The Masai ostrich is only one of the strangest animals in the world that can be found on the African continent. The Masai ostrich is a large, flightless bird that can run for brief periods at a speed of 43 miles per hour, despite being slightly smaller than the North African ostrich. Hunting, habitat destruction, and predation have all contributed to the rapid reduction of wild ostrich numbers, but since they are kept on farms, the Masai and other ostrich subspecies have been spared extinction.
We’ll look at the Masai’s traits and how the amazing bird endures the hard environments of Kenya, Tanzania, and Somalia.
Quick Facts about Masai Ostriches
| Breed Name: | Masai Ostrich |
| Place of Origin: | East Africa |
| Uses: | Meat, eggs, leather, clothing |
| (Male) Size: | 254 pounds |
| (Female) Size: | 220 pounds |
| Color: | Black and white plumage, pink necks, and pink legs |
| Lifespan: | 25–40 years in the wild, up to 50 in captivity |
| Climate Tolerance: | Arid savannah conditions |
| Care Level: | Moderate |
| Production: | 10–20 eggs per year in the wild, 40–60 eggs when farmed |
| Other uses: | Ostriches are raced in Africa and the United States |
Masai Origins
The earliest known ostrich progenitors, according to ornithologists, were thought to have lived in Africa some 20 million years ago. A recent study, however, revealed that the birds’ origins were in Asia 40 million years ago and that they did not arrive in Africa until the Miocene epoch. A closely similar subspecies to the South African ostrich is the Masai (Struthio camelus australis). Even if the extinct Arabian ostrich (Struthio camelus syriacus) showed resemblances to the Masai, it is not thought to be a close relative.
Masai Characteristics
Every living thing needs water to exist, yet certain animals have difficulty getting it in the arid savannahs of East Africa. The Masai ostrich gets its moisture from its diet rather than drinking water frequently. It has three stomachs, and its main sources of food and water are leaves, seeds, roots, flowers, berries, and insects. It consumes primarily plants but sometimes small reptiles, insects, and other small animals.
The male’s neck and legs turn a brighter crimson as the spring mating season gets underway. In comparison to females, males have more vibrant plumage, and they use their bushy feathers to woo prospective partners. Males select two or more minor hens in addition to their prime mate, known as the major hen.
When the male’s hens lay eggs, the rooster and main hen alternately warm the eggs in a shared nest where the eggs are incubated. The male will steer any potential predator away from the young while the female guards the eggs if a predator approaches the nest. If the children are young, the mother flees with them to another location.
The two-toed, talons-equipped feet of Masai ostriches are used for defending their territory. In Kenya, lions are their only natural predators, but in other parts of Africa, they are also attacked by jackals, leopards, hunting dogs, and people. An ostrich can be taken down by numerous lions, but with just one kick, the bird can shatter a lion’s back. Ostriches are incredibly fast runners, so when they choose to flee over battle, they frequently manage to do so without getting hurt. The Masai can run 33 mph, although it can sprint for a brief period of time at 43 mph.
Uses
Masai ostriches are housed in farms and shelters in East Africa to keep them safe from poaching and hunting, but the wild birds are killed for their flesh, skin, and feathers. Ostrich farms in Kenya produce meat, eggs, and leather goods, and their products are shipped all over the world. Ostriches are employed in races to entertain large crowds, however they are not the finest pets and can be hostile toward humans at times. The annual ostrich festival in Chandler, Arizona also features ostrich racing, which is popular in South Africa.
Appearance & Varieties
While the common ostrich and other subspecies have gray necks, the Masai and North African ostrich have pink ones. The Masai hens have duller, brownish feathers with white points, whereas the Masai males have black feathers with white tips. Both sexes have fine hair on their heads, despite the fact that they look bald up close. When the male cannot fly, why does it have so many colorful feathers? The male’s feathers are ruffled to make them appear larger and more attractive to potential partners and predators. The male’s plumage is tailored for mating rather than flying.
Researchers think that more cocks than hens are murdered because the color of the cocks’ feathers makes them easier for predators to spot than those of females.
Population/Distribution/Habitat
Although Masai ostriches are not in danger of extinction, their habitat is changing quickly. Originally dispersed across the continent, they now live in smaller home ranges as a result of the growth of human settlements. Currently, the birds can be found in southern Somalia, eastern Tanzania, and southern Kenya. Only about 150,000 ostriches, across all subspecies, are thought to be in existence globally. But in places like the Maasai Ostrich Farm, which houses 700 birds, the Masai and Somali ostriches are protected. Before competing in ostrich races, jockeys frequently practice at the farm.
Are Masai Ostriches Good for Small-Scale Farming?
Ostriches are kept in captivity all over the world, although they are difficult for a small farm to manage. Although they can survive for several decades and produce more eggs when maintained in captivity, handling the birds can be dangerous. During the spring mating season, males become more violent, and all it takes is one kick from an ostrich leg to disembowel a human. Although Masai ostriches are enormous and their eggs are prized for their high protein content, it is safer to maintain chickens, turkeys, or ducks instead.
Credit for the Featured Image: JamesFarleyPhotos, Shutterstock
