Kenya safari guide - Kenyalogy: Wildlife: Birds: Somali ostrich



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You are here: Home > Wildlife > Birds > Somali ostrich

WILDLIFE: BIRDS: SOMALI OSTRICH

Class: Aves

Order: Struthioniformes

Family: Struthionidae

Genus and species: Struthio (camelus) molybdophanes

Common name:
Somali ostrich

Contrary to the common ostrich, the Somali does not like the open plains, being more usual to find it in bush and scrubland, solitary or in pairs. Inhabits northern Kenya from lake Turkana to Wajir, and southward to Samburu, Meru and Tsavo East. The Somali ostrich can be distinguished from the common by the blue tone in neck, flanks and legs, which becomes brighter in the breeding season, though it can be partially concealed by the dust. The male's plumage is very flashy, whereas the female is duller, but browner and less grey than the common ostrich's female. The most recent studies suggest that the Somali ostrich forms a separate species.

Wildlife

      Taxonomy
      Mammals
      Birds

Somali ostrich