Least Concern Birds

Common Ostrich

Struthio camelus

Largest flightless bird in African open savannas, feeding on plants and insects.

Scientific name	Struthio camelus
Swahili name	Njelele
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Aves
Order	Struthioniformes
Family	Struthionidae
Size	Male: approximately 104-156 kg, height about 2.1-2.8 meters; female: approximately 90-110 kg, height slightly less than male

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How to identify

Very large body size, the largest bird in the world; flightless, possessing strong long legs; male has mostly black head and neck, female is grayish-brown; two-toed feet adapted for fast running; loose feathers with conspicuous white feathers on male's neck and wings

Habitat

Open sparse woodland savannas, desert edges, dry grasslands, and shrublands

Diet

Omnivorous, mainly consuming plant seeds, leaves, and roots; also eats insects, small invertebrates, and occasionally small vertebrates

When it is active

Diurnal, mainly active during the day, especially in early morning and late afternoon

Where it lives

Primarily distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania (e.g., Masai Mara), South Africa, Namibia, and others

How to spot it

Search in open grasslands or sparse woodland savannas at dawn or dusk; observe from a distance to avoid disturbance; use binoculars to watch running and feeding behavior

Photography tips

Use telephoto lens to capture running moments and detailed features; pay attention to light changes, soft light at dawn and dusk is ideal for photography; try photographing group interactions and scenes integrating the environment