Field guide · common
Emu
Australia's flightless giant — a shaggy ratite that sprints across the red centre and features on the national coat of arms.
Least Concern
Overview
The emu is Australia's tallest native bird — a flightless runner standing up to two metres tall, with shaggy brown feathers, powerful legs, and a curious, bold temperament. Emus can sprint at 50 km/h and swim rivers when needed, roaming the outback in pairs or small groups.
Emus once famously defeated the Australian army in the 'Emu War' of 1932, when soldiers with machine guns failed to control a crop-raiding flock. They remain icons of the bush — on the coat of arms alongside the kangaroo.
Habitat
Open grassland, savanna woodland, and arid scrub across most of mainland Australia suit emus. They avoid dense forest and the driest deserts, and follow rainfall to find food and breeding opportunities.
Countries found
Interesting facts
- 01
Emus cannot fly but can sprint at 50 km/h — and swim if they need to.
- 02
The male incubates the eggs and raises the chicks alone for up to 18 months.
- 03
Emus appear on Australia's coat of arms alongside the kangaroo.
Conservation status
Emus are Least Concern and abundant across Australia. They thrive in pastoral country and are farmed for meat, leather, and oil.
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Where it lives
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