Their feet have only three toes, each with sharp claws which are used as defensive weapons when needed like the cassowary. Emus are said to be able to run at 50km/h and walk long distances during migrations to new feeding zones. They inhabit savannah and woodlands across Australia, near to the coast and inland. They often travel in pairs, but can occassionally group in larger numbers known as a ‘mob’.
But the Tasmanian emu and King Island emu became extinct shortly after European settlers’ arrived in 1788.
- One tale tells of the creation of the sun by throwing an Emu egg into the sky.
- Emus are the only birds with gastrocnemius muscles (the same as human calf muscles) in the back of the lower legs.
- Each emu also sports a distinctive hairstyle, giving it a one-of-a-kind look.
- Despite facing habitat loss in some areas due to agricultural expansion and urban development, emus have shown remarkable adaptability to changing environments.
Emus are also known for their distinctive dancing, which includes jumping and fluffing up their feathers. This behavior is more common in young emus and is thought to be a form of play and exploration, as well as a way to strengthen their muscles and coordination. Socially, emus are generally solitary but may form loose flocks, especially when food is abundant.
Habitat of the Emu
The common emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is stout-bodied and long-legged, like its relative the cassowary. Emus can dash away at nearly 50 km (30 miles) per hour; if cornered, they kick with their big three-toed feet. Emus mate for life; the male incubates 7 to 10 dark green eggs, 13 cm (5 inches) long, in a ground nest for about 60 days. In small flocks, emus forage for fruits and insects but may also damage crops.
Behavior
- Additionally, they can be quite dangerous, and could potentially harm you if they kick you.
- The Emu rattles its tail feathers to scare off unwelcome visitors.
- They have small wings, which are not used for flying but may play a role in temperature regulation and, in males, during courtship displays.
- During breeding season, males build nests and incubate clutches of up to a dozen large green eggs.
- 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.
The adult emu did not have native predators until the introduction of animals by humans. Since then, it has dealt with ground-level predators such as dingoes, dogs, and feral cats by running away at top speed. While doing so, it raises one wing and lowers the other, quickly swivels 180 degrees like a child “playing airplane”, and speeds off in a different direction.
They are known for their curious and investigative nature, often approaching humans and other animals with inquisitive behavior. The Emu, a symbol of Australia’s unique wildlife, stands as the second-largest living bird by height, surpassed only by its African relative, the ostrich. Known for their distinctive appearance and remarkable adaptability, emus are an integral part of Australia’s natural heritage.
Emu Care
The peculiar structure of the trachea of the emu is correlated with the loud booming note of the bird during the breeding season. Three subspecies are recognized, inhabiting northern, southeastern, and southwestern Australia; a fourth, now extinct, lived on Tasmania. The emu is Australia’s largest native bird, standing nearly 2 meters tall and running at speeds close to 50 km/h.
Covered in coarse brown feathers that insulate against heat, it thrives in grasslands, woodlands and arid plains. Nomadic flocks roam widely in search of food, feeding on seeds, fruits and insects. Uniquely, males incubate the large green eggs and raise the chicks alone. Emus live throughout Australia in a habitats that include grassy plains, forests, and areas with eucalypt, wattle and banksia plants.
I’ve always been passionate about animals which led me to a career in training and behaviour. As an animal professional I’m committed to improving relationships between people and animals to bring them more happiness. Breeding pairs form in the summer months of December and January and mating occurs in the cooler months of May and June.
Emu Predators and Threats What Kills Emus?
The closest relative to the emu is a Cassowary, another flightless bird. Emus make deep-throated drumming sounds using a thin-walled 30cm (12in) long tracheal pouch in their windpipe. Adult males usually make a pig-like grunting sound, while adult females make a loud booming sound.
Emus are notable for their large size and unique physical characteristics. They stand about 5.7 to 6.2 feet (1.75 to 1.9 meters) tall and weigh between 66 to 100 pounds (30 to 45 kilograms). This article explores the fascinating world of the emu, from its evolutionary history to its behavior, diet, and conservation status. As we delve into the life of this majestic bird, we uncover the secrets behind its survival in diverse and often harsh Australian landscapes. Thus, it is no surprise that these birds are quite present in ancient aboriginal culture and folklore. All of this power drumming and loyalty tactics set a good scene for an epic emu battle, and in 1932, the Great Emu War was the setting of just that.
Its four-legged pursuers cannot turn so rapidly and overshoot the emu as it heads off in another direction. As a result, the emu can usually exhaust its predator before the predator can catch up with it. A newly hatched Emu weighs about 500 grams and is small enough to fit in your cupped hand. But emu chicks have an impressive Forex trading tip growth rate, increasing their body weight nearly 80 times in the first 18 months of life. An emu chick’s body is covered with downy black and white striped feathers arranged in a squiggly pattern. This colouration helps break up the outline of the chick’s body, camouflaging it from predators.
The male parent emu cares for his chicks for up to 18 months, and most survive to adulthood. Emu chicks follow their father everywhere, whistling softly to each other and eating tender plant shoots. The whistling becomes louder and high-pitched if they feel threatened or lose sight of their father. During mating season, the female’s neck turns blue, indicating her readiness for courtship. First, the male builds a rather basic nest consisting of a slight hollow in the ground lined with trampled bark, grass, sticks and leaves.
Its habitat range extends from the high snow country to the arid interior of the continent. Emus have also adapted to the presence of humans and are often found around man-made watering ponds. Emus are highly nomadic but generally remain in a fixed location if adequate food is available. However, when food is scarce, these flightless birds may migrate hundreds of kilometres in search of water and food at an average speed of 15–25 km per day.
For example, when changing direction rapidly, the emu points one wing up and the other down, almost like a child “playing airplane”. Though infrequently, they also hunt small animals like lizards, snakes, and mice. Before the breeding season, males bulk up and build their fat stores so they can survive the nesting period. This species lives primarily in open regions where they can spot potential predators from afar.
The male sits on the eggs for about 60 days and incubates them. While he is incubating, his metabolism rate drops, and he may lose as much as 8 kgs in weight. The emu’s feather structure is bifurcated, with two feathers growing from the same shaft with no interconnecting barbs (bottom photo). This is distinct from most other birds that have a feather with a single shaft with smooth bristles and interconnected barbs (top photo).
They also prefer regions with easy access to water, so they avoid deserts and desert edges. Their favorite habitats are grasslands, savannas, open subtropical forest, and more. The chicks will stay under the father’s care for another seven months, and this is the largest grouping of emus that typically occurs before the groups are split up. But the kiwi isn’t their closest relative, perhaps less surprisingly, the emu shares an order with cassowaries, those notoriously dinosaur-like ratites.