Australia, known for its unique wildlife, has an avian symbol recognized worldwide. While many nations have a single bird officially designated as their national emblem, Australia does not hold this formal declaration. The country’s primary avian symbol is the Emu, a large, flightless bird that earned its place through sheer presence and cultural significance rather than parliamentary decree. It is universally understood to represent the Australian continent and its distinctive natural heritage.
Identifying Australia’s Avian Emblem
Australia has never officially proclaimed a national bird, but the Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) holds the undisputed title of the nation’s unofficial bird emblem. This status is cemented by its prominent position on the Australian Coat of Arms, where it appears alongside the Red Kangaroo, supporting the central shield. The two animals are often interpreted as symbolizing a nation moving forward, based on the belief that neither can easily step backward.
The Emu’s inclusion in this official heraldry, granted by King George V in 1912, confirms its role as a national representation of the Commonwealth. While other native birds, such as the Kookaburra or the Wedge-tailed Eagle, are popular icons, they do not feature in the nation’s official symbols. The Emu stands alone as the de facto symbol for the entire country, even though several Australian states and territories have their own officially proclaimed bird emblems.
Distinctive Features and Biology of the Emu
The Emu is the world’s second-largest living bird by height, following only the Ostrich. An adult Emu can stand between 1.6 and 1.9 meters (5.2 to 6.2 feet) tall and weigh over 45 kilograms (100 pounds). Its body is covered in shaggy, grey-brown feathers, providing natural camouflage across its diverse habitats, while its head and neck are mostly bare, showing bluish skin.
As a ratite, the Emu is flightless, possessing greatly reduced wings. Instead of flying, the bird relies on its powerful, long legs, which allow it to walk with strides of about one meter and sprint at speeds nearing 50 kilometers per hour (30 mph). Emus are omnivorous, foraging for a diet of fruits, seeds, plant shoots, insects, and other small invertebrates across the Australian mainland, where they are widespread in forests, woodlands, and arid scrublands.
A unique aspect of Emu biology is its reproductive behavior, where the male takes on the sole responsibility of incubating the eggs. The male sits on a clutch of 7 to 10 dark green eggs for approximately 56 days without eating, drinking, or defecating. After the chicks hatch, the male continues to guard and raise them for up to seven months, teaching them how to find food.
The Emu’s Place in National Identity
The Emu’s significance reaches deep into cultural and historical narratives. For many Indigenous Australian groups, the Emu is a figure in Dreamtime stories, appearing as a creator spirit or a celestial constellation in the Milky Way. The dark-space constellation, known as the Emu in the Sky, was traditionally used to indicate the proper season for hunting the bird or gathering its eggs.
The bird’s image is also found on Australian currency and stamps, cementing its role as an enduring icon. In modern Australian folklore, the Emu gained notoriety from the 1932 “Emu War,” a failed military operation in Western Australia intended to cull the large population of crop-destroying birds. This event, where soldiers armed with machine guns were defeated by the birds’ speed and agility, is often humorously recalled, highlighting the Emu’s resilience and status as a survivor of the Australian landscape.