North African ostrich

The North African ostrich, also known as the red-necked or Barbary ostrich, is a subspecies of the common ostrich native to West and North Africa. As the largest living bird, this subspecies shares a close genetic link with the Arabian ostrich of Western Asia, as confirmed by genetic studies.

These remarkable birds can reach up to 2.74 meters in height and weigh as much as 154 kilograms. Males are easily identifiable by their pinkish-red necks and distinctive black and white plumage, while females exhibit a more muted grey coloration. Once widespread from western to northeastern Africa, their populations have drastically declined, leading to their classification as Critically Endangered and inclusion in CITES Appendix I.

To aid in the conservation of the North African ostrich, reintroduction projects have been initiated in countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia. These efforts have successfully reintroduced ostriches to protected areas where they had previously vanished. Reintroduction attempts have also occurred in Israel, though not all have been successful. In addition, captive breeding programs are ongoing in various zoos across Europe and the Middle East.

Despite these conservation efforts, the North African ostrich remains critically endangered. Organizations like the Sahara Conservation Fund are working tirelessly to prevent their extinction and restore their populations in their natural habitats across Africa and parts of Asia.