Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

BirdRatiteFlightless

Overview

The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the largest bird native to Australia and the second-tallest living bird after the ostrich. A flightless ratite, it is a familiar sight across much of the Australian mainland, striding through grassland, bush, and open woodland on long, powerful legs.

Emus have soft, shaggy grey-brown plumage and can travel long distances in search of food and water, sometimes moving widely in response to rainfall.

Conservation note: the emu is widespread across mainland Australia and is generally assessed in a lower category of concern, although some island forms historically went extinct. Verify current status at iucnredlist.org.

Habitat & Range

Emus occur across most of mainland Australia, in habitats from grassland, scrub, and open woodland to the edges of arid country. They avoid dense forest and the driest deserts, and their movements often track seasonal food and water availability.

Diet

Emus are omnivores with a varied, opportunistic diet of plants — including seeds, fruit, flowers, shoots, and grasses — along with insects and other small invertebrates. Like other ratites, they swallow stones that help grind food in the gizzard.

Behavior

Emus are mostly nomadic and can be solitary or form loose groups, especially around food and water. In a notable reversal of roles, the male incubates the eggs and raises the striped chicks. Emus are strong runners and can also swim when needed. They make distinctive deep drumming and grunting sounds, produced in part by an inflatable neck sac.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Emus are farmed in Australia and elsewhere for meat, oil, and leather, and they feature prominently in Australian culture. Wild emus are widespread, though they can come into conflict with agriculture in some areas. For current status and regional context, consult authoritative sources.

More photos of the emu