Emu
Dromaius novaehollandiae

CLASS: Aves
ORDER: Casuariiformes
FAMILY: Dromaiidae

SIZE:
Height 5 to 6 feet; weight 100 - 120 lbs. (2nd largest living bird)

RANGE:
Australia; central and southern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and southern Australia

HABITAT:
Savannah parklands, scrub and open plains

DIET:
Wild - Omnivore; berries, fruit, grains, grasses and insects (considered pests and threat to crops by Australian farmers)

Zoo - Herbivore diet, omolene, lettuce, ratite diet

DESCRIPTION:

• Locomotion -- A large flightless bird, the emu wings are rudimentary and used only for display.
• Feathers -- coarse and hair-like, almost lacking barbules providing insulation and color.
• Legs -- long, strong legs compensate for inability to fly with well adapted thigh muscles and are tipped with three nailed toes. At a full run, an emu obtains speeds up to 30 mph.
• Beak -- The beak is broad and shallow mainly adapted for grazing.
• Vision -- keen, and peripheral vision allows for protection against predators.
• Mating habits -- reproduction is usually monogamous. The male exclusively cares for the eggs, although the female mayhelp him care for the young.
• Maturity of young at hatching -- precocial. Chicks are born recocial, allowing for better protection since the nests are on the ground and in the open.
• Swimming ability -- Emus have the ability to swim.

REFERENCES:
"Birds of the World," Austin, Singer
"Animal Life Encyclopedia," Dr. Bernhard Grzimek
"Encyclopedia of Aviculture, Vol. I," A. Rutgers and K.A. Morris