Dromaius novaehollandiae / Struthio camelus
Emu vs Ostrich
Emus and ostriches are the two largest flightless birds, but the ostrich is the bigger and faster African species with two toes, while the emu is a smaller Australian bird with three toes whose males raise the chicks alone.
By Wildlife Encyclopedia · Updated
At a glance
Published species data from both WildlifeDB profiles, aligned trait by trait. Size metrics highlight the larger value with a relative bar.
- Scientific name
- EmuDromaius novaehollandiae
- OstrichStruthio camelus
- Classification
- EmuAves · Dromaiidae
- OstrichAves · Struthionidae
- Native range
- EmuAustralia, Oceania
- OstrichAfrica
- Primary habitat
- EmuGrassland
- OstrichSavanna
- Diet
- EmuOmnivore
- OstrichOmnivore
- Typical food
- EmuSeeds, Fruit, Flowers, Shoots, Insects
- OstrichGrass, Seeds, Leaves, Insects, Small reptiles
- Body length
- Emu150 cm – 190 cm
- Ostrich7 feet – 9 feet
- Shoulder height
- Emu—
- Ostrich—
- Weight
- Emu18 kg – 60 kg
- Ostrich200 pounds – 320 pounds
- Top speed
- EmuUp to about 48 km/h
- OstrichCan sprint faster than 40 miles per hour
- Wild lifespan
- EmuAbout 5 to 10 years
- Ostrich30 to 40 years
- Social pattern
- EmuMaking nomadic seasonal movements in search of food and water, Male incubation of the clutch, Dust-bathing to help maintain the plumage
- OstrichSprinting escape, Ground nesting, Communal chick care
- Key adaptations
- EmuLong, powerful legs built for sustained running, Double-shafted feathers that shed heat and insulate, Ability to go for long periods without water
- OstrichLong powerful legs, Large eyes, Two-toed feet
- Conservation
- EmuLeast Concern · Stable
- OstrichLeast Concern · Decreasing
- Reproduction
- EmuAbout 56 days, incubated by the male; About 5 to 15 eggs
- OstrichAbout 42 days of incubation; 10 to 20 eggs per nest
Overview
The emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae, and the ostrich, Struthio camelus, are both large flightless birds known as ratites, a group whose flat breastbone lacks the keel that anchors flight muscles. Both have long necks, long legs, and soft, drooping feathers, and both run instead of fly.
The ostrich is the larger and more familiar of the two, native to Africa, with striking black-and-white plumage in males. The emu is Australia's largest bird, uniformly grey-brown, and the second-tallest living bird after the ostrich. A quick way to tell them apart is the feet: ostriches have two toes, while emus have three.
Size
The ostrich is the largest living bird by a clear margin. It stands roughly 2.1 to 2.7 metres tall and weighs about 100 to 145 kg. The emu is smaller, standing about 1.5 to 1.9 metres and weighing 18 to 60 kg.
Both are also fast runners built for open country. The ostrich is the fastest bird on land, sprinting at more than 60 km/h, while the emu reaches about 48 km/h and can keep up a steady pace over long distances.
Behavior
Both birds are strong runners that rely on speed and powerful legs rather than flight to escape danger; an ostrich can deliver a dangerous kick. Both are social outside the breeding season, gathering in loose groups at food and water.
Parental care differs. In ostriches, a dominant female and male share incubation of a communal nest. In emus, the male alone incubates the eggs for about eight weeks and then leads and defends the striped chicks, while the female may move on to mate again.
Diet
Both are omnivores with broadly similar tastes. Emus eat seeds, fruit, flowers, shoots, and insects, and travel long distances to follow rain and food. Ostriches eat grasses, seeds, and leaves along with insects and the occasional small reptile.
Both swallow grit and small stones that sit in the gizzard and help grind tough plant food, since neither bird has teeth.
Habitat
The two species live on different continents. The ostrich occupies the savannas and semi-arid plains of Africa. The emu ranges across most of mainland Australia, from grassland and savanna to open woodland and the arid interior.
Both are listed as Least Concern. Ostriches are widely farmed for feathers, leather, and meat, and emus are farmed on a smaller scale, so both remain numerous even where wild pressures exist.