Dromaius novaehollandieae
The Australian emu is the world’s second-largest flightless bird after the African ostrich. Its wings are reduced to small stubs, which it lifts in hot weather to expose the bare skin along its sides and allow passing air to cool the body.
Emus have an unusual breeding strategy: once the eggs have been laid, the male takes over all responsibility for incubation. During the eight-week incubation period, the devoted father rarely leaves the nest and loses a considerable amount of weight. After hatching, he alone cares for and protects the striped chicks, which are able to walk and follow him soon after emerging from the egg.
