The Australian bird emu is an indigenous inhabitant of the mainland, business card fauna of the continent. European travelers first saw the long-legged creature in the 17th century. The birds amazed us with their unusual appearance and habits. Interest in Australian emus is fueled by new discoveries in bird research.
Description and features
Name from Portuguese Arabic languages translated as "big bird". Emu ostrich in the photo It is no coincidence that it looks like a cassowary. For a long time it was classified as an ordinary ostrich, but in an updated classification based on the latest research last century amendments were made - the bird was classified as a cassowary, although the traditional combination ostrich emu continues to be used in the public and scientific environment. Unlike the cassowary, the top of the relative's head is without a growth on the head.
The appearance of the emu is special, although there are similar features with the cassowary and ostrich. The height of the birds is up to 2 m, the weight is 45-60 kg - indicators of the second largest bird in the world. Females are difficult to distinguish from males; their color is identical - there are slight differences in size and vocal characteristics. Visually determining the sex of a bird is difficult.
The emu has a dense, oblong body with a drooping tail. The small head on an elongated neck is pale blue. The eyes are round in shape. Interestingly, their size coincides with the size of the bird's brain. Long eyelashes make your look special.
Beak pink color, slightly curved. The bird has no teeth. The plumage color ranges from dark gray to gray-brown tones, which allows the bird to be inconspicuous among vegetation despite its large size. The emu's hearing and vision are well developed. He sees predators a couple of hundred meters away and senses danger from afar.
The limbs are very powerful - emu speed reaches 50-60 km/h. A collision with it is dangerous and can result in severe damage. One step in length averages 275 cm, but can increase up to 3 m. The emu's clawed paws serve for protection.
The emu has three three-phalangeal toes on each foot, which distinguishes it from the two-toed ostriches. There are no feathers on the legs. Paws on thick soft pads. In cages with strong limbs they can even damage metal fencing.
Thanks to their strong legs, they overcome enormous distances and lead a nomadic life. Claws are a serious weapon of birds, with which they inflict severe injuries, even kill the attackers. The bird's wings are underdeveloped - the emu cannot fly.
No more than 20 cm in length, the tips with growths resembling claws. The feathers are soft to the touch. The structure of the plumage protects the bird from overheating, so the emu remains active even in the midday heat. Thanks to the characteristics of the feather, Australian inhabitants can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. The bird may flap its wings during its activity.
An amazing feature of the emu is its ability to swim beautifully. Unlike other waterfowl ostrich emu can swim across a river with a gentle current. The bird loves to just sit in the water. The ostrich's voice combines the sounds of grunting, drumming, and loud screams. You can hear birds 2 km away.
The local population hunted emus for a source of meat, skin, feathers, especially valuable fat, which was used as medicine, served as a valuable lubricant, and was a component of paints for ceremonial body decorations. Modern cosmetology includes emu fat for the preparation of preparations for skin health and rejuvenation.
Species
The modern classification identifies three subspecies of Australian inhabitants:
- Woodward, living in the north of the mainland. Color pale gray;
- Rothschild, living in the southwestern region of Australia. Color dark brown;
- new Dutch ostriches living in the south-eastern part. The plumage is gray-black.
The ongoing confusion between emus and African ostriches continues due to external resemblance. There are fundamental differences between them:
- in the length of the neck - the ostrich is half a meter longer;
- in the anatomical structure of the paws - emus with three fingers, ostriches with two;
- in the appearance of the eggs - in emu they are smaller and deep blue in color.
African ostrich, emu in Australia there are different birds.
Lifestyle and habitat
Giant birds are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania. They prefer savannas, not too overgrown places, open spaces. Birds are characterized by a sedentary life, although in the west of the continent they move to the northern part in the summer and to the southern regions in winter.
Emu ostrich lives most often alone. The union of emus into a pair, a group of 5-7 individuals, is a rare phenomenon, characteristic only for periods of nomadism, active search food. It is not typical for them to constantly flock together.
Farmers hunt birds if they gather in large numbers and cause damage by trampling crops and destroying shoots. While “swimming” in loose earth and sand, the bird makes movements with its wings, as if swimming. Wild birds inhabit areas where trees have been cut down and are found along roads.
Adult birds have almost no enemies, so they do not hide in the open spaces of the fields. Good eyesight allows them to escape at speeds of up to 65 km/h in case of danger. The enemies of the emu are feathered predators - eagles,. Dingo dogs encroach on large birds, and foxes steal eggs from nests.
Emus prefer uncrowded places, although they are not afraid of humans and quickly get used to them. There are no maintenance difficulties on emu farms. Emu is a bird, well adapted to different temperature conditions. The Australian giant tolerates cold temperatures down to -20°C and summer heat up to +40°C.
The birds are active during the day; the emu sleeps at night. Rest begins at sunset; the ostrich falls into deep sleep, sitting on its paws. Any irritants interrupt rest. During the night, the emu wakes up every 90-100 minutes. In general, birds sleep up to 7 hours a day.
Thanks to the increased interest in birds, special farms for the industrial breeding of feathered giants have emerged in China, Canada, the USA, and Russia. They adapt well to temperate and cold climates.
Nutrition
The diet of Australian emus is based on plant foods, like that of the related cassowaries. Partially present animal component. Birds feed mainly in the morning. Their attention is attracted by young shoots, plant roots, grass, cereal crops. Bird raids on grain crops cause damage to farmers, who not only drive away the feathered robbers, but also shoot the uninvited guests.
Emu ostriches travel long distances in search of food. They feast on plant buds, seeds, fruits, and are very fond of juicy fruits. Birds need water and must drink at least once a day. If they are near a pond, they go to water several times a day.
Australian emus do not have teeth, like African ostriches, so to improve digestion, birds swallow small pebbles, sand, even pieces of glass, so that with their help the swallowed food is crushed. In specialized nurseries, the necessary component for high-quality digestion is also added to the birds’ food.
Food in captivity in summer consists of a mixture of grain and grass, and in winter - from hay with mineral supplements. Emus love sprouted grains, green oats, cranberries, and alfalfa. Birds willingly eat grain bread, carrots, peas, shells, cake, beets, potatoes, and onions.
Under natural conditions, Australian ostriches sometimes hunt small animals; in nurseries they are mixed bone meal, meat, chicken eggs to compensate for the lack of animal food.
The amount of food per day is approximately 1.5 kg. You should not overfeed the feathered giants. Water must be constantly available, although birds can go without it for a long time. The feeding of the chicks is different. The main food for young animals are insects, various rodents, lizards, and worms.
Until the age of eight months, growing emus require protein food. An excellent appetite helps you gain weight quickly. If after birth the babies weigh only 500 g, then by the first year of life they are difficult to distinguish from adults.
Reproduction and lifespan
Birds reach sexual maturity at approximately 2 years of age. From this age, females begin laying eggs. In nature, mating time occurs in December-January, in captivity later - at the height of spring.
During courtship and choosing a partner, Australian ostriches perform ritual dances. If during normal periods it is difficult to distinguish between a male and a female, then during the mating season it is not difficult to figure out who is who based on their behavior. The plumage of females becomes darker, areas of bare skin near the eyes and beak become a rich turquoise color.
Emu egg
The male lures the female with characteristic sounds similar to a quiet whistle. Mutual interest is expressed in mating games, when the birds stand opposite each other, lower their heads down, and begin to swing them above the ground. The male then takes the female to the nest, which he built himself. This is a hole, in the depths of which the bottom is lined with twigs, bark, leaves, and grass.
The peak of mating activity occurs in the Australian winter - May, June. Emus are polygamous, although there are examples of permanent partnerships with one female. Interestingly, the struggle for a partner takes place mainly between females, who can be very aggressive. Fights between females for the attention of a male can last for several hours.
Eggs are laid at intervals of 1-3 days. Several females lay eggs in one nest, each containing 7-8 eggs. In total, there are up to 25 very large eggs of dark green or dark blue unlike white ostriches. The shell is dense and thick. Each emu egg weighs 700-900 g. Compared to chicken, it is 10-12 times larger in volume.
After oviposition, the females leave the nest, and the male begins incubation and then raises the offspring. The incubation period lasts about two months. The male eats and drinks very little during this period. He leaves the nest no longer than 4-5 hours a day. The loss of a male's own weight reaches up to 15 kg. The eggs gradually change color and become black and purple.
Emu chicks
The hatched chicks are up to 12 cm tall, very active, and grow quickly. The creamy camouflage strips gradually fade over up to 3 months. The male guardian of the offspring is extremely aggressive in protecting the chicks. With a kick he can break the bones of a person or an animal. A caring father brings food to the chicks and stays with them continuously for 5-7 months.
The lifespan of Australian giants is 10-20 years. Birds die prematurely, becoming victims of predators or humans. Individuals living in captivity became record holders for longevity at 28-30 years. You can see the Australian bird not only in its historical homeland. There are many nurseries and zoos where the emu is a welcome inhabitant.
The emu is found wild in Australia. Because of large size the bird needs enough space. Emus are the second largest birds in the world; the height of an adult bird reaches almost two meters: to be more precise, 170-190 cm. The average weight of an adult is 70-80 kg. Let us note the long neck and legs of this bird - these features allow the ostrich in the wild to run quickly over long distances. The emu ostrich cannot fly, but it swims quite well.
As for the differences between females and males, in in this case birds of different sexes are not much different - and an unprepared person is unlikely to immediately figure out who is in front of him. The height and weight of the individuals are approximately the same, and the main difference is the characteristic guttural calling sounds that the male makes during the mating season. The behavior of birds in normal times is quite calm, however, during the mating season, males can become aggressive.
Description of the breed
First of all, to obtain their large eggs, which contain many useful microelements. In addition, Emu feathers are also important - they are used to make luxury items, clothing, and jewelry. Ostrich leather is also valuable - it is used to make soft, luxurious shoes, bags, and other leather goods. Ostrich also provides valuable fat used in cosmetology.
The female lays eggs in January-February. A standard clutch contains from two to 30 full eggs: each egg has a characteristic round-oblong shape and weighs approximately 600-650 grams. Note that the female retains fertility and the ability to lay eggs for 20 years.
Reference! This large bird can replace 30-40 chickens. At the same time, such an egg is stored in the refrigerator for a year without losing its technical and taste qualities.Ostrich meat also has high nutritional value. The taste of this product is reminiscent of veal, it contains a lot of protein and fat, and the consistency is tender. From one adult individual after slaughter you can get from 28 to 30 kg of clean meat, ready for sale.
Breeding
If in natural conditions a male Emu ostrich sits on the clutch, then in professional breeding conditions the eggs are usually placed in. Next, we will consider the features of incubating ostrich eggs, as well as how to care for newly born chicks.
Incubation
The baby ostrich is born after 53-66 days of incubation period. All this time, the eggs must be kept in a special room under heating: artificial heating is most often used. The air temperature favorable for hatching ostrich chicks from eggs is +37-38 degrees with a humidity of 40-70%.
Caring for chicks
From the moment they are born until they reach three to four months of age, they should be kept separately, and only then released to general grazing.
As soon as the birds hatch, they do not need food for the next three days, since their body still functions on the reserves that were laid down at birth. Note that the stomach of newborn ostrich chicks is not strong, so it will not be able to digest food.
After the third day of life, feed with protein. It is important that food for newborn ostrich chicks contains vitamin supplements such as alfalfa and clover. Cottage cheese and crushed boiled eggs will also appeal to the chicks and will be useful for them. This diet is maintained until the end of the third week of the birds’ life.
From the fourth week until placement for grazing (up to 3-4 months), the amount of fiber in the chicks’ diet should be reduced (no more than 12%), and protein no more than 19%.
Important! Place fine gravel in a separate feeder. Chicks will peck pebbles to facilitate their digestion processes.
As for the temperature of keeping the chicks, the optimal temperature will be +18-20 degrees.
Content Features
Let's look at the basics behind these huge exotic representatives of birds.
External conditions
Note that these birds are quite adapted to being kept in cool conditions and can graze in the snow. However, in the room where ostriches are kept, especially during the period of hatching eggs, it is important to ensure a temperature of at least +13+15 degrees. In the summer, the birds do not need any additional heating, but when grazing, it is important to install for them a separate pen with a canopy, where the ostriches can hide from the sun.
Square
If ostriches are kept in stalls, it is necessary to provide each individual with 10-15 m2 of space, and for the baby ostrich - 5 m2. The field for grazing should be quite spacious: no less than 50-60 m2 per adult.
Fencing
Ostriches are distinguished by their rare curiosity and mobility, so the grazing area must be fenced. A fence 150-180 cm in height will be quite enough.
Important! Use fine mesh for the fence so that the ostrich cannot stick its head into the cells and get injured. In addition, all sharp edges of the mesh must be sanded for the same purpose of protecting against injury.
Diet
In the wild, Emu ostriches eat fresh grass, fruits, and various insects with equal pleasure. Under conditions of artificial breeding, it is customary to feed them with special compound feed - this is an adult individual. The following “dishes” are also added to the feed:
- grain mash;
- in summer - grass, in winter - hay;
- meat and bone and fish meal;
- roots, grains and vegetables;
- bread.
An adult ostrich is given approximately 3 kg of food per day: half of the diet should be succulent and roughage.
Attention! It is not recommended to feed Emu ostriches too much, since in this case the bird will grow quickly and actively. And when ostriches grow too quickly, their limbs often suffer: their legs become bent and deformed.
Diseases
Ostriches have naturally excellent immunity and tolerate being kept well in almost any conditions. The bird is able to survive at temperatures from +56 to -15 degrees. The mortality rate of both adults and young animals is quite low: this point makes raising Emu ostriches a very profitable activity. Beginning farmers can also start raising large birds: unpretentiousness, high immunity and excellent productive qualities make this Australian bird a very profitable occupation.
But, although the ostrich is unpretentious, it can also get sick. Let us note that, in general, the bird tolerates illness well, and if timely measures are taken, the disease does not cause much damage to its health.
Benefits of ostrich fat
The Emu ostrich is raised not only for the purpose of obtaining large eggs, valuable feathers and skin: the bird's fat is also of high value. Fat is widely used in cosmetology and pharmaceutical industry: Soap, various ointments, and creams are made from it.
The properties of emu oil are amazing: the substance has pronounced bactericidal properties, perfectly softens and moisturizes, and promotes regenerative processes in the skin. Let us additionally note that from one adult individual you can get from five to fifteen kilograms of a valuable product.
As you can see, the Emu is a very attractive option. An unpretentious and active bird is capable of producing both meat and valuable eggs, fat, feathers, skin: production will be practically waste-free.
The emu is a large flightless Australian bird. The emu, together with the emu, is the heraldry animal of Australia. This ostrich is not only an excellent runner, but also an excellent swimmer. Bird report with video and photo
Squad - Cassowaries
Family - Emu
Genus/Species - Dromaius novaehollandiae
Basic data:
DIMENSIONS
Height: up to 1.7 m.
Body Height: 1 m.
Weight: emus weigh on average 50 kg, females are slightly heavier than males.
REPRODUCTION
Puberty: from 2 years old.
Nesting period: depends on the region.
Carrying: 1 or 2 per year.
Number of eggs: 7-8.
Incubation: 56-66 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habits: Emu ostriches (look at the photo) lead a gregarious nomadic life outside the nesting period.
Food: plants, seeds and fruits, as well as insects, small rodents and lizards.
Lifespan: 5-10 years, more in captivity.
RELATED SPECIES
Relatives of the emu are the cassowary and.
The usual plumage of emus is dark in color, and by the nesting period it becomes light brown. This unusual flightless bird is a close relative of the cassowary, and African ostrich. All these birds have a similar skull structure and are equally long, strong legs.
REPRODUCTION
The male builds an oval-shaped platform on the ground, 1 m long and 70 cm wide. The nest is lined with grass, leaves and twigs.
The female lays 7-8 large, olive-green eggs in the nest. Interestingly, it is the male who incubates the eggs and takes care of the chicks, not the female. The caring father incubates the eggs for 56-66 days, during which time he does not eat and only occasionally goes to water. It should be noted that in the first and last weeks of incubation, the male does not leave the nest at all - not even to drink water. During all this time, the male emu loses up to a third of his weight. The chicks hatch after 56-66 days and leave the nest fairly quickly. After the chicks hatch, the male spends all his attention on them. He takes care of the chicks for 5-7 months.
EMU AND HUMAN
A. Brem described six species of emu that lived on the islands surrounding Australia. Unfortunately, the first settlers completely destroyed the population of these birds, so only one species of emu is currently known. These amazing birds were killed for meat. Their fat was used to make oil, which was used for medicinal purposes and as fuel. These days, emus are being destroyed because they cause significant harm. agriculture. Emus also drink water and eat grass in pastures where flocks of sheep graze. The emu population on the Australian continent has survived, despite all government programs to exterminate them. People's concern for emus is manifested in the fact that they arrange drinking bowls for these birds.
LIFESTYLE
Outside the nesting period, emus stay in small groups. During dry periods they form flocks of thousands. Emus are nomadic birds. They travel vast distances in search of food. Emus are perfectly adapted for travel, so only during the nesting period, when males incubate the eggs, do they stay in one place for a long time. Having found a rich food source, they accumulate fat. Thanks to this, the bird, whose weight is 45 kg, survives in times of famine, when its weight decreases to 30 kg (males lose up to one-third of their weight during incubation).
FOOD
Emu chooses its food very carefully. Prefers nourishing food, that is, seeds, plant buds and fruits. It also eats succulent roots. The emu does not eat grass or dry branches even when there is no better food. Emu also eats insects, lizards and rodents, especially if there are a lot of them. Swallows pebbles, which promotes better digestion of food in the stomach. Some pebbles can be quite large and weigh up to 50 g.
The emu requires regular watering, and is also an excellent swimmer. Thanks to nutritious food, little ostrich chicks grow up quite quickly. The large amount of food and its availability is the reason for the rapid increase in the number of this species.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
There are fewer and fewer birds; on the island of Tasmania they were destroyed back in the 19th century.
The emu is a flightless bird. Its weight is 55 kg, height is 170 cm. It lives throughout Australia, they can be found in steppes and semi-deserts. Nests are made on the ground from tightly packed grass. Here they lay 8-10 eggs, which are incubated by the father. They feed on fresh grass shoots, seeds, berries, and can also feast on locusts and grasshoppers. They often spoil the harvest by eating crops in the fields. Therefore, they are often hunted by farmers.
- The first Australian settlers used emu eggs to make an omelet. Several people could get enough of one egg. The yolk of an emu egg contains a lot of fat, so cooks typically poured the eggs out of their shells, left them overnight to cool, and skimmed off the fat the next day before frying them.
- Australians use the disrespectful expression "stupid as an emu". The birds received the name “emu” for their piercing calling cry “um-uh”.
- 3,000 caterpillars were found in the stomach of one emu, shot during a punitive expedition.
- Emu - incredible interesting bird. There are many stories told about how he behaves while searching for food. One emu drank paint from a can, and then swallowed the can itself.
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF EMU. DESCRIPTION
Chicks: have a striped color.
Plumage: long feathers hanging separately, usually dark or gray-brown.
Wings: small, absolutely not suitable for flight. In hot weather, emus fan themselves with them to cool off.
Nest and eggs: the male builds a flat nest 1 m in diameter and lines it with grass and branches. The female lays 7-8 large, olive-green eggs.
Legs: long and strong. The emu covers long distances at a fast pace. The feet have three toes.
- Emu habitat
WHERE DOES IT LIVE?
The emu lives in the scrubby sandy deserts and steppes of Australia and on the island of Tasmania.
SECURITY AND PRESERVATION
In Australia, the emu is an abundant species that is not endangered, although its habitats are being destroyed and replaced by agricultural land. In many regions, emu numbers are under constant control.
Ostrich Emu, stupid Emu. Video (00:01:36)
The emu is a large Australian bird from the cassowary order. Emus were previously classified as ostriches, but the classification was revised in the 1980s.
The emu is a bit like a cassowary, but does not have leathery growths on the neck and a “helmet”. Also, the emu has three toes on each foot, while the ostrich has two. The bird's length ranges from 150 to 190 cm, and its weight ranges from 30 to 55 kg. Emus can reach speeds of up to 50 km/h. This speed is achieved thanks to the long legs, which allow the birds to take steps up to 280 cm. Emus have no teeth, so they swallow glass, stones and pieces of metal to grind food in their stomach.
Tango emu/Tango emu. Video (00:01:42)
Emu bird. Video (00:04:20)
Kharkov, zoo, Emu ostrich, purebred chickens. Video (00:02:42)
The ostrich is the largest bird on the planet and is well known a huge number people. The scientific name is Struthio camelus, from Latin the second part of the name is translated as “camel”. These animals are similar to each other with bulging eyes and long eyelashes, as well as impressive body sizes. This beautiful giant bird called the Australian ostrich (its photo can be found in the article) is divided into several subspecies:
- Asian ostriches.
- Common or North African.
- Somali.
- Syrian.
- African.
What is the name of the Australian ostrich?
Emu is the largest fast animal that looks like an ostrich. Due to the fact that Australia is located far from other continents, this fact has had a beneficial effect on the conservation certain types animals, which include the Australian emu, a photo of which we present in this article. In the past, this bird was related to the ostrich species, but in 1980 the classification was revised and included in the cassowary group. This is exactly what the emu belongs to. There are three species of emus that live in Australia:
- woodwardi;
- novaehollandiae;
- rothschildi.
External features of emu
Despite their large size, Australian ostriches are still much smaller than African ones. They can reach a height of 150-180 cm, weighing from 35 to 55 kg. They have a dense body and a small head on an elongated neck. They have large round eyes with fluffy eyelashes. Their pink beak ends in a curved tip. Since they do not have teeth for grinding food, it is quite normal for them to swallow small pebbles and sand. In addition, life-threatening materials - pieces of metal and glass - often end up in their stomachs. The wings are not fully developed (which is why they do not fly) and reach up to 25 cm in length. These birds have incredibly strong legs that can break a human bone. The velvety brown feathers camouflage emus and are able to regulate their body temperature.
Is the Australian emu dangerous?
Adults are dangerous even for large predators; one blow from a leg with a hard claw is enough to seriously injure or even take the life of a lion, for example. With a direct attack, an emu can also cripple a dog or break a person’s arm with one blow. There were cases when males, protecting their immediate territory, attacked people and very seriously maimed them. IN peaceful life they are almost always silent and quiet, and during the mating season the males make a sound that is a bit like a quiet whistle.
Habitat
Emus live in Australia and off the coast. As a rule, they inhabit dry biotopes - shrubs and savannas; they can also live on the outskirts of deserts, but they never go deeper. Seasonal migrations are typical for emus in the western parts: in the summer they go north, in the winter - south. Adult birds have practically no enemies, they calmly wander through open areas and only occasionally, in the event of a threat to life, rush into a run at a speed of 50 km/h. They have excellent vision, which is why they can notice a moving object from afar, a couple of hundred meters away. They do not like to get close to large animals and people, so on excursion farms they try to keep visitors away from this bird. Emus usually live alone, but sometimes in pairs of 3-5 individuals.
What do ostriches eat and how do they reproduce?
They usually eat rhizomes, seeds and fruits of plants, fruits and small animals and insects (grasshoppers, ants, lizards). Even in times of famine they do not feed on grass and dry branches, preferring grain crops. For this they were regularly exterminated by the first settlers in the past. The mating season falls from December to January. At this time, males are especially dangerous and disperse all opponents from their lands. Emus are monogamous, so any male mates with only one female. As for the female, after mating she is freed from parental obligations and can already meet with new partners. The role of the male in procreation is great; he himself builds nests from branches and grass, and the female only lays 7-8 eggs weighing 800-900 grams.
By appearance eggs vary in color: there are dark blue, and even almost black, as well as greenish-blue shades. The male takes care of the offspring directly. He incubates the clutch for up to two months and does not leave the nest for a second. He does not feed, does not defecate, drinks only dew from the grass and is on guard all the time. During two months of incubation, the male loses a lot of weight and survives only thanks to the fat that he was able to accumulate in advance. When the chicks hatch, the male carefully protects them. Despite large sizes Well, his life is extremely hectic. The main danger threatens the chicks; 50% do not survive to become young. They are hunted by dingoes, foxes, and wild boars.
How to properly care for an emu?
In Russia, ostriches have long ceased to be exotic; breeding them is not at all difficult. In general, this is the same process as with others. The Australian emu is completely unpretentious, and keeping it is very easy if everything is done correctly. When keeping an adult in a stall, you need 10-15 square meters. m for walking. Since emus are not able to fly, the fence should be 150-180 cm, if you decide to resort to a mesh, then its cells should not be small so that the bird does not stick its head in there. And there is no need to leave sharp tops of the fence, as the pet will quickly injure itself. The basis of the diet of ostriches kept in the farmyard is compound feed with the addition of grain mash, large number grass, hay, vegetables, waste meat, root vegetables.
If you want to start breeding the Australian emu, care and maintenance should be the most suitable for the life of the bird. This includes purchasing or renting land, building premises, paddocks, purchasing feed, depending on the scale of the intended farm.
Let's summarize everything we learned about this amazing bird:
- reach a human height of 170 cm and a weight of 55 kg;
- they cannot fly because they do not have a keel;
- run fast, speed reaches 50 km/h;
- steps up to three meters;
- the eyes are the same size as the brain;
- the emu does not bury its head in the sand, but runs when threatened;
- adapt well to temperatures from -5 degrees to +45;
- By general appearance males and females are no different;
- Bird eggs are dark blue or green;
- Only the male incubates the chicks, the female only lays eggs.
Emu in everyday life
In Australia, emus are quite common, so they are not in danger. It is not common for them to bury their heads in the sand, and these individuals are not at all stupid. They represent the last species of large flightless bird known today, other than the African ostrich. They live in the wild, but are kept in captivity to obtain meat, eggs, and skin. They are kept in zoos and ostrich farms. In terms of their meaning and appearance, these are amazing and unusual creatures.
The emu bird is a species of Australian ostrich that is native to many areas of Australia and New Guinea. It is a large flightless bird, the largest bird on the Australian continent and the only member of the genus Dromaius.
Modern classifier zoologists (experts in animal taxonomy) argue that the emu is not an ostrich in pure form, and since the 1980s, emu has been isolated in separate species. However, the emu is very similar to the African ostrich, although it is significantly smaller in size, has a shorter stature and 3 toes on each foot (the African ostrich only has 2 toes on each foot). The emu's closest relatives are the Cassowary bird, or cassowary, as well as other large flightless birds.
Appearance of an emu bird
The emu can grow up to 2 meters tall (6.5 feet), and weigh up to 45 kilograms (99 pounds). Male and female emus are very similar in appearance, although females tend to be larger.
The emu's plumage consists of soft, long brown feathers. The feathers on the head are shorter and shaggy. The tips of the feathers are black. The plumage reliably protects the bird's skin from the heat and allows it to be active during high daytime temperatures.
Emus have wide nasal passages, which allows the birds to breathe normally during cool weather. Emus are strong long legs and although they cannot fly, they are capable of running at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour (31 mph).
The skin on the emu's neck is blue, visible through the sparse thin feathers on the neck.
The emu's wings are residual, usually pressed to the body and inconspicuous. They are about 20 cm long and have a small claw at the ends. It is the pressed wings and well-developed pelvic muscles that allow birds to run so fast.
Emus have developed calf muscles located on the lower back of their legs (similar to the human calf muscles).
Where does the emu bird live and what does it eat?
The emu is native to mainland Australia and avoids densely populated areas, arid lands and dense forests. They can survive in most areas of Australia, but are most common in savannas and grasslands.
Emus are omnivores: they eat grass, flowers, fruits, berries, shrub seeds, various plants, as well as crickets, grasshoppers, ladybugs, caterpillars, ants and moth larvae.
Emus often swallow rocks and pebbles to aid in the digestion of plant matter in their stomachs. It is also known that emus can eat charcoal.
The emu is capable of traveling long distances in search of food. They migrate on foot over distances of 500 kilometers or more to find areas rich in grains and other nutritious plants.
Emus are very noisy birds, their calls resemble loud blows, the sound of drums and grunting. Sounds are produced by the skin membrane on the neck. Some of their “songs” can be heard up to 2 kilometers away.
Emus adhere to a nomadic lifestyle, usually traveling in pairs, although they can form huge flocks. They follow a seasonal migration pattern, usually being found north in summer and south in winter, although emus from the eastern parts of Australia do not seem to follow any pattern at all. The emu can swim if the need arises. They are not afraid of humans and often approach people and take food from them.
Emu eggs, their chicks and reproduction
Mating pairs form in the summer months (in Australia these are December and January), mating occurs in the cold months - from May to June. During breeding, male emus experience hormonal changes. During the egg-laying period, males lose their appetite and build nests from sticks, grass, leaves and bark.
The female emu lays eggs - an average of 11 eggs per clutch. The eggs are large, thick-shelled, and green in color. Then the female leaves the clutch, leaving the male to take care of the nest. The female can mate with several males and lays eggs in several different clutches.
The male incubates the eggs for 8 weeks, carefully turning the eggs about 10 times a day. The average egg reaches 5 cm in length and 3 cm in width and weighs up to 900 grams. During incubation, a male emu can lose a third of his weight, since he practically does not eat during incubation and lives only off accumulated fat.
Once the chicks hatch, the male stays with the chicks for the next 18 months, teaching them how to forage for food. Chicks become active soon after hatching. They reach a height of about 12 centimeters (5 inches) and weigh 0.5 kg (18 ounces).
Emu chicks have cream and brown diagonal stripes - camouflage coloring, which disappears after about 3 months. They become adults at the age of 12-14 months. Life expectancy of emu in conditions wildlife ranges from 10 to 12 years.
How many emus live on the planet?
The total number of emus reaches 725,000 individuals. Birds were used for food indigenous people Australia, they were exterminated for their fat, skin and meat, and now they are bred for their meat, skin and oil.
Emu population sizes vary from decade to decade depending on rainfall. Some isolated populations in New South Wales are listed as endangered due to habitat loss. Birds also often die from collisions with vehicles and are attacked by feral dogs and wild boars.