Female Ostriches (Male vs Female Identification)

Ostriches are the largest birds on Earth. At over 2 meters tall, they are a head taller than other birds, humans and many other large animals. In addition to holding the record for the largest bird, the ostrich is also the fastest animal on two legs and can run a marathon in less than 45 minutes.

Male and female ostriches look different and play different roles in ostrich society. This is a guide to female ostriches.

Female ostriches are smaller than males, averaging about 1.7 to 2m tall compared to 2.8m for males. They weigh around 100 to 115 kg, similar to males, although males sometimes reach a higher maximum weight of 155 kg. The female’s plumage is grayish-brown in contrast to the black plumage of the male.

Ostriches are grouped with other large flightless birds, such as emus and cassowaries, but they differ from other large ratites in that males rather than females dominate their reproductive system.

Male ostriches mate with two to several females, but usually choose a “dominant female” to form a pair with.

These gigantic birds are not as dumb as they are sometimes made out to be, and you certainly don’t want to mate with them in the wild. Both male and female ostriches can deliver a kick powerful enough to kill a lion with one blow.

There’s a lot more to read about these behemoth birds – read on to find out!

Close-up of a female ostrich in South Africa

How to tell if an ostrich is male or female?

Distinguishing adult male and female ostriches is fairly simple. The plumage of males is mostly black, while that of females is mainly grayish brown or beige.

Males are also quite large in some cases, reaching a height of 2.5m to 2.8m, while females are 2m.

Young ostriches are more difficult to distinguish from young ostriches. Juvenile female ostriches retain lighter brown-beige plumage, while juvenile male ostrich feathers gradually darken to black. This takes about 1.5 years.

Males and females share almost all characteristics except size and plumage. They have long necks, big eyes with long eyelashes, super long powerful legs and bulky bodies.

female ostrich

male ostrich

What does a female ostrich look like?

Female ostriches are similar to male ostriches, except that they have taupe or fluffy beige plumage that contrasts strongly with the black plumage of the males. Females also have pinkish legs and necks, while males have slightly grayer skin on their legs and necks.

While female ostriches are still quite large, they are slightly smaller than male ostriches. Males can reach up to 2.8m, while females rarely exceed 2.2m. They also lost around 20kg in weight, averaging 110 to 115kg, while males can reach 150kg or more.

Female ostrich (Struthio camelus) and her chicks, Kalahari Desert, South Africa

What is the female ostrich called?

Adult female ostriches are called hens. Males are called roosters or roosters.

They are named this way because ostriches are farmed throughout most of Africa, so the males and females share the same names as other domestic birds such as chickens.

Are female ostriches bigger than males?

Male ostriches are larger than females. Sometimes, the difference is small or not noticeable, but a large male ostrich can taller than a young female.

Males have a more upright posture, which makes them appear larger than hunched females.

Ostriches are flightless birds of the ratite family, which includes emus, cassowaries, and rheas. Oddly, the opposite is true for these other large ratites—females are often larger than males.

The reproductive system of ostriches is male and males are larger, while the mating system of emus, ostriches and rheas is female and females are larger.

Male and female ostriches, Tanzania, Africa

behavioral difference

breeding

Male and female ostriches play very different roles in ostrich society. Males are dominant over females and mate with two to a few or so females.

However, this is flexible, and some males have been observed to stick with one mate throughout the breeding season and possibly even most of their lives. Those male ostriches who practice polygamy usually choose a “dominant female” or “dominant female” to pair with.

When a male mates with multiple females, the females lay eggs in the same nest, starting with the large hen in the center.

The eggs are hatched by both the female and the male – the male usually hatches at night and the female during the day. The male’s dark plumage helps him blend into the night. Large hens usually hatch on behalf of all other females in the same nest, and may discard excess eggs that are not suitable for her.

call and voice

Ostriches communicate through a series of rather monotonous hisses, grunts, horns, drums, roars and barks. Males have a deep voice, making loud, deep, low-pitched sounds. Females hiss and make higher-pitched sounds.

Male and female ostrich pair (Struthio Camelus), displaying feathers as part of courtship, Nairobi National Park

Can female ostriches raise offspring alone?

Male and female ostriches cooperate with each other during the incubation process, taking turns sitting on the eggs.

After the eggs hatch, both males and females guard the chicks. Ostrich chicks form nurseries of dozens of ostrich chicks, guarded by a “supervisor,” who may be male or female. However, male ostriches are usually more defensive with chicks and can take control of the nursery from other less dominant males or females.

Defensive adults clash if two or more nurseries meet. In subsequent battles, the two crèches can be merged into one larger crèche.

Female ostriches are extremely unlikely to successfully raise offspring without male involvement after mating. Both males and females play very important roles that are critical to the success of their offspring.

a flock of female ostriches

What color is the female ostrich?

Female ostriches are taupe or beige. Their plumage is very fluffy and messy.

Ostriches lack the urinary glands that other birds use to hold their feathers while preening, making them furrier and softer than the average bird.

Can a female ostrich bark?

Ostriches are not particularly loud, but female ostriches can hiss and horn. Ostriches are loudest during breeding season, when males hum loudly, and in self-defense, they hiss at rivals.