Examples of birds that look like ostriches include the American rhea, Andean condor, California condor, darwin’s rhea, and dwarf cassowary.
The ostrich is a large bird that is native to Africa. Though it is often considered to be a member of the bird family, it is actually closely related to the flightless bird family that includes the emu and the rhea.
Ostriches are the largest birds in the world, and they are also the fastest runners on two legs. They are easily recognizable thanks to their long necks and legs, as well as their distinctive plumes.
Ostriches are also notable for their eggs, which are the largest of any bird species. Ostriches are not the only birds that share these physical characteristics. There are several other bird species that look remarkably similar to ostriches, including the kiwi, the rhea, and the emu.
Though they may not be as large as ostriches, these birds share many of the same features, making them easily mistaken for their African cousins.
Examples of Birds that Look Like Ostriches
1. American Rhea
| Scientific Name | Rhea americana |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay |
The American rhea is a large bird that is native to South America. It is closely related to the ostrich and shares many of the same physical characteristics, including its long neck and legs.
The American rhea is also notable for its eggs, which are the largest of any bird species. Like ostriches, rheas are fast runners and are capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.
Rheas are not considered to be endangered, but their numbers have been declining in recent years due to hunting and habitat loss.
Related Article: 25 Birds that Fly at Night
2. Andean Condor
| Scientific Name | Vultur gryphus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | much of the Andes Mountain range along the Pacific coast region of western South America |
The Andean condor is a South American bird that is closely related to the North American turkey. Though it is not as large as the ostrich, it is still a very impressive bird, with a wingspan that can reach up to 10 feet.
The Andean condor is mostly black, with white plumage on its head and neck. It has a bare, wrinkled head, and its neck is covered in black feathers. The Andean condor is found in the Andes mountains, where it nests on cliffs and rocky outcroppings.
Related Article: 30 Birds that Hover
3. California Condor
| Scientific Name | Gymnogyps californianus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | southern California north of the Los Angeles basin |
The largest land bird in North America, the California condor is a massive bird with a wingspan of up to 9.5 feet. These birds are black with white patches on their undersides, and they have a distinctive bald head.
California condors are scavengers, and they primarily feed on carrion. These birds are found in mountainous regions of the western United States, and they nest in cliffs.
4. Darwin’s Rhea
| Scientific Name | Rhea pennata |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Altiplano and Patagonia in South America |
The Darwin’s rhea is a South American bird that is closely related to the ostrich. It is the largest bird in South America, and it is named after Charles Darwin, who was the first to describe the species.
The Darwin’s rhea is a brown and white bird with a long neck and legs. It can grow up to six feet tall and weigh up to 150 pounds.
Like the ostrich, the Darwin’s rhea is a fast runner and can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.
5. Dwarf Cassowary
| Scientific Name | Casuarius bennetti |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | higher elevations of New Guinea and can also be found on the island of New Britain |
The Dwarf Cassowary is a small version of the cassowary, another bird that is often mistaken for an ostrich. Found in Indonesia, the Dwarf Cassowary is about the size of a turkey.
Related Article: 20 Birds that Look Like Turkeys
6. Emus
| Scientific Name | Dromaius novaehollandiae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Emus live only in Australia, where they are widespread |
The emu is a large, flightless bird that is native to Australia. Like the ostrich, the emu is a member of the bird family.
Emus are similar to ostriches in several ways, including their long necks and legs, as well as their lack of wings. These similarities likely evolved independently, as emus and ostriches are not closely related.
Emus are the second-largest bird species in the world, behind only the ostrich. They are also good runners and can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour (48 kilometers per hour).
7. Great Spotted Kiwi
| Scientific Name | Apteryx haastii |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | northwest Nelson, the Paparoa Range, and near Arthur’s Pass |
The great spotted kiwi is a bird that is native to New Zealand. It is the largest of the five kiwi species and is also the most common. The great spotted kiwi is easily recognizable thanks to its long bill and furry plumage.
Despite their name, great spotted kiwis are actually quite small birds. They weigh between 3 and 5 pounds and measure between 20 and 25 inches in length.
8. Greater Flamingo
| Scientific Name | Phoenicopterus roseus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | northwest India, the Middle East, the western Mediterranean, and Africa |
The greater flamingo is a large bird that is native to Africa. Though it is often considered to be a member of the bird family, it is actually closely related to the family that includes the lesser flamingo and the Chilean flamingo.
9. Hardy Kiwi
| Scientific Name | Actinidia arguta |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Japan, Korea, Northern China and Russian Siberia |
The hardy kiwi is a small bird that is native to New Zealand. It is closely related to the kiwi, and it shares many of the same physical characteristics.
The hardy kiwi is easily recognizable thanks to its long neck and legs, as well as its distinctive plume
10. Kori Bustard
| Scientific Name | Ardeotis kori |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | throughout southern Africa, except in densely wooded areas |
The kori bustard is the largest flying bird in the world. It is native to Africa and can be found in open grasslands and woodlands. The kori bustard is a heavy bird with a wingspan of up to 2.5 m (8 ft).
It has a long neck and legs, and its body is covered in feathers that are brown and white in color. The kori bustard is a carnivore and feeds on insects, rodents, and reptiles.
11. Little Spotted Kiwi
| Scientific Name | Apteryx owenii |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | New Zealand |
The little spotted kiwi is a small, flightless bird that is native to New Zealand. Like the ostrich, it has a long neck and legs, and it also lacks wings.
Kiwis are nocturnal birds, meaning that they are most active at night. During the day, they sleep in burrows or nests.
12. Marabou Stork
| Scientific Name | Leptoptilos crumenifer |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Sub-Saharan Africa |
The Marabou Stork is a large bird that is found in Africa. It shares many physical characteristics with the ostrich, including its long neck and legs and its distinctive plume.
13. North Island Brown Kiwi
| Scientific Name | Apteryx mantelli |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | the northern two-thirds of the North Island of New Zealand |
The North Island brown kiwi is a small bird that is native to New Zealand. Though it is not as large as the ostrich, it shares many of the same physical characteristics, including its long neck and legs.
The North Island brown kiwi is also notable for its plumage, which is brown and white. Like the ostrich, the North Island brown kiwi is a proficient runner, and it is also known for its sharp claws, which it uses to defend itself from predators.
14. Northern Cassowary
| Scientific Name | Casuarius unappendiculatus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | coastal swamp and lowland rainforests of northern New Guinea and the islands of Yapen, Batanta and Salawati |
The northern cassowary (Casuarius unappendiculatus) is a member of the bird family that includes the emu and the ostrich. The northern cassowary is native to Australia and New Guinea.
The northern cassowary is the third largest bird in the world, behind the ostrich and the emu. It is also the heaviest member of the bird family, weighing up to 176 pounds (80 kilograms).
The northern cassowary is a shy and reclusive bird that is most often found in dense rainforests. It is a flightless bird, and it uses its powerful legs to run away from predators
15. Okarito Kiwi
| Scientific Name | Apteryx rowi |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Okarito forest on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island |
The Okarito kiwi is a flightless bird that is native to New Zealand. It is the smallest of all kiwi species, and it is also the only kiwi that is not nocturnal.
The Okarito kiwi has a long beak that it uses to probe in the ground for insects and other small animals. It also has long, powerful legs that it uses for running and walking.
The Okarito kiwi is brown and white in color, with a distinctive pattern of brown spots on its white feathers.
16. Penguin
| Scientific Name | Spheniscidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Antarctic coasts and sub-Antarctic islands |
Penguins are a type of bird that is native to the Southern Hemisphere. There are 17 different species of penguin, and they can be found in countries like Argentina, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand.
Penguins are flightless birds like the ostrich, meaning that they cannot fly. Instead, they use their wings to swim through the water. Penguins are also notable for their black and white feathers, which help to camouflage them from predators.
Penguins typically live in cold climates, and they often hunt for fish in the ocean. However, some species of penguin, like the Galapagos penguin, can be found in warm climates as well.
17. Southern Brown Kiwi
| Scientific Name | Apteryx australis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | South Island and Stewart Island |
The southern brown kiwi is a small bird that is native to New Zealand. Though it is not as large as the ostrich, it shares many of the same physical characteristics, including a long neck and legs.
The kiwi also has a distinctive plume, though it is much shorter than the ostrich’s.
18. Southern Cassowary
| Scientific Name | Casuarius casuarius |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | the tropical rainforests of north-east Queensland, Papua New Guinea and some surrounding islands |
The Southern Cassowary is a large bird that is found in the tropical forests of Australia and New Guinea. Like the ostrich, it is a member of the flightless bird family, and it shares many physical similarities with its African cousin.
The Southern Cassowary is a heavily built bird, with a thick body and short legs. It is covered in thick, dark feathers, and it has a long, curved bill. The Southern Cassowary also has a crest of feathers on its head, which is used to attract mates.
19. Trumpeter Swan
| Scientific Name | Cygnus buccinator |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | wetlands in remote Alaska, Canada, and the northwestern U.S., and winter on ice-free coastal and inland waters |
The trumpeter swan is a large bird that is native to North America. Though it is often considered to be a member of the waterfowl family, it is actually closely related to the goose family.
Trumpeter swans are one of the largest birds in the world, and they are also one of the heaviest flying birds in the world. They are easily recognizable thanks to their long necks and legs, as well as their distinctive white plumage.
Conclusion
The emu, dwarf cassowary, kiwi, Darwin’s rhea, and Andean condor are all birds that are often mistaken for ostriches. Though they share some similarities with ostriches, these birds are all unique in their own ways. Whether it’s their size, diet, or habitat, each of these birds has something that sets them apart from the ostrich.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.