Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is an Australian native bird. The word ‘Emu’ is not Aboriginal word, but a word derived from Arabic, which means ‘large bird’ . It is also the tallest native bird of Australia, when standing erect it is about 1.6-2meters tall. It’s the second biggest bird weighing about 40-50kg and also the second fastest bird in the world, can run at 50 kilometers an hour. it is flightless bird.
They are easy to identify, adult emus are covered with shaggy grey-brown feathers, while their neck and head are mostly naked. Wings are not big, but their legs are large and strong, used for running and walking long distance but sometimes also used to kick animals that bothers them, each foot has four toes three facing forward and one facing back.
Emu reprouduces rapidly, there are estimated of about between 600,000 to 900,000 emus found in Australia, mostly in Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. Female emus are larger than male emu. They are ready to mate once they are 18 months old. Nesting takes place during winter, they build their nest on the floor, nest are made of grass, leaves, twigs and bark and it is about 10cm thick and 1 to 2 meters wide. Adult emus stays together for about five-six months. Emus live for about six years.
Emus live in places that have plenty of water. They drink once a day but drinks 70-80 mouthful of waters. They like flat areas. They eat grasses, seeds, fruit, flowers of shrubs, plant shoot and insects. Like most of the birds and animals, emus also have some enemies like: Foxes, Eagles, Dingos and Feral Cats.
Emu
Written by Thulung on December 20, 2009.
Post Comment