Ostrich
Sounds & Calls
The Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus) is a huge flightless bird found in savannas and arid habitats in southern, eastern and parts of north Africa.
What does an ostrich sound like? Male ostriches make loud booming calls which can be heard from several kilometres away. Males inflate their long necks to make these deep booms which are often given during displays and to declare territory. Ostriches make other sounds including soft ‘booh’ calls as well as clucks, whistles, snorts, guttural sounds and bill snapping.
Listen to some examples of Ostrich calls and sounds below.
Listen to Ostrich Sounds
The audio in the video below features the typical booming sound of a male Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus). Recorded at night in Northern Tuli Game Reserve, Botswana
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Other African Bird Calls
- Fish Eagle, African (Icthyophaga vocifer)
- Francolin, Crested (Ortygornis sephaena)
- Go-Away-Bird, Grey (Crinifer concolor)
- Goose, Egyptian (Alopochen aegyptiaca)
- Guineafowl, Helmeted (Numida meleagris)
- Hoopoe, African (Upupa epops africana)
- Hornbill, Southern Ground (Bucorvus leadbeateri)
- Ibis, Hadada (Bostrychia hagedash)
- Lapwing, Blacksmith (Vanellus armatus)
- Nightjar, Fiery-necked (Caprimulgus pectoralis)
- Ostrich, Common (Struthio camelus)
- Owl, African Scops (Otus senegalensis)
- Owl, African Wood (Strix woodfordii)
- Owl, Pel's Fishing (Scotopelia peli)
- Owlet, African Barred (Glaucidium capense)
- Owlet, Pearl-spotted (Glaucidium perlatum)
- Roller, Lilac-breasted (Coracias caudatus)