EMU

The Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is Australia’s largest native bird and the world’s second-largest living bird by height. A flightless giant of the outback, the Emu can stand nearly 2 meters tall and outrun most predators at speeds up to 50 km/h. This ancient bird has roamed Australia for millions of years, surviving extreme heat, drought, and even a famous 1932 military campaign that pitted soldiers with machine guns against a flock of 20,000 Emus — a campaign the Emus won.

Unlike most birds, Emu fathers are devoted single parents who incubate eggs and raise chicks entirely alone for 7 months without eating or drinking. The Emu’s three-toed feet, vestigial wings, and hollow bones reveal its evolution from flying ancestors into one of nature’s most remarkable adaptive radiations.

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💡 Fun Facts

01

The Emu is one of only two birds (alongside the cassowary) that have functioning calf muscles, allowing a running stride.

02

Male Emus become brooding fathers — they incubate 5–15 eggs for 56 days without eating, losing a third of their body weight.

03

Emus are one of few animals that travel in the same direction as rainfall, tracking weather systems across vast distances.

04

The Emu features on Australia's coat of arms because it cannot walk backwards — symbolizing the nation's progressive spirit.

05

Emu oil, rendered from body fat, has been used by Aboriginal Australians medicinally for over 40,000 years.

📍 Where to Find This Animal

Geographic Range: Mainland Australia — savannah, grasslands, scrubland, and forest edges

Australia

Habitat Types: Grassland

🛒 Emu Related Gear

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