EMU

SPECIES: Dromaius novaehollandiae

STATUS: Least Concern

HABITAT: They inhabit woodlands, grasslands, and arid regions.  

DIET: Emus eat plants, nuts, seeds, insects, rodents, lizards, and even small birds.    

GENERAL: The Emu is the second largest bird in the world at 5 1/2  to 6 feet tall, where the tallest bird, the Ostrich gets between 7 to 8 ½ feet tall.

They along with the Ostrich, Cassowary, Rhea, and the Kiwi of New Zealand are members of the Ratite family. What defines them from other flightless birds, like Penguins, is Ratites lack a keel on their sternum.

 Emu feathers are light in color with dark tips and are double shafted.

A single Emu egg can feed 3 or 4 people.

Emu females start laying eggs from May to June in a nest built by the male out of bark, grass, small branches, etc. She will lay around 8-10 eggs over a period of around 15 to 20 days. The male will incubate the eggs for 8 weeks.