An emu can jump to a height of almost two meters, run up to 50kmh (30mph), and travel long distances at this speed without tiring. The emu, being a flightless bird known as a ratite, lacks an extension to its sternum (breastbone) called a keel on which flight muscles are usually anchored. Interestingly, although it is flightless and lacks a keel, it still has tiny 20cm long vestigial wings. The emu manipulates these tiny wings while running to control its balance and direction.
Both sexes sometimes boom or grunt during threat displays or upon encountering strange objects. An Emu may also rattles its tail feathers to scare off unwelcome visitors. The natural range of this bird extends across most of Australia.
Emu Running
This high water requirement in very hot weather is necessary because they use cutaneous evaporation and panting to prevent overheating. Mating pairs stay together for up to five months, after which females lay large, emerald-green eggs in expansive ground nests. The males incubate the eggs for about seven weeks without drinking, feeding, defecating, or leaving the nest.
Habitat of the Emu
These are accomplished walkers and runners and cover vast distances bipedally. As a member of the ratites, they’re part of an ancient lineage that once included elephant birds like the 630kg Vorombe titan. The emu is a large flightless bird species that is native to Australia, and is the only living member left of its genus. No, emus are flightless birds, but they are excellent runners.
They stand around 5 inches (12 centimetres) tall and weigh 0.5 kilograms (18 ounces). During this brooding time, the male emu may lose one third of his body weight by not feeding while brooding the clutch of eggs. Emus have a soft pointed beak adapted for grazing and large eyes which are golden brown to black. They have blue colored skin on their long necks which is visible through their thin neck feathers. They have 2 concealed wings and a highly specialized pelvic limb musculature which aids their ability to run so fast. The most likely entomology for the word “emu” is that it was an Arabic word that early Portuguese explorers adapted as “ema” to describe large birds such as the ostrich.
Emu Habitat Where Do Emus Live?
The females, meanwhile, have often moved on, sometimes mating with a different male in the same season. Chicks stay with dad for about four months, until they are able to eat on their own. The common emu may not be able to soar, but for such a big bird it sure can run. This flightless bird has small wings relative to the size of its body.
Green eggs, no ham
Additionally, they can be quite dangerous, and could potentially harm you if they kick you. The emu is widespread across mainland Australia, from arid interior regions to coastal plains. It avoids dense rainforests and very populated areas but adapts to most open landscapes. Sexy chest banging works pretty well for the fertile females, who will not have to do the work of either building the nest or looking after the eggs. Fowl are relatively known for the guttural drumming noises, but a full-grown female emu has even a large turkey beat when it comes to banging the cans. The Kiwi of New Zealand (not the fruit) is a strange and charming little flightless bird that doesn’t appear to have an ounce of intimidation in it.
The male makes a nest of twigs, leaves, and grass on the ground. The female lays 5 to 15 green eggs in the nest and then leaves. Like ostriches and cassowaries, these birds are ratites, a group of flightless birds that normally have heavy bodies, long legs, and long necks. Like all ratites, these birds cannot fly, and instead use their long legs to run on the ground.
Emu chicks have distinctive cream and brown diagonal stripes to help them camouflage which will fade after around 3 months. The life span of an emu is between 10 and 12 years in the wild. For the next 8 weeks after the eggs have been laid, the male will sit on the nest, carefully turning the eggs around 10 times each day. An average egg can measure 5 inches long and 3 inches wide and weigh up to 900 grams.
With an estimated population of between 650,000 to 750,000 wild emus, their population is considered stable and not threatened. There are also many emu farms where the birds are raised for their meat, leather and oil. At their necks and heads their feathers become sparse and inconsistent, showing greyish-blue skin underneath. The largest of these birds stands over 6 feet tall, and weighs up to 88 pounds or so. They also require stones and pebbles to assist the digestion of plant material.
They also eat insects, especially during the breeding season when their protein needs are higher. In arid environments, they may consume stones and pebbles to aid in grinding up plant material in their digestive system. Snakes and other nest-raiders devour emu eggs, but they’re not the only ones.
Humans utilize these birds in various ways, and one of the primary products that Emu farms produce is Emu oil. Historically, Australian aboriginals hunted these birds as a source of food for decades. These birds also range through more urban areas, like farms, pastures, orchards, and other manmade habitats. In fact, they are especially fond of Acciones en netflix farms because they usually have plenty of water for the birds to drink.
Species and Subspecies
Sexual dimorphism in emus is minimal, but females are generally slightly larger than males and can be identified by their slightly deeper vocalizations. Another distinct feature of the emu is its three-toed feet, equipped with strong claws, which are used for scratching the ground for food and as a defense mechanism. Emus are farmed for their oil, leather and meat, however, emus are common birds with an estimated population of around 725,000. Emu populations vary from decade to decade depending on rainfall. Some isolated populations in New South Wales are listed as Endangered due to collisions with vehicles, loss of habitat and the increase of feral dogs and pigs.
The life expectancy of an emu in the wild is typically around 10 to 20 years, but this can be longer in captivity under optimal conditions. These subspecies exhibited minor variations in size and coloration, adapted to different environmental conditions across Australia. However, the mainland subspecies remains widespread and is the representative image of the emu known today. They also make grunting sounds and a deep-throated drumming sound. Even on farms, these birds are difficult to care for because you need tall, sturdy fences to contain them.
- At their necks and heads their feathers become sparse and inconsistent, showing greyish-blue skin underneath.
- Ecological studies estimate that there are more than 630,000 adult emus and note that emu populations are likely stable.
- The emu is a large flightless bird species that is native to Australia, and is the only living member left of its genus.
- Emus in human care eat a commercial ratite feed that provides all the nutrients that they need.
This even led to an “Emu War” between the Australian military and the native Emu populations! Currently their populations are healthy, and the IUCN lists Emus as Least Concern. In fact, the only bird that is taller is their relative, the ostrich. Despite their similarity to the ostrich, Emus are actually more closely related to cassowaries. So, armed with this knowledge, it might not be as surprising that a kiwi’s closest relative is the emu, a much more powerful and heavy animal, in a closely related family.
- In arid environments, they may consume stones and pebbles to aid in grinding up plant material in their digestive system.
- They have 2 concealed wings and a highly specialized pelvic limb musculature which aids their ability to run so fast.
- Adult males usually make a pig-like grunting sound, while adult females make a loud booming sound.
- They are known for their curious and investigative nature, often approaching humans and other animals with inquisitive behavior.
Common Emu
In zoos and farms, these birds live in large enclosures with fencing at least six feet tall. If their enclosures are too small the birds will run into the fence and injure themselves when frightened. This species is quite large, with long legs, relatively small wings, and long necks. Each foot has three forward facing toes, each of which has a long toenail. When threatened, Emus use their muscular legs to kick and defend themselves.