Emu
The largest of Australian birds, the emu stands up to 2m high and is the second largest bird in the world, after the ostrich. Emus live in pairs or family groups. The male emu incubates and rears the young, which will stay with the adult emus for up to 2 years.
Read more about Emu
If you’re out bird watching, you won’t need binoculars to spot the emu. The adult male emu can stand at an imposing 2 metres tall and plays a vital role in the rearing of its young. After laying a clutch of eggs, the female emu shows little interest in the eggs or partner. The male emu incubates the eggs for up to 10 weeks. Emu chicks will then stay with the adult male for up to 2 years.
Emus live in pairs or family groups and can be found in scrub, woodlands, heath and alpine regions across NSW.
Emus belong to a group of flightless birds known as ratites, and can run at speeds of up to 50km per hour.
Animal facts
- Common name
- Emu
- Scientific name
- Dromaius novaehollandiae
- Conservation status in NSW
- Protected
Parks in which this animal is found
- Brindingabba National Park
- Bundjalung National Park
- Gundabooka National Park
- Guula Ngurra National Park
- Kalyarr National Park
- Khancoban area in Kosciuszko National Park
- Kinchega National Park
- Koonaburra National Park
- Langidoon-Metford State Conservation Area
- Lower Snowy River area in Kosciuszko National Park
- Mungo National Park
- Murray Valley Regional Park
- Mutawintji National Park
- Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park
- Paroo-Darling National Park
- Sturt National Park
- Thredbo-Perisher area in Kosciuszko National Park
- Tumut area in Kosciuszko National Park
- Yuraygir National Park