The Emu of Australia is the second tallest bird in the world, after the ostrich. It is found throughout Australia in a variety of habitats. Emus can reach a height of 1.9 m (6.2 ft) and a weight of 18 – 60 kg (40 – 132 lb). They are flightless and can reach a speed of 50 km (30 mi) per hour on the ground. They do have vestigial wings. Which help balance then when they run.

Emus eat a variety of native and introduced plants and seeds as well as insects, spiders and millipedes.

They usually travel in pairs but will form flocks, especially during dry periods. The female will lay 5 – 15 dark green eggs. The nest is built on the ground. The male then incubates them. He does not eat or drink until after the eggs hatch some 56 days later.

Fun Facts

Emus are important in the spreading of seeds of many plants in Australia. In the early 20th century this became a problem with an introduced plant, the prickly pear cactus. Emus ate the fruit and spread the seeds. It was not until an introduced moth whose larva fed on the cactus that the plant was brought under control. Emus are farmed for their meat.