Few birds in this world can run not only they can run but also they run very fast. You will surely be amazed to see or read about these birds for sure.
Birds are known for their ability to fly, but some species are also surprisingly fast runners. These birds have evolved to run quickly to escape predators, catch prey, or travel long distances.
Do you know which birds are the fastest runners? In this blog post, we’ll look at the fastest birds in the world.
Read More: Discover 16 Flightless Birds in 2023
Why do Birds Run Fast?
Birds run fast for a few main reasons:
- Escape: Birds need to run fast to get away from animals that want to catch them as prey.
- Catching prey: Certain birds, like the roadrunner, rely on their speed to catch their food.
- Migration: Some birds, like the ostrich, need to run long distances to reach their winter homes.
- Territory defense: Birds like the secretary bird use their speed to protect their territory from other birds.
Birds that run fast have specific features that help them. They have long legs, strong muscles, and light bones, which make them quick and efficient runners. They also have a good sense of balance to stay upright when running fast.
Birds That Run Fast
Birds That Run Fast: Discover the top 12 fastest-running birds in the world, including ostriches, emus, rheas, lesser roadrunners, and greater roadrunners.
Learn about their physical adaptations for running, their hunting and escape strategies, and their distribution.
- Common Ostrich (43 mph)
- Emu (30 mph)
- Rhea (25 mph)
- Roadrunners (20 mph)
- Lesser Roadrunner (20 mph)
- Greater Roadrunner (18 mph)
- Takahe (16 mph)
- Guam Rail (15 mph)
- Gambel’s Quail (14 mph)
- Weka (13 mph)
- Southern Cassowary (12 mph)
- Chicken (10 mph)
- Tinamou (8 mph)
We’ll talk about how they run, hunt, and where they live. Whether you’re a bird lover or just curious, keep reading to learn about these amazing creatures!
1. Common Ostrich (43 mph)
The Common Ostrich is a very big bird from Africa. It can’t fly. Ostriches have long necks and legs. Males are about 8 to 9 feet tall and weigh up to 300 pounds.
Females are a bit smaller. They live in open areas like grasslands and deserts. Ostriches have brown or grey feathers with black and white on their wings and tail.
They can run super fast, up to 40 miles per hour. Ostriches eat plants, seeds, insects, and small animals. During mating season, males do special displays to attract females.
Females lay eggs in a big nest, and both parents take turns keeping the eggs warm.
After around 40 to 45 days, the eggs hatch. The Common Ostrich is not in danger and is doing fine.
2. Emu (30 mph)
The Emu is a fast-running bird that lives in Australia. It can run as fast as 30 miles per hour. Emus have long legs, a long neck, and shaggy, greyish-brown feathers.
They live in different places across Australia, like forests and grasslands. Emus are social birds and live in groups called “mobs.”
They especially eat plants, fruits, insects, and small animals. Male emus make deep booming sounds to attract females during mating season.
Females lay big eggs, and the male takes care of them. Emus are not in danger and are doing well.
3. Rhea (25 mph)
The Rhea is a fast-running bird found in South America. It can run up to 25 miles per hour. Rheas have long legs, a long neck, and greyish-brown feathers.
They live in places like grasslands and forests. Rheas are social birds and live in groups called “herds.” They eat plants, fruits, insects, and small animals.
Male rheas do fancy displays to impress females during mating season. Females lay big eggs, and the male takes care of them. Rheas are doing well and are not in danger.
4. Roadrunners (20 mph)
The Roadrunners are fast-running birds especially found in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
The roadrunner birds can run up to 20 miles per hour (32 km/H). They live in desert regions, arid, open habitats with brushy vegetation.
They approach a unique hunting strategy. They are good hunters and hunt insects, small reptiles, rodents, and even small birds.
They are known for their ability to chase down prey on foot. They use their strong legs to catch their prey. They can also fly short distances.
They are also known for their distinctive appearance and behavior. They have long legs, a crest on their head, and a long tail.
They are highly territorial birds and they will defend their territory very strongly. They are also known for their characteristic “roadrunner” call, which sounds like a series of cooing and clattering notes.
Roadrunners are omnivorous. That’s why they eat both animal and plant matter. They feed on insects, lizards, snakes, small mammals, fruits, and seeds.
5. Lesser Roadrunner (20 mph)
The Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox) is a big bird with long legs, belonging to the cuckoo family. It can be found in Mesoamerica.
It’s smaller than the Greater Roadrunner and has a less streaked throat and chest. The Lesser Roadrunner also has a shorter bill.
These birds live in dry, open places like deserts, scrublands, and grasslands. They are active during the day and eat insects, lizards, snakes, small mammals, and eggs.
Lesser Roadrunners are excellent runners. They can reach speeds up to 20 mph. They are also good jumpers, leaping up to 3 feet in the air.
Lesser Roadrunners prefer to be alone, except during mating season, which happens from March to June.
Females lay 2-6 eggs, which hatch after about 18 days. The young birds leave the nest after around 3 weeks.
The Lesser Roadrunner is not currently considered threatened or endangered. It has a status of Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.
6. Greater Roadrunner (18 mph)
The Greater Roadrunner is a big bird with long legs. Here are some easy facts about them:
They have a long tail, shaggy crest, and mottled brown and black feathers. Their belly is streaked, and they have bare skin patches by their eyes.
They live in hot and dry places like deserts, open woodlands, and grasslands.
Greater Roadrunners eat insects, lizards, snakes, small animals, and even dead animals. They can catch venomous snakes!
They’re active during the day and can run fast, up to 20 miles per hour (32 kilometers per hour). They guard their space against other birds.
Breeding time is from March to August. Males impress females with food and displays. Females lay 2-8 eggs in a nest made of sticks and grass.
Both parents take turns keeping the eggs warm. Babies hatch after about 20 days.
The Greater Roadrunner is not in danger and is classified as Least Concern.
The Greater Roadrunner is a famous bird in the southwestern United States. They’re known for their unique looks, fast running, hunting skills, and ability to live in dry places.
7. Takahe (16 mph)
The Takahe is a bird that lives in New Zealand. It can run at speeds of up to 16 miles per hour.
Takahe has a stout body with bright blue or green feathers, a red beak, and long legs.
They live in alpine grasslands and wetlands. Takahe eats grass, leaves, and sometimes insects.
They are shy and good at running in tough places. The Takahe was almost extinct but was rediscovered.
It is now critically endangered, and people are working to protect them.
8. Guam Rail (15 mph)
The Guam Rail, also known as the Ko’ko‘, is a bird from Guam. It can run at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour.
Guam Rails have dark brown feathers, short wings, and a curved beak. They live in forests and grasslands.
They eat insects, spiders, snails, and plants. Guam Rails are in danger of disappearing.
The introduction of the brown tree snake and habitat loss caused their numbers to drop. People are working to protect and bring them back.
9. Gambel’s Quail (14 mph)
The Gambel’s Quail is a bird found in the southwestern United States. It can run at speeds of up to 14 miles per hour.
Gambel’s Quail have plump bodies and a curving crest on their heads. Males have a black face and chestnut cap, while females are grey-brown.
They live in dry areas like deserts and grasslands. Gambel’s Quail eats seeds, fruits, plants, and insects. They usually move around in small groups.
When they’re scared, they run instead of flying. During the breeding season, males do special displays to impress females.
Nests are on the ground, and both parents take care of the eggs and chicks.
10. Weka (13 mph)
The Weka is a bird that can’t fly and lives in New Zealand. It can run at speeds of up to 13 miles per hour. Wekas have a stocky body, short wings, and brown feathers.
They live in forests, grasslands, and coastal areas. Wekas eat insects, worms, small animals, berries, seeds, and sometimes human food.
They are active during the day and are curious birds. Some types of Weka are in danger because of losing their homes and predators. People are working to protect them.
11. Southern Cassowary (12 mph)
The Southern Cassowary is a big bird that can’t fly. It can run at speeds of up to 12 miles per hour. Southern Cassowaries live in the rainforests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia.
They have a colorful casque on their head and bright blue or purple necks. Cassowaries mostly stay alone and are shy.
They eat fruits, insects, and small animals. Southern Cassowaries are in danger because of losing their homes and hunting. People are trying to protect them and their habitats.
12. Chicken (10 mph)
Chickens are birds that we raise on farms. They can run at speeds of up to 10 miles per hour. Chickens live in coops or on poultry farms.
They have feathers, wings, a beak, and two legs. Chickens like to be together in groups.
They scratch the ground to find food and clean their feathers by rolling in the dust. Chickens eat grains, seeds, insects, worms, and plants.
Hens lay eggs, and if the eggs are kept warm, they can hatch into baby chicks.
Roosters are the male chickens that help make the eggs fertile. Chickens are important for the eggs and meat that people eat.
13. Tinamou (8 mph)
The Tinamou is a bird that lives in Central and South America. It can run at speeds of up to 8 miles per hour.
Tinamous have a round body, short wings, and a small head. They come in different colors like brown or gray.
Tinamous live on the ground and hide when they’re scared. They eat fruits, seeds, leaves, insects, and small bugs.
Tinamouss make nests on the ground and both parents take care of the eggs and chicks. They are important birds in their habitats.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Birds that run fast are amazing creatures. They use their speed for many reasons, like escaping predators or catching prey. The fastest-running birds are ratites like ostriches, emus, and rheas. They have long legs and strong muscles. Other fast runners include roadrunners and tinamous. When you see a bird running, remember how impressive they are and how well they’ve adapted to their environment.
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