Emu
Dromaius novaehollandiae
- 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
- Australia's tallest bird with shaggy grey-brown plumage
- Blue-grey bare skin on the neck
- Runs at up to 50 km/h
Voice
Deep drumming and grunting.
Where to see it
- Open country across mainland Australia
Range and habitat
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Emu
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.
