How Fast Can An Emu Run? - Australia Travel Questions

At maximum sprinting pace, an emu’s running speed can reach 50km/h. This makes emus the second only to ostriches in bird running speed.

Most people’s first encounter with an emu is mildly terrifying. Australia’s largest bird is disturbingly big – an adult male emu can be as tall as an adult male human. It is also undeniably ugly, with a big beak that it is not shy about using.

Emus are also remarkably brazen. Go for a picnic near one, and chances are it will makes a sneaky grab for some of your food. In areas where emus are common, such as the Tower Hill Reserve in Koroit, Victoria, or the Coffin Bay National Park on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, they really aren’t afraid of humans.

Emu running speed

The other scary thing about emus is that they can move fast. Really, really fast. Once it gets going, you don’t want to get in the way of an emu on the charge. But how fast can an emu run?

Understandably, there aren’t teams of scientists studying this question under laboratory conditions, but the general consensus is that an emu can run at 50km/h.

This emu running speed doesn’t apply to all emus. It is also the maximum emu running speed, conducted as a sprint. An emu can’t run at 50km/h for long, but that’s not going to offer much succour if one is chasing you.

Second fastest bird in the world

This makes the emu the second fastest bird in the world. Over land, anyway. The emu’s running speed is second only to that of the ostrich. An ostrich can run at a fearsome 70km/h.

Of course, emus usually aren’t running at all. They’re generally found ambling around in grazing mode. They’re rarely as fearsome as they look. Just don’t try to take one on in a foot race.

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