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Emu

SPECIES: Dromaius Novaehollandiae

Standing at 150-190cm and weighing in at up to 65kgs, Emus are the world’s second tallest bird, and third heaviest. They are a flightless species- however they do have small wings which they use to cool themselves. Their feathers are quite remarkable, as they are ‘double shafted’, meaning that 2 feathers grow from one follicle. This gives Emus their ‘shaggy’ appearance. Male emus have a blue head and throat, whereas females have only a blue ‘ear’. They have powerful longs legs, with large, 3 toed-feet, and can reach speeds of up to 50km/h.

Diet

Emus are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of grasses, herbage, caterpillars and grasshoppers. They will also ingest pebbles to aid in digestion.

Social organisation and Reproduction

Emus may live in flocks, pairs or individually, and do not have any sort of structural hierarchy.

Breeding season is from April to November, during which time females may mate with several males. Emus will build flat bed nests, and lay an average of about 9 dark green eggs. After a female has laid her eggs, it is up to the male to incubate and raise the chicks. The female will then leave and join another flock and find another mate. Males incubate the eggs for 8 weeks, and will raise the chicks for up to 2 years.

FIND OUT MORE
OUR ANIMAL FAMILY
ANIMAL FACTS

Emu

GROUP NAME

Flock

Native To

SIZE

150-190cm tall and weighing in at up to 65kgs

BABY NAME

Chick or Hatchling

Habitat

Emus are native to most of Australia, excluding Tasmania. They most commonly inhabit grassy plains, open woodland, arid inland plains, tropical woodland, heathland, and coastal dunes.

Did You Know?

Emu eggs weigh an average of 700g each!

MEET OUR

ANIMAL FAMILY

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Kangaroo Island Kangaroo

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Echidna

Short-beaked Echidnas belong to a unique group of mammals called Monotremes. Apart from echidnas, the only other animal in the world that belongs to this group is the Platypus.

Emu

Emus are the world’s second tallest bird, and third heaviest. They are a flightless species- however they do have small wings which they use to cool themselves.

Wombat

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Penguin

Little Penguins live in colonies that can have hundreds of members ashore at one time. From June-August, males will come ashore and renovate old burrows or dig new ones.

Tasmanian Devil

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Kookaburra

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Koala

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Dingo

Dingoes do not bark as is the case with domestic dogs. The alpha male and female will usually be the only breeding pair in the pack, with other subordinate members assisting in the rearing of pups.

Cassowary

Southern Cassowaries are solitary birds, coming together only during breeding season from July-September

Red Tailed Black Cockatoo

Red-tailed Black-cockatoos are usually found in pairs, small flocks or large, noisy flocks. During the breeding season, which varies according to geographic location, males will strut across perches with their tails fanned out and their crests up to attract females.

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