Magige, Flora J.Stokke, Bård G.Røskaft, Eivin2016-06-162016-06-162009-03Magige, F.J., Stokke, B.G., Sortland, R. and Røskaft, E., 2009. Breeding biology of ostriches (Struthio camelus) in the Serengeti ecosystem, Tanzania. African Journal of Ecology, 47(3), pp.400-408.10.1111/j.1365-2028.2008.01002.xhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11810/2526Ostrich breeding behaviour in the Serengeti ecosystem, Tanzania was investigated for differences in laying dates between low altitude western area (WA) and high altitude eastern area (EA) populations. Ostriches in WA laid eggs significantly earlier than in EA. The differences could be attributed to topography and rainfall pattern. Reliable rains in lower altitudes ensure availability of food that in turn influences the whole process of the reproductive cycle. Clutches were contributed by several females with a nest having up to 38 eggs. We also compared the frequency of observation of predators, ostriches, nests, 'singletons' (single eggs laid randomly) and broods between the two areas. There was no significant difference between WA and EA in 1) ostrich/nest ratio, indicating similar breeding densities; 2) ostrich/predator and predator/nest ratios, indicating that predation pressure was equally high; 3) nest/singleton and predator/singleton ratios, indicating that loss of nests did not vary between areas. However, there were significantly more predators, nests and ostriches compared to broods in EA than in WA, indicating a significantly lower reproductive success in EAenbreedingostrichpredationSerengetiStruthio camelusJournal Article, Peer Reviewed