The emu (or Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the world’s second largest species of flightless bird, only dwarfed by the common ostrich. It lives in the savannahs and woodlands of Australia. The emu has a long, bald neck which may have a blue tint, shaggy brown feathers that begin partway down the neck, and long grey legs with large three-toed feet. Emus have a grey beak, orange eyes and tufty feathers on the top of their head. Males and females look alike, although female emus are generally larger and heavier than males. Male emus measure 1.5m to 1.8m in height and 1.39m to 1.57m in length, and weigh 30kg to 55kg. Females stand 1.6m to 1.9m tall, are 1.5m to 1.64m long, and weigh 35kg to 60kg.
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Dromaius novaehollandiae
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Animal Facts
Emus can reach a top speed of 48km/h.
Emu males incubate the eggs and care for the chicks.
The emu has two sets of eyelids: one set is visible and is used for blinking; the other set is transparent and used for protection from dirt.
Emus are the only bird species with calf muscles.
In the 1930s, the Australian government attempted to utilise their military to cull emus that were migrating through farmlands in an operation known as ‘The Great Emu War’. The Australian government officially lost this war.
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