key point
- Both emus and ostriches are ratites.
- They are similar in appearance and share the same genetic characteristics.
- Emus are native to Australia, while ostriches are native to Africa.
- Their intelligence is not known because ratites have a small brain-to-body ratio.
Both emus and ostriches are flightless birds that belong to this family flat chest. They are the largest flightless birds in existence and are often confused because of their similar appearance. Both have big eyes, charming goofy faces, slender necks and legs.
The ratite family has a smaller brain-to-body ratio, which means these birds have smaller brains and aren’t very intelligent. However, it’s easy to tell the birds apart once you know what you’re looking for. They vary in size, color, habitat, and more. Even their eggs are quite different from each other.
Emus are farmed in large numbers for meat, oil and leather, while ostriches are farmed for meat and leather, but mainly for their feathers. Ostrich feathers are used to make rags and decorations.
Learn all about comparing these two birds below!
Comparing Ostriches and Emus
© iStock.com/slowmotiongli
Ostriches and emus are very similar birds, but they are indeed very different. One of them is that there is only one type of emu, but two different kinds of ostriches: the common ostrich and the Somali ostrich.
| emu | ostrich | |
| size | Up to 7 feet tall and 150 lbs | Up to 9 feet tall and 320 lbs |
| life | 10-20 years | 30-50 years old |
| Habitat | Australia | Africa |
| wing | small and discreet wings | Large wings with a maximum span of over 6 feet |
| foot | 3 toes | 2 toes |
| Egg | Dark green; 1-1.4 lbs | cream; 3 lbs |
| diet | mainly herbivores | Omnivores |
| speed | up to 30 mph | up to 45 mph |
| color | dark brown to black | The back of the body is dark brown with white spots.Usually pink or white on the legs, face, and neck |
9 Key Differences Between Ostriches and Emus
1. Ostriches are much bigger.
Emus are fairly large birds. They stand up to 7 feet tall and can weigh up to 150 pounds. However, the ostrich got bigger!
Ostriches can grow up to 9 feet tall and weigh up to 320 pounds.
2. Emus have a shorter lifespan.
©iStock.com/Gilnature
Unfortunately, emus only live about 10-20 years. The oldest emu ever lived was 38 years old.
On the other hand, ostriches have a long lifespan, up to 30-50 years. In captivity, some ostriches can live for more than 60 years.
3. They live on different continents.
Both flightless birds live in hot habitats, but they live in very different parts of the world. Ostriches live in the deserts of Africa, while emus live in most of Australia.
4. Emus have smaller wings.
Emu wings are more difficult to identify than ostrich wings. One reason is their size: emus have a much smaller wingspan.
Coloring also works. Ostriches typically have white wings that contrast with their dark bodies, while emus are more uniform in color.
A unique feature of the ostrich is its two-toed feet. Most birds, including emus, have three toes on each foot.
Ostrich feet are also designed for speed, with long tendons allowing them to run at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour.
6. Emu eggs are small.
If you have a flightless bird with a freshly laid egg, it’s easy to tell them apart by looking at the eggshell. Emu eggs are dark green and small, weighing about a pound.
Ostrich eggs are cream-colored and weigh up to three pounds.
7. Ostriches are omnivores.
© AZ-Animals.com
Ostriches primarily eat plants, but insects and small reptiles are also part of their diet.
Emus are generally herbivores, feeding on seeds, fruit and flowers. However, if the opportunity arises, they may eat the occasional insect.
8. An ostrich runs 45 miles per hour.
Emus are a bit slower than ostriches and can reach speeds of up to 30 mph. Ostriches have long tendons in their feet that allow them to run at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour!
9. Emus are darker in color.
As we discussed above, the wingtips of male ostriches are white, while the feathers of female ostriches are dark brown. They may also have white bellies. Emus, on the other hand, are black all over. Female emus have black feathers on their heads, and the bare skin on their heads turns blue during mating season.
Even their faces, necks and feet are dark. In contrast, ostriches tend to have pink or white necks, faces and feet.
Evolution and origin of emus and ostriches
©colacat/Shutterstock.com
Emus and ostriches belong to the group of flightless birds known as ratites, which means their sternum is flattened and cannot support the muscles needed for flight. This group of birds also includes other flightless birds such as kiwis and cassowaries.
The evolution of the emu and ostrich lineage dates back to the late Cretaceous period, about 80-90 million years ago, when the supercontinent of Gondwana was still intact. During this time, the ancestors of emus and ostriches lived on the continent of Gondwana, which includes what is now South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia and Madagascar.
As the continent of Gondwana began to break up and the continents moved away from each other, the ancestral ratites became isolated and evolved into separate species. The ancestors of the emu evolved in Australia, while the ancestors of the ostrich evolved in Africa.
Today, the emu is found only in Australia and is the largest bird in that country, while the ostrich is native to Africa and is the largest bird in the world. The two species are closely related and are the largest extant members of the ratite family, but they have evolved markedly different bodies and behaviors adapted to specific environments.
summarize
Here are the key differences between emus and ostriches
| rank | the difference |
|---|---|
| 1 | size |
| 2 | life |
| 3 | geography |
| 4 | span |
| 5 | number of toes |
| 6 | egg size |
| 7 | diet |
| 8 | speed |
| 9 | color |
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
