Emu << EE myoo >> is a large Australian bird that cannot fly. The emu stands about 5 1/2 feet (1.7 meters) high and weighs about 100 pounds (45 kilograms). Among birds, only the ostrich is taller. The emu has long, strong legs and is a swift runner. It can produce a powerful kick to defend itself against predators.
The emu has thick, brownish-black feathers. Each feather has two plumes connected to a single base. The bird’s small wings are hidden in feathers. It has a long, whitish-blue neck. The bird has a pouch in its throat, which it can inflate to make a loud, booming noise. Emu chicks have striped coloring with brown and cream-colored feathers. The stripes help camouflage the young birds.
The female emu lays between 5 and 15 green, rough-surfaced eggs in a flat nest of grass and leaves. A single female may lay eggs for several males. The male emu incubates (sits on) the eggs until they hatch. The male generally does not eat or drink during the incubation period, which can last up to 56 days. After the eggs hatch, the male raises the chicks.
Emus mainly inhabit savanna or woodland areas. They feed on fruit, insects, and seeds. The birds often travel long distances in search of food and water. They are found throughout mainland Australia. Emus once inhabited the island of Tasmania, but European settlers killed the last Tasmanian emus in the 1800’s.
The emu has long been a symbol of Australia. Emu oil, which is made from the bird’s body fat, is used in skin care products. However, farmers may consider emus pests because they eat crops and break down sheep fences.
