Who's who
Emu
Emus are flightless birds native to Australia and found in every state.
Learn more
- What do they weigh?
Emus are the largest bird in Australia and the second largest bird in the world. They can grow up to 2 m in height which is taller than the average male Australian. They weigh less than the average human at about 55kg.
- What do they eat?
Emus eat a wide variety of foods including flowers, fruits, seeds, grasses, herbs and insects. Because, they eat both plants and animals, they are considered omnivores. Like other birds, emus swallow small rocks to help grind up their food.
- Why are they used on farms?
Emus were once considered pests as they had a tendency to destroy farmers' crops with their large powerful, feet. As a result, most farmers didn't really want emus on their farms and put up large fences to keep them out. It wasn't until the 1980's that farmers began to keep emus on their farms for meat, feathers, leather and oil. In Australia, Emu farming is under heavy regulation and wild emus are a protected species.
- Life cycle
The male emu will create a nest of bark and other plant material and the female will begin to lay eggs in winter. The male emu will sit on the eggs for eight weeks, keeping them nice and warm. He is a dedicated father, rarely ever leaving his eggs during this time, not even to eat! When the eggs hatch, the chicks inside are stripy to help them blend in with their grassy and woody surroundings. Emus can live to 10 years old in the wild, and over 30 years in captivity.
- Fun facts
Female emus will attract a mate by making a deep "drumming" noise and showing off to the males. Can you hear any drumming from the emus in the paddock?
Indigenous Australians have been living off the land sustainably for many generations. Emus are sacred to many First Nations people and are an important food source and medicine. When they hunted emu, no part would be wasted- even the feathers were used in ceremonies and the bones were made into knives. When gathering Emu eggs, some would be left behind in the nest to ensure another generation of emus would hatch.