The Somali ostrich, also known as the blue-necked ostrich, is a large flightless bird native to the Horn of Africa. It is one of two living species of ostriches, the other being the common ostrich. It was also previously considered a subspecies of the common ostrich, but was identified as a distinct species in 2014.
Region
Horn of Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs primarily in arid and semi‑arid scrub, open thornbush savanna, and desert plains across Somalia, eastern Ethiopia, Djibouti, and far northeastern Kenya. It favors open landscapes with scattered shrubs and sparse grasses where long‑distance visibility is good. The species often uses wadis, dry riverbeds, and edges of acacia‑commiphora bushland. It generally avoids wetter high grass savannas preferred by the common ostrich and areas of dense cultivation. Water is not essential, but birds will drink when available and exploit succulent plants to meet moisture needs.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the blue‑necked ostrich, it is one of two living ostrich species and is restricted to the Horn of Africa. Males show striking powder‑blue skin on the neck and thighs that intensifies during breeding. It was split from the common ostrich as a distinct species in 2014, with the East African Rift largely separating their ranges. Like other ostriches, it is a powerful runner and forms communal nests guarded by a dominant pair.
Temperament
wary and alert, loosely social
Flight Pattern
flightless; powerful sustained running
Social Behavior
Typically occurs singly, in pairs, or in small groups, sometimes associating loosely with antelope or zebras. Breeding is polygynous; a dominant male maintains a territory and mates with a major hen and additional females. Several females may lay in a single communal scrape nest, with the major hen and male doing most incubation. Chicks form crèches guarded by adults.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Males produce deep booming calls, especially at dawn and dusk during the breeding season, carrying long distances over open plains. Both sexes hiss, snort, and bill‑clap when alarmed or defending young.
Plumage
Males have glossy black body plumage with bold white primaries and tail plumes; females and immatures are gray‑brown and more uniformly drab. Feathers are loose and fluffy, with large decorative wings used in display rather than flight. Bare skin on the neck and thighs is bluish, brightest in adult males during the breeding season.
Diet
Primarily grazes and browses on seeds, grasses, leaves, and forbs, and readily takes succulent plants to obtain moisture. It supplements this with insects, small vertebrates, and carrion opportunistically. Like other ratites, it swallows grit and small pebbles to aid gizzard grinding. Feeding is flexible and tracks seasonal plant growth after rains.
Preferred Environment
Forages in open scrub and plains with scattered shrubs and low grass, often along bush edges where both browse and sightlines are available. It may concentrate near recently burned or rain‑greened patches that provide fresh shoots.
