Emu

Native to the wilds of Australia, Emus inhabit wooded, scrub land and forested areas as well as grassland and desert areas.

Emu is a common name for any member of large, flightless birds.  It is the second largest and second tallest bird in the world, surpassed only by its cousin the Ostrich. As the sole living member of the family Dromaiidae, the common Emu is the only survivor of several forms and breeds of Emu, all of which have been killed by settlers and over zealous hunters. Presently, the Emu lives only in the wilds of Australia or is cared for by private owners.

Reaching heights of 6 ft. and weighing between 100 - 130 pounds, this shy, peaceful bird is capable of running with a unique bouncing and swaying motion at speeds up to 20 mph. 

Emus have extremely long legs and three toed feet. Male and females have similar features with the female usually a bit larger than the male. The wings of the Emu are hidden beneath coarse feathers and are almost hair-like in appearance. Plumage is dull brown in color, with darker shades dotting the head, neck and lower back regions. The Emu’s bill and feet are brown.

The Emu sounds a distinguished call, differing for the male and female. The male sounds a deep growling grunting call that is most pronounced during mating season. The female sounds a thudding, drum-like call, while her chicks emit high whistling peeps.

Mature at a mere 18 months, the female Emu lays and average 5 – 20 dark green eggs in a hole in the ground that was conveniently prepared by the male.  The male then watches over the eggs for an incubation time of @ two months, refusing to move even if approached by foxes, feral cats or dingoes. Even female Emus are chased away from the nest site. After the chicks are hatched, it is the male still that tends for the young.

Just before the chicks are born, the male prepares a new nest located most often near a riverbed and consisting of twigs, bark and mud. Following their birth, the male transports the young to this new nest where they remain tightly under wing for the next four days. Once this period is over, the male teaches the young chicks to search for food on their own, by hunting and gathering grass and seeds. Within eight months, the chicks are prepared to begin the search for food on their own.

Emus are nomadic, feeding on a diet of roots, fruits, insects (primarily the grasshopper) and herbs and drinking only once or twice daily. The average life span for an Emu is six years.