Emu

Emus inhabit large parts of Australia across a wide variety of habitats: sparse woodlands, open grasslands, farmland, very arid areas as well as wetlands, from the coastal regions right up to the higher elevations of the highest mountains. As a national bird, it has the honour of appearing, alongside a kangaroo, as a shield-bearer on the Australian coat of arms.

As a flightless bird, the emu has legs that are highly developed for running. The plumage of flightless birds does not lie very closely and compactly against the body. The birds therefore look somewhat shaggy, as the fine branches of the feathers do not interlock very well.

In the case of the emu, it is the male who incubates the eggs. During the entire breeding season, he neither eats nor drinks. He draws his energy from the fat reserves he has built up beforehand. To ensure he does not have to leave the nest, he also refrains from defecating throughout the entire breeding season.