Head to head
Emu vs Ostrich
The ostrich of Africa and the emu of Australia are the two largest living birds, both flightless ratites built for running across open country. The ostrich is the taller, heavier, faster of the two; the emu is leaner and more of a wandering generalist.
| Emu | Ostrich | |
|---|---|---|
| Native to | Australia | Africa |
| Height | 1.5–1.9 m | 2.1–2.8 m (male) |
| Weight | 30–55 kg | 63–145 kg |
| Top speed | ~48 km/h | ~70 km/h — the fastest bird on land |
| Toes per foot | Three | Two (the only two-toed bird) |
| Egg | Dark green, ~450–650 g | Cream, ~1.4 kg — the largest egg of any living bird |
| Who incubates | The male, alone, for ~8 weeks | Male at night, dominant female by day |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Emu vs Ostrich: common questions
Which is bigger, an emu or an ostrich?
The ostrich, clearly. A male ostrich stands over 2.5 m tall and can weigh more than 100 kg, while an emu tops out around 1.9 m and 55 kg. The ostrich is the largest and heaviest living bird; the emu is second.
Can an emu or ostrich hurt a person?
Both can. Each kicks forward and down with powerful legs, and the ostrich has a large claw on its main toe that can cause deep wounds; ostrich kicks have killed people. Emus are less dangerous but can still knock someone down and scratch badly. Neither is aggressive without provocation.
Are emus and ostriches related?
Distantly. Both are ratites — the flightless group that also includes the cassowary, rhea, kiwi, and the extinct moa and elephant birds — but the emu's closest relative is the cassowary, and the ostrich sits on its own early-branching line. Their similarity is mostly the result of a shared running, flightless lifestyle.