PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

The emu, along with the ostrich, cassowary, kiwi and rhea, are flightless birds called ratites, meaning they have a flat breastbone. (In Latin, ratis is a raft or flat-bottomed boat.) Ratites differ from other birds in the lack of a keel, a breast bone to which flight muscles are attached. (All flying birds have a keel.) The animals also lack the "preen gland" — so that the feathers are dry and not oily.

General characteristics of flightless birds include large legs and feet well developed for running, small wings, and soft feathers not suited for flight. In the emu, the main and secondary feather shafts are of equal length, so that every feather appears to be double. The feathers feel almost like "hair."

The emu is a ratite of Australia second in size among living birds only to Africa's ostrich. Emus are capable of running up to 30 m.p.h. when alarmed or threatened. They are adept at swimming and may stand six feet in height and weigh up to 120 pounds.

They are often quite tame and approachable when left unmolested.

BEHAVIOR:

Emus are shy, inquisitive birds. They usually travel in small flocks except during the breeding season, when they travel in pairs. They spend most of their time roaming in small bands in search of food to nourish their huge bulk.

Older males can become very fierce if threatened, and are capable of inflicting great damage kicking with their powerful legs and strong claws.

DIET:

Emus feed on fruits, vegetable matter and insects. In the Zoo they eat bread, bananas, lettuce, zoo ration and dog chow.

COMMUNICATION:

The cock sometimes utters a call that sounds like "e-moo." During mating the hen makes dull rattling sounds that sound like drum beats. They sometimes make hissing or grunting sounds.

REPRODUCTION and GROWTH:

Emus usually make their nest in the shade of a tree, but invariably on open ground where the sitting bird can spot approaching danger. The eggs are laid in August, usually ten to twelve in number. They are large -- about 5-1/2 inches long and dark green in color.

Once having laid the eggs, the female leaves all domestic duties to her mate. The male alone incubates the clutch for some sixty days, and broods and cares for the young for a similar period after hatching. The plumage of the chick is a bold pattern of black and white and they are quite active within a few days after hatching.

HONOLULU ZOO: 

We have had emus in the past  but do not currently have one in our collection.