Struthio camelus australis

(Gurney, 1868)

Vernacular names
English : South-African ostrich
French : Autruche d’Afrique du Sud

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 dark brown. Male from this subspecies has grey neck and grey-pink legs.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs from Angola and Zimbabwe to South Africa. The species is also found in eastern and northern Africa. Lives in semi-arid plains from deserts to savanna and woodlands.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is now protected and remains fairly common. This subspecies is the least threatened now and it does occur in many protected areas.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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