Idea #646 – Observing the ostriches of Africa in Senegal
The Ostrich frequents desert or semi-desert sandy regions with sparse vegetation, savannas or arid forests more or less dense. It is found from Senegal to Syria. At 2.50 meters tall and 130 kilos, the male ostrich is the largest and heaviest of the birds still alive today. The ostrich has a massive body, with two long and strong legs, and surmounted by a long neck which ends in a proportionally very small head. Ostriches are the only birds to have only two fingers per leg; the outer, smaller finger is devoid of claws. The head, two-thirds of the neck and the legs are bare. The color of the denuded skin varies according to the subspecies. The eyes of the ostrich are relatively big compared to the dimensions of the head, and wear long eyelashes. This species has a strong sexual dimorphism. The male has black plumage, but the tips of the wings and tail are white feathers, white feathers that are also seen on the border between the bare and the feathered neck. The female has a gray-brown plumage with a light, beige to white underside. Ostriches are unfit for flying, but excellent for running. Their speed on the ground is remarkable: they can reach 70 km/h, but are probably faster at startup. They were observed loan to Bandia.
Where is it ?
Nature Reserve of Bandia, Sénégal
