| The Emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae, is the largest
bird native
to
Australia and the only
extant member of the
genus
Dromaius.
It is also the second-largest extant bird in the world by height, after
its ratite
relative, the
ostrich.
The soft-feathered, brown,
flightless birds reach up to 2 m (6.5 ft) in height. The Emu is common
over most of mainland Australia, although it avoids heavily populated
areas, dense forest and arid areas. Emus can travel great distances at a
fast, economical trot and, if necessary, can sprint at 50
km/h (30 mph)
for some distance at a time.[3]
They are opportunistically nomadic and may travel long distances to find
food; they feed on a variety of plants and insects.
From
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
