Top 14 Intriguing Facts About Emus

The Ostriches (Struthioniformes) constitute an order of large, flightless birds that originated from Gondwana, with many of them being extinct now. Unlike other flightless birds, emus lack a keel on their sternum and thus lack the anchor point for the strong wing muscles, making them incapable of flight despite having wings suitable for gliding.

Most of the ancient Gondwanan landmasses were dominated or occupied by emus until relatively recent times.

Surviving species include:

• The African Emu, the largest surviving emu species. The largest individuals can reach up to 3m in height, weighing 135kg and running faster than horses.
• The Emu, standing as the second-largest, reaching up to 2m in height and weighing about 60kg. Similar to the African Emu, it is a powerful bird of the plains and forests.
• Also native to Australia and northern islands are the 3 species of Cassowaries. They are smaller than Emus with a robust build, favoring dense tropical forests. They can be highly dangerous when cornered or startled. In New Guinea, Cassowary eggs are taken for hatching into chicks for meat, considered a delicacy despite the risks they pose to human life.
• The smallest running birds are the 5 species of Kiwi in New Zealand. Kiwis, similar in size to chickens, are shy and feisty. They nest in deep burrows, using their highly developed sense of smell to dig for small insects. Kiwis are notable for laying eggs that are a significant portion of their body weight, equivalent to 15-20% of the female bird's weight.
• South America has 2 medium-sized Rhea species, running swiftly across the wild grasslands (pampas) of South America. The largest individuals of the South American Rhea (Rhea americana) can reach up to 1.5m in height and weigh 20–25kg. In South America, there are 47 species in 9 genera, including small, ground-dwelling but not flightless birds of the Tinamidae family, closely related to emus.

There are currently two approaches to classification in the study of running birds: the first approach, used in this article, groups them into families within the order Struthioniformes, while the second approach argues that lineages have evolved independently and thus elevates families to the order level.

Some studies based on morphology, immunology, and DNA sequences suggest that running birds are monophyletic. The traditional evolutionary description of running birds as a group appearing as flightless birds in Gondwana during the Cretaceous period, followed by evolving into separate directions due to continents drifting apart, has recently been challenged. Recent analysis of genetic variations among running bird species contradicts this: DNA analysis indicates that running bird species diverged too recently to share a common Gondwanan ancestor. Additionally, the Eocene fossils of the 'proto-emu' Palaeotis in Central Europe may imply that the 'out of Gondwana' hypothesis is incorrect. Furthermore, recent analysis with 20 nuclear genes questions the monophyly of the group, suggesting that tinamous, which can fly, may be grouped within the running bird lineage.

Comparative studies of the entire DNA sequence of surviving running bird species, along with 2 species of moa as the basal lineage, followed by the American ostrich, then the African ostrich, the kiwi, with the Australian ostrich (emu) and cassowary being the closest relatives. Another study reverses the relative positions of moa and the American ostrich, indicating that elephants are not close relatives of the African ostrich or other running bird species, while nuclear gene studies suggest that the African ostrich branched first, followed by the American ostrich and tinamous, then the kiwi separated from the Australian ostrich and cassowary. Analyses of shared divergence dates suggest that while moa ancestors may have existed in New Zealand since they split from other Gondwanan parts, kiwi ancestors somehow dispersed here more recently, possibly through land bridges or by 'hopping' across islands. Early divergence analyses indicate that the African ostrich seemingly arrived in Africa along some route after splitting from South America, but nuclear data indicates that the first branching of the African ostrich likely fits with the tectonic sequence of Gondwana. Other aspects (though not all) of the biogeography of running birds align with the hypothesis of species formation by geography.

Recent studies on species phylogeny suggest that tinamous may actually belong to this group. If so, it makes the 'running bird' group a near clade rather than a monophyletic one. This also raises notable questions about the evolution of flight capability and flightlessness in this group since traditional accounts suggest that running birds, as a monophyletic group, have ancestors that were flightless, whereas the branching of tinamous in the running bird lineage indicates that either flight capability has re-evolved in tinamous or has been lost in other running bird species.

Aepyornis, commonly known as the 'elephant bird' in Madagascar, was once the largest known bird. Though shorter than the tallest moa, the largest individuals could weigh up to 450 kg. Two species existed when humans migrated from Borneo and Africa, possibly in the 1st century. Both seem to have survived for quite some time: the smaller Aepyornis mullerornis may have disappeared earlier, while the larger Aepyornis maximus could have persisted until the early 17th century.

The Dinornithidae family (moa) comprised at least 11 different species that lived in New Zealand until humans became more prevalent around the 13th century or earlier. They ranged in size from turkey-sized moa to the giant moa (Dinornis giganteus) with a height of 3.3 m and a weight of up to 250 kg (550 lb). Like the cassowary, moa primarily inhabited forests with no predators among meat-eating animals. They are believed to have gone extinct around 1500 due to hunting in the few hundred years following human settlement. However, some still believe that small populations might have survived in remote, isolated areas until more recent times.

Additionally, eggshell fragments similar to those of Aepyornis have been found on the Canary Islands. These fragments date back to the Middle or Late Miocene, and no plausible hypothesis has been proposed regarding how they arrived here due to uncertainties about whether these islands were ever connected to the mainland.

Emus live in groups of 5–50 individuals, migrating based on herbivorous species such as kangaroos or gazelles. Their diet consists mainly of seeds or grass, occasionally including small animals like insects. Without teeth, they have to swallow stones to aid in grinding their food in the gizzard. They can go for extended periods without water, relying on the moisture from the plants they ingest. However, they enjoy water and frequently take baths.

With acute hearing and keen eyesight, they can detect predatory animals like lions from a considerable distance.

According to a widespread myth, emus are famous for burying their heads in the sand when in danger. The Roman author Pliny the Elder, in his work Naturalis Historia, described emus and their habit of hiding their heads in the foliage. However, there is no recorded observation of this behavior. A famous rebuttal is that a species with such behavior would not survive in the long run. This myth likely originated from the fact that from a distance, observers may see emus burying their heads in the sand while feeding, as they tilt their heads down to swallow sand and pebbles to aid in food digestion. If they truly buried their heads in the sand, emus would suffocate. When lying down to avoid predators, emus press their heads and necks close to the ground, resembling a small mound of dirt. When facing danger, emus panic and run, occasionally injuring themselves with powerful kicks from their strong legs.

In the Book of Job in the Bible, emus are described with comically short wings, indifferent to the safety of their eggs, harsh treatment of their offspring, lack of wisdom, yet making horses ashamed of their speed.

In terms of weight, emus weigh between 90 and 130 kg. Some mature male emus can even reach up to 155 kg. Mature male emus have predominantly black feathers with a few white spots on their wings and tail. Female and juvenile emus are light brownish-gray with some white spots. The courtship behavior of male emus involves using their small wings to dance and attract a mate, providing protection for the emu chicks.

Regarding their feathers, emus have soft and unique feathers compared to the plumage of any flying bird. They still have claws on both wings. Their robust legs are featherless, featuring two toes, with one larger toe resembling a horse's hoof. This distinctive feature enhances their running ability. Additionally, emus have a pair of thick eyelashes, and their eyes are considered the largest among land-dwelling animals.

When fully grown, male emus stand between 1.8 to 2.7 meters tall, while females reach heights from 1.7 to 2 meters. In their early years, emu chicks can grow up to 25 cm every month. By their first year, emus can weigh up to 45 kg. Emus from Africa weigh between 90 to 130 kg (200 to 290 pounds), with some recorded males reaching up to 155 kg (340 pounds). Mature males have mostly black feathers with white spots on the wings and tail. Females and juveniles have a light brownish-gray color with a few white spots. Male emus use their small, non-functional wings to perform a mating dance and provide shelter for the emu chicks. Their feathering is soft and distinct from flying bird plumage, retaining claws on both wings. Their robust legs are featherless, featuring two toes with one larger resembling a horse's hoof, enhancing their running ability. Emus have large, dark eyelashes, and their eyes are the largest among terrestrial animals.

Emus were historically hunted and bred for their feathers, once a decorative element for the hats of aristocratic women. Their skin was also highly valued. In the 18th century, they were hunted nearly to extinction. Emu farming began in the 19th century. The emu feather market collapsed after World War I. Commercial farming resumed in the 1970s for both feathers and leather. Arabian and North African emus became extinct in the mid-20th century.

Today, emus are farmed worldwide, even in cold climates like Sweden. They adapt to temperatures ranging from 30 to -10 °C, being raised in over 50 countries worldwide, with the majority in South Africa. Due to their low feed conversion ratio (3.5:1 compared to livestock's 6:1), they are attractive to farmers. Although primarily farmed for leather, followed by meat, emus also provide other by-products such as eggs, by-products, and feathers. Emu leather is currently considered the most commercially valuable.

Emu meat tastes similar to lean beef, with low fat and cholesterol but rich in calcium, protein, and iron. Large emus are so tall that an average-sized person can ride them, usually grasping their wings. In some regions in North Africa and Arabia, emus are trained for mountain riding. Animal rights organizations criticize emu riding in the United States, but these races are not widespread due to the difficulty of calming emus, which are also somewhat temperamental.

Emus are considered dangerous animals in Australia, the United States, and the UK. They have attacked and killed humans. Large females are territorial, aggressive, and can deliver powerful kicks. Emus can run faster than a human sprinter.

Emu eggs are used for decorative purposes due to their thick, hard-to-break shells. Some people use eggshells for night lights or leave the whole shell intact. Many jewelers also gold-plate emu eggshells and sell them at high prices.

Emus reach full maturity at the age of 2-4 years, with males maturing about 6 months later than females. The breeding season typically spans from March or April to August, depending on the geographical region. Male emus use grunting sounds and other vocalizations to engage in territorial battles, establish dominance, and attract a harem of 2-5 female emus. The victorious male will mate with the entire harem but will establish only one primary mate.

Emus are egg-laying birds. The entire harem collectively lays eggs with embryos in a nest constructed by the primary mate—a simple pit 30-60 cm deep. The eggs weigh between 1.3-1.4 kg (3 pounds), measure 15 cm (6 inches) in length and 13 cm (5 inches) in width, making them the largest eggs with the largest embryos, albeit relatively small compared to the size of emus. Each nest contains 15-60 pale white and glossy eggs. Females incubate during the day, and males take over at night, sporting different plumage to avoid detection while incubating. The incubation period ranges from 35 to 45 days, and the male is often there to greet the newly hatched chicks. The average lifespan of African emus is between 30-70 years, with an average of 50 years.

Emu chicks hatch with open eyes and can run and jump within 1-2 hours of birth. Like most flightless bird species, their chicks hatch with open eyes and a protective down layer. The bodies of emu chicks follow the typical pattern. Unlike species that can fly, their chicks are nearly featherless, and their eyes remain closed, relying on their parents to find food. Emu chicks are highly active, and their parents must corral them like a mobile daycare. They run around aimlessly, and during the first six months, emu chicks are prone to various non-natural causes of death. However, they grow rapidly after this initial period.

Many believe the egg-shaped body of emus contributes to their awkward running style. However, a recent study found that the peculiar shape of these birds actually helps the flightless species move gracefully while running.

Biologist Devin Jindrich at Arizona State University, USA, developed mathematical models to predict how these animals move based on body proportions, running speed, leg position, and inertia. Scientists trained 8 emus to run on a 23-meter rubber track and on a force-measuring disc that gauged leg force upon ground contact. They also used 8 cameras to record body movement. Software analyzed the motion and joint positions on the emu's body. The birds either ran in a straight line or circled obstacles.

Successful direction changes require runners not to excessively rotate their bodies. Humans slow down to avoid over-rotation, while researchers found that emus don't exert much effort to reduce speed when changing direction.

According to Jindrich's calculations, the egg-shaped body and horizontal orientation of emus have higher inertia when running compared to the upright posture of humans. This makes emus less prone to excessive rotation and less likely to lose balance compared to humans. The birds change direction simply by turning toward their target. Jindrich believes these findings could help develop devices aiding spinal injury patients in walking more effortlessly.

Emus, originally from Africa, live wild in nature in small groups. The emu is the most distinctive bird species in the world. The most noticeable characteristic is their tall and large body. The weight of a mature emu (2-3 years old) can range from 90 to 130 kg, with the largest individuals weighing up to 150 kg.

Emus have a small, flattened, diamond-shaped head. Their tall neck, devoid of feathers, allows them to observe everything in a wide space to handle potential dangers from a distance. Interestingly, despite being a bird, they cannot fly. Their wings, originally used for flying, have evolved to be small and are used in mating rituals and to protect their chicks. Their soft feathers have a unique quality compared to other bird species. The long, slender legs carry extraordinary strength. Emu legs are featherless, with two toes, one larger and resembling a horse's hoof.

It is estimated that the maximum speed a mature emu can reach is equivalent to the speed of a racehorse, around 70 km/h. Each running stride can cover up to 5 meters. Hence, in some countries, emu racing events attract considerable attention.

Emus adapt to various habitats, especially harsh environments like deserts and dry plateaus. They are egg-laying animals, and raising emu chicks can be challenging, contributing to a decline in their population in the wild.

All flying birds have 4 toes on each foot, while non-flying species typically have 3 toes. However, the emu stands out as the only bird with 2 toes on each foot. These toes, resembling claws, protrude from the foot and aid in maintaining balance.

Emus cannot fly due to the absence of a keel bone, which supports the wing muscles. Bird bones are hollow, allowing for movement and flight. Emus lack a keel, rendering them flightless, and their small wings cannot lift their heavy bodies off the ground. When running, emus use their wings for balance and stability.

Additionally, the male emu's feathers serve in courtship rituals. Male emus perform captivating dances, wing flaps, and wing bows to attract females. In males, the neck glows red when ready to mate, while females develop a silver hue in their feathers.

This presents a fascinating spectacle, the courtship ritual of emus. During the breeding season, the beak and leg tubes of male emus turn a deep red. They engage in provocative dances to establish dominance among the females.

The emu is truly unique among birds, having 3 stomachs. This is one of its distinctive features. These stomachs serve various functions, with one functioning as a bile pouch and another as a muscular stomach to grind food before entering its extensive digestive system. Urine and feces of the emu are separated in the third stomach.

Emus consume nearly all their food from plants; however, they will drink from a watering hole when water is scarce. They can regulate body temperature to prevent water loss on hot, sunny days. Emus eat roots, fruits, leaves, and seeds, along with reptiles, small mammals, and insects. Plants provide enough moisture for them to endure up to two weeks without water supplementation.

Emus produce a variety of sounds including honks, grunts, whistles, drumming, growls, and booming. Male emus create booming sounds during mating, while honks signify staying away. Male emus produce a low, deep booming noise, clamping their beaks while stretching their necks. During mating, the male 'booms' to mark territory, and the female emits a honking sound.

Additionally, the behavior of 'head burying in sand,' often believed to help emus hide from predators, is a misconception. It is thought to have originated from observing emus nesting, where they bury their eggs in shallow holes in the ground.

The Australian Cassowary holds the Guinness World Record for being the most dangerous bird globally. It possesses a dagger-like claw and the strongest kick among birds. The cassowary is a genus containing three bird species. They have a body resembling that of an emu but smaller, typically standing at heights of 1.7 to 1.8 meters, with some individuals reaching up to 2 meters.

The body of the Australian Cassowary is covered in black feathers, with a brightly colored head and neck. Their face is sea blue, adorned with red wattles hanging around the neck.

The 'helmet' on the head of the Australian Cassowary has a structure entirely different from the crests of other birds or poultry. Instead of being made of flesh, it consists of horn-like material and is hollow inside. The cassowary species lives in the dense forests of Australia, emitting lower-frequency sounds than other bird species. Its hollow casque functions as an antenna, allowing them to receive 'signals' from their kind.

Never provoke an Australian Cassowary when you encounter one. The best approach is to remain unnoticed and retreat as quickly as possible before it's too late.

The Australian Cassowary belongs to the ratite family, flightless, and large. It primarily inhabits tropical rainforests in New Guinea and northeastern Australia. Females are usually larger and have brighter plumage than males. More menacingly, this bird has a fiercely protective territorial instinct. Unfortunate encounters with humans or other animals inadvertently intruding into their territories in the wild can be nightmarish.

Its feet have extremely sharp clawed toes. The middle toe claw can reach up to 125mm. These clawed toes are extremely menacing when the bird uses them to kick people and other creatures. If attacked, the victim, if not killed, would suffer severe injuries.

Emus are omnivores, meaning they consume a variety of plants and animals. Wild emus and those raised as livestock may have different diets. While wild emus eat a variety of plants, insects, and small animals, farm-raised emus are often fed a balanced diet with commercially available food mimicking their natural intake.

Emus belong to a classification called ratites, literally translated as 'stone stomach.' Like many other bird species, emus lack teeth, making digestion challenging. They swallow stones, pebbles, and other abrasive items, keeping them in a muscular part of the stomach called the gizzard. They don't digest the stones; instead, they use them to help grind various foods they consume, making them easier to digest. Over time, the stones will wear down until they are completely eroded. When this happens, the bird replaces them with new stones to keep their digestion process on track.

According to the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, wild emus are often found in warm, dry savannas and other arid and semi-arid locations across Africa. These birds once inhabited various regions in Asia and the Arabian Peninsula, but due to increased hunting, their populations have significantly dwindled, mainly confined to the near Sahara region in Africa. Their habitat directly influences their dietary habits.

Emus have a predominantly plant-based diet. In the wild, their diet comprises approximately 60% plant material, 15% fruits or legumes, 5% insects or small animals, and 20% grains, salts, and stones.

Feeding baby emus differs from feeding adult emus. As there is no widely accepted scientific research on the best way to feed baby emus, different producers employ various strategies. Some emu farmers refrain from providing food or water to baby emus for 6 to 8 days after hatching, while others prefer to offer them food and water immediately after they hatch.

Baby emus have a loose, hanging pouch that provides enough nutrients for them to survive until they learn to eat and drink on their own. This pouch needs to be absorbed to promote healthy and proper development. Providing food in shallow dishes and scattered on the ground helps baby emus learn to eat. By the time they are 8 weeks old, they should be transitioned to commercial emu food until 12-16 months old, when they should either be harvested or retained to further mature into breeding adults.

Food for adult emus contains balanced levels of protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals to promote robust growth, and they should be fed once a day in the morning, alongside their foraging habits.