What Is The National Bird of Australia? (And Why?)

Australia is a continent of extremes. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Indian Ocean to the west, this vast land offers a wide variety of habitats, from snow-capped peaks to tropical forests. A large flightless bird can be found roaming widely in grasslands, scrubland, and woodlands of the land below.

Australia has no official national bird, but unofficially, it is widely recognized as the emu (new holland catfish). This impressive bird appears on the national coat of arms alongside another of Australia’s most exotic animals, the red kangaroo. Emus are the second largest bird in the world, and they were and are an important part of Australia.

Emus have been living with the people of Australia for thousands of years. They have always been a food source, a mythic totem, and are still important in food and manufacturing today. Read on to learn more about the emu, a bird endemic to Australia.

Australia’s unofficial national bird, the emu

Why is the emu the national bird of Australia?

Australia is home to a wide variety of bird species, including charismatic birds such as kookaburras and sulfur-crested cockatoos. However, the impressive emus hold the honor as a true symbol of Australia.

It is said that emus were chosen as Australia’s national emblem because they represent steps forward.

This can be taken literally, as emus are said to be slow to reverse!

Today, emus may be a national symbol, but their relationship with humans has a rocky background. In fact, the Australian government declared war on these giant birds in the 1930s because they were so devastating to wheat crops in the west of the country. The army is called in to try (and fail) to cull the pesky birds.

Going back even further, these birds have been important to Aboriginal Australians for thousands of years. They are an important traditional food source, but they are more than that.

These birds represent the Milky Way for native Australians and are also important in male initiation ceremonies. Ancient references to these beliefs still exist today in the form of stunning rock art and engravings in the Australian wilderness.

Emus are also a very important part of the modern economy. These large birds are important for tourism, but also for several other sectors. Today, Emu supports the Australian economy by providing:

• food – Emu meat and emu eggs are popular foods in Australia and elsewhere.
• Oil – Emu Oil contains oils that are popular in the cosmetic and skin care industry.
• leather – Soft and lightweight, emu leather is a popular choice for wallets, belts, handbags and clothing.
• feather – Emu feathers are popular in crafts, clothing and even painting industries.

Emu captured in Flinders Ranges National Park, South Australia

When did the emu become Australia’s national bird?

Australia doesn’t have an official national bird, but if there were, the emu would certainly hold the title. These large flightless birds first appeared on Australia’s national coat of arms in 1908, and then reappeared in the current coat of arms adopted in 1912.

However, the symbolic emu and kangaroo coat of arms appear to be much older. A very similar coat of arms is known as the Bowman’s Banner and dates from the early 19th century.

A Little About Australia’s (Unofficial) National Bird

Emus are the second largest birds in the world, they lay huge dark green eggs, and they can run at incredible speeds in excess of 30 miles per hour.

They may have an unseemly reputation as one of the least intelligent birds on the planet, but that doesn’t seem to affect their ability to survive and reproduce in the modern world. Read on to learn more about the fascinating emu, Australia’s (unofficial) national bird.

What does an emu look like?

Emus are large, flightless birds. They are tall birds with strong legs, large bodies, long necks and small heads. Emus are the second largest bird in the world and the largest in Australia. These birds weigh up to 120 pounds and stand nearly 6 feet tall, with females being much larger than males.

Their body color is taupe, but the head and neck appear black and blue due to the black plumage and bare blue skin. Emus do have wings, although they cannot fly. However, the wings are very small, only about 8 inches long.

Close-up of an emu

Where do emus live?

Emus are endemic to Australia, which means they don’t occur anywhere else, although they are popular poultry in many other parts of the world today, including the United States. Emus are widely distributed across mainland Australia, where they can be highly nomadic, migrating great distances depending on rainfall.

Emus are found in a variety of habitats from woodlands to bushland and meadows. They avoid the driest areas and densely populated areas.

What do emus eat?

Emus are omnivores and have a varied diet. They forage on the ground for insects, seeds, fruit, and other plant material. Their diet varies throughout the year, and these nomadic birds may have to travel long distances to find water and good feeding grounds.

A male emu foraging by the side of the road

How do emus reproduce?

Emus pair in summer and lay eggs in fall or early winter. They are usually polyandrous, meaning the females have multiple partners and do not care for the young.

The male alone digs a shallow nest and covers it with leaves and other plant material. Females lay up to 24 (usually 5-15) large green eggs. He incubates the eggs alone and cares for the chicks until they are about 5 months old. Baby emus are highly developed when they hatch and are able to leave the nest and run within a week.

What sounds do emus make?

Emus make low, rumbling and purring sounds. Females typically make a rumbling call that can be heard up to a mile away, although both males and females can make either call.

Emu endangered?

Emu are listed as “least threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their population is considered stable and was estimated to be between 630,000 and 725,000 in 2009. Emus have benefited from colonization and modern agriculture due to increased availability of surface water and protection from predators such as wild dogs.

A male emu cares for the chicks as they feed

Australia’s National Bird FAQs

Is the ostrich Australia’s national bird?

Emu is Australia’s national bird. Ostriches belong to the same family as emus, but are larger and can be found in Africa, not Australia.

What is Australia’s national treasure?

red kangaroo (red belly catfish) is a national treasure of Australia. The animals are depicted alongside the emus on Australia’s national coat of arms.

Australia’s national animal, the red kangaroo (Osphranter rufus)

What is the average lifespan of an emu?

Emus live to be around ten years old in the wild. However, in captivity they can live much longer, with individuals reaching 35 years or more.

Can emus hurt people?

Emus can injure humans with their large claws and powerful legs. They are not usually aggressive towards people, but they should always be given the respect they deserve.

Can emus fly?

Emus are flightless, although they are thought to have evolved from birds that did. However, they are capable of traveling long distances on foot and can reach incredible speeds of over 30 miles per hour.