Mature males have black-and-white plumage, with pinkish skin, flushed in breeding plumage.
At a glance
Sounds
Range map
Range map
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Females and immatures are duller gray-brown. The stubby wings are used for spectacular breeding displays and dust-bathing. Deep booming calls can be heard from long distances.
Behavior
The common ostrich's diet consists mainly of plant matter, though it also eats invertebrates and small reptiles. It lives in nomadic groups of 5 to 50 birds. Mating patterns differ by geographical region, but territorial males fight for a harem of two to seven females.
Gallery