Fun facts about the largest bird in the world: the ostrich!
Did you know there are actually two different species of ostriches?
A while back, we learnt about ‘the’ Peacock, and how there are actually three bird species in the Peafowl family. Beyond the Indian Peafowl, which is what we usually think of when we say peacock, there are two more species of peafowl that pretty much go ignored.
Similarly, when we say ostrich, our minds probably conjure up images of massive black birds with long, pink necks and huge beaks. (At least, that’s what comes up to my mind!) This bird is most commonly known as the Common Ostrich.
But did you know there’s another species of ostrich in the world - this time, with a blue-ish neck instead of a pink one? They’re called the Somali Ostrich, but they are also known as the Blue-necked Ostrich!
The Common Ostrich
The Common Ostrich holds multiple world records. Not only are they the world’s largest and heaviest bird, they’re also the birds with the biggest eyeball, and the bird that lays the largest egg (equivalent to about 30 chicken eggs!!) They’re also the fastest running bird, and can run for a long time at a speed of 55 km/h (34 mph) with short bursts up to about 70 km/h (40 mph).
Someone sign them up for the bird Olympics!
These birds really are a sight to behold. Imagine a day at the safari where you get to experience the ostrich utilising each of their record-breaking abilities against you: picture being on a safari in Africa. You spot a ginormous egg in the ground. You’re hungry, and are looking forward to eating the equivalent of 30 chicken eggs at one go, so you bend forward and pick it up. But when you stand up, you’re eye-to-eye with two, huge angry black pupils measuring 5cm across (each!)
Panicking, you hop into your Jeep and drive off - but the Ostrich manages to overtake you!!! It leaps at you with its 50cm long legs and then PECKS YOU TO DEATH!!!!!!!!
Phew!
The Somali Ostrich: same same, but different
Up until 2014, there was only one recognised species of ostrich.
Indeed, the Somali Ostrich was only identified as a distinct species (separate from the Common Ostrich) in 2014. Though generally quite similar to other ostriches, the skin of the neck and thighs of the Somali ostrich is blue (rather than pinkish), becoming bright blue on the male during the mating season.
Perhaps because they looked so similar, or because scientists were too spooked by these massive birds to do proper genetic testing on them, they were only officially genetically studied and split into two species within the last decade.
But beyond their blue vs. pink necks, the Somali Ostrich is pretty different from the Common Ostrich!
How are the two species different?
The Common Ostrich is found in a wide range of open habitats across the savannas, grasslands, and deserts of sub-Saharan Africa. However, the Somali Ostrich seems to prefer bushier, more thickly vegetated areas, where it feeds largely by browsing.
And while the Common Ostrich is found across sub-Saharan Africa, the Somali Ostrich is found in more limited distribution in the Horn of Africa, specifically in the countries of Somalia, Ethiopia, and Djibouti.
For those of us who are unfamiliar with Africa (I know of some people who still believe Africa is one single country, and not a continent with multiple countries… but that’s ok! We can learn about the world together), sub-Saharan Africa is, geographically, the area and regions of the continent of Africa that lies south of the Sahara. These include West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa. I have included a useful picture, below!
In terms of their appearance, the Somali Ostrich is slightly smaller than the Common Ostrich and has a different pattern of plumage. The Somali Ostrich's plumage is also more grayish and less contrasted than the Common Ostrich.
It seems the slight difference in their appearance matters, though: the two species don’t seem to be too sexually attracted to each other, either: reports of interbreeding between the two species show that it’s incredibly difficult to convince them to mate with each other. (I guess if I met a human with a blue neck, I would be a little freaked out too!)
The Somali Ostrich is considered a vulnerable species due to habitat loss, overhunting and competition with domestic livestock.
Additionally, this species has a smaller population size and distribution compared to the Common Ostrich. The Common Ostrich's larger size allows it to survive in more arid environments, while the Somali Ostrich's more grayish plumage allows it to blend in better with its more arid and dry habitat.
The Somali species is just 9 years old as of 2023, and a cool new addition to the bird world. I can’t wait to learn more about them!
It is so interesting to learn that an animal you can identify may actually only be one of many species or subspecies. I think Ostriches are really interesting because they are so different from what we are used to seeing.
interesting read 👍🏼
ps. the image of the Sub-Saharan Africa seems to be missing 😅