Nandu - amazing ostriches, attracting with their exterior and behavioral characteristics. They appreciate birds for egg production - it is low-calorie and has excellent taste. Nanda is also bred to obtain dietary, tender meat. And from feathers and animal skin make incredibly beautiful products.
Historical information
Ostrich Nandu, according to archaeological excavations, was the first bird that appeared on Earth from his squad. Scientists have long argued over which zoological family the animal belongs to. And still have not come to a consensus. Some are convinced that the South American ostrich is the main representative of ostrich-like ones, others are sure that ostrich traits were acquired during evolution, the rest classify it as hidden-tailed.
The breed became famous in the 16th century. Initially, these were birds domesticated by the Indians, which were used to obtain feathers and meat products. In 1884, Nanda was given a description, and in 1894 a family of ostriches appeared, consisting of two species: small and northern. Both are on the verge of extinction due to active hunting for them.
Nanda got its name because of a peculiar voice: it emits the roar of a large predator, for example, a lion. The voice of the birds is not like the sounds that the birds make. Moreover, when the animal begins to "yell", the sounds of "Nan-do" are distinctly heard. That is why ostriches have such a name.
Ornithologists note that such sounds are more often made by males during the mating season. But the birds are able to "speak" differently, making slightly hoarse sounds, which serve as a signal of danger and a warning to brethren. If Nandu is angry, he begins to hiss.
Bird feathers are popularly used for making jewelry, hats, fans and fans. But they are not pulled out, but carefully cut off from the skin itself 2 times a year. Birds do not suffer from this. Ostrich skin is valued no less than crocodile skin. It is used for the manufacture of luxury accessories and expensive handbags.
Animal description
Ostrich Nandu is a flat-chested or rat-free animal with an elongated oval-shaped body. Standing on big strong legs. The bird has a long neck and a miniature head. The color of the plumage is brownish-gray, grayish-brown or pure gray. There are white spots on the back. Among Nandu, albinos with white plumage and blue eyes are often found.
Unlike African ostriches, South American birds are half the size. Their weight varies within 40 kilograms, and the largest individuals reach a height of 140-150 centimeters. There are short feathers on the neck, which the Africans do not have at all.
There are three fingers on the paws, while African ostriches have two fingers each. The fingers are connected by a short membrane, which is why they run worse than the African relative. It is extremely rare that Nandu can reach speeds of more than 60 kilometers per hour. During the run, the stride length is 1.5-2 meters.
But this is offset by the swimmer’s excellent abilities - the ostrich easily overcomes rivers. During the run, Nandu spreads its wings as a sail, which helps him better maneuver. At the ends of the wings are claws - keratinized processes that allow the bird to defend itself in the event of an attack.
The video near shows the common ostrich Nandu. Here you can see what this tall and fast bird looks like:
Spread
Nandu is often found in South America. Ordinary large ostriches are common in Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay. They prefer savannas of the open type. They settle in lowlands with milder and warmer climatic conditions.
Small ostriches are found in the southern regions of Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Southern Peru, on the island of Tierra del Fuego. They are capable of being located in places at an altitude of up to 4,500 kilometers.
Lifestyle and behavior
Usually the preferred time for the Nandu ostrich is day. In the daytime, the bird can be prevented from activating only by excessive drought and extreme heat. At this time, Nandu is awake in the evening or at night.
Birds live in herds from 10 to 35 individuals. In such a family there are several males, a pair of females and young animals.
View status and human relations
Nandu Native American tribes used to get feathers and meat for food. For hunting, they used bolas, which are throwing weapons. It was made of a belt, and round stones were tied to its end. A little later, Nandu's feathers were exported for making jewelry, and the skin of birds was used for various products.
Due to bird hunting and destruction of their habitat, the population has declined significantly. Farmers note that Nandu feeds on the herbs necessary to feed their livestock, as well as flightless individuals prone to eating grain from the fields. For these reasons, feathered birds are often shot if they appear near agricultural land. Birds suffer from wire fences no less - birds die after severe mutilation.
Eggs
Nanda build their nests in the ground, tearing out recesses, which are then covered with grass. The male is the main guard of the home. A feature of the laid egg is its initial sterility, but after cooling, bacteria can penetrate through it. The surface of the eggs must not be washed, even if it is very dirty.
To stimulate high egg production, it is required to remove eggs from nests at least 2 times a day. The average weight of one egg is about 620 grams. In it, the yolk is located in the center, where it lies in layers - light and dark. Intensively colored yolk indicates that a lot of vitamin A is present in the female’s diet.
A distinctive feature of egg products is incredible benefits and nutrition. One ostrich egg can replace 10-12 eggs. It is a dietary supplement that promotes satiety.
Sometimes Nandu eggs are used in folk craft. The shell of the product is dense, so creative people make souvenirs from it. Egg shells also make beautiful vases and canvases.
Nutrition
Nanda likes to eat not only cereals, but also various insects and even small reptiles. They do not have to drink water, they can do well without it, due to pasture.
At home, birds eat juicy herbs and root crops, preferring beets, boiled potatoes, carrots. Small ostriches require a lot of protein, they are fed eggs, fish, cottage cheese, yogurt. Experienced farmers do not recommend giving the chicks fresh milk.
Feathered birds love to feast on locusts - they absorb it in unlimited quantities. Sometimes, due to overeating, the ability to run fast is simply lost.
Breeding
Nandu ostriches attract attention by the breeding process, it begins with the collapse of the flock. Males begin to perform mating dance, kneeling, howling, spreading their wings.
Flightless birds are considered polygamous, that is, during the mating season, one male can mate with several females at once, sometimes this number reaches 5-7 individuals. Females lay their eggs in a common nest. The incubation period lasts about 1.5-2 months, after which the chicks hatch. Ostrich males hatch. If the eggs were laid outside the nest, a caring male will definitely return them. During the hatching period, the female becomes the head of the family, bringing food.
25-30 ostriches can appear at the same time, weighing about 500 grams. Kids grow up quickly, they have strong eyesight and excellent hearing from birth, due to which they are able to move independently. Because of poachers, young animals often do not even live up to 1 year.
Offspring Care
Although Nandu is a polygamous bird, he is prone to taking care of his own offspring. Already in early spring, the male begins to intensively care for his lady. At this time, the female has an increase in egg production. The male prepares a nest for his chosen one in advance - he covers the dug hole with grass or hay, which gives softness and warmth. The bird carefully guards its beloved and nest. And if someone approaches, begins to hiss.
Females lay eggs in one nest. At home, you need to carefully monitor the cleanliness of the nests, because bacteria can enter the eggs through the shell. After the eggs are laid, the females immediately look for other partners, while the Nandu males incubate the chicks, leaving no eggs for a minute.
Breeding Nandu
Ostrich feels great in captivity. Birds are raised on special farms for the further production of feathers, skins, egg and meat products. It is especially popular to breed birds specifically for obtaining eggs, because it is known that in their composition there are many useful substances and trace elements.
Breeding of ostriches Nandu today is no longer considered exotic. If you correctly and responsibly approach this process, you will be able to make good profits and build a good business. At home, Nandu is bred in several ways:
- Adults are kept in closed enclosures, but they are regularly walked. The male is allowed to hatch eggs, but he must also take care of the young, as well as protect the ostriches from predators. In captivity, the male can hatch more than 20 eggs.
- Keeping parents in open pens or insulated rooms - this guarantees excellent egg production. All eggs are taken from the female and transferred to an incubator. It is believed that if you take eggs from a bird more often, then they will appear constantly. It is optimal to take eggs from a female at least 2 times a day.
When choosing any option, it is permissible to give part of the eggs to the bird for hatching, and collect the other half for the incubator.
Growing chicks
Newborn ostriches reach a height of about 20 centimeters. They grow very quickly, about 1 centimeter per day. In general, birds reach a height of about 1.5 meters. The first three days, the chicks are not fed, do not give them water - this contributes to the speedy resorption of the gall sac. Be sure to keep ostriches at a temperature of no more than 32-33 degrees.
On the fourth day, they feed the babies with a mixture, which contains crushed clover leaves or alfalfa with compound feed. Also give some water. Simultaneously with this nutrition, boiled eggs and cottage cheese are required to be added to the menu.
When ostriches turn 40 days old and for up to 3 months of age, they are fed compound feed. Be sure to put separate feeders for them, where there will be small pebbles or gravel. In the summer, young birds begin to eat grass food, in the autumn they consume root crops, in the winter - silage.
Nandu is an American species of large birds that cannot fly, but move faster than a car. The animal is distinguished by external characteristics, diet and breeding. Breeding ostriches for egg and meat products is a profitable business.
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