Photo: ninara / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Somali Ostrich
Struthio molybdophanes
Somali Ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes) — Ratites & Tinamous of Africa.
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The Somali Ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes) is a member of the Struthionidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 111 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Struthioniformes
- Family Struthionidae Ostriches
- Genus Struthio
- Species molybdophanes
Where it lives
Extreme southeastern S Sudan, southern, eastern Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti and northern, east-central Kenya
Quick facts
- Weight
- 111 kg
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Struthionidae
- Order
- Struthioniformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Somali Ostrich is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of open scrub and shrubland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Somali Ostrich is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Somali Ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes) is a species of bird in the Struthionidae family, part of the order Struthioniformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF extreme se S Sudan, s, e Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti and n, ec Kenya.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 111 kg, with a wing length of about 51.1 cm and a tail of around 29.2 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 1.1 million km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Somali Ostrich?
The Somali Ostrich is a very large bird that weighs around 111 kg.
Where does the Somali Ostrich live?
The Somali Ostrich is found across Africa with a range covering AF extreme se S Sudan, s, e Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti and n, ec Kenya, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Somali Ostrich belong to?
The Somali Ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes) belongs to the Struthionidae family, in the order Struthioniformes.
What does the Somali Ostrich eat?
The Somali Ostrich is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Somali Ostrich migrate?
The Somali Ostrich is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Somali Ostrich endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
How large is the Somali Ostrich's range?
The Somali Ostrich has a mapped global range of about 1.1 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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