Emu

Emus grow up to 1.90 metres tall and weigh a maximum of 45 kg. This makes them larger than cassowaries, but lighter. Its long, muscular legs end in three-toed feet (like those of the rhea and cassowary). The underside of the toes is flattened. The rudimentary wings are stubby with a claw at the tip, and the plumage is much reduced. This means that differentiation into feather types, such as pennaceous, vent or special feathers, which normally occurs, is absent here. The feathers are formed of a double rachis emerging from a single shaft, the feather branches do not form a closed plume and therefore appear hair-like. They form a loose but dense plumage. This is almost black after moulting (with a lighter breast), lightening with time, the base is white. The head and neck are dark and barely feathered.

Emus are migratory birds that make their extensive journeys on foot. They form flocks of several thousand birds. They can run up to 50 km/h and jump up to 2 metres high. Emus use their air sacs as a resonance chamber, producing deep, booming calls that can be heard up to 2 kilometres away. The female lays up to 15 dark green to almost black eggs in the nest, which can also be a communal nest. This is preferably under bushes and consists of sticks, leaves, grass and bark. For eight weeks, the cock broods alone or shares the brooding with a second cock. Neither food nor water is taken, but the eggs are turned regularly. The chicks usually stay with the father for 7, rarely up to 18 months.

Adult emus eat mainly plants, fruits, seeds and flowers. The young also eat a high proportion of animal food, such as various invertebrates.