I had some questions about ostrich breeds in the U.S.
I hear people refer to them as red, blue, or black necked ostrich, but how does that correspond to the actual subspecies of ostrich? I assume the red necked ostrich is the north African ostrich (S. c. camelus) ? Or can it also be the masai ostrich (S. c. massaicus) that also has red/orange legs and neck? How can one tell the difference between these two sub species?
The blue necked ostrich, is this the Somali Ostrich from the wild? (S. c. molybdophanes) Is this type of ostrich really farmed?
The black necked ostrich, well that leaves just one kind left, the Southern Ostrich (S. c. australis) I cant find any reference to their actual color of neck/legs during breeding. I somehow doubt its black (where did this name come from?). A few pictures ive come across shows them kinda blue necked. This southern ostrich is the one they farm a lot in south Africa and so im sure has got to be the most common one in captivity.
So basically when ostrich farmers say "I have red necked ostrich" or "I have black ostrich" what is it they are really meaning? And is it safe to say that most all ostrich on ostrich farms in the U.S. are hybridized? Are certain sub species known to be better at certain aspects of ostrich farming? (red for meat/leather, black for feathers is the only ones I've heard about in passing)
I'm sure I could find some of these answers on the ostrich associations old forums, but for the life of me I cant access them... anyone here with access to them or its administrator that can let them know their forums can't be viewed?
I hear people refer to them as red, blue, or black necked ostrich, but how does that correspond to the actual subspecies of ostrich? I assume the red necked ostrich is the north African ostrich (S. c. camelus) ? Or can it also be the masai ostrich (S. c. massaicus) that also has red/orange legs and neck? How can one tell the difference between these two sub species?
The blue necked ostrich, is this the Somali Ostrich from the wild? (S. c. molybdophanes) Is this type of ostrich really farmed?
The black necked ostrich, well that leaves just one kind left, the Southern Ostrich (S. c. australis) I cant find any reference to their actual color of neck/legs during breeding. I somehow doubt its black (where did this name come from?). A few pictures ive come across shows them kinda blue necked. This southern ostrich is the one they farm a lot in south Africa and so im sure has got to be the most common one in captivity.
So basically when ostrich farmers say "I have red necked ostrich" or "I have black ostrich" what is it they are really meaning? And is it safe to say that most all ostrich on ostrich farms in the U.S. are hybridized? Are certain sub species known to be better at certain aspects of ostrich farming? (red for meat/leather, black for feathers is the only ones I've heard about in passing)
I'm sure I could find some of these answers on the ostrich associations old forums, but for the life of me I cant access them... anyone here with access to them or its administrator that can let them know their forums can't be viewed?