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Endemic to Australia, this enormous flightless bird has drooping gray shaggy plumage.
Not listed
Endemic to Australia
Indigenous: Moymoy, Dhinawan, Wurrpan, Bagabaga, Barrgay, Gurlppanppanh, A-Wurrpbarn, Weitj, Waayin, Jiwirdiwirdi, Ngurrurndutj, Guriri, Wurrparn, Guluwurdu, Waitj, Gululugululug, Jinarlirri, Bandubugarri, Imiyu, Wetj
At a glance
FamilyCassowaries and Emu
SizeGiant
RarityCommon
HabitatHerbaceous Graminoids Sparse Hummock Grasses, Open woodland, Shrubland, Sparse woodland, and Woody Trees Scattered
Best timeMost reliable in South Australia from May to July.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Andrew Galbraith
Range map
Range map
9057visible hotspots
101081visible records
5states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Only confusion possible with introduced Common Ostrich, but note Emu’s dark head and a shaggy-feathered neck. Hatchlings have distinctive stripes throughout. Juvenile and immature birds are darker than adults with more feathered necks.
Behavior
Prefers open country, where it roams around in loose flocks ranging from a few birds up to hundreds.
Gallery