Emus

	· An emu is a large, flightless bird which is related to the cassowary and the ostrich	Click here for Emu photos!
	· Other than the ostrich, it is the laragest of all birds, reaching a height of up to 1.8m and weight as much as 60kg
	· Their plumage (feathers) is dull brown, tending to darken on the head, neck and lighter on the undersides
	· Their heads though have shorter "downy" feathers, pointy beak, large bright looking eyes and often a blue throat

· Emus have extremely long legs with 3 toed feet

· The emu lives on the open plains and bush area. It feeds mainly on roots, fruits and herbs

· It is a peaceful, timid bird that can run at great speed to escape any predators
· The female lays 8-10 dark green eggs, which are sometimes incubated by the male. The eggs will hatch within 60days
· There is only one living species of emu: the Dromiceius novaehollandiae
· If endangered, they can defend themselves by kicking and although they can't fly, they can run as fast as 30 miles per hour and they are good swimmers
· Emus are generally nomadic, with some emus roaming over hundreds of miles
· Male and females emus look similar, though the female is usually larger, and both have a lifespan up to 6 year
· Female Emus make a deep-throated drumming sound using air sacs in their throats whilst the male sound is generally more harsher and "throatier"
· Emus are found throughout Australia from Woods to scrubland to grassland to desert areas but not in Rainforests · Emus are most vulnerable as eggs or as hatchlings (young). Lizards eat Emu eggs and young emus are hunted by dingoes, eagles, non-native foxes, dogs and cats