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Although Emus resemble Ostriches, emus have a longer, lower profile and 3 toes on each foot (Ostriches have only 2 toes on each foot). The closest relative to the emu is a Cassowary, another flightless bird. While migrating in search of food, large groups of Emus sometimes come together to form massive flocks. As the breeding season arrives they stop migrating and settle into a single location. In zoos and farms, these birds live in large enclosures with fencing at least six feet tall. If their enclosures are too small the birds will run into the fence and injure themselves when frightened.
A clutch of dark green eggs, usually between 5 and 20, is laid in May or June. The female then leaves the nest area, after which she shows no more interest in her eggs or partner. She may simply wander off to join a group of non-breeding birds, or she may find another mate and lay again. After emus mate, the female lays 5 to 15 dark green eggs in a ground nest. The male then incubates the eggs, meaning that it sits on them to protect and keep them warm, for about 60 days until they hatch.
In response, on November 2, Australia deployed the Seventh Heavy Battery of the Royal Australian Artillery with machine guns and 10,000 rounds of ammunition. Even a truck-mounted gun failed when the emus outran the truck over rough terrain. The emu has a pouch in its throat that is part of the bird's windpipe and is used for communication. When the pouch is inflated, the emu can make deep booming, drumming, and grunting sounds.
There were no human casualties, but the "war" was widely seen as a victory for the outgunned emus. The Australian coat of arms has the image of an emu and a kangaroo, both animals that cannot back up. Emus eat fruits, seeds, growing shoots of plants, insects, other small animals, and animal droppings. They are human fearless birds and have been known to approach small groups of humans and help themselves to any food on offer. Emus are the only birds with gastrocnemius muscles (the same as human calf muscles) in the back of the lower legs. Because of farmer complaints, the Australian government launched the "Emu War" in 1932.
If they must defend themselves, emus can strike and rip with their heavy feet and 6 harmonic patterns to use in trading nails. The female dominates the male during pair formation but once incubation begins, the male becomes aggressive to other Emus, including his mate. The female wanders away and leaves the male to perform all the incubation. The male incubates the eggs without drinking, feeding, defecating or leaving the nest. During this time, eggs often roll out of the nest and are pulled back in by the male. This bird’s wings are virtually useless, as they cannot fly.
During that time, he will rotate the eggs frequently, not leaving the nest to eat or drink. When the eggs hatch, the first thing he does is eat the eggshell to jump-start his digestive system. The chicks have been known to walk 20 miles during their first few days following the male.
Tall and majestic, the emu belongs to a group of flightless running birds known as ratites, the most primitive of the modern bird families. The ratite family includes the kiwi, ostrich, cassowary, and rhea, all birds found only in the Southern Hemisphere. The emu is the second-largest living bird in the world (the ostrich is the largest). Adult female emus are larger and heavier than the males.
These birds destroy crops, and wheat in particular is a favorite. This even led to an “Emu War” between the Australian military and the native Emu populations! Currently their populations are healthy, and the IUCN lists Emus as Least Concern. These birds also range through more urban areas, like farms, pastures, orchards, and other manmade habitats. In fact, they are especially fond of farms because they usually have plenty of water for the birds to drink.
Most birds have one feather per follicle, but the emu grows a double-shafted feather from each follicle. Barbs found on a typical bird feather are closely knit, but an emu feather’s barbs are widely spaced and don't have the usual hooks that attach to the other barbs. Instead, each barb hangs loosely and gives emu feathers a hairlike appearance. When new feathers grow, they are almost black in color, but the sun soons fades them to a grayish brown while the shafts and the tips of the feathers remain black. Emu feathers are less water-resistant than other birds' feathers.
These big, beautiful flightless birds are the second largest birds in the world (the ostrich is the largest). As the egg laying period approaches, males will lose their appetite and begin to construct a nest using sticks, grass, leaves and bark. They also make grunting sounds and a deep-throated drumming sound. Some of their noises can be heard up to 2 kilometres away.
In arid Australia, emus will travel hundreds of miles to find another source of food or water. When food is abundant, an emu stores large amounts of fat, and is able to use this while looking for more food. Birds may lose up to 50 percent of their weight while searching for food.
For such a bulky bird, however, their wings are surprisingly puny. Without the need for flight, the emu's wings have been reduced to less than 8 inches (20 centimeters), or about the size of a human hand. The Emu is common in mainland Australia but will avoid heavily populated areas, arid land and dense forests. They can survive in most habitats throughout Australia but most common locations are sclerophyll forests and savanna woodlands and grasslands. However, emus may stamp down wheat fields, eat large quantities of grain and jump over barbed wire fences. Males sometimes make calls, which sound like "e-moo" and can be heard over long distances.
Emus pattern their movements to track with recent rainfall. They appear to depend mainly on the sight of rain-bearing clouds but sound cues from thunder and the smell of wet ground may also be involved. Once a female sees a dance that she likes, the pair mates.
And while they generally only enter the water when necessary, they are reportedly strong swimmers. While the emu population is currently considered stable, drought and wildfires are potential threats that could impact them. Many people raise emus for their meat, oil, and leather. One emu egg has the same weight and volume as 10 to 12 chicken eggs!
