They subsequently used the term to describe cassowaries they discovered in Indonesia and New Guinea. It was then used by other European explorers, such as the Dutch, to describe the bird we know today as the Emu. 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). The Emu rattles its tail feathers to scare off unwelcome visitors. One tale tells of the creation of the sun by throwing an Emu egg into the sky.
- They forage for seeds, berries, fresh grasses, and fruits, but usually do not eat leaves.
- Breeding pairs form in the summer months of December and January and mating occurs in the cooler months of May and June.
- The distribution of the three extant mainland Australian subspecies of D.
- The emu is classified in the family with their closest relatives the cassowaries in the family Casuariidae in the ratite order Struthioniformes.
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Incubation takes 56 days, and the male stops incubating the eggs shortly before they hatch (Davies 1976). Newly hatched chicks are active and can leave the nest within a few days. They stand about 25 centimeters tall and have distinctive brown and cream stripes for camouflage, which fade after three months or so. The male stays with the growing chicks for up to 18 months, defending them and teaching them how to find food (RD 1976).
Emu and Human Interaction
The isolated emu population of the New South Wales North Coast Bioregion and Port Stephens is listed as endangered by the New South Wales Government (DEC 2005). Emus were used as a source of food by indigenous Australians and early European settlers. Europeans killed emus to provide food and to remove them if they interfered with farming or invaded settlements in search of water during drought. Wild emus are formally protected in Australia under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The male becomes broody after his mate starts laying, and begins to incubate the eggs before the laying period is complete.
Emu Habitat
They eat two times a day and prefer 5 pounds of leaves each meal. As with many other Australian birds, such as the superb fairy-wren, infidelity is the norm for emus, despite the initial pair-bond. Some females stay and defend the nest until the chicks start hatching, but most leave the nesting area completely to nest again; in a good season, a female emu may nest three times (Davies 1976). The emu can grow to be as tall as 2 metres (6.5 feet) in height (1 – 1.3 metres at the shoulder) and weigh up to 45 kilograms (99 pounds). Male and female emus are similar in appearance although females are generally larger. Emus have soft, long, brown feathers on their plumage which has a shaggy appearance and affiliate networks list shorter downy feathers on their heads.
Emu fat is rendered to produce oil for cosmetics, dietary supplements, and therapeutic products. There is some evidence that the oil has anti-inflammatory properties (Yoganathan 2003); however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regards pure emu oil product as an unapproved drug. Three different Dromaius species were common in Australia before European settlement, and one species is known from fossils. Novaehollandiae diemenensis, a subspecies known as the Tasmanian emu, became extinct around 1865. Emus were introduced to Maria Island off Tasmania and Kangaroo Island near South Australia during the twentieth century.
They are the second-tallest bird left on earth
Known for their distinctive appearance and remarkable adaptability, emus are an integral part of Australia’s natural heritage. Emu meat is a low-fat, low-cholesterol meat (85 mg/100 grams); despite being avian, it is considered a red meat because of its red color and pH value (USDA 2005, 2006). The best cuts come from the thigh and the larger muscles of the drum or lower leg.
- As the egg laying period approaches, males will lose their appetite and begin to construct a nest using sticks, grass, leaves and bark.
- Emus are said to be able to run at 50km/h and walk long distances during migrations to new feeding zones.
- On a mission to witness the planet’s natural beauty and diversity, he shares his experiences on this website through articles, videos, and photography, including interactive virtual tours.
- Additionally, they can be quite dangerous, and could potentially harm you if they kick you.
- The common emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is stout-bodied and long-legged, like its relative the cassowary.
If their enclosures are too small the birds will run into the fence and injure themselves when frightened. 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 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.
The Kangaroo Island emu (D. baudinianus), found only on Kangaroo Island in South Australia, was likely hunted to extinction prior to 1827. These birds are diurnal, and are typically most active during the day. They forage in small groups, though solitary Emus are not unusual. When food or water is scarce, these birds travel long distances to find sustenance.
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However, their eggs and young are vulnerable to predators such as dingoes, eagles, and various reptiles. The birds use camouflage and their swift running ability to escape predators, and they can deliver powerful kicks as a means of defense. The adaptability of emus to different habitats is a key factor in their survival across the diverse Australian landscape. Their ability to travel long distances and consume a wide variety of food sources allows them to thrive in environments that vary from season to season.
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. Several emus were killed, and at the peak of the war, the casualties ammased at a rate of 100 birds per week. This topped out at 986 dead emus, at a rate of ten bullets used per bird.
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Emus live throughout Australia in a habitats that include grassy plains, forests, and areas with eucalypt, wattle and banksia plants. 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. Emus live in most habitats across Australia, although they are most common in areas of sclerophyll forest and savanna woodland, and least common in populated and very arid areas.
The male alone broods for around 8 weeks and cares for the chicks. Emus are omnivores that feed on seeds, fruits, flowers and insects. They travel long distances to exploit seasonal food resources and play a role in seed dispersal.
They are opportunistically nomadic and may travel long distances to find food. The natural range of this bird extends across most of Australia. They do not live in some of the central regions because they cannot survive extended periods without water. On the eastern coast of Australia these birds are less common than they once were, but their populations are thriving on some interior regions from which they were once absent. Emus range over large areas, foraging on fruits, seeds, plant shoots, small animals, animal droppings, and insects. They mate and nest over the Australian winter, and it’s not always a loving affair—females have been known to fight viciously over unpaired males.
For normal breathing in cooler weather, they have large, multifolded nasal passages. Cool air warms as it passes through into the lungs, extracting heat from the nasal region. On exhalation, the emu’s cold nasal turbinates condense moisture back out of the air and absorb it for reuse (Maloney and Dawson 1998).
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. Socially, emus are generally solitary but may form loose flocks, especially when food is abundant. These flocks are not highly structured and tend to be temporary. Emus are also known to undertake seasonal migrations, walking long distances to find food and water.
