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Region: Australia Class: Aves Order: Casuariiformes Family: Dromaiidae Genus: Dromaius Scientific Name: Dromaius novaehollandiae novaehollandiae
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Description:
Second largest bird in existence (ostrich is the largest) The wings are only slightly developed and the flight and tail feathers are not distinguished from the remainder of the plumage. The hen is smaller than the cock and is said to have lighter eyes. The feathers are long, fine and hair-like, each feather having 2 shafts joined at the base. Height: 1.5 to 1.8 metres; Weight: 52 kilograms
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Distribution:
Central and southern Queensland. New South Wales, Victoria and southern Australia.
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Habitat:
Sparsely wooded level plains
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Food:
Berries, fruit, grain, grasses and other vegetation together with insects; gravel is a requirement; can get along without free water for a short period by eating juicy foods but prefers water daily.
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Reproduction and Development:
Emus breed when two years old, laying eggs in February or March or Australian autumn. Pairs set up territories. The nest, placed under cover of bush consists of trampled vegetation. Seven to twelve eggs are laid which are a dark green in colour, measuring 13x9 cm. They are incubated solely by the male bird for 58 - 61 days. Both parents share in the rearing of the young and the female also defends the nesting territory during the incubation period. Young are fed a high protein diet of caterpillars and grasshoppers. Eggs are biconal or tapered at both ends. Although the eggs are large they comprise 1.5% of the hen's body weight which is relatively small. One emu egg can weigh 700g . When the male is incubating the eggs, he seldom leaves the nest, but when he does, he may cover it with leaves to make the already inconspicuous eggs almost impossible to see.
The chicks leave the nest shortly after hatching. They are miniature versions of the adults but very pale grey with conspicuous black stripes running along the body. The father guards the chicks for up to 18 months, until they are nearly mature. The young chicks feed themselves, mainly on insects. Emus live 25-28 years; longer in captivity.
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Adaptations:
Eyes are large and protected by a nictitating membrane. Eyesight is keen and hearing is good. There seems to be recognition and a caring for one another amongst the flock. Legs are long and robust with three powerful toes. They can reach speeds of 50 km/h, and swim well. Outside the breeding season, emus live in small parties, sometimes banding together in large flocks. They are nomadic, moving about the country in search of food and water. In the dry season, they move from the arid areas into the agricultural land, raiding crops and using water holes and farmers sometimes shoot them as pests. Due to the isolation of Australia, there was not the influx of mammalian species to the island in the past as there was to other land bodies. This left certain niches open to birds such as the emu and it's tropical forest cousin, the cassowarie. Through time, they lost the ability to fly as this skill was no longer necessary to their survival. They developed long, strong, powerful legs instead.
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Threats to Survival:
The natural enemies of emus are wedge-tailed eagles, and dingoes that take young emus.
Nest robbers such as various lizards, mammals and birds will raid unguarded nests. Black-breasted buzzards, however, will drive the male emu off the nest and then drop stones on the eggs to break them. They are also threatened by man who kills them for meat, oil, eggs and to protect crops and water needed for his livestock.
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Status:
Common
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Zoo Diet:
Ratite pellets.
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The New Tundra Trek