what's the difference between an emu and an ostrich
An emu and an ostrich are like distant cousins: both are big, flightless birds, but they differ in size, feet, eggs, speed, and where they live.
Quick Scoop
1. The big size difference
- Ostrich = largest bird on Earth, about three times heavier than an emu (roughly 220â265 lb vs 80â90 lb).
- Emu = largest bird in Australia, tall and bulky, but clearly smaller and lighter than an ostrich.
- Seen side by side, the ostrich looks taller, bulkier, and more âheavy-duty.â
2. Where they live
- Emus are native to Australia and roam most of the continent in open scrub and grasslands.
- Ostriches are native to Africa, especially savannas and semi-desert habitats.
- So: see a giant running bird in the wild in Africa â ostrich; in Australia â emu.
3. Feet and tracks
- Emu feet have three toes on each foot.
- Ostrich feet have only two toes, with one big, powerful toe that works almost like a hoof.
- If you only had footprints, more toes = emu, two big âhoofâlikeâ prints = ostrich.
4. Speed and movement
- Ostriches are built for extreme speed, reaching close to 45 mph.
- Emus are fast but slower, topping out around 30 mph.
- Ostriches also use their large wings to balance and help them turn as they run.
5. Feathers, color, and wings
- Emus are usually dark brown to grayish, with shaggy, hairâlike feathers and a more uniform color overall.
- Ostriches tend to have more contrast: males often have black bodies with white wing and tail feathers; females are browner but still with paler patches.
- Emu wings are small and hard to see, while ostriches have larger, more visible wings (wingspan over about 6 feet) used in displays and temperature control.
6. Eggs: color and size
- Emu eggs are dark green, almost bottleâgreen, and weigh roughly 1â1.4 lb.
- Ostrich eggs are cream to offâwhite and can weigh around 3 lb, the largest eggs of any living bird.
- If you see a huge pale egg, think ostrich; huge dark green egg, think emu.
7. Diet and behavior
- Emus are mostly omnivores: they eat plants plus invertebrates like insects and small critters.
- Ostriches lean more herbivorous, eating mainly plants but will also take insects and small animals.
- Emus are often described as more docile around humans, while ostriches can be more aggressive and are powerful enough to be dangerous if provoked.
8. Family life and social habits
- Both are polygamous in general, but the details differ.
- In emus, males do most of the incubating and chickârearing once the eggs are laid.
- In ostriches, a dominant female and the male share incubation, with the female typically sitting by day and the male by night.
9. Sideâbyâside overview
| Feature | Emu | Ostrich |
|---|---|---|
| Native range | Australia only | [3][9]Africa (savannas, deserts) | [9][3]
| Overall size | Largest bird in Australia, smaller and lighter | [1][3]Largest bird in the world, about 3Ă heavier | [3][1]
| Feet | 3 toes on each foot | [9][1][3][7]2 toes, one big hoofâlike toe | [1][3][7][9]
| Top running speed | Up to ~30 mph | [5][3][1]Up to ~45 mph | [3][5][1]
| Eggs | Dark green, about 1â1.4 lb | [5][9][1][3]Cream/white, about 3 lb | [9][1][3][5]
| Coloration | Generally dark, shaggy, uniform | [3][5]Males black with white patches, females brownish | [5][9][3]
| Diet | Mostly omnivorous (plants + invertebrates) | [1][3][5]Mostly herbivorous (plants, plus some insects) | [1][5]
| Wings | Very small, hard to spot | [3][5]Larger, visible, used in displays and balance | [5][3]
| Temperament | Often seen as more docile toward humans | [4][1]Can be more aggressive and dangerous if threatened | [4][1]
| Parental care | Male incubates and raises chicks | [7]Male and dominant female share incubation | [7]
A quick âspot the birdâ example
Imagine a tall bird sprinting across an African plain, two big toes kicking up dust and pale legs flashing in the sunâthatâs your ostrich. Now picture a slightly smaller, shaggier, darker bird thundering through Australian scrub on threeâtoed feetâthatâs your emu.
TL;DR: Ostriches are bigger, faster, twoâtoed African birds with pale, giant cream eggs; emus are slightly smaller, threeâtoed Australian birds with dark green eggs and shaggier feathers.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
