South African ostrich
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South African ostrich | |||
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Male at Cape of Good Hope, South Africa | |||
Female at Etosha National Park, Namibia | |||
Scientific classification | |||
Domain: | Eukaryota | ||
Kingdom: | Animalia | ||
Phylum: | Chordata | ||
Class: | Aves | ||
Infraclass: | Palaeognathae | ||
Order: | Struthioniformes | ||
Family: | Struthionidae | ||
Genus: | Struthio | ||
Species: | |||
Subspecies: | S. c. australis | ||
Trinomial name | |||
Struthio camelus australis | |||
Struthio camelus distribution map
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The South African ostrich (Struthio camelus australis), also known as the black-necked ostrich, Cape ostrich or southern ostrich is a subspecies of the common ostrich endemic to Southern Africa. It is widely farmed for its meat, eggs and feathers.
Habitat and distribution
[edit]The South African ostrich is found in South Africa, Namibia, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola and Botswana.[1] It lives in south of the rivers Zambezi and Cunene.
Threats
[edit]It is farmed for its eggs, meat, leather and feathers in the Little Karoo area of Cape Province.
Feral population
[edit]Feral South African ostriches roam the Australian outback after having escaped from farms in the 20th century.[2] The extent of their range in Australia is not known.
References
[edit]Wikimedia Commons has media related to Struthio camelus australis.
Wikispecies has information related to Struthio camelus australis.
- ^ Jarvis, M. J. F.; Jarvis, C.; Keffen, R. H. (1985-10-01). "Breeding seasons and laying patterns of the southern African Ostrich Struthio camelus". Ibis. 127 (4): 442–449. doi:10.1111/j.1474-919X.1985.tb04840.x. ISSN 1474-919X.
- ^ "The outback ostriches — Australia's loneliest birds". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. September 2018.