Behaviour of Wild Ostriches (Struthio camelus) at Mokolodi Nature Reserve, Gaborone, Botswana

The behavioural patterns of 80 wild ostriches (Struthio camelus) at Mokolodi Nature Reserve, Botswana was investigated in a study conducted between March and October 2000. The ostriches were observed in the afternoons from 2:00-4:00 p.m, using binoculars. The behavioural patterns observed included social ranking, kantling, dancing, vocalization, pecking, parental teaching and thermo-regulation among others in addition to comfort behaviour namely sand bathing and care for feathers. The most prevalent behaviours noted were thermoregulation followed by pecking, twirling and aggression, respectively. The time budget strategies were also observed. Feather and air pecking, the 2 common behavioural disorders were rarely noted although the younger ostriches were seen to incessantly peck at objects on the ground. Gender pairing was noted to be in the ratios of 1:1-1:4. Ratios of 2:1 or 3:1 were not commonly encountered among ostriches seen in herds of about 10-20 birds. The dominant males were seen to occupy alpha and beta positions in the groups. Interspecies ranking and tendency to keep away from other animals was evident.