How Is an Emu Different from an Ostrich?

Emus and ostriches both belong to a group of flightless birds called ratites. You might wonder why both birds look so similar and behave in similar ways, even though they live on different continents.

The answer goes back millions of years. Long ago, all the continents we know today were part of one single landmass, before they broke apart. Scientists believe an ancient flightless bird (the common ancestor of emus and ostriches) lived on this landmass. When the continents split up, some of these ancient birds were trapped in different places. Over time, they evolved separately into the emu and the ostrich.

Both birds are built to be strong runners, with slender legs, a long neck, and a well-balanced body. Their diet is also pretty similar, leaves, grass, berries, and the occasional insect or lizard. As farming of these birds has become more popular, many people want to know the difference between them. So, which is bigger, faster, and taller, the emu or the ostrich? Let's find out.

The Emu

Size

The emu is the second-largest bird in the world, and the largest in Australia. It stands between 4 to 6 feet tall and weighs between 90 and 150 lb.

Native Habitat

The emu is native to Australia, where it lives in the open country, avoiding thick forests and populated areas.

Appearance

Both male and female emus have a similar dense-brown plumage. During the breeding season, females develop black feathers and blue patches on their heads. Unlike ostriches, the female emu is actually larger than the male.

Speed

Emus are strong runners and can reach speeds up to 30 mph.

Toes

Like many flightless birds, emus have three toes on their feet.

Posture

Emus carry their heads below the level of their body most of the time.

Breeding

During the breeding season, emus form pairs that mate. Each hen lays around 20 eggs, which are cared for solely by the male, while the female moves on to look for another mate.

Eggs

Emu eggs are oblong, about the size of a grapefruit, and greenish-black in color. They weigh around 1½ lb and have thin shells.

Life Span

Emus live anywhere between 20 to 30 years and reach their full size at the age of 12 to 14 months.

Behavior

Emus are curious by nature and are friendly towards humans on farms, though they can attack other livestock. They are easier to domesticate than ostriches.

Farming

Emus are reared less frequently. Each bird produces between 20 and 30 lb of meat. Having more fat deposits, they produce 5 to 7 liters of oil, which is popular for medicinal and cosmetic uses. Other products include meat, skin, feathers, and eggs. Emu skin is less popular for leather because it is thinner and has a low-quality, pinhole appearance.

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The Ostrich

Size

The ostrich is the world's largest bird. It can be anywhere between 7 to 9 feet tall, with a weight between 250 to 400 lb.

Native Habitat

The ostrich is native to Africa, where it is found in the savannas and arid regions.

Appearance

There is a clear difference between male and female ostriches. Male ostriches have black feathers with white-tipped wings and tails, while the females have a grayish-brown plumage. The males are larger in size.

Speed

Ostriches are the fastest two-legged runners, clocking up to 43 mph, even faster than a horse. This makes them the speedier of the two giant birds.

Toes

Ostriches have two toes and are the only birds with this characteristic. Having just two toes helps them run faster.

Posture

Unlike emus, ostriches walk with their head held high above their body.

Breeding

Ostriches form groups, with each male mating with 6 to 7 females. Around 40 eggs are laid, which are cared for by the females during the day and the males at night, in turns.

Eggs

Ostrich eggs are the largest of any animal. They are round with thick, white shells. They weigh between 3 to 4 lb and are about the size of a medium cantaloupe.

Life Span

An ostrich can live as long as 40 to 70 years, though 50 is more common. They reach their full size at 10 to 14 months.

Behavior

Ostriches are more aggressive than emus. They can bite with their beaks or lash out with their strong legs when they feel threatened. This is a major risk during the breeding season.

Farming

Ostriches produce around 60 to 70 lb of meat, with less fat than emus. Their larger feathers are more suited for fashion and decorative items. They produce a small amount of oil, but their feathers and skin are in high demand, especially because ostrich skin produces high-quality leather. However, ostrich chicks have a higher mortality rate, and their eggs have lower hatchability than those of emus.

The Bottom Line

To sum up, the emu is the second-largest bird in the world, native to Australia, and is farmed less frequently (mostly for oil). The ostrich is the largest bird on Earth, native to Africa, and is commonly farmed for its skin, feathers, and meat.

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