
Common Ostrich
The ostrich or common ostrich (Struthio camelus) is either one or two species of large flightless birds native to Africa, the only living member(s) of the genus Struthio, which is in the ratite family.
Species insights
Recorded year-round
Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.
Curve from 5,139 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Western Cape and beyond
Provinces where Common Ostrich is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
5,139 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Common Ostrich
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Common Ostrich recorded here
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Common Ostrich recorded here
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Common Ostrich recorded here
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Common Ostrich recorded here
Common Ostrich recorded here
Common Ostrich recorded here
Common Ostrich recorded here
Common Ostrich recorded here
Common Ostrich recorded here
Common Ostrich recorded here
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Common Ostrich recorded here
Common Ostrich recorded here
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Common Ostrich recorded here
Sandstone amphitheatres and cool mountain air
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Common Ostrich
Hosts have recorded the Common Ostrich at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Anysberg Nature Reserve and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Best hours of the day
- The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
- Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.
Where to base yourself
- Western CapeSelf-driveGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Western Cape
- LimpopoSelf-driveGuided drivesStays in Limpopo
- Eastern CapeGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern Cape
- Northern CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Northern Cape
Ways to look
Species
Struthio camelus
Records
5,139
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Common Ostrich on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Common Ostrich in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Common Ostrich at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Rocherpan Nature Reserve and De Hoop Nature Reserve and other reserves. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.
Where can you see the Common Ostrich in South Africa?
The Common Ostrich is most recorded in Western Cape (49% of records), Gauteng (12% of records), Eastern Cape (10% of records), based on 5,139 iNaturalist observations. 70 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Common Ostrich on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Common Ostrich?
The Common Ostrich is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep; Anysberg Nature Reserve: Autumn and spring, Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Aug-Oct, flowers, Mar-May; Kwandwe Private Game Reserve: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Common Ostrich?
The ostrich or common ostrich (Struthio camelus) is either one or two species of large flightless birds native to Africa, the only living member(s) of the genus Struthio, which is in the ratite family. In 2014, the Somali ostrich was recognized as a distinct species.































