Emu

Scientific name: Dromaius novaehollandiae

The emu is the largest flightless bird of Australia. It can grow up to 2 meters tall.

This bird can adapt to many different environments and can be found in a range of habitats - from bushland to coastal dunes. The only Australian habitat that it is not found in is the rainforest.

Emus have very strong legs and three forward-facing toes on each of their feet. Although they are flightless birds, they do have tiny wings which are concealed by the shaggy feathers on their body.

Female emus lay very large eggs which are dark green-black in colour. The females will lay between 5-15 eggs in a clutch. However, it is the male that incubates the eggs, foregoing food and water throughout the duration of the incubation. The male emu also guards the chicks from predators for the first few months of their lives. 

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