Emu

Emu Natural History

Size

This bird can stand at a height of 6.6 ft (2m).

Habitat and Distribution

This Australian bird covers much of the continent. However, it tries where possible to avoid heavily populated areas, thick forest and very arid plains. It once inhabited Tasmania as well but was driven in to extinction in this area at the time of the first European settlement there.

Age

The average life span of these birds is 10 to 20 years.

Diet

Much of their diet is seasonal where they will feed on seeds in the dry season and then on the fresh shoots of plants and grasses when these sprout during the wet seasons. They will also feed on a variety of small insects.

Groups and Breeding

Through December and January these birds will bond in pairs, in which they might stay for up to 5 months to breed. After mating, the female will start to lay 1 egg every 2 to 3 days for up to 11 to 20 eggs, in a nest constructed of dry vegetation and soil by the male. The young hatch after approximately 53 days.

Threats

Some small populations of this bird are threatened often due to destruction by domestic dogs and collisions with motor vehicles. Generally however these birds are thought to be inclining in number even though they are largely still used as a source of food, especially for aboriginal people.