Emu vs. Kiwi — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 27, 2024
Emus are large, flightless birds native to Australia, known for their size and speed; kiwis are small, nocturnal birds unique to New Zealand, famous for their long beaks and lack of wings.
Difference Between Emu and Kiwi
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Emus are the second-largest living birds by height, found primarily in Australia, characterized by their tall stature and ability to run at high speeds. Whereas kiwis are significantly smaller, nocturnal birds native to New Zealand, notable for their small size, long beaks, and ground-dwelling habits.
While emus possess a soft, brown plumage and can reach up to 6 feet in height, making them highly visible in their open grassland habitats, kiwis have a unique shaggy brown coat, with species varying in size but generally not much larger than a domestic chicken. This difference in size and plumage reflects their adapted survival strategies in distinct ecosystems.
Emus are unable to fly, with small vestigial wings hidden beneath their feathers, relying on their strong legs to run at speeds of up to 30 mph to escape predators. On the other hand, kiwis are also flightless but lack even the semblance of wings, with their legs adapted more for digging and foraging in the forest floor under the cover of night.
The social behavior of emus includes forming large flocks, especially during breeding seasons or when searching for food, which contrasts sharply with the solitary nature of kiwis, who are mostly active at night and maintain territory with their mates.
The diet of emus consists mainly of a variety of plants and insects, showcasing their adaptability to different food sources in the Australian landscape. Kiwis, however, have a more specialized diet, primarily feeding on worms, insects, and berries found in their forest habitats, using their long beaks to probe the soil.
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Comparison Chart
Size
Up to 6 feet tall
About the size of a domestic chicken
Habitat
Open grasslands across Australia
Forests of New Zealand
Nocturnal
No, mainly active during the day
Yes, primarily nocturnal
Social Behavior
Forms large flocks
Solitary or lives in pairs
Diet
Plants, insects, and grains
Worms, insects, berries, and small invertebrates
Speed
Can run up to 30 mph
Not known for speed, more for stealth
Flight Capability
Flightless with small vestigial wings
Flightless, lacks even vestigial wings
Beak
Short and pointed
Long and curved, adapted for probing soil
Compare with Definitions
Emu
Lacks the ability to fly, using its strong legs for running.
Despite its size, the emu can quickly evade threats by running.
Kiwi
A small, nocturnal bird unique to New Zealand, known for its long beak.
The kiwi foraged in the night, using its beak to unearth insects.
Emu
Possesses a distinctive brown plumage and can reach up to 6 feet in height.
The towering emu stood tall, surveying its surroundings with curiosity.
Kiwi
Covered in shaggy brown feathers that blend into the forest floor.
The kiwi's camouflaged feathers make it nearly invisible in the dim light of dusk.
Emu
Emus are omnivorous, feeding on plants and insects.
The emu pecked at the ground, foraging for seeds and bugs.
Kiwi
Flightless and lacks visible wings, adapted for ground living.
The kiwi, a symbol of New Zealand, is perfectly adapted to its forest floor home.
Emu
Generally found in open grasslands and forests.
Emus thrive in Australia's diverse habitats, from arid regions to lush forests.
Kiwi
Lives mostly solitarily or in pairs, maintaining territory.
A pair of kiwis called softly to each other in the dense underbrush.
Emu
A large, flightless bird native to Australia, known for its speed.
The emu sprinted across the plain, easily outpacing the observers.
Kiwi
Feeds primarily on worms, insects, and berries.
At night, the kiwi's beak is a vital tool for finding food beneath the soil.
Emu
The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the second-largest living bird by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich. It is endemic to Australia where it is the largest native bird and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius.
Kiwi
Any of several flightless birds of the genus Apteryx native to New Zealand, having vestigial wings and a long slender bill. Also called apteryx.
Emu
A large, flightless Australian bird (Dromaius novaehollandiae) that has shaggy brown plumage and is raised for its meat, oil, and leather.
Kiwi
(Informal) A New Zealander.
Emu
(obsolete) A cassowary (genus Casuarius).
Kiwi
A kiwifruit.
Emu
A large flightless bird native to Australia, Dromaius novaehollandiae.
Kiwi
A flightless bird of the genus Apteryx native to New Zealand.
Emu
(physics) electromagnetic unit
Kiwi
Alternative case form of Kiwi.
Emu
Clipping of emulator
Kiwi
(informal) A New Zealand dollar.
Emu
A large Australian bird, of two species (Dromaius Novæ-Hollandiæ and D. irroratus), related to the cassowary and the ostrich. The emu runs swiftly, but is unable to fly.
Kiwi
A kiwi fruit.
Emu
Any of various systems of units for measuring electricity and magnetism
Kiwi
A green-yellow colour, like that of kiwi fruit flesh (also called kiwi green).
Emu
Large Australian flightless bird similar to the ostrich but smaller
Kiwi
A member of the air force who does not fly.
Kiwi
Climbing vine native to China; cultivated in New Zealand for its fuzzy edible fruit with green meat
Kiwi
A native or inhabitant of New Zealand
Kiwi
Fuzzy brown egg-shaped fruit with slightly tart green flesh
Kiwi
Nocturnal flightless bird of New Zealand having a long neck and stout legs; only surviving representative of the order Apterygiformes
Common Curiosities
How do emus defend themselves?
Emus use their speed and strong legs to escape predators.
Can emus swim?
Yes, emus are capable swimmers when needed, using their large legs to propel themselves.
Are kiwis endangered?
Yes, several species of kiwi are considered at risk due to habitat loss, predators, and human activities.
How do kiwis find their food?
Kiwis use their sensitive beaks to detect and extract insects and worms from the soil.
Why are kiwis nocturnal?
Kiwis are nocturnal to avoid predators and to exploit their niche of hunting for food at night.
What makes emus and kiwis similar?
Both are flightless birds adapted to their specific environments.
What is the lifespan of an emu?
Emus can live up to 10-20 years in the wild.
How do emus and kiwis reproduce?
Emus lay large green eggs, which are incubated by the male, while kiwis lay one of the largest egg-to-body size ratios of any bird, also incubated by the male.
Why are kiwi birds important to New Zealand?
The kiwi is a national symbol of New Zealand, representing the unique wildlife of the country.
Can kiwis fly at all?
No, kiwis are completely flightless, with minimal wing structure.
Are there any efforts to conserve kiwis?
Yes, there are several conservation efforts in New Zealand focused on protecting kiwi habitats and controlling predators.
What do kiwis use their long beaks for?
Kiwis use their long beaks to probe the soil for insects and worms.
What's the biggest threat to kiwis in New Zealand?
Introduced predators like stoats, dogs, and cats are significant threats to kiwi populations.
How fast can emus run?
Emus can reach speeds up to 30 mph to evade predators.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
