Emu

Emu at a glance

Need to know

• The emu is the second-largest living bird in the world after the ostrich.
• Emus can sprint at speeds up to 50 km/h (31 mph).
• They cannot fly due to their tiny, vestigial wings.
• Male emus incubate the eggs and raise the chicks alone.
• Emus have double-shafted feathers that help protect them from Australia's harsh climate.
• They play a major ecological role by spreading seeds across vast distances.

About the Emu

The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is an iconic flightless bird native to Australia and a member of the ratite family, which also includes ostriches, cassowaries, and kiwis. Standing up to 2 meters tall, emus are well adapted to the diverse and often challenging Australian habitats, ranging from open grasslands to arid woodlands. Their powerful, long legs allow them to run at impressive speeds, helping them escape predators and travel long distances in search of food and water.

Emus are known for their shaggy brown and gray feathers, which provide protection from both heat and cold. They are omnivores, eating a diverse diet that includes seeds, fruits, insects, and small animals. Social and curious, emus enrich Australia's ecosystems by dispersing seeds and mixing soil as they roam. Despite pressures from habitat modification and historical hunting, emus remain abundant and resilient, recognized as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN.

Physical characteristics

Size: 1.5–2.0 meters tall. Weight: 36–60 kg. Lifespan: 10–20 years in the wild.

• Large, flightless body
• Long, muscular legs
• Fine, shaggy brown to grayish feathers
• Small vestigial wings
• Bright amber or orange eyes

Notable species

• Mainland Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) — Least Concern. Open eucalypt forests, savannah woodlands, grasslands, semi-arid scrublands Regions: Eastern Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania (reintroduced, extinct as native).
• King Island Emu (extinct) (Dromaius novaehollandiae minor) — Extinct. Coastal scrub and forests (historical) Regions: King Island (Bass Strait).
• Kangaroo Island Emu (extinct) (Dromaius baudinianus) — Extinct. Dense scrub and forests (historical) Regions: Kangaroo Island.
• Tasmanian Emu (extinct) (Dromaius diemenensis) — Extinct. Tasmanian forests and grasslands (historical) Regions: Tasmania.

Habitat and range

Original range: Continental Australia

Current distribution: Across mainland Australia, reintroduced in Tasmania, farmed on other continents (non-wild)

Preferred environments: Open savannahs, Woodlands, Grasslands, Semi-arid scrub, Agricultural regions

Regions: Eastern Australia, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania (reintroduced)

Where to see Emu

• Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory — Dry season (May to October). Look for emus grazing in open woodlands or crossing open plains near billabongs.
• Grampians National Park, Victoria — Spring (September to November). Spot emus on walking trails or open grasslands, especially early in the morning.
• Outback South Australia — Winter to spring (June to October). Emus often gather after rain; scanning from a vehicle along remote outback tracks increases chances.

Behavior and diet

Diet: Omnivorous: seeds, fruits, insects, small vertebrates, flowers, shoots, and grasses.

Social structure: Usually solitary or found in loose flocks, particularly outside the breeding season.

Communication: Deep booming grunts, drumming, hissing, and soft whistles; vocalizations are used for mating, alarm, and maintaining social contact.

• Males solely incubate eggs and care for chicks after hatching.
• Emus migrate irregularly in response to rainfall and food availability.
• They use dust bathing to control parasites and regulate feathers.
• Communicate over long distances with low-frequency booming calls.

Interactions with other animals

• Dingo (predator): Dingoes prey on emu eggs, chicks, and occasionally adults.
• Wedge-tailed eagle (predator): Eagles will attack young or weak emus.
• Humans (competitive): Agricultural activities impact emu habitats; historical hunting reduced wild populations.

Conservation

IUCN Red List status: Least Concern

Threats

• Habitat loss from agricultural expansion
• Vehicle collisions
• Fencing restricting movement
• Predation on eggs and chicks
• Historical overhunting

Conservation efforts

• Protection in national parks and reserves
• Management of outback and agricultural land to support emu movement
• Education about emu conservation and native ecosystems

How to help

• Support wildlife conservation organizations working in Australia
• Drive carefully in emu territory to avoid collisions
• Participate in citizen science and wildlife monitoring programs
• Promote and support habitat-friendly agricultural practices

Emu facts for kids

Emus are giant, flightless birds from Australia that can run very fast and lay huge, colorful eggs. They love exploring open spaces and eating all kinds of plants and insects. The dad emu does all the babysitting, looking after the eggs and chicks!

• Emus can run as fast as a car driving through the city!
• Their eggs are dark green, almost like a little watermelon.
• Emus make deep, booming sounds that can be heard far away.
• The dad emu sits on the eggs for around eight weeks and barely eats during that time.
• Emus have only tiny wings, so they can't fly, but they are amazing runners.

Did you know? Did you know? The emu is so special in Australia that it appears on the country's coat of arms, along with the kangaroo!

Watch & learn

• Emu vs. Kangaroo: The Great Emu Egg Hunt — BBC Earth. A beautifully filmed segment that follows emus in their native Australian habitats, highlighting their parenting strategies and survival skills during egg-laying season. The BBC excels at showing these rarely seen behaviors up close.
• Emu Facts and Feathers: Australia’s Giant Bird Revealed — Smithsonian Channel. Explore the fascinating biology, unique adaptations, and ancient lineage of the emu through high-quality footage and engaging narration, brought to life with Smithsonian’s expertise in animal documentaries.
• The Secret Life of the Emu — PBS Nature. An in-depth look into the daily life, diet, and parenting of the emu, as PBS Nature delves into the ecosystem roles of Australia’s second largest living bird in their natural environment.
• Australia’s Giant Birds – Emus and Casuariiformes — National Geographic Wild. National Geographic Wild explores both emus and their relatives, the Casuariiformes, highlighting the unique features and wild behaviors of this iconic flightless bird through close-up video and scientific insight.
• Emus: Ancient Survivors of the Outback — BBC Studios. Journey with BBC Studios as they document emu migrations across Australia’s harshest landscapes, revealing how these resilient birds have adapted to thrive where few others can survive.