Emus are large, friendly birds from Australia with long legs and soft feathers. They can run fast and love to explore open land. Kids love their funny calls and curious behavior!
Watch an Emu in Action!
See how emus walk, run, and play in this fun video!
What Is an Emu?
Emus are big birds that cannot fly but run very fast. They have long necks, long legs, and soft feathers.
- Second-largest bird in the world after the ostrich
- Travel in small groups called mobs
- Can sprint up to 50 km/h (about 31 mph)
Where Do Emus Live?
Emus live in Australia where there is plenty of wide-open space for them to roam.
- Found all across Australia
- Live in grasslands, savannas, and woodlands
- Like areas with lots of plants and insects to eat
What Do Emus Eat?
Emus are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals.
- Grass, seeds, and berries
- Insects like beetles and grasshoppers
- Sometimes small reptiles like lizards
How Big Is an Emu?
Emus are very tall birds and can be compared to objects kids know!
- Stand about 1.5 m tall (about as tall as a kitchen counter)
- Weigh around 45 kg (similar to a large dog or a small toddler)
- Legs help them run fast and kick if they need to protect themselves
What Sound Do Emus Make?
Emus make deep booming, drumming, and grunting sounds that are fun and a little silly!
Cool Emu Facts
Emus have lots of neat traits that make them special:
- Can travel long distances looking for food and water
- Have three toes on each foot for strong running grip
- Can go weeks without eating or drinking in dry times
- Male emus sit on the eggs and take care of babies
- Young emus are called chicks and are striped for camouflage
- Feathers help keep them cool in hot weather
- Emu oil from their feathers is sometimes used in skin creams
- Emus have good eyesight and 360° vision on flat land
Printables and Coloring Fun
Color and play with emus while learning even more!
Emus in the Eco‑System
Emus are important birds that help plants grow and keep the land healthy.
- Spread seeds by eating fruits and berries
- Dig up ground when looking for insects, helping soil stay fresh
- There are about 600,000 emus in the wild
- They are not endangered, but habitat places must stay safe for them
Ask a Grown‑Up to Help You Learn More
These trusted sites have more fun facts and photos of emus:
Fun Questions About Emus
An emu is a large bird from Australia that cannot fly but can run fast.
Emus can sprint up to about 50 km/h (31 mph).
They eat grass, seeds, berries, insects, and sometimes small lizards.
Emus live across Australia in open grasslands, woodlands, and savannas.
An emu is about as tall as a kitchen counter—approximately 1.5 m tall.
Yes, emus can travel long distances to find food and water.
Male emus sit on the eggs, hatch them, and care for the chicks.
No, emus are not endangered, but they need safe places to live.
Ways to Donate and Support Emus
You can help emus by protecting their homes and supporting wildlife groups that care for them.
Sources: Wikipedia, Live Science, Creative Commons, Britannica.com and Freesound.org
Alphabetical list of animals that start with E
A full alphabetical list of popular animals that start with the letter E for toddlers and preschool kids.
- Eagle
- Earwig
- Echidna
- Eel
- Egret
- Eider
- Eland
- Electric Eel
- Elephant
- Elephant Seal
- Elephant Shrew
- Elk
- Emperor penguin
- Emu
- Eurasian Red Squirrel
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Animal phonics alphabet
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