Somali ostrich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Somali ostrich |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Male | |
 |
|
| Female | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Struthio
|
| Species: |
molybdophanes
|
 |
|
| Yellow area shows range of Struthio molybdophanes | |
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The Somali ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes), also known as the blue-necked ostrich, is a very large bird that cannot fly. It lives in the Horn of Africa. It is one of two types of ostriches alive today, the other being the common ostrich. For a long time, people thought it was just a kind of common ostrich. But in 2014, scientists found enough differences to call it its own species.
Contents
Discovering the Somali Ostrich
Scientists first described the Somali ostrich in 1883. A scientist named Anton Reichenow wrote about it. He noted that this ostrich lived in the plains of Somalia and western Galla-Land in East Africa.
Later, scientists used modern tools to study ostrich DNA. They found that the Somali ostrich is quite different from other ostriches. A large crack in the Earth, called the East African Rift, helped keep these ostriches separate. This separation allowed them to become their own unique species over millions of years.
What Does the Somali Ostrich Look Like?
The Somali ostrich looks a lot like other ostriches. But it has some special features. Its neck and legs are blue, not pinkish like other ostriches. During the mating season, the male's blue color becomes very bright.
Unlike other ostriches, it does not have a wide white ring around its neck. Its tail feathers are white. Male Somali ostriches are usually bigger than females. They are similar in size to other ostriches. Wild Somali ostriches are thought to weigh around 105 kilograms (231 pounds). This makes them one of the two largest bird species on Earth.
Where Do Somali Ostriches Live?
The Somali ostrich mostly lives in the Horn of Africa. You can find them in north-eastern Ethiopia, southern Djibouti, most of Kenya, and across much of Somalia.
How Do Somali Ostriches Live?
Somali ostriches live differently from common ostriches. Even though their living areas sometimes overlap, they prefer different places. Somali ostriches like areas with more bushes and thicker plants. They mostly eat by browsing on leaves and shrubs. Common ostriches, however, prefer open grasslands and mainly graze on grass. Scientists have also noticed that it is hard for Somali ostriches and common ostriches to have babies together. This shows they are truly different species.
Protecting the Somali Ostrich
In the 1970s and 1980s, the Somali ostrich was common in parts of Somalia. However, after a period of civil unrest in that country, there was less protection for wildlife. This led to a big drop in their numbers. People hunted them for their meat, for traditional medicines, and for their eggs. This hunting has put the Somali ostrich at risk of disappearing from the Horn of Africa.
In Kenya, some people are now farming Somali ostriches. They raise them for meat, feathers, and eggs. This can help reduce hunting of wild birds. Conservation groups are working to protect these amazing birds.
