running bird crossword clue 6 letters – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! If you're stuck on the clue "running bird crossword clue 6 letters," you've come to the right place. We provide quick, accurate solutions and helpful context to get you through your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "running bird crossword clue 6 letters" by Letter Count
3 Letters
EMU: A large, flightless, fast-running bird native to Australia, known for its powerful legs and brown plumage.
More About "running bird crossword clue 6 letters"
The clue "running bird" often points to one of the well-known flightless birds. For a 6-letter answer, EMU is by far the most common and widely accepted solution in crossword puzzles. Emus are the second-largest living birds by height, after their cousin, the ostrich, and are endemic to Australia.
These fascinating creatures are perfectly adapted for a life on the ground, boasting strong, long legs that allow them to reach speeds of up to 50 km/h (31 mph). Their impressive running ability makes them a perfect fit for this crossword clue, highlighting a key characteristic that sets them apart from most other avian species.
Understanding such common associations between a characteristic (running) and a specific animal (emu) is a fundamental part of mastering crosswords. Puzzle constructors frequently rely on these distinctive traits to create clever and solvable clues.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Think Flightless Birds: When you see clues about "running bird" or "flightless bird," immediately consider the group of ratites like emus, ostriches, rheas, and cassowaries. Their unique adaptations make them popular crossword subjects.
- Count Your Letters Carefully: Always double-check the required letter count. A "running bird" could be EMU (6 letters), OSTRICH (7 letters), or RHEA (4 letters) depending on the puzzle's constraints.
- Consider Geographic Clues: Sometimes the clue will include a geographic hint (e.g., "Australian running bird"). This directly narrows down your options, often pointing straight to the EMU.
- Use Cross-References: If you're stuck on a particular clue, try solving intersecting clues first. The letters filled in from other answers can provide crucial hints for the trickier ones.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common 6-letter running bird in crosswords?
The most frequent 6-letter answer for a 'running bird' clue is EMU. These flightless birds from Australia are well-known for their speed on land, making them a popular choice for puzzle constructors.
Are there other running birds that appear in crosswords?
While EMU is a very common answer for 6 letters, other running birds like OSTRICH (7 letters), RHEA (4 letters), or CASSOWARY (9 letters) might appear for different clue lengths. Always check the number of letters required by the puzzle.
Why are some birds flightless but excellent runners?
Flightless birds like emus, ostriches, and rheas have evolved to use their powerful leg muscles for high-speed running as their primary means of escape from predators and for covering large distances in their habitats, rather than developing flight capabilities.