D. novaehollandiae novaehollandiae (Latham John Latham was an English physician, naturalist and author, 1790)[3] D. novaehollandiae woodwardi D. novaehollandiae rothschildi †D. novaehollandiae diemenensis (Le Souef, 1907)[3] Tasmanian Emu

The Emu has been recorded in the areas shown in pink. Synonyms In scientific nomenclature, synonyms are different scientific names used for a single taxon. Usage and terminology are different for zoology and botany

Dromiceius novaehollandiae

The Emu (pronounced /ˈiːmjuː/[4][5]), Dromaius novaehollandiae, is the largest bird Birds are winged, bipedal, endothermic (warm-blooded), egg-laying, vertebrate animals. There are around 10,000 living species, making them the most varied of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from the 5 cm (2 in) Bee Hummingbird to the 2.75 m (9 ft) Ostrich native to Australia For at least 40,000 years before European settlement in the late 18th century, Australia was inhabited by indigenous Australians, who belonged to one or more of the roughly 250 language groups. After sporadic visits by fishermen from the immediate north and discovery by Dutch explorers in 1606, Australia's eastern half was claimed by the British and the only extant Extant is a term commonly used in biology to refer to taxa that are still in existence (living). The term extant contrasts with extinct. For example, Brandt's Cormorant is an extant species, while the Spectacled Cormorant is an extinct species. Likewise, of the group of molluscs known as the cephalopods, there are approximately 600 extant species member of the genus In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank (a taxon) used in the classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia. The term comes from Latin genus "descent, family, type, gender", cognate with Greek: γένος – genos, "race, stock, kin" Dromaius Dromaius is a genus of Ratite present in Australia. There is one extant species, Dromaius novaehollandiae commonly known as the Emu. It is also the second-largest extant bird in the world by height, after its ratite A ratite is any of a diverse group of large, flightless birds of Gondwanan origin, most of them now extinct. Unlike other flightless birds, the ratites have no keel on their sternum—hence the name from the Latin ratis . Without this to anchor their wing muscles, they could not fly even if they were to develop suitable wings relative, the ostrich The ostrich, Struthio camelus, is a large flightless bird native to Africa. It is the only living species of its family, Struthionidae and its genus, Struthio. Ostriches share the order Struthioniformes with the kiwis, emus, and other ratites. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at maximum speeds. The soft-feathered, brown, flightless birds Flightless birds are birds which lack the ability to fly, relying instead on their ability to run or swim, and are thought to have evolved from their flying ancestors. There are about forty species in existence today, the best known being the ostrich, emu, cassowary, rhea, kiwi, and penguins. It's believed by some[citation needed] that most reach up to 2 metres (6.6 ft) in height. The Emu is common over most of mainland Australia, although it avoids heavily populated areas, dense forest, and arid areas.[2] Emus can travel great distances at a fast, economical trot and, if necessary, can sprint at 50 km/h (31 mph) for some distance at a time.[2] They are opportunistically nomadic and may travel long distances to find food; they feed on a variety of plants and insects, but have been known to go weeks without food. Emus will sit in water and are also able to swim.

The Emu subspecies that previously inhabited Tasmania Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is located 240 kilometres south of the continent, from which it is separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania – the 26th largest island in the world – and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 500,000 (as of December 2008[update]), of whom almost half became extinct after the European settlement of Australia in 1788; and the distribution of the mainland subspecies has been influenced by human activities. Once common on the east coast, Emu are now uncommon; by contrast, the development of agriculture and the provision of water for stock in the interior of the continent have increased the range of the Emu in arid regions. Emus are farmed for their meat, oil, and leather.

Contents

Taxonomy and distribution

Population and Trends[6]
Location Population Trend
Australia For at least 40,000 years before European settlement in the late 18th century, Australia was inhabited by indigenous Australians, who belonged to one or more of the roughly 250 language groups. After sporadic visits by fishermen from the immediate north and discovery by Dutch explorers in 1606, Australia's eastern half was claimed by the British 630,000 to 725,000 Stable
Total 630,000 to 725,000 Stable

The Emu was first described under the name of the New Holland Cassowary in Arthur Phillip's Admiral Arthur Phillip RN was a British admiral and colonial administrator. Phillip was appointed Governor of New South Wales, the first European colony on the Australian continent, and was the founder of the site which is now the city of Sydney Voyage to Botany Bay, published in 1789.[7] The species was named by ornithologist John Latham John Latham was an English physician, naturalist and author on a specimen from the Sydney Sydney is the largest and most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. With an approximate population of 4.5 million in the Sydney metropolitan area the city is the largest municipality in Oceania. Inhabitants of Sydney are called Sydneysiders,, Australia For at least 40,000 years before European settlement in the late 18th century, Australia was inhabited by indigenous Australians, who belonged to one or more of the roughly 250 language groups. After sporadic visits by fishermen from the immediate north and discovery by Dutch explorers in 1606, Australia's eastern half was claimed by the British area, which was referred to as New Holland New Holland is a historic name for the island continent of Australia. The name was first applied to Australia in 1644 by the Dutch seafarer Abel Tasman as Nova Hollandia, naming it after the Dutch province of Holland, and remained in use for 180 years at the time.[2] He collaborated on Phillip's book and provided the first descriptions of and names for many Australian bird species; its name is Latin for "fast-footed New Hollander New Holland is a historic name for the island continent of Australia. The name was first applied to Australia in 1644 by the Dutch seafarer Abel Tasman as Nova Hollandia, naming it after the Dutch province of Holland, and remained in use for 180 years".[8] The etymology Etymology is the study of the history of words, where they are from, and how their form and meaning have changed over time of the common name Emu is uncertain, but is thought to have come from an Arabic word for large bird that was later used by Portuguese explorers to describe the related Cassowary The cassowary is a very large flightless bird native to the tropical forests of New Guinea, nearby islands and northeastern Australia in Australia and New Guinea New Guinea, the largest island in the Indonesian archipelago, and located in Melanesia immediately north of northeast Australia in the Southwest Pacific, is the world's second largest island with its 786,000 sq km. It has a low population density with its 7.5 million people. Its highest mount is the Puncak Jaya at an elevation of 4,884 m (16,023.[9] In Victoria, some terms for the Emu were Barrimal in the Dja Dja Wurrung language, myoure in Gunai, and courn in Jardwadjali.[10] It was known as murawung or birabayin to the local Eora The traditional owners of the inner Sydney City region of Australia are the Cadigal people, one of the peoples who belong to the Eora language group. Their land south of Port Jackson stretches from South Head to Petersham. The word Eora simply means "here" or "from this place". Local people used this word to describe where they and Darug inhabitants of the Sydney basin.[11]

In his original 1816 description of the Emu, Vieillot used two generic In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank (a taxon) used in the classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia. The term comes from Latin genus "descent, family, type, gender", cognate with Greek: γένος – genos, "race, stock, kin" names; first Dromiceius, then Dromaius a few pages later. It has been a point of contention ever since which is correct; the latter is more correctly formed, but the convention in taxonomy Alpha taxonomy is the science of finding, describing and categorising organisms, thus leading to the recognition of proposed taxonomic groups, or taxa (singular: taxon), which may then be named is that the first name given stands, unless it is clearly a typographical error A typographical error is a mistake made in, originally, the manual type-setting (typography) of printed material, or more recently, the typing process. The term includes errors due to mechanical failure or slips of the hand or finger, but excludes errors of ignorance. Before the arrival of printing, the "copyist's mistake" or ".[12] Most modern publications, including those of the Australian government,[13] use Dromaius, with Dromiceius mentioned as an alternative spelling.

Classification

Emu eyes are golden brown to black. The naked skin on the neck is bluish-black.

The Emu was classified in the family with their closest relatives the cassowaries The cassowary is a very large flightless bird native to the tropical forests of New Guinea, nearby islands and northeastern Australia in the family Casuariidae in the ratite A ratite is any of a diverse group of large, flightless birds of Gondwanan origin, most of them now extinct. Unlike other flightless birds, the ratites have no keel on their sternum—hence the name from the Latin ratis . Without this to anchor their wing muscles, they could not fly even if they were to develop suitable wings order Struthioniformes A ratite is any of a diverse group of large, flightless birds of Gondwanan origin, most of them now extinct. Unlike other flightless birds, the ratites have no keel on their sternum—hence the name from the Latin ratis . Without this to anchor their wing muscles, they could not fly even if they were to develop suitable wings. However an alternate classification has been recently adopted splitting the Casuariidae into their own order Casuariformes.

Three different Dromaius Dromaius is a genus of Ratite present in Australia. There is one extant species, Dromaius novaehollandiae commonly known as the Emu species were common in Australia before European settlement, and one species is known from fossils. The small Emus — Dromaius baudinianus and D. ater — both became extinct In biology and ecology, extinction is the end of an organism or group of taxa. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of that species . Because a species' potential range may be very large, determining this moment is difficult, and is usually done retrospectively. This difficulty leads to phenomena shortly after; however, the Emu, D. novaehollandiae, remains common. The population varies from decade to decade, largely dependent on rainfall; it is estimated that the Emu population is 625,000–725,000, with 100,000–200,000 in Western Australia Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. Australia's largest state and the second largest subnational entity in the world, it has 2.2 million inhabitants , 85% of whom live in the south-west corner of the state and the remainder mostly in New South Wales New South Wales , Australia's most populous state, is located in the south-east of the country, north of Victoria, south of Queensland, east of South Australia and encompasses the whole of the Australian Capital Territory. It was founded in 1788 and originally comprised much of the Australian mainland, as well as Van Diemen's Land, Lord Howe and Queensland Coordinates: 23°0′S 143°0′E / 23°S 143°E Queensland is a state of Australia that occupies the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory to the west, South Australia to the south-west and New South Wales to the south. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean.[9] D. novaehollandiae diemenensis, a subspecies known as the Tasmanian Emu, became extinct around 1865. Emus were introduced to Maria Island off Tasmania and Kangaroo Island Kangaroo Island is Australia's third-largest island after Tasmania and Melville Island. It is 112 kilometres southwest of Adelaide at the entrance of Gulf Saint Vincent. At its closest point to the mainland, it is 13 kilometres (8 mi) offshore from Cape Jervis, on the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula in the state of South Australia. The island is 150 near South Australia during the 20th century. The Kangaroo Island birds have established a breeding population there. The Maria Island population became extinct in the mid-1990s.

There are three extant subspecies Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, or a taxonomic unit in that rank (plural: subspecies). A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one in Australia:

Description

Emus have only three toes in a tridactyl In biology, dactyly is the arrangement of digits on the hands, feet, or sometimes wings of a tetrapod animal. It comes from the Greek word δακτυλος = "finger" arrangement; this adaptation for running is seen in other bird species, such as bustards Bustards, including floricans and korhaans, are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They make up the family Otididae . They were well known by the ancient Arabs for being unusually stupid and quails Quail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds in the pheasant family Phasianidae. New World quails and buttonquails (family Turnicidae) are not closely related but named for their similar appearance and behaviour. The Ostrich The ostrich, Struthio camelus, is a large flightless bird native to Africa. It is the only living species of its family, Struthionidae and its genus, Struthio. Ostriches share the order Struthioniformes with the kiwis, emus, and other ratites. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at maximum speeds has only two toes. Emu Skeleton Several Emu in a Field in Eastern Australia For at least 40,000 years before European settlement in the late 18th century, Australia was inhabited by indigenous Australians, who belonged to one or more of the roughly 250 language groups. After sporadic visits by fishermen from the immediate north and discovery by Dutch explorers in 1606, Australia's eastern half was claimed by the British An Emu Walking, Victoria, Australia Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales to the north, South Australia to the west, and Tasmania to the south, across the Bass Strait. Victoria is the most densely populated state, and has a highly centralised population, with over 70% of Victorians

Emus are large birds. The largest can reach up to 150 to 190 centimetres (59–75 in) in height, 1 to 1.3 metres (3.3–4.3 ft) at the shoulder. Emus weigh between 18 and 48 kilograms (40 and 106 lb).[2][14][15]

They have small vestigial wings and a long neck and legs. Their ability to run at high speeds, 48 km/h (30 mph),[2] is due to their highly specialised pelvic limb musculature. Their feet have only three toes and a similarly reduced number of bones and associated foot muscles; they are the only birds with gastrocnemius muscles In humans, the gastrocnemius muscle is a very powerful superficial muscle that is in the back part of the lower leg and also called the calf. It runs from its two heads just above the knee to the heel, and is involved in standing, walking, running and jumping. Along with the soleus muscle it forms the calf muscle. Its function is plantar flexing in the back of the lower legs. The pelvic limb muscles of emus have a similar contribution to total body mass as the flight muscles of flying birds.[16] They have a soft bill, adapted for grazing.[2]

Head and upper neck

The neck of the Emu is pale blue and shows through its sparse feathers.[2] They have brown to grey-brown plumage of shaggy appearance; the shafts and the tips of the feathers Feathers are one of the epidermal growths that form the distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on birds. They are considered the most complex integumentary structures found in vertebrates, and indeed a premier example of a complex evolutionary novelty. They are among the characteristics that distinguish the extant Aves from other living groups are black. Solar radiation is absorbed by the tips, and the loose-packed inner plumage Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage vary between species and subspecies and can also vary between different age classes, sexes, and season. Within species there can also be a number of different colour morphs. Differences in insulates the skin. The resultant heat is prevented from flowing to the skin by the insulation provided by the coat,[17] allowing the bird to be active during the heat of the day. A unique feature of the Emu feather is its double rachis emerging from a single shaft. The sexes are similar in appearance.

On very hot days, emus pant to maintain their body temperature Thermoregulation is the ability of an organism to keep its body temperature within certain boundaries, even when the surrounding temperature is very different. This process is one aspect of homeostasis: a dynamic state of stability between an animal's internal environment and its external environment . If the body is unable to maintain a normal, their lungs work as evaporative Evaporation is a type of vaporization of a liquid, that occurs only on the surface of a liquid. The other type of vaporization is boiling, that instead occurs on the entire mass of the liquid. Evaporation is also part of the water cycle coolers and, unlike some other species, the resulting low levels of carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. It is a gas at standard temperature and pressure and exists in Earth's atmosphere in this state. CO2 is a trace gas comprising 0.039% of the atmosphere in the blood do not appear to cause alkalosis Alkalosis refers to a condition reducing hydrogen ion concentration of arterial blood plasma . Generally alkalosis is said to occur when pH of the blood exceeds 7.45. The opposite condition is acidosis.[18] For normal breathing in cooler weather, they have large, multifolded nasal passages. Cool air warms as it passes through into the lungs, extracting heat from the nasal region. On exhalation, the Emu's cold nasal turbinates In anatomy, a nasal concha is a long, narrow and curled bone shelf (shaped like an elongated sea-shell) which protrudes into the breathing passage of the nose. Turbinate bone refers to any of the scrolled spongy bones of the nasal passages in vertebrates condense moisture back out of the air and absorb it for reuse.[19]

Their calls consist of loud booming, drumming, and grunting sounds that can be heard up to 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) away. The booming sound is created in an inflatable neck sac that is 30 cm (12 in) long and thin-walled.[2][9]

Ecology and behaviour

Emus live in most habitats across Australia, although they are most common in areas of sclerophyll Sclerophyll is a type of vegetation that has hard leaves and short internodes . The word comes from the Greek sclero (hard) and phyllon (leaf). Sclerophyllous plants occur in all parts of the world but are most typical in the chaparral biomes. They are also prominent in the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome that covers the forest and savanna woodland, and least common in populated and very arid areas, except during wet periods.[2] Emus predominately travel in pairs,[2] and while they can form enormous flocks, this is an atypical social behaviour that arises from the common need to move towards food sources. Emus have been shown to travel long distances to reach abundant feeding areas. In Western Australia, Emu movements follow a distinct seasonal pattern — north in summer and south in winter. On the east coast their wanderings do not appear to follow a pattern.[20] Emus are also able to swim when necessary. Though an Emu will be cautious when approaching civilisation, Emus are well known for approaching small groups of humans in the wild when prompted by food, in fact, even if the food is not offered to them, they can be rather persistent in helping themselves.

Diet

An emu foraging in grass near a dam

Emus forage in a diurnal pattern. They eat a variety of native and introduced plant species; the type of plants eaten depends on seasonal availability. They also eat insects, including grasshoppers and crickets, lady birds, soldier and saltbush caterpillars, Bogong and cotton-boll moth larvae and ants.[21] In Western Australia, food preferences have been observed in travelling Emus: they eat seeds from Acacia aneura until it rains, after which they eat fresh grass shoots and caterpillars; in winter they feed on the leaves and pods of Cassia[verification needed]; in spring, they feed on grasshoppers and the fruit of Santalum acuminatum: a sort of quandong.[2][22] Emus serve as an important agent for the dispersal of large viable seeds, which contributes to floral biodiversity.[22][23]

Emus also require pebbles and stones to assist in the digestion of the plant material. Individual stones may weigh 45 g (1.6 oz) and they may have as much as 745 g (1.64 lb) in their gizzard at one time. They also eat charcoal, however scientists still have not ascertained why.[2]

Breeding

Emu Egg Emu chicks have longitudinal stripes that help to camouflage them.

Emus form breeding pairs during the summer months of December and January, and may remain together for about five months. Mating occurs in the cooler months of May and June. During the breeding season, males experience hormonal changes, including an increase in luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels, and their testicles double in size.[24] Males lose their appetite and construct a rough nest in a semi-sheltered hollow on the ground from bark, grass, sticks, and leaves. The pair mates every day or two, and every second or third day the female lays one of an average of 11 (and as many as 20) very large, thick-shelled, dark-green eggs. The number of eggs varies with rainfall.[2] The eggs are on average 134 by 89 millimetres (5.3 × 3.5 in) and weigh between 700 and 900 grams (1.5 and 2.0 lb),[25] which is roughly equivalent to 10–12 chicken eggs in volume and weight. The first verified occurrence of genetically identical avian twins was demonstrated in the Emu.[26]

The male becomes broody after his mate starts laying, and begins to incubate the eggs before the laying period is complete. From this time on, he does not eat, drink, or defecate, and stands only to turn the eggs, which he does about 10 times a day. Over eight weeks of incubation, he will lose a third of his weight and will survive only on stored body-fat and on any morning dew that he can reach from the nest. As with many other Australian birds, such as the Superb Fairy-wren, infidelity is the norm for Emus, despite the initial pair-bond: once the male starts brooding, the female mates with other males and may lay in multiple clutches; thus, as many as half the chicks in a brood may be fathered by others, or by neither parent as Emus also exhibit brood parasitism.[27] Some females stay and defend the nest until the chicks start hatching, but most leave the nesting area completely to nest again; in a good season, a female Emu may nest three times.[20]

Incubation takes 56 days, and the male stops incubating the eggs shortly before they hatch.[20] Newly hatched chicks are active and can leave the nest within a few days. They stand about 12 centimetres (5 in) tall, weigh .5 kg (18 oz),[2] and have distinctive brown and cream stripes for camouflage, which fade after three months or so. The male stays with the growing chicks for up to 7 months, defending them and teaching them how to find food.[2][25] Chicks grow very quickly and are full-grown in 5–6 months;[2] they may remain with their family group for another six months or so before they split up to breed in their second season. In the wild, Emus live between 10 to 20 years;[28] captive birds can live longer than those in the wild.

Relationship with humans

Conservation status

Aboriginal Emu caller, used to arouse the curiosity of Emus. Thargomindah, SW Queensland

Emus were used as a source of food by indigenous Australians and early European settlers. Aborigines used a variety of techniques to catch the bird, including spearing them while they drank at waterholes, poisoning waterholes, catching Emus in nets, and attracting Emus by imitating their calls or with a ball of feathers and rags dangled from a tree.[25] Europeans killed Emus to provide food and to remove them if they interfered with farming or invaded settlements in search of water during drought. An extreme example of this was the Emu War in Western Australia in 1932, when Emus that flocked to Campion during a hot summer scared the town’s inhabitants and an unsuccessful attempt to drive them off was mounted. In John Gould's Handbook to the Birds of Australia, first published in 1865, he laments the loss of the Emu from Tasmania, where it had become rare and has since become extinct; he notes that Emus were no longer common in the vicinity of Sydney and proposes that the species be given protected status.[7] Wild Emus are formally protected in Australia under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The IUCN rates their status as Least Concern.[1] Their occurrence range is between 1,000,000–10,000,000 km2 (390,000–3,900,000 sq mi), and a 1992 population estimate was between 630,000 and 730,000.[29]

Although the population of Emus on mainland Australia is thought to be higher now than before European settlement,[9] some wild populations are at risk of local extinction due to small population size. Threats to small populations include the clearance and fragmentation of areas of habitat; deliberate slaughter; collisions with vehicles; and predation of the young and eggs by foxes, feral and domestic dogs, and feral pigs. The isolated Emu population of the New South Wales North Coast Bioregion and Port Stephens is listed as endangered by the New South Wales Government.[30]

Economic value

The Emu was an important source of meat to the Aborigines in the areas to which it was endemic. Emu fat was used as bush medicine, and was rubbed on the skin. It also served as a valuable lubricant. It was mixed with ochre to make the traditional paint for ceremonial body adornment, as well as to oil wooden tools and utensils such as the coolamon.[31]

An example of how the Emu was cooked comes from the Arrernte of Central Australia who call it Kere ankerre:

"Emus are around all the time, in green times and dry times. You pluck the feathers out first, then pull out the crop from the stomach, and put in the feathers you've pulled out, and then singe it on the fire. You wrap the milk guts that you've pulled out into something [such as] gum leaves and cook them. When you've got the fat off, you cut the meat up and cook it on fire made from river red gum wood."[32]
Farmed Emu at Virginia's Emu Marketing Cooperative near Warrenton, Virginia, US

Commercial Emu farming started in Western Australia in 1987 and the first slaughtering occurred in 1990.[33] In Australia, the commercial industry is based on stock bred in captivity and all states except Tasmania have licensing requirements to protect wild Emus. Outside Australia, Emus are farmed on a large scale in North America, with about 1 million birds in the US,[34] Peru, and China, and to a lesser extent in some other countries. Emus breed well in captivity, and are kept in large open pens to avoid leg and digestive problems that arise with inactivity. They are typically fed on grain supplemented by grazing, and are slaughtered at 50–70 weeks of age. They eat two times a day and prefer 2.25 kilograms (5 lb) of leaves each meal.

Emus are farmed primarily for their meat, leather, and oil. Emu meat is a low-fat meat (less than 1.5% fat), and with cholesterol at 85 mg/100 g, it is comparable to other lean meats. Most of the usable portions (the best cuts come from the thigh and the larger muscles of the drum or lower leg) are, like other poultry, dark meat; Emu meat is considered for cooking purposes by the USDA to be a red meat because its red colour and pH value approximate that of beef,[34][35] but for inspection purposes it is considered poultry. Emu fat is rendered to produce oil for cosmetics, dietary supplements, and therapeutic products. There is some evidence that the oil has anti-inflammatory properties;[36] however, the US Food and Drug Administration regards pure Emu oil product as an unapproved drug. Emu leather has a distinctive patterned surface, due to a raised area around the feather follicles in the skin; the leather is used in such small items as wallets and shoes, often in combination with other leathers. The feathers and eggs are used in decorative arts and crafts.

Attacks on humans

Emu attacks in Australia are rare but have occurred. When attacked, the emu will move in a zigzag pattern to prevent attacks from the wedge tailed eagle, or use kicking at close range.[37] In 1932 many emus moved into farm territory in Western Australia, with the army called in to dispatch them in the so-called Emu War. There have been two documented cases of humans being attacked by Emus.[38][39]

Cultural references

New South Wales 100th Anniversary stamp

The Emu has a prominent place in Australian Aboriginal mythology, including a creation myth of the Yuwaalaraay and other groups in NSW who say that the sun was made by throwing an Emu's egg into the sky; the bird features in numerous aetiological stories told across a number of Aboriginal groups.[40] The Kurdaitcha man of Central Australia is said to wear sandals made of Emu feathers to mask his footprints. Many Aboriginal language groups throughout Australia have a tradition[41] that the dark dust lanes in the Milky Way represent a giant emu. Several of the Sydney rock engravings depict an Emu.

The Emu is popularly but unofficially considered as a faunal emblem—the national bird of Australia.[42] It appears as a shield bearer on the Coat of arms of Australia with the Red Kangaroo and as a part of the Arms also appears on the Australian 50 cent coin. It has featured on numerous Australian postage stamps, including a pre-federation New South Wales 100th Anniversary issue from 1888, which featured a 2 pence blue Emu stamp, a 36 cent stamp released in 1986, and a $1.35 stamp released in 1994. The hats of the Australian Light Horse are famously decorated with an Emu feather plume.

There are around 600 gazetted places named after the Emu in Australia, including mountains, lakes, creeks, and towns.[43] During the 19th and 20th centuries, many Australian companies and household products were named after the bird; for example, in Western Australia, Emu branded beer has been produced since the early 20th century. The Swan Brewery continues to produce a range of Emu branded beers. Emu - Austral Ornithology is the quarterly peer-reviewed publication of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, also known as Birds Australia.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b BirdLife International (2008). Dromaius novaehollandiae. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 05 November 2008. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Davies, S.J.J.F. (2003). "Emus". in Hutchins, Michael. Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. 8 Birds I Tinamous and Ratites to Hoatzins (2 ed.). Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group. pp. 83–87. ISBN 0 7876 5784 0.
  3. ^ a b * Brands, Sheila (August 14, 2008). "Systema Naturae 2000 / Classification, Dromaius novaehollandiae". Project: The Taxonomicon. http://www.taxonomy.nl/Main/Classification/51354.htm. Retrieved Feb 04 2009.
  4. ^ Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
  5. ^ American Heritage Dictionary
  6. ^ BirdLife International (2008)(a)
  7. ^ a b Gould, J. 1865. Handbook to the Birds of Australia Volume 2. Reprinted in 1972 by Landsdowne Press
  8. ^ Gotch, A.F. (1995) [1979]. "16". Latin Names Explained. A Guide to the Scientific Classifications of Reptiles, Birds & Mammals. London: Facts on File. p. 179. ISBN 0 8160 3377 3.
  9. ^ a b c d Australian Museum. 2001. Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae
  10. ^ Wesson, Sue C. (2001) (PDF). Aboriginal flora and fauna names of Victoria: As extracted from early surveyors' reports. Melbourne: Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages. http://www.vaclang.org.au/admin/file/content9/c7/ff.pdf. Retrieved 2006-11-11.
  11. ^ Troy, Jakelin (1993). The Sydney language. Canberra: Jakelin Troy. p. 54. ISBN 0-646-11015-2.
  12. ^ http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Auk/v044n04/p0592-p0593.pdf
  13. ^ "Australian Faunal Directory - Redirect to new Environment Site". Deh.gov.au. http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-bin/abrs/fauna/details.pl?pstrVol=AVES;pstrTaxa=7787;pstrChecklistMode=2. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
  14. ^ "ADW: Dromaius novaehollandiae: Information". Animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Dromaius_novaehollandiae.html. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
  15. ^ "Commercial Emu and Ostrich rearing". Poulvet.com. http://www.poulvet.com/poultry/articles/emu_rearing.php. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
  16. ^ Patak, A. E. and Baldwin, J. 1998 Pelvic limb musculature in the Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae (Aves : Struthioniformes: Dromaiidae): Adaptations to high-speed running. Journal of Morphology 238:23–37 PMID 9768501
  17. ^ Maloney, S. K. and Dawson, T. J. 1995. The heat load from solar radiation on a large, diurnally active bird, the Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae). Journal of Thermal Biology 20:381–87
  18. ^ Maloney, S.K. and Dawson, T.J. 1994. Thermoregulation in a large bird, the Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. B, Biochemical Systemic and Environmental Physiology. 164:464–72
  19. ^ Maloney, S.K. and Dawson, T.J. 1998. Ventilatory accommodation of oxygen demand and respiratory water loss in a large bird, the Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), and a re-examination of ventilatory allometry for birds. Physiological Zoology 71:712–19
  20. ^ a b c Davies, S. J. J. F. 1976. The natural history of the Emu in comparison with that of other ratites. In Proceedings of the 16th international ornithological congress, H.J. Firth and J. H. Calaby eds. Australian Academy of Science, p. 109–20 ISBN 0-85847-038-1
  21. ^ Barker, R. D. and Vertjens, W. J. M. The Food of Australian Birds 1 Non-Passerines. CSIRO Australia ISBN 0-643-05007-8
  22. ^ a b Robert Powell (1990). Leaf and Branch. Department of Conservation and Land Management. p. 197. "Quandong's fruits are an important food for the emu. ...major dispersers..."
  23. ^ McGrath, R. J. and Bass, D. 1999. Seed dispersal by Emus on the New South Wales north-east coast. EMU 99: 248–52
  24. ^ Malecki I. A. et al. 1998. Endocrine and testicular changes in a short-day seasonally breeding bird, the Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), in southwestern Australia. Animal Reproduction Sciences 53:143–55 PMID 9835373
  25. ^ a b c Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds. Reader's Digest Services ISBN 0-909486-63-8
  26. ^ Bassett, S. M. et al. 1999. Genetically identical avian twins. Journal of Zoology 247: 475–78
  27. ^ Taylor, E. L. et al. 2000. Genetic evidence for mixed parentage in nests of the Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae). Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology 47:359–64
  28. ^ Parks Victoria. Emu
  29. ^ * BirdLife International (2008(a)). "Emu - BirdLife Species Factsheet". Data Zone. http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=7&m=1. Retrieved 06 Feb 2009.
  30. ^ Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) Emu population in the NSW North Coast Bioregion and Port Stephens LGA - profile
  31. ^ South Australia Memory
  32. ^ Turner, Margaret-Mary, Arrernte Foods: Foods from Central Australia, IAD Press, Alice Springs, 1994, ISBN 0-949659-76-2 p47
  33. ^ O'Malley, P. 1997. Emu Farming in The New Rural Industries. Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
  34. ^ a b USDA. Ratites (Emu, Ostrich, and Rhea)
  35. ^ USDA. 2005. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 18 Emu, full rump, raw
  36. ^ Yoganathan, S. et al. 2003. Antagonism of croton oil inflammation by topical Emu oil in CD-1 mice. Lipids 38:603–07. PMID 12934669
  37. ^ The Emu NSW government
  38. ^ Attacked by an emu The Argus 10 August 1904
  39. ^ Victoria, from Geelong Advertiser The Mercury 24 March 1873
  40. ^ Dixon, R. B. 1916. Oceanic Mythology Part V. Australia
  41. ^ Norris, R & C, 2009, Emu Dreaming: An Introduction to Aboriginal Astronomy [1]
  42. ^ Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Australia's Coat of Arms
  43. ^ Geoscience Australia. 2004. Gazetteer of Australia

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Categories: IUCN Red List least concern species | Birds of South Australia | Birds of Tasmania | Birds of Western Australia | Bushfood | Casuariidae | Dromaius | Flightless birds | Heraldic birds | Megafauna of Australia | National symbols of Australia | Ratites | Monotypic bird genera | Animals described in 1790

 

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Who was the ventriloquist in the 70's with the emu puppet?
Q. I remember a ventriloquist that would come on The Tonight Show when I was a kid. He had an emu puppet that was very mean! My parent's used to let me stay up late and watch if he was on. Anyone else remember?
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A. That was Rod Hull who famously got into hot water when his Emu attacked Michael Parkinson's privates on live TV. Watch it again here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s qrg_VCPgAQ
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