Many people often wonder if emus and ostriches are the same bird, a common misconception given their similar appearances as large, flightless birds. While both are impressive, fast-running birds with long legs and necks, they are distinct species with unique characteristics. Understanding their individual traits helps appreciate the diversity within flightless birds.
The Emu: A Portrait
The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is Australia’s largest native bird and the second-largest living bird globally. These birds stand between 1.5 to 1.9 meters (5 to 6.2 feet) tall and can weigh 18 to 60 kilograms (39 to 132 pounds), with females being slightly larger. Emus possess shaggy, brown plumage, giving them an almost hair-like appearance, and their neck can appear bluish-black where feathers are sparse.
Their small, vestigial wings, about 20 centimeters (7-8 inches) long, are not used for flight but may aid in balance while running. Emus have long, powerful legs with three forward-facing toes, allowing them to sprint at speeds up to 48 kilometers per hour (30 miles per hour). They are omnivores, eating seeds, fruits, grasses, and insects, and they swallow small stones to help grind food in their gizzard. Emus are found across most of Australia, inhabiting diverse environments from open plains to woodlands, though they avoid densely forested areas.
The Ostrich: A Portrait
The common ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the world’s largest and heaviest living bird. Males can reach heights of 2.1 to 2.8 meters (6.9 to 9 feet) and weigh between 100 to 156 kilograms (220 to 344 pounds), while females are slightly smaller. Their bodies are covered in large, fluffy feathers; males have black and white wing and tail feathers, while females and chicks are brownish-gray.
Ostriches have long, bare necks and powerful, unfeathered legs with two toes on each foot, one significantly larger than the other. These strong legs enable them to achieve speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour (43 miles per hour), making them the fastest two-legged animals on land. Native to the savannas, scrublands, and semi-deserts of Africa, ostriches are omnivores, eating plants, seeds, roots, insects, and small vertebrates. They can go for days without water, obtaining moisture from their diet.
Distinguishing Features and Shared Traits
Ostriches are significantly larger and heavier than emus; an adult ostrich can stand up to 2.8 meters tall, whereas an emu’s maximum height is around 1.9 meters. Ostriches have large, prominent wings used for balance and display, and their long necks are largely bare. Emus, in contrast, have very short, inconspicuous wings and more feathered necks. Male ostriches display striking black and white plumage, contrasting with the more uniformly brown, shaggy feathers of emus.
Geographical distribution also differs: emus are native to Australia, and ostriches are indigenous to Africa. Their eggs also have distinct characteristics. Ostrich eggs are large, cream-colored, and weigh around 1.4 kilograms (3 pounds), making them the largest eggs of any living bird. Emu eggs, in contrast, are smaller, weighing about 0.9 kilograms (2 pounds), and are a distinctive dark green with blue speckles. A key anatomical difference is their feet: ostriches have only two toes on each foot, an adaptation for speed, while emus have three toes.
Despite these differences, emus and ostriches share several fundamental traits that contribute to their frequent confusion. Both are members of the ratite group, a classification of large, flightless birds characterized by a flat breastbone that lacks the keel necessary for flight muscles. They both rely on their powerful, long legs for rapid movement, making them exceptional runners in their respective habitats. Their similar body plans, with long necks, strong legs, and vestigial wings, highlight their shared evolutionary path as terrestrial birds adapted for life on the ground.