The emu is the second largest living bird by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich. It is endemic to Australia, where it is the largest native bird and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. The emu’s range covers most of mainland Australia, but the Tasmanian, Kangaroo Island and King Island subspecies became extinct after the European settlement of Australia in 1788.
Key Facts About Emus
- Scientific Name: Dromaius novaehollandiae
- Average Height: Up to 1.9 meters (6.2 feet)
- Average Weight: 18 – 60 kg (40 – 132 lbs)
- Average Lifespan: 10 – 20 years
- Habitat: Woodlands, grasslands, deserts
- Diet: Omnivorous
- Range: Mainland Australia
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
The emu is the tallest native bird in Australia, reaching up to 1.9 meters in height. Male emus can weigh between 40 – 60 kg, while females weigh between 25 – 45 kg. They have a lifespan of 10 to 20 years in the wild. Emus are omnivores, feeding on fruits, seeds, insects, and small animals. Their habitat ranges across mainland Australia in woodlands, grasslands and deserts. Currently, emu populations are abundant and they are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.
Unique Features of Emus
Here are some of the unique features and abilities of emus:
- Powerful legs – Emus have very strong and muscular legs that allow them to run at speeds up to 50 km/hr.
- Long necks – Their long necks help them forage for food and watch for predators.
- Feathers – Emus have shaggy, brown feathers that help insulate them in hot and cold weather.
- Incubation – Male emus incubate the eggs and raise the chicks, which is unique among large birds.
- Vocalizations – Emus have a distinctive booming, drumming, and grunting calls for communicating.
- Swimming – They are one of the few flightless birds able to swim.
- Self-sufficient young – Emu chicks are fully independent within 5 months, one of the fastest development times among birds.
These special adaptations allow emus to thrive in the harsh Australian outback environment. Their speed helps them escape predators, while their hardy nature lets them survive in a wide range of habitats and temperatures.
Emus as National Symbols
The emu has been an important part of Australian Aboriginal culture for over 60,000 years. Indigenous peoples hunted emus for meat, eggs, oil, and used their feathers for clothing and tools.
When Australia achieved independence in 1901, the emu was included on the country’s coat of arms along with the red kangaroo. The emu symbolizes Australia’s native wildlife, while the kangaroo represents advancement as it is always moving forward.
During the 1932-1934 Australian-Emu War, emus damaged crops and fencing in the Campion district of Western Australia. Soldiers tried unsuccessfully to curb the emu population, but the emus proved to be smarter and faster than expected. This cemented the emu’s reputation as a clever, resilient representative of Australia.
Today, giant emu statues, emu parade floats, and emu roadside attractions can be found across rural Australia. The emu remains an iconic national symbol, appearing on coins, stamps, flags, and as mascots for sports teams and organizations.
Emu Distribution in Australia
Emus are only found naturally in Australia. Here is more on their distribution across the mainland:
- Queensland – Found across eastern and northern Queensland.
- New South Wales – Mostly northern and western NSW away from moist coastal regions.
- Victoria – Uncommon, found in the northwest corner of Victoria.
- South Australia – Common except for the most arid areas.
- Western Australia – Found throughout WA apart from the dense southwest forests.
- Northern Territory – Widespread across the NT in all habitat types.
Overall, emus live in most of Australia from coastal grasslands to the arid outback. They are not found in Tasmania or many offshore islands. Within their range, emus may temporarily migrate to find food and water during droughts or fires. Their ability to traverse the country helps them thrive as Australia’s largest land bird.
Emu Population and Conservation Status
The wild emu population is estimated between 630,000 to 725,000 mature individuals. Emus are classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Their numbers declined between 1910 and 1950 when emus were hunted for their meat, oil, and feathers. Farmers also perceived emus as pests that damaged crops and fences. However, protection programs helped stabilize and rebound emu populations:
- 1920 – Declared a protected species in South Australia.
- 1972 – Completely protected across Australia under the National Parks and Wildlife Act.
- 1999 – Removed from the Australian list of threatening processes.
Today, major threats to emus include habitat loss, vehicle collisions, and predation by introduced species like foxes and dogs. But overall, emu numbers remain healthy across most of their range. Sustainable harvesting is allowed with permits in some states.
Emu Farming
Starting in the 1970s, emu farming emerged as a new agricultural industry in Australia. Emus are raised for their meat, oil, and leather products.
Advantages of emu farming include:
- Low cholesterol red meat
- Healthy emu oil used in cosmetics, medicine, and dietary supplements
- Unique emu leather for fashion accessories
- Cost efficient to raise with low feed requirements
In 2013, there were over 400 emu farming operations in Australia with approximately 100,000 emus. While the industry grew rapidly in the 1990s, declining emu product prices lead to contractions in the 2000s. Still, emu farming persists as a niche agricultural market today.
Cultural Depictions of Emus
The emu has made many memorable appearances in Australian arts and culture over the years:
- Literature – Emus feature in Australian classics like Dot and the Kangaroo and Snugglepot and Cuddlepie.
- Art – Sidney Nolan’s 1946 emu paintings started his famous Ned Kelly series.
- Movies – Emus were used to portray dinosaurs in Australian films like The Lost World.
- Cartoons – An emu called Hoot made regular appearances on the show Blinky Bill.
- Advertising – Qantas airlines used a talking emu in a popular series of TV ads.
The comical, endearing portrayal of emus in books, paintings, and media has helped solidify their place in the Australian identity. Their clumsy, curious nature strikes a chord with the Australian culture and sense of humor.
Conclusion
In summary, the country most famous for the emu bird is undoubtedly Australia. As the second largest bird in the world, the emu is strongly associated with the Australian landscape. Indigenous groups have depended on emus for thousands of years. This large, flightless bird has become ingrained as a national symbol and cultural icon thanks to its portrayal in art, literature, film, and advertising across Australia. Though emu populations declined historically, robust conservation efforts allow large, healthy emu numbers to persist across most of the Australian mainland today. So the next time you think of the emu, think of Australia!