The emu and the ostrich are among the biggest flightless birds in our ecosystem. These tall, long-necked, feathered creatures are bound to the ground because of their anatomy which prohibits flight. But what they lack in flying, they make up for with running speed. While these animals might seem quite similar, they’re actually completely different.
What are Emus?
The second largest bird species in the world is the emu. These flightless birds are native to Australia, and are distinguished by their dark brown feathers. When in normal conditions, male and female emus are hard to tell apart, but when mating season begins, the female emus start to grow black feathers on their heads. The patch of bare skin on their faces also turns blue during this period. Emus pair up after breeding, and the male stays with the female for up to five months until the eggs are laid.
Once the female lays her eggs, the male takes over to care for them and incubates them by sitting on them and turning them over. This lasts for 56 days, during which the males do not leave the nest, neither do they eat or drink. During the first few months of life, the chicks stay with the father and can stay in the same vicinity of the father up to two years after they’ve hatched.
The emu has a strong set of legs with three toes, which are powerful enough to propel the bird at 30 miles per hour. These days, there are lots of facilities that farm emus for their fat, leather, and meat. Their fat is turned into emu oil which is said to be effective for increasing hair growth.
What are Ostriches?
Ostriches are the largest bird species in the animal kingdom, and are native to Africa. These birds have powerful legs with two toes, and can run at maximum speeds of 40 miles per hour. A kick from an ostrich is enough to kill a grown human being. Male ostriches have characteristic black and white feathers, with the black covering most of the upper half of the creature, and the white rimming around the bottom closer to the legs. Female ostriches on the other hand have grey brown feathers.
During mating season, ostrich males take six to seven female ostriches that lay their eggs in the same nest. The members of the nest take turns with incubation, but ultimately, it is the father’s task to teach the hatchlings how to feed.
Ostriches are farmed just like emus, but mostly for their feathers which are commonly used for decorative purposes and for clothing, as these can be very soft.
