Lexi Webster
The emu is a large, flightless bird native to Australia. It is an important cultural icon of Australia, featuring on the country's coat of arms and various coinages. Emus are the second-largest living bird, growing to over 1.5 metres (5 feet) tall and weighing more than 45kg (100 pounds). They are covered in shaggy grey-brown feathers, with a bluish-black neck and head. Emus are found in grasslands, woodlands, and alpine regions across Australia, and their powerful legs allow them to run at speeds of up to 50km/h.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bird species | Emu |
| Bird type | Flightless |
| Bird size | Second largest bird in the world |
| Bird height | 1.5-1.9 metres |
| Bird weight | 45 kg |
| Bird colour | Brownish with a dark grey head and neck |
| Bird feathers | Shaggy grey-brown to black plumage |
| Bird habitat | Grasslands, woodlands, alpine regions, sclerophyll forest, savanna woodland, eucalyptus forest, heath land, desert shrub lands, sand plains |
| Bird population | 625,000-725,000 in Australia |
| Bird conservation status | Least concern |
| Bird diet | Fruits, insects, seeds, flowers, young shoots, small vertebrates, charcoal, glass, marbles, car keys, jewellery, nuts and bolts |
| Bird behaviour | Nomadic, social only as young birds |
| Bird speed | 50 km/h |
| Bird uses | Meat, leather, oil, bones for knives, tendons for string, feathers for adornments |
| Bird symbolism | Important cultural icon of Australia, features in Aboriginal mythology and creation stories |
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What You'll Learn
Emus are the second-largest living bird
Emus are large, flightless birds native to Australia. They are the second-largest living bird species in the world, after ostriches. Emus can grow to between 1.6 and 1.9 metres tall, with some reaching up to 1.75 metres or even 5 feet. They are long-legged birds, with powerful legs that are among the strongest of any animal. Emus can use their legs to run at speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour, with a stride of 3 metres. They are also capable of jumping 2.1 metres straight up.
The emu's height and powerful legs make it well-suited to its native habitat in Australia, which includes open plains, forests, savannah woodlands, and even snowfields. Emus are highly nomadic, and their range covers most of mainland Australia. They are absent from heavily populated regions, especially along the east coast, but can be found near cities where native vegetation has not been cleared for agriculture.
Emus are an important cultural icon in Australia, featuring prominently in Indigenous Australian mythologies and appearing on the country's coat of arms and various coinages. The bird is also valued for its meat, leather, oil, and feathers. Emu farming has been practised for several decades, and a pair of emus in good captive conditions may produce ten eggs a year.
Despite their size and strength, emus are not considered dangerous animals. However, there have been a few documented cases of humans being attacked by emus. Emus are very defensive of their young, and their strong legs and large feet can be used to kick and strike when they feel threatened.
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They are native to Australia
Emus are native to Australia. They are the country's tallest native bird, growing to between 1.6 and 1.9 metres tall. They are also the second-largest bird in the world, after ostriches. Emus are found across mainland Australia, covering most of the country. They are highly nomadic, and their range includes open plains, snowfields, forests, and savannah woodlands. They are absent from heavily populated regions, especially along the east coast, and are not typically found in rainforests or arid regions.
Emus are flightless birds, but they are powerful runners. They can sprint at speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour, with a stride of 3 metres. Their legs are long and strong, with three forward-facing toes. Emus are predominantly brownish in colour, with a dark grey head and neck. Their feathers are shaggy and grey-brown to black, while the skin on their necks and heads is a striking blue-black.
Emus are an important part of Australian culture and history. They feature prominently in Aboriginal stories and mythology, including creation myths and astrological stories. Emu eggs are also used in a traditional art form called Kalti Paarti, which depicts First Nations traditions and connections to the land and animals. The emu is an important cultural icon of Australia, appearing on the country's coat of arms and various coinages.
In addition to their cultural significance, emus have also been a source of food and other resources for Australians. Emu meat is consumed, and their fat is used for oil, their bones for knives, their tendons for string, and their feathers for decorative arts and crafts. Emu leather is also used in items such as wallets, handbags, shoes, and clothes.
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Emus are important in Aboriginal mythology
Emus are endemic to Australia and play a significant role in Aboriginal mythology. They are the second-largest birds in the world and are culturally important to Australia, featuring on the country's coat of arms and various coinages.
Emus are a vital food source for Aboriginal Australians, who also use the bird's fat for oil, its bones for knives, tendons for string, and feathers for ceremonial adornments. The emu is also central to Aboriginal art, reflecting its importance in Dreaming cultures.
The Yuwaalaraay and other groups in New South Wales have a creation myth that says the sun was made by throwing an emu's egg into the sky. The emu is also the subject of astrological mythology and other creation stories. The emu constellation is well-known in Australia, and its position in the sky indicates the best time to collect emu eggs.
Emus are also said to inspire dances and are important in male-kin initiation ceremonies. The Kurdaitcha man of Central Australia is said to wear sandals made of emu feathers to mask his footprints.
Emu eggs are also significant in Aboriginal culture. The Kalti Paarti practice of emu egg carving depicts the rich visual history of First Nations traditions and their connection to animals and the land.
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Emu eggs are used in decorative arts and crafts
Emus are large, flightless birds native to Australia. They are the country's tallest bird, growing to between 1.6 and 1.9 metres tall, and are the second-largest bird in the world after ostriches. Emus are culturally significant in Australia, featuring in Aboriginal mythology and appearing on the country's coat of arms and coinage.
The Kalti Paarti practice involves carving emu eggs to depict First Nations traditions and connections to animals and the land. Emu eggs are also used in more functional crafts, such as being turned into egg cups or jewellery boxes.
Emu eggs are also used in other decorative ways, such as being displayed in a special box or on a stand.
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Emus are protected under federal legislation
Emus are large, flightless birds native to Australia. They are the country's tallest bird species, growing up to 1.9 metres tall, and are considered an important cultural icon. Emus are also of significant importance to Aboriginal Australians, featuring in their mythology and culture.
Historically, emus have faced threats to their survival, including egg predation, roadkill incidents, and habitat fragmentation. Early European settlers also killed emus for food and to protect their farming interests. Despite being rated as a ""least-concern" species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, local emu populations are listed as endangered, with all insular subspecies going extinct by the 1800s.
Recognizing the need to protect these iconic birds, the Australian government has enacted federal legislation to safeguard emus. Emus are now protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act of 1999. This legislation grants formal protection to wild emus, ensuring their conservation and helping to restore their populations.
The federal legislation aims to address the main threats to emus, including habitat loss, vehicle collisions, and deliberate slaughter. Conservation efforts include removing internal fences that interfere with emu movement and reducing competition from stock and feral herbivores. Additionally, measures are being taken to protect emu chicks by controlling feral cat, fox, and pig populations.
The protection of emus under federal legislation demonstrates Australia's commitment to preserving its unique wildlife and ensuring the survival of this iconic bird species for future generations. These legislative measures are crucial in maintaining the ecological balance and cultural significance associated with emus in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
An emu is a large, flightless bird native to Australia. It is the country's tallest bird, reaching between 1.6 and 1.9 metres when standing erect.
Adult emus are covered with shaggy grey-brown feathers, while their necks and heads are largely naked and bluish-black. Their wings are small, but their legs are long and powerful.
Emus were formerly considered dangerous and regulated under the UK's Dangerous Wild Animals Act. However, they are no longer subject to this regulation. Emus are very defensive of their young, and there have been two documented cases of humans being attacked by emus.
According to the IUCN, emus are of 'least concern' in terms of conservation status. There are between 625,000 and 725,000 wild emus in Australia. Emus are absent from heavily populated regions, especially along the east coast, but they are commonly seen along roadsides and near fences or other barriers.
