Struthio camelus camelus

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : North African ostrich
French : Autruche d’Afrique du Nord

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Struthioniformes
Family : Struthionidae
Notes : 3 other subspecies known

Identification
Biggest and heaviest existent bird species with a height of 2.75 m for a weight of 156 kg. Male has black plumage with white remiges and tail. Female is dull beige brown. Male from this subspecies has pink neck, head and legs.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs from Mauritania (Sahel) to Sudan and north Uganda. The species is also found in eastern and southern Africa. Lives in semi-arid plains from deserts to savanna and woodlands.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species is now protected and remains fairly common. This subspecies is the rarest in the wild and has been hunted to extinction in many areas.
Ex-Situ Programs : EEP in Europe

Observation
Arabian Wildlife Center (UAE), Erlebnis-Zoo Hannover (Germany), Tierpark Hagenbeck (Germany)

 

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