Block, Siteadmin, SkipCaptcha, Upload, Automoderated users, delete, edit, Moderators, move, protect, rollback, Administrators
27,336
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
mLine 24:
Line 24: − + Line 41:
Line 41: − + − + + + − +
no edit summary
|infraorder=
|infraorder=
|superfamily=
|superfamily=
|family=Casuariidae
|family=Dromaiidae
|subfamily=
|subfamily=
|supertribe=
|supertribe=
|conservation=Least concern<ref>https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22678117/131902466</ref>
|conservation=Least concern<ref>https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22678117/131902466</ref>
}}
}}
'''Emus''' are large flightless [[bird]]s similar to small [[ostrich]]s. Emus are native to [[Australia]] where they eat [[seed]]s, [[insects]], and [[shrub]]s. The Emu is featured on the Australian Coat of Arms along with the [[Kangaroo]].
The '''emu''' (''Dromaius novaehollandiae'') is a large, flightless [[bird]] of the family Casuariidae, and found over much of [[Australia]]. The emu, along with another familiar Australian animal, the [[kangaroo]], is featured on that country's coat of arms.
==Description==
==Description==
Emus are large, with a standing height of 59 to 75 inches, a length of 55 to 65 inches, and weigh 40 to 132 pounds. Males and females look very similar, with females on average, being slightly larger, heavier and darker than males.
Emus are large, with a standing height of 59 to 75 inches, a length of 55 to 65 inches, and weigh 40 to 132 pounds. Males and females look very similar, with females on average, being slightly larger, heavier, and darker than males. The plumage is dark brown in color, of which it will vary slightly due to the surrounding environment; the lay on the body gives the bird a shaggy appearance, with the overall mass of the plumage meant to be an insulating factor against direct sunlight<ref>https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Dromaius_novaehollandiae/</ref>. The neck is pale blue and covered with smaller feathers ranging in color from brown to taupe. Young birds are broadly striped in tan and brown, front to back.
Their miniature wings are small, no more than eight inches long, and largely hidden by the body plumage. The wings act as stabilizers when the bird is running; a swift runner, the emu can sprint in speeds of 30 mph or more.
===Subspecies===
===Subspecies===
There are four subspecies of emu; the nominate on the mainland, and three island subspecies which were hunted to extinction in the 19th century.
There are four subspecies of emu; the nominate on the mainland, and three island subspecies which were hunted to extinction in the 19th century.
In addition, a proposal has been made for two additional mainland subspecies (''D. n. rothschildi'' and ''D. n. woodwardi'') based on minor differences in coloration, a claim not fully accepted by all authorities.
In addition, a proposal has been made for two additional mainland subspecies (''D. n. rothschildi'' and ''D. n. woodwardi'') based on minor differences in coloration, a claim not fully accepted by all authorities.
*''Dromaius novaehollandae baudinianus''; Kangaroo Island (extinct, 1827)
*''Dromaius novaehollandiae baudinianus''; Kangaroo Island (extinct, 1827)
*''Dromaius novaehollandiae diemenensis''; Tasmania (extinct, 1850)
*''Dromaius novaehollandiae diemenensis''; Tasmania (extinct, 1850)
*''Dromaius novaehollandiae minor''; King Island (extinct, 1805)
*''Dromaius novaehollandiae minor''; King Island (extinct, 1805)