'WILD' the Emu - Framed* original artwork

About this bird:
The Emu is endemic to Australia. In size, they are second only to ostriches in the world. Emus can run at 50km/h, with a running stride of 3m and can grow up to 2m tall! They forage for plants and insects, known to go for weeks without eating whilst drinking infrequently, but take in copious amounts of water when the opportunity arises. For heat management, its primitive styled feathers provide almost complete protection from solar radiation. They’re important seed dispersers like Cassowaries and also swallow stones to help them grind food. Unlike most bird species, it’s the female emus who court the males! The female dominates the male during breeding but once incubation begins, the male becomes aggressive to other Emus, including his mate. The females lay 5 - 15 large dark-green eggs, then promptly wanders off to breed again and leaves the male to perform all the incubation. The males incubate the eggs for seven weeks - never leaving the nest, losing up to 8kg in the process. Chicks stay with dad for up to 2 years, he defends them and teaches them how to find food. The emu is an important cultural icon of Australia, appearing on the coat of arms and coins. It also has a prominent place in Australian Aboriginal mythology, with one legend suggesting emus were creator spirits that used to fly and look over the land. The ‘Emu in the Sky’ has featured in Aboriginal storytelling for thousands of years. Their Conservation Status is ‘Least Concern’.