Instructions
Visit the bird in its natural environment. If you encounter a flightless, speedy bird in Africa, chances are it is an ostrich. If you see a similar animal in Australia, you have probably spotted an emu.
Look at the bird's toes. If you see three toes, it is an emu. The presence of two toes indicates an ostrich. In fact, the ostrich is the only bird that has two toes.
Measure the bird's height. If the bird grows up to 8 feet tall, it is an ostrich. If it peaks at around 6 feet tall, it is an emu. An adult emu can only achieve about 75 percent of a fully-grown ostrich's height.
Race the birds against each other. The ostrich would probably win, given that it can reach a top speed of 40 mph compared to the emu's personal best of 30 mph.
Examine the bird's feathers. If the bird has soft, fluffy feathers that are jet-black or white on the wings and tail, the animal is an ostrich (and most likely a male). If the animal has coarse dark-brown feathers and a somewhat bald head, then it is an emu.
Check the menu at a restaurant. If a flightless bird is the special of the day, it is most likely an ostrich.
How to Tell an Ostrich From an Emu
Many people think that the words "ostrich" and "emu" are interchangeable to describe the same bird, but in fact, ostriches and emus are two different animals. Although both can run very fast and lack the ability to fly, there are several differences that will allow you to easily tell an ostrich from an emu.