What is an emu?
The emu is Australia's largest bird and the second-tallest bird in the world after the ostrich. It cannot fly, but it can run at up to about 50 kilometres per hour.
Emus stand up to about 1.9 metres tall and weigh up to about 45 to 55 kilograms. They have shaggy brown-grey feathers, long necks and powerful legs with three toes. Their small wings are hidden under their feathers.
Emus live across most of mainland Australia, from coasts to deserts, but avoid dense rainforest and very arid areas. They eat fruits, seeds, flowers and insects, and they can travel long distances to find food and water.
Fathers raise the chicks
The female lays dark green eggs, and the male incubates them for about eight weeks, barely eating or drinking. He then cares for the striped chicks for months.
The emu appears on the Australian coat of arms with the red kangaroo.
In 1932, the army was sent to cull emus in Western Australia in the so-called Emu War. The emus largely won.
Did You Know?
Emus make deep booming and drumming sounds using an inflatable sac in their neck.