The ostriches (family Struthionidae) are a family of birds belonging to the order Struthioniformes. They conform the most primitive extant clade of birds, belonging to the ratites (flightless birds lacking keel) among the basal infraclade Palaeognathae, sister to all other modern birds (infraclade Neognathae). These large terrestrial birds are found in open areas of Subsaharan Africa but are farmed for eggs, feathers, meat and leather worldwide. They generally feed on plant material but also arthropods and reptiles and generally forage in pairs, harems or large groups.
The family comprises 2 species in 1 genus. Genus Struthio inhabits open arid and semi-arid woodlands and grasslands of Subsaharan Africa. Populations north of the Sahel and in the Arabian Peninsula and Middle East have gone extinct over the last century. A feral population has been established in Australia.
Male in Mpala Ranch, Laikipia, Kenya, 29 Jan 2024
Common ostrich
Struthio camelus
Unique inhabitant of savanna, dry grasslands and other semi-arid open habitats of Sahel, eastern and southern Africa. These are the largest in size and weight among all birds, laying the largest egg among modern birds, and are the fastest extant two-legged animals. I have seen this species in Kenya.
