Family STRUTHIONIDAE Vigors, 1825

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Introduction

Struthionidae

Struthionidae (ostriches) are an avian family with a long evolutionary history (e.g. Boev & Spassov 2009). DNA analysis and interpretation of the family has confirmed the position of the family as part of a single order the Struthioniformes. The family is centred in Africa but the single species has been introduced into Australia for the purpose of the plumage and skin trade. There is one species of the world’s largest extant bird in a single genus, represented in Australia by a single subspecies australis. Ostriches are gregarious often forming large non-breeding flocks. All inhabit open semi-arid grasslands and open woodland. They are mainly herbivorous but will consume quantities of insects and small vertebrates.

Breeding behaviour in the group is complex: a single male may possess a small harem of several breeding females. The females may share a common nest, usually a shallow scrape in the ground. Up to 18 eggs are laid in the scrape by the females, these eggs when freshly laid have a pale cream colour which fades or bleaches to white after exposure to sunlight. Both sexes maintain incubation of the eggs, an unusual behaviour character in the Struthioniformes. After hatching the precocial young form large crèches; these are accompanied by one or several adults for a period lasting nine months (del Hoyo et al. 1992).

General References

Boev, Z. & Spassov, N. 2009. First record of ostriches (Aves, Struthioniformes, Struthionidae) from the late Miocene of Bulgaria with taxonomic and zoogeographic discussion. Geodiversitas 31(3): 493-507

del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. 1992. Handbook of the Bird of the World. Barcelona : Lynx Edicions Vol. 1 696 pp. [83]

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