OBSERVATION ON SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR OF OSTRICH (STRUTHIO CAMELUS) IN CAPTIVITY.

The ostrich, the flightless Ratite, is the world's largest bird. Ostrich has been reared in Romania for many years, but we have limited information on this species. The aim of this paper is to provide information on the social behavior of the ostrich (Struthio camelus) in captivity. Ostrich products, meat skin, and eggs are considered luxury products not only in Romania but also abroad. Observations on the social behavior of captive ostrich were made on two extensive farms in Romania in Arad County. The most common behavior patterns are walking, sitting, standing, foraging, pecking, dancing, coprophagia and aggression. The captive ostriches spend most of their time standing, resting or bathing, and nest-making. In the summer period, ostriches show the greatest difference in their behavior, they are more inactive and sit more in rainy weather than in dry periods. In the breeding season, they become more aggressive. They are violent toward humans, juveniles, even each other and other species. Some individuals may be showing abnormal behavior such as feather pecking, anorexia, coprophagy, and dietary indiscretion. Understanding the feelings in animals through behavioral observations is a vital step in improving their welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]