Emus are Australia's iconic, towering flightless birds, famed for their speed, shaggy feathers, and distinctive booming calls. Their unique biology and cultural significance make them fascinating natives of the Australian landscape.
Emus
The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the second-largest living bird by height, native to Australia, growing up to 1.9 meters (6 feet 3 inches) tall.
Emus are flightless birds with brownish-grey, shaggy feathers that are less water-resistant than most birds.
They have long necks, long, powerful legs, and can run at speeds up to 48 km/h (30 mph), making them one of the fastest birds on land.
Their legs have three toes with sharp claws used for defense against predators.
Emus have vestigial wings about 20 cm (8 inches) long, with a small claw at the tip, which they flap while running for balance.
They have a unique gait with strides that can reach 275 cm (9 feet) at full gallop.
Unlike most birds, emus have calf muscles, a feature rare among bird species.
Emus are omnivores, eating a diet of plants, seeds, fruits, insects, and small animals, and can survive long periods without food, drinking water when available.
Emu breeding season is in the southern hemisphere winter (May and June); males incubate the eggs for about eight weeks without eating or drinking much, losing a lot of weight.
The eggs are large and greenish, each with a volume equivalent to about 10 to 12 chicken eggs.
Emu chicks have brown and cream stripes that provide excellent camouflage while young.
They have excellent eyesight and hearing to evade predators and communicate over long distances with deep booming calls.
Emus are social birds, sometimes forming groups but are mostly solitary outside breeding season.
The emu is an important cultural symbol in Australia, featuring on the Australian coat of arms and currency.
Their population is currently stable and listed as least concern, but some local populations face threats from habitat loss and introduced predators.
