Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Dromaius novaehollandiae - endangered population
Gazetted date:
06 Sep 2002
Profile last updated:
21 Jan 2020
Description
The Emu is a familiar species of the Australian bush. It is a large flightless bird that stands up to 1.9 m tall, with long legs and neck and shaggy grey-brown to dark-brown or grey-black plumage on the upperparts and usually paler underparts. The feathering of the head and neck is sparse around the upper neck with blue skin, which is darker in females, on the face and upper neck. Females are larger than males on average and are usually the larger of the birds in a pair. The downy young are conspicuously striped, with the striping gradually lost up to 3-5 months of age when they begin to acquire feathered juvenile plumage. Immature birds have a dark head and neck. Emus can be seen singly, in pairs or in loose groups, some of which consist of family groups. Males hatch the eggs and care for the chicks. Emus give a range of bubbling and grunting calls and deep drumming or booming sounds.
Distribution
The Emu formerly occurred throughout mainland Australia and Tasmania though only rarely in dense tropical forests or parts of the arid interior. It is now generally absent from densely settled regions and largely absent from south-eastern coastal and subcoastal regions. The Emu is extinct in Tasmania. The species was formerly widespread in north-eastern NSW, but is now restricted to coastal and near-coastal areas between Evans Head and Red Rock and a small isolated population further west in the Bungawalbin area. The range of the species continues to contract in recent years. It now appears to be absent from Broadwater National Park, there are few recent sightings from its former stronghold in Bundjalung National Park and it is not known whether a natural population continues to persist in the Port Stephens area.
Habitat and ecology
- On the NSW north coast, Emus occur in a range of predominantly open lowland habitats, including grasslands, heathland, shrubland, open and shrubby woodlands, forest, and swamp and sedgeland communities, as well as the ecotones between these habitats. They also occur in plantations of tea-tree and open farmland, and occasionally in littoral rainforest.
- Emus are omnivorous, taking a wide range of seeds and fruits, invertebrates (mainly insects) and foliage and other plant material. They take material directly from plants or bend down to take items from the ground, picking up the food and tossing them back in the throat before swallowing.
- The population of Emus in the NSW North Coast Bioregion and Port Stephens LGA is of significant conservation value as the last known population in northern coastal NSW, and for the role that birds play in dispersing large seeds of native plant species, and over long distances.
- Most breeding occurs in late autumn and winter, but better data are needed for the north-eastern NSW population. Eggs are laid on a platform of grass, twigs, leaves and bark on the ground, often at the base of some vegetation and with good views from the nest. Incubation and all parental care is by the male.
- Young are precocial and covered in down at hatching. They can walk within 5 to 24 hours of hatching.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- The species is the risk of continued local extinctions owing to the small size of the extant population, fragmentation, isolation of individuals and groups within the total population, following past major declines.
- The habitat of the north coast population of emus has been reduced and fragmented as a result of agricultural and rural and urban development, with consequent declines and isolation of subpopulations and local extinctions, a process that is continuing.
- Inappropriate fire regimes, rendering habitat unsuitable and loss of breeding habitat, and fires, including control burns, in areas where emus are nesting. Back-burning operations can also trap and kill emus fleeing fires.
- Predation of young and eggs by red foxes, feral pigs, feral and domestic dogs, native avian and reptilian predators.
- Vehicle collisions, with increasing human use and vehicular traffic leading to many deaths of adults and youngs.
- Deliberate killing through poisoning or shooting.
- Loss of habitat through weed and native shrub encroachment.
- Lack of knowledge about key threats, breeding locations and territories and diet and plant preferences.
- Impediments to movement and access to resources through artificial barriers, agricultural development, highway upgrades and urban development.
Recovery strategies
A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click
here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click
here
Activities to assist this species
- Take care when driving through areas of known habitat to avoid collision with birds, and use signage to notify drivers of the presence and risk of harm to Emus.
- Control feral predators, and restrain domestic Dogs.
- Protect known and potential habitat from frequent fires, and protect nesting birds from fire.
- Protect areas of known and potential habitat from clearing or development.
- Report records of Emus, especially nesting birds or chicks to the OEH.
- Report illegal killing of Emus to the OEH.
Information sources
- Marchant, S. and Higgins P.J. (eds) (1990) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 1: Ratites to Ducks. Part A Ratites to Petrels. (Oxford University Press, Melbourne)
- McGrath, R.J. and Bass, D. (1999) Seed dispersal by Emus on the New South Wales north-east coast. Emu 99: 248-52.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Emu Population in the NSW North Coast Bioregion and Port Stephens Local Government Area - Endangered Population Listing. NSW Scientific Committee Final Determination. NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water: Sydney.
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