Why the emu is not classified as an ostrich, is it possible to breed this bird in captivity, what it eats, you will learn about this from a fascinating article. Emu is Australia's largest bird. Only the ostrich is bigger than her. Previously, the emu was classified as an ostrich, but in 1980 the classification was revised, and this bird was included in the cassowary order.
Emu classification
There are 3 subspecies of emu found in Australia:
- in the north there is Dromaius novaehollandiae woodwardi, pale and thin;
- Dromaius novaehollandiae novaehollandiae live in the southeast;
- Dromaius novaehollandiae rothschildi, the dark emu, live in the southwest.
Emu characteristic
In the photo on the left - a cassowary, and on the right - an emu Outwardly, the emu resembles a cassowary, but unlike him, it does not have leathery outgrowths on the head, which are called "helmet".
The weight of adults ranges from 30 to 55 kg, the height is, on average, 150 cm. The emu has long legs. When the bird starts running, it can take almost three-meter steps. And the legs of these large birds are very strong. They can deal a fatal blow to the attacking animal, this is facilitated by sharp claws on the fingers. Excellent hearing and sight allow them to sense danger in time and quickly retreat or defend themselves.
Physiologically, emus are similar to ostriches. For example, they, like these giant birds, have no teeth. Therefore, in order to grind food, emu also swallow small pebbles and sand. But, in addition, they can swallow materials hazardous to them - pieces of metal, glass. Therefore, if you decide to buy an emu for breeding, pay special attention to this.
Like ostriches, emus can go without water for quite a long time, but if they find a source, they drink with pleasure. Moreover, emus swim well and enjoy spending time in the pond. In the latter, they also differ from ostriches, as they prefer to swim in the sand, rather than in the water.
Male and female emu are visually similar, so it is difficult to distinguish between them. This can be done when the bird gives a voice, since the sounds of the individual make different. Females are more vociferous, and males cry quieter.
This depends on the size of the pouch located on the bird's neck. The volume of the sound is the size of the bag and, accordingly, the amount of air that passes through it.
Plumage
The plumage of the emu is very interesting. It is designed in such a way that the birds do not overheat in the heat, but at the same time do not freeze on a cold windy night. Like ostriches, emus tolerate extreme temperature changes and can feel comfortable in both heat and cold. When keeping these exotic animals in the Russian region, it should be borne in mind that they tolerate frosts well down to -10 ° C. If the temperature drops below, the emu needs to create warmer conditions.
Feathers on the bird's neck absorb solar radiation. The neck itself is pale blue, with sparse gray-brown to brown feathers.
But, unlike ostriches, emu have 3 toes on each leg, while those have 2 toes. In many ways, the structure of the legs helps to develop high speeds. These birds have them without feathers, have few bones and well-developed muscles.
Eating emu
Emu birds eat plant food, but they will not give up on the animal either. They love herbs, roots, fruits. In captivity, they are fed with cereals, grass mixtures, which consist of green fodder in summer and hay in winter. Mineral components are added to the feed. In the wild, emus sometimes feast on small animals; in captivity, bone meal, chicken eggs, meat and other animal products are introduced into the diet of these birds.
Breeding emu at home
These large birds are rather unpretentious. They get used to new conditions of keeping better than other ostriches. In this case, the chick must be allocated at least 5 sq. M.area, and for an adult bird 10 × 15. When walking, 20-30 sq.m. are allocated per individual. area.
1 adult emu bird takes 1.5 kg of feed per day. Excessive nutrition is unacceptable, since excess weight of the animal can lead to a large increase in weight, which can adversely affect the limbs of the bird - they are bent.
In winter, green oats, sprouted grains, and cranberries are introduced into the diet of the bird. Alfalfa is on the menu in summer and winter. Be sure to have clean water freely available. These are the products that should be present in the menu of this bird: carrots, rye bread, bran, oats, barley, cake, meat, peas, oatmeal, chicken eggs, cabbage, beets, onions, potatoes, yeast, hay flour, shells, fish oil, salt, bone meal, etc.
Emu breeding
Another difference between emus and ostriches is that they lay dark eggs, whereas in ostriches they are white.
But masonry is preceded by mating games. They are very interesting. The female and the male stand opposite each other, lower their long necks and shake their heads near the ground. Previously, the male makes a nest, and after such mating games he leads the lady of his heart to him. This happens in May - June.
Interestingly, unlike many other animals, female emu often fight with each other if they cannot share the gentleman. This is especially true of a free male without a pair - then, in a fight, the ladies decide which of them is worthy to start a family with a vending male. These fights can last up to five hours. The female's clutch consists of several eggs. Every day, or every two, three days, she lays an egg. On average, a female carries 11–20 eggs, the weight of which is 700–900 g. Several females lay eggs in one nest made of foliage, grass, twigs, bark.
In the photo on the left (dark green) - emu eggs, on the right (white) - ostrich eggs. Only the male emu is engaged in hatching the offspring. While this process lasts (about 2 months), he rarely eats, drinks little. If at the time of laying the eggs are dark green, then by the time the chicks hatch, the outer shell becomes black-purple.
Chicks hatch after 56 days and weigh 500–600 g at birth. They quickly become active and can leave the nest in a few days, and after 5–24 hours they can follow their father. Chicks hatch sighted, covered in down, have distinctive cream and brown camouflage stripes that disappear after 3 months.
The male takes care of his offspring for 7–8 months, and brings up the brood alone, without a female.
Interesting Emu Facts
The information below was taken from Wikipedia:
- Emu was an important source of meat for the Australian Aborigines in the area where it is endemic. Emu oil was used as a medicine and rubbed into the skin. It also served as a valuable lubricant. Traditional paints for ceremonial body decoration were made from fat mixed with alder.
- Emu is mainly bred for its meat, leather and oil. They have lean meat (less than 1.5% fat) and cholesterol levels of 85 mg per 100 g, so their meat can be compared to lean meat. Fat is used for the manufacture of cosmetics, dietary supplements and medicinal substances. The oil consists of fatty acids such as oleic (42%), linoleic and palmitic (21% each).
- Emu skin has a characteristic patterned surface due to the follicles raised in the area of the feather, therefore it is used for the manufacture of wallets, shoes (often in combination with other leathers). Feathers and eggs are used in arts and crafts and crafts.
Educational video about emu birds:
Other photos of emu birds:
In the photo there are emu, ostrich, chicken and quail eggs
