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Massive, conspicuous, flightless bird with long neck and robust legs.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilyOstriches
SizeSmall
RarityRare
HabitatGrassland, Open woodland, Shrubland, and Sparse woodland
Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from October to December.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Marc Anderson
Range map
Range map
42visible hotspots
437visible records
4states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
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
Mature males have black-and-white plumage, with pinkish skin, flushed in breeding plumage. 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
Most often turns up where grassland, Open woodland, Shrubland, and Sparse woodland lines up with Australian records across New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory, with shape and movement usually clearer than prolonged stationary views.
Gallery