The national bird of Australia is Emu. Its scientific name is Dromaius novaehollandiae. It belongs to Phylum Chordata, class of Aves, an order of Casuariiformes, family of Dromaiidae and kingdom of Animalia. It is the 2nd largest bird by height and mostly found and native bird of Australia.it is the surviving member of Dromaius. It is soft fur brown color nonflying bird. It has long neck and legs its height reaches up to 1.9-inch meters (6.2 ft).
It is transportable and can travel large distances. In case of emergency, it can run at 50 km/h (31 mph). They feed on a variety of plants and insects and survives for a week without food. They often drink irregularly but take a plentiful amount of water when getting an opportunity.
Its breeding season takes place in the month of May and June. With the arrival of a mating session, the female often fights each other. Female species can mate several times and lay a numerous number of eggs in one season. Its male species does the gestation during this session he eats and drinks very hard and loses a major amount of weight. Probably hatching eggs processed in eight weeks. Young species supported by fathers. They reach in six months to their full size.it can remain as a family unit till next breeding season. The bird features are significantly in indigenous Australian tradition.
10 exciting Facts about EMU
- Emu is the most popular and native bird of Australia
- According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, it is common as least concern species
- The Emus can travel great distances.
- It is a significant cultural icon of Australia.
- It is featured on the coat of arms and different coins.
- It has two sets of eyelids, one for blinking and second for protection against dust etc.
- It has long feet with three toes one toe on each foot has a long nail for fighting also use his leg legs for kicking the predators when faced with danger.
- The Male species snorting sound like a pig and females make a loud growling sound.
- Its small wings provide it stability during running.
- For stability Emu stores fat which used as a source of energy when the food is insufficient.
- By food it is an omnivore (eats both plants and animals). It most favorite food is to eat caterpillars, small lizards, large insects, rodents, flowers, seed, buds and shoots.
- It swallows little rocks and pebbles to facilitate grinding of food and accelerate digestion.
- It also comes in the category of fast running animal. That’s why it can travel 30 miles per hour. And travel thousands of miles each year
- It is excellent swimmer.
- The Female species lays 8 or 10eggs .The eggs color are dark green which have thick shell and weight of around one pound.
- The small chicks of Australian bird is active and ready as hatching time close.
History of Emu Bird
It was first reported by Europeans as they have seen by them at the beginning of time when explorers visited the western coast of Australia in 1696.For the first time, it was observed by this Dutch captain Willem de Vlamingh during his tour or outing for the search of survivors of a ship that had gone missing two years earlier. It was known on the eastern coast before 1788. When the first Europeans settled there. The birds were first mentioned under the name of the “New Holland cassowary” in Arthur Phillip’s Voyage to Botany Bay, published in 1789 with the following description
The Australia national bird was named by ornithologist John Latham in 1790 based on a specimen from the Sydney area of Australia
Why is EMU the national bird of Australia
Every country has its own unique emblems which range from anthem, uniform, tree, Flower, animal and a flag alongside this country also has a national bird to represent its gardens, trade and forest habitation. All the national bird signifies certain principles that a nation stands for. Let’s know the national bird of Australia.
It is the native and popular bird of Australia. It has a large amount of good qualities .independent of frequent food and water and can survive up to weeks. Excellent protection capability against dust and predators. Australian bird represent significant cultural icon of Australia and featured on the coat of arms and different coins. Due to all these facts, Emu becomes the national bird of australia.