The emu is Australia's largest native bird. It is flightless and lives in mainland Australia, except cities, dense forests and dry areas. Emus are between 150-190cm tall, weigh 18-48kg, and males and females are similar in size. The male emu incubates the eggs and cares for the chicks after hatching. Emus eat grasses, seeds, insects and fruits, and were historically hunted by Aboriginals and settlers.

1. Dromaius novaehollandiae

3. The emu is Australia’s largest native bird. The emu can not fly. It is flightless.

4. The emu lives in many places of mainland Australia. It doesn’t live in cities, dense forests or very dry areas.

5. Emus are between 150 and 190cm tall. They weigh between 18 and 48kg. The males and females are of similar size.

6. The emu can see and hear very well.

7. Emus can’t walk backwards.

8. The male emu sits on the eggs. After the chicks hatch, the male will chase the female emu away. The chicks stay with their Dad for up to 7 months.

9. Emus have 3 toes on each foot with a claw at the end of each toe. Under each foot is a thick cushion part. Each step that an emu takes is about 1 metre. When running, an emu can step out 2.75 metres.

10. Emus can be curious even in the wild.

11. Emus eat grasses, seeds, insects, and fruits. They will eat farmers crops. Emus swallow stones and pebbles to help them digest plants.

12. The Australian Aborigines hunted emus for eating. They also used emu bones for knives and tools and the tendons for string. Early settlers also killed emus for eating as well as because the emus were destroying the crops.

13. In the wild, an emu will live for 10 to 20 years.

14. The emu is one of the animals on the Australian Coat-of-Arms.

15. Emu Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emu http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/emu.htm http://www.abc.net.au/schoolstv/animals/EMUS.htm http://www.australiazoo.com.au/our-animals/amazing-animals/birds/?bird=ratites&animal=emu http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/education/factfiles/16.htm http://www.abc.net.au/science/scribblygum/August2000/default.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MONgTmF3VR0&feature=related http://www.squidoo.com/emu

16. Credits: All photos taken by Lisa Wilson or her immediate family. Photos taken at: Kyabram Fauna Park Currumbin Sanctuary Ettamogah Complex