Common Ostrich, African Ostrich
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Struthioniformes, Family: Struthionidae, Genus: Struthio, Species: S. camelus
Family: Struthionidae (Ostriches)
- Shape
- Symmetrical vane, broadly rounded tip, fluffy and unstructured outline
- Size
- Approximately 6 to 8 inches long, consistent with a medium body or covert plume; full-sized ostrich plumes can reach up to 24 inches
- Rarity
- Common in captivity and commercial farming; wild populations are considered uncommon to declining in certain native ranges
Found a feather like this?
Identify any feather from a photo, free.
Description
This is a soft, plumulaceous body feather from the world's largest living bird, the Ostrich. Ostriches are flightless birds characterized by long bare necks, powerful legs adapted for running up to 43 mph, and large eyes with thick black eyelashes. Unlike flying birds, ostriches lack a keeled sternum and possess symmetrical, loose-barbed feathers that do not lock together for aerodynamics, serving instead for insulation and display.
Colour & Pattern
Uniform grayish-brown to dark taupe coloration throughout, typical of female or immature ostrich body plumage; central rachis is thin and darker brown
Barb Structure
Plumulaceous (downy); barbs lack functional hooklets (barbicels), causing the barbs to remain disconnected and giving the feather its characteristic soft, loose, hair-like appearance; no afterfeather
Texture & Surface
Extremely soft, silky, and flowing to the touch; completely matte with no gloss or stiffness, lacking the rigid interlocked vane structure of flight feathers
Key Features
Completely soft and disconnected barbs (plumulaceous structure) along the entire length, flexible thin rachis, uniform grayish-brown tone, and absence of an interlocked vane
Habitat
Open arid and semi-arid plains, savannas, grasslands, and semi-deserts
Geographic Range
Native to open country and scrublands of Africa, with a historical range extending into the Middle East; widely farmed globally in captivity
Ecological Role
Serves as an important megaherbivore and seed disperser in African savanna ecosystems, helping maintain open grassland habitats
Similar Species
Other ratites such as Emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) or Rheas (Rhea americana), though emu feathers have a distinctive double-feather structure and rhea feathers differ in coloration and texture
Interesting Facts
Ostriches produce the largest eggs of any living bird, weighing up to 3 pounds, and possess the largest eyes of any land vertebrate, measuring nearly two inches across. They are also the fastest running birds on two legs.
Condition Notes
Good overall condition, intact barbs with minimal fraying, clean surface showing no major wear, sun-bleaching, or parasitic damage