Emu
The emu is a large flightless bird native to Australia and the only living species in the genus Dromaius.
The emu is a large, flightless bird native to Australia and the only living species in the genus Dromaius. It is the tallest native bird in Australia and the second-largest living bird by height after the ostrich.
What it is
The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is a large, brown, long-necked, long-legged ratite bird. It is closely related to other ratites like the cassowary, shares their inability to fly, and is found across mainland Australia.
Key details
Emus stand more than 1.5 m tall, up to about 1.9 m, and can sprint at speeds of up to 48 km/h. They are omnivores, eating seeds, fruits, flowers, young shoots, grasses, insects, and occasionally small vertebrates.
Habitat and range
These birds live across much of mainland Australia in eucalyptus forest, woodland, heath land, desert shrubland, and sand plains. They forage during the day and can travel long distances for food.
In short
- Emus are the tallest native bird in Australia and the second-largest living bird by height.
- They are flightless ratites that can run up to 48 km/h.
- Emus eat both plants and animals.
- They inhabit a wide range of Australian environments.
Quick questions
What is an emu?
Can emus fly?
How fast can an emu run?
Sources
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EmuSupports: Scientific name, native range, flightlessness, body size, speed, diet, and status as the only extant member of genus Dromaius.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/animal/emuSupports: Emu as a flightless Australian bird, second-largest living bird, approximate height and weight, and running speed.
- Smithsonian National Zoo — https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/emuSupports: Native range in Australia, habitats, flightlessness, and diet.
- San Diego Zoo — https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/emuSupports: Classification, habitat, omnivorous diet, and sprint speed.
- Wildlife Victoria — https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/91384/Emu.pdfSupports: Australia-only wild range, inability to fly, speed, and omnivorous diet.
- Britannica Dictionary — https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/emuSupports: Concise definition of emu as an Australian bird that does not fly and is a very fast runner.