Emu
Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) · CC BY-SA 4.0

Emu and Cassowaries

Emu

Dromaius novaehollandiae

LCLeast Concern Endemic to Australia
Length
150–190 cm
Family
Emu and Cassowaries (Casuariidae)
Order
Casuariiformes

Overview

The emu (; Dromaius novaehollandiae) is a species of flightless bird endemic to Australia, where it is the tallest native bird. It is the only extant member of the genus Dromaius and the third-tallest living bird after its African ratite relatives, the common ostrich and Somali ostrich. The emu's native ranges cover most of the Australian mainland. The Tasmanian, Kangaroo Island and King Island subspecies became extinct after the European settlement of Australia in 1788.
The emu has soft, brown feathers, a long neck, and long legs.

Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Diet: Plants, fruit, seeds and insects.

How to identify it

  1. Australia's tallest bird with shaggy grey-brown plumage
  2. Blue-grey bare skin on the neck
  3. Runs at up to 50 km/h

Voice

Deep drumming and grunting.

Listen to recordings on xeno-canto

Where to see it

  • Open country across mainland Australia

Range and habitat

Continents

Countries

Sources and further reading

Last updated September 29, 2026.