Emu bird: Endemic to Australia

Endemic to Australia, this enormous flightless bird has drooping gray shaggy plumage. Only confusion possible with introduced Common Ostrich, but note Emu ’s dark head and a shaggy-feathered neck. Hatchlings have distinctive stripes throughout. Juvenile and immature birds are darker than adults with more feathered necks. Prefers open country, where it roams around in loose flocks ranging from a few birds up to hundreds. Thundering through the outback at speeds of up to 50km per hour, the emu might be Australia’s largest flightless bird , but it certainly isn’t its slowest. Endemic to Australia, the emu is a well-known fixture within most parts of the country and was one of the first species recorded by early European explorers, who gave it the name ‘ Emu ,’ derived from an Arabic word meaning ‘large bird ’. Learn about the six types of emu , the second tallest living birds, found in Australia. Discover their characteristics, habitats, conservation status, and historical significance. The Emus is the largest bird native to Australia and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. Explore more about Emus.