Emu
Dromaius novaehollandiae
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Emu is a flightless bird with a tall, upright stance and long neck. Its body is covered in shaggy, greyish-brown feathers that resemble fur. The head and neck have sparse, black, bristly feathers, and its legs are long and powerful.
Adult Emus stand 1.5 to 1.9 meters tall. Both sexes look similar, though females are slightly larger on average. Juveniles have distinctive brown and cream striped plumage until about 3 months old.
Size
Length
150cm to 190cm
Wingspan
16cm to 25cm
Weight
30kg to 55kg
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Grey
Secondary Colour
Black
Beak Colour
Black Grey
Leg Colour
Brown
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Emus are found throughout mainland Australia, inhabiting many habitats, including grasslands, sclerophyll forests, and savannahs. They are absent from Tasmania, rainforests, and densely populated areas.
While generally non-migratory, Emus are nomadic and may travel long distances due to rainfall and food availability. They are well-adapted to Australia's varied climate zones, from arid interior regions to more temperate coastal areas.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 1100 meters
Climate zones
Arid, Subtropical, Temperate
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Emu. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons