Emu meat

The emu, *Dromaius novaehollandiae*, is a flightless bird found only in Australia, where it stands as the country’s tallest native bird. It is the sole living species in its genus, *Dromaius*, and ranks as the third-tallest bird on Earth, after the common ostrich and the Somali ostrich. Emus inhabit most of the Australian mainland. However, the subspecies that once lived on Tasmania, Kangaroo Island, and King Island died out following European settlement in 1788.

This bird has soft, brown feathers, a long neck, and long legs, reaching up to 1.9 meters (6 feet 3 inches) in height. It is a sturdy, two-legged runner capable of covering long distances and, when needed, sprinting at 48 kilometers per hour (30 miles per hour). Emus are omnivores, feeding on a range of plants and insects, and can survive for weeks without eating. They rarely drink, but when they find fresh water, they consume large amounts.

Breeding occurs in May and June, with females often fighting over mates. A female may mate multiple times and lay several clutches of eggs in a single season. The male incubates the eggs, eating and drinking very little during this time, which causes him to lose significant weight. The eggs hatch after about eight weeks, and the father cares for the young. The chicks reach full size in roughly six months, but the family may stay together until the next breeding season.

The emu is common enough to be classified as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Still, some local populations are considered endangered, and all insular subspecies had gone extinct by the 1800s. Threats include egg predation by other animals, especially invasive species, roadkill, and habitat fragmentation.

The emu is a significant cultural symbol in Australia, appearing on the coat of arms and various coins. It also plays a prominent role in Indigenous Australian mythologies.

The origin of the name “emu” is unclear. It may come from an Arabic word for a large bird, later used by Portuguese explorers for the cassowary in Australia and New Guinea. Another possibility is the Portuguese word “ema,” which refers to a large bird like an ostrich or crane. In Victoria, the bird was called *Barrimal* in Dja Dja Wurrung, *myoure* in Gunai, and *courn* in Jardwadjali. The Eora and Darug people of the Sydney basin knew it as *murawung* or *birabayin*.