Ostrich Profile: Africa's Giant Flightless Bird and Where to See It

Ostriches look awkward on the page but are superbly adapted to open country, with long legs, sharp eyesight and powerful kicks. They are a regular feature of savanna drives and often walk calmly among herds of zebra and antelope.

This profile covers identification, behaviour, breeding and the best places to see them.

This guide is part of our animals of Uganda and East Africa guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

Identification

Adult male ostriches have black body feathers with white wing and tail plumes, while females and young birds are greyish-brown. Both have long bare necks and legs, small heads and big eyes with long lashes. Two types occur in East Africa. The Masai ostrich has a pinkish neck and thighs in breeding males, while the Somali ostrich, now regarded as a separate species by many authorities, has a blue-grey neck and thighs and lives in the Horn of Africa and northern Kenya. Each foot has two toes.

Habitat

Ostriches live on open plains, savanna and semi-desert with scattered shrubs, and they avoid thick forest. They need good visibility to see predators and depend on a combination of grass, seeds and leaves. In East Africa they occur from northern Uganda, across Kenya and into Tanzania, and in many parks they are resident all year. They rarely need to drink if food is moist, but they will use water when available.

Behaviour and Speed

Ostriches cannot fly, but they can run at remarkable speeds for long distances, outrunning most predators. Their powerful legs can deliver a kick strong enough to injure or kill a lion. When threatened they may run, lie low with their necks along the ground or spread their wings in a display. The wings are also used in courtship dances, where a male sways and fans his plumes. Contrary to myth, ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand.

Diet

Ostriches eat plant material such as seeds, shoots, leaves and flowers, together with insects and small vertebrates. They swallow pebbles and grit that help grind food in the gizzard. They often forage alongside zebras, whose alertness benefits them, while ostrich eyesight helps the mammals. Moisture is gained from food, so they can live in dry regions.

Breeding and Social Life

A dominant male scrapes a shallow nest in the ground and mates with his main female, though several hens may lay in the same nest. Eggs are the largest of any living bird. Males incubate at night, when their dark plumage hides the nest, and females sit by day, using their sandy colouring as camouflage. Chicks are precocial and follow adults soon after hatching, sometimes in crowds guarded by multiple adults called creches. Many eggs and chicks are lost to predators.

Threats and Conservation

Ostriches are widespread, but some populations have declined from hunting, egg collection and habitat loss. The Somali ostrich is considered more threatened in parts of its range. Egg and chick predation by hyenas, jackals, vultures and eagles is natural but severe. Protected areas keep stable populations. See responsible and conservation travel.

Where to See Ostriches

Look for them in Kenya's Masai Mara and Amboseli, Tanzania's Serengeti and Tarangire, and in Uganda at Kidepo Valley, where they are a highlight on the open Narus Valley plains. Early morning courtship is memorable. See East Africa birding guide.

Viewing and Photography Tips

Use a long lens and watch for dust-bathing, courtship dances and chicks. Keep your distance from nests, as parents may charge. See safari photography tips.

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Related Tours, Guides and Resources

• Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
• Uganda safari packages
• Uganda travel guide
• How to book a Uganda safari
• Plan your safari with our team