Overview
The emu is the second-largest living bird by height, second only to its ratite relative, the ostrich. It is endemic to Australia, where it is the largest native bird and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. The soft-feathered, brown, flightless birds reach up to 2 meters in height and have long, thin necks and legs. Emus can travel great distances at a fast, economical trot and, if necessary, can sprint at high speeds. They are opportunistically nomadic and may travel long distances to find food, often hatching and raising their young in different regions year by year based on food and weather conditions.
The emu’s range covers most of mainland Australia but avoids heavily populated areas, dense forests, and arid areas. The bird is sufficiently common to be rated a least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Emus are soft-feathered birds with iridescent blue skin on their necks and heads. They have long, powerful legs and large feet equipped with three sharp claws. They have small, underdeveloped wings, large eyes, and a pointed beak.
Emus forage in a daily pattern and eat a variety of native and introduced plant species. Their diet depends on seasonal availability, with a preference for fruits, seeds, growing shoots, insects, other small animals, and animal droppings. They are known to go for weeks without eating and drinking, but they drink when the opportunity arises. They can also survive on a diet of plant matter, but they usually prefer a varied diet. The emu is an important cultural icon of Australia, appearing on the coat of arms and various coins.
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Physical Description:
Emus have a distinctive appearance: tall, slender form and long, strong legs. They have a thick, double layer of fuzzy, straw-colored to brown feathers that hang loosely to insulate the bird from the sun’s heat. Underneath these feathers, the skin is blue and quite rubbery. Their wings are small, spanning around 7 inches (20 cm), and have a small claw at the tip. The neck is long and nearly bare of feathers, with the skin appearing blue to pale grey.
Their powerful legs are designed for endurance and speed and can attain speeds of up to 30 mph (50 km/h). The feet have three forward-facing toes and no hind toe. Each toe is fitted with a long, sharp claw. Emus have good eyesight and hearing, allowing them to detect nearby predators. Their long neck and legs and ability to run at high speeds are adaptations to life in the open Australian landscapes, helping them forage for food and escape from threats.
Lifespan: Wild: ~20 Years || Captivity: ~35 Years
Weight: Male: 110-121 lbs (50-55 kg) || Female: 90-100 lbs (40-45 kg)
Length: Male: 4.5-5.5 ft (1.4-1.7 m) || Female: 4.2-5.4 ft (1.3-1.6 m)
Height: Male: 5.2-6.2 ft (1.6-1.9 m) || Female: 4.9-6.0 ft (1.5-1.8 m)
Wingspan: Male & Female: 7 inches (20 cm)
Top Speed: 30 mph (48 km/h)
Characteristic:
Native Habitat:
Emus are native to Australia and are well-adapted to the country’s diverse ecosystems. They can be found in various habitats across the continent, including forests, woodlands, and grasslands. They tend to avoid dense forests and deserts, preferring open habitats where they can run easily. Emus are highly adaptable. They can exist in areas with extreme conditions, including high and low temperatures and areas with varied rainfall.
Emus are nomadic animals, moving around to find food and water. During the winter months, they often move to greener pastures. During periods of drought, they congregate around water sources. They are found in the highest numbers in savanna woodlands and sclerophyll forests, particularly those with a substantial grassy understorey or along coastal fringes.
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Diet & Feeding Habits:
Emus are predominantly plant-eaters, although they will also eat insects, small rodents, and other creatures if available. They can often be seen picking grasses, fruits, seeds, insects, and other small creatures. Emus are also known to eat stones, glass shards, and bits of metal to grind food in the digestive system and aid digestion.
Their feeding habits change with the season, and they travel long distances for food. They typically spend their days foraging and nights resting, huddling together for warmth and safety. In the wild, they are known to feed on various plants, including Acacia, Casuarina, and grass seeds, and this diet is supplemented with insects and other small animals. When food is scarce in the summer, they eat whatever is available, often resorting to plant matter.
Mating Behavior:
Mating Description:
The emu’s breeding season starts in May and ends in June. The males court the females by inflating a neck pouch and emitting a low drumming sound, followed by a grunting sound, which is unique to each individual. After mating, the female lays her large, thick-shelled, dark-green eggs in a shallow nest. The nest is usually a depression in the ground, lined with soft plant material.
The responsibility of incubation falls on the male, who sits on the eggs for an incubation period of about eight weeks. During this time, the male does not eat, drink, or defecate and stands only to turn the eggs, which he does about ten times daily. Once the chicks hatch, they remain with the male for about five to seven months, during which time he protects them and teaches them how to find food.
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Social Structure Description:
Emus are social birds and are often seen in pairs or family groups. However, they can form large gatherings when food and water are abundant. Despite their sociability, they do not form long-term pair bonds, with females moving on to find new mates after laying their eggs. Emus have a dominance hierarchy, with larger and older individuals typically being more dominant.
Emus are generally non-aggressive but can become territorial during the breeding season. Males, in particular, may become aggressive when caring for their eggs and young chicks. Outside the breeding season, emus will roam widely for food and water, and they can cover long distances in their nomadic travels.
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Population Trend:
Emus are widely distributed across Australia, with an estimated population size of 625,000 and 725,000 individuals. The population is considered stable, with no significant trends suggesting an increase or decrease. While emus are widespread, their densities vary greatly, from less than one emu per square kilometer in less suitable habitats to more than five emus per square kilometer in more ideal conditions.
Emus can adjust their behavior and diet to various situations, allowing them to survive in different habitats and under different environmental conditions. They can form large flocks, particularly after the breeding season when food and water are abundant. However, they will disperse and become more solitary during times of scarcity.
Population Threats:
Despite the emu’s wide distribution and stable population status, its survival has several threats. One of the main threats is habitat loss due to land clearing for agriculture and urban development. Emus require large areas to roam for food and water; as such, their habitat fragmentation can limit their access to these resources and reduce their chances of survival.
In addition to habitat loss, farmers sometimes view emus as pests, particularly because they can damage fences and crops. As a result, they are often targeted and culled, which can impact their populations locally. Furthermore, while they have few natural predators, emu chicks are vulnerable to predation by birds of prey, dingoes, and foxes.
Conservation Efforts:
Despite the challenges emus face, several conservation efforts are underway to ensure their survival. Legislation protects emus in all states and territories of Australia, and it is illegal to kill or capture them without a permit. There are also efforts to maintain and improve their habitats, particularly by managing land clearing and creating protected areas.
Furthermore, some farmers use non-lethal methods, such as scare devices, to deter emus from damaging crops. Educational programs are also important in raising awareness about the importance of emus in the ecosystem and promoting coexistence between emus and humans. Captive breeding programs also exist, although the primary focus is maintaining genetic diversity and population size rather than reintroducing them into the wild.
Additional Resources:
Fun Facts
- Emus can run up to 30 mph (48 km/h).
- They are the second-largest living bird by height after the ostrich.
- The male emu does the incubation of eggs and cares for the young.
- Emus have a pouch in their throat used in communication during courtship.
- They can go without eating for weeks.
- Despite having wings, emus are flightless birds.
- Emus are strong swimmers and can cross rivers when they need to.
- They have two sets of eyelids, one for blinking and one for keeping dust out.
- Emus eat stones, glass shards, and bits of metal to grind food in the digestive system.
- The emu is featured on the Australian Coat of Arms.
