Emu

Dromaius novaehollandiae

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Dromaius baudinianus (extinct)

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Dromaius ater (extinct)

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:Note that the acronym EMU has several meanings.

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The Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae, Latin for "fast-footed New Hollander.") is the largest bird native to Australia and, after the Ostrich, the second-largest bird that survives today.

Related Topics:
Australia - Ostrich

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It inhabits most of the less-populated areas of the continent, avoiding only dense forest and severe desert. Like all birds in the Ratite group, it is flightless, although unlike some it does have tiny wings hidden under the feathers.

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The soft-feathered, brown birds reach 1.5 to 2 metres in height and weigh up to 60 kilograms, with the male marginally smaller.

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Emus are opportunistically nomadic and follow rain, feeding on grains, flowers, fruit, soft shoots, insects, grubs, and whatever else is available. They are able to travel great distances at a fast, economical trot and, if need be, can sprint at 50 km/h.

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Three different emu species were common prior to European settlement in 1788:

Related Topics:
Species - European settlement

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• The Emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae, remains common in most of the more lightly settled parts of mainland Australia. Overall population varies from decade to decade according to rainfall; as low as 200,000 and as high as a million, but a typical figure is about half a million individuals. Although no longer found in the densely settled southern and south-western agricultural areas, the provision of permanent stock water in arid regions has allowed the mainland species to extend its range. There are three current sub-species or races of the emu across Australia:
• D. novaehollandiae novaehollandiae - South-east Australia - whitish ruff when breeding.
• D. novaehollandiae woodwardi - North Australia - slender, paler.
• D. novaehollandiae rothschildi - South-west Australia - darker, no ruff during breeding.
• D. novaehollandiae diemenensis - Tasmania - The Tasmanian Emu, became extinct around 1850.
• The Kangaroo Island Emu, D. baudinianus became extinct around 1827 as a result of hunting and frequent fires. The larger mainland species was introduced to Kangaroo Island in the 1920s.
• The small King Island Emu D. ater was about half the size of the mainland species. By 1805 it had been hunted to extinction by sealers and visiting sailors.
 
Emu: Breeding ►