Snapshot Serengeti Talk

Ostrich Harem?

  • parsfan by parsfan

    Wondering about the #ostrich behaviour. I seem to remember males have multiple females lay clutches in one nest, so is he gathering a harem here, or...?

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  • davidbygott by davidbygott moderator

    Your memory is correct. The Wikipedia article on ostrich is a fairly accurate reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_ostrich.
    In my experience, ostrich start showing mating behaviour in about July/August in Serengeti, incubation at end of dry season, hatching at the start of the rains around Nov/Dec. At other times of year however, ostrich may associate in small groups or scattered herds, as in your picture.

    Posted