Emu

The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the second-largest living bird by height, after 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. Emus can travel great distances, and when necessary, can sprint at 48 km/h (30 mph); they forage for a variety of plants and insects, but have been known to go for weeks without eating. They drink infrequently but take in copious amounts of water when the opportunity arises.

General Information:

Common Name:Emu
Scientific Name:Dromaius novaehollandiae
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order:Casuariiformes
Family:Casuariidae

Description

The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the second-largest living bird by height, after 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. Emus can travel great distances, and when necessary, can sprint at 48 km/h (30 mph); they forage for a variety of plants and insects, but have been known to go for weeks without eating. They drink infrequently but take in copious amounts of water when the opportunity arises.

Distribution

Australia is the only place emus are found and they inhabit almost the entire continent. There are fewer of them toward the center of the country and along the eastern coast. Historically they also lived on King and Kangaroo Islands, and on Tasmania, but on all three islands, the species is now extinct.

Habitat

Emus inhabit a range of habitats including grassland, dry forest, wooded savannah, and semi-desert, but not the tropical forests in northeastern Australia.

Mating Habits

Emus are polyandrous, which means that one female has multiple partners. The female is dominant during pair formation but when incubation begins, she becomes aggressive to all other emus, her mate included. She wanders off and leaves all the incubation to him. The mating season is from December to January, starting with the pair doing a courtship dance. From April to May 5 to 15 dark green eggs are laid. The male incubates them for about 8 weeks. Chicks are precocial and can walk within 24 hours. They are protected by their cryptic stripped down. They can leave the nest 2 to 7 days after hatching, running, and swimming very soon after that. The male looks after the young for 5 months, sometimes for as long as 18 months. They become mature by 2-3 years old.

Diet

Emus are omnivorous and eat seeds, flowers, fruits and tender roots. During the summer they eat many insects, especially caterpillars, beetles and grasshoppers, and small vertebrates.

Threats

Today the emu remains abundant and widespread. Following the arrival of settlers from Europe, emus were widely hunted for oil and meat, and their eggs were collected for food. As a result, they became extinct on several islands, including Tasmania.

IUCN Status

Least Concern