The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the second-tallest living bird after its
ratite relative the
ostrich. It is
endemic to Australia, where it is the largest native bird and the only
extant member of the genus Dromaius. The emu's range covers most of mainland Australia, but the
Tasmanian,
Kangaroo Island and
King Island subspecies became extinct after the
European settlement of Australia in 1788. Emus are soft-feathered, brown,
flightless birds with long necks and legs, and can reach up to 1.9 metres (6.2 ft) in height. Emus can travel great distances, and when necessary can sprint at 48 kilometres per hour (30 mph); they forage for a variety of plants and insects, but have been known to go for weeks without eating. They drink infrequently, but take in copious amounts of water when the opportunity arises. This emu was photographed in the
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve in the
Australian Capital Territory.Photograph credit:
John Harrison
The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the second-tallest living bird after its
ratite relative the
ostrich. It is
endemic to Australia, where it is the largest native bird and the only
extant member of the genus Dromaius. The emu's range covers most of mainland Australia, but the
Tasmanian,
Kangaroo Island and
King Island subspecies became extinct after the
European settlement of Australia in 1788. Emus are soft-feathered, brown,
flightless birds with long necks and legs, and can reach up to 1.9 metres (6.2 ft) in height. Emus can travel great distances, and when necessary can sprint at 48 kilometres per hour (30 mph); they forage for a variety of plants and insects, but have been known to go for weeks without eating. They drink infrequently, but take in copious amounts of water when the opportunity arises. This emu was photographed in the
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve in the
Australian Capital Territory.Photograph credit:
John Harrison