10 Fun Facts About Emu
Emus are large, unique birds with long necks, azure heads, fluffy plumage, and strong legs that make them easy to identify. The emu, a member of the ratite family, is the second-oldest living bird after the ostrich. They are occasionally eclipsed by ostriches, their somewhat larger African cousins, yet they are no less fascinating, enjoyable, or deserving of respect. Here are a few emu facts you might not be aware of.
1 — The only birds that have calf muscles are emus.
Emus make up for their lack of wing size with their powerful legs. In addition to the size of their legs, they have a few unique characteristics that increase their strength. For instance, emus are the only species of bird with a gastrocnemius. This strong muscle is a component of the calf muscle in humans and is situated on the back of the leg.
2 — Emu occasionally consume odd foods.
They ingest tiny stones as gizzards, which remain in their stomachs, just like all birds do. During digestion, the stones bounce around and aid in the breakdown of any food that is currently in the stomach. Emus have also been seen by scientists to ingest charcoal, though the explanation for this behavior is yet unknown. Emus have even been seen consuming jewelry, marbles, vehicle keys, small pieces of metal, and broken glass.
3 — Emus may go two months without eating.
Male and female emu birds differ somewhat in size. During breeding, the female emu also has the upper hand. The father will take up incubation after she has laid her big, green eggs. She might go at this point and never come back. She occasionally picks up another mate and reproduces once again. The father is left to care for the eggs in the interim. He won’t leave during this time to drink or eat. For two months, he stays in the nest.
4 — Emu adaptations are special to them.
Even though emus cannot fly, they nonetheless flail their wings when they run. This, together with the emu’s distinctive pelvic shape, is thought by scientists to help these animals maintain their balance while sprinting at fast speeds. Similar to how most birds have four toes whereas an emu only has three, To aid in their long-distance foot travel, emus also have large pads under their feet. Additionally, they have delicate beaks that they employ for grazing.
5 — The voice of an emu is powerful.
A hollow drum might be likened to the low, deep voice of an emu. They may whistle and grunt as well. Though the sound can be rather powerful, its low frequency makes it difficult to record. Some areas allow you to hear emus up to two kilometers away. At Mungo, we frequently hear emus in the distance. Read More…
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