Rare Red-Headed Ostrich

Living next door to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we commonly see a variety of wildlife wander through our land. We enjoy the interactions, particularly when we see the unusual animals. Never before, however, have we seen the rare red-headed ostrich.

Rare Red-Headed Ostrich

Rare Red-Headed Ostrich

The first sign that the ostrich had been visiting Sibe Quentin was the appearance of multiple deep holes throughout the yard. At first, we were totally mystified about how those holes were being created.

Red feathers

Notice the red feathers.

Despite the myth that an ostrich will bury their head in the ground, the reality is that they dig holes for their eggs – underground nests.

some nest

Must be some nest.

And, of course, when the ostrich checks on those eggs or the hatchlings, it appears that they have their heads in a hole (which, in a way, they do).

secret identity

It certainly would not be because someone would want to keep their identity secret.

So now you have learned the story behind an ostrich burying their head in the sand and seen pictures of the rare red-headed ostrich native to the Western North Carolina Mountains.

And you thought our blog wasn’t educational.

5 Comments

  1. Kara on April 30, 2015 at 6:02 pm

    My husband recently observed a grey and white headed ostrich in our back yard in Maryland. Apparently their eggs must be laid in a long straight line because their nest looked similar to a 12-ft trench. Great post!

  2. Michael Isaac on April 30, 2015 at 10:39 am

    That’s some impressive work there, you can definitely see that they are, indeed, a working breed. Have you thought about hiring her out as a freelance ditch/well/foundation digger, really put her skills to good use?

  3. jane on April 30, 2015 at 7:21 am

    Naughty, naughty dog. I know Hu-Dad you had to fill in that hole. Gotta love when they make a great job for you. Where were you trying to go cheesewhiz? China? Hugs and kisses to the herd.

  4. Jenny Gaffney on April 30, 2015 at 6:54 am

    Oh Cheoah, you made everybody in work laugh so much, you are such a ham, lol , ? ?

  5. Zoe on April 30, 2015 at 6:26 am

    Lol so this would be the part where hu dad mixes concrete with some water and let’s it set up?

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