak you can see a kind of horny “claw”.

If you pay attention to the eyes, they are relatively large, as are the long and thick eyelashes, which are located exclusively on the upper eyelid. The bird sees perfectly. The external auditory openings are clearly visible on the head, which in appearance resemble neat and small ears, since the plumage in this area is very weak.

Interesting to know! African ostriches, as a species, have a characteristic feature associated with the absence of a keel, as well as the presence of underdeveloped pectoral muscles. The ostrich skeleton is quite rigid, with the exception of the femur.

Ostriches are also distinguished by their underdeveloped wings, which end in relatively large fingers armed with spurs or claws. As for the hind limbs, they are quite long and powerful, ending in two fingers. On one of the toes, which serves as a support for the bird when running, there is a kind of horny hoof.

African ostriches have quite lush plumage, while it is loose and curly. The entire surface of the body is more or less evenly covered with a layer of feathers. The nature of the plumage is considered quite primitive:

• The beards do not adhere to each other.
• There are no dense lamellar fans as such.

Interesting moment! Ostriches do not have a crop, and the neck is characterized by a high degree of extensibility, which allows the bird to feed on fairly large food objects.

Parts of the body such as the head, hips and neck are completely devoid of feathers, while there is also a bare part of the body in the chest area, which is called the “pectoral callus”. When lying down, the bird rests on this part of the body.

In adult males, the plumage color is mainly black, and the tail and wings are colored white. Females are not only smaller compared to males, but are also characterized by not so bright plumage, which boils down to the presence of a uniform dull coloring, in which grayish-brown tones predominate, as well as dirty white tones in the tail area, including on the wings .

Interesting facts about Ostriches

Behavior and lifestyle

As a rule, ostriches prefer to live in the same living space as zebras and antelopes, so they move together across a certain territory. Ostriches are quite tall and have excellent eyesight, so they are the first to notice approaching danger. This helps other animals to react in a timely manner to the approach of predators.

In case of danger, African ostriches make loud sounds and also begin to run away, often developing speeds of more than 70 km/h. In this case, the bird takes steps about 4 meters long. Once born, ostrich chicks are able to run at speeds of up to 50 km/h within a month, while sharp turns do not have a negative impact on such rapid movement.

Basically, except for the mating season, ostriches prefer to stay in large groups, which include an adult male, several young birds, and about 5 females.

Important point! You can often hear that in case of danger, ostriches try to stick their heads in the sand. Actually this is not true. Ostriches simply tilt their heads to the ground and begin to swallow sand, which improves the digestion process.

At sunset, when the heat begins to subside, ostriches begin to become active. At night, as well as during the day, ostriches usually rest. These large birds sleep in a rather original way, since their sleep consists of periods of deep sleep, when the bird lies on the ground and stretches its neck, as well as periods of half-asleep, when the bird is in a sitting position, raising its neck and closing its eyes.

Hibernation

African ostriches easily tolerate the winter conditions of the middle latitudes of our territory. This is due not only to their lush plumage, but also to the excellent health that nature has endowed them with. Keeping them in captivity involves the construction of insulated poultry houses. When offspring are born in the winter, in the future they become more hardened and healthy, compared to individuals born in the warm period.

We monitor the health of pets

Breeding ostriches at home requires careful monitoring of their condition. Infection is the main enemy of birds. Respiratory diseases and digestive tract disorders are dangerous. To prevent death, the following are carried out:

• daily cleaning and maintenance of drinkers and feeders;
• inspection of droppings for the presence of parasites;
• vaccinations on schedule;
• construction of a quarantine facility for new guests.

It is advisable to organize an ostrich nursery away from highways and industrial enterprises. It is necessary to ensure the absence of drafts and wind. The pasture is surrounded by a high fence of about two meters. To conduct such a business, special permits are required. A responsible attitude to business guarantees you undoubted financial income.

Types of ostriches with photos and names

African ostriches include subspecies such as the North African, Masai, Southern and Somali subspecies, as well as the Aleppo (Syrian or Arabian) ostrich, which is considered an extinct subspecies.

It is important to know! The group of ostriches does not have a stable composition. Despite this, the hierarchy is strictly observed in the group. Individuals of the highest rank can be identified by their neck and tail when they are in an upright position. Birds of lower rank carry their tails in an inclined position.

Common ostrich (Struthio camelus camelus)

Today it is the largest representative of the ostrich genus. The bird is distinguished by the fact that it has a clearly visible bald patch on its head. Adults reach a height of about 2 meters 70 cm, with an average weight of about 150 kilograms. The neck and limbs are characterized by the presence of an intense red color. The shells of these ostrich eggs are decorated with patterns in the form of stars formed by thin strings of pores.

Somali ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes)

Based on special research, many experts believe that the Somali ostrich is an independent species. The males of this species have the same bald patch on the head as many other representatives of the ostrich genus, while the neck and limbs have a bluish-gray skin color. Female Somali ostriches are distinguished by the presence of a brighter brownish plumage color.

Masai ostrich (Struthio camelus massaicus)

It does not belong to the category of the most common inhabitants of the territories of East Africa. It is practically no different from other subspecies of the ostrich genus, although the area of ​​the neck and limbs may acquire a bright red color during breeding periods. In other periods, this subspecies is characterized by a not very noticeable pink coloration.

Southern ostrich (Struthio camelus australis)

It is considered one of the subspecies of the African ostrich, which is characterized by quite impressive size. The neck and limbs are grayish in color. Males are much larger than females.

Syrian ostrich (Struthio camelus syriacus)

In the middle of the 20th century, this subspecies disappeared forever from wildlife, and until that moment it inhabited the vast expanses of northeast Africa. It is generally accepted that the common ostrich is a close relative of the Syrian ostrich. It was the common ostrich that took part in the program of repopulation of the territories of Saudi Arabia. The main habitat of this subspecies was associated with desert areas.

Features of character and lifestyle

Photo: Group of African ostriches

In order to survive, the African ostrich leads a nomadic life, constantly moving in search of enough berries, herbs, seeds and insects. Ostrich communities, as a rule, locate their camps near water bodies, so they can often be seen not far from elephants and antelopes. Such proximity is especially beneficial for the latter, because the loud cry of an ostrich often warns animals of possible danger.

During the winter months, the birds roam in pairs or alone, but during the breeding season and monsoon seasons they invariably form groups of 5 to 100 individuals. These groups often travel in the wake of other herbivores. The group is dominated by one main male, who defends the territory. He may have one or more dominant females.

Natural habitats

Several decades earlier, or maybe centuries, common ostriches were found in fairly large areas that were associated with the northwestern territories of Africa. Therefore, the bird inhabited many African countries, such as Uganda, Ethiopia, Egypt, Algeria, Senegal, Mauritania and others.

Currently, the habitat of these unique birds has been significantly reduced, so ostriches are found only in some countries of the African continent.

The southern territories of Ethiopia, northeastern Kenya, and Somalia are considered to be the natural habitat of Somali ostriches. This subspecies prefers to live alone or in pairs.

Masai ostriches are found throughout Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia. The southern subspecies prefers to live in southwest Africa. In addition, they are found in Namibia and Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Angola. Their habitat is also associated with the Kunene and Zambezi rivers.

Types of home maintenance

There are three ways to raise poultry:

• intensive, using small pastures where ostriches have direct contact with employees;
• an extensive method covering a large area with free-range walking of the wards;
• semi-extensive, involving a large area and close interaction with pets.

You can increase your livestock in two ways:

• Single-level, involving the purchase and keeping of birds of the same age with further slaughter and sale. This is a one-time profit for which the next flow is purchased.
• Multi-level, when ostriches of different age categories are kept. Income comes from the sale of chicks, eggs, and meat. This option will require knowledgeable workers and the ability to plan generations per tribe.

Natural enemies of ostriches

If we talk about adult individuals, then they have practically no enemies, since this bird can stand up for itself despite the fact that even a lion may be in front of it. Mainly the problems of ostriches are associated with the incubation of eggs, as well as the period of growing up. Various types of predators prey on ostrich eggs.

Interesting moment! There are documented cases where adult ostriches, defending themselves from lions, inflicted dangerous injuries on them with their legs, and the injuries were incompatible with life.

This is evidence that ostriches cannot be classified as timid birds that hide their heads in the sand. In addition to the fact that adult individuals are strong, they are also aggressive when it comes to protecting territories, their relatives, and even more so, future offspring.

Interesting Facts

• Ostriches like dust baths, thanks to which they protect their wings from excess moisture and skin parasites. Birds usually take such procedures as a whole flock.
• They have no teeth. To grind food, they swallow washers, nails, pebbles, and sometimes larger objects.
• In Ancient Egypt, the ostrich symbolized justice. Their feathers were used to decorate the heads of great Gods.
• Birds have the largest eyes of any land animal. Each eye is larger than an ostrich's brain.
• The main male warns everyone else about the danger, imitating a lion's roar.
• In the absence of fresh water, birds can also drink salt water.
• Ostrich egg shells are so durable that in the past, local tribes used them to store liquids, and in Europe they were used to make beautiful goblets.
• When the ostrich chicks are in danger, the adult bird can pretend to be wounded and lead the predator away from the herd, after which it runs away very quickly .
• Ostriches live in large families, and when everyone is asleep, some of the birds keep watch, protecting the rest. After some time they change.
• In times of danger, the ostrich does not bury its head in the sand. He can feign death and falls to the ground, craning his neck. The body of the bird is visible very well from afar, but the head is not, which is why this impression is created.
• Bird eggs can weigh 1.5 kg and are about 15 cm long.
• Ostriches sleep with their necks raised up. If they are very tired, they can lay their heads on the ground.

Thus, the black African ostrich is a very interesting bird with its own characteristics. Although they are not able to fly, they run very quickly, developing a breakneck speed. Africa is considered their homeland, but in our country you can also find ostrich farms where these birds are raised and bred.

What do they eat?

The basis of the ostrich diet is food items of both plant and animal origin. As plant food, ostriches eat various shoots, inflorescences, seeds and fruits of plants. As animal food, the bird eats various insects, locusts, reptiles and rodents. They often find food remains from various predators. Younger individuals feed mainly on animal food.

To keep ostriches in captivity, it is necessary to take into account that one adult ostrich needs up to 3 and a half kilograms of food per day, or even more. In order for food to be fully digested, the bird has to swallow small stones or other solid non-food objects. This is due to the fact that the ostrich has no teeth and has nothing to grind food with before swallowing.

It is believed that ostriches are quite hardy and can go without water for a long time, making do with the amount of moisture that enters their body with food. Despite this, ostriches love to swim.

Ostriches. Life on the run.

Feeding the young

The chicks need to be fed only after three days from the moment of hatching. Up to a month, babies are given compound feed enriched with protein (20%), adding finely chopped alfalfa and clover. They will not refuse cottage cheese and boiled eggs.

At the next stage, up to three months, fiber and protein are reduced in the feed content. An additional container with small stones is required so that the food in the stomach is ground.

Reproduction and offspring

When the mating season begins, African ostriches begin to more carefully control their territory, which can be several square kilometers. This period is characterized by the fact that in birds the neck and limbs are painted in brighter, more attractive colors. It should be noted that females do not allow males into their territory, but males welcome such violation of the territory.

Having reached 3 years of age, ostriches are ready to breed. This period is also characterized by the fact that males begin to make very unique sounds that are similar to the roar of lions, as well as hissing or trumpet sounds. To do this, the bird draws a sufficient amount of air into the crop and pushes it with force towards the esophagus. The result is something like a lion's roar.

One male is capable of fertilizing several females, so ostriches do not form pairs for life. After the mating process, the male digs a nest in the sand, up to half a meter deep, after which all females lay their eggs in this nest.

Important point! Ostrich eggs weigh from one and a half to two kilograms, while their length can be up to 20 centimeters, and their diameter reaches 13 cm. The thickness of the shell is about 0.5 mm, and their texture can be either smooth or rough , both shiny and matte.

The eggs can develop within a maximum of one and a half months. At night, the eggs are incubated mainly by the male, and in the daytime - mainly by the female, since her plumage color blends with the surrounding landscape, which allows her to be perfectly camouflaged.

Often, especially during the day, a clutch of eggs is left unattended and the eggs are warmed by the natural heat of the sun. In groups where there are many females, a large number of eggs are laid in the nest, so some of them do not hatch fully and offspring do not emerge from them.

Before being born, ostrich chicks try to make several holes in the shell with their beaks. After this, the chick hits this area with force with its head, getting out of the shell.

In this regard, in many ostrich chicks, after birth, injuries in the form of hematomas can be seen in the head area. All eggs from which the chicks are not born are mercilessly destroyed by the parents, and the flies that flock to the destroyed eggs provide excellent food for ostrich chicks.

Once born, ostrich chicks weigh a little more than 1 kilogram, have good vision, are well developed physically and are covered with light down. Already on the second day after birth, the offspring, together with their parents, go in search of food. For the first two months, the chicks are black and yellowish in color, with the crown area having a characteristic brick color.

It is important to know! Ostriches living in humid climates breed from June to mid-October, while those living in desert areas breed all year round.

Some time passes and the offspring begin to be covered with plumage characteristic of a particular subspecies. Males and females have some problems in terms of further raising their offspring, since they have to literally fight with each other for the right to further care. Female African ostriches can lay eggs for 25 years, while males maintain their productivity for 4 decades.

Lifestyle

The black African ostrich is considered an omnivore. Young individuals prefer to eat food of animal origin, but adults need a variety of plants. The bird's diet usually consists of:

• from fruits;
• inflorescences;
• colors;
• herbs;
• shoots;
• various seeds.

In addition, they can feed on various small rodents, as well as parts of other animals left after the predators’ meal. Ostriches will not refuse lizards with insects. These birds have nothing to chew food with, so to improve the digestion process they swallow sand and small pebbles. They are also capable of swallowing other inedible objects, such as nails and wood chips.

It was found that ostriches are capable of fasting for several days in a row.
They can also go without water for a very long time. All they need is the juice of the grass they feed on. But if they get access to water, they drink for a long time and eagerly .
They also love to swim. African ostriches do not like places with a tropical climate, so moist forests are completely unsuitable for them. They can live in grassy areas as well as deserts located north and south of equatorial forests.

Such birds first live alone, and then begin to settle in pairs with their young. The article usually contains one male and up to five females with chicks. The size of the flock can reach even 30 individuals. Young birds usually settle in groups, and their numbers sometimes reach 100 individuals. Ostriches live for a very long time, and in good conditions they can live up to 70-80 years.

Since such birds have excellent eyesight and high legs, they immediately notice predators and begin to quickly run away. Their step length can reach 4 meters , and they can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h. An ostrich can suddenly change direction without slowing down.

The enemies of the African ostrich are:

• jackals;
• hyenas;
• scavenger birds.

The vulture is able to grab a large stone and throw it at ostrich eggs. He continues to do this until a crack appears on it. In addition, chicks often become victims of attacks by lions, cheetahs, and leopards.

It is commonly believed that ostriches are very shy, but this is not true.
They can be very aggressive when it comes to protecting themselves and their offspring. If you make a bird angry, it can attack a person . Even predators do not touch adult ostriches, since one strong blow is enough to kill a lion.

Population and species status

Back in the 19th century, they began to practice keeping ostriches in captivity, creating special farms. This made it possible, in conditions of a sharp reduction in the total number of ostriches, to preserve the population of these flightless birds living in natural conditions. Nowadays, dozens of countries have special farms where ostriches are bred.

Special farms made it possible not only to preserve ostrich populations in the wild, but also to obtain expensive feathers and leather, as well as meat that tastes like beef. The lifespan of ostriches is quite impressive, as they live up to 80 years. Due to the fact that ostriches are kept en masse in captivity, the risk of their disappearance from the natural environment is minimal.

Which breed to choose

Typically, breeders prefer breeding emu ostriches from Australia due to a number of advantages, for example, low maintenance requirements and easy adaptation.

South African representatives are no less popular, with a weight of up to 170 kg and a height of 2.7 m. The rhea from America is the shortest and the smallest in weight, therefore it is imported less frequently.

• 
  Feeding geese - breeding and raising various breeds of geese at home (105 photos)

• Diseases of geese - first symptoms, effective medications and treatment options for diseases of geese (85 photos + video)

• Geese Linda: description of the breed, advantages, disadvantages and rules of cultivation (75 photos and videos)

Domestication of ostriches

Back in 1650 BC, there were attempts to domesticate this bird in the territory of Ancient Egypt by the Egyptians. Only in the 19th century, the first ostrich farm began operating in South America. Then similar farms began to appear, like mushrooms after rain, in African countries, North America, and also in southern Europe. Being in captivity, ostriches do not require special conditions of detention, but they are distinguished by high endurance.

Ostriches that live in African countries easily get used to the conditions of the northern regions. In this regard, the practice of keeping such birds is gaining momentum every year. Despite the fact that African ostriches can easily tolerate frosts down to -30 degrees, they do not feel comfortable in conditions of sudden temperature changes. Ostriches are negatively affected by drafts and wet snow, which can cause them to get sick and die.

There are no problems when organizing the diet, since ostriches eat almost everything, although they do not eat so little. For every day you need at least 5 kg of food, and the food should be varied, enriched with minerals and vitamins. This is especially true for young animals, which must receive enough protein food to promote active growth.

It is permissible to feed a domestic ostrich:

• Corn grains or corn porridge.
• Porridge made from wheat grains.
• Porridge based on barley and oats.
• Chopped greens of nettle, alfalfa, clover, etc.
• Crushed vitamin hay from the same herbs.
• Herbal flour.
• Root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, beets, etc.
• Fermented milk products, in the form of cottage cheese, milk, etc.
• Any kind of trash fish.
• Meat and bone meal and fish meal.
• Crushed egg shells.

It is important to know! Ostrich farming in our time is a separate branch of poultry farming, which allows us to obtain delicious meat, eggs, and ostrich skin.

Ostrich feathers, which have an attractive decorative appearance, are considered an equally valuable product. Ostrich fat has a number of useful functions, since it does not cause allergies and helps wound healing, eliminating various inflammatory processes. Therefore, we can safely say that in our time, keeping ostriches at home is a promising and profitable business.

Black African ostrich. Reproduction and content. Zoo farm "Alexin-ostrich".

Advantages and disadvantages of an ostrich farm

Breeding ostriches as a business, profitable or not? The answer is a clear yes. Such activities pay back the investment by 150% in 1.5 years. This is explained by the fact that the income comes from the entire bird. Its meat is highly valued, combining protein and microelements, associated in taste with veal. The price starts from 1200 rubles, and finding customers will not be difficult.

Unpretentious birds with good immunity perfectly adapt to the climate of our country, enduring frosts and virtually not being exposed to diseases. Of course, like any area of ​​livestock farming, the business is accompanied by certain risks in the form of natural disasters and epidemics.

At the initial stage, the owner will have to face some disadvantages, representing a lack of experience in our state in conducting such business activities, and the expensive cost of breeding specimens.

The first profit is possible after 3 months from the date of purchasing the ostrich pair. If you start with eggs, the benefits will be felt after a year. The farmer will have to acquire a veterinarian and auxiliary workers. A decent territory is required - the full development of pets requires free space.

Feeding

In nature, birds live in savannas with a lot of greenery, which is their main food. Domestic ostriches, in addition to feed, eat everything from grass to small animals and lizards.

Ostrich feeding systems:

1. Intense. Individuals feed exclusively on mixed feed or grain mixtures.
2. Semi-intensive, with the introduction of additional complementary foods.
3. Extensive. Birds find their food while walking.

Features of the paddock area

The area for bird walking should be a place with dry soil and grass, without wetlands. Not far from the paddock, a forest belt is welcome - for protection from strong winds.

The entire farm area should be fenced with a large two-meter fence, since males are very active during the mating season.

• The pen is built long - about 40-50 meters: This gives the birds greater freedom.
• For a comfortable existence, one ostrich should have about 10 square meters. m.
• For a large family of 8-10 individuals, the enclosure should be 1 hectare.

The pen itself is often covered with wire, and feeders and special drinking bowls for birds are hung. The pen area must be well cleaned: the bird can easily swallow any remaining wire or glass, which can lead to irreversible consequences.